Summary: Elliot promises Noah to take him Christmas shopping for a gift for Olivia, but can't make it so Kathleen steps up. And Olivia finally tells Elliot about WL.

AN: Despite last night's episode, Noah is 9 in this story. There is no way that he's 12. I refuse to accept it. Also, this is not cannon compliant with what is going on right now in SVU/OC. Somethings might come up, but it does not track with the current seasons.

Thank you for reading! I hope you all are still enjoying Elliot growing closer to both Noah and Olivia.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Olivia asks aloud to her phone. It's sitting on the counter while she loads the dishwasher.

Elliot's voice sounds in her kitchen, "Not at all Liv, I'm excited to take him."

"I just had to ask."

He's smiling through the line as he relaxes on his couch at home, trying to convince Olivia that he really wants to spend time with Noah and that the boy's simple request was something he could easily do. "Olivia, this might be hard for you to believe—though, I don't know why—I love hanging with Noah. We are going to have a great time."

"I know, I know. It's just—" she fights with him while she reaches up to place a few glasses in her cupboard.

"Still a little new, I know. But I promise, he's not a problem at all. He had such a great time boxing and he's been texting me about gift ideas for three days."

"Remind me to check his phone," she jokes, putting up the last of the plates.

"Don't you dare," he scolds mockingly with a chuckle. "He's so excited to pick something out for you."

"Fine, fine," she concedes, leaning back against the counter, knowing that it's a losing battle. "But if you need more money, you'll let me know. I have no idea what he has in his savings."

"Absolutely not," he says clearly.

"Elliot–" the warning evident in her voice

"No Liv, we are friends. This is what friends do."

"Friends take each other's kids gift shopping and pay for it ?" she asks skeptically.

"Yup, that's exactly what friends do. Come on, you cannot have forgotten how many times you had rushed out to do my gift shopping for me. And don't think I don't know how many times you snuck in extra gifts of your own."

"You knew about that?"

"My credit card charges never quite matched all the toys in the bags."

"Oh, well–" Olivia can't believe that Elliot realized that she bought his kids gifts of her own, she always thought he was too out of the loop on kids toys to know.

"Just relax Liv, it's just fine."

"Fine," she grumbles and then takes a deep breath, putting the last plate away. Olivia is happy that Noah is seeking out Elliot, that was the reason she had texted him initially. But much as this excites her, it also still worries her. After Elliot swooped in like a superhero last week to save the day, a tinge of jealousy popped up in her stomach. It was quickly replaced, however, by her same old fears. What if Elliot ghosts her again? What if his PTSD comes back? What if…what if they move forward and he decides that she's not what he wants? She's still terrified that Noah will be the one really hurt if anything goes wrong.

"Good, now tell me about how Noah's doing. I mean, I'll ask him when I see him, but I want to hear it from you."

Happy for the change in the conversation, Olivia snags her phone, a glass of wine, and heads to the couch where she sits and tells him about her trip to Noah's school to talk to the principal and Trevor's parents.

"NOAH!"

He hears his name being called cheerily in the pickup line by a familiar looking blond woman. As he takes a step forward and shields the sun from his eyes, he realizes it's Kathleen Stabler.

"Kathleen, what are you doing here?" he asks curiously, as he rushes to her, his head turning back and forth looking around for Elliot. He and Elliot were supposed to go shopping for his mom's Christmas gift this afternoon. Elliot promised him just last night that he'd be there to pick him up from school.

"I wanted to see you bud!"

"Where's Elliot?"

Kathleen's smile falters a little, but she corrects herself and answers him directly, "He got hung up at work, but he's going to join us in a couple hours."

"Oh," Noah says, thinking through the new information. He's used to this disappointment; his mom often had to cancel plans at the last minute because of work. He knows that she's really sorry about it and makes it up to him, he thinks Elliot will probably do the same. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry. He texted you himself earlier, but he knew that you aren't allowed to have your phone on during school."

