A/N Hi, all! Sorry again for the delay in updates, college seems to be taking over my life haha! And now I've got exams coming up in my so I'll try and be quick with the next update. Also, there's some sexual content in this chapter. It's nothing too graphic so I hope no one gets offended and if anyone does, I apologise in advance.

At dinner, things between Elliot and Olivia were pretty awkward. Every time they 'accidentally' made eye contact, either one or both would look away quickly with uncharacteristic blushes upon their cheeks. On a number of times, El had even caught himself staring at the 'brunette beauty' and, although she never mentioned it, Olivia could feel his piercing blue eyes watching her. Of course, she couldn't really complain. She had even realised how she would try and steal a few glances here and there and yet, Maria seemed oblivious of the whole awkward 'flirting' going on between her foster mother and her work partner.

It must have been after the tenth time they had eye contact that Olivia thought enough was enough. She turned her head towards her baby and saw that her plate was practically empty. "You done with that, Honey?" She asked softly, pointing to the plate.

"Yes, Livy. It was very nice, thank you." Both Olivia and Elliot sported huge grins at her sweet tone and well-mannered nature.

"You're welcome, Baby. Why don't you go into your room and explore it some more. I'll be coming to help you get ready for bed after I'm done clearing up."

"Ok." Maria said, seeming excited to 'explore' her new room. Olivia and Elliot both chuckled as they watched her run down the hallway towards her bedroom.

"Don't slam the-" Olivia's call was interrupted by a loud crash, making the female detective wince as she quietly finished her previous sentence. "-door."

She heared her partner chuckle and couldn't help but let out a little giggle herself. "You won't be laughing when she's slamming the door out of anger." Olivia looked at him confused so he decided to explain. "You're going to wake up and it's going to be ten years later and you'll have a stroppy hormonal teenage girl on your hands." His words caused her to groan and him to laugh once more. "Listen, about before." The atmosphere in the room suddenly went awkward once again and Liv quickly went over to the sink with their dinner plates.

"Now isn't the right time, El. Can it wait until I get Maria down for the night?" Olivia's tone held no room for argument as she began washing the plates and cooking utensils.

Elliot sighed and got up to help her. "We can't ignore what happened-"

"I know and I'm not ignoring it. I just really want Maria settled first." Liv assured him as she dried off the now clean dinner items. She shot Elliot a grateful smile when he would take the stuff from her and put them away, surprisingly in the correct places.

With them working to get the job done together, the task was finished within ten minutes so Olivia was able to get to Maria and help her get ready for bed sooner. Walking into the room, she smiled at the finished room. It was perfect for her princess and she silently praised Elliot's last minute work. She walked over to the child's closet and took out a pair of princess pyjamas before going over to Maria who was kneeling on the floor, completing a jigsaw puzzle. "Bath time, Sweetheart." She called and laughed to herself when she saw the little girl's shoulders slump slightly. However, the child didn't even put up a fight as she got up and met Olivia at the door.

"Can we finish the puzzle after my bath?" Olivia couldn't NOT agree to the puppy dog eyes the girl shot her and she found herself nodding in confirmation.

"Of course we can, Maria." She said as her and Maria entered the bathroom. "Do you want bubbles?" She asked whilst starting the water.

"Lots please." Her child agreed readily with a bright smile.

The bathing task was over after twenty more minutes and Maria was comfy in the fresh pair of pink PJs. The two were currently sat on the floor well, Olivia was sat on the floor with Maria cuddled into her lap, and they were attempting to complete the Mickey Mouse puzzle they had purchased just that day.

"Olivia?" Maria whispered as she watched Olivia fit two pieces of the puzzle together.

"Yeah, Honey?" She asked as she scanned the other pieces laid out on the floor.

"Is Elliot your boyfriend?" The five year old asked innocently, prompting Liv to freeze on the spot.

"Do you think he is?" She asked and Maria nodded with a smile. "Why?"

"Because I saw you kissing him. That's what boyfriends and girlfriends do, right?" Maria's confused face was so cute, Olivia almost found herself turning to mush.

"Well, me and Elliot are friends and we have been for a very long time so I guess you could say we love each other. But, I have you to look after and love now. I don't have time for boyfriends."

Maria sighed and looked down sadly. "Does that mean you want me to leave?" She asked. She liked staying with Olivia. It was nice. Olivia was practically her new Mommy, she even called Livy 'Mommy' in her head secretly. She didn't want to leave, she didn't want to go back to Richard.

Olivia turned the child around so that she was facing her and placed a soft hand on each side of her face so that she was cradling it. "No matter what, you will always have a home here. Ok? I love you, Honey. Nothing will ever change that. And if Elliot was to ever become my boyfriend, I will never ask you to leave, do you understand me?" Maria nodded and snuggled into Olivia's chest. After a few minutes of rocking and humming a sweet lullaby, the little girls breathing evened out and her eye lids fluttered shut. With a little difficulty,Liv was able to get up from the floor and place on the bed before tucking the blanket around Maria so that she was nice and snug. "Goodnight, Sweetheart." She whispered before planting a motherly kiss to her forehead.

