If you read my 101 collection, one of these scenes might feel familiar. As you are probably aware I sometimes use that collection to work through ideas and some scenes make it into my stories. Usually there are some changes and extensions. Just a little heads up

The next Friday the text arrived during lunch with Amanda. It was the last opportunity for the pair to have lunch together before the baby was born.

"How are you feeling?" Olivia asked.

"Oh, basically like a bloated whale." She let out a long slow breath as she leaned back into the booth.

Olivia had Billie's hand in hers and let her scoot into the booth first. "Well, you look beautiful."

"Thank you. I don't believe you, but thanks," she grinned. "I'm ready for this baby to be evicted." She laid both hands on her swollen belly. "I'm ready for my bladder not to be constantly squished."

"Do you have an induction date? Isn't your due date coming up?" Olivia handed Billie a kids menu and crayons to keep her busy.

"Three days until my due date. The girls came early, but this one is stubborn. I'm hoping I won't have to be induced, but we have it scheduled for the week after my due date."

"I'm sure this little one will accommodate your schedule." Olivia said slyly.

"Ha ha," Amanda laughed ironically.

Just then the waitress came and took their orders. Amanda and Olivia handed her their menus, and Amanda shifted her weight uncomfortably.

"You okay?" Liv asked.

"Yeah. It's just hard to find a comfortable position ya know." She pressed her hand against her lower back.

"I wouldn't know, but I can imagine." Truth be told, she looked miserable. Olivia hoped this baby would come soon.

Billie glanced up from her coloring. "Mom? I need to go to the bathroom."

Amanda groaned and started to scoot out of the booth. Olivia put her hand up to stop her. "I'll take her, you stay put."

Amanda gave her a grateful smile as she settled back into the booth.

After a quick potty break Olivia walked Billie back to the booth, sliding in after her. She noticed a smile creeping across Amanda's face. A knowing smile, the kid she gives when she knows some juicy information.

"What?" Olivia asked slowly with skepticism.

Amanda licked her lips and tried to restrain the smile. "Well your phone pinged. I didn't mean to look at it, but you left your phone right there." She pointed to Liv's phone sitting perfectly within Amanda's eyeline.

Shit. She knew exactly where this was going.

"Sooooo," she couldn't control the smile, "wanna tell me who loves you."

"Damn it." She snatched the phone and swiped up on her screen. Sure enough her Friday text sat out in plain view.

I love you.

As always the message made her heart pound, but she tried to hide the smile that would inevitably cross her face. She locked her phone and sat it down. Her eyes hesitantly lifted to meet Amanda's smirking face.

"I'm guessing something happened in Ohio? Beyond getting shot," she said suggestively, eyeing her over her soda.

Olivia felt her cheeks flush. She was not at all prepared for this conversation. Her mouth felt dry, "Uhh," she uttered, trying to find words.

Thankfully, Amanda let her off the hook. "You don't need to tell me anything if you don't want to, but when you're ready, I definitely need the juicy details."

The flush on her cheeks darkened. "Um," she knew Amanda wouldn't push, but she decided to give her something. "Ohio was…interesting," she said slyly. "But back here in New York was better." A smile teased at her lips.

Amanda nearly choked on her drink. "Seriously!?"

Olivia laughed at her surprise. "We have little ears listening, but you'll drag the details out of me eventually."

"Oh I plan to." Amanda affirmed.

Just as Amanda planned to ask another question the waitress came, dropping plates in front of them. Olivia reached for her phone to move it out of the way. Her screen lit up as she moved it to her purse, and her heart beat faster when she saw the text again.

I love you.

-000-

Amanda —— texting Fin

A: What the hell Fin?

F: What did I do this time?

A: Oh I don't know… how could you fail to tell me about Olivia, and Stabler and the Ohio aftermath!?

F: I don't know nothin'

A: Liar

F: Fine. I know a little.

A:….

F: I don't know much. They're "involved" whatever the hell that means.

A: Oh if she admitted to that it means A LOT

F: That's what I know.

A: Thanks Fin. You're the best

F: Damn right.

-000-

Her response to his text was slower than normal and it made him nervous. He compulsively checked his phone for an hour. It became obvious enough that one of his "coworkers" asked, "Waitin on a paternity test or somethin'? Ya look nervous."

He locked his phone and shoved it in his pocket. He needed to be more discreet. "Nah," he answered. "I'm too old for that idiot shit. Just waiting to see if my Amazon package got delivered. Some dumb ass kids keep stealing shit."

"Damn kids.." the other man muttered. Like their current criminal enterprise was angelic.

They both went back to their "work." Elliot worked up their "invoices" for services from a secure server. Five invoices in, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced over his shoulder. His coworker had shuffled to the back room so he was alone for the moment. He removed his phone from his pocket, hoping Olivia had texted him back. Sure enough her text popped up on his screen.