"Yea, they keep them in the teacher's desk all day." Noah says quietly, trying to hide his disappointment. He'd looked forward to seeing Elliot all day. He pulls out his phone and turns it on. Sure enough, there are three missed messages from Elliot and two from his mom.

He read's Elliot's first, wanting to hear directly from him.

Hey bud! Kathleen is gonna pick you up from school and kick off your shopping. Work is gonna keep me a little late.

I'm so sorry.

I PROMISE that I will see you tonight.

His mom's messages tell him the same thing.

Just so you know, Kathleen Stabler is going to pick you up from school because Elliot got hung up at work. He plans to meet up with you two later.

If you don't want to go with Kathleen, she will bring you home.

Picking up on Noah's demeanor, Kathleen asks, "Are you okay going with me now? If not, we can go back to your place until my dad gets off work. He will be here, I promise."

Noah thinks for a moment. He likes Kathleen and Christmas is coming closer, he needs to get his mom a gift. And, if Elliot promised that he'll meet them, then he'll be there. "No, we can go."

"Awesome! We are going to have so much fun. We should take selfies and send them to my dad and make him jealous," Kathleen offers with a laugh.

Grinning, Noah agrees with a renewed enthusiasm for the afternoon, "Oh yea! That will make him hurry up!"

Kathleen takes Noah to a small outdoor strip that is full of small mom and pop shops. Pausing every 10 minutes or so to take silly photos with funny gifts to send to Elliot. They walk through two or three stores with Kathleen pointing out a lot of small, affordable items that she thinks Olivia would like and that might be in Noah's budget: candle, coffee tumbler, a soft robe, fuzzy socks, and more. With each one Noah shook his head and kept his eyes wide.

Eventually Kathleen realized that Noah's eyes were routinely pulled to the jewelry cases. Concerned, Kathleen texts her dad, letting him know that Noah's got bigger, more expensive eyes than they expected. Elliot's response comes quick and clear.

I don't care.

Get him whatever he picks out.

I'll pay you back.

She smiles at her dad's text. She should have known this would be his response. She's talked with her dad a bit about his relationship with Olivia and Noah, and while he tries to be a little cagey with his feelings, Kathleen reads him like an open book. She knows that he feels guilty for leaving Olivia and that he so desperately wants to get to know Noah and be a dependable presence in their lives. He also cannot hide the little twinkle in his eye and curl of the corner of his mouth whenever Olivia's name is mentioned.

She types out a quick response, Will do. I charge interest though , before turning back to Noah.

"Noah," she calls.

He's looking at another jewelry counter but looks up to Kathleen when he hears his name. "Yea?"

"Are you wanting to get your mom some jewelry?"

"I think so. She wears a lot of necklaces and I've never been able to get one for her."

"Do you see one that you like?"

He shrugs, looking back at the counter. "They are all really expensive. I only have $67 saved up."

"Noah, it's up to you, but my dad said that he would help you get your mom whatever you want to get her."

His eyes light up and then go really small, the excitement of having free reign fleeting at the thought of spending Elliot's money.

"Oh no, that's okay."

Kathleen squats down to be eye level with Noah and tells him quietly. "I know it probably feels a bit weird. But I promise you that my dad really, really wants to help you out and wants you to pick out whatever you want."

"I don't know," he says uneasily.

"Did you know that your mom used to buy us Christmas gifts? I still have a snow globe that she gave me when I was about 11."

Noah doesn't answer her, still thinking about what he wants to do.

"You don't have to decide right now. Let's keep looking and if you see something that you really want, we can decide then. Okay?"

"Yea, okay," he answers with a nod.

Kathleen looks around for their next store but sees a small candy shop at the end of the block. "Let's check out that candy store before we do some more shopping." Noah agrees immediately and they head to the end of the block.

"Kathleen?" Noah calls her attention after they snap a selfie for Elliot with their bags full of sweet and gooey candies.

