Chasing Waterfalls

by Charminglyy-Evil

"Olivia wonders if this is what she really wants, if she's ready to risk ruining their friendship and him wrecking her life all over again. But his next words take her by surprise. Elliot whispers, "What are you doing to me Liv?" Olivia struggles to get into the water, so Elliot takes matters into his own hands. Post Christmas Episode. Fun, fluffy and flirty Bensler fic.

Note:This fic is loosely inspired off the song "Youth" by Troye Sivan. Please note that Noah is 8-years old in this fic, for the purposes of being able to write adorable Elliot/Noah moments.

"My youth is yours, tripping on skies sipping waterfalls."

Chasing Waterfalls

Olivia exhales a long, tense sigh that she's been holding onto for the entire two-hour car trip. She feels waves of relaxation roll over her, soothing her body as her eyes soak in the environment.

They're at Bash Bish Falls, a breathtaking waterfall, where water streams out from both sides of the rocky cliff like millions of silky, white ribbons, cascading over moss coated rocks and gushing out into the creek. The water looks inviting, a pristine blue so clear that you can see the flat rocks and fish underneath. They have only just entered spring and the morning air still carries a chill, but the sun it out, baking Olivia's skin toasty warm until she tingles all over. Everywhere Olivia looks, she sees towering trees and layers of lush leaves hanging over her, rippling in the wind.

It looks stunning, like a snapshot from a movie.

"Mom, come on."

Noah's whine disrupts her attention and with a slight shake of the head, Olivia returns her eyes to her son, backpack slung on one shoulder and bouncing on the balls of his feet, excitement vibrating off his body.

Noahs tilts his head down towards the rocks and says, "I can see Eli! Come on Mom, let's go. I want to swim!"

Olivia laughs at her son's enthusiasm and hikes up her shoulder bag a little more. "Okay, okay we're going. Don't worry, the creek isn't going anywhere."

Noah almost rolls his eyes. "Neither are you."

Ignoring his attitude, Olivia reaches for Noah's hand and clutches her grocery bag in the other – filled with snacks, water, sunscreen, towels and Eli's birthday present. Olivia makes her way down the slope of the muddy hill, taking careful steps over rocks and branches. Olivia is glad that Noah's consumed with excitement and can't sense her nervousness.

This is the third time Olivia's seen Elliot and his family since the Christmas Party. It is no surprised that everyone was smitten by Noah, and it didn't take Noah long to get attached to Eli too, the two bonding over Eli's Lego collection and their love of Mario Karts. Noah's also been fond of Elliot, who he's recently been calling Uncle Elliot, likening Elliot to the other men of Olivia's life who came before, Nick, Peter and Barba.

Since the Christmas Party, Elliot and Olivia have become closer too. True to his word, Elliot told Olivia that he wanted to rebuild their friendship again and to start by learning what has happened to her in the last decade. So, Olivia told Elliot about Noah and how she adopted him. Then she opened some more, talking about the loss of her brother Simon, Tucker and finally, Lewis. To Olivia's surprise, Elliot didn't punch a wall, nor did he verbally attack himself for not having been there for her. Elliot didn't respond with rage.

Instead, he pulled her into his arms, nearly crushing her with his embrace.

Olivia still remembers crying into his shoulder, not because re-telling that story brought her back into the past, but because she finally felt like she had her friend back. Olivia melted into his arms and her heart melted too, thawing ice that had frosted over since the day he left her, her heart blossoming, opening to him once more.

Fortunately, they have the whole creek to themselves when they get there. The Stabler family are laying out towels on one of the giant boulders and pinning it down with shopping bags. The boulder is flat, providing them with a surface to stand on, and big enough to fit a whole family. Olivia let's go of Noah's hand and allows him to hurry ahead of her, eager to see his friends. Olivia clambers over the last few rocks, tousles up her hair and goes to greet Eli.

Olivia walks over just as Noah crashes into Eli's waist, arms open, wrapping around his body.

Eli laughs. "Hey Noah, you came! It's great to see you."

Olivia offers Eli a small box wrapped in green paper. "Happy birthday Eli."

Eli takes the gift with wide eyes, something between surprise and gratitude passing his features. "Wow, thanks Liv."

Then to her surprise, he pulls her in for a quick hug. He lets her go and says softly, "I'm really glad you came, both of you."

Olivia smiles. "We wouldn't miss it. Noah's been looking forward to this. Actually, he picked your present."

Noah grins. "It's for your Lego collection."