XXX

"She go down ok?" Elliot asked when he saw Olivia emerge from the hallway.

"Yeah. She just wanted me to help her with the new puzzle she got today. I don't think she had many toys before she even came to America. Kids usually aren't so enthusiastic about jigsaws." She replied sounding sad.

"I can tell she's going to get plenty of toys now. Especially having you as a mom and Cragen as a grandfather." He wished he could include himself in that statement. He would love to be able to say something about taking fatherly role in Maria's life but he thought that it would pushing it.

"She'll also have her Uncle Elliot and her Aunts to spoil her rotten. Casey and Alex have already called me up requesting that I allow them to throw her a party. And parties mean presents." Olivia chuckled thinking about the numerous phone calls she had received that day from the women who, over the years, had become like sisters to her.

'Uncle Elliot...I'd prefer Daddy Elliot but, I'll guess I can handle just being her uncle.' Elliot thought secretly himself as he plastered on a tense smile.

"El, what are you doing?" Olivia's exasperated voice cut through his thoughts.

"Huh?" He managed to get out dimly.

"Why are still standing in my kitchen? Usually you make yourself at home."

"Oh, I erm...I thought you would have wanted me to leave...after earlier." He stumbled over his words.

"Yeah...I think we should discuss that now that you mention it. You go make yourself comfortable, I'll make coffee. We may be here a while." She could only hope that the outcome of their 'discussion' would be positive.

XXX

The two sat on the couch clasping their coffee mugs between their hands. Things were a little awkward as they both tried to start the conversation at the same time.

"You go first." Elliot gestured for her to speak.

Olivia drew in a deep breath. "I don't know where to start. I guess I'm just a little...hesitant." She whispered looking down into her lap.

"About what exactly? I would never do anything to hurt you...or Maria. She's a part of you now, I know that. You're a package deal." This was exactly what Olivia wanted to hear from him but, what if he was just saying that to get into her bed? She didn't want to leave Maria feeling confused if one day El was staying with them and then gone the next. She had heard of many single mothers having a new man every night, she most certainly didn't want to be like that.

"What about our friendship? I don't want to ruin it. You've been my best friend, my one constant in my life for the past 8 years. I do t what I would do if I lost that." This was one of her biggest fears, not having Elliot to turn to when she needed someone to get her through the most toughest of cases.

"I will always be there for you, Liv. You've got to believe me. I lo-"

"Don't, don't say it. Not if you're not serious-"

"I am serious. Why do think I'm here having this conversation with you? Do you think I would really be bothering if all I wanted was sex? I want something real and I know we; me, you and Maria can be a proper family. I'll protect you both, I swear it. Tell me how to prove it, tell me what I have to do and I'll do it. I love you, Liv and I love that little girl that's sleeping in the next room. I love her because she's a part of you. All I'm asking for is one chance. Anyone who even tries to hurt you or Maria must have a death wish what with you Don and Fin having your backs. You can add me to that list too, I'd sooner kill myself than hurt either of you." He couldn't believe he was pouring his heart out like this. He had never exposed himself this much in front of anyone, not even Kathy and she had been his wife since he was 18.

Olivia couldn't believe what she had just heard. It was too good to be true. "El...I...I don't know what to say. There's a lot to think about."

"What? What is there to think about?"

"Well...Maria for one and then there's work, we won't be able to be partners because of Cragen's stupid rule. Ho-" she was panicking now just thinking about all the factors that would have to be thought through thoroughly.

"We'll find a way to make it work. You don't have to do anything on your own anymore. I could help you raise your daughter and I'm sure Cragen will make an exception for you, he knows you're a great cop and he also knows that you being my partner all this time is the only reason why I haven't killed those pricks we're up against. And, I think everyone knows about the way I feel about you. They seem fine with it, although Don did kind of threaten my life earlier." He realised he was rambling and that the conversation was getting too heavy. He just wanted to be with Olivia. He didn't want to have think about all the threats that could ruin the life they could have together.

"If we do this, can we take it slow? I don't want to jump into it straight away. You could maybe come over a few nights a week for dinner or we could go out, I could get Casey or Alex to baby sit. But no sleep overs. I don't want to confuse Maria with that yet. I'll have to find a way to explain-" she stopped speaking abruptly when she felt a a firm hand cover her more petite one. She looked down and entwined her fingers with his so that they were now holding hands lovingly.

"We'll do it together." He whispered.

"Yeah, together." Olivia repeated with a soft smile whilst she continued to look at their clasped hands.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Elliot lean over without detaching himself from her so that he could place his coffee mug on the table before doing the same with hers. "Olivia?" He asked softly stroking her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his touch and looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with unshed happy tears.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to kiss you now." He told her and waited for her to nod before he leaned in and placed his lips over hers.

