They arrived at the diner shortly and took their usual spot at a booth in the back corner of the restaurant. They ordered their food, a grilled chicken salad for Olivia and a turkey club for Elliot. As they waited for their food, sitting in a comfortable silence, Elliot took the time to really look at her. Realizing that he truly was in love with her. His thoughts were interrupted, however, by Liv, "So what did you and Cragen talk about?" She asked him then taking a small sip from her water.

"Just stuff." Elliot replied repeating her actions and took a sip of his water