Olivia was on track to spend another night at the precinct. The week brought a flood of cases, and everytime she tried to leave another crisis flew into her office. When her nanny called she immediately knew everything was going to crap on the home front.

"Benson," she answered, bracing herself for more complications to muddy her day.

"Hey, sorry to call you, I know you are busy." Sarah was relatively new, and always seemed anxious to call. "Uh, I went to the doctor and I apparently have strep throat. He said I need to go home and stay there until I've been on my antibiotic for 24 hours." She thought the girl might cry, "I know it's late notice and it's getting close to school pick up time…"

"It's okay Sarah," Olivia dropped her head into one of her hands. "Go home, I'll figure out Noah's pick up." She looked at her watch. She had about an hour and a half before he needed to be picked up. She could figure it out.

"Thank you," Sarah said before hanging up.

Olivia dropped her phone on her desk and let out a frustrated groan. Her body felt tired all over and she needed caffeine and she just wanted to sleep! She tried to remember when she last ate when someone tapped on her door.

"Come in," she called without lifting her head from her hands.

"You okay?" Her head darted up at the sound of Elliot's voice.

He held out a bag of what smelled like food and a cup of coffee from her favorite place down the street. She nearly cried in gratitude. "Thank you El." She started to open the bag to see what he brought. "I was just thinking I should track down some food and coffee, but I haven't even had one minute to sneak out today."

"Yeah it's a bit of zoo out there."

She took a swig of the coffee he brought. "You know how it goes, it can be dead quiet for days and then all hell breaks loose."

"I definitely remember. I swear there was a full week where I slept in the bunks." He shook his head, "I doubt I could do that anymore."

She drank more coffee before saying, "Oh I have been here two days straight." He shot her a sincere look of sympathy. "Oh and get this," she added, "my nanny just called to tell me has strep and can't pick up Noah today. I have about 90 minutes to find someone to pick him up."

Elliot opened his mouth to say something, but her phone rang, cutting him off.

"Benson," she answered with a sigh. "Are you serious? Can he hang tight for a bit until pick up time?" The answer was a resounding no. "Okay. I'll get someone there."

"I'm done answering my phone," she complained.

"What's going on?" Elliot asked, clearly concerned.

"That was Noah's school. He apparently went to the nurse complaining of a sore throat, and he has a fever. He needs to be picked up now, but Amanda can't take him because I don't want her girls to get sick, and Fin needs to stay here."

"I can pick him up, Liv." He said it like it was the obvious answer.

"No. I don't want you to get sick, and you have work. He'll need to go to his pediatrician to get an antibiotic and that's way too much to ask someone."

Before she finished her rambling Elliot reached across her desk to grab her hand. Her eyes shot to his as he started reassuring her. "I can pick him up, I'm still on the list right?" She nodded. "We are just doing some prelim work on our case so I can easily work from your apartment. I had five kids so I have the immune system of a tank," he chuckled a little, "and I promise I know how to get a kid to the pediatrician."

She hated to drop all of this on him, but she really didn't have another choice. To prove her point, Fin popped his head in the door to tell her she was needed in interview room two. She felt like crying at this point, but Elliot squeezed her hand.

"Go work. I'll get Noah. I'll text you everything that's going on, and it will be fine." His eyes begged her to take him up on his offer.

She hated to impose on him, but she knew he was the best option for Noah, and Noah needed someone right now. If she couldn't get him, Elliot was the next best thing. She sighed, "Okay." He met her acquiescence with a huge grin.

Fin popped in, "Liv, we really need you in there."

"Okay okay," she scooted her chair back, and stood.

She impulsively gave Elliot a tight hug, "Thank you." She felt tears welling in her eyes so she backed off quickly to wipe them away.

He rubbed the back of his head bashfully, "I got this Liv. Get out there before Fin comes in a third time."

She hurried out the door, and turned once more to say, "Thanks again, El."

He nodded and she hurried from the room.

-000-

Elliot had been to Noah's school a couple times. Usually when Olivia was out of options. He didn't mind, but he wished he was her first call. He knew he lost that right thirteen years ago, but he hoped he could win that trust back eventually.

He pushed the first set of doors open, and stopped at the second set, pushing the button to call the office. The receptionist answered through the speaker, "Hello?"

"Elliot Stabler to pick up Noah Benson."

The receptionist buzzed him in and he walked straight to the office. "Hello Mr. Stabler, do you have your ID on you? We need to verify your identity before we can release him to you." He pulled out his NYPD issued ID, and dropped it on the desk for her to inspect. "It looks like you are still on Noah's pick up list so we are good to go." She smiled brightly before heading down the hall to what must be the sick room.

A very pale and miserable looking Noah started down the hall, but a grin crept up his face when he saw Elliot standing there. "Elliot!" he hurried to Elliot's side, wrapping his arms around him.

Elliot squatted to Noah's eye level, "Heard you weren't feeling good bud." Noah shook his head. Elliot stood back up and held out his hand for Noah, and he happily took it. "Let's get you outta here." He gave the receptionist a quick wave before leaving the building.

-000-

Elliot stopped at a drive thru ice cream place so Noah could eat something before heading to the pediatrician's office. The doctor's office went pretty quick. Just a quick swab and peek at his throat, and they were on their way, script in hand. They made a quick stop to pick up his prescription and some popsicles before heading back to Olivia's apartment.

He pulled out the key Olivia gave him for emergencies, and unlocked the door, letting them both inside. "Why don't you get into bed, and I'll get you a popsicle and some medicine."

"Okay," Noah agreed. His big blue eyes looked up at Elliot, "Can I have some ipad time?"

"Of course," Elliot agreed, "I don't think your mom will mind, especially since you are sick."

