Noah finally settled down for the night and Liv and Elliot shared a glass of wine while sitting comfortably on the couch. His arm was settled tightly around her with her head nestled into his chest. His feet were crossed and resting on the ottoman in front of him with her legs draped over his. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so at peace.

She knew they should probably talk about what happened in the hallway, but she felt fatigued from the explosions of truth today. Right now she wanted to lay here with his arms wrapped around her, peacefully enjoying their piece of heaven.

She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep until she felt him lift her into his arms, walking her to her bedroom. Sleepily, she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into the space beneath his chin. While still holding her he pulled back her comforter and placed her gently on the mattress. He pulled the comforter over her and began to walk towards the door. "El wait." He turned towards her looking unsure. She reached out her hand for him. "Stay." She wanted to relive the comfort and peace she felt that first night he stayed. She wasn't sure she wanted to push their physical relationship any further tonight, but she knew she didn't want to sleep without him.

Without hesitation he pulled his shirt over his head and unclasped his belt, tossing both carelessly to the floor. He grasped her hand and slipped beneath the comforter beside her. She rolled over to face him, wrapping her arms around his torso. She felt his breathing speed up as she gently kissed his bare chest. His arms came around her, creating a place of shelter she had never known. He kissed her hair and whispered, "I love you. I have always loved you." She knew he meant it and as much as she wanted to return the sentiment she felt that all too familiar fear creep in. She wanted to let go and love him freely, but she couldn't release the death grip she held on that last piece of her heart. Instead, she sighed and burrowed deeper into his embrace, hoping he somehow understood how much she loved and needed him.

Elliot thought he was dreaming when he awoke to Olivia's lips kissing at his neck. His arms immediately slipped behind her back as he rolled her on top of him. He opened his eyes to Liv's face over his, with a flirtatious smile teasing at the corners of her lips. "I think it's later," she whispered next to his ear.

He threaded his hand through her hair and pulled her lips down to his. "Finally." He breathed, and she let out a small giggle. He kissed her again taking the chance to really know the feel of her mouth on his and the taste of her lips. She gasped in some air before kissing the corner of his mouth and running her tongue down his jaw. The sensation lit a fire within him, and he never wanted someone so badly in his life. While she continued to kiss his neck, his hands snuck beneath her shirt, taking his time feeling the contours of her spine. He slid his hands back towards her ass, but stopped to lift the edge of her shirt. Just as he began to remove her shirt, Liv's morning alarm began blaring from her phone. "You have got to be kidding me." His hands dropped to the bed and he groaned. She rolled off of him to silence her phone, He kept a hand on her nearly bare lower back, and she let out a soft laugh. He pulled her back to his chest and whispered in her ear, "You're killing me. You know that right?"

She pulled her face back so her lips were ghosting his, "Anticipation is part of the fun." She kissed him hard and deep, pulling away to say, "I'm worth the wait." She rolled off of him to make her way out of the bed.

He grumbled something about twenty plus years of anticipation as he rolled off the bed to search for his shirt.

Liv walked towards the bathroom, but he caught her hips from behind and pulled her into him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. He breathed her in,just wanting to hold onto her for one more minute before the daily bustle began. He brushed her hair away from her neck and placed a glancing kiss there. "See you after work tonight?" He whispered.

She turned her head to better see his face. "Yes please," she murmured. "Assuming work doesn't blow up while we are there," she added.

He chuckled ruefully, "Don't even say that." They both knew the universe had a way of smacking happiness out of their hands, but he hoped that just this once things could work out for them.

—

Liv entered the station, coffee in hand, hoping today would be less eventful than yesterday. Fin and her detectives had already planted themselves at their desks when she walked in.

"Hey Liv." Fin greeted her as she passed.

She stopped to catch up on the rest of the day yesterday. "How'd it go yesterday?"

"Fine. I have Bruno running point and he's keeping communication open with OCCB. I told him to run everything through me and I'll pass on the info you need."

"Thanks Fin." She truly didn't know what she would do without him.

She started to turn away when he asked, "You okay? Stabler get you home okay?"

She felt her face flush. "Um Fine." She tried to hide her discomfort but she knew she was failing miserably.

Fin raised his eyebrow and gave her a knowing look which made her squirm even more. Gratefully, he didn't say anything else and she hurried to her office.

Some office gossip fluff for ya'll :)

Muncy watched the interchange between her captain and sergeant with curiosity. After yesterday's fireworks with that detective named Stabler, Muncy was eaten alive with curiosity.

She spun her chair in Fin's direction. "Hey Fin." When he didn't look up she spoke up, "Fin!"

"What Muncy?" She ignored the annoyed look on his face.

"What was that all about," nodding her head towards the captain's office.

"That," he pointed his pen in her direction, "is none of your business."

Muncy knew getting any information from Fin was a long shot, but she figured he had the most information.

She spun her chair to Velasco. Chewing on her pen cap tentatively she asked, "Velasco?" He stopped his paperwork, giving her his attention. "Who's that Stabler guy?"

"Not sure you want to poke that bear," he replied. Muncy let out a short laugh, "What did I miss?" She flipped her chair around, "Bruno?"

He looked up from his computer screen wide-eyed and mumbled something about her missing twenty years of rumors. He returned his focus to the search on his computer.

That didn't quench her curiosity. She didn't like being out of the loop. Velasco suddenly stood and made his way to the break room he motioned for her to come with him. She glanced around, noting Fin and Bruno seemed to be too absorbed in their work to notice her following him.

Velasco held the door open for her and made his way to the coffee maker. As he looked for a lid he started talking, "First of all, if you want to gain any favor with the Captain or Fin, you shouldn't ask about Stabler. Or the really any of the captain's private life." He pulled the sleeve of the stirrer with his teeth.

"Personal life huh?" her eyes widened with curiosity.

Velasco rolled his eyes, "I don't know a lot. Rumors really." He took a swig of his coffee. "Stabler was her first partner at SVU."

"So?" That wasn't salacious as everyone made it seem.

"They were partnered for twelve or thirteen years. Apparently they were close." Velasco shrugged his shoulders. "People talk."

"So that's why we all pretend we don't see anything when he's here?" Muncy asked, genuinely curious.

"Pretty much. He was gone for ten years, and showed up out of nowhere a few years ago. His wife was killed, so," He shrugged his shoulders again, "I think everyone in the NYPD is waiting for something to happen."

"Huh." Muncy grabbed a coffee cup and made her way to the coffee maker. "Any of it true?"

"I honestly have no idea," he answered. "I have worked a few cases with them, but it's all been professional as far as I've seen." He took the cup from her to get her some coffee. "I know she has taken a lot of heat because of him."

"Why? I mean, he works with the OCCB so he can't be corrupt or anything." She took the cup from his hands and pushed the top on.

"Yeah. He's a good cop, but he bends the rules."

"Yeah?" Muncy asked, genuinely interested.

"I mean I haven't really seen anything, but he has a reputation for overstepping boundaries and using too much force." Velasco finished his coffee and dropped his cup in the garbage can. "That's what I know,probably not helpful."

"Nah, that helps. I don't like to be completely clueless." She tossed her cup in the garbage.

"Well, I recommend staying out of it all. The Fin and the captain are really touchy when it comes to Stabler."

"Noted," she responded, and they left it at that.

(Stay tuned- Things are gonna get good :))