Sorry guys! The past couple weeks have been super stressful and super busy. Thank you all for being so patient and for sticking with me. With that said-Don't hate me!

Chapter 10-Genesis

Elliot reaches blindly for his phone as it rings on his night stand. He forces his eyes to adjust to the light as he glances at the caller ID. He's surprised to see 'Liv' on his screen. "Yea, Liv," he answers.

"I'm outside can you open your door?"

"What?" he checks the time. It's only just after 11.

"Outside. Hurry up, I have Jacob with me."

"Ok. I'm coming hold on." He throws the sheets off of him and stumbles out of bed. He pads down the darkened hallway and opens the door to find Olivia standing with a bundled up Jacob in one arm and a diaper bag in the other. "Hey," he greets. "How'd you get up here?"

"Someone propped the door open downstairs."

"Well that's comforting."

"Here," she hands him the diaper bag. "There's enough milk in there to last you two days and I've already arranged for Michelle to come here in the morning. She has a key so she'll be able to come and get more if she needs. I know you said you had some clothes and diapers and everything here for him, but I don't know how much you have so I packed some extra just in case. Every now and then he likes to do that explosive poop thing that gets everywhere so it's good to have extra."

"Wait what's going on?"

She hands Jacob to him. "I'm sick. And I don't want him catching whatever I have with his health issues."

"I thought it was just a cough?"

"I did too, but I feel like shit and I really think I'm coming down with something so I need you to take him for a few days while I fight this off."

He looks at her then and notices she is a bit flushed and her voice is nasaly like she's suddenly unable to breathe through her nose. "Umm, Liv. The last time I did this it didn't go so well."

"That's because he was sick and you didn't know what you were doing. I put the notebook in there with instructions, numbers, everything you need to know about him. It's in there. After your last attempt I agreed that I needed to write some things down for you. Plus, Michelle will be here and she knows his schedule so you should be fine."

"Ok," he says hesitantly.

"He woke up on the way here, but he's pretty tired. You shouldn't have any trouble getting him to sleep. Just put him down with his blanket and his pacifier he should go right to sleep."

"Alright."

"And you need to get a stroller so Michelle can take him on walks."

"Why didn't you just bring yours."

"Because mines goes with his car seat and you have your own. Plus not having to pass the stroller back and forth will make switching easier. Wait, why am I explaining this to you? Just get one!"

"I'll get right on that."

"I'm serious, Elliot."

"Ok, Olivia. I got it. Stroller. I will pick one up tomorrow after work."

"Good. Bye Honey," she waves at Jacob. "Call me if you have any problems."

"I will." He watches her walk down the hall then closes and locks the door. He makes his back to his bedroom where he removes Jacob's jacket and hat. He finds that Olivia has already dressed him in his sleeper so he's already ready for bed. "So you already have your pacifier," Elliot says as he lays Jacob in his crib. "So I just need…" He retrieve's his blanket from the diaper bag and lays it beside him. "So you should be good now." Jacob simply stares. "I know you and I didn't get off to the best start last time, but I think we should start over. I'm Elliot. I'm your dad." Jacob sucks on his pacifier and continues to stare. "Not the talkative type I see. Alright, let me put this milk away and I'll be right back." Elliot takes the milk from the bag and places it in the fridge. He returns to find Jacob already fast asleep. His blanket clutched firmly in his little hand. "I think this is going to work," Elliot says before climbing back into bed and going back to sleep.

xXx

"Hey, Elliot have you heard from Liv lately?"

"The nanny said she's called in to check on the baby, but I haven't heard from her. Why?"

"It's been a couple days and I haven't heard a word from her."

"I'll stop by her place and check on her. I need to grab more clothes Jacob anyway. He did this explosive poop thing yesterday and Michelle says he's down to his last onsie."

"Who's Michelle?" Fin asks.

"The nanny," Elliot replies as if it were obvious.

"Well check on her and let me know how she's doing."

"Will do Cap."

xXx

Elliot knocks on the door and when there is no answer he uses the key to open the door. "Liv!" he calls when he steps inside. His only response is the sound of her coughing. He walks down the hall to her bedroom and gasps when he sees her. She looks like death. Her skin is pale and her hair is a mess. Tissues are scattered around her He approaches her bed to where she lays with the sheets tangled around her. "Hey," he says softly as he brushes her hair away from her face. Olivia opens her eyes briefly then closes them before another coughing fit starts. She coughs so hard it scares him, so he reaches for his phone.

"What are you doing?" she asks between coughs.

