Elliot called Olivia twice before deciding to drop in on her at the precinct. He figured she was in interrogation or something, and couldn't pick up the phone. They had been doing casual dinners with Noah now and again, and he thought maybe tonight would be a good night for take out and a movie with Noah.

The bullpen was quiet with only the sounds of detectives typing echoing through the air. Elliot glanced towards Liv's office, noting her absence. He meandered towards Fin's desk. Fin seemed absorbed in whatever he was working on, but Elliot asked, "Liv in?"

Fin answered him without looking up, "Nah she had plans for some fancy fundraising dinner or something with," Fin suddenly realized who he was talking to and hesitated, but had to complete the thought , "uh she had to duck out a little early."

Elliot tried not to sound too curious when he asked, "What event?" He hesitated and toyed around with a pen on the edge of Fin's desk, "Who asked her?"

Fin wasn't buying his nonchalant bullshit. He looked almost amused when he answered, "I think it's a fundraiser for some advocacy group for sex trafficking victims." He went back to clicking files on his screen, "Some lawyer asked her. Probably thought it would be good to have an SVU Captain as arm candy."

Elliot tried not to feel frustrated at how easily she allowed others into her life, but continued to keep him at arm's length. If he flat out asked her out on a date, he was fairly certain she'd turn him down.

Fin must have sensed his rising tension, "Don't worry about it. He's not her type." Fin eyed him slyly, "Believe me. I know her type." That was not at all comforting. He decided to duck out before this conversation got more awkward.

He only made it a few steps before Fin added, "Noah's home though. Amanda's babysitting." Fin gave him a knowing smile, "Maybe Noah wants a buddy to hang out with until his mom gets home."

Elliot grinned at the idea, knowing Liv would hate it. That was part of the fun.

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He arrived at Olivia's apartment complex. He gave the doorman a wave, he was a frequent visitor, and his NYPD status gave him easier access to Olivia. He knocked on the door, and heard what he assumed was Rollins, shuffling towards the door. She unlocked the deadbolt, and opened the door smiling. She left the door open and waved him in. He closed the door behind him.

"Fin said you might come over." She gave the same sly smile Fin did earlier. "Hey Noah! Elliot's here."

Noah bounded around the corner excitedly. "Cool! Hey Elliot!" He sped into Elliot giving him a big hug. "Wanna play some Playstation with me? Aunt Amanda isn't very good." He gave Amanda a side eye.

"Hey, not my fault. My girls aren't into any of that!" She defended herself.

Noah smiled, "It's okay. Elliot isn't much better," he teased.

Elliot acted offended, but the kid was right. He was really bad, but Noah enjoyed playing with him all the same. He followed Noah over the couch where the extra controller sat. He noticed Amanda gathering her stuff and he looked over at her questioningly.

"I'm gonna go," she smiled knowingly. "He'll be happier with you here and Liv won't mind." She winked. "She'll be back around 11. He needs to be in bed by 9:30. He's already eaten."

"Come on Elliot, we are starting now!" Noah said impatiently.

Thank you, he mouthed, and Amanda nodded and smiled. She waved and headed out the door.

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Elliot got Noah down for the night with minimal resistance. He still had at least an hour to kill until Olivia would come home, and to be honest he wasn't sure how she'd feel about him being her after her date.

He started picking up Noah's things that were strewn across the apartment. The kitchen needed some attention so he loaded the dishwasher and began wiping down counters and cabinets.

Around 10 he was startled when he heard the key turn in the lock of the door. He heard voices, one of which was definitely Liv's. He was beginning to think this plan was not well thought out. He'd assumed she would come home alone, not with a guest, and this could get awkward fast.

He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself, so he stood in the kitchen holding a cleaning rag as she opened the door. "Thanks for tonight," her voice sounded tight, but polite.

"I could stay, for a drink or something," Elliot nearly snorted at the man's attempt to extend the evening in Olivia's apartment.

