Olivia was shaken out of her contemplative reverie at the doctor pushing open the door to Kathy's room. Elliot slowly walked towards her and it took all of her remaining energy to fake her Oscar-worthy smile. Unable to broach the subject of his wife, she instead asked about the baby. Elliot smiled in relief.

"Great."

He studied her intently for a moment, her smile fixed, her eyes glistening. God, she was beautiful. He'd almost lost her today and yet here she was safe and unharmed and being so supportive of him and his family when she had no one - God, he felt like such a bastard! He'd palmed his pregnant wife off upon his partner who accepted it without question. Olivia and his wife had always had a somewhat strained relationship in no small part due to his own unwillingness to share himself completely with Kathy. There were things that he didn't think he could handle her knowing about him in fear that she would turn and run and take his kids with her; Olivia knew him warts and all and yet she was still here. It was sometimes the only thing that kept him sane, the knowledge that if this wonderful, complex woman could accept him for who he truly was, then maybe he wasn't as screwed up as he thought. He had a sudden, overwhelming urge to hold her, to reassure himself that she was safe and unhurt just as he had Kathy back in that room. Knowing she would never accept a hug in full view of his, now sleeping, ex-wife, Elliot made to walk off down the corridor and Olivia immediately followed. Taking her by complete surprise, he spun 180 on his heels, reached out to grasp her wrist and pulled her towards him. The way he crushed her to his chest took Olivia off guard and she visibly stiffened for a moment before allowing herself to take refuge in his arms. For the first time it hit her what a close call it had been and tears began to well up in her eyes. She closed them and allowed herself the small luxury of breathing in his scent, all the while telling herself that she shouldn't be feeling this good just because her partner of nine years was holding her. First and foremost, he was married and she had just helped his wife deliver their baby, what kind of person was she? He began to pull away and she steeled herself for one last breath of him before opening her eyes and facing him. She looked up into his now guarded eyes, her own filled with an emotion that neither dared to catagorize for fear of having to deal with the consequences. Elliot cleared his throat, trying to fight back tears and hold his emotions in check. Olivia glanced down; it was all it took for her to regain enough composure to break the awkward silence.

"Have you picked a name?" She asked as they began to walk down the corridor.

"Kathy wants to name him after me!" He stated rather smugly and Olivia smiled.

"Just what the world needs, another Elliot Stabler!" They both grinned and exited through the door of the maternity ward.

Kathy sighed and leaned back against her pillows. She'd known for a long time that Elliot had been in love with his partner even though he was completely oblivious. Having witnessed their little exchange she knew she had done the right thing. She couldn't be with a man who was subconciously head over heels in love with another woman. She suspected that Olivia returned his feelings but by this point Kathy liked to think that she knew them both well enough to know that they had behaved in nothing but an honorable way while she had been married to Elliot. That much had been evident if only due to Elliot's helplessness while Olivia had been away. When she had told him that she wanted a divorce, he had been upset but he couldn't deny to himself that this hadn't been coming for a long time. When Olivia left, his world fell apart. Kathy knew that, with her, he was mourning the loss of his family. With Olivia, he had lost a part of his soul.

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Elliot insisted on dropping Olivia off at her apartment and she was about to object when Cragen appeared.

"Olivia! Are you all right?" When she nodded he visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Elliot. "How are Kathy and the baby?"

"They're both fine thank you, Captain." Elliot replied, smiling.

"Elliot." Olivia interjected and Cragen gave her a puzzled look. "The baby, his name is Elliot."

"Really? Well, congratulations, Detective! Let's hope this one is less of a thorn in my side," he said, winking. Elliot chuckled and Olivia smiled. "I'd better get back to the station, we've got a DUI to string up from a yard arm. Olivia, can I give you a ride home? I'm giving you the rest of the week off to recover."

"Captain, that really won't be necessary. I'm fi-"

"It's ok, I'm taking her home." Elliot interrupted. Cragen nodded.

"Good," he faced Olivia, "If I see you within 50 feet of my office before Monday I'll have your badge, Detective?" His smiled betrayed his harsh-sounding tone, "Are we clear?" Olivia forced a smile.

"Crystal, Sir."

"Glad to hear it, now get some rest." Olivia nodded and after saying their goodbyes, Benson and Stabler turned to leave. Cragen spun around and called out her name. She paused, looking up expectantly. "You did an excellent job today, Detective." He turned to Elliot, "I daresay you owe your family to her, Stabler. Just do me a favour? Don't screw it up this time!" And with that he left leaving a stunned Olivia and an even more shocked Elliot in his wake.