"Thanks." Noah smiled, and rushed to pull the iPad off the charger on the kitchen counter. He hurried down the hall, already swiping through the screens before getting into his room.

Elliot pulled out the antibiotic, and found some children's tylenol. "Noah?" he called loud enough to be heard down the hall.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"What flavor popsicle do you want?"

"Orange please!"

Elliot measured out the dosages for both medicines, and unwrapped an orange popsicle. Noah was already snuggled under his comforter with a movie playing on the iPad. Elliot took a quick peek, just to be certain it was something kid appropriate. Satisfied with his movie choice, Elliot handed Noah the popsicle. "I have two medicines for you bud."

Noah made a face, "Are they gross?"

"I don't think so," Elliot said, "but I haven't had either of these in so long, I wouldn't know for sure."

Noah watched him warily, but complied. "Wasn't so bad," Noah admitted.

"Good." Elliot patted his shoulder before saying, "If you need anything just yell. Ill just be in the kitchen getting some work done."

"Okay," Noah agreed and turned his attention back to his movie.

-000-

Elliot finished a couple preliminary reports, and slipped down the hall to check on Noah. He laid sprawled out on the bed. The iPad turned of his blanket only covering one leg. Elliot chuckled at the awkward Sleeping position before tucking his blanket up over his legs. He shut the door quietly before tracking down his phone in the kitchen. He sent Olivia a quick text.

E: After meds, one orange popsicle and a movie he is down for the count.

O: Thank you!

E: Stop thanking me. I enjoy hanging out with him.

O: I know. It just feels like a lot to ask you to do.

E: It's not a big deal. I've done this lots of times. I'll just keep feeding him popsicles and he'll be happy.

O: Maybe try soup later.

E: You're such a mom. Let the sick kid enjoy his popsicles.

O: You are going to do whatever you want aren't you.

E: Of course I am. A day or two of popsicles isn't going to kill the kid.

O: I know I know

E: Relax. I got this. I'll update you after he wakes up.

O: I'm saying it again. Like it or not. Thanks.

E: You're welcome.

-000-

Liv was ready to beat her head against the desk. She wanted to go home. She wanted to sleep. She wanted to snuggle her sick kid. But no, she was stuck here, wearing the same clothes as two days ago. She felt exhausted, and hoped the caseload would let up soon, before she overdosed on caffeine.

She didn't notice she had fallen asleep until Bruno opened the door. Her head popped up at the sound, she rubbed her eyes and pulled a paper clip off her face. It probably left a nice indentation mark on her face. She really needed to go home.

"I was just going to tell you we finished the last interview. Fin and Muncy went to make the arrest. That was the last one for tonight." His eyes looked her over and she was sure she looked like hell. "Go home Captain. I'll hold down the fort here, and if I need anything I'll

Call Fin."

She felt eternally grateful to her messenger of good tidings. She grabbed her keys and purse, grateful she got that mini nap so she could drive herself home.

-000-

She glanced at her watch before unlocking the door to her apartment. It was 4am. She was so tired she nearly forgot Elliot was still at her apartment. She peeked in Noah's room but was surprised to see his bed empty. She wandered over to living room where the TV was on but muted. On the couch laid her sweet boy cuddled up to a very asleep Elliot.

She came around the couch and gave in to the urge to snap a quick picture of the adorable scene. She knelt down to wake Noah so Elliot could at least lay down. His back was going to hate him in the morning if she left him like this.

As she reached over to wake Noah, Elliot sleepily opened his eyes. "Hey," he said, giving her a sleepy smile.

"Let me get Noah off of you," she said, trying to keep her voice low.

"No no, I got 'em." He easily lifted Noah into his arms, walked to his room and placed him gently in his bed.

Olivia followed, slipping past Elliot to press a kiss to Noah's forehead. "Goodnight sweet boy," she whispered.

She turned to see Elliot leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. He looked like he would fall asleep standing, and she was sure she didn't look much better. He blinked his eyes a few times, trying to wake up more, before saying, "I guess I'll get home then."

"Um no." She shook her head and tugged in his elbow into the hallway, shutting Noah's door behind her. "You're not driving tonight. I'm pretty sure you'll fall asleep."

"I'm fine," he yawned, proving her point.

"No, you're not," she pulled on his hand, leading him to her living room. "Just crash on my couch tonight. It's like 4am and I'm not letting you drive home."

"Okay okay," he chuckled, "Toss me a blanket or something."

She turned towards the linen closet, grabbing a pillow and the spare comforter she kept there. She turned around and nearly bumped into him. He caught her arms to help her regain balance, but he didn't release her once she was steady on her feet.

His hands felt warm against her skin and she felt her heart pounding at even this benign touch. She nervously met his eyes knowing the look of adoration she would find there. As expected, his blue eyes bore into hers, communicating everything. His hands slid down her arms and found residence at her hips. She felt mesmerized, unable to think, only respond. The bedding dropped from her arms as lifted them behind his neck, and pulled her tighter against them. Her cheek pressed against his chest and a soothing calm encompassed her, brought on by the peaceful rhythm of his beating heart.

"Thank you for being here El," she whispered, and she hoped he understood what she meant. Thanks for helping with Noah, thanks for coming back.

She felt him nod against her hair before saying, "How long until you believe me when I tell you I'm never leaving you? Never again." His voice was low, just above a tender murmur. "I love you Olivia. Heart and soul. I hope I can one day prove that to you."

She felt tears starting to well in the corners of her eyes, and she couldn't remove herself from the warm comfort of his chest. She took a shaky breath, "El?"

"Mmm?" She wondered if he fell asleep while standing. They were both that tired.

"I love you too," she admitted.

His arms tightened around her and she pulled back, just enough to see his face. His eyes were pricked with tears as well, but he also had a goofy sleepy smile plastered on his face. They both said nothing before he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers