Chapter Two: Power of Attorney

Olivia and Alex made it to Queens in a little under an hour. Olivia wasn't surprised when Alex read the address to her. Same house. Of course. Did she really believe Elliot could ever really leave Kathy?

She pulled the cruiser into the driveway and sat there a moment. "I have a son." She blurted out. Alex looked at her, knowingly.

"I know… Noah, right?" She asked with a small grin. Alex knew she was stalling. But if it made her feel better, Alex would do anything. Literally.

"Yeah… Noah. He's a good kid… He's so smart, and I worry about stuff like this you know? Him getting into trouble. Or getting hurt… even though I'm a cop, it's still possible. And that's so ironic. I solve crimes, and keep bad people off the street for a living… and my son is still in danger… I mean, Kathleen proves the irony… her dad, Elliot, he— proves that… it doesn't matter who you are. You're not an exception." She babbled. Alex laid a hand on her leg, reassuringly. Olivia made eye contact with her, for a moment. "Let's go…" She said, grabbing Alex's hand, and squeezing it, They made their way up to the door.

Olivia stopped a few feet short of the door, deep in thought, as the words from her Captain rang through her head, from years before. "We don't get to pick the vic." She heard Cragen say. It was true, and maybe Alex was right. Even if this stuff with Elliot doesn't pan out, she's here on official business. And it was true.

Before she was quite ready, they'd made it to the door, and Alex gave her a glance.

"You wanna do the honours?" She asked, with a soft smile. Alex didn't know what she was about to experience, but she knew someday, this would all be for a reason. Plus she knew that Elliot's absence, though ten years ago, still bothered Olivia. And this would bring her friend some closure.

Olivia stepped up to the door, raising her hand to knock. Three steady wraps against the door. At first she didn't hear anything, and the door swung open. A kid stood on the other side, no older than 13. "Hello. Uh can I help you?" He asked, he had one headphone in his ear, and the other dangling down the front of his shirt. As he looked up at her.

Olivia felt her heart catch in her throat. The boy in front of her, had to be Eli. None of the other kids were that young, anymore. All off to college, or living life as adults. This really put it into perspective for her. For a moment she felt like running, they didn't need anymore drama, or past drama rearing its head… They were dealing with so much, from their daughter already. It was then, Alex put her hand on Olivia's shoulder. Bringing her back to reality.

"Hi, sweetie, I'm Captain Olivia Ben-" She was interrupted. The boy's eyes widened, and he smiled, curiously.

"You're Olivia?" He asked, in disbelief. He knew her name, recognized it at least. That had to count for something.

"I am. Are your parents home?" She asked, trying to keep herself calm. But she wasn't calm, the furthest thing from it, in fact. On one hand, she was nervous, scared, terrified, and angry. And on the other hand, she was SO happy, excited, and ready for this. But she had to stay composed.

"Oh yeah! They're here. Dad just got here. Come in." He said, stepping out of the way, allowing the two women access to the home. They both nodded and stepped inside.

Now for Alex, this wasn't all too familiar. She'd been to the Stabler home in the past, yes.

But for Olivia, she felt like time stood still. She could remember every conversation she'd had here. Every Time she saw each member from the Stabler family in this home. Memories flooded her mind.

She was pulled back to the present when she heard it, a glass shattering. Her head shot up, and she made direct eye contact with Kathy Stabler. "Olivia- I… Oh my gosh…" She rambled. Olivia stepped forward, her hands crossed in front of her. Her usual stance, when she was nervous. Alex watched silently.

"Hello Kathy." She said simply. Her heart was racing, and she felt herself beginning to panic. But calmed herself. This was difficult for all involved. "I'm here with Alex… Because she caught me up on the case, and I want to help. If you'll let me." She offered.

Kathy stared intently. "You want to help?" She asked, hopefulness filled her voice. It was as if she didn't know Olivia was capable beforehand.

"I do. If you'll have me?" She asked, quickly. As she felt herself fidgeting with the button on her shirt.

Kathy was still in shock clearly. Afterall she hadn't seen the brunette in almost 11 years.

"I- I… Don't know… I mean, I'm suing the NYPD… That's why… I called Alex, because Elliot- Oh god Elliot." She said, as if it had just hit her, he'd be coming downstairs anytime now.

