The tears were freely flowing as the two kissed in Olivia's doorway. They could have been there for thirty seconds or thirty minutes because time stood still as they expressed their love. This kiss wasn't about desire; it was about connection and love. Their lips sank into each other as the union of them being together felt so right. He pulled away and looked deeply into the eyes that made him weak in the knees before his lips claimed hers again. He could not stop kissing her; she pulled away as her brain had finally caught up with everything that was happening.

"You love me?"

"Yes, I do. I just told you that but if you want to hear it again…I love you Olivia Benson. I could say that a million times and it still wouldn't be enough."

"I love you too. I was too afraid to let myself love you but I'm not afraid anymore. I trust you with my heart, my son, my everything. I need and want you in my life. I'm in love with you Nicholas Amaro."

Her words were his undoing. Nick had been holding his breath hoping that she would reciprocate his love. He was unashamed as he let tears of his own fall. It was a big risk that he took in coming over and professing his love, for all he knew she could have been with Elliot. But she wasn't, she loved him and the emotions that he felt were indescribable. When your fantasy becomes actuality, it is the best feeling in the world and Nick was overjoyed.

"You just don't know how many times that I've imagined you saying those words. My imagination doesn't have anything on reality. This last month without you has been hell for me. I don't ever want to be without you again, ever. I know I'm not the perfect man Olivia. I lose my temper, jump to conclusions, raise my voice, act paranoid and sometimes act like a total jackass. But I will do everything in my power to make sure that you and Noah are happy, safe and loved."

"No you're not perfect but your imperfections make you perfect for me."

They finally closed the door and settled into Olivia's apartment. The weight of the world instantly removed from both of their shoulders. It almost felt like a dream because it was so easy just being with each other, open and free. Nick ran his fingers through silky brunette hair as he stared into a sea of chocolate. He just wanted to be with her, wrapped in her arms. He took her hand and led Liv to her bedroom. He removed his clothes quickly leaving him in on boxer briefs.

"Come on, let's go to bed," said Nick. Olivia nodded in agreement as she got settled on her side. Nick snuggled in next to her as he got settled as well. Her back was to his front and his left arm and leg was draped protectively around his woman. "Good night, beautiful. I love you." He pressed soft kisses on her neck.

"Good night. I love you too, so much."

The next morning came quickly and Olivia was awakened by the screams of bloody murder coming from Noah's room. There was no doubt of the unconditional love that she had for her son but man did she wish that he would shut the hell up and let her sleep. When she could no longer ignore the screeching, she started to stir. She reached behind her searching for Nick and felt an empty space. That's strange. She hit the bathroom and quickly took care of her business so she could attend to her son. Where is he? I didn't see a note. When she reached Noah's door and realized that it wasn't deadlocked like she thought a zip of sadness went through her body. "It was just a dream, all of it. Nick was never here, I dreamed it." Olivia scooped up Noah and held him tight while she sobbed into his tiny little body. Her crying confused him and he began to quiet down and wrapped his tiny little arms tighter around her neck. Olivia tried to pull herself together for her son's sake.

"It's ok baby, it's ok. Mama's ok. Mama had a sweet dream that turned into a beautiful nightmare, that's all. We're alright, come on let's get some breakfast." She put him in his highchair as she made their breakfast. Tears were still swimming in her eyes as she thought about how real her dream had felt. She also cried because it took a dream for her to be able to finally express her feelings for Nick, even if it was subconsciously.

"Mama…" Noah reached out his pudgy little hands towards Olivia. She scooped up her little man and embraced him tightly. A knock at the door interrupted their little love fest. Olivia opened the door for Lucy who was there to babysit Noah. Lucy noticed Olivia's puffy eyes but didn't intrude on her privacy; she gave a sincere smile and busied herself with the little guy.

Olivia took her time getting ready for work. She knew that she wouldn't be any good in her current state, so she made sure that her emotions were under control before she went in. After Liv was showered and dressed she sat on the edge of her bed with her phone. She contemplated calling Nick, it had been so long since they talked and she just needed to hear his voice. Unable to shake the need of talking to him she dialed him up.

"Hey you've reached Nick Amaro, leave a message…"

Olivia was about to hang up but decided to leave a message. "Hey it's uhm, me. I uhm, it's been a while. I just wanted to…well I just wanted to say hi, so hi. Uhm well, just give me a call back when you can, bye." Olivia ended the call and immediately dropped her head into her hands. What the hell kind of message was that? She shook off the awkward call and headed to work. One last kiss for her favorite guy and she was out the door.

Why of all days did work have to suck so bad today? That kept running through Olivia's mind as the day went from bad to horrible. The only good thing was that she was sent home early, bad news was that she was sent home early for going all Fight Club on a perp. The normally under control sergeant completely snapped and lost it in the interrogation room. All sex offenders made her sick but this guy had a cocky attitude, showed no remorse and kept baiting her. His words triggered something deep inside. That combined with all of her other frustrations was enough to push her over the edge.

"So you're saying that she wanted to be tied up and gagged for hours Mr. Evans while you sexually assaulted her repeatedly?"

"Yes, she was a whore so there was no assault. I paid her and she had to service me. She wanted it. What don't you understand? God women are stupid."

"Oh I understand that even when she was screaming and crying for you to stop, you're saying that she still wanted it?"

"Yes, how many times do we have to go through this? You know, if I didn't know any better I would say that you want it too. Women like you think you're so fancy and God's gift to men…how much to get that stick out of your ass or drive it in deeper if that's something you're into…"

Olivia was pissed but kept her cool with a small little smirk on her face. "Let's stay on task, so when you were done, you left the money on the night stand and left. Why didn't you untie her after you were finished? Being that it was consensual and all. Were you afraid of retaliation from Ms. Tyler?"

He smiled devilishly, "Women don't scare me at all, including you. I didn't untie her because I didn't have time, I was in a rush. Now getting back to you…you never told me how much? I bet you like to think that you're worth a lot but I can see right through you. You're lonely, sad, dried up and all you have is this job. That's why you're such a miserable bitch, huh?"

"We're done here. Come on Kara let's go. We've got all that we need from this asshole; you're going down Mr. Evans, hard. I have a feeling that you like being on your knees; have fun being someone else's bitch."

"You're the bitch!" He jumped up from his seat. "Come on why are you so miserable? Nobody loves you? Are you barren, no kids? Did daddy give you that 'special' love when you were a little girl? Was it you guy's dirty little secret? You liked it didn't you? That why you do this job? I will pay you a visit and give you what you've been missing baby."

That did it. When she turned around he was in her face, spewing all kinds of threats. He pointed his finger to her face and she slapped his hand away and slugged him before she knew it. She knocked him flat on his ass as her boot found his neck as he struggled beneath her. She removed her boot long enough to give him a nice kick in the nuts before Kara wrapped the sergeant up in a bear hug from behind and dragged her out of the room. "You fucking bitch you're going to pay for that! I will kill you! Everyone that you love is dead, you stupid bitch!" Uniformed officers rushed in to restrain the irate man as he was ushered off to a cell. Liv was still resisting Kara's restraint on her as she finally got her into the squad room.

"Get the hell off me Kara, let me go! Let me go right now god damn it!"

The rookie ignored her mentor and continued to hold onto her while she calmed down. She felt Liv stop resisting and her breathing had calmed down. "Are you good, Sergeant?" asked Kara in a calm and controlled voice despite the amped up situation.

"I'm good, I'm good." Liv threw her hands up in a surrender to let Kara know that she was alright.

"Benson!" shouted Murphy.

"Damn it."

Instead of going straight home, Olivia stopped by the gym to work out the rest of her frustrations. She was relieved when she saw a kickboxing class about to begin. She quickly changed and jumped in the class as it was beginning. The workout let her release the tension in her body and she was grateful. After class the rejuvenated brunette wanted to get some cardio in as well. On her way to the elliptical a familiar face had her making a detour.

"Fancy meeting you here," said a glistening Olivia.

"Liv, hey. Wait, why aren't you at work? It's the middle of the day."

"Funny you should ask…I actually pulled a Stabler today and got sent home, I let my anger get the best of me. Sounds familiar right?" The sergeant said with a teasing smile.

Elliot let out a hearty laugh as he grabbed his towel and water bottle. They walked towards the juice bar and found a booth as they talked. "Anger? Get the best of me? Noooo," his signature smile stretched across his handsome face. "I can't believe that you got sent home. You really need to get that under control, Sergeant Benson." Olivia laughed at his joke as he continued to tease her. "Oh, let me not give you advice on rage. What is that you said to me?" He tried to mock Olivia as he changed his voice, "The poster boy for rage is going to tell me how to control my anger?"

