Totally random one-shot unintentionally inspired by my friend Victoria. She reconnected me to a song I love "By Your Side" by Sade and an idea was born quickly. Current EO, they are trying to figure things out. Olivia is a little hesitant, a little worried about him actually staying and trying to protect herself. Elliot is trying. And when he has an event and needs support because he is too anxious to be there alone, will she go with him? Let's read and find out. If you see typos...no you don't. This was a fast write and...I miss 95% of things but I'm writing because it brings me joy. That's all!

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING

Elliot's foot was tapping on the floor as he waited for Olivia to join him. They were having lunch today. They had had to reschedule twice already this week because of work. She was busy. He knew that. She was Captain now. Captain Benson. He'd never been more proud. He'd been back for almost seven months, they'd been working on things, slowly learning to recognize each other again. He knew he had a long way to go and he also knew that he was lucky to even get to spend any time with her at all.

He'd abandoned her. For ten years. Ten long years without a word and her forgiveness needed to be earned. She'd been a saint in helping him with Kathy's case, with his children, with forcing him to get the help he so desperately needed. But for ten years he'd missed his best friend. It was his own fault of course, but right now, right now he needed her. He just didn't know how to ask for help.

It was stupid really. He had an event for work and he didn't want to go alone. Kathleen was supposed to go with him but something came up and the thought of showing up all dressed up alone in a room full of people drinking, talking, making small talk made him want to throw up. He'd always hated these types of things but Bell said he had no choice. She'd been incredibly lenient with him since he started, especially with his behavior after Kathy's case. She'd let him get away with a lot of things. But now she expected him to be there for her and he knew he needed to show up.

He just hoped he didn't have to do it alone…

He could hear his foot banging against the ground underneath him. His hand slid across the worn wood of the counter top. He'd sat at this Diner with her so many times during their partnership, and now after. His mind wandered to the first time they sat here again when he'd asked her to meet him here...after that disastrous night in his apartment during the intervention. He was just as anxious then as he was now…

He sat there waiting, unsure if she was even going to show up. He'd seen her in the garage, he'd asked if they were okay. She said she hoped so. But so much was left unsaid. Wasn't that always the problem with them? Wasn't there always so much left unsaid, hanging in the balance? Twelve years of hiding their feelings and another ten of him running had left them in a more precarious place than ever. And in his darkest moment, he'd said the three words he'd tried to deny for so long.

I love you.

The look on her face. The look on his children's faces. He wanted to scream. Wanted to run and he had just like he always did. But right now, he realized that the only way to fix all this was to face it. And after all he had done to her she still showed up, she always showed up and he didn't fucking deserve her."Hi." As soon as he heard her voice his body relaxed, and he waited as she slipped in across from him, "Sorry...got caught up at the office.""No. No it's fine…" He slide a cup towards her, "I ordered you some coffee...but I realized that I'm not sure if you still-""This is great. Thanks." She took the cup and lifted it to her lips taking a sip, "So…you wanted to-""I just um…" His knees were bouncing, feet tapping against the floor and his hands moved quickly, "I just…"

And suddenly she was reaching out for him, covering his shaking hands with hers and his heart stopped, "Elliot, breathe." He made a strangled noise in the back of his throat and she leaned closer, "Take a breath okay?" He started panicking more and she began to slowly rub circles against his wrists, "I'm right here. You're okay. The kids are safe...just focus on this moment right now."

He felt the walls closing in around him, heard the sounds of the traffic outside, the clattering of plates and silverware and he flinched. His eyes closed tight and he tried to breathe through it, tried to focus on only her. Only this moment. The feel of her fingers pressing into his pulse point, whispering to him like he deserved her friendship, her care. Like he deserved her love. His mouth fell open slightly and he sucked in a breath, "Liv…"

"You're okay." She whispered, "I promise you're okay. I'm right beside you."

Right beside you. She'd been by his side for 12 years. Never steered him wrong. Protected him, supported him, talked him down on his dark days and stood up for him when everyone else wanted to give up on him. And here he was again, all these years later and she was still right by his side.

"You shouldn't have come." He whispered, his voice ragged and painted, "I don't deserve-""Elliot." Her voice was soft, focussed and persistent, "Elliot, look at me."

