A/N - So here's chapter 3. Thanks for the reviews and I'm glad you like the story so far. Please keep reviewing and if you have any ideas for the story just let me know.

Disclaimer - not mine.

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Olivia walked alongside Ali's bed as she was wheeled down the corridor. Ali was sleeping restlessly. As soon as Olivia and Stephanie had told her they were taking her upstairs she quickly drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Just as the doors of the lift began to open, Olivia saw Elliot running down the hallway.

"Liv!" He waved to her as he came to a stop beside her.

"Hey El," she replied.

"Listen, I didn't get any leads from the neighbors and I was gonna head back to the squad room for a while. Do you need a lift?"

"Umm, I might stay with Ali for a while until she gets settled upstairs. Thanks though." And with that the doors of the lift closed and Elliot was left standing in corridor alone.

Olivia pulled up a chair and sat beside a still sleeping Ali. She looked at the little girl and still wondered what horrors this girl had faced. She'd spent hours with her and gained her trust but she still knew close to nothing about her. At this Ali gave a small whimper in her sleep and sat up, awake. Olivia knew now would be as good a time as any to question Ali. First, she knew she'd have to break the news to her of her mother's death. She gave Ali a couple of minutes to wake up properly and then gently called her name to get her attention.

"Ali."

"Yeah 'Livia?"

"Sweetie, I have talk to you about your mom ok." Olivia reached out and took Ali's hand.

"What about my mommy?" Ali sat up properly in the bed listening carefully to what Olivia was telling her.

"Do you know what it means when someone dies Ali?"

"Yes, it's like they go to sleep forever and ever." Ali replied.

"That's right," Olivia continued. "Well, today, after we found you and took your mom to hospital, she died."

"Oh ok." Olivia wasn't surprised by Ali's response. By the looks of things Ali's mom hadn't been a very good mother and although Ali said she understood, Olivia knew that a five year old couldn't truly understand what death was. While Olivia was trying to find away to gently bring on the questioning side of their conversation Ali looked up at Olivia and spoke.

"If my mommy is dead does that mean I get to go back to daddy now?"

"Umm, did you used to live with your dad?" Olivia asked; glad that she might finally be getting somewhere.

"Yeah, 'cept then he went to Iraq and we moved and mommy said we weren't allowed to see him anymore."

"Ok, well how about you tell me your daddy's name and I'll try and find out where he is."

"My daddy's name is daddy." Olivia couldn't help but smile a little at Ali's innocence.

"What about his last name Ali?"

"Walker."

"Is that the same as your last name?" Ali looked down at the bed and started pulling at the sheet.

"I know you said you weren't allowed to tell me but you won't get in trouble anymore Ali." Ali hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "yes that's my last name too."

Olivia stood in the hallway waiting for Elliot to pick up his phone.

"Stabler." Elliot's voice came from the other end of the receiver.

"El, it's me. Listen, her name is Alinah Walker. Can you look that up for me and find out where her father is. She said he went to war and while he was gone her and her mom moved away."

"Yeah, I'm on it. Hey are you gonna be much longer Liv. It's nearly 8:30. How about I swing by and pick you up and then we can go get some dinner?" Elliot replied.

"Sounds good. I'll see you soon."

Olivia walked back into Ali's room to find her again sleeping restlessly. She sat down beside her and placed her hand on top of Ali's. As she watched Ali sleeping she began thinking of Elliot. After his divorce Olivia's feelings for Elliot had gotten a lot stronger. She didn't want to say anything though; she didn't want to ruin their friendship. Olivia's eyes became heavy and she suddenly realised how tired she was.

Elliot walked in to Ali's room an hour later to find both Ali and Olivia asleep. Olivia was sitting in a chair beside Ali's bed with her head resting awkwardly on the side of the bed. Elliot made his way over and gently touched Olivia's shoulder. She didn't move. Elliot took a moment to take in her beauty. He wanted nothing more than to put his arms around her and watch her sleep forever. Elliot sighed and then whispered to himself, "god I love you Olivia Benson."

At that exact moment Olivia's eyes opened and he knew she had heard. He nervously watched her facial expression change from sleepy to wide-eyed. He could feel his heart pounding. Elliot Stabler was not a nervous, shy man but in those few moments he was scared out of his mind. He nearly dropped to the floor when Olivia replied, "I love you too Elliot Stabler."