Olivia awoke to her alarm buzzing on her watch. She groaned. She remembered to shut off the alarm on her phone but forgot to turn her watch off before she fell asleep. She was taking a personal day with Noah and he wouldn't be up for another couple hours. She hurried and silenced the watch. It was then she became acutely aware of the muscled arm draped over her hip. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Elliot." She breathed.

She was laying facing him with one hand resting against his bare chest. One of her legs was wedged between his thighs, and one of his arms cradled beneath her head.

She felt disoriented until memories of the night came flooding back. Nightmare turned to beautiful dream. She remembered clutching him in fear and the sweet calm brought on by his soft caresses.

She slowly slid her hand from his chest to his face. She brushed her thumb over his lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss them. She shook the thought away. She was painfully aware that if she started kissing him she wouldn't be able to stop.

In this moment, wrapped in his arms, she could see what her life could be if this worked out. She imagined coming home to Elliot and Noah laughing over a TikTok. She could see him making coffee in her kitchen. She could see him touching her, holding her, and loving her. It could work.

But as always the haunting thought, what if it doesn't? Clouded the warm serenity of her fantasy. She sighed. Let's face it she thought my life never works out that way. Everyone she ever cared for walked away. Even Elliot, who had been the one constant support in her life, walked away. Tears fell, and she let them. As much as she wanted this, she wasn't sure she could ever take that leap. As she laid tangled up with the man she loved she felt as if someone was squeezing her heart.

The sun started to creep up and she knew she needed to kick Elliot out of her bed. As much as she wanted this bliss to continue forever she really didn't want Noah to wake up and find Elliot in bed with her. That would lead to questions she was sure she didn't want to answer.

She savored one more minute of his warm body intertwined with hers before gently touching Elliot's face. "Hey, El."

"Mmm." His brow furrowed. She could tell he didn't want to leave their warm cocoon either.

She tried to wiggle out of his grasp. No use. "Come on Elliot. Get your ass out of my bed." This time he didn't even respond.

Olivia lifted her lips close to his ear and softly blew. That got his attention. His eyes popped open immediately.

She couldn't stifle the short giggle that tumbled from her lips. "Sorry Stabler, but you have got to get out of my bed.."

His eyes gleamed with humor. "What if I don't want to? You gonna make me?"

"Ugh," she groaned and playfully slapped his chest. She pointed to the door, "Out."

His eyes danced with mischief. He settled deeper under her comforter.

"Come on Elliot! I really don't want to explain to my 11 year old why a man he barely knows is sleeping in his mother's bed." The words came out in a humorous exasperation.

"That's fair," Elliot agreed. He shifted his legs off the bed and stretched. Olivia could hear a few pops here and there. He threw his tank over his head and began looking for his button up shirt.

"God, your an old man." She shot a sly look his way taking notice of the way his tank showed off his muscled form.

"Well, you're checking out an old man." His eyes danced with humor.

She laughed. "Guilty." She said. She stood and dug through her drawers for something clean to wear for the day. When was the last time she did laundry? Why are there no clean clothes in here?

Elliot stood behind her and brought one arm around her to lay his hand on hers. His low breathy voice spoke behind her ear, "Are you okay?"

Her body involuntarily shuddered with desire. Olivia turned and again found herself inches from his face. His piercing blue eyes were unnerving. She knew he could see right through her, but she still responded, "Yeah. It was just a bad night. It happens now and again. It's not a big deal." She tried to turn away to focus on the task in front of her, but the intensity of his gaze made her pause.

She met his eyes and knew he understood the unspoken part of the conversation. She obviously wasn't okay but she didn't want to talk about it. Honestly she would rather delay the conversation until the end of time. If only that were possible.

He nodded in silent understanding. He didn't want to push her after all that happened last night.

Both their heads turned as they heard the door shut to the hall bathroom.

"Shit, Elliot. Get back to the couch."

"Yes captain." He winked.

Olivia rolled her eyes and she threw his shirt at him playfully. "Just get out of here."

He did what he was told. Shutting the door behind him.

Olivia sat on her bed and fell back into her pillows. She'd brought the back of her hand to her forehead. She waited for the anxiety and stress to drown her as it did most days, but she found herself smiling slightly. This was the weirdest morning of her life, and despite the many things she and Elliot needed to work through, she took comfort knowing the man she loved was on the other side of her door.