"Yea bud?"

"Do you think Elliot likes my mom? I mean, likes her like grown-ups like each other?"

Kathleen, the Stabler child that inherited not only her grandmother's special view on the world, but also her inability to keep her mouth shut, answers quickly and without thought. "Yes."

"Then why aren't they boyfriend-girlfriend?" he asks earnestly.

"Do you think your mom likes my dad, like that?" Kathleen is almost certain that Olivia likes her dad. Her conversation with her over Thanksgiving, despite Olivia's denial, didn't stop that belief. She knew that her dad and Olivia had a long history to work through, much of it probably very tough, especially since they didn't talk for a whole decade.

"I don't know. I've never seen her with a boyfriend. She has guy friends like Uncle Fin and Sonny, but not any friends that she goes on dates with or kisses and stuff." Noah tells her with a shrug as he digs through his candy bag.

" Really ?" Kathleen asks, her interest very much piqued by Noah's insight into his mother's life. "Do you want your mom to have a boyfriend?"

"I don't know. It might make her happy. And I like Elliot," Noah adds as he pops a sour candy in his mouth.

Laughing a bit at the face Noah makes at the candy, Kathleen follows up, "He likes you too. And I think your mom might kinda like my dad."

Still pulling a face at the candy, Noah asks with one eye squinted, "Yea?"

An idea strikes Kathleen out of nowhere (or possibly from the cheesy holiday romance book she read last week), but she couldn't think of a reason not to try it on her dad and Olivia. What was the worst that could happen? "I have an idea on how we might be able to test it."

"What is it?"

"Have you ever heard of mistletoe?"

His eyes wide, Noah nods his head emphatically. Smiling, Kathleen leans in conspiratorially and tells him her plan.

In the end, Noah finds a necklace three stores later that he can't keep his eyes off of. It's a small locket, vintage looking, and in a gold that matches her other necklaces. He knows his mom would love it. It does take some cajoling from Kathleen but eventually Noah agrees and is walking on clouds as they leave the store with the small bag in tow.

"Elliot!" Noah shouts as they turn the corner, seeing Elliot step out of his Tahoe. Noah runs towards him, and Elliot leans down and scoops the boy into his arms for a giant bear hug.

"Hey, you!" he says as he puts Noah back on his feet then squats down to talk to him at eye level to get a look at the bruise on the boy's face. "It's good to see you. Your eye is healing well," he notes before seeing the bag in Noah's hand. "Did you find something good?"

"Oh yea! Mom's gonna love it. Look!" Noah answers excitedly and begins to dig through his bag.

"Thanks again, El," Olivia says after Elliot relays most of the afternoon to her over the phone.

Elliot and Kathleen dropped Noah off at home a couple hours after he'd joined them outside their last store. On his way to meet up with Noah and Kathleen, Elliot had texted Liv asking her permission to take Noah to dinner since he missed out on the shopping. She agreed and the three of them went out for tacos.

Elliot had initially hoped that he'd be able to stay and talk with Olivia after dropping Noah off at home, but it was a quick drop off since it was close to Noah's bedtime and Elliot promised to drive Kathleen home rather than force her to use the subway or call an Uber. Instead, he'd told her to call him when she was all settled for the evening.

"You've got to stop thanking me as if I'm doing you a favor. Olivia, I had a great time with him today, and I think he and Kathleen also got along really well. They kept grinning at each other like they had a secret or something…though, it could have been all the sugar," he jokes recalling the selfie of Kathleen and Noah with their giant bags of candy. "You'll have to remind me to send you those selfies, they are a hoot."

"I will, and I'll try to stop. I just…It's just weird having someone else so invested in him."

Her words tug on his heart strings. It pains him to think about Olivia being a single mother. All the trials and tribulations that come with raising a child are hard enough. He can't imagine having to shoulder that burden alone. "I can't even imagine. It's just been you and him for so long. I know that it's hard, but you have to believe that you have me now, me and my whole family."

