A/N: Thank you for your reviews! In this story, El and Kathy never met, therefore she never got pregnant and he was able to live a happy, normal college life. Please be advised that, when there's a part of the song, the part of the story which comes right after it might happen in a different timing from the previous one.
I had a hard time writing this, a major writer's block case, but my boring International Law classes (the most boring subject ever created in Law School) sometimes give me inspiration. Yeah, I know. Go figure. HAPPY EASTER!
Law & Order SVU isn't mine. The song belongs to Taylor Swift.

She knew him. She had already seen him around at the college campus and, from what her friends had told her, he was a couple years older than her and he was also studying to join the police academy. It was the first time she saw him at the diner, though. She didn't know he worked there. When he approached her table, she decided to start a conversation, since the diner was already closing.

- Hey, can I get you something else? We're closing already.

- Oh, no, I'm good, thanks. You're from Siena College, right?

- Yup, Law School, I'm studying to join the police academy – he then looked at her more intently. – I'm sorry, what's your name? I don't recognize you from any classes.

- No, I'm in Law School as well but we don't have any classes together, I just know you from the hallways. I have a great memory for faces. By the way, I'm Olivia Benson.

- Elliot. Elliot Stabler. Look, Olivia, I'm just gonna help the guys closing the place, do you mind waiting outside? We can talk after I'm done here. It won't take long.

- Okay, sure.

She stood up, paid for what she had eaten and walked outside. A few minutes later, Elliot came around.

- See, I told you it wouldn't take long. So, Olivia – they started walking. – Tell me more about you.

- Well, I'm nineteen. Whether you believe it or not, I also want to be a police officer. I live at the campus with my roommate even though my mom lives in Manhattan. We don't really get along. How 'bout you?

- Sorry about your mother; my mom isn't the best person either. I'm twenty-one and I always wanted to be a cop. My father was one as well. My family lives in Staten Island, but I really like Manhattan better. I'm not much of a beach guy.

- You certainly don't look like one – Olivia joked and they both laughed.

You were in college working part time waiting tables
Left the small town, never looked back
I was a flight risk with a fear of falling
Wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts

A few months later, they practically lived together – since the money for her dorm came from her mother, Olivia spent most nights at the campus, but sometimes Elliot convinced her not to leave. She didn't want it to become a routine, she was afraid of it, and at first Elliot didn't understand why.

- Liv, come on. What's the big deal? I love you, you love me, then tell me, why not?

- It's just... My mom, she... – Olivia wanted so bad to tell him, but she couldn't risk him running away. She would definitely go crazy if she lost Elliot.

- Is it because of the money? Because if it is, Liv, we'll find a way. You can get a part-time job like me and pay her back. And even though I hate the thought of this happening, I can even let you pay one bill or another if it's so important to you – he said kindly, and Olivia sighed.

- El, I... Thank you, really, but... – She sighed again. – There's a reason why my relationship with my mom is so unstable.

Elliot nodded, showing he was paying attention. He had a feeling this was huge.

- My mother, she... As you already know, she is a teacher at Columbia. There was this night when she was walking to where she waited for the bus, many years ago and she... She was attacked. She was raped, and got pregnant with me. After I was born, she started drinking and... – Olivia felt like she was choking, both her and Elliot's eyes filled with tears. – She hates me, sometimes, while at other moments she's so possessive...

She stopped talking when Elliot hugged her.

- I'm sorry, Liv. I'm so so sorry, but I'm here. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. You're safe.

Flash forward and we'd been taking on the world together
And there's a drawer of my things at your place
You learned my secrets and you figured out why I'm guarded
You said we'll never make my parents' mistakes

A few weeks later, they had what Olivia thought was the most romantic date ever.

At an isolated part of the campus there was this huge lake which, at night, reflected the lights from the buildings and the post lights surrounding it. They had a picnic under the moonlight and with the greatest view from the city lights one the lake water. Since there was no wind moving the water, it was like a mirror. It was amazing.

Olivia knew, at that very moment, that Elliot was the one man for her.

She thought of that night every time she felt bad or like giving up, and in a few minutes she felt just fine again, her faith on them, on him, back to where it belonged: her heart.

Do you remember we were sitting there by the water
You put your arm around me for the first time
You made a rebel out of a careless man's careful daughter
You are the best thing that's ever been mine
Do you remember all the city lights on the water?
You saw me start to believe for the first time
You made a rebel out of a careless man's careful daughter
You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Just like other couples, they fought. A lot. And even though Elliot had made a super-human effort to understand Olivia's situation, his hotheaded manners eventually took the best of him.

- We just... I don't know, Liv.

- You don't know what, Elliot?

- I just... I always wanted to embrace the world and do whatever I felt like doing, even if I regretted it later. I always want to help everyone around me and I usually don't give two shits what it costs.

- But...?

- I've been stepping on a few toes for too long.

- What is that supposed to mean?

- That maybe I took too big of a step this time. You, I... Nothing I do will ever change the way you were brought to this world and it kills me. It really does.

- What...

- It's slipping through my fingers and I hate it.

- You hate it that there's no way for you to help me? For you to fix me so I can be a normal girl? – Olivia was now yelling. – Look, I know I'm not the daughter-in-law a mother dreams of, Elliot, but I just wanted to be loved, okay? I just wanted someone who could see beyond the rapist father and drunken mother and love me for who I am. I really thought I had found this person but life never ceases to let me down.

Her eyes filled with tears, Olivia walked out of Elliot's building and headed towards the campus.

- Liv, wait, I... I'm sorry.

- Yeah, so am I – she said bitterly.

- I'm sorry for what I said. It came out wrong. What I meant is, I feel bad that there's nothing I can do to help you, because every time you and your mom fight, I feel like someone knocked the wind out of me. Every time you cry because someone found out about your parents and left you, I die a little bit inside. I wish there was a way to help you so I could stop you from hurting, but I can't, and it kills me.

And I remember that fight, 2:30 A.M
Cause everything was slipping right out of our hands
I ran out crying and you followed me out into the street
Braced myself for the goodbye
Cause that's all I've ever known
And you took me by surprise
You said "I'll never leave you alone"
You said

- I remember how we felt sitting by the water, and every time I look at you is like the first time; I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter, and she is the best thing that's ever been mine – Elliot added, hugging her. – I'm sorry I made you cry. I made you a promise when you told me about your mother and I have every intention to keep it. I love you.

- I love you, too, El.