A/N: Thank you for your feedback everyone!

Brian Cassidy was currently positioned at his security-guard post with a grim expression on his face. He hated his job—nothing ever happened here. What the hell did a library need with a security guard anyways? What did they think? That some psycho book nerd would just come in here one day and wipe them out? Please.

So just like every other day, Brian found his thoughts wandering as they often did.

He thought of his life, of his dead career, but more importantly he thought of his girl.

Olivia.

The image of her kind eyes and sweet smile came to him then. He missed her like crazy and hated fighting with her, but for once it seemed that they just couldn't see eye to eye on something.

And that was when an unwelcome image of Elliot fucking Stabler entered his mind.

Fucking prick.

He hated him. In fact, he wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face multiple times. Part of the reason for this anger was because he was jealous. Of course he was, who wouldn't be? He was only a man after all. Then again the dude was the size of an elephant, so maybe his jealousy was unjustified for the time being.

Whatever.

The other reason why Elliot Stabler was at the top of his shit list. The number one reason why he hated that fucker was because of Olivia. He loved that woman more than he had ever loved anyone in his entire life. He felt fiercely protective over her.

And he had to watch her fall apart.

After Elliot left, Olivia changed. She became bitter, detached, and angry. He could tell that she was hurting inside. He wanted to change that. When they first went out he did everything that he could to make her smile, to make her laugh, to make her happy. And it worked. She became less miserable and smiled a lot more often. She was like her old self again or close to it anyways.

Out of everything birthdays and holidays seemed to be the worst part. Liv might as well have been at a funeral for all the fun she would have. Usually she and Elliot were joined at the hip during any social gathering with their colleagues, but since he wasn't there it seemed that she felt out of place.

It was sort of like…Okay you know how when you're a kid and your parents make you go to parties with them? Whether it be a party with their friends or your own relatives it's usually pretty boring, right? But there's always that one kid that you have fun with, maybe two if you're lucky. Well it was sort of like that—okay it was exactly like that. Elliot was the kid that Liv had fun with and without him, she was bored out of her mind.

Then there was the other issue which was the photograph.

Sometimes he would catch her staring at an old picture of herself and Elliot. It was a Christmas photo of them smiling with their arms wrapped around each other. They were smiling childishly like there was some sort of inside joke that only they knew about. She would sometimes just cry and smile at the image. Other times she wouldn't do anything, but stare intently at the photograph as if she were memorizing it.

When things became too difficult at work she would occasionally talk to Brian about it, but more often than not she would call Elliot. He would never answer of course which always put her in a bad mood afterwards.

He didn't care that she missed another man because Brian knew that she couldn't help it. That man was her best friend and as her best friend he had a job to do. He was supposed to be there for her like she had been there for him throughout the years. He wasn't.

The whole thing just pissed him the fuck off. Elliot was so Goddamn selfish. Olivia was a strong woman, no doubt about it, but she was also human. She had counted on Elliot to be the one person on this planet that she could trust. He betrayed that trust and for that Brian would always despise the bastard.

He didn't care what Elliot's reasons were. The fact of the matter was that he had abandoned Liv—plain and simple. He made her cry, he made her ask 'what's the matter with me Brian? Why did he leave? I don't understand' and Brian would never have an answer for her.

It was like a part of her was missing.

She only got worse after the attack. In fact she became the most vulnerable he had ever seen her. She cried herself to sleep almost every night and all he could ever do was hold her. If she had been angry before she was even more-so after that. She hardly ever touched him. She would flinch every time he raised one of his hands to caress her cheek or hold her hand.

She was a mess.

Now that she was finally starting to get better. Now that everything was getting back to normal. Who decided to show their fucking face? Elliot Stabler.

Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck him.

He had hurt Olivia and now he was here asking for favors all of a sudden? What?

Brian knew she wasn't one for holding grudges or anything, but damn! If he had been her he would have never spoken to Elliot again.

He wished she hated him as much as he did, but that was never going to happen and he knew it. He had to find some way to accept it.

Brian sighed and glanced up at the clock that was above his head. His shift was over. He was getting off of work early for once. A couple of minutes passed and his co-worker Adam Porter came over to take his place so that he could leave.

Brian nodded at Porter.

He swiftly changed his clothes, grabbed his backpack, and left the building.

.

.

Olivia was in a deep sleep. Drool was pooled around her mouth and on her pillow. Her hair was a mess and her face wasn't much better since her make-up was so badly smudged. She looked like a clown, a pretty clown, but a clown all the same.

She was woken up by a sudden rush of music that was blasting next to her ear. It startled her. She quickly sat up in bed with a thin layer of sweat coating her face. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. She involuntarily placed a hand against it.

The music was coming from her phone, she realized.

It was Brian's ringtone.

"…Like baby, baby, baby noo

Like baby, baby, baby ooh

Thought you'd always be mine, mine

Oh, for you I would have done whatever

And I just can't believe we ain't together

And I wanna play it cool, but

I'm losing you

I'll buy you anything

I'll buy you any ring…"

Brian hated Justin Bieber, so naturally she chose 'Baby' as his ringtone.

Hehe.

Halfway through the song she heard Elliot groan from the living room.

"Oh Jesus Christ make it stop already!"

Olivia rolled her eyes and answered her phone.

"Hello?" her eyes widened at the sound of her voice. She sounded like a man! Olivia cleared her throat and tried again. "Hello?"

She could hear voices on the other end of the line. It sounded like he was in a crowded place. The subway maybe? What was he doing there?

Then it dawned on her.

They were supposed to have lunch! He was probably on his way from work right now!

"Hey babe what did you decide? Sushi or burgers or pizza or what?"

Olivia swallowed down her guilt and chose what sounded healthiest.

After all she was on a diet starting today.