"I know you're suing the NYPD, and I understand why. I saw the charges, they're bogus. We can help you fight this. I'm on the inside… I can help you fight this…" She said, with a flare of pride.

"You're just a detective though.." Kathy said, not knowing about Olivia's ranking up over the last few years. It wasn't as if the woman looked back. Clearly she'd had her own life to live.

"Actually she's a Captain…" Elliot said coolly, from the doorway of the kitchen. He seemed to be in shock too, but not as bad as his Ex-wife.

Elliot was standing less than 20 feet from her. He let his facial hair grow out a bit, and his hair. He was still built, and had the same figure as before. But he did look a little older. Age suited him. Olivia's breath caught in her throat, and she felt her heart drop into her stomach.

"He's right. I am a captain. And I can help you." She said, trying to stay on track. She knew if she averted her focus to the topic at hand, she'd be able to continue for now.

"Yes. Please. Olivia… Thank you." She said. She finally stepped forward hugging the brunette.

"I thought about calling you… But I didn't know if you'd want to help. Let alone hear from me…" She said, honestly.

"Kathy… I would've helped regardless… You can always ask for help if it comes to the kids. Or you. You should know that." She said, kindly. But there was a bit of irritation to it. Irritation to the fact that she'd neglected to inform the one person who could help them the most.

Elliot stood across from the group, staring intently. His eyes hadn't moved off of Olivia.

He was studying her. It wasn't until Alex had left the room to talk to Kathy that he'd even spoken directly to her. "Hi Liv." He said, simply.

She felt her eyes well up with tears, as she looked at him. Her bottom lip began to tremble. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She was breaking down. "Oh Elliot…" She said, her arms fell to her side, and she gave into her emotions completely.

He moved forward, he wasn't far from breaking himself. He was about to ask, to hug her, until she practically flew into his embrace. Sobbing heavily. He returned the embrace. Holding onto her for dear life. It lasted for what seemed to be years, but what was really only a few minutes.

She pulled back wiping her eyes. And it was then, the relief subsided, and the joy. And the anger took over. She glared at him for a moment. "Excuse me for a moment." She spat, walking quickly out the front door. And she wasn't surprised in the least when he followed her. She was standing against the cruiser, as she watched him stare at her in the sunlight. It hit her in all the right places. She was still beautiful.

"Liv- We need to talk." He said, knowingly. He knew she was angry.

"Yeah. Sure as hell do." She said, pulling out her phone, and staring at Noah for a moment before sending Fin a text and replacing it. She then looked at him.

"Look Liv, I'm sorry… I know it doesn't mean much… But you gotta know, I am.. Sorry. I… Just- It was hard to go back, after Jenna. After I shot- Her… I could hardly sleep, and when I did It was endless nightmares. I couldn't eat, I was a wreck. And when I picked up my badge for the last time… It had lost its value. It's meaning. I'd abused the power… It's power." He explained.

"You see I understand that Elliot. I do. But you didn't even say Goodbye! You waited until everyone was gone, and you turned in your papers. You didn't even say BYE!" She almost yelled. Tears poured down her face.

"I couldn't… I couldn't say goodbye…" Elliot muttered. He was trying to keep it together. It was definitely clear, he was more open these days. But still he had his walls.

"And why's that?" She pried. She was hurt. Rightfully so.

"Because I couldn't stand to see this look on your face. The exact one you have now. I wanted you to move on. I knew at some point, I wasn't meant for the job anymore. And me sticking around, it wasn't an option anymore Liv… I had to go, so you could thrive… I was only holding you back." He said. The last few words hit her hard.

"You never-" She was going to defend his actions, argue with him. She knew he was right. He was holding her back, She spent 12 years with him. 12 crazy years, Good times, and bad.

But in those 12 years, she never once received a promotion of any kind. And within a year of him being gone, she had ranked up to sergeant, and eventually now, Captain. He was right, And it broke both of their hearts. Especially hers, to have to admit it.

