Make a memory.

They had been talking about it for months and Elliot knew he had to do it. It's why he had asked her out for dinner tonight. Tomorrow would be too late, he was flying to Miami and Olivia didn't know yet.

The restaurant was wonder; candles, flowers and soft music surrounded them. It wasn't a date, but it certainly felt like one. Olivia was dressed in a black dress with beautiful sandals ...She was sitting in front of him, sipping her wine. He could see in her eyes she was a little nervous.

Olivia wanted to ask about the reason for this dinner, in this place, there had to be a reason; there always was. After months of talking about it, Elliot had asked her out of the blue, she wanted to know why but decided to wait for him to tell her.

They exchanged looks but neither spoke for a long time. Both enjoyed having dinner together, they did so almost every night at the job, after all, that's was good friends did.

She'd been waiting for months to have an answer to an unspoken question.

"I need to know why," she said, loud enough for him to hear.

They were best friends; they had shared wonderful moments and terrible times, yet their friendship endured.

Elliot took a deep breath and then a sip of wine.

"Kathy left me and took the kids to Miami. I need to put my family back together," he said tiredly. Elliot Stabler was tired, it was an uncommon experience.

"I'm so sorry, El," Olivia whispered as she took his hand in hers. She knew how important his family was to Elliot, she knew he'd do anything to put the family unit back into one piece.

Hello again, it's you and me

Kinda always like it used to be

Sippin' wine, killing time

Trying to solve life's mysteries

Their dinner ended soon after. They walked to his new house, the air was cold and blustery, a storm was coming. They stood outside his door for a few minutes before he reached into his jeans pocket.

Elliot pulled out a little, blue box and, smiling, gave it to her. Olivia opened the box carefully and found a beautiful necklace inside.

"You shouldn't have done this," she whispered before hugging him.

If you don't know if you should stay

If you don't say what's on your mind

Baby just breathe

There's nowhere else tonight we should be

You wanna make a memory?

Elliot put it slowly around her neck, stroking it gently. He promised her he'd only be away for a couple of months. She was his best friend, he would always need her, he'd be back.

After some minutes she pulled away and took a few steps down the street.

"If we do this fast, it's going to be less painful. I hate seeing people off." She smiled and he gave a small laugh.

They spent several more minutes just staring into each others eyes. Olivia couldn't help herself, she walked towards him and her lips landed on his. They shared the wonderful and passionate kiss which had been years in the making. He wrapped his arms around her waist but she pulled back abruptly.

"Stop!" She said to him, alarmed.

"You were the one who kissed me first," he said smiling and pulling her back to him.

"I know, but I can't do this...I can't kiss you if you're going to Miami to bring your family back." She sighed deeply. "Take care of yourself, El," she said before turning away.

As she ran down his street, she heard him calling her name and running after her. He pursued her until she slipped into the subway and onto a train. The doors shut behind her. They were so close but so far apart, separated by a window.

Tears streamed down her face, she knew she was doing the right thing. In the first place, he was still married, and in the second place, he was leaving her to bring his family back, and that included his wife.

As the train pulled away, he started running alongside it. He gave up when it cleared the platform. He was so confused; running after his partner and wife at the same time. It was time to decide what he should do.

That was the last time they saw each other.