"I know I do. And I'm so grateful for it."

His smile is quickly replaced by a frown, though she can't see it. The real reason he wanted to talk to Olivia tonight was to keep them moving forward. He knew that she had things she wanted to discuss, difficult topics that were not going to keep them feeling so warm and fuzzy, and he wanted to give her the time and space to do it. "So, uh…do you have a, uh…list of things that you want us to talk about?"

"What do you mean?" Olivia asks, confused by his change in topic.

"Before…a couple weeks ago…you said that we had a lot of ground to cover. And you're right. There is so much that we need to talk about, and I wanted to let you decide how we would handle it all."

" Oh ," she's caught off guard. She has a running list and her blood warms to a low simmer as she starts to think of some of the things on the list. She didn't want to cloud their happy call with these tough subjects, but they are thorns in her side. "Um, yea, I guess. There are a few things."

"What are they?"

"That damn letter for one," she says, not holding back.

He can hear the sharpness in her tone, which is fair. He's regretted giving it to her since the second it left his hand. And he's regretted even more that the only time he was brave enough to discuss it was when he was high on who-knows-what. "Can we save that one for another day? I'm not trying to put it off, I swear. I just want to talk about it in person."

She inhales, chewing on his request for a moment before she agrees, "Yea, okay. I guess."

"What else?"

Olivia knows what else they need to talk about, especially if they are going to pursue a physical relationship. She's put it off as long as she can, but she thinks that now might be the right time. And maybe over the phone, where she won't be able to see the shame and anger in his blue eyes, might be best.

"There is one topic…I've been ignoring, but I'm not sure I can keep doing so...at least not much longer."

Sensing the hesitation in her voice, Elliot is quick to reassure her, "Whatever it is, Liv, I promise you can trust me. And I will be one hundred percent honest with you."

"It's less about honesty and more about just sharing and experiencing it again."

"Is it something…bad?"

Bad ? She thinks about that word. Does "bad" actually describe what happened? How she much suffered? What she feels day in and day out when she thinks of her body and her life?

"Bad is one word for it," she answers cautiously.

"If you don't want to do this tonight…if you want to do this in person, maybe…"

"No, no," she stops him, "I think this is the right time, or at least as good as it's going to get."

Nodding, he readies himself to hear whatever it is she has to tell him. "Okay. I'm ready whenever you are."

"There isn't really an easy way to lead into this, so I'm just gonna say it…" Olivia takes a deep breath, her fist curling into the comforter around her hips. "A few years after you left, I was kidnapped—

"Liv–" It's a whisper, involuntary as her words hit his ears.

She brushes past it, determined not to be distracted from finally getting this off her chest. "I was kidnapped and held for four days. During that time, I was drugged with alcohol and half a pharmacy, and I was tortured." Her words are calm and direct, almost as if she's removed from the entire situation, like she's describing what happened to one of the survivors who walked into SVU.

"Oh my god," he exhales, feeling his blood pressure rise and sweat bead, his stomach turns. He didn't know what to expect from her tonight, but this certainly wasn't it. How did I not know this? How come no one told me?

"I'm not going to go into the specifics, I …I just can't. There are news articles and an entire file…the name is William Lewis. You look that up and you'll get all the information…I just can't…"

Despite his panic, he knows that she really doesn't want him going down this rabbit hole, that it would derail him and them. And that there is something to be said for keeping the past in the past when you've healed from its trauma. Even knowing all of that it takes almost everything he has to represent to her, to promise that he won't go looking for more information. "No, Liv. No. Whatever you want to share with me, that's enough. I promise. It's enough, I won't go searching. If you want to stop now, you can…I will do whatever you want."