"Yeah… Exactly… See Liv, I didn't want to hold you back, You're a fucking Captain over the unit… Captain Olivia Benson. You'd still be a detective if I were there. You know how I know that?" He asked. But he didn't wait for a response. He continued, "Because you were loyal. You were selfless. You saved my ass so many times, Olivia. You helped me so many times. You saved my life. And I… I couldn't take the rest of your career away because I was selfish. I'd spent our whole partnership being selfish, lashing out, risking my job, my life… Risking your life… And I knew I had to stop… Especially after the shooting." He finished.

Olivia knew he spoke the truth, and while she didn't want to admit it, he was in the right here. He was only doing what was best for her. She'd only wished some of it was for him.

"How did you know I'd made captain?" She asked, without skipping a beat.

"Oh come on, Liv. I worked with you for 12 years, you really think I don't use the internet? Not to mention you're all over the news… Especially with Tucker's case…" He added. A somber look fell over him.

For Olivia however, she was hit with pain, and anger, sadness. She wasn't over his death yet. She loved Ed, in her own ways. And she knew Elliot didn't know that much.

"He had cancer." She said. He hadn't asked, but she thought it was the right time to open up a bit. He sure as hell did, he'd come a long way from the angry, hot headed, isolated detective.

"Oh that's so sad… My condolences for his family." He said, offering a half sympathetic smile. It wasn't false that he and the IAB Captain had their disagreements.

"Yeah. Brain Cancer. Stage 4. Late diagnosis. He was going through chemo. But when all the allegations against his old partner came up… I think he just felt like he'd done his due diligence. Fucked enough lives up, and actually healed a few too… He didn't deserve to go out how he did… But he was a good guy in the end." She said, with a few tears.

Elliot almost gasped, but it fell short. "You became friends with our sworn enemy?" He joked softly.

She let out a choked, sad laugh. "Yeah I guess I did. I loved Tucker in my own ways…" She said, honestly. And for once, she didn't see jealousy, or anger, she didn't see hatred or a vein bulge on his forehead. Instead, she saw acceptance. And this was when she knew he'd also left for himself. And she was proud of him. "I'm proud of you Elliot. And Thank you." She said finally.

"Why Liv? For what?" He asked, confused.

"For not just leaving for me. For leaving for your family. And most importantly, YOURSELF. You deserve peace, and happiness. And I'm glad you've seemed to gain some of that." She said,

"You were right though… It did hurt. It hurt like hell. But I moved on, I never stopped thinking of you. But I moved on. I became a sergeant, and then a mother… And then a lieutenant, and I've made so many friends along the way of becoming a captain… And I owe it all to you. I guess in some way, you leaving… It fueled my motivation. To do better. To be better." She explained, with a soft smile.

This made him grin, to know she was happy, she had a kid! He needed to know more.

"A kid Liv?! Oh my god… How old? What's their name?" He asked, excitedly.

She laughed, and pulled her phone out, showing him her lockscreen, a curly haired boy.

"His name is Noah, he's 6. I adopted him, when he was a baby. He was a victim in one of our cases. His parents were deceased. He was sold by his mother, who was a working girl… To a child trafficking ring." She explained, quickly.

Elliot's heart swelled. He smiled widely. "I'm so proud of you Olivia. I always knew you'd be a great mother… You never cease to amaze me, Benson." He said, heartily.

She smiled, as they hugged one more time.

"So Eli's grown up quite a bit.." She said, pointing out Elliot's son had opened the door earlier.

"They all have Liv… Gosh… Time flies." He said, happily. And for once in years, Elliot smiled happily, as he headed back towards the house.

"But hey, we can catch up later… I've got a case to learn about and look into, huh?" She asked, signaling towards the door.

"Work calls. Captain Benson." He said, with a soft grin. And as he watched her walk inside his house, he thought for a moment.

He never regretted leaving. For her, or him. He only hated hurting her. But it was clear now, they had a lot to work through. And he knew they'd overcome it.

Two chapters in one day, I know... More than I usually post. I've been really busy with work lately, but luckily I've got some time off now. So expect more chapters coming your way!

I apologize for leaving "Where is my home?" Up in the dust, I lost my motivation on that story. Writers block if you will? And anyways, I'll get to working on it soon. I'm just waiting for inspiration to hit.

Anywhooo, enjoy!

And until next time, DUN-DUN.