Olivia is working late, going over the paperwork from their latest case. With Noah at a sleepover, she doesn't have anywhere else to be.
It's been six months since Elliot left. Six months without a phone call, text, or email. Olivia can't help but be reminded of the last time he left, and she has to tell herself that this time is different. This time he told her he was leaving. This time he had left to work a case. Jet snuck word to her a couple of weeks ago that he was okay, but it's been radio silence from everyone at Organized Crime ever since. She assumes that means he'll be under for a while longer.
She scrolls to the next page and absent-mindedly runs her fingers over the necklace he'd given her before he left, meant to lead her to happiness. He'd also left the "E" from his "Liv, Love, Laugh" ornament on her desk when he left that evening, and she has it propped against a framed photo of Noah.
Olivia is so focused on the report in front of her that she doesn't see him walking through her squadroom. He props against the door frame and admires her for a minute. The way her hair is falling from the clip she'd thrown in earlier this evening. The way her dark-rimmed glasses frame her eyes just right. The way she's caressing the necklace he'd given her. He'd never been good at picking out gifts in the past - never tried too hard, really - but with her it comes easy. He is proud to see her wearing it and hopes it's a good sign for their collective future.
"Hey, partner." She startles at the interruption but smiles at the sound of his voice.
"El. What are you doing here?" She comes around her desk to meet him, relieved to see him standing in front of her.
"I can go," he teases her.
"No. Don't." She hears the hint of fear in her voice and wishes she'd been able to mask it better.
Elliot is briefly afraid he has messed up, so he quickly reassures her, "I'm not going anywhere, Liv. I'm back." He reaches for Olivia's hand, grasping her left between both of his, and looking into her eyes. "I got home late last night and had to go through debriefing this morning. I'd hoped to get over here earlier, but they kept me at 1PP all day. I went by your place, but no one answered, so.."
She stops him. "El, we need to talk. Noah's gone for the night. Let me finish reviewing this case file, and we can head over to my place? Should take me about 10 more minutes. That work for you?"
From her tone, he can't tell if this is going to be a good conversation or an upsetting one. Either way, he knows it's one they need to have. "Sure. Why don't I grab us some Chinese for dinner and meet you at your place?" He squeezes her hand gently.
"Sounds good, El. I'll text you when I'm leaving here. Grab something to drink, too, while you're out?"
"Beer okay or are you too fancy for that, now, Captain?"
She laughs, and he's never heard a more beautiful sound. "Beer is just fine, Detective."
After finishing the case file, Olivia collects her things and shuts off the lights to her office. She sends a quick text on her way to the elevator.
O: Headed out now. Be home in 30 or so.
E: Line was crazy at the bodega. Headed to the restaurant now. See you soon.
Olivia smiles at his quick response. She's not sure exactly how to begin this conversation, but she knows what she needs to say. She's had a long time to think about things.
Olivia has just changed into a comfortable pair of leggings and an old t-shirt she's pretty sure used to be his when there's a knock at her door. She lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding when she sees Elliot through the peephole. When she opens the door, she offers to take one of the bags off his hands.
"Nah. I've got it. Where should I put it?"
"Coffee table is fine. I thought we could eat in here tonight."
Elliot sets the bags on the table, pulling two beers from one bag. "I should put the rest of these in the fridge, unless you enjoy warm beer."
"Hell no. Kitchen is through there." Olivia indicates the doorway behind him.
"I remember." Elliot has been here once before - the night he'd gone to pick up Noah from the McCann's. The night they almost started something that was 20-plus years in the making but stopped because she wasn't ready.
When he returns from the kitchen, Olivia has pulled the food from the bag and is opening the containers. Elliot sits beside her and twists the caps from each of their beers, handing her one and reaching for a set of chopsticks. As they eat, he asks her about the case file she had been reviewing, and she gives him a brief rundown. She asks about his undercover assignment, and he can't say much. He tells her what he can, though, and probably a little more than he should. That's what happens when you're talking to someone with whom you have such a strong bond.
"So, Elliot." He tenses a little at her use of his full name. "The reason I said we needed to talk." She trails off, fiddling with the necklace again.
"I see you're wearing it."
She smiles. "I've not taken it off." He beams with pride at her honesty and revelation. "Six months ago, you told me this compass was meant to lead me to happiness." She pauses to find the right words and reaches for his hand. "Well, I've thought about it a lot, and I've really always known that I'm at my happiest when I'm with you. I've just been afraid that things would be too 'normal' if we try to be anything…more. I've been afraid of what would happen if things don't work out. I also see, though, that we'll never know if we don't try."
They lock eyes, and she can see him really considering what she's said, like he's trying to make sense of it. "What I'm trying to say, El, is that if you're still interested, I think I'm ready. I love you, and I think I'm ready to give this - us - a shot."
He leans in and presses a kiss to her lips. She deepens the kiss, allowing his tongue entrance into her mouth. Kissing Olivia Benson was everything he thought it would be and more. He never wants to stop, but they eventually have to come up for air. They rest their foreheads together, and she says, "So, what do you say? Are you still interested?"
Elliot can't believe his luck. The woman he's loved for the last 25 years has finally realized and admitted that she loves him, too, and there's nothing holding them back. He smiles at her and presses another gentle kiss to her lips. "Absolutely, I'm interested. I love you, too, Liv."