He took a few ragged breaths again and then lifted his eyes to her, "Liv I'm so sor-"

"I know." She whispered, squeezing his hands, "I know. We can't fix this overnight...but I'm here because you asked me to be here. Because your kids need their father. And because you still have a life to live. It's going to be okay."

He swallowed hard and looked at her, really looked at her, "How many times have we sat in this booth falling apart Benson?"

Her cheeks flushed and she smiled sadly, "Remember the time I called you after that jackass Connor cheated on me? I called you to talk me down from going after him and the next thing I knew I was the one trying to talk you down from going to kill him."

Elliot laughed and his feet started to slow down, "Yeah well, he was an idiot for doing that to you. He had no idea what he was letting go."

They stared at each other for a moment, and it wasn't lost on them that he had let her go. Whether he meant to or not, ten years ago he had let her go and he regretted it with every fiber of his being. Her hands slowly slid from his and she whispered, "You keyed his car that night...didn't you?"

A slow laugh fell from his lips and he looked down, his hands held up in defeat, "I plead the fifth."

She laughed and brushed back a lock of her hair, "You're insane…"

"You were my partner." He whispered, "My best friend...someone had to have your back." Her cheeks flushed again, "I should have had your back the last ten years too…"

She leaned back in the booth again and whispered, "Well...you're here now."

He pushed back just as she had and stared right at her, "I'm here now." He agreed.

No words were spoken for a few moments, nothing would have been good enough and he knew that. "Liv I just want...I want you to know that I'm really trying and that I want...I want to prove to you that I can do better. That I won't leave you...I'm here Liv. I'm here."

She reached for her cup of coffee and lifted it to her lips, "Okay."

He swallowed hard and whispered, "Okay?"

Placing the cup down, she reached out and took the menu beside him, "Okay. I hear the pancakes here are good. Ever had them?"

He saw a slight smile playing on her lips and he felt his heart flutter in his chest. Olivia Benson. His partner. His friend. Always right by his side even when he didn't deserve it. But he was determined to prove that he did deserve her. That he wouldn't leave her again.

Here he sat all these months later and they'd come a long way. They'd gone through so much. She'd been beside him, beside his children in their time of need. He'd never doubted her loyalty. Never doubted her heart. But he did doubt his worth. His feet started tapping on the floor again, his fingers rubbed into the countertop and he focussed on the sound of laughter behind him. The sounds of the silverware scraping across a plate, the coffee pot dripping behind the display counter.

And then the jingle of the bell above the door and his heart stopped.

"Hey…" Her voice was the most comforting sound, the most familiar and his shoulders relaxed, "I got a call in the car and it took longer than I expected."

"No. You're fine." He smiled and pushed a cup towards her, "I ordered you coffee. And a Turkey club on rye. I know you don't have a lot of time."

"Thanks." She took the cup and lifted it to her lips, taking a sip, "I'm sorry I cancelled so often this week too. Works been crazy and Noah was sick that one day and-"

"Olivia." She stopped, her cup held in the air between them, "It's alright." He saw her shoulders relax, "I uh...I don't expect you to drop everything for me all the time. Not after I…"

"I don't...I mean that's not…" Her hand lowered to the table and she put her cup down, "We're...we're working on it, right?"

He nodded slowly, and she saw the nervousness play across his face, the regret that she'd seen so often in the last few months. He was trying. Really trying. It wasn't easy though. There were days when she wanted to push him away. Days when she felt the wall growing between them when she tried to protect herself. Protect her son. It took months for her to introduce Noah to him and even after she did, she had been hesitant. She wanted to believe that he was going to stay, but after ten years there was still worry.

Taking a deep breath he smiled, "Yes. We are…"

She nodded slowly and smiled as the waitress put the plates down between them, "So…"

"So…" He said reaching for a fry off her plate, she slapped it away and he laughed, "How's Noah?"

She pulled the toothpick from her sandwich and smiled, "He's good. Actually…" Her face flushed and she fidgeted anxiously, "Um…"

He looked up at her and saw the uncertainty on her face, "Liv?" She swallowed hard and looked at him, "What's wrong? Is he-"

"He's fine." She said quickly, "No he's fine. Totally fine. I just...he was wondering…" She sighed and reached for a napkin, "You know that he is into dance?"

