"Learn to trust the journey, even when you don't understand it." -Lolly Daskal.

Olivia huffed, "You can't keep taking pot-shots to the head like this, Stabler."

"And let my partner take 'em? Fuck no," Olivia pressed the peroxide-soaked cotton ball to his face again, "Ahhh! Warn me next time, would you?" he seethed.

Olivia held back a giggle, "Sorry."

Munch strolled back in from the interrogation room, "Stabler asked the father for a DNA sample?"

"What else?" Olivia replied, "You'd think they want to be the first eliminated off the suspect list," She dropped the used cotton ball into the trash and picked up another, "Did we figure out how these women are connected yet?"

"With deepest sympathies, no. As far as the world is concerned, these women lived in two different universes."

Olivia mumbled, "There has to be something."

With his hands in his pockets, Cragen came out holding back a grin, "How's the patient?"

"Irritable and grumpy, but that's how he is anyway," Olivia joked with a smile.

Elliot rolled his eyes, "Come on. You know how many times I got hit in the head when I was growing up?"

Cragen broke in, "I hesitate to ask."

1984

Serena had vacated the apartment earlier that evening and promised to return by tomorrow afternoon. For once, Elliot didn't have to make the harrowing ascent up the fire escape; instead, he got to use the front door. A rare privilege when visiting the Benson home. Elliot knocked weakly. Barely able to keep himself standing, he used the door frame for support. When she opened the door, he stood there bruised, bloodied, and he was clutching the top of his shoulder.

Olivia helped him inside, "Elliot, what happened?"

Elliot hissed in agony, "Bastard got home early. I was the first thing in sight."

Olivia ran a thumb over his bruised cheek, "Baby, he did a number on you," her voice trailing in sorrow. Joe Stabler, you asshole.

Elliot groaned, "I think I dislocated my shoulder—I need you to get it back into its place."

"El, you need a doctor—" Olivia protested.

Elliot shook his head, "Sit behind me, reach under my arm, and pull."

"Elliot," she protested again. She was in no way qualified to Pop anything back into place.

Elliot stilled another groan, "I'm not going to see a doctor, Olivia, it's not happening. I know you're strong enough. Just do it," he pleaded.

She took a breath and nodded, "Go into my room. I'll be there in a minute."

Olivia retrieved a basket full of cotton swaps and peroxide with some wrap bandages. When she returned to her room, Elliot's jacket was taken off, and he was barely sitting upright in the middle of her bed. Through the threadbare baby blue t-shirt, she could see the flattened shoulder, his elbow was flexed, and movement in his fingers was minimal. She needed to do the maneuver now and fast.

Olivia assumed the position behind him, "You know this is going to hurt, right?"

"Just do it."

Olivia did as Elliot told her. She reached under the affected arm and tugged sharply in one quick motion. She forced him to bite in his jacket to muffle any cry that could have emerged.

She ran a gentle hand over his shoulder after it was over, ensuring everything was back to where it should be. Olivia fled the room again to recover some over-the-counter painkillers and a bag of frozen peas. She laid him back against her bed and began the unpleasant manner of cleaning his wounds.

Olivia warned, "Hold still."

"You're really good at this."

She breathed, frustrated, "I'm not your nurse Elliot, I'm your girlfriend."

"If we had the means and opportunity, would you run away with me right now?"

Olivia chuckled lightly, "Elliot, we're still in high school."

"We could take the GED right now if we wanted to," Elliot shot back, "I know we'd pass."

Olivia lowered the cotton ball from his bleeding brow, "You're serious?"

Elliot nodded, "We could get away from all of this and actually be happy. I might know someone who could help."

"Could help us what? Get emancipated?"

"Get married."

Olivia dropped the cotton ball, her palms began to sweat, and her teeth started their assault on her bottom lip, "That's a huge step."

"It is. We both have money saved, and Aunt Jenny is willing to take us in for a while until we find something of our own."

It seemed wondrous, and in theory, they could do it. But would a marriage as juvenile as theirs stand the test of time? Would they love each other the same as they do now? Would they make it till death do they part?

Elliot's fingers intertwined with Olivia's, "I'm not asking you now. I just want you to consider it." he calmed. She was still reeling from the thought of being married.

Olivia agreed, "I'll take it under advisement."

"You know, Liv. I still have one good arm….The night isn't over just yet." he teased.

Olivia raised an arched brow, "Oh really?"

"Really," he moved the bag of frozen peas further up his shoulder, "Give me twenty minutes with the produce, and I'll be good as new."

Present

Together they strolled into the cribs full of decrepit cots and nasty pillows older than the both of them combined. Elliot unclipped his badge and gun from his side, laying them next at the foot of the cot.

"I'll be in to wake you in about a half-hour to make sure you haven't slipped into a coma," Olivia kidded.

"Thank you, Nurse Benson." he jested, "Although a kiss would probably speed my recovery time along much faster."

Olivia squinted, "Would it now?"

Elliot nodded, "It would."

"We're at work for another seven hours. I guess you'll have to wait, Detective."

"That's not gonna happen," Elliot sat up from the cot and approached her slowly, like a predator with its prey, and bound her arms above her head. He moved towards her belt, unclipping her weapon and badge, and dropped it on a neighboring cot behind him.

"We're working," she breathed heavily.

"Yes, but if I recall, you're the one that said, and I quote 'As long as we have guns and badges strapped to our sides, we're just partners,' Now tell me, Olivia, where is your shield?"

Olivia smiled, "You son of a bitch," her arousal was manifesting with every touch Elliot gave to her, "You just love gettin' your way, don't you?"

"I just think my nurse should be properly thanked," he leans in to capture her lips and holds her against the wall for a few moments before releasing her, "That's the PG version," he pecks her lips again, "The rated R version will have to wait."

"Sounds incredible," she pecks his lips one last time, "Get some sleep."

"Copy that," he fluffed the flat pillow behind him and laid on his back, waiting for sleep to come.

The day was winding down, and Fin was shuffling papers around, raising his pencil cup, and knocking over any personal effects in the exploration of his missing piece of office equipment.

"What's wrong, squirt?" Munch inquired, sipping the last of his cold cup of coffee.

Fin gruffed, "Somebody stole my stapler."

"Well, what did the FBI think?" Munch gasped sarcastically, "Is it enough to make a case?"

"Shut up, butt-munch."

Munch spun around in his chair, "Hell of a day: Stabler gets clocked, Olivia plays Florence Nightingale, and Fin loses his stapler."

Fin scolded, "If one of you assholes has it, give it here. I'll shoot and ask questions later."

"Who's shooting and who's asking questions later?"

"Captain I—"

"Save it, Tutuola, it's right here," he placed the stapler into his hand, "Our ADA accidentally stuck it in her briefcase when she set up shop earlier."

"Case closed!" Munch clapped his hands, "Well, I need a drink. Who's coming?"

Olivia laughed, "Let me go check on the patient."

In the cribs, Elliot was blinking up at the ceiling, rubbing the side of his face.

"Should I have Warner take a look at you? The guys want to go have some drinks."

"No, I'll be good," He sat up, reclipping his badge and gun, "Where are the guys headed?"

"Hopefully anywhere but Flannigan's, I can't be their main source of entertainment always," she grinned, "I was also thinking maybe tonight, we tell Fin."

"I like that," Elliot toed his shoes back on, "He asked me to tell you that I like you."

"When did he say that?"

"A few nights ago at the vending machine. I told him he should ask Casey out."

"She hasn't told me anything yet. Do you think he went through with it?"

"If he doesn't, he's an idiot."

They had settled on Maloney's. A cop bar within walking distance of the precinct that looked and smelled like 1973. Cigarette butts piled over ashtrays, and the upholstery of most of the stools was ripping apart. Tonight, they didn't come for an experience or a show. They came for cheap booze and a good laugh. Occupying their seats at the bar, they acquired their bottled brews knowing well that anything on tap would be absolutely unpalatable.

Munch raised his bottle in the air and faced them, "Until death or retirement do us part! Here's to Liv!" the old man smiled.

Elliot and Fin raised their bottles in unison, "To Liv!" the gentlemen cheered, clinking their emerald bottles together and indulging in a long swig.

Olivia's cheeks had taken on a youthful shade of rose. These men meant everything to her, despite how long she's known two of the three. They filled parts of her life she didn't realize she needed to fill.

Her thrills were short-lived when a man approached her from behind, diverting her attention away from her friends, "Sweetheart, can I buy you a drink?"

Olivia's body tensed. She could smell the booze on his breath in addition to the Aqua Velva and cigarette smoke. She offered a small smile, "I'm flattered, but I'm still working on this one, thank you," she declined, but her troubles were only beginning.

The strange man does not stray, and he leans in closer, "Come on, it's just one drink," he insisted, slurring the edge of his words.

