Disclaimer: All characters and basic concepts used in this story are the property of their respective owners. I own nothing; they are used solely for entertainment purposes. Any copyright infringement is not intended or implied.

Credit: A special thanks goes to GirlandHerKeyboard - As you know, I had writer's block for a very, very long time and wasn't sure if I ever wanted to start writing again.

So much has happened in the last few years - so much pain and sadness and that's why I lost my motivation - there are still difficult days but there are also a few good days.

But because of you, I found my joy again. Thank you very much. Without you it would not have been possible. You also did a really good job helping me with writing and correctur reading.

To the readers: I am not sure how often I will post an update - but I really hope you will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Chapter 1.

For weeks, the city had been planning an enormous party to celebrate those that served it. This was going to be the first party that Olivia would attend with Elliot, and everyone they worked with would be there.

"Mom, did you already decide what you want to wear to the party?" 10-year-old Noah asked as he walked towards her bed. Laying on top of the quilt were three dresses. Olivia's usual go-to red dress laid between a new cream-colored dress and a fancier black dress with a high slit.

"I can't decide between the black or cream dress. What do you think, Noah?"

Olivia asked her son. She smiled as he kneaded his eyebrows together and looked between the dresses.

"Mom, I think you should go with the black one," Noah grinned.

"Thanks, sweet boy. Lucy should be here soon. Would you mind excusing me? I still need to put on the rest of my makeup."

A few seconds later, the doorbell rang. Noah sprinted from his mother's bedroom and straight to the door. Olivia laughed softly to herself as she heard her son let the sitter in, his exclaims filling their apartment with such joy. Olivia slipped out of her robe and pulled on the dress, her hands struggling to reach the zipper, but eventually zipping up her black gown.

Once completely ready, Olivia walked from her room. Lucy and Noah's eyes drifted to her, a smile growing on their lips. Lucy stood quickly and walked to her boss.

"You look gorgeous, Liv."

"Thank you, Lucy. Be a good boy, Noah. I will see you two later," Olivia spoke, before reaching for her clutch and slipping from her apartment.

xxx

When she arrived, the party was in full swing. Olivia checked her jacket in, before glancing over the room. Couples danced around to a soft classical song, while others stood in groups and chatted. Olivia slipped towards the bar, stopping twice to greet coworkers. The moment she received her wine, she spun and ran into the muscular chest of a stranger that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The man's hand slipped to her hip, his thumb tracing the soft material that graced her curves.

"Wow Liv"

"Elliot," Olivia breathed, her cheeks growing red.

"Can I get you a drink?" Elliot asked, completely ignoring the glass of wine in Olivia's right hand.

"I actually just grabbed a drink… thank you for the offer," Olivia breathed awkwardly.

"At least join me while I grab another," Elliot grinned.

"If you insist."

Unnoticed by the duo, who were awkwardly flirting with each other, an onlooker spotted them and sighed. Sitting at a table in the corner, they rolled their eyes and shook their head. Why were Olivia and Elliot flirting with each other?

"Good evening, everyone," Elliot smiled, as he and Olivia walked to their designated table. Olivia had her arm looped through Elliot's arm, and that made Elliot feel like the luckiest man there.

Sitting around the table were the usual culprits. Amanda and Carisi sat side by side, a glass of wine in front of each of them. Next was Fin, who was laughing as John Munch rambled about yet another conspiracy theory. Jet and Ayanna waved slightly at Elliot and Olivia before turning back to their own drinks and conversation.

"Benson, Stabler. I heard the two biggest pains in my ass were coming together," Cragen teased, yet his face was set in a frown. He stood and looked his detectives over, before reaching out to Olivia and drawing her into a warm hug.

"It's nice to see you too, Captain," Olivia chuckled. Once they parted, Elliot and Olivia joined the rest at the table.

It wasn't long before those sitting at the table were completely absorbed in stories that Munch was telling. No one knew if they were real or completely fake, but they enjoyed it anyway. Olivia looked over the table and couldn't help but feel her heart swell at the sight of the entire crew being together. She had missed being with Fin, John, Elliot, and Cragen all the time. Yet she knew squad was something she'd never regret. As Olivia's eyes moved from each person sitting at the table, she noticed Nick. He was shaking his head and rolling his eyes when he saw Elliot rubbing Olivia's arm with his thumb.