Eli bumps Noah lightly on the shoulder with his fist. "It's perfect, thanks Noah." He sees Olivia's grocery bags. "Hey, I'll take those for you. We're putting the bags up to the side, away from the water." Eli glances at Noah and asks, "Hey Noah, do you want to see the drone Kathleen bought me?"

Noah nods eagerly with an enthusiastic yes.

Olivia watches him and Eli head off. She can see Bernie rummaging through the cooler, Kathleen taking pictures on her phone and Maureen, huffing as she tries to apply sunscreen onto her two wriggling boys. Olivia's about to ask where Elliot is when she hears her name.

"Liv!"

Olivia whirls around to the voice. Olivia inhales sharply, her heart jumping up to her throat and her eyes almost falling out of their sockets when she sees Elliot. He's jogging up the path from the water, shirtless. He's dripping with water and try as she may Olivia can't drag his eyes away from his chest, watching the water droplets chase each other down the firm lines of his torso and disappearing into the waistband of his shorts.

"Liv?"

Olivia startles, lifting her eyes up and sees him standing before her. Olivia meets his eyes and can count the tiny drops of water caught on his lashes. Elliot raises an eyebrow at her stunned silence. Olivia quickly clears her throat and dips her head down, fighting hard not to blush and trying to recompose herself.

Olivia shakes her head slightly when she looks back up. "Sorry, I was just…ah, distracted. With the view I mean," Olivia continues quickly, not wanting him to get ideas, even though she was clearly checking him. "The view of the forest."

Elliot's watching her curiously through squinted eyes, his lips twitching into a smirk. Olivia wants to punch that smug look off his face.

"What?" She asks, her voice a little testy.

Elliot lifts his shoulder up in a nonchalant shrug, amusement twinkling in his eye. "I never get to see you stumble on your words."

Olivia almost laughs with disbelief. "I'm not stumbling…just clarifying myself."

"Right." Elliot's lips tug into a smile, which crinkles warmly around his eyes. "Well, I'm glad you came Liv."

"Me too. It's truly beautiful here, you picked an amazing spot." Olivia pauses to look around her once more, admiring the beauty. She turns back and asks, "Have you brought your family here before?"

"I used to bring the kids here with Kathy, she loved it, always looked forward to the trips where we could escape the city. Not that we had many…" Elliot's voice trails off, then he swallows and lifts his eyes back up to hers. "What about you and Noah?"

Olivia shakes her head, almost laughing at the thought of being able to take a trip away. "Not for a long time, I haven't had a break in years. Noah was excited to come today, he's been talking about this trip all week."

Elliot smiles. "Eli loves seeing Noah. I think if I didn't invite you two, he would have. It's good to have Noah around, helps to keep him out of trouble."

Olivia raises her eyebrows. "Has there been a lot of that lately?"

Elliot shakes his head, water droplets spraying in the air. "Not since Christmas. He's been keeping his head down at school. And I ah, have tried to be home with him more, reduced the late hours at the office."

Olivia reaches for his arm, squeezing gently. "That's great Elliot."

Olivia catches his eyes, and they share a smile.

Elliot tilts his head back to where the others are. "Come on, I'll get you a drink."

Olivia tilts her head down into a nod. "Sure. You brought beer, right?"

Elliot stifles a chuckle. "Of course."

Olivia follows Elliot back to their belongings, focusing on their conversation about Finn and Phoebe and how they're going, trying desperately not to let her mind conjure up another image of Elliot, dripping wet and shirtless, the image enough to send her heart racing to dizzying levels.

Still, Olivia can't help herself and her eyes glance down the plane of his tanned back. Olivia swallows back the sharp inhalation of breath, silently cursing. How the hell is she going to get through the day?

…

Elliot can't stop staring at her.

He wonders if she's done something with her hair. Her hair looks as if she just curled it, cascading down her neck like the breathtaking waterfall they're near, bouncing around her shoulders. It looks warmer too, vibrant, as if it's catching the rays of sunlight, radiating. She's wearing a white, loose blouse with giant brown buttons and sleeves that cut off at her elbows. The material is thin and transparent enough for him to make out the brown swirling patterns of her swimwear underneath. Transparent enough to tease him. The blouse hangs over a long, golden floral sun skirt, which ties up at the side of her waist and has a split down her right leg, showing whispers of tan skin.

Elliot swallows, then takes another swing of his beer. He wonders if she wore this on purpose, to entice him.

Elliot wonders if he crosses her mind in that way at all. Probably, Elliot thinks with a small smirk, judging from the way she was eyeing him before.

