In honor of TS' release of 1989 Taylor's Version I give you a fic inspired from a song in the album. Give "You are in Love" if you want a little soundtrack to this story. Love you all!

One look, dark room,

Meant just for you.

Time moved too fast,

You play it back,

Buttons on a coat

Lighthearted joke

No proof, not much

But you saw enough

Small talk, he drives

Coffee at midnight

The light reflects

The chain on your neck

He says, "look up",

And your shoulders brush

No proof, one touch

But you felt enough.

Taylor Swift -"You are in Love"

Her breath caught when she caught a glimpse of him leaning against the wall on the other side of the room. He immediately gave her that smile, the one that was always meant for her. It had been months, and there he stood, looking at her like no time had passed at all.

She resisted the urge to wander through the dark room to his side. It wouldn't be at all subtle from where she currently stood. Plus, when she greeted him again she didn't want a host of spectators. She wanted it to be her and him and the weight of the world left behind.

She returned her focus to the sergeant on her left who was presenting a multi department case. Olivia hadn't anticipated OCCB there, then again, she didn't see Ayanna anywhere. There was a really good chance he was here to see her. The thought sent those damn butterflies erupting once again.

She did everything she could to keep her focus on the presentation, but she could feel his eyes on her, and she could almost see his smirking smile. She didn't look in his direction, and did her best to stand stoically next to the other high ranking officials.

After what felt like a small eternity, the lights flipped on, and people began shuffling in every direction. She glanced towards the back of the room and frowned when she didn't find him still leaning against the back wall. She scanned the faces of the small crowd, but he was gone. She started to wonder if she was crazy, if she missed him so badly that she would conjure an image of him in the back of a ln NYPD briefing.

She sighed, and slung her bag over her shoulder. She paused when she was partially down the hallway, wondering if he had called, or maybe texted. The only messages lighting up her screen were from her team. She shoved her phone into her coat pocket, feeling absolutely sure she was losing her mind.

She pushed the doors open and cool air whipped past her face. The sun had descended and the city was blanketed in darkness, making the lights feel extra bright. She tucked the collar of her coat next to her cheek in an attempt to ward off the nip of the November air. Her eyes drifted to the bottom of the concrete steps, and her heart picked up speed.

There he stood, hands deep in the pockets of his dark wash jeans. She stepped closer and she was met with the boyish grin that made her crazy.

He looked good, the haunted look that frequently lurked behind those clear blue eyes seemed to have dissipated. His black coat accentuated his frame in the best possible way. His beanie covered his ears, but his nose appeared reddened from the cold. He rocked back on his heels slightly when he greeted her. "Hey Liv," his grin stretched a mile wide.

Without hesitation she wrapped him in a tight hug. Her proximity must have startled him because he didn't seem sure of where he should put his hands. Eventually they settled on her lower back, and he pulled her tighter against him.

For a moment she savored the contact, but she worried they were making a spectacle of themselves and reluctantly withdrew. Unwilling to completely remove contact she kept her hand on his forearm. "When'd you get home?" She hoped he was actually home, and not bucking against some mandate from Bell.

"We closed the case last night, submitted formal reports this morning, and popped in to see my mother earlier this afternoon." And she was his next stop.

"How is Bernie? I've meant to stop in…" but her life was a continual shot show. There was never time for anyone.

"She's good. She mentioned you sent flowers," his smile softened, "she mentioned it several times actually." His eyes gained intensity. "Thank you for that." His gaze dropped to her hand that had unconsciously snuck to hold his,

"It wasn't a big deal," she demurred. She loved Bernie, and she knew she missed Elliot. They both did.

"It was for me," his voice lowered, and the intensity began to become uncomfortable. He must have sensed her discomfort because he dropped her hand and stepped back.

That was not what she wanted so she stepped closer, diminishing the space he had allowed her. In an act of gentle encouragement her hand grasped his elbow. She smiled, hoping to mask her immediate impulse to run.

He met her smile with one of his own, and she wondered what it might be like to kiss that perpetually smirking mouth. "Wanna get a coffee or something?" She tried not to smirk. He sounded more nervous than she was when voicing his request.

She glanced down at her watch. "If we get coffee now we'll be up past midnight."

Those eyes, her favorite eyes, danced, "Got plans tonight?"

She chuckled at his not so subtle suggestion. "I don't. I expected this case to need more involvement from my squad, but they won't need much from us. I'm free all night." She wasn't sure where her sudden forwardness came from, but based on Elliot's smile he was loving it.

"Let's get out of here then." His hand found hers and he tugged her down on he sidewalk. She wasn't sure the night might go, but she was determined to enjoy every last moment.

-000-

Turned out he wasn't kidding about the coffee. Of course, Italy had made him a coffee snob so they had to drive halfway across the city to find the right coffee shop.

They filled the silence with small talk. Noah,work and his kids were discussed thoroughly. After finally snagging the coffee they were met with a torrent of rain. She couldn't help the laughter that tumbled from her lips as they sprinted hand in hand from the shop to his car. He flung the passenger door open and rushed around the front of the car and into the driver's seat. Their eyes met and they both burst into a fight of laughter.

She took a sip of the coffee and lightly smacked her lips, "Damn. That is good."

"When will you learn to trust me?" Her smile fell at his lighthearted jab. She tried to recover her smile, but Elliot's face had already dropped.

He reached out quickly for her hand, "I'm sorry I should have…" he tried to explain himself, but she refused to let his slip of the tongue ruin their evening.

"I…" she swallowed her fear. "I trust you…" her eyes lifted to his, and in his eyes she saw everything.

Thousands of memories washed over her. Rainy nights and coffee cups. Stakeouts and footraces. Adrenaline and fear. Friendship. Trust. And running beneath it all was an emotion either of them dared label. Underneath it all was a furious current of love.

The streetlights gleamed through the rain soaked windows, illuminating the familiar chain of his crucifix which she knew laid against his strong chest, and his beating heart.

In a moment of pure impulse she reached for the chain and lifted the cross away from his chest. She felt his breathing quicken at her smallest touch and it astounded her how much hold she had over this perfectly flawed man.

Her fingers lightly brushed over the familiar emblem of his faith.

"Liv," his warm voice shook her from her unintentional trance. "Look at me," he said softly and her heart pounded furiously. The words from that night in her kitchen reverberated through her mind, but unlike that night, she felt ready. She carefully lifted her eyes to his face. He lifted a hand to her neck and jaw with a gentle hold. She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth radiating from his touch.

She knew he was waiting for her to make the next move. He wouldn't push because he didn't want her to panic and run. She wasn't running. This was where she wanted be, and who she wanted to be with.

She wasn't afraid anymore. She was in love.

-000-

You can hear it in the silence, the silence, you

You can feel it on the way home, way home, you

You can see it with the lights out, lights out

You are in love, true love, you are in love.

I think you all know that we aren't done here :)