Olivia was shocked and amused that he even remembered that. "I can't believe that you remembered that. That was a rough time…well I guess this is a rough time too."

"Want to talk about it, Sergeant?"

She couldn't talk about it to him, could she? He was her best friend and she knew that she could confide in him but everything was different now. Their feelings for each other were out in the open and she didn't feel right discussing another man with him. He could practically hear her thoughts; the serious expression on her face told him that she was contemplating whether or not she should tell him.

"Look Liv, you can talk to me. Even though some things have changed, me being your best friend and someone you can always talk to won't ever change." His words were softly spoken as his sincere blue eyes connected with hers. That was the moment that she had no doubts of whom she belonged with.

"El, I can't—"

"It's ok Liv, I promise. There's nothing that you can tell me that will ever mess this up," he pointed between the two of them. "We have the worst timing ever, huh?" He lifted his face into a half smile to reassure her that he understood.

Tears started to form in her eyes but she shut them, refusing to let them spill. "It seems like we do. Elliot, I'm sorry. I didn't—"

"No," he reached for hand, intertwining their fingers together. "Don't apologize to me ever, please."

"I do love you Elliot, always will," she could no longer fight the tears as she looked into the eyes of the man that she once thought would be it for her.

"I love you too Liv, always will. Go," he nodded his head towards the door. "Let him know, don't worry about me. I will be ok."

That was the final push that she needed. Olivia pulled Elliot up by their still intertwined fingers and embraced him firmly. Tears burned his eyes, he knew that he was doing the right thing but it still hurt. Even if it couldn't be him to make her happy, he wanted her to be happy nonetheless. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent that is uniquely Olivia's. When they finally finished their hug, Olivia tilted her head and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Thank you," whispered an emotional Liv as she headed for the exit.

Olivia left the gym still in her black yoga pants and NYPD tank top. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and sweat still clung to her body. Her mission was get to Nick; she was totally unbothered by her appearance. She arrived at the 2-7 fifteen minutes after leaving the gym. The sergeant flashed her badge and headed into the squad room searching for her detective. Officers and other detectives were looking at Liv strange, she looked absolutely deranged. Nick's eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw Olivia in his squad room in her work out clothes. He jumped out of his seat to meet her; surprised that she was at his job.

"Olivia what are you doing here?" He was confused and slightly on edge, her sudden visit unnerved him.

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm at work, can this wait?"

"No, it can't," she grabbed his hand and lead him to an interrogation room like she owned the place. Nick was shocked and a little embarrassed; all eyes were on them as she basically dragged him out of the squad room.

"Liv, you just can't barge in and drag me away from my desk. I'm at work, I'm—" Olivia silenced him as she crashed her lips against his. The kiss was needy and uninhibited. She missed him and she wanted to pour everything that she had into the kiss. He was resistant to the kiss at first but he couldn't resist long, he missed her so much. He wrapped his arms around Liv's waist and pulled her closer as he glided his tongue inside of her willing mouth. They were still in sync like before, every touch, every feel was so right. Olivia reluctantly ended the kiss so that she could tell him why she was there.

"Don't talk, I need to say this and I need to say it without you interrupting me. I had a dream about you last night and it seemed so real." He raised his eyebrows in a suspicious gesture; she knew what he was getting at. "Not like that perv. Anyways when I woke up I was so sad because it wasn't a reality. This last month…it's been extremely difficult. I couldn't fight my feelings anymore, when you left it seemed as if a part of me left too. Then after our fight and weeks went by without hearing from you, I thought you didn't care anymore. Well you've expressed to me several times how you felt for me and I think that it's time for me to express my feelings to you. I'm in love with you Nick, I can't fight it anymore and I don't want to. I love you and I want to be with you. I don't know if you still want to be with me but I want you in me and Noah's life. You don't have to answer right now, I know that I'm catching you off guard but I couldn't wait another minute to tell you. I love you, Nicholas Amaro. Ok, I'm going to go now."

A/N: Ok so I think I will be wrapping this story up in another two chapters. Also, it was very important for me to show Olivia putting all of her cards on the table for once with both men, hope you enjoyed it. I felt it was time for her to make up her mind. R/R, thanks.