Elliot tries to refocus his attention once more and sees Olivia staring at him from across the other side of the space with a questioning eyebrow arched, her head tilted to the side.

Elliot silently curses. Maybe he wasn't being so subtle either. He drains the last of his drink and approaches her.

They've just had lunch, and everyone is applying sunscreen and getting ready to hit the water. Noah's standing with Eli, gaping in awe at how high Eli can fly the drone above them. Olivia is kneeling down on the boulder, frustration puffing in her cheeks as she attempts to blow up Noah's inflatable doughnut ring.

Elliot drops by next to her side. "Need a hand?"

Olivia draws back from the ring and lets out a small huff, her fingers pinching over the air hole. "It's fine, I've almost got it." Olivia lifts her eyes back up at him and sees the same look in his eye as before. He's staring at her with a deep fondness in his eyes, as if she's a work of art. Olivia arches a brow and says, "Elliot, you're starring again."

Elliot's cheeks lift into a smile. "I'm just happy to see you." He tilts his head towards her and says, "You look great, by the way."

Surprise blossoms in her eyes, unsure if she misheard him. "What?"

Elliot shrugs a little, his lips curling into a flirtatious smile. "I said you look nice Liv." His eyes flicker down briefly, tongue moistening his lower lip. Then he asks, "Are you seeing anyone?"

Olivia blinks, now sure she misheard him. Her lips part but no words come out. She meets his eyes and sees that he's still trying to hold her gaze, waiting. She breathes out, "Wow. Where's that coming from?"

Elliot shrugs. "I'm just making conversation, checking in with how my friend's been since we last spoke."

Olivia casts him a doubtful look. She says anyway, "No, I'm not seeing anyone at the moment." Olivia pauses, then asks "What about you? Are you seeing anyone?"

"No. Although Kathleen gave me the number of a friend of hers, some teacher at her book club."

"Oh…" Olivia tries to keep her voice steady as she speaks. "So, have you set a date then?"

Elliot lifts his eyes up, can see Olivia looking back down at the inflatable ring again, busying herself with it as she tries to plug the airhole and secure it in place. He says gently, "You know I didn't call her, right? I don't plan to."

Olivia lifts her eyes up. "Why not?"

Elliot almost chuckles at the look in her face. "Because I'm not interested in her Liv, I'm not interested in any woman Kathleen could try and set me up with." Elliot pauses briefly, his eyes flickering down Olivier's frame then lingering on her eyes. He says softly, "Well not any woman."

Olivia's breath catches in her throat, she studies his gaze. He's staring at her with the same heated look in his eyes, one of desire.

"Mom, did you find my floaty?"

Olivia hears Noah's voice calling out for her. Olivia manages to find her voice and says, "Coming honey!"

Olivia parts her lips and meets his eyes, looking as if she may say something, then stands and walks off to find her son, leaving Elliot behind.

…

"INCOMING!"

Olivia instinctively ducks, even though she's on the other side of the cliff that Kathleen is standing on. Kathleen jumps, knees tucked into her chest and lands in the water like a bomb, spraying water everywhere.

Olivia hears Noah laugh from a distance. It's infectious.

"Mom, can I try? Please?"

Olivia shakes her head and calls out, "Absolutely not!"

Even from afar, she can see Noah's despondent look. He soon recovers when he sees Eli running into the water, carrying three long pool noodles. Eli calls out, "Battle anyone?"

Olivia is sitting on some flat rocks at the edge of the creek, feet dangling in the water, which rises up to her calves. Olivia had taken one step into the creek and almost recoiled at how cold the water is, despite the afternoon sun being out all day. Still, it didn't stop everyone else from jumping in. Fortunately, Eli and Kathleen are happy to help keep an eye on Noah as he bobs around in the creek in his floaties. Olivia feels content sitting on the rocks, leaning back on her hands, and tilting her head back, basking in the warm glow. Bernie is happy to have her company too, watching the family play silently.

"He's so good with children."

Olivia lifts her head up at Bernie's voice. Olivia lowers her sunglasses and follows Bernie's eyes out to where Elliot is, waist deep in water and hoisting Noah on top of his shoulders. Noah is armed with the pool noodle and starting defiantly at Kieran and Seamus, who are sitting on Eli and Kathleen's shoulders, each armed with a pool noodle too.

Olivia hears Eli roar "battle: and laughs as she sees the three kids each try to swat and jab each other, seeking to knock the other off.

