Olivia and Elliot walked a couple blocks from the courthouse to a coffee shop they used to frequent. They walked in silence most of the way. Not awkward silence, but the comfortable kind of silence. The kind of silence between two people who know each other so deeply that they don't need words. They can just be.

Elliot opened the door and Liv stepped passed him inside. He finally let himself look at her, really look at her, as she shrugged off her coat. She had changed very little in his time away, but there seemed to be shadows lurking behind her warm brown eyes. No doubt those shadows were a remnant of her encounter with William Lewis.

"What are you looking at?" Liv's voice snapped him back to the present. God that smile. He missed that.

Elliot shrugged his shoulders. "I really missed you Liv."

He watched her face fall, but only for a second. She quickly masked her emotion with an all too familiar smile. Elliot winced internally. He used to be able to talk to her without words. They understood what every look and every glance meant. Others might not have seen what he just saw, but that small expression made his heart drop. He had hurt her and she was still hurting.

Elliot made sure they were seated at a quiet table away from the other people. They sat in silence until Elliot said, "Liv I'm sorry."

Her expression tensed,"I don't really want to talk about all that right now. I want to know what's been happening and what your life has been like since you…." She cleared her throat, "since you left."

Elliot watched her for a moment. What could he say? Nothing he said would make this situation better. Nothing could take back what he'd done to her.

"Well, we are living in Rome now." He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

Olivia's eyes widened. "How'd that happen?"

Elliot went on to describe his work in Italy. He filled her in on Eli, but made sure to skate over anything with Kathy. He talked about the girls, and Dickie's new job. He hated how it sounded like everything in his life fell together perfectly while hers fell apart.

Olivia listened quietly, occasionally asking questions. Finally he asked,"How are you? How are things?" The question sounded light but they both felt the deeper meaning behind his words. Are you okay after all of this? Was the question he wished he could ask.

Olivia tensely smiled, "I'm okay. Things were really hard, but therapy has helped."

Elliot knew it was so much more complicated than that but chose not to push her. "So Cassidy?" He asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Liv shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, I mean, we worked a case a while back and sort of reconnected."

Elliot nodded. She was forthcoming with many details, probably because he never really liked any of her boyfriends. Elliot watched Liv take a sip of her coffee. "Is it serious?"

She seemed uncomfortable again, "I don't know. Kind of? We are living together. So? It's something."

This conversation felt fraught with angry and uncomfortable undertones. Elliot nodded again, trying to look supportive.

They sat in silence for a little bit, drinking coffee and sneaking glances at one another. Finally Elliot asked, "Are you going to be okay tomorrow?"

Liv sighed, "Yeah. I lived through worse with him." Elliot winced. "It's just…" she bit her lower lip trying to find words.

"Just what?" Elliot asked sincerely.

"I don't know." She clearly thought the better of what she planned to say, "Nevermind."

Elliot felt like the wind got knocked out of him. They used to know each other, they used to be able to talk, even about the hard stuff. Worst of all, he had no right to pry further because he was the one who selfishly screwed everything up.

He glanced at his watch, noting the time. "I better get you home Liv. You should probably get some sleep before tomorrow."

He heard her mutter something about never sleeping anymore under her breath. He walked her outside and hailed a cab for her. They stood for a moment, hesitant to let each other go. Finally Olivia opened the cab door. She turned, "I'm glad you're here El. It means a lot." Her eyes pricked with tears.

"I wish I was here sooner," he admitted.

She nodded, acknowledging that she wished the same thing.

--...…………..."...

Everyone sat and ordered before the conversation turned to the elephant in the room.

Amanda jumped in first, " So Stabler?" Amaro glared in her direction. "What?" She asked. "Oh come on, We are all thinking about it."

"Anyone know where he's been?" Amaro asked.

"Europe," muttered Cragen while looking at the dessert menu. He looked up to see that all eyes were now on him. "What? He called me a couple days ago to find out what was going on with Liv."

Cassidy mumbled something unintelligible.

"I didn't think he was talking to anyone on the squad. I figured if he did he would call Liv. " Fin noted.

"I've spoken to him a few times since he left," admitted Cragen.

"What's he working on?" Amaro asked as their food came.

"NYPD terrorism task force in Rome," answered Cragen.

"Woah," Quipped Amanda, "I mean that's kinda a big deal isn't it?"

"How'd even land a gig like that after his exit a few years ago?" Amaro wondered.

Cassidy mumbled something else.

"God Cassidy," Amanda said with frustration, "just say whatever you're thinking because the pouting is getting annoying."

Cassidy shot her a glare, "Isn't anyone worried what his sudden reappearance is going to to Liv? She already has this trial to grapple with and now him?" He shook his head in frustration, "He's just going to jerk her around some more before he leaves again, and all of us will be picking up the pieces."

"I don't know, maybe it will be good," Amanda took a bite of her salad, "maybe it will give her some closure."

"Doubt it." Cassidy violently stuck his fork into his food.

"Cassidy chill," Fin finally chimed in. "Liv isn't as fragile as you think, and she knows what's doing. Give her some credit."

"I don't worry about her, it's him." Cassidy stabbed another vegetable.

"Jealous much?" Asked Amanda rolling her eyes.

Cassidy seemed to get more agitated. "You don't know him, and last I checked he's still married."

"What does that matter?" Amanda asked, "They were partners. It's not like they were sleeping together."

"That we know of," muttered Cassidy.

"Okay I think that's enough," Cragen had enough of this conversation. "Let them work it out, and the rest of us can stay the hell out of it."

A blanket of silence came across the table. Everyone focused on their food.

"I mean I would get it if she did sleep with him…" Amanda thought out loud.

"For the love of god Amanda! Drop it!" exclaimed Fin.

"Just sayin," Amanda said under her breath.