Elliot smiled and reached for his fork, "Yeah. I know. What about it?"

She looked down at her plate again, "He has a showcase coming up...it's in a few days. And last night he mentioned that he'd like it if you came. But...I know that that isn't really your thing and maybe it's to weird or-"

"I'll be there." He spoke so clearly, without an ounce of hesitation he knew that she was surprised, "Just tell me when and where and I'll be there."

Her eyes were wide as she watched him, clearly surprised by his response, "It's...it's on Saturday. At 2."

Saturday. The same day as the event for work. But he had plenty of time to do both. And maybe...so did she. "Saturday at 2." He tapped his head and smiled, "Okay. Sounds like a plan."

She fidgeted nervously, "Elliot I-"

"Noah is a great kid, Liv." He pushed his plate towards the middle of the table, "Not surprising as his Mom is a saint…" Her cheeks flushed and he smiled, "He's a great kid and I'm not going to make promises to him that I can't keep."

She reached for a fry, snapping it in half she whispered, "He's just...I need to make sure that-"

"I know." Leaning across the table he put his hand over her arm, "I know Liv. I swear to you...I'm not going to hurt him." He saw tears well up in her eyes, "And I'm not going to hurt you again either."

Looking down at his hand she whispered, "He's my world…"

"As he should be." He whispered, slowly he leaned back and reached for his plate again, "I just hope that I'm lucky enough to get to be a part of that world…"

"You already are." She whispered back and he looked straight at her, "He cares about you…"

A slow proud smile spread on his face and he looked down at his own plate, "Well...I care about him too." He cleared his throat and pushed the food around on his plate, "I care a hell of a lot about his Mom too...does he know that?"

She was quiet for a moment as she contemplated her answer and whispered, "His Uncle Fin may have mentioned that...yes."

Elliot couldn't help but laugh, "Why am I not surprised?"

She reached across the table, and snuck an onion ring off of his plate as he had done with her fries, "So I heard a rumor that Elliot Stabler has to get all dressed up and go to a banquet soon. Is that rumor true?"

Elliot froze for a moment, remembering the real reason he'd asked her here, "Well news does travel fast around here doesn't it?"

She laughed, "In the NYPD? News travels like wildfire El. You know this. I'm happy that Ayanna is being recognized though. After the last few months she sure as hell deserves it."

"Well you deserved it too. Only you never got to-" The words tumbled from his mouth and they both froze, remembering the event that she was supposed to be honored at, the event that he and Kathy had been on their way too before she, "I just…"

"We can't escape our past El. No matter how badly we may want to." She whispered softly, his face flushed and she whispered, "You okay?"

He took a steadying breath and reached again for one of her fries making her smile, "Today I am…"

"Good. That's good El." She swatted his hand when he reached for a third fry, "One day at a time, right?"

He smiled and nodded his head, "One day at a time…"

They sat in silence, both focussing on their lunch, letting all the unspoken things settle between them. Some things never changed. But maybe he thought...maybe it was time that they did. "Actually...the event is sort of why I asked you here for lunch."

She laughed and shook her head, "Let me guess...you need me to help you pick out a suit like the old days? Come on El...you lived in Italy, didn't you pick up any fashion sense there?"

He scoffed and tossed an onion ring at her, "Rude."

She laughed and caught it, taking a bite, "Elliot, the first event we went too Kathy was crazy pregnant with the twins and you showed up with grey pants and a brown suit jacket. We had to go buy a new suit on the way there."

He huffed, "Yeah, yeah…"

She rolled her eyes and reached for her coffee, "Anyway, if you don't need help with your outfit then what do you need?"

A date. He wanted to say. Yet he felt those words would make her run for the hills, so he tried a different approach, "Well...Kathleen was going to go with me. But...something came up. Something she can't get out of and I was...I was wondering…" His hands started fidgeting again, "I was hoping that maybe...if you were...if you didn't have anything else to do or if you-"

"Elliot." She cut him off quickly and he jumped, "Take a breath."

His heart was hammering away in his chest. He needed her. He couldn't do this alone. Not with all of those people. But he also understood the implications of what it would look like, what it could mean, what he deep down wanted it to mean. He also didn't want to push her into something she wasn't ready for. "Will you go with me?"