At first the kiss started off slow and loving before their passion got the better of them. Soon, hands were running through hair and roaming bodies and cupping faces. Olivia gradually moved so that she was straddling El's lap. They continued their first make out session, only coming up from air when they were almost blue in the face from breathlessness.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this." Elliot chuckled as he drew circles on her hips, gradually pushing her shirt up her body.

"You and me both." She replied as she began to unbutton his shirt. All her apprehension and gone out the window only to replaced by arousal. She knew what she had said before about thanking things slow but at the moment, she didn't care. This was finally happening and she couldn't hold back any longer.

"Are you sure about this? You said-" He loved seeing this side of his partner, it was new and refreshing but, he remembered what she had said and he didn't want her regretting their first time of consummating their relationship.

"Just shut up and kiss me." Liv quickly interrupted him, knowing what he was about to say. She quickly smashed their lips against one another's and ground down on his crotch, feeling his hardness through his jeans causing a deep moan to emit from deep within their throats. Olivia was about to move her hands from his bare tone chest to further down South when the hot make out session was put to an end.

"Livy!" Maria could be heard sobbing from in her room down the hall and Olivia's eyes widened as she clambered off her now boyfriends lap so she could straighten up her clothes and tousled hair and so he could button up his shirt and hide his hard on under a couch cushion. They were done just in time as a few seconds later, footsteps could be heard pounding towards them followed by another sobbed out, "Livy!"

Olivia shot up from the sofa and scooped the little girl up into her arms. "Shhh, it's ok. You're safe. It was just a dream. He can't get you. I'm here. Mo-Livy's here. Shhh. Come one now." The woman paced up and down as she mumbled sweetly into the sobbing girls ear between placing soothing kisses to her hair. Once the girl stopped crying, Olivia sat back down beside Elliot. He went to place a comforting hand on the girls back but Olivia shooting her head whilst mouthing, 'no'.

"You ok now?" She asked as Maria hiccuped and sat up straight in Liv's lap. The girl nodded now half asleep after her traumatising dream. Olivia dug into her pockets and found a clean tissue before using it to wipe the girls face clear of tears and mucous. The woman then held her arms out and Maria lea ed forward so she was resting on top of Liv's chest. After a few moments, a little hand reached up and began to play with the gold necklace that was always around Olivia's neck. Olivia's hands went up to brush through the soft brown locks.

"Hi, Elliot." Maria whispered as she used her free hand to wave.

"Hi, Princess. Did you have a bad dream?" Elliot smiled softly and Maria nodded sadly. "Aww, well don't you worry. You've got me and your...Livy here. You're safe now." He repeated what Olivia was whispering to her before hand, Maria only nodded in reply as she slowly began to drift off once again. "Wow." El breathed as he watched the sweet little girl snooze.

"Yeah." Olivia agreed staring ahead distantly with tears in her eyes, only this time her tears were those of sorrow.

"That happen often?" He asked, putting his arm around her and rubbing the top of her arm. Olivia turned to her head to face him and nodded as a tear escaped and ran down her cheek.

"Every night. Last night was the worst-"

"Wait, you mean she's had worse ones than the one tonight?" He asked shocked and Olivia nodded as another tear made it's way down her face. She felt like a terrible parent, she should be able to stop these nightmares.

"Oh, Liv. Come here." He murmured pulling her closer into his side as she silently sobbed into his firm, broad shoulder.

"Why can't they just stop? Why can't I stop them? I want to stop her pain but I can't. I'm useless-" Olivia ranted unconsciously.

"No you aren't. You're amazing. Look how quickly you were able to settle her again. She looks peaceful now." He told her looking down at the sleeping innocent face. "Have you made an appointment with Huang? I bet he could help."

"I was going to tomorrow it's just, these past few days have been pretty hectic. I haven't had time." By now, Liv had stopped crying but she had kept her head on his shoulder.

"You need to rest Liv. Enjoy your time with her. I'll sort something out with Huang tomorrow and then I'll come back here and make us lunch and then maybe we can go out for the dinner. Just the three of us."

"Mmm. Sounds nice but what about work?"

"I'll handle that too. I'm sure Cragen won't mind seeing as though I'll be helping his girls." He assured. "Go put her to bed Liv then go to bed yourself. You're exhausted. I'll be back tomorrow."

Olivia whined and dug he face into his body. "Just a few more minutes. I'm enjoying this." She whispered.

A few minutes turned into half an hour and by the time Elliot decided it was time to leave, Olivia had fallen asleep. He smiled tenderly and moved of hair out of her face, taking a minute to admire her beauty. All he could think was, 'how did I get so lucky?'

Gently, he slid himself out from under he weight and placed her in the most comfortable position he could find on the couch before using the throw over as a blanket and covering them both up. He did all this without even making either of them stir which, a fact he was quite proud of. "Goodnight." He whispered as he placed a kiss on both their foreheads before writing out a note and leaving the apartment, using his own key to lock the door. He had made a promise to keep them safe and he wasn't planning on going back on that promise.