"No, really, that's alright." Olivia shot back. The kindness in her eyes began to fade.

The man took another step and leaned against the bar, too close for Olivia's liking, but he was determined, "You look like you need someone to take care of you tonight, baby, and I'd be more than pleased to do just that."

"I think I've made myself clear, sir," Olivia asserted.

"Leave the lady alone, pal," Fin said gruffly, "She's with us."

The man's drunken gaze deviated from Olivia and snapped at Fin, "I wasn't talking to any of you."

Elliot stood up from the other side of Fin, his sleeves were already rolled up, and a button popped on his collar, "No, but I'm talking to you. Buzz off." Elliot spat.

"What? Can't the lady speak for herself? She needs three men to—"

Elliot cut him off, inching closer to the bum next to Olivia, "She told you what she wants, and she's with us. Leave her alone."

"Let the lady talk, man," It was now achingly apparent that he had one too many drinks that evening.

"She doesn't want to talk to you, man," Elliot boomed. Olivia's heart began to race.

The loser reached Olivia's thigh. At the edge of the bar, Munch mused, "I wouldn't do that if I were you…." taking another sip of his brew.

Elliot grabbed him before the man could touch her and twisted the guy's arm behind his back, slamming his face into the bar with such force, it shook all contents of the counter.

The man squirmed, trying to break free, "Can't a guy chase some tail around here!"

Elliot gritted his teeth and hissed, "When a woman says no she means no, go chase tail somewhere else."

"El, Stop!" Olivia yelled.

Olivia knew the violence Elliot was truly capable of. Elliot never backed down from a fight. She was the metaphorical red come over Elliot in a crashing wave. He was too far gone to bring him back, not when this was about her.

He always fought for her.

"Either show yourself out, Or I'll show it for you," Elliot growled, ripping the man off the counter and launching him in the direction of the door.

The nameless man stumbled out of Maloney's bar, angry and disappointed. Rather quickly, he erased Olivia from his memory and lost interest in the conquest. Elliot observed him walk out of view from the windowpanes before turning back to the bottle on the counter.

Olivia sat viewing the bartender, working on peeling off the Heineken sticker from her bottle, "I need some air," she said, sliding off the barstool and making her way towards the back exit.

"Liv—" Elliot began to call. He followed close behind.

"Don't follow me," she ordered darkly.

"Olivia—" Elliot called out softly once again. The frustration was written in black and white all over her face.

Olivia snapped, "Elliot, Don't," the virulence was overbearing.

She took her jacket and turned on her heels, away from him.

Against everything his heart was telling him, the logical gears in his brain finally began to move.

"You're a fucking idiot, Stabler," he held, "You're going to lose her all over again."

Heart overruled the mind, and before he comprehended what he was doing, he was out the back door, looking at her with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?" Olivia crossed her arms over her body. She was guarding herself.

"Olivia, I tried—"

"No, you didn't," Olivia shook her head, "I asked you to stop, and it fell on deaf ears," her mouth went dry. She wished he had a glass of water or even her abandoned beer that sat inside. Neither one would make her any less upset.

"He wasn't backing down, and I had to do something."

Anger was laced in her words, "I spent nine years without you protecting myself from men like that. Why would that loser be any different than before?"

"I'm your partner. I'm supposed to have your six."

"Is that what this is about?" She looked into his eyes for any indication that it was, "Elliot, a partner rides shotgun with you in a squad car, brings you a cup of coffee on occasions, and helps you finish your overdue DD5's. Partners don't steal kisses between calls or fuck each other into oblivion all evening and show up to the precinct as if nothing happened," her venom was gone, being replaced with a heartbroken tone, "Partners don't say I love you, Elliot."

"We aren't just any partners, Liv," he panted, "We were partner's before we became cops. I lost years that I could have spent with you and I'm out here trying to make sure I don't lose any more," he blinked away the heavy tears, "I got jealous. I'll admit it. I took one look at that piece of shit, and all I saw was your mother and my father."

"Don't bring her into this."

"It's the same fucking thing, Liv, and she would wear you down and guilt trip you until there was nothing left."

"I'm a big girl now. Stop with the hero complex."

"I'll stop playing the hero when they lower my casket into the ground, Olivia."

A flash of his funeral developed behind her watering eyes, with taps playing and him being buried in his Marine blues.

It would be the day she lost him for good.

Olivia's lip quivered, "Don't say that!" she yelled. Vaulting at him, she knocked him repeatedly in the chest, "Bastard! Don't you dare say that!"

Elliot grabbed her hands to stop her actions and drew her close, "It's the truth. You are the most independent person I've ever met, and I never intend to take that away from you. I saw what was happening, and I reacted, I'm sorry."

She shoved him away, "I know what you're capable of, El. I yelled for you to stop, and I couldn't get through."

"I need to work on it."

Olivia bit the side of her cheek to stop the tears, "You do. I'm going to my apartment tonight, and I think you should go back to Queens."

"Olivia—"

"Right now, we go back inside, finish our drinks, and say our goodnights."

Elliot nodded, swallowing his fear but understanding her need for space. He was terrified at how much space she was willing to put between them.

Was it nine years worth?

Olivia arrived early at the precinct. An arrangement of sunflowers, burnt-orange roses, and golden buttons sat perfectly on her desk in a copper vase. A card titled "Liv" sat at the top.

I don't want to go to heaven when heaven's right here beside me. I love you.

Semper Fi

-E

P.S check the bottom drawer of your desk

She opened her bottom desk drawer as per instructions and picked up the frosted bottle of raspberry-flavored arbor mist.

"Baby girl's got an admirer, thas wassup," Fin picked up the bottle of wine she sat on her desk, "You need to bring this guy around so I can tell him his taste in wine is junk. This shit will give you diabetes before it gets you drunk."

Olivia shook her head, "The wine is a joke, Fin."

Munch chimed in, "Who's the lucky spud, Benson?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Well, who is he?" Fin asked, "I think as your friends, we have a right to know who is taking care of you, not that you can't take care of yourself, it's just nice to have somebody."

"Who is he? A senator? A lawyer? Some FBI guy trying to infiltrate SVU secrets?" Munch half-heartedly guessed, smiling in Elliot's direction.

"The only secret around here is how Munch can give the coffee a texture," Fin laughed, "Okay and maybe your mystery man."

"Maybe I'll keep you guys guessing."

"You'll appreciate it after I'm dead," Munch threw his hands up, "A little more information, please? Come on! It's dead around here. The rats in the walls are even asleep."

Olivia relaxed, "Fine. What do you wanna know first?"

"A name would be a good start, but I know you won't give that up," Fin said.

"You're right, anything but that."

"What are the flowers for? He screw up bad baby girl?"

Olivia sat at the edge of her desk and played with a fallen sunflower petal between her fingers, "We got in a fight last night, and I left things up in the air. I guess this was his way of making sure we were okay."

"When did you start seeing him?" Fin asked.

"We got together when we were fifteen and broke up just before his eighteenth birthday. After that, we didn't see each other because we both were doing different things. A few weeks ago I saw him. We saw a second chance, and we took it." she paused, "He understood what it was like having a parent with self-destructive behavior. He did his best to keep me away from her when she'd go on a binge. One night, my mom came home obliterated…."

1985

Serena laid out on the living room couch, half asleep, gazing at the television. Olivia came out from her room to see the mess her mother had made of the space. Across the coffee table lay a half-empty bottle of vodka, a chipped screwball glass, open unpaid bills, and letters pertaining to Hudson University. Maybe it was a rough day, or perhaps it was a good day, but she didn't know. Serena went straight for the freezer when she came home, which was Olivia's cue to go to her room.

Olivia tapped her mother's shoulder, awakening any sleepiness instilled in Serena.

"What do you want," Serena sneered.

"Maybe you should go to bed….you have work in the morning."

Olivia began to take the contents of the coffee table away, bringing the glass to the sink for washing and the letters to the kitchen counter for sorting. She went back to the living room and touched the top of the bottle to be put back, but Serena slapped her hand away, "Leave it." she slurred.

"Mom, you've had enough."

"Leave it, Olivia."

They fought for the bottle between both of their hands, and ultimately it was dropped and shattered on the floor.

"Look what you've done!" Serena screamed.

"I..I'll clean it up."

Serena tugged Olivia by her arm and threw her across the coffee table, "Mom, please," Olivia begged to be let go. Serena picked up the letter opener and came after Olivia with it. Out of reflex, Olivia kicked her, sending Serena flying rearward into the wall.

"You're going to pay for that one, Olivia," Serena garbled.

Serena got up, and Olivia ran into her bedroom, slamming the door. Blood trickled down her arm, and that was the moment she realized that in the struggle, the letter opener caught her in the shoulder. Serena pounded on the door, but Olivia locked it and braced herself against it.