It was hard to read her expression, hard to put a finger on what she was feeling. Her face was still, passive. Unreadable. He'd always prided himself on knowing what she was thinking. And yet since he'd been back things were different. His heart ached when he realized she'd become more protective of her life, of her feelings. And she had reason to be. The name Lewis rang through his mind and like each time he thought of it, nausea rolled up in his stomach.

But they'd faced that battle, Tucker, and everyone in between and they were still here. So that had to mean something. Didn't it? When she didn't respond right away, he felt the room start spinning and he tried to backtrack but she spoke up, "When...when is it?"

"Saturday…" He whispered, "Um...the same day as Noah's show. I mean it's no until 7 so there would be time to you know...go to both and maybe-"

"Can...can I think about it?" Her voice was soft, uncertain and his heart jumped in his chest, "I just...I was planning on spending the night with him. You know..celebrate and all that. I wouldn't want to take that away from him and…"

"No. No, I get it." He whispered nervously, "He should come first...he'll always come first. You can absolutely think about it. And I totally understand if it's a no. I just...I figured I'd ask."

Watching him, she saw the worry, saw the fear on his face. The signs of his anxiety beginning to rear its ugly head. She knew it well. He'd always hated these types of events, she too wasn't a fan. Back then they'd endured them together. Kathy came to some, but always included her and her dates. And other times if they couldn't get a sitter, her and Elliot would spend the night making fun of their colleagues in the corner. She knew what others thought. But none of it mattered. They knew who they were, knew the truth and the rest of them could go to hell.

She imagined him now though. Trying to go to an event like that on his own. Maybe the first since Kathy had passed. After Lewis, being in large crowds was the hardest. It always felt like she was going to be swallowed whole. He was asking for her help without actually saying the words. She knew he'd never grovel, knew he'd never admit that he was scared, that he needed her. But she felt it.

The only problem was...she also felt her own fear. They'd come a long way...she just wasn't sure if she was prepared for that kind of step. Stepping out in public together, standing side by side, having all eyes on them, maybe sharing a dance. She wasn't sure she was ready to face her feelings...not even after two decades.

"Okay...so, I'll let you know?" He nodded slowly, "I just…"

"Take all the time you need." He whispered, stealing another fry, "I'm not going anywhere this time Benson…"

She felt her heart flutter in her chest, and then smiled, "Well...then I guess I better start ordering a double order of fries again. Otherwise I'll never have any…"

He chuckled, felt at least for the moment the anxiety began to subside because of her. Always her. His rock. Right by his side and he smiled, "Probably smart…"

They fell into a comfortable silence again and at least for now, at least for this minute, they could just be Elliot and Olivia. The rest would come in time…

On Saturday, Olivia and Noah were driving to the dance studio for the show. Olivia thought she was more nervous than Elliot. She hadn't told Noah that Elliot was coming, which to some may have seemed silly. She couldn't deny though that it was more because she wasn't sure she believed it. She hadn't given him an answer about the gala either but she had a dress hanging in her closet. Each night she took it out, put it on and stared at herself, trying to imagine what it would be like to be on his arm. And each time it made her heart rate speed up, made her palms begin to sweat, made her feel dizzy. She hated that he still had this effect on her…

Pulling into a spot, she sighed, ready to turn to her son but she saw his face light up and suddenly she knew, "Elliot's here!"

Before she could stop him, he unhooked his seatbelt and was dashing out of the car. She quickly reached for her bag and tried to follow him, careful not to slip in her boots as she stepped onto the sidewalk, "I didn't know you were coming!" Noah said, running over to him.

Elliot looked back at Olivia and noticed the way she wouldn't look at him, "Couldn't miss this kid!"

Noah turned to his Mom, "Elliot came! He actually came!"

Olivia's eyes burned with tears, "Yeah...he did."

"Noah!" All eyes turned to Elliot's dance teacher and she smiled, "Come on. We need to get ready."

Noah turned to his Mom and launched himself at her, "See you after?"

She squeezed tight, pressing a kiss to the top of his curls, "Of course. Knock 'em dead baby."

Noah pulled away and then turned to Elliot, "Will...will I see you too?"

Elliot glanced back at Olivia as if asking for permission, she nodded slowly, "Of course. I'll be here the whole time. Maybe we can grab celebratory ice cream after if it's okay with your Mom?"