She's thankful that he's not going to go digging and risk potentially having to have this conversation with him again when he needs more answers. It's only a small assurance, however, because other people know and talk. Even to this day there are whispers about how she escaped, whether she was raped, if she lied on the stand or in the press conference, and even whether she killed the monster herself. These whispers will inevitably make it back to Elliot in time, especially if they continue to grow closer. "I have more, there are things that you need to know. Things about me, and about what happened, because they are bound to come up eventually…"

"Okay, okay…" he braces himself for the onslaught. Both the new information and the painful emotions that are inevitably coming with it.

She wants to get this part out first, just say it and get it over with. It's the part of her experience that is still the most visible, it's the part she can't hide. Everyone has a drink preference so avoiding vodka is easy; most people have nightlights in their house; even some people scan every room they enter to see in every corner. But not everyone has to cover up their body all the time, avoiding certain cuts in tops or swimsuits, or has to have sex with the lights off or a shirt on. This is the part that is going to be a hurdle for them when they make it to that part of their relationship, and he deserves to know.

"Burning was his favorite brutality."

Elliot thinks he might actually get sick to his stomach, the phantom smell of burnt flesh tickles his nostrils and he gags. He chokes it back, needing to hear every word that comes out of her mouth next.

"So, uh, I have scars. Quite a few of them. Many of them have faded, they are still visible sometimes…in the right light, and there are few that are always visible. Uh," she pauses uncomfortably. She knows that she needs to tell him; knows that he's going to see them; and she wants him to be prepared for that moment, so they don't distract him and take away from their intimacy. "There are some on my stomach and side, and my inner thighs, and…my breasts and one that's on my…that's uh, very close to…"

Elliot doesn't know if he should reassure her now or let her continue without interruption. He wants her to know that he couldn't give a damn about scars—no matter where they are or what they look like. He knows that's why she's telling him, to prepare him to see them. They haven't discussed them in a few weeks, but they both agreed that they wanted the same thing—a relationship. And that means, at least he hopes that means, a physical one as well. With these new revelations, he understands her reluctance to go out with him before. But he's dying to tell her that she's beautiful, and sexy, and that a damn scar is the last of his worries. He's just happy that she's here now, talking to him and sharing this with him, even though he knows it's so hard to do.

He swallows, ready to say something, but she starts again.

"Eventually, I broke free from my restraints, a metal bed frame…I beat him, El," she exhales, the admission thick and heavy on her tongue. She knows, though, that if anyone would understand her actions it would be him. "I beat him and beat him with a metal bar, part of the frame. I beat him within an inch of his life. I thought I killed him…but the bastard lived."

"Is he…I mean, where is he?" He doesn't know how he's forming words right now. Probably because he's driven by the need to know where this guy is and whether he needs to find him and put six feet under himself.

"Dead," she answers simply.

"But…" he starts, confused.

"I didn't kill him, but that day wasn't the last of him."

" Jesus Christ …" Elliot's not prepared for there to be more. He thought he made it through the whole story—or at least the 30,000-foot version. His eyes begin to water at the realization that she suffered, fought, survived this monster twice . He wants to stop her, tell her enough…that he can't handle any more. But that wouldn't be fair to her. She's finally opening up to him, trusting him, and she didn't get to control when it stopped for her. He can't possibly tell her to stop now. He takes a shaky breath and wipes a hand over his face, bracing himself for more.

She thinks she can hear him sniffing, trying to remain calm and strong for her, not letting his emotions get the best of him. She keeps going to prevent him from having to speak and reveal his trembling voice that would cause her to tear up too. "We had a trial, he represented himself…it was ugly and brutal…I lied on the stand, El. I put my ego and fears ahead of the truth and I lied."

He can tell that this weighs on her, that it might be the heaviest burden she is sharing with him right now. He wants to tell her that it doesn't matter. That sometimes justice and honesty and morals are gray, and even though lying is a sin, it's understandable and forgivable. That he doesn't give a damn about her lie. But he doesn't. He just swallows his rising bile and bites his tongue.

"He was convicted and sent to prison."