Olivia sighed softly and looked down at Elliot's hand. Even if Nick wasn't enjoying what was happening, she was enjoying it. Elliot gave her arm a squeeze. Olivia lifted her eyes and looked at him.

No one else knew, but they had slept together the day the bomb had been found. Both had been so thankful to be alive, that they crossed a line they never expected to cross. Until they could process exactly what had happened, they had agreed to be friends. Yet Elliot was having a hard time accepting that title because Olivia just had to show up looking incredible in her tight black dress with the high slit.

Nick rolled his eyes again as he cleared his throat. He didn't like that Olivia and Elliot were in their own little world across from him. That the man that hurt Olivia so many years ago was back, and that they seemed friendly. Maybe more than friendly. He watched as Elliot leaned in to whisper into Olivia's ear, and that was his breaking point. He went to stand and stop whatever was happening, but he froze when he felt Amanda's hand against his arm.

"Nick, just leave them alone. He's not hurting her," Amanda whispered.

Nick swallowed hard as he settled back in his chair. No matter how much he wanted to stop this and ensure that Olivia wouldn't get hurt again, he could sense some connection between the former partners.

"I can't just let him sweet talk her and put her under his spell again," Nick growled, as he looked at Amanda. At the moment his words left his mouth, the music died down and dinner was announced.

Olivia looked away from Elliot as all the conversations stopped.

"Nick, please," Amanda begged, but Olivia was already shaking her head. She couldn't believe that Nick was going to start something tonight of all nights.

Almost everyone knew what was happening between Olivia and Nick. They knew he was protective of her, especially after everything that had happened in the past. Between Lewis and everything she went through to get Noah, the last thing Nick wanted was for Olivia to get hurt by a man that ran out on her.

"Liv-" Nick started, but Olivia stopped him. She stared at him as she took a sip of her wine before sitting it down.

"Leave. It. Be," Olivia warned, anger bubbling up inside. Everyone couldn't help and stare, especially Carisi. He went to speak, but Olivia stopped him with a simple look.

As dinner was served, Nick kept staring at Olivia. It got to the point where she stood and tried to not yell at her friend.

"I'll be back. I just need some air," Olivia whispered into Elliot's ear. He looked at her and nodded.

Elliot watched as Olivia walked away from their table and through the ballroom. His eyes were focused on her ass, but quickly switched to Nick. Elliot stood quickly, his chair scraping against the floor.

"Stabler, sit down. Just let them talk… he's not going to hurt her," Cragen spoke, knowing that if Elliot joined Olivia and Nick outside, someone would get hurt.

xxx

"Liv, wait up!" Nick exclaimed, as he jogged to catch up with his friend. Olivia groaned, and only turned around when Nick grabbed her hand.

"I don't want to talk to you, Nick. You are trying to start stuff when there is nothing wrong with what is happening inside."

"Please, Liv. Let's just talk."

"I swear, Nick. You better not want to talk about-"

"I'd love to talk about Stabler. What he was doing to you in there."

"Nick." Liv sighed.

"Please. I can't understand how you could forgive him. He ghosted you for over 10 years and now you are letting him touch you and sharing smiles," Nick breathed.

"A lot has happened in the years you haven't been in town, Nick."

"I know, but I want to understand how you were able to forgive him."

"Look, it was difficult at first. I was very much annoyed, but we discussed everything and rebuilt our friendship again. He also has lost his wife and had a dark time himself."

"Okay… but why? Why did you let him do that? Why did you get angry at me when I was just trying to protect you?"

"I hate feeling like someone is watching me! I hate the feeling that someone is watching every move I make and judging me… or planning against me…"

"Why would someone watch you?"

"I do not know. Maybe I just imagined it.

"Or maybe you didn't? Liv, if someone is bothering you, please tell me. I'll help you, maybe even make up a plan to protect you with… yuck, Stabler," Nick sighed.

Olivia sighed softly before smiling.

"I'm okay, Nick. I promise. Please, just lay off of Elliot… and it's nice to see you. I've missed you," Olivia breathed. Nick grinned from ear to ear as he stepped forward and hugged Olivia tightly.

TBC?