Without taking her eyes off the happy family, Olivia says softly, "He's great with children."

Bernie smiles a soft, pensive smile. She turns to Olivia and asks, "So, why aren't you out there too?"

Olivia blinks, a little taken back by the question. "Believe me, I tried. The water's freezing, I can't get past the cold."

Bernie nods with an amused smile, understanding. "It's a shame, I think you're really missed out there."

Olivia follows her eyes and sees Noah, who's laughing as he dodges another swing from Kieran. Olivia smiles. "I think Noah's having fun without me."

Bernie shakes her head. "Not Noah, Elliot." She sees Olivia's head snap up, wide, astonished eyes finding hers. Bernie tilts her head out towards Elliot. "He keeps looking over this way, and I can assure you he's not looking at me. You really didn't notice?"

Olivia doesn't know what to say. She searches the creek again, her eyes finding Elliot. Just as she does so, Elliot turns his head her way, his eyes finding hers. There's something in the way he looks at her that stirs something deep in her chest, making her heart flutter like leaves caught in the wind. He smiles. Hesitantly, Olivia lifts her head and gives him a small wave. Then Kieran smacks Elliot with the noodle with a loud thwack. Olivia winces just as Elliot does so. Soon, the others are laughing, including Elliot. Olivia laughs from where she is.

Olivia says, "Noah adores Elliot. You know he's been calling him Uncle Elliot recently?"

"I heard," Bernie replies. "Noah is sweet, we all adore him. I know Elliot's grateful that you two have been able to come over more, it's good for him." Bernie pauses for a moment, then suddenly says, "Did you know Kathleen has been trying to set him up?"

Olivia startles at the mentioning of this, recalling their earlier conversation. "Elliot mentioned something to me."

Bernie's head bows into a nod. "First it was a friend of hers at her university, a mature aged student. Then it was a friend from book club." Bernie sees Olivia's surprised reaction and continues, "Kathleen thinks it would be good, healthy if Elliot sees other women, try to move on. Deep down I think she worries about him being alone."

Olivia reflects on her words. "Still, shouldn't this be his decision?"

Bernie lifts a shoulder in a shrug. "It doesn't matter anyway; he never calls them. I know my son. He's not just going to date any woman after Kathy." Bernie pauses for a moment, then says "I'm actually surprised Kathleen has never encouraged him to ask you out."

Olivia almost chokes on her beer. She clears her throat, recovering, and says, "Surprised that she hasn't encouraged Elliot to date me?"

Bernie sees her clear shock and says gently, "Olivia, it's clear that he likes you. I see the way he looks at you. And given the way you've been watching him today, I wondered if you felt the same way."

Olivia is speechless. She blinks and parts her lips, then closes them. She tries again, speaking slowly. "Elliot and I have a complicated history. He's been working through his grief for so long, I wouldn't want to…" Olivia stops, her voice faltering. She can't believe she's having this conversation with Bernie, trying to convince Elliot's mother why they shouldn't date. Olivia takes a breath and tries again. "I don't think either of us are at a place yet where we can think about our friendship changing in – in any way. It feels like we've only just come on good terms again."

Bernie studies her for a moment, wise eyes taking in the anxiety crossing her features. She reaches for Olivia's hand and squeezes. "I understand. I do have to ask, are you afraid of something?"

Olivia is taken back at the question. She meets her eyes, reading her questioning look. What are you so afraid of?

"Hey Liv."

Olivia startles and they both snap their head to Elliot, who's swum up to them, treading water a few feet away.

He raises an eyebrow. "Are you going to come in?"

Olivia smiles and plants her hands on the smooth rock next to her, her feet dangling in the water. "I think I'm good. I take it you lost the battle?"

Elliot smiles a warm, radiating smile, which lights his eyes. He tilts his head out to the water. "Come on Liv. We miss you."

Olivia senses Bernie casting her a look from the side.

Olivia follows Elliot's gaze out to the others, who look like they're having a lot of fun. Then she dips her hand into the water and feels the chilling nip at her fingers, shivering slightly.

Olivia meets Elliot's eyes and nods.

Carefully, Olivia slips down from her rock and into the water with a small splash. She inhales sharply at the sharp coldness, feeling the water envelop her legs, just rising to her knees. She manages her footing, standing precariously on a rock, and then another. Slowly she steps forward, inching deeper into the water.

Elliot watches her with amusement. It's almost painful watching her try to ease in. "You know it's a lot easier and less painful if you just jump straight in, right?"

Olivia shoots him a glare and he backs off with a raised hand. She takes another step forward, wincing again as the cold tickles her thighs. She looks down, sees that she's inches from the drop at the bottom. If she took just one more step and jumped in…

"Mom come on!"

Olivia lifts her head up and sees Noah calling out for her. Then she hears Kathleen call out.

"Yeah, come on Liv!"

She turns back and sees Elliot lift an eyebrow at all, casting her a cocky smile. "We're waiting Captain."

Olivia folds her arms, irritated at his cockiness. "You know, badgering me isn't helping Elliot. I'm perfectly fine not going in."

Feign shock washes over his features. "Oh, helpful, that's what you wanted. Why didn't you ask?"

Then Elliot swims forward, a wicked glint in his eye. Olivia immediately steps back, sensing what he's about to do.

"Elliot, don't you dare…"

Warning rings in her tone, hanging in the air. Still, Elliot steps forward onto shore, ignoring the laser glares firing his way.

"Elliot, I swear to God…"

Elliot cuts her off, grabbing her waist and lifting her a few inches into the air. Olivia screams, before she's being pulled back towards Elliot and then under the water. Olivia emerges, freezing, spluttering, and fuming.

She treads water, raging eyes searching for Elliot. He pops up instantly, laughing.

"I'm sorry Liv, but it didn't look like you were jumping in."

Rage flashes in her eyes, and Elliot's face falls. "You son of a bitch!"

In a flash, Elliot whirls around and swims away. Olivia is swimming after him, arms powering through the water as she chases him, cursing at him from behind. She can hear the others laughing and cheering at her from behind too. She zones it out, focusing her attention on Elliot, who's swimming towards the rocks on the other side.

Elliot reaches the bank of the creek and turns around, raising his hands. "Okay, you got me!"

Olivia glares at him and splashes water at him, giant wave after wave hitting his face. "You…are…such…an…ass…Elliot…Stabler!"

Elliot laughs, shielding his face with his arms from the water blows. "I'm sorry Liv!"

Olivia finally stops, huffing, still glaring at him. She recovers her breath. Elliot laughs at the infuriation hardening her features.

"I am sorry. But hey, it worked right? Got you out here."

Olivia raises her eyebrows. "And you think I'm going to stay after you tossed me in?"

Elliot squints, a flirtatious glint in his eye. "I think I could persuade you Captain."

"Mom, you're in!"

Noah's voice disrupts Olivia's thought process before she can respond, and Olivia whirls around to her son, who is swimming towards them, Eli following from behind. Noah rushes up and hugs Olivia.

Olivia picks him up and pulls him closer towards her, melting into his embrace. "Hi honey."

Noah squirms free from her arms, then casts her a toothy grin. "Hey Mom, Eli was going to take us to explore the other streams. Did you want to come?"

Olivia frowns. "Other streams?"

Eli points behind her. "Behind those boulders down the hill, there's another path that leads to another stream, it's beautiful. And you can go swimming there."

"Oh, well Noah I only got in. Do you really want to leave now to find it?"

"I can take him Liv," Eli says, smiling. "We're all going to go anyway."

Olivia meets his eyes, nodding slowly. "Okay." She turns to Noah. "Be careful, okay? Don't run and stay with Eli."

Noah represses an eye roll. "I'll be fine."

Eli casts Liv a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Liv, we'll take care of him." He turns to Elliot. "Did you want to check it out Dad?"

Elliot shifts his gaze to Olivia and says, "I'll stay behind. Have fun and listen to Maureen."

Now it's Eli whose eyes roll to the side.

Olivia watches them leave, then turns back to Elliot, raising an eyebrow. "So, you think you'll persuade me to stay huh?"

Elliot smiles. He notices the slight breathlessness in her voice, sees the heat flushing in her cheeks, tired as she treads water. "Here." Elliot reaches for her hands and pulls her closer to him, seeking to find the rock he knows is here. "Stand on this."

Olivia follows his guidance and almost slips. Quickly, Elliot reaches for her waist, helping to stabilise her, until she finds the rock. Olivia lets out a small sigh of relief at having the chance to rest. Elliot finds stable footing with her.

Olivia raises her eyes, realising that his hands are still on her waist, and just how close they are. She can count every water droplet trickling down his brow, see every faint line and crinkles outlining previous smiles and exhaustion. Once more, her eyes fall down his face and towards his chest. Olivia's breath catches in her throat as she sees his chest rise and fall, overwhelmed with the dizzying desire to reach out and trace the lines, to sculpt out his muscles with her hands, to track and bite marks down the plane of his chest with her mouth.

Olivia feels his hand squeeze her waist and it drags her back to reality. Quickly, she lifts her head back up, and sees him staring at her with raises eyebrows and a cocky smirk. Dammit, she needs to be more subtle.

"So, the kids are gone," Elliot says slowly, his tone dropping an octave. "And I got you into the lake, which we still have to ourselves. What do you suggest we do Captain?"

Olivia doesn't miss the suggestion in his tone, or the way his eyes darken with desire onto hers, like black, dancing fire. Despite freezing in the water moments ago, Olivia feels his fingers dance up and down her sides, trailing heat wherever they touch and drawing sharp breaths from her lungs.

Olivia hums under his touch. She tries to keep her voice steady. "I thought you were persuading me, detective?"

Then locking her eyes onto his, Olivia catches a water droplet slithering down his chest with her finger and brings it up to her lips. She hears his breath catch in his throat, fingers curling deeper into her waist.

Olivia's heart gallops in her chest and their conversation today, the Christmas party and everything else in-between rushes back to her, and she wonders if he's going to kiss her.

Olivia wonders if this is what she really wants, if she's ready to risk ruining their friendship and him wrecking her life all over again. There's no going back.

But his next words take her by surprise.

Elliot whispers, "What are you doing to me Liv?"

Olivia knows her answer then.

Olivia closes the space between them and captures his mouth in hers. His lips enclose so perfectly around hers, before slowly parting her lips and drinking her in again and again, drawing every last breath from her body. Olivia reaches for his cheek to steady her weight and draws him further towards her, deepening the kiss.

Olivia pulls back, breathless. She sees Elliot's stunned eyes blinking back at her, not daring to believe what just happened.

Elliot manages to find his voice first. "What was that?"

Olivia shrugs, biting back a smile. She whispers, "I don't know."

Elliot doesn't care.

He pulls her by the waist, her body crashing back into his as he captures her mouth once more. Olivia laughs into his kiss, arms tangling around his neck as he pulls her in deeper. Elliot kisses her, long and hard. He kisses her until she's liquid warm and melting under his touch. He kisses her until she's almost dizzy with breathlessness. Elliot kisses her into blinding oblivion.

"God, I love you Liv."

His confession falls as a whisper into the crook of her neck, his mouth now dragging hot, torturously slow kisses down the slope of her neck. Olivia tilts her head to the side to grant him further access, unable to contain the moan tearing from her throat. His name falls from her lips in a sharp, breathless cry, ringing gorgeously in his ears.

"El…"

Elliot can't recall how many times he's dreamt of hearing her moan his name like that. And she continues to do so, his name falling from her lips like a prayer, each breath higher as he drags kisses across her collarbone and to her shoulder, fingers swimming through the cascading waves of her hair.

"Elliot…"

Elliot finally pulls back, brushing his lips against hers once more. Olivia dips her forehead down to meet his, eyes closed, completely breathless.

"Hey," Elliot whispers, grinning.

Olivia opens her eyes and bites back the urge to smile. She holds his eyes, getting lost in them; they've always reminded her of the ocean. She studies the slope of his face, every line and crease and frown on his skin. Olivia thinks she loves it all.

Then she whispers, "I love you too."

There. She's said it. Laid her heart and soul out for him. Yet Olivia isn't paralysed with fear. She sees pure elation lighting up his whole features, breaking his face into a smile that dances in his eyes and makes her heart burst. Olivia feels lighter, liberated.

She feels fearless.

Elliot's lips crash down onto hers once more. He squeezes her ass and lifts her a few inches off the ground, making her laugh into his kiss. The laughter is light, bubbly and carries across the creek. Elliot would spend a lifetime chasing down her laugh.

Olivia feels light, buoyant, weightless. Her legs wrapped around his waist, floating in the water and in Elliot's arms. The water isn't freezing anymore, but cocoons soothingly around her skin, moving with their bodies. Olivia kisses him until she sees stars. She kisses him until she's dissolving into his body, melting into the kiss, into his touch, into him.

They finally break, both flushed and dizzy with desire and breathlessness. Olivia plants her feet back down. Elliot pushes her hair back from her face, his eyes catching hers.

He whispers, "Do you really mean it? You don't have to –"

Olivia stops him with the gentle touch of her hand to his cheek and nods. "I do."

