A/N: I got my 80 reviews! I love you all so much - you guys have really kept me motivated…this is the longest story I have ever written to date and more ideas for it just keep coming – which is always a good sign!

And you know what would make me even more motivated….100 reviews! That's my next goal. I would be so happy if I could get to a hundred. I might even cry if I got to 100, who knows? Anyways, so that's 17 reviews from now…think we can get there by the next chapter? *sigh* one can dream, I guess.

Love ya'll

Review please! Feedback please!

P.S Shout outs to justliziam and edge15684 who have been with my story since chapter 1…I really appreciate your constant support!

I also want to thank every other reviewer of course; your words bring smiles to my face every day.

XXX Kate XXX

Elliot's heart skipped a beat when he realized who was in his arms the next morning. Never in his wildest dreams did he think Olivia Benson, his partner of twelve years, would be curled up at his side, her head tucked right up under his arm and her body snuggled up to his. He felt like she belonged there, warm and comforting, right next to him. He didn't want to ever get up but he was getting restless and couldn't for the life of him fall back asleep.

He debated on whether to wake her. Nah, I'll just leave a note, he thought, scooting from her slowly.

She stirred, "Where are you going?" she asked, her voice raspy with sleep.

"I was just…I was going to go for a walk or something…go back to sleep Liv."

She frowned and grabbed his arm before he could leave the bed.

"I want to come with you then," she said, her eyes not even fully open. He smiled and thought of how cute she looked with her tousled hair and disheveled make up.

"Liv you're asleep," he laughed, "I'll be right back," he pulled away from her grasp.

"No, no," she argued, "I'm awake, I'm going."

He chuckled at her stubbornness, "If you say so Liv."

They both dressed quickly into their warm winter clothes from the previous day and headed out into the winter morning. It was still snowing slightly, but not enough to even make a dent on what was already piled up on the ground.

"Brr, it's chilly," Olivia commented.

"Well you're the one who insisted on coming out here with me," Elliot replied smirking.

Olivia glared, "What, did you not want me to come?"

Elliot looked down at her, "Liv, wherever I am, I would love you to be there with me…always and forever Benson."

That shut Olivia up. She smiled up at him slightly and bit her lip. "I like that you can say that to me," she whispered.

"I don't know why I haven't before," he looked down guiltily.

"Because we've never actually said how we truly feel about each other," she said.

"Which is?"

"I like you… as more than just a partner Elliot."

"How long?" he asked.

"How long what?"

"How long have you liked me as more than a partner?"

"I can pin point the exact day my feelings changed…but it's kind of embarrassing," she blushed.

"Tell me," he said. She shook her head. "If I tell you, will you tell me?" Liv just looked at him, Elliot took this as a yes, "The first time I saw you I knew someday there would be a 'you and me'… but for twelve years I wouldn't let myself believe it was a possibility – I was married and catholic and I wasn't supposed to have feelings for another woman…"

She stopped and looked up into his crystal eyes, "El, you've had feelings for me for that long?" she asked. He nodded. "Well, I've always been attracted to you," she continued walking, "But the first time I knew I…lov – liked you…was when you told me that you would give your kidney to me," she started laughing and soon they both were.

"I know exactly was conversation you're talking about," he smiled.

Olivia stopped walking again and paused for a moment, her face suddenly becoming serious. "I'm scared," she said quietly.

"Of what Liv?"

"Of this," she gestured between them, "What is this exactly?"

"I don't know…I guess we just wait and see," he smiled confidently, like he knew a secret that she didn't.

"I don't want to lose you a friend Elliot. You are the only person I have in this world; it scares me that you could easily just walk away."

Elliot reached over to cup her cheek, "I could never, ever, in a million years walk away from you. I've stuck by you this long, haven't I?"

"But that's different. We were paid to have each other's backs."

"Liv, it was never about the money for me. I would and will protect you to the ends of the earth without gaining a single cent, I promise you that."

"When did you become so good with words Elliot Stabler?" she asked taking his hand in hers.

"When I realized I needed them to tell you how I feel…how I have felt forever about you," he smiled and kissed her, the snow melting as it landed on their warm faces.

Olivia's stomach swarmed with more butterflies, and she felt like a giddy little girl on Christmas morning. This was a feeling she wasn't used to and hadn't felt…ever – but she liked it and she wasn't planning on letting it go any time soon. She kissed Elliot deeper and wrapped her arms around the back of his head, raking her fingers along the base of his neck. God, she loved this.

"This is so different," she breathed as they separated.

"I don't know…I kind of like it. I could get used to this," he whispered.

"I could too," she smirked and captured his lips with hers again.

They stayed like this for it seemed like eternity, connected not only physically, but emotionally. It felt different…but it felt right.

"El," Olivia inhaled, "I think we need to go back…I want to see the kids," she said, her mind shifting gears.

"Right, right," Elliot said, trying to change his focus…which was not an easy thing to do considering Olivia was inches from his face, with swollen lips and slightly pinkish cheeks – a beautiful, intoxicating sight, really.

Elliot and Olivia laced their fingers together and turned around to walk the short distance back to Elliot's apartment.

Elliot squeezed Olivia's hand and stumbled a bit on the ice, "Damn, it's slick out here," he cursed, leaning on Olivia for balance.

"I'll catch you if you fall," Olivia assured laughing as she put her hands out to try and take on Elliot's weight.

"I'm sure you will Liv!" he laughed along with her.

Not a second later, it was Olivia who took a spill, slipping and falling knees and palms down on the ice.

"Shit!" he exclaimed bending down quickly to aid her.

"I'm okay, I'm fine!" she chuckled with embarrassment.

"God, that was so my fault," Elliot chided himself giving her a hand up.

"It's fine El," she assured brushing off her palms which we visibly scraped up.

"Oh, Liv, you're bleeding," he noticed.

"Barely," she scoffed at his concern and continued to walk forward not able to hide her visible hobble.

"Liv, stop," he huffed, "roll up your pant legs and let me see your knees," he requested with a raised eyebrow.

Olivia knew better then to argue, but that didn't mean she was going to do it without a fuss, "Seriously Elliot? I'm not a kid," she rolled her eyes but did as she was told. Her knees were worse than her palms, bloody scrapes and a red tint were visible on her knee caps. Elliot could tell they were going to have bruising.

"Well, I can't let you walk the rest of the way home, now could I?" he said with a smirk.

"What do you mean you can't let" –

Before she could finish her sentence, Elliot had scooped Olivia easily up into his arms bride and groom style and was walking her carefully down the sidewalk.

"Elliot Stabler, if you slip and fall with me in your arms were going to have a serious problem," she scolded.

"Well that's not gonna happen," he guaranteed smiling at her.

She couldn't help but smile back and wrap her arms tighter around his neck. She placed little kisses on his jaw and neck all the way home. She had to admit she loved being in Elliot's arms.