Noah looked at his Mom, "Mom?"

She smiled, "Go dance and we can talk about it after, okay?"

Noah smiled and then hugged Elliot, catching them all off guard, "I'm really glad you're here Elliot."

Elliot slowly wrapped his arms around the small boy and looked right at Olivia, "I'm really glad I'm here too Noah." The young boy pulled back and he smiled, "Break a leg."

Noah turned and took off towards the front doors leaving them alone again. Olivia shifted nervously and quickly tried to speak, "I just...I wasn't sure if something with the kids or work would come up and I didn't want-"

"I get it." He whispered, "Kathy used to do the same thing…" He shrugged nervously, "I get it Liv. And it's okay."

She swallowed the lump in her throat, "Thank you...for coming. You pretty much just made the kids whole year...his face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw you."

He smiled proudly and whispered, "He's a great kid Liv…"

She took a deep breath, "He's been...the one thing that's kept me grounded. He saved me."

"I think you saved each other." He whispered "You're a hell of a Mom. I always knew you would be. I'm sorry I missed the beginning. But I'd like...I'd like to be here for the future."

She smiled softly and whispered, "Well...keep doing what you're doing. At this rate, I don't think Noah will let you run even if you try. Being a dancer makes him exceptionally fast. Just to warn you…"

He laughed, "Good to know." He pointed towards the building behind them, "Ready to go in?"

She walked up beside him and he held his arm, her heart jumped in her chest. "Ready…"

All throughout Noah's performance, Olivia couldn't help but sneak glances at Elliot. She knew of course that the girls had taken dance. This wasn't new to him. But she wasn't sure how he would react to a boy dancing. Elliot was progressive in his own way but he was also old school about things. And as a Mother, she often worried about how people would treat her son for his choices. She supported them fully and always would. But she wasn't naive in thinking that the world would accept him.

But the smile on Elliot's face, the way he screamed the loudest at the end of each number set her heart racing. He looked...proud.

As the curtain fell for the final time, Elliot leaned in, "Wow Liv. He's good. Really good."

She smiled, and reached for the program, "Isn't he?"

"He's definitely adopted though. Which is probably a good thing. He didn't inherit your two left feet." He teased as they stood up, going to meet him.

She gasped and smacked him with the program in her hands, "I do not have two left feet! The one time we ever danced you stepped on my feet. Not the other way around."

"Yeah, yeah…" He whispered, "Keep telling yourself that."

"Mom! Elliot!" They both turned as Noah ran to them, "Did you see me? Did you see?"

"We saw baby." She leaned down and kissed the top of his head, "You were so great Noah. I'm so proud of you."

Noah pulled away, "I didn't mess up any of my turns this time! Miss Christine says I'm ready for the next level class."

She ruffled his curls and smiled, "Well you've been working so hard. You should be proud of yourself."

Noah turned to Elliot, "What did you think Elliot?"

"I thought you were the best one out there." Elliot said honestly, "Couldn't keep my eyes off of you."

Noah beamed up at him, "You should see me in class."

Eliot smiled, "Well maybe you're Mom will let me take you sometime."

Noah's eyes went wide, "You'd take me?"

Elliot nodded, "Sure. Could be fun." He turned to Olivia slowly, "What do you think Liv?"

She looked back at Noah who was practically bouncing up and down in anticipation of her answer, "I think...that we can talk about it, okay?"

Noah smiled triumphantly, "I'll take it!" Elliot laughed and the boy turned to his teacher, "Miss Christine, can you take a picture for us please?"

The young woman smiled and took Olivia's phone, "Sure Noah!" She smiled at Olivia and then turned to Elliot, "This must be your Dad. It's so nice to finally meet you!"

Olivia's face flushed and she coughed nervously, "Oh...he's-"

"He works a lot." Noah said quickly and handed her the phone, "But he's here today." He settled between Olivia and Elliot, sensing the tension between them, "Smile!"

Olivia looked at Elliot, she expected to see him look scared, confused, maybe even angry. But he was smiling and for a moment she wished she could read his mind. Slowly, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She felt Elliot pressed up beside her, felt Noah leaning into her too and she couldn't believe that this was real. That Elliot was here. But God did it feel good…

Once the photo was taken, Christine smiled and handed the photo back to them, "Came out great. I'll see you in class Tuesday Noah. You were wonderful today."

