WOW Chapter 11! You guys have been so great, I just can't say that enough, thank you so much for sticking with me and this story. I appreciate each one of your reviews, they are what is keeping this going. I am planning on keeping this going for at least a few more chapters, after that who knows. Here's your EO goodness you've patiently been waiting for.

The expression on his face made her smile. She chuckled on the inside, she slid his beer in front of him and smiled.

''Hi Elliot''

''W-What are you doing here?'' He was shocked, but more confused, did she look happy to see him?

She shrugged, smiling softly. ''I'm not really a desert kind of girl.''

He was at a loss for words, he really didn't know what to say that wouldn't piss her off again, all he did know is that he didn't want her to walk away, he knew that he never wanted to let her out of his sight again.

She took a drink from the bottle in her hand, the beer Simon had handed her. Her brother probably knew she would need it to relax her way through this a little.

''Feel like a walk?'' She smiled softly, nodding her head toward the backdoor. His lips curled up slightly as he stood up and grabbed his jacket, he followed her down the back hallway where she grabbed her coat off the hooks attached to the wall, she slipped her arms in it as she opened the door leading him out to the porch. The space where they had talked and reconnected that first night. The same space where she had broken his heart a month earlier, they walked out and she walked in front of him, she had her back to him as she looked at the city lights for a moment before turning to face him.

''I wanted to apologize to you.''

He raised an eyebrow. ''For what?''

''For taking my feelings about…Her out on you. It wasn't your fault, it wasn't your fault, you didn't know about the whole thing, and I was a jerk. I'm sorry.''

''Liv…''

''No'' She put her hand up to stop him. ''Just let me finish.''

He nodded softly

''I acted like a jealous idiot. I knew going into it that you were engaged, and that it was just for one night. I didn't want it to end badly like that, but I saw you with her, and I realized she was the one and I just lost it. It made me crazy and I didn't have a right to act that way and I'm sorry it cost you your engagement.''

He shook his head. ''God Liv…You weren't a…''

She stopped him once again.

'' I'm sorry that I ran out on you, I should have talked to you, I know you were upset and hurt too. I know you had just found out that the woman you Love and your ex-partner had a pretty messy past, and I realize you must have been shell shocked and not really sure what was going on.'' She looked at him, tears brewing behind her eyes that she was fighting to stop.

''Your wrong about one thing'' He said so quietly she almost didn't hear him.

She looked up at him.

''My ex-partner IS the woman that I love...''

''And I know that I really mess…'' She looked into his eyes, hers widening.

''Y-you…huh?'' She stuttered

He smiled at her, he took a step closer to her.

''Can I talk now?'' He smirked

She nodded nervously, her eyes never leaving him.

''Olivia…'' He took a breath. '' I have known you for 20 years… I spent 12 years protecting you, most of those I thought about you constantly, even when I wasn't with you, the last few years, I have thought of you every day. What you were doing, if you were happy. I lied to myself every day, I tried to make myself believe it wasn't love. Then I got divorced, I wanted to call you so much. I stopped myself because I was convinced that it was too late, that you were better off without me, I met Carrie and… I'm sorry… then I saw you that night…'' Looks at her '' I saw you, and I realized that you still set my heart on fire'' he smiled sweetly ''Among other things'' His voice deepened as he smiled, getting a laugh from her as she wiped her teary eyes.

''I realize that I led you to believe that all I wanted was that night. That is not what I wanted, but I thought that if I said what I did want you would run like wild. I really messed up because you ran anyway, I am so sorry if you ever thought I would use you like that. You mean so much more to me than that.''

Her eyes were shining with tears, she wiped at them listening to everything he was saying, it finally sinking in what was happening. He reached out and took her trembling hands into his.

'' 20 years… And you are still the most Infuriating, hard headed, stubborn, feisty pain in my ass that you have always been… You make my head spin most of the time, make my heart race, you make me absolutely crazy…'' She cried softly as he spoke. He stopped for a moment, lifting his hand to wipe the tears away from her face gently. ''And I could not be more in love with you.'' He smiles, the weight finally lifting off him. She let his words sink in, her lips turned upward into a soft smile.

''I love you Benson''

''Elliot'' She spoke softly

'' I didn't say that to hear it back, I know I have hurt you way too much…''

''SHUT UP!'' She yelled quickly cutting him off, he looked at her a bit startled as she smiled through her tears.

''I love you Stabler'' She grinned widely as the words just flowed out of her mouth without a second thought. He matched her smile as the words hit his ears

''I love you so much… I'm not running, those words scare the hell out of me but not as much as losing you and I swear I won't run.'' Her voice got softer. ''I love you'' she whispered as his hands went to the sides of her face, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, the kiss was soft, his lips moved against hers, the kiss deepening as they put all the emotion they were feeling forward. They were opening themselves up, finally letting go of the walls, the pain, the fear. He slowed down, resting his mouth against hers, their breathing heavy, his hands remained on her cheeks as his forehead rest against hers.

'' Be with me'' He spoke softly against her lips

''You scare the hell out of me'' She spoke softly

''Ditto'' he smiled sweetly

''Be with me'' she smiled

''Just try getting rid of me now'' He kisses her again, slower this time. He kissed across her cheek, pulling her into his arms, holding her close. He moved his mouth to her ear, whispering softly. ''Partners for life''

She chuckled and hugged him tightly before pulling back and yawning softly. He looked at her and smiled softly.

''You tired?''

She nodded. '' A little… It's been a long couple days''

''I bet, jet lag and all.''

She nodded again. ''Noah's sleeping at Simon's so at least I can sleep in.'' She smiles

He nodded and stepped back, she kissed his lips quickly.

''I should head home… before I fall asleep at the wheel'' She laughs softly

He nodded and kissed her head. ''Get some sleep''

She smiled as she walked to the door leading back into the bar before turning back around and looking at him once again, grinning widely.

''You coming or what?''