A/N: This chapter takes place the day after Olivia is discharged from the hospital. She is on temporary leave from work because of her injuries. Enjoy!

UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT OWN LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, LAW AND ORDER: ORGANIZED CRIME, OR ITS CHARACTERS.

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"Elliot!" an older woman screams from the kitchen.

"What is it, Mama? Are you okay?" Elliot comes rushing around the corner into the small kitchen.

"I made Olivia and her son some soup. Could you be a dear and bring it over? I would, but Katie and I are going to watch Jeopardy," Bernie holds out a Tupperware with her famous homemade Italian wedding soup.

"Ma, it's almost seven, by the time I get there she'll be asleep," he watches as his mother tilts her head lower and glares at him. Elliot begrudgingly takes the container, "I'll be back."

"That's my boy," Bernie smiles as she shuffles past him and plops herself on the couch.

Without even thinking of notifying her, he begins his half an hour-long journey. Arriving at the Benson residence, Elliot buzzes up to the apartment, standing in front of the camera. He thinks, 'I probably should have called…'

A small boy answers, "Elliot?"

"Hey, Noah. I meant to call…" Elliot smiles widely.

"You can come up," Noah buzzes him in allowing him to bypass the locked door.

Meeting Elliot at the door, Noah wraps his arms around him. Embracing him in response, Elliot asks, "Hey, bud. How're you doing?"

"I'm good," Noah releases himself from Elliot's grasp, "Whatcha got?"

"I have some homemade soup for you and your mother," he shows the boy the soup container.

Noah reaches for the soup and heads for the kitchen, "I didn't know you could cook. My mom always talks about the time you accidentally set instant noodles on fire."

"That was one time- and I didn't make this."

"Who made it?"

"My mother."

"Your mother?"

"Mhmm," Elliot watches as Noah sets the Tupperware in the nearly bare fridge, "Where's your mother?"

"She's taking a nap. She told me to wake her up at five, but she really needs to sleep," Noah responds as he sits by the counter across from Elliot, "Do you need to talk to her?"

"Nope. Just make sure to save her some if you decide to warm some up for yourself," as Elliot replies, he hears some motion in the hallway.

"Noah?" Olivia appears in the main area of her apartment. Her eyes widen as she sees Elliot standing with her son in her kitchen, "Elliot?"

Noah answers quickly, "His mom made us some soup."

With a giant yawn, she directs her attention to Elliot, "Please tell Bernie I said thank you."

"Will do," reaching for his jacket he says, "I'm headed back. Enjoy the soup."

"Do you want to stay for movie night?" Noah tugs on Elliot's sleeve.

Elliot glances from Noah over to Olivia to make sure that his request is all right with her. With a slight nod, Olivia approves. Smiling greatly, he accepts, "What're we watching?"

"We've narrowed it down to Annie and The Wizard of Oz," Olivia points out.

"I haven't seen The Wizard of Oz since my oldest was your age," Elliot states as he looks at Noah.

"You have to watch it again! You have to!" he exclaims as he jumps on the couch.

"Noah, why don't you put it on while I heat some soup," Olivia moves towards the kitchen.

"Can you heat some up for me?" Noah turns his head around to face his mother.

Olivia nods her head and pulls out two soup bowls from the cabinet, "Elliot, you want any?"

"I'm good, thanks," he waves off her offer and sits in the armchair next to the couch.

The soup heats up and is distributed as soon as the movie starts. Every music number that begins, signals Noah's chance to shine. Getting up from the couch Noah dances around his living room and sings. Olivia shared a few glances with Elliot throughout the film. Once the movie comes to an end, Noah declares, "I'm pooped. I'm going to bed."

"It's only nine. You still have half an hour until you have to," Olivia picks up the bowls and brings them to the sink in the kitchen.

"I'm tiiiirrreeeddddd moooommmm," Noah groans.

Olivia chuckles and dumps, "You can go to bed if you want. I'm just letting you know you don't have to."

Noah springs off the couch and waves in Elliot's direction, "Night, Elliot."

"Goodnight, Noah," Elliot watches as Noah disappears into his bedroom. Standing up from the couch, he makes his way into the kitchen to join Olivia. Standing beside her, but turning his head to face her, he lowers his voice, "Thank you for letting me stay. I really enjoyed it."

"Noah seemed to enjoy himself," she continues to scrub the dishes in the sink. With a pause she softly states, "I did too…"

Elliot takes a small sidestep towards Olivia. Hip to hip Elliot doesn't beat around the bush, "Would you want to get dinner some night this week?"

In shock, Olivia drops her sponge and freezes. Slowly turning her head to look directly into his bright blue eyes, she smiles and calmly asks, "Elliot Stabler, are you asking me on a date?"

"It's only a date if you want it to be. It could be just dinner if that's easier to agree to," Elliot twists his own words.

Drying her hands on the towel hanging from the hook, she turns her whole body to face him. Placing her hands delicately on his shoulders, she steps slightly closer and grins widely, "It's a date then…"

Taken aback by how confidently Olivia responded to his question, a smirk grows on his face. So badly wanting to grasp her hips, lean in, and kiss her, he realizes that he needs to control his mind. Elliot breathes in sharply, "It's a date."

She asks delightfully, "Where are you taking me?"

"I was thinking Jean-Georges…" Elliot softly replies.

Her eyes widen and she steps back in shock, "Elliot, that place costs half a grand for a single meal. I was thinking somewhere that won't break the bank."

"What makes you think it'll break your bank?"

"I'm not letting you buy me a meal that costs over five hundred dollars."

"What about… What about Becco?" he steps forward, closing the gap between them.

"Sounds good to me," Olivia enjoys the feeling of his warmth radiating through her. Resting her hands on his chest, she leans her forehead against his. With shaky breath, she exhales, "Thank Bernie for me, please."

With a slight chuckle, Elliot replies, "Of course…"

"I should be heading to bed, I need to be up to drop Noah off at dance," Olivia detaches herself from his warmth and slowly backs out of the kitchen. Turning around at the beginning of the hallway, she grins, "Do you need me to help you find the door?"

His breath hitches, desperately wanting to scream 'yes!' Regaining control of his breathing he smiles lightly, "I can find it."

"Mhmm," Olivia whispers faintly as she disappears down the hallway.

Elliot softly lets the door click shut and walks down the skinny staircase to the main lobby. Feeling a buzz in his pocket, he whips out his phone.

OLIVIA: Thank you for a great night, El. It was really nice having you over.

A glowing feeling emanates through his entire body.

ELLIOT: Thank you for letting me stay. I had a wonderful night, Liv.

ELLIOT: Maybe we can have movie nights more often.

OLIVIA: Movie nights are only every other Friday. It's a very big deal in the Benson household.

ELLIOT: Maybe we can make our own little traditions one day.

OLIVIA: One day.

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A/N: I promise I will get to them having 'the talk.' I understand how important it is for their character/relationship development.