Elliot composes himself enough to ask, "He was killed there, then? Another inmate? The guards?" It's a rough reality, but a man convicted for harming a fellow officer like that may not be any safer from the guards than he would be from other prisoners.

"No. He escaped," she rushes through the next part, knowing that Elliot will chide her for going to Lewis. "Four months later he escaped and came after me again. He kidnapped a young girl to force me to come to him. I went after him to save her."

She can hear his deep breath, sense that he's about to say something. "Don't. Save your breath El. I went to him to save her; I couldn't live with myself if I didn't."

He knows that to be true and it's part of the reason he loves her—her selflessness, her drive, her desire to save others, no matter the personal cost.

"And then, when I found him…" she tries to decide how much detail she wants to share about the events in the grain elevator. Deciding that less is more for tonight, she starts again. "He forced me to play Russian Roulette. I had to put a loaded gun to my head and pull the trigger, or he'd kill the girl. My squad found me just in time and he committed suicide with the last bullet...it was my turn, but, uh…he took the bullet trying to frame me."

She stops talking, relieved that she'd finally got as much out as she did and worried about Elliot's reaction.

"I um…" Elliot starts then stops, realizing how shaky his voice is. He clears his throat and wipes his face again. "Olivia. I have no idea what to say. I need to see you. God , I need to see you so badly right now. I'm about three seconds from grabbing my keys and driving to your apartment."

"It's too late," she reminds him gently.

"I know, but I just…I need to see you. I know this was years ago, and I just saw you earlier, but I need to see you…check that you are alright."

She can hear the desperation in his voice, and she knows despite the late hour, if he sits in his thoughts long enough, then he will drive over here anyway. "How about this? Can we FaceTime?"

"Yea, yea…that would work," he agrees quickly, anything to see her face. He'd rather see her in person so he can wrap his arms around her, feel her warm body and heartbeat, but that is not going to happen tonight. "How does that work?"

Olivia laughs, grateful for the break in the tension. She can always trust Elliot to be somewhat befuddled by technology. "We are going to hang up, and I'll call you again using the FaceTime option. When you answer, it will be a video call."

"Okay…you are going to do that now?"

"Yes, just keep your phone near you."

"I will. See you in a minute."

Olivia takes a deep breath and checks her night stand to make sure she has tissues. She didn't cry when she was telling him what had happened. She's worked through it enough, talked about it enough, processed her emotions, that usually she can talk about it without getting overwhelmed. But she knows that if Elliot gets emotional, she will probably cry.

She pulls up his contact and selects the little camera.

It rings a couple of times before he answers it.

"Hey you," he says, the relief palpable in his voice. His eyes scan her face and upper body visible on his screen. Rationally he knows that there is nothing new to see, but he had to confirm. She looks like she did earlier. She has her hair clipped back, she's wearing her glasses and a cozy gray cardigan. He'd bet that she's even still in the same soft, black leggings she had on when he dropped off Noah.

"Hey back," she greets him with a soft grin. Though, it's quickly replaced by shock. He's sitting up in bed, against his headboard, and he's shirtless.

"Did you forget something?" She teases, taking in the view of him. She's seen him without a shirt before, but it's been years. Back when they were ten years younger, but he doesn't look like he's aged. No. He looks like he walked straight into a gym and never left until this very phone call. Well, he had looked like that, but in the last few weeks it looks like he's been getting most of his meals from a box now that his mom is visiting her grandkids. And honestly, she likes that look on him too. He might be a little softer to hold and grip. Olivia is very appreciative of the fact that he apparently does not wear a shirt to bed. That is good to know , she thinks and catalogs the information for another day.

"What?" he looks around and then down, realizing what she means. "Oh shit! Sorry Liv. I didn't think…do you want me to put a shirt on?"

"Are you at least wearing pants?"

He grins and wiggles his eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

She chuckles before answering his initial question. "No, you're fine El."