Then Olivia dips her head down, burying her face into his chest. Her hands soon follow, running down the planes of his chest, tracing his hard lines. She feels him shiver underneath her, his muscles contracting and tensing under her cool touch. Olivia kisses his chest and whispers once more, "I do."

Olivia feels his arms circle tighter around her waist and looks back up, seeing him watch her with total adoration, as if she rose the sun.

A sudden realisation hits Olivia. Her eye's snap wide open and she whispers, "Bernie, you're Mom."

Elliot raises his eyebrows, clearly perplexed. "Should I be worried that you're mentioning my Mom now?"

Olivia shakes her head and whirls around, trying to spot her. "No, just wondering if she's been watching us this entire time…"

Elliot's eyes widen and he quickly searches too. They see her sitting on the foldable, plastic chair, leaning back with her feet propped up on the drink's cooler, hat shading her eyes, appearing to be asleep.

"Has she been asleep this entire time?" Olivia asks slowly.

Elliot says, "She usually takes a nap at this time."

Olivia turns back into his body and laughs into his chest, closing her eyes with embarrassment. "God, can you imagine if she saw us, making out like teenagers?"

Elliot almost cringes at the imagery. "Liv, if she saw, I doubt she would stay to watch."

Olivia laughs into his chest in agreement. Feeling reassured that Bernie is asleep, she lets out another content sigh, closing her eyes. Olivia savours the feeling of his body, his chest pressed up against hers, his fingers dancing along her lower back, and the cool feeling of the water caressing her skin.

Olivia breathes into his chest. "I don't want to leave this water."

Elliot dips his head down, mummering into her hair. "Why do we need to leave?"

Olivia lifts her head up, her lips tilting into an amused smile. "They're going to be back any minute. I'm sure you don't want to explain this to your children."

Elliot's silent for a moment, then says quietly, "Maybe I do. Don't you?"

Surprise blooms in Olivia's eyes. She blinks, processing the deeper meaning in his words, then says, "Of course I do. Noah would love to hear that he would get to see more of you. But your children…they might still be grieving. And I'm not sure if everyone will be ready to hear that the woman you decided to move on with is your old partner, friend of yours and Kathy." Olivia thinks of Dickie, old memories resurfacing. How 'bout you detective, ever sleep with your partner? She doesn't say what they both know to be true. The woman you had an emotional affair with. "I just want you to know that there's no pressure from me to tell them, okay?"

Elliot studies her for a moment, reading the look in her eyes. He thinks of all the late-night arguments he had with Kathy where Olivia's name was mentioned, and arguments with Dickie where Olivia was always being accused, "You're sleeping with her dad, aren't you? Olivia."

Elliot bows his head down into a nod, understanding. "Okay. But just for now, right?"

Olivia nods, smiling a soft, small thing. "Just for now."

…

Elliot doesn't stay silent for long.

They are packing up their belongings and walking up the rocky hill towards the carpark, when Kathleen mentions her name.

"Liv?"

Olivia startles, breaking out of her thoughts. Once again, she was caught up in her own mind, replaying their kiss in the water and Elliot's confession of love. Olivia shakes her head slightly to refocus her attention and turns to Kathleen.

"Sorry, I was distracted. What were you saying?"

"I was telling you about Tanya, one of my friends at the book club meeting. She's an art teacher at the local public school. Noah was telling us about the cool water painting he's been doing at school, and I thought he might be interested in taking some of her classes. She runs them every week for kids."

"Oh, that sounds great. What do you think Noah? Should we look into this?"

Noah nods eagerly by her side.

Olivia smiles at Kathleen. "I'll have to grab her details off you."

"She also runs workshops for adults too," Kathleen says a little louder, casting Elliot a suggestive glance. "In case you're interested in picking up another hobby Dad."

Without blinking, Elliot says, "Not interested."

Eli groans. "Kathleen, give it up."

"What?" Kathleen whirls her head around to Eli, casting him a defensive look. "There's nothing wrong with encouraging Dad to get out and meet new people."

Olivia bites her lower lip, casting Elliot a look. She realises just who this friend Tanya from book club is. Elliot's also watching Olivia, looking as if he's debating something on his mind.

Making up his mind, Elliot suddenly stops walking. Foldable chairs and rubbish bag in hand, he says "Kathleen, you should know I'm not going to be calling Tanya, because I'm ah, seeing someone else."

Kathleen almost chokes. So does Olivia.

"What? Who?"

Elliot doesn't respond. Instead, he's staring at Olivia. Olivia's staring flabbergasted at him, looking somewhere in-between embarrassment and fury.

