Five Years Later: November 10, 1995
"Elliot, don't you care about how your daughter is doing in school?"
"I do Kathy!" he shouted into the phone. "But there is so much going on; John and I are busy."
"Elliot, it's at eight pm. Be there." she said before hanging up.
"Little lady getting on you."
"You better believe it." Elliot said, rubbing his temple. "I can't believe my life." he muttered, recalling a time only five years ago (which seems like centuries) that he was happy and with Olivia. "John, how can someone make such stupid decisions in their life?" he said, but tuning out when Munch began to go on about his failed marriages. Elliot could remember the day perfectly. He and Olivia had had their first fight ever over him and Kathy. Kathy calling the next day just made it worse.
"Elliot, as the pregnancy went on I realized just how much you meant to me and how great of a father you'd be." she'd said, sadly. "But I didn't know how to talk to you after so long and I knew you'd hate me for what I did. Elliot, I can't do this alone and I can't think of anyone else that I want to do it with." she said with a sigh. "But I can understand if you despise me too much to do that. What I did to you was awful."
"You all right there, partner?" Munch asked, snapping Elliot back to reality.
"Yea, yea, I'm good. What time is it?"
"Almost seven."
"Hey I need to get going, parent-teacher conferences."
"Sounds like fun." Munch said sarcastically. "Tell Kathy and Maureen I said hi."
"I will. See ya Munch." Elliot could once again not stop thinking about that tragic day five years ago, why had he been so stupid?
"Olivia, I'm so sorry."
"Elliot, I understand." she said, even though he could hear the tears in her eyes. I'm the one making her cry, he thought. I can't believe I'm making the love of my life cry. "You have to do what you have to do, El, and she's having your baby. I can see where this is important. I will be fine, someday." she said before hanging up.
"Olivia." he said to the dead air before slamming his phone down. He had never spoken to Olivia again. Maybe if they hadn't been engaged or he wouldn't have left her for the reasons he had, they would still be friends. But that's not how things end, ever, that's just how life is. He pulled up outside of P.S. 213 and put the car in park. He checked his watch before opening his door, eight o'five. So close, he thought before running up the steps to the school. He didn't even know who Maureen's teacher was as he walked up the halls checking each room for his daughter and wife.
I don't think she recognizes me, Olivia thought as she introduced herself to Kathy Stabler. Suppose she wouldn't, she continued, she had better things to worry about that night--- like ruining my life.
"Lovely to meet you Miss Benson, Maureen speaks so highly of you." Kathy said, shaking her hand. "I don't know where my husband could be, I'm sure he'll show up any minute. He's a detective, so his schedule is hectic." I'm glad he accomplished his goal in life, was all Olivia could think.
"Sorry I'm la---" Elliot said, then stopping when he realized who Maureen's teacher was. "You must be Maureen's teacher." he said, holding out his hand cordially. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name." Olivia sighed, way to cover El, she thought.
"Miss Benson, Olivia Benson." she said, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you Mr. Stabler."
"Please, call me Elliot." he said, taking a seat next to his wife. "So how is our little Maureen doing in kindergarten?"
"Well, actually she's amazingly advanced." Olivia said, pulling out some of Maureen's work to show to the Stablers. She hated to even think it, she should have been Mrs. Stabler. "See how well she draws within the lines and her letters are excellent." The conference went on, slowly. Elliot and Olivia acted awkward, while Kathy continued to be oblivious to the fact.
"It sounds like our little Maureen is doing excellently." Kathy said, standing and shaking Olivia's hand again. "Thank you again Olivia, she absolutely adores you. Ready dear?" she said, turning to Elliot.
"Uh yea. I just need to use the restroom real quick, you and Maur go on." he said, leading them out the door.
"Okay, meet you at the car." she shouted over her shoulder. When they had turned the corner, Elliot turned back to Olivia and backed her into her desk before pressing his lips roughly to hers.
"Elliot!" she said, pushing him back. "You are married now; you had your chance five years ago, and you fucked it up." she said, busying herself with some papers on her desk.
"Olivia, I am still in love with you. I made a bad choice, it was stupid and brash, and I have regretted every god damn day of the past five years."
"Elliot, I am not going to sleep with a married man."
"There are ways to change that." he said, taking off his ring and sliding it in his pocket. "See, problem solved.
"Elliot, that's not going to work and you know it." she said, holding back her giggles. "Either way I am ruining your marriage and Maureen's life, I can't do that."
"Okay, well they are probably wondering where I am." he said, putting his ring back on and kissing her on the cheek. "I guess I'll be seeing you around." he said, turning and walking towards the door as Olivia simply watched the love of her life walk out on her once again.