He exhales deeply out of his nose and just looks at his screen, still taking her in. Her skin looks unmarred, and her face is just as beautiful as ever. And despite their recent conversation, she looks alright, happy almost.

"Are you alright?" she asks when he doesn't say anything. She can see that his eyes, which are still a little puffy, are still roaming her face.

"Yea," he answers softly and apologizes again.

"I'm okay, Elliot. I promise. It was years ago, and I've had hundreds of therapy sessions since then. I just…You just needed to know."

He nods and bites his lip. "You are so strong, Olivia. I don't…I can't…" his eyes are welling up again at the thoughts and images that flash through his mind. He tries to wipe them with the heels of his hands. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here. I…I just…"

She knows him well enough to know what he's thinking, what's plaguing him right now. The combination of fear and guilt and anger is a deadly one and he can't get caught in that trap. "Hey, don't go there…Just look at me." He listens and opens his eyes, training them directly on his face. His lashes clumped together with tears and the blue almost foggy. "I'm right here. I'm good. I'm healed. I just wanted you to know about what happened and about them," she waves her hand over her abdomen. She gulps, not quite sure where the next thought came from but she says it anyway. "Do you want to see them? The scars?"

Elliot shakes his head. She's grateful. As soon as the words left her mouth she panicked, having never actually wanted to show her scars to anyone before. Usually hiding them as if they were shameful and disgusting rather than a symbol of survival and healing. But she thought that maybe if he saw them, saw how healed she was, that he'd be okay. And, even though it would be awkward, it might be nice to get the first view of them out of the way, rather than when they…

Also, she hadn't actually worked out the logistics of showing him her scars via FaceTime.

He must be able to read her mind.

"No, no," he continues to shake his head. "I don't want to see them tonight. 'Cause Liv, when I see them, I want to be close enough to kiss them, to kiss you…all of you."

She gasps. She didn't expect that from him. Not now at least.

"I'm sorry if that's too much. But it's the truth. We talked about our feelings in the past and our end goal here. And I need you to know—God you have to know—I don't care about scars. I care about you. And you are here, and you are safe. And dammit," he's worked himself up now, he's almost shouting, but he's not going to hold back. How in the world can she think that he'd care about something as trivial as scars? "I just…I just want you. Exactly, how you are right now. 'Cause you're you and you're gorgeous…fuck, I don't care about scars. Okay?"

"I get it, El."

His eyes narrow, trying to read her face for any skepticism. " Do you ? Do you really?"

"Yes." Her voice is soft, but certain. It's good to hear him be so direct. He did ask her out, but that was before he knew. So, hearing it again now was a relief.

"Good, because I'm serious here. I'm so glad you are here, alive, and safe, and that I can see you. But if we are going to move forward, if we are going to be together, you have to know that it's so much more than physical. I mean…obviously the physical has some…I mean, you are…" Now that his sense of urgency has started to fade, he's flustered and she can see his hand flapping around awkwardly. "I just. I don't want you to be worried about scars. We when, uh…when we get to that , I'm not going to be worried about scars. Alright?"

Smiling, she nods, "Alright."

He takes a couple of deep breaths, trying to figure out where to go next. There wasn't much else to say and not a lot could reasonably follow such a tough conversation. They are tired and their emotions are on high alert.

Elliot smiles when he remembers Kathleen's question to him earlier when he drove her home. Olivia and Noah will at Christmas, right? He didn't have an answer then because he hadn't asked them yet. No time like the present.

"If I invite you and Noah to Christmas, will you come?"

"Only if you come to our Christmas," Olivia counters. Noah had begged her to ask Elliot to come over for Christmas. She told him that she would ask Elliot, but she didn't know if he already had plans, thinking he might want to see his grandkids on Christmas morning.

His grin covers his whole face, lighting up his blue eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, your presence on Christmas morning has been requested by the young prince himself."

"Then I better prepare my footie pajamas."

She chuckles and wonders to herself if he actually wears footie pajamas on Christmas. "You better."