"Sushi. The usual place."

"Cool. I should be there in about…twenty minutes." He paused and she heard him tell someone to 'shove it up their asshole' before he spoke to her again. "Okay bye Liv I'll talk to you in a little bit, love ya."

After he hung up Olivia threw her phone over her shoulder and ran around her bedroom at a speed that even the Flash would have been proud of.

She washed her body, but not her hair.

She changed her bra and panties.

Her old outfit was replaced with a new one. Jeans were replaced by slacks. The sweatshirt was replaced by a white long-sleeved shirt. Her sneakers were replaced with her favorite pair of leather boots. A long winter coat went on top of that along with a matching scarf.

She was almost ready.

A sleep-deprived Elliot walked into her room then. He rubbed his eyes with the side of his hand and blinked at her in confusion. His voice was raspy when he spoke.

"What's going on? I thought you didn't have work today."

Olivia grabbed her hair brush and went to battle against the evil knots gathered around her head for a good five minutes or so.

"I don't. I'm meeting Brian. Fuck this hurts!"

Elliot raised an eye brow at how fast she was trying to brush her hair. She would end up bald by the time they finished talking.

"Liv slow down. The guy can wait five minutes. Besides you still have to worry about your…um…" He pointed to his eyes with his index finger and grimaced "You know this stuff."

Olivia stomped her foot out of frustration and marched over to the bathroom again to check her reflection.

Now what?

"AH! Holy shit!"

She ran back into her bedroom then, pointing to her face. She was mortified.

"El, I look like a raccoon!

Sure the lipstick had all but faded away, but for some reason the make-up around her eyes had gotten worse. It looked darker somehow. How was that even possible?

She should have known better than to try new mascara, especially a cheap one from 7/11.

"I can't go out in public looking like this! Shit. Where are my make-up wipes?" She looked around her room frantically and snapped at Elliot "Help me find them!"

Elliot saluted her like he was back in the marines or something.

"I'm on it."

.

.

Brian had been waiting for Olivia to show up for a good half an hour. The waitress had brought him some waters. He settled for stirring the ice in his drink around with a straw while his head rested against his hand.

He was bored, but he didn't mind waiting.

They needed to have this conversation and yes it was going to be a conversation not an argument. He had a cool head. He was ready to hear what she had to say and he only hoped that she would listen to him as well.

The question is:

What's taking her so long?

.

.

Olivia had managed to find her make-up wipes, but they were old as hell. They may as well have been dryer sheets. It had taken her a few tries, but eventually she got everything off. She applied a light amount of concealer and eye-liner.

She was in such a rush that she forgot all about her hair.

Elliot told her to fuck the hair and just put it up in a pony-tail.

Good idea.

She felt flustered as she rushed around the apartment looking for everything that she needed. The only thing left now were her keys. Elliot whistled and stood by the door with them dangling from his fingertips.

She gave him a thankful kiss on the lips then rushed out of the apartment. She just hoped Brian hadn't been waiting around for too long.

.

.

Elliot's eyes widened to the size of bowling balls after Liv kissed him. She was in such a rush that she didn't even notice how it affected him. Nor did she seem to care for that matter. The door slammed behind her and Elliot leaned against it. He exhaled nervously and placed his fingertips against his lips.

It hadn't meant anything. There was no passion placed behind it. No hint-y touches afterwards. She didn't want him. It was just a 'thank you for your help' type of kiss. That was all. He shouldn't read too much into it, right? He shouldn't get his hopes up.

Elliot's eyes widened yet again and he smacked his palms on either side of his face. What the heck was going on in his head? He didn't want Olivia! Not that way.

Elliot laughed then. He sounded a little crazed—hysterical even. I mean the thought of it was ludicrous! Him and Olivia? Ha! It would never work.

They would see each other so often, it would get annoying.

But I did work with the woman for ten years. We fought sometimes, but we always made up. We were unstoppable together…

What if it didn't work out?

But what if it did…

What about the kids? What would they think? What would Kathy think?

Who cares? They're all adults. They'll live.

Olivia wanted kids. He knew she did and probably always would. He didn't want to have any more children.

We could adopt. Or get a cat. Or a dog. Maybe even a fish. Or all three!

At that thought Elliot banged his forehead against the wall a couple of times. She was off the market! He had to stop thinking like this.

Liv and I are never going to happen. She's taken—end of story. She respected my marriage. It's only fair that I respect her relationship with Cassidy. Cassidy. Bleh. What kind of stupid ass name is that anyway? It's one syllable away from being Quesadilla! Ugh. Imagine? Olivia Cassidy. Mrs. Cassidy. Mrs. Olivia Cassidy.

He could see it now. Liv and Brian at the altar saying their vows. She would be happy. He would be happy. Everyone on the Goddamn planet would be happy for Olivia and Brian. Everyone but Elliot.

He didn't want her to get married. Not to Brian. Not to anyone.

But me.

Elliot chewed on the corner of his lip. This was quite the predicament he had found himself in. He had grown to love Benson over the years, of course, but was he in love with her?

He thought about that for a moment.

A stream of happy memories flooded his mind. Sad ones too. Then something occurred to him. Who had he always returned to? Who couldn't he live without? His work wife or his actual wife?

Fuck.

Well based off whose apartment he was currently in, that part was obvious. Perhaps this was fate? And who was he to mess with something as powerful as fate?

Hmm…

If those two were really meant to be together then their relationship should be able to withstand anything, right? Right. After all Elliot had to make sure that Brian deserved Olivia in the first place. It was his civic duty. Yes, that's it.

He wasn't going to try and break them up (ha!) he was simply going to remind her that there were other options out there. She didn't have to stay with Cassidy if she didn't want to…

Good luck Brian.

May the best man win.

A/N: Thoughts?

Thanks for reading.