Noah took the phone and smiled, "Thanks!" He looked down and showed his Mom, "Mom, can I put this one in my room?"

Tears welled in her eyes and she smiled softly, "S-sure buddy."

"Send me a copy would ya?" Elliot said, reaching for his phone, "That's a keeper for sure."

Olivia stood still as Noah and Elliot talked for a few minutes, going through the photos on the phone of the performance. And finally, her son turned to her, "So...about that ice cream?"

Laughing softly she nodded, "Lead the way kid…"

Noah jumped up high in celebration, grabbed Elliot's arm and tugged him towards the door, "Let's go!"

Elliot didn't hesitate. Didn't try and pull away, just let Noah lead him away. And she wondered...if it was time to finally pull down the wall.

After they finished their ice creams, they walked back to the car and Noah thanked Elliot for coming. He hugged him longer than he ever had before. Olivia turned back to Elliot and nervously tugged at her coat, "Thank you...for coming. You made his day."

Elliot smiled, "Well the offer still stands about class...I'd be happy to take him sometime. He's truly talented."

She scrunched up her nose, staring at him in disbelief, "Elliot…"

He shook his head, "I meant it when I said I won't hurt him Liv...or you."

Looking back at the car, she saw Noah fiddling with the radio, "I should…"

"Of course." He stepped up onto the sidewalk, "Listen...about tonight it's okay-"

She looked down nervously, "I'm just not sure…"

"I understand." His heart was rattling in his chest and his anxiety was beginning to spike again and the thought of going alone made him want to run. But he had to be strong. Had to keep it together. She owed him nothing. He'd been the one who walked away. "I completely understand. Noah comes first…" He pointed to the car, "You should go. I'll uh...I'll talk to you soon?

She sighed and reached for her keys, "Elliot...I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He said with a smile, "Nothing to be sorry about. It's just an event Liv. I'll be fine."

She chewed on her lip nervously, "Maybe...maybe we can grab lunch again this week?"

Elliot nodded and stepped backwards, "Sure. Let me know when you're free." He took another step back and smiled, "Don't forget to send me that picture though. Okay? It'll look great on my desk at work."

Her mouth hung open for a moment and she nodded, "O-okay…"

"Bye Liv." He gave her a nervous little wave and then turned on his heel, needing to walk away, needing to get some space between them.

But as she watched him walk away, she saw it. Saw the way he tensed again. Saw the way he was retreating into himself, saw the anxiety building. And she knew. He wasn't okay. Maybe never would be. But then again...were any of them okay? Did you ever really recover from certain traumas? Did you ever have the ability to let go of your fear?

Maybe what you had to do was fight like hell. Maybe what you had to do was find something, someone to help you fight through it. And maybe...just maybe she was that person for him just as he was for her. Climbing into the car, she turned to Noah, "Ready to go home baby?"

Noah looked up at her and smiled, "He came Mom...he really came."

Olivia smiled and began to pull out of the parking lot, "Yeah...he did."

By 6:30, Noah had eaten, taken a bath and was curled up on the couch watching a movie. She was in the kitchen, cleaning up, but her eyes kept looking back at the clock and then to her phone. But it didn't ring. Ellito didn't call. Didn't ask her to come again. Didn't push it. He was trying to respect her boundaries. She was trying to protect herself, her son but who was going to protect Elliot?

She couldn't pretend she didn't love him. Couldn't pretend that this didn't break her heart. She knew what she wanted. Knew what she'd always wanted. She could never deny her fear and she knew she had reason to be afraid but he was here. Elliot was here and God he was trying. A knock on the door startled her and she jumped, reaching for a towel before she dried her hands and went to answer it. She smiled when she saw Fin on the other side, "Hey...what are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood." He said with a shrug, but the smile on his face told her a different story, "I remembered the little man had a show today. Wanted to check in.""He did. And he did great." She whispered, "But that's not why you're here."

He laughed and shook his head, "No. It's not."

Something in the way he was looking at her told her everything she needed to know, "Fin…"

"You should go." He whispered and she tensed, "You should go Liv...not just for him. But for you."