Kathleen shifts her gaze between Elliot and Olivia, realisation slowly dawning in her eyes.

Maureen says softly, "Wow."

"Wait, Liv?" Kathleen asks, looking to Olivia for confirmation. "Really?"

Olivia can't tell if Kathleen is happy or appalled. But then she hears Eli's elated voice.

"That's great!" Eli's smiling, truly pleased for them both.

Bernie stays silent, but is smiling warmly at them both, looking as pleased as someone who's been told their birthday's come early.

It takes Kathleen a moment to recover, then she hits Elliot gently with her shopping bag in a friendly way, passing him a small smile. "Happy for you too Dad. And you too, Liv," Kathleen adds, casting her a small smile.

Olivia is speechless.

Fortunately, Elliot walks her way and takes one of the bags from her arms, saying "Let me help you take this to your car."

They part ways from the group as they head back to Olivia's car in the opposite direction, and Olivia's grateful for this. Just as they're nearing her car, Olivia stops and whips out her keys, handing them to Noah.

"Hey honey, why don't you run ahead? I just need a word with Elliot. You can play with my phone in the car while you wait for me?"

Noah smiles, happy with this news, and hurries off to her car. Olivia turns back around to face Elliot. She's not sure whether to be pleased that everyone (so far) took the news well, or angry that he dropped this on them, right in front of her.

"So, were you going to tell me that you planned to spring that on your kids, right in front of me?"

Elliot rubs the back of his neck, wincing. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that." He sees Olivia fold her arms, unimpressed, and says, "I was worried that Kathleen was one phone call away from arranging a blind date. And you saw how they reacted, they're happy for us." He sees Olivia raise her eyebrows. Elliot gently squeezes her arm and says quietly, "Besides, we've waited long enough, don't you think?"

Olivia's body softens at his last words. They have waited long enough.

Elliot places the bags on the floor and steps closer towards her, his voice dropping an octave as he speaks. "And it means we don't have to hide." Elliot reaches for her hand, eyes locking onto hers. He brushes his lips against her knuckles, then turns her hand over to kiss her wrist.

His kisses are feathery light, making her sigh. Olivia closes her eyes, savouring his touch. "You make a convincing case Stabler." Olivia opens her eyes and cups his cheek with her hand, shooting him a hardened look. "I'm still mad at you though."

Elliot smirks. "I know."

Then he dips his head down and captures her mouth in his. This kiss is chaste and gentle. Olivia feels the familiar warmth of his hand circling around her waist (she's quickly grown to love how perfectly his hand fits there) and his other curling around the back of her neck, guiding her deeper into his kiss. Olivia breathes him in, wanting to draw the moment out for as long as she can.

Olivia pulls back, a little breathless. She sees his eyes darken with desire.

"So Liv," Elliot says slowly, his voice thick with desire. "Now that we're official, how about I take you out for dinner?"

Olivia nods, her lips tilting into a smile. "Saturday night?"

"Saturday night," Elliot agrees.

Then he kisses her softly on the cheek once more and lets her walk back to the car.

Noah lifts his head when Olivia gets in, placing the phone down. He watches her place the bags in and settle in.

Then he asks, "Is it true? You're going to date Uncle Elliot?"

Olivia turns to Noah, smiling. "Yes, it is true." Olivia pauses, carefully studying his reaction. "Is that okay?"

Noah nods, smiling. "Yeah, I like him a lot."

Olivia's smile widens as she starts the car. "Me too honey."

Olivia replays the day in her mind, not just thinking about Elliot, but Bernie, Kathleen, Eli and the rest of his children. Her cheeks still hurt from laughing, her heart filled with so much love, it's aching, as if it might burst. Olivia remembers the painful nights of loneliness she endured years ago, craving the precious family moments just like this.

She never had those family moments back then and hasn't been able to give them to Noah all these years. But now, maybe, she finally can.

…

This was fun to write, thank you for reading! Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

I live in Australia, and have so many memories I drew on for this; sitting on my brothers shoulders at the pool, trying to push my cousin off with the pool noodle, swimming and camping under so many magical waterfalls throughout my home in QLD, sitting near the shores of the beach, lake and creak, because it's freezing cold and all I can do is dangle my legs in the water or painfully inch myself into the water, because I don't have an Elliot Stabler in my life who will just pick me up and throw me in.

Originally this fic was supposed to be chapter 2 for "Spring" and the reason why I wrote Spring, was so I could write this. But I feel like it's better stand alone :)

Happy hiatus everyone!