Well. I accidently left my phone unattended next to Amanda. You can imagine how that went. I love you too.

He smiled to himself. They weren't exactly keeping their…whatever this relationship was… a secret. But Liv was a private person so he wasn't surprised about her keeping it to herself for now. Especially while he was undercover. He felt his phone buzz again. She never sent more than one text. It became an unspoken rule. One text per week. He pulled up the chat screen to see what else she had to say.

I miss you. Wish you could come home.

A lump formed in his throat and he tried to swallow it down. His hand found it's way into his pocket and he brushed his fingers across the face of the ornament that permanently resided there. He couldn't help himself.

I miss you too.

He did miss her, and as the weeks wore in he had begun to realize how incredibly stupid and impulsive he had been for accepting this assignment in the first place. The only thing this desperation had done was make him miss her, and he worried about how long she would be patient with his absence. His fingers rubbed the ornament like some sort of good luck charm. Soon. He could go home soon. As soon as this case was closed he would come home, and never leave her again.

The day seemed to drag on and on, and he could only think of one thing. Olivia. He couldn't focus on spreadsheets and doctoring books and invoices, because everytime he closed his eyes he saw her smile, and the look of her beautiful body as his fingers danced across her skin. He missed that, but he also missed her. He missed their banter, and their connection. He missed the feeling of being completely in sync with the person standing next to him. He missed her.

When his assigned work day was over he should have driven to his apartment, but he didn't. He had a different destination in mind. He made a couple calls and some other arrangements. It was stupid. Ayanna would definitely ream his ass when she inevitably found out. But he was doing it. He was going to see Olivia.

-000-

Amanda called in the late afternoon asking if she could pick up Noah from dance so he could spend the night and have a pizza night with the girls. Olivia tried to talk her out of it. She was so pregnant and uncomfortable she should have to care for another child. Still, she insisted, and said it was actually easier because Noah kept the girls entertained, giving her a much needed break.

She eventually agreed, but as she finished up her work day she realized she was going to go home to her quiet apartment. Alone. She sighed as she gathered her things. She could make the most of the night. Wine, book and a bubble bath might be a welcome reprieve from her chaotic night. Maybe it would be nice to have a quiet evening.

Just as she parked her car at her building a text came in from Amanda.

A: I picked up some stuff for Noah for the night. I also left something in your apartment for you. I used my key. Hope that's okay.

O: That's fine. Give Noah a kiss for me.

She gave the doorman a quick wave before entering the elevator and pressing the button for her floor. She wondered what Amanda left for her. Probably dinner or a snack. Possibly pizza. She was hungry so she would be totally okay if she found a take out container on her counter.

Her mind was on pizza and egg rolls when she stuck her key into her door and turned the lock. Amanda had left all the lights off except for the entry light and the kitchen backlight. She knew Olivia hated entering into a dark apartment. It was a lingering trigger from the abduction. She shook away the thoughts. This evening was meant to be relaxing, and nothing about those memories relaxed her.

She dropped her bag and hung her coat, and when she finally turned she found the "something" Amanda had left for her. But the something was actually a someone, and her hand flew to her mouth to stifle an overjoyed sob.

Leaning against the wall of the kitchen stood Elliot. She felt frozen because this was obviously not real. He wasn't standing in her kitchen like he hadn't been gone for six weeks.

She doubted reality until he crossed the room and pulled her into a tight hug. The warmth of his arms, and the perfect pressure of his embrace was too real. He was here, and he was holding her. Her tears wet his shirt, and he stood silently holding her.

Finally, she got a grip on her emotions, but she kept her cheek pressed against his chest. "What are you doing here? This is probably really stupid El."

He pulled back to better see her face. "Might be stupid, but I couldn't go one more day without seeing you." He kissed her forehead.

"Bell know you're here?" She knew the answer.

"She would kill me if she knew I was here."

"Elliot." She scolded, but it didn't hold the usual weight. "You can't blow your cover just to see me."

"I didn't blow my cover. I'm not an idiot. No one followed me. I didn't even come in my own car. It's dark. I think I'll be okay." He grinned, "Aren't you happy to see me?"

She tried to hold back the smile at his teasing, but failed. She kissed him instead.

"You need to be more careful. You're going to get yourself killed." She murmured against his lips.

"I'm careful enough," he returned. His lips ghosted hers. His voice dropped, and it made her whole body vibrate. "I missed you." He pulled back so he could see her eyes, "I love you."

Well damn. That was enough to make her melt. He was here. There was no point in chastising him for the risk he took being here. It was reckless and irresponsible, but if she was honest with herself, she loved it.