Up the fire escape, Elliot climbed until he reached her window. He peeked inside, looking for Olivia's sleeping form on the bed, but it wasn't there. Against the door was a shadow curled up onto the floor. He pried open the cracked window and let himself through. He ditched his jacket and went straight for Olivia. The pounding on the door relented, followed by an unmistakable heave from a neighboring room.

Serena was throwing up.

At least she made it to the bathroom this time.

"Liv, what happened?"

"She was still awake, and I went to clean up the mess so she wouldn't get mad. I tried taking the bottle away from her, and I broke it."

"Liv, you're bleeding. She cut you with the bottle."

"Bitch caught me with a letter opener," Olivia corrected.

He ran the pad of his thumb over her bruised cheek, "Yeah, and it looks like she caught your face too," Elliot plucked a few tissues from the box on her nightstand and held it tightly on her arm, "It doesn't have to be like this anymore."

Olivia took over holding the tissues while Elliot paced around her room, quiet enough so Serena wouldn't hear his invasion. They weren't supposed to be together. He opened her closet and grabbed the gym duffle bag on the top shelf. He tossed it onto her bed. She looked to him, confused as ever, "What are you doing?" she whispered.

Elliot fought back tears of his own. He was frustrated, upset, by all definitions nauseated by Serena's actions, "Getting you out of here."

"Elliot, I can't leave."

He knelt next to her, "Please let me do this," he looked at her closely, "I'm not leaving without you."

Every ounce of what he was saying was the truth. He wouldn't leave without her and would rather face Serena himself once she was done expelling her insides. Olivia didn't want him to see her mother like that.

"One night away," Olivia agreed, "But that's it."

He opened his mouth to protest, but she was evident in her demand. Just one night away from hell is all she would allow herself until Serena sucked her back in.

"You might want to change," he suggested lightly

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Present

"We drove for almost two hours until we landed in a beach-town in Jersey. His Aunt owned a bungalow just before one of the state parks, and we stayed there all day. It was April, and it couldn't have been more than forty degrees outside. He and I walked the shoreline until we couldn't feel our feet anymore," Olivia laughed, recalling the icy water between her toes, "He held onto me when we watched the sunrise that morning, even sang to me. Despite how that day started, it was one of my favorites," her voice wavered slightly.

"Sounds like world-class Romeo," Fin said.

"Any comment on this, El?" Munch questioned

Elliot leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head, "I hope you forgave him. The guy doesn't sound that bad."

"I did. He just doesn't know that yet," she looked to her lovely arrangement of flowers and smiled, "I'm just going to add some water to these."

While Olivia was tending the flowers, Fin hauled a box of files up the stairs. Munch and Elliot were left staring at one another.

"You know, you can be sweet when you want to be. Flowers got anything to do with last night?"

Elliot scoffed, "What do you think?"

Munch spoke lightly, "She's not going to break, Elliot."

"Old habits die hard," he offered as an explanation.

"Or maybe they don't die at all."

Elliot took a ragged breath and ran a hand down the side of his face, "I couldn't sleep thinking that last night I blew it. That when we left the bar, she'd be gone, and I'd be left spiraling out of my mind."

Munch chuckled, "Women will do that to you."

"She's different," Elliot paused, crossing his arms over his chest, "I never told her but, It was one of my favorite days too."

The landline on his desk rang, he answered gruffly, "Stabler."

Across the room, at an empty desk with the receiver in hand, Olivia smiled into the phone, "I forgive you."

At the top of the balcony, Fin Tutuola stood in stupor at the display unfolding in front of him. He stepped away from the balcony and out of sight as he tried his damndest to wrap his head around everything.

Elliot is her admirer. The lucky spud. Her world-class Romeo as he so endearingly called the mystery man of Olivia's story.

Stabler protected Benson in childhood. Benson kept Stabler alive during his. The questions at Flannigan's, the closeness, the unbreakable bond between them in such a short amount of time.

It made sense.

Their formal introduction at Flannigan's was a ruse but the worst part?

Munch was in on it.

"That little weasel."

A/N: I felt like Fin had to find out sooner rather than later. What do you think? We have some background into the childhoods of Elliot and Olivia. These are still some unanswered questions in the lives of our detectives. Coming up, we have a few very special guests arriving at the Special Victims Unit very soon. You know what to do! Follow, Fav, and Review! xoxo