She looked back at Noah who was watching her, "I just…"

"Stabler was never my favorite person in the world. I think that much was clear. But...you both deserve to be happy. And if you ask me...the only way that's going to happen is if you do what you two do best." He answered.

Turning back to him she frowned "What do you mean?"

"For over a decade I watched the two of you take on the world side by side. You could read each other like a book, never hesitated. You took every challenge, every curveball that life threw at you and you faced it together. Don't you see that you're better together? By each other's sides?"

She looked again at her son who was walking towards her and he smiled, "Go Mom. That dress in your closet shouldn't go to waste…"

She laughed and kissed his cheek, and then Fin's, "What would I do without you two?"

Fin sighed, "You'd be lost. Now go...you don't have much time."

A little after 7, Elliot stood in the corner of the banquet hall. He felt like his tie was suffocating him. He tugged on it slowly, took a sip of the whiskey in his hands and tried to breathe. But his hand fidgeted at his side and his back ached. He wanted to get the hell out of here and it had only just begun. It was loud, and hot. He forced smiles, shook hands, tried to play the part but it felt wrong. All of it felt wrong. His pulse pounded in his ears and he was trying desperately to not fall apart. A bead of sweat pooled at the corner of his forehead and he felt like his heart was going to burst from his chest when he heard Bell talking beside him.

"Damn...she looks good." He turned towards her and she smiled, "You're a lucky man Stabler…"

Still confused, he followed her gaze and then everything stopped. Olivia. She was here. She was standing by the entrance, a long black gown pooling at her feet. It clung to her curves in all the right places. She smoothed her hand down the side, adjusted the straps that fell off her shoulders just so and glanced around, looking, searching, for him. The curls hanging down from her ponytail framed her face just so, and for a moment he forgot how to breathe. She was here. And suddenly, she found him. They stared at each other from across the room, across the sea of people between them.

It always amazed him that no matter where they were, no matter how many people were around them, he always felt her, just her. When they were together, there was no one else in the room. After all this time, she still made him weak in the knees. Elliot felt Bell put her hand on his back, "This would be the part where you go to her Stabler…"

He took a shaky breath, "I'm not sure if I can…"

She smiled and pushed him forward, "Sure you can...just put one foot in front of the other. And refrain from saying something stupid. Okay?"

She gave him a hard shove and he fell forward slightly, but he saw Olivia laugh a little as she watched him stumble. Slowly but surely she began to walk towards him just as he moved towards her. The groups of people between them grew smaller and smaller, the years of longing, of distance, of pain and uncertainty seemed to be vanishing. All that mattered was right here, right now. Whatever they chose next would be the thing that determined their future.

It didn't matter what anyone else thought. Didn't matter if they approved. For once in their lives they both just wanted to be...happy. To take hold of something, to each other and to not let go. When he stood in front of her, he felt his anxiety begin to subside, felt the noise subside, felt his worries ease, "You came."

She smiled softly and pressed a hand to her belly, feeling those butterflies only he could ignite, "I didn't want you to be alone...I know that feeling."

Slowly, he stepped closer to her, "Liv...I feel like everyone is staring...like I'm going crazy. Like I'm…"

"I know." She whispered, she glanced around the room and noticed that sure enough people were staring.

For a moment she wanted to turn. Wanted to run from this place. Wanted to deny all of her feelings like she'd done for so long. But here she stood, by his side and he by hers. Just as they had done for so long. Fin was right. They were better together. The only way to fix this, the only way to move forward was to do it together. One step at a time, as long as they did it together. Reaching out, she slipped her hand into his and felt his body relax, "Think you can chance those two left feet of mine again?"

He smiled and nodded, slowly leading her towards the dance floor, "I think it was me after all...so if you're willing to risk it…" He raised an eyebrow, "Then I'll do my best."

She smiled and let him turn her slowly as they approached the dance floor. Couples moved aside, watching them with curiosity. But for the first time in her life, she didn't care. He pulled her closer, resting one hand on her lower back as she wrapped one arm around his neck, "Maybe we're the ones that need lessons...not Noah."

He laughed and clasped his hand with hers as they began to sway to the music, "Maybe he can be our teacher…"

Her fingers curled against the base of his neck and she bit her lip, "He's taught me a lot of things since he came into my life…"

"Kids have a way of doing that." He whispered, "They see you for the good and bad and still love you unconditionally."