Elliot did not have a good view of the door from where he was standing, but he knew she was uncomfortable by the slight change in her voice.

"Not tonight. My son is asleep, and," Elliot dropped the rag onto the counter, and strode over to the door. The tone in her voice bothered him, and he wanted this guy gone.

"And she's got a friend here," he pushed his way between them, letting his size intimidate the douchebag lawyer. He stuck his hand out and shook the man's hand with a firm grip. "Elliot Stabler." His eyes begged the man for any sort of confrontation, but he withdrew his hand without saying anything.

"Uh. Good night Olivia," he had to crane his head around Elliot's towering form to see her face.

Liv gave a non-committal wave before Elliot shut the door on her date. When he turned her face fell somewhere between grateful and irate. She turned and walked down the hall dropping her bag on the counter and shrugged her jacket off, somewhat aggressively.

He followed her into the kitchen, and she turned to face him. "Where the hell is Amanda?" Before he could answer she continued, "How in the world is it your place to dismiss my date? Seriously Elliot? I thought we were past the, 'if I can't have you, no one can' part of our friendship."

Elliot almost laughed. "Really? You wanted nothing to do with him," he glanced at his watch, "otherwise why would come home an hour early, oh, and he looks like a total prick. You really know how to pick winners."

She yanked open the fridge, and dug around for a bottle of water. "He is a total prick, but I can handle myself." She found the water bottle and slammed the fridge shut. "And it was one date." She threw the water bottle onto the counter and started walking back to her room. "I know how to end a bad date without the help of my bodyguard," she said spitefully.

Elliot followed her down the hall, trying to keep his voice down so Noah wouldn't wake up. "Didn't seem like it. He was well on his way to pushing himself in here."

She spun around. "El, I have taken care of myself without you for thirteen years, I don't think I need your help now."

She was seething, and had poked a tender point he worried they might never get over. He sighed and turned. This was not how he wanted this night to go, and it might be better to duck out now, before she decided she was mad enough to ignore him for the next few months.

He heard her sigh behind him before following him and grabbing his arm, "Wait." Elliot stopped but didn't turn. He tried to gather his thoughts. When he didn't turn she pushed around him and grabbed his other elbow so she could face him.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't fair." She tried to meet his eyes.

"No you're right. I wasn't here, and that is always going to haunt me." He lifted his eyes to hers, "I worry we won't get past it. I mean it's my own fault, but…" His thoughts trailed off.

For a minute she just stared at him, and then out of nowhere she leaned in to kiss him. He had no idea what was going on, but he wasn't going to question bliss.

Her lips pressed to his slowly, affectionately. He responded, kissing her back, shifting his arms forward to grasp her hips. He pulled her closer and she complied. The kiss deepend and he still didn't know what was going on, but he followed her lead. She fisted his shirt, effectively pulling him into her until she staggered back. Her back pressed into the wall, and her hands slid down his chest, pressing into his abs. He broke away from her lips to kiss along her jaw and behind her ear. She let out a small pleasurable noise before insisting he bring his lips back to hers. He willingly allowed her tongue to enter his mouth and she did the same.

He pulled back, whispering her name against her lips, and she trembled in the strength of his arms. Suddenly she apologized again, "I'm sorry." Her eyes met his and she placed her hand on his cheek. "I was angry, and surprised."

"I should've told you I was coming, I.." She cut him off

"No. It was actually a nice surprise." She kissed his lips quickly again, "I'm just not used to it anymore."

"What?"

"You protecting me. You being here." Her eyes dropped to the floor, "I'm used to being alone, and dealing with shit on my own."

He lifted her chin and pressed his forehead to hers. "You never have to be alone again. I'll always be here. I'll be yours until you tell me to go."

Her lips pressed into his again. "Never gonna happen," she whispered. "I'll always want you here." She kissed his neck. "Forever."

"Mmm, Forever," he repeated before kissing the top of her head. "I like the sound of that."