"Calling Cragen. Letting him know I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No, I'm fine."

"You are NOT fine."

"It's just the flu. I'll be ok."

"People die from the flu, Liv. I'm going to take you and everything's going to be ok," he says to her as she starts to cough again. This time when she pulls her hand away blood can be seen on the tissue she holds in her hand. "Alright, I'm calling 911," he hangs up the call with Cragen before he can answer and dials 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"Hi this is Detective Stabler badge number 6313. I need a bus, Now!"

xXx

Elliot paces the hospital waiting room while he waits for someone to come and speak to him. They're performing tests. Halfway to the hospital she began coughing again and spit up more blood. She then started gasping for air and stopped breathing after that. He and the EMT had taken turns performing CPR, but they hadn't been able to get her back before they reached the hospital. She was alive now. He knew that because they had told him before they took her to have tests done. They told him to wait outside the ICU until they came and got him. That was almost two hours ago.

"Mr. Stabler?"

"Yes," he answers eagerly.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Miles," he holds out a hand and the two men shake hands.

"How is she?"

"Stable, but not out of the woods yet."

"Is she going to be ok?"

"We believe so. Ms. Benson has a nasty case of pneumonia. Her lungs were so full of fluid that they were no longer able to expand. That's why she stopped breathing, but we were able to get her back and started on some antibiotics. Right now we're going to monitor her condition closely and hope she pulls through."

"Thank you. Thank you so much for your help."

"Don't thank me. From what I hear you're the hero here. You performed CPR on her?"

"Yea with the EMT in the back of the bus."

"You helped save her life. She does have a couple cracked ribs, but those will heal."

"She's going to be fine though, right?"

"Only time will tell."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes, she's in room 208."

"Thank you."

Elliot makes his way to Olivia's hospital room and takes a seat beside her bed. She stirs slightly.

"Hey," Elliot greets and takes her hand in his.

She moves the breathing mask down off her face. " 's Jacob?" she slurs.

"He's at home with Maureen."

"He ok?"

"Yea, he's fine. You have nothing to worry about," he says and places the mask back on her face for her.

"Mmm K," she sighs and is back to sleep.

xXx

Days later Elliot walks into Olivia's bedroom carrying Jacob in one hand and a bowl of soup in the other. Olivia smiles at the sight of her son. She turns off the TV and sits up before taking the bowl from Elliot.

"Thank you," she rasps.

"How you feeling?"

"Tired, but better," she lifts a spoonful of tomato soup to her mouth.

Elliot takes a seat on the side of her bed and shifts Jacob into his lap. The baby immediately reaches for Olivia. She places the soup on her bedside table and takes her son into her arms. Jacob smiles now content to be in his mother's embrace. Olivia hugs him and kisses the top of his head.

"He missed you," Elliot muses. He takes her bowl of soup into his hands and lifts a spoonful to her mouth. "You need to eat." She takes the proffered spoonful.

"Thanks. How's he been?"

"Great. He's a different baby when he's not sick."

"He is," Olivia agrees.

"What have you two been up to?"

"Well, we just finished some of the exercises the physical therapist left for us. She said he's doing great by the way."

"That's good."

Elliot offers another spoonful and she takes it. "Then we had some tummy time. After this I'm going to get him ready for bed."

"Ok. Make sure you read to him."

"I will."

"The books say it's very important for his development."

"I know, Liv. I've been reading them too."

She takes another offered spoonful of soup. "Thank you so much for your help with him. For taking him and everything."

"I'm his father, Liv. You don't have to thank me. It's what I'm here for."

"Thank you anyway. And for saving my life the other day."

"Liv-"

"No, if you hadn't shown up when you did there's no telling where I would be right now."

"I should have checked on you sooner. I should have never allowed you to get that bad."

"Elliot, it's not your fault."

"It is. Olivia you're the mother of my son and you were sick. I should have checked on you several times a day."

"Elliot, I'm not your responsibility."

"No, but we're parents Liv. We're family now and that means we're supposed to look out for each other."

"You've always been my family, El."

"And you've always been mine, but now you're the mother of my child. I don't know about you, but that means something to me. You're more important to me now than you've ever been and no matter what you and I may be going through it's my duty as Jacob's father to be there for you and I dropped the ball…again."

"You were there when I needed you, just like you've always been. And that's all that matters to me."

Elliot nods in understanding and offers her another spoonful of soup.

xXx

"C'mon partner let's go grab a bite to eat," Fin says from his desk, that is now conveniently across from hers.

Olivia looks up from her paperwork. "I'd love to Fin, but I need to get home and relieve the nanny. She's going on her tenth hour now."

"Actually, I wanted to spend some time with him," Elliot says as he passes by her desk. "Mind if I pick him up?"

"Sure," she says softly. She doesn't really want to let Elliot have Jacob for the night, since Michael is gone getting home to him is the only thing she really has to look forward to, but she can't justify keeping Jacob from him just to use him as an emotional crutch.

"Thanks. Anything you want me to tell Allyssa?" he asks as he pulls his coat on.

"Only that I'm sorry for keeping her so late."

"I'm sure she's used to it by now, but I'll let her know."

"Thanks."

"See you guys tomorrow," Elliot says as he leaves the squad room.

"So it looks like you're free."

"I don't know Fin…"

"You sure? I'll let you pick the restaurant. And I'm buying."

"You never bought me dinner when we were partners," Munch pipes up from his desk.

"When you look like her, I'll buy you dinner."

Olivia raises an eyebrow in interest. "You're buying?"

"Once in a lifetime offer here."

"When you put it that way, I guess I can't pass up this opportunity," Olivia says and stands.

"Exactly," Fin chimes, standing from his own desk. "So where we going?"

"Have you heard of Cuban fusion?"

Fin frowns. "I'm not tryna to eat anything weird."

"Trust me, Partner."

xXx

"So what happened between you and Elliot," Fin asks as he takes a sip of the beer in his hands.

Olivia shifts uncomfortably in the leather booth. Up until this point dinner had been just what she needed. The conversation had been easy and fun. The food had been amazing. A seven layer chocolate cake sits between them and Fin uses his fork to cut off a bite sized piece. "How long have you been waiting to ask me that?" Olivia asks as she takes a sip of her wine.

"Since you finally told us you were pregnant."

Olivia sighs. Everyone now knows that Elliot is Jacob's father, though in a building full of detectives she's sure they all knew long before she told them. "We got drunk. We had sex. I got pregnant."

"So that's all that happened?"

"Yea. What? You thought we had some long sordid affair?"

"I mean…" Fin shrugs.

"Well we didn't. It happened once and we both decided it was a mistake and that it would never happen again."

"So why hide it for so long?"

"Other than the fact that it was nobody's business?" Fin puts his hands up defensively. Olivia takes another sip of wine. "He didn't want his wife to know."

Fin nods knowingly. "I can understand that, but what about you?"

Olivia shrugs. "I didn't want to be home wrecker, and in the end. I would have Jacob, and that was all that really mattered to me."

"Weren't you mad?"

"Of course I was mad. I was furious, but… I felt guilty about what happened between us and I think that's part of the reason I stayed quiet for so long."

"Hey, you weren't the only one that messed up. At the end of the day, he's the one with a wedding ring on his finger."

"Not anymore."

"That's not your fault," Olivia gives him a knowing look. "I mean sleeping with him didn't help, but at the end of the day his marriage is his responsibility."

"I guess. What gave us away?"

"Him."

"Him?"

"The more he tried to ignore the fact that you were pregnant the more obvious it was. Elliot's always been…a bit possessive of you."

"How?"

"It's hard to explain, but he's always made it clear that he was your partner and if anyone wanted to get to you, they'd have to go through him. Even if it was just to say hi." Olivia laughs. "But when you were pregnant, we all expected him to be more possessive. More protective and he wasn't. Then when Jacob was born, he distanced himself even more. That sent up a bunch of red flags."

"Well it's good to know you guys are good at your jobs," she picks up her glass and drains what's left of her wine.

"So what now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you guys going to get together?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Well his divorce is almost final. You're single. You guys have a baby together."

"And? That means we should get together."

"It's the next logical step."

"All I want to do right now is get along with him so that we can raise our son together and that's what we're doing."

"He has feelings for you, you know."

"How do you know?"

"Well, like you just said, I'm good at my job."

xXx

Elliot uses his key to open the door to Olivia's apartment. He holds Jacob against his chest and the baby rests his head on his shoulder. "Liv," Elliot calls.

"Yea," he hears a faint voice call back.

He recognizes that it's coming from the living room then heads there. "Hey," he says when he sees her.

Olivia lays on the couch, a light blanket covering her legs. She quickly sits up and swipes away the tears from her eyes. "What are you guys doing here?"

"I thought you'd like it if he slept here tonight," Elliot perches on the edge of the couch and passes her the sleeping baby.

Olivia takes him into her arms and rests him against her chest. She removes his hat and kisses his forehead. "Thank you."

"He's all set for bed. I fed him, bathed him, and read him a story. I was hoping he would be more awake when we got here, but he started falling asleep on the walk over."

"Walk? You walked here from your apartment?"

"Yea, it's a nice night out. I figured it would be nice to walk."

"Elliot, he has RSV. He can't be out in the cold like that."

"I put a jacket and hat on him."

"Still."

"Fine. I'll drive him the two blocks next time." Elliot watches as Olivia holds their baby close and rubs his back. The sadness evident in her eyes. "Liv?"

"Yea?"

"What happened with you and Michael? Maybe you guys can fix it."

"He moved to Baltimore for a job."

"He left you for a job?"

"His dream job. Chief of Pediatric Surgery over at Hopkins."

"Still."

"Working SVU was my dream job. Would you expect me to give up SVU after just making detective for him?"

Elliot's silence is the answer. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."

"Me too."

"Here, let me put him down for you."

"Thanks,"

Elliot takes a now sleeping Jacob and heads to the nursery. Olivia removes the blanket and turns so that her feet now touch the floor. It's about time she heads to bed herself. She rubs the back of her neck as she waits for Elliot to return.

"Alright, he's all set," Elliot says as he emerges from the hallway and comes to stand in front of her. She looks at him and there's something different in her eyes. She tilts her head to the side and he can tell that she there's something that she wants to say. "What?" he asks.

"Nothing. Wanna beer or something?"

"You have beer?"

"Michael's."

"He drink anything good?"

"Heinekin ok?"

"Yea, but I'll grab it." He walks to the kitchen and takes one of the two remaining beers in her fridge. He uses the bottle opener magnet on her fridge to pop the cap before joining in her on the couch. Taking a swig along the way. "So how was dinner with Fin?"

"Enlightening."

"Really? Why what did he say."

"Not much. Just that you and I should be together."

He chuckles. "What makes him think that?" Olivia shrugs but eyes him from her end of the couch. "What?"

Olivia sits up and takes the beer from him and drains what's left in the bottle then places the empty bottle on her glass coffee table. She climbs over and straddles his lap. She kisses him gently. Hesitantly. Testing, feeling. He kisses her back and when his lips parts she slides her tongue out to meet his. Her finger slides up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck and to hold him to her. Her hands slide his jacket off his broad shoulders while his hands wrap around her slim waist to rest on the warm skin at the small of her back. He removes the jacket and tosses it on the floor. She tugs at his t-shirt and he raises his arms to aid her. The t-shirt hits the floor followed by her own, leaving her bare chest open to his assault. He fills his hands with her breast as he trails kisses down the column of her neck. She rocks her body against his and moans when he slides a hand into her shorts. He stands and quickly undoes his zipper and his belt then pushes them with his briefs to pool around his legs. He stands before her aroused and she can't help but notice how beautiful he is. He's all hard muscle, but his skin is smooth and soft. She stands and pushes him down onto the couch before removing her own shorts and straddling his waist. She moans as she takes him inside her and her arms wrap around his neck. He meets her kiss when she pulls him to her as her hips rock against. He holds her ass in his hands and pulls her hard against his member causing her to cry out in extasy. She moves her hips faster over him and he groans as he enjoys the hot wetness of her. He can feel her orgasm build. It's evident in the way she holds him tighter, kisses him harder, and throbs against him. She breaks their kiss and he can feel the warmth of her breath as she pants against his ear. She slides a hand down and touches herself causing her to comes hard and fast, sinking her teeth into his neck.

Elliot twists and flips her down onto the couch. He steps out of his jeans and underwear and rotates her to face him. Their eyes lock when she looks up at him and he lowers his lips find hers in the dim lighting and he trails his kisses down her body until he kneels before her. The first time had been rushed and in haze of alcohol and lust. As a result he doesn't remember much. The second time had been no better. This time he wants to do it right. He wants to take his time to kiss and caress every square in of her body. Tomorrow he wants to remember exactly what made her quiver and next week he wants to look at her from across their desks and remember how she moaned when he took a beaded nipple between his lips. The next time she walks by him and the scent of her lingers in the air, he wants to know that it's her shampoo that smells so good and not her perfume. He already knows that her perfume is strongest at the base of her neck. As his lips descend on the flat plane between her breasts he can feel the vibration for her heart racing inside her chest. He kisses her bellybutton and is reminded of the time he first felt their son growing inside her. He kisses the inside of her thigh and he finds the softness of her skin comforting. The next time he watches her type he'll remember how it felt when she ran her fingers through his hair as he slid his tongue through her sex. The sweetness of her will forever linger on his tongue. The next time he sees her finger grip her glock, he'll remember how it felt to have those same fingers curled around his dick. He sinks back into her and picks up where they left off. He isn't gentle, but she doesn't seem to mind. He places the palms of his hands against her thighs, opening her further to him and allowing him to sink deeper into her depths. He hooks her legs over his arms and wraps his fingers around her waist. He pulls her hard against him over and over again. He shows no restraint as his body pounds into hers. The sound of their bodies slapping against each other echoes into the night. She cries out in pleasure and meets him thrust for thrust and he finds himself falling even more in love with her. He can feel a familiar tightening in his balls, but he holds on.

"Cum for me, Baby. Cum for me," he pants.

"Fuck," she yells out.

Never will he forget how good it feels to be inside her. Neither the warmth or the wetness of her.

Never will he forget how good it feels to have Olivia Benson cum around him.

He comes with her, spilling his seed inside her. He releases her legs and sits on the floor as he fights to get air into his lungs. She shits up and runs her fingers through her sweat dampen hair. She stands on shaky legs and he braces himself for the heartbreak and awkwardness when she tells him to leave. She heads towards her bedroom, but pauses as she reaches the hallway and turns to him.

"You coming or not?"

He gets up follows behind her and he reaches her room door just as she lays down and looks to him to join her. He closes the door and silently crosses the room in the darkness to her side. He covers her naked form with his own and easily settles between her thighs. His lips touch hers and she reaches between them and guides him into her. Never will he forget the feeling of having her legs wrapped around his waist and her nails rake down his back.

Never, would he forget.

xXx

Elliot groans as he pushes inside her. Sweat rolls down his back as he feels her tighten around him. He's going to come and he wants her to come with him. He reaches between them and flicks his thumb over her sensitive nub. She moans out load when she breaks around him and he follows suit behind her. He rests his sweat covered forehead against her shoulder for a moment before he rolls off her and both lay side by side panting for air.

Olivia rolls away from him and checks her phone. There's a text from Michael.

I miss you.

She sighs before texting him back.

Me too.

"Who is it?" Elliot asks. He knows exactly who it is, but he asks anyway. Just to see what she'll say.

"It's Michael," she answers.

"What'd he want?"

"He just says he misses me."

"What did you text back?"

"That I miss him too."

Elliot nods. "You know, Liv, if you want to be with him. You can go. We can work something out with Jacob."

Olivia turns to him. "I thought you wanted to be involved in his life?"

"I do, but I want you to be happy and if he makes you happy then you should be with him."

Olivia sits up and pulls the sheet around her chest. "But what about Jacob? You would just give him up like that? I thought you wanted to be his father?"

"I never said I was giving up my son. We can figure something out. I can come up for weekends or we can trade of weeks here and there. I can't help but feel guilty. Like it's my fault you aren't together and I don't want to do that. I don't want to be the reason you're not happy."

"I'm fine, Elliot. I'm a little sad, but I know I made the right choice. Jacob has to come first, and him having a relationship with you is more important to me than me having a relationship with Michael. I loved him, and it hurts to not be with him, but I don't regret my decision."

"So what about us?" It's the question he's been dying to ask since they first rekindled their sexual relationship nearly a month ago. He hates to admit it, but he's gotten used to it. Coming home to her every night. Spending time with their son. Feeding him, bathing him, then putting him to bed before falling into bed themselves. The sex has been amazing and they've fallen into a routine of sorts that he finds himself looking forward to, but they haven't discussed anything. They've gone with the flow and for the most part it's worked for them.

"What about us?"

"Well what exactly are we doing?"

"Isn't that my line?"

"Liv, c'mon."

She sighs and sinks back against the headboard of her bed. She runs her fingers through her hair as she draws her knees up to her chest. "I thought this was working."

"It is working, but, what are we? Are we people with a kid that fool around or are we something more?"

"Do you want us to be something more?"

"Yea," he answers without hesitation.

"Elliot…I don't know if I'm ready for that. Especially with you."

His heart sinks. "Ok."

"But I like what we have now."

"Ok," he nods, but says nothing more. Suddenly he feels awkward. Like he shouldn't be here. "I think I'm going to go," he says after a moment and stands to retrieve his clothes from the floor. He quickly pulls them on.

"Elliot-"

"Night, Liv. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Elliot!" she calls to his retreating form.