His hand pressed against her spine and she sighed, "Noah taught me that at some point...I have to start living. I spent so many years hiding away...assuming I'd be alone forever. But Noah was my second chance. My life is so much better because of him…"

Elliot stared at her, his eyes wide as he held her close, taking in her words, "My life is better with both of you in it…"

She stopped for a moment and he stopped with her, but never let her go, "Elliot…"

"I know." He whispered, 'I know it's a lot to ask. I know there are so many reasons why we shouldn't...but Liv I've fucking missed you." Tears welled in her eyes and his heart ached, "It was my own fault...I know that. I ran because I was scared. Scared of how much I feel for you. But...I'm here now and I'm asking...I'm hoping…"

She felt all the eyes on them again and her hand slid from his, she saw him tense, thinking she was pulling away. Instead, she pressed her hand into his chest and his settled on her hip, pulling her even closer, "Why did you ask me here tonight Elliot?"

He twirled them on the dance floor, and then covered her hand on his chest with his as they continued to dance, "Because I'm better with you by my side. You make me better Liv. You are my guiding light when I feel like I'm drowning. Coming here tonight scared the hell out of me...I hate these things. Especially now. I needed you...I've always needed you." She stopped moving again and he frowned, "I didn't think I had the right to say that...but it's the truth Liv. I need you." He paused and then lifted his hand, to brush a curl out of her face, "I love you."

She felt it. When he said it before she had been shocked, confused, afraid. But here, now, she felt it. Felt the sincerity. Knew that this was the moment. Was it going to be easy? No. Was it going to be a battle each day to fight for this, fight for them? Yes. And maybe at one time that would have scared her. But tonight, beside him, in his arms, she felt it. Felt all the broken pieces of both of them starting to shift back into place. Nothing in life was easy, at least not the things that were most important. So she made a choice.

With all eyes on her, on them, she slowly slid her hand around his shoulder, locking her fingers together behind his neck. Her fingers pressed into the muscles there and he took the hint, leaning forward. "Olivia…"

She smiled and pressed herself up, touching her lips to his but their eyes never closed. She pulled back and whispered, "I love you too."

A slow smile spread on his face and he turned them again making her laugh as they spun on the dance floor. He shot everyone a look as they watched them. Let them stare, he thought. If he was one of them, he'd be staring too. How could he not stare at someone so beautiful. Before she knew it, he had led them out to the balcony and they stood alone under the low hanging moon. It was cold, but she felt plenty warm in his arms. He led them in their own little dance, the music was faint behind them but neither of them cared.

The song inside turned fast, but they still swayed slowly, locked in this moment. Her fingers massaged the back of his neck and he sighed, pulling her even closer, "You okay?" She whispered.

Elliot smiled softly, "I am now…"

Pulling him closer again she whispered, "Noah has dance class on Tuesday...want to go?"

Elliot nodded slowly, "Absolutely."

"And Wednesday is a Teacher PD day…" She whispered, "So he's going to a friend's house for a sleepover. A special treat after the show today…"

His face flushed and he smiled, "Hm...is that so?"

"Yeah…" She shrugged innocently as he spun them again, "So I'll be all alone…"

"No you won't." He whispered, tilting her back he smiled down at her as he lips moved closer to hers, "I'll be right by your side."

She sighed happily and answered, "I was hoping you'd say that…"

And then he kissed her. Truly kissed her. For the first time in over a decade, they both felt alive again...

"By Your Side"

You think I'd leave your side baby

You know me better than that

You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees

I wouldn't do that

I'll tell you you're right when you want

And if only you could see into me

Oh, when you're cold

I'll be there

Hold you tight to me

When you're on the outside baby and you can`t get in

I will show you you're so much better than you know

When you're lost and you're alone and you can't get back again

I will find you darling and I will bring you home

And if you want to cry

I am here to dry your eyes

And in no time

You'll be fine

You think I'd leave your side baby

You know me better than that

You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees

I wouldn't do that

I'll tell you you're right when you want

Ha ah ah ah ah ah

And if only you could see into me

Oh when you're cold

I'll be there

Hold you tight to me

Oh when you're low

I'll be there

By your side baby

Oh when you're cold

I'll be there

Hold you tight to me

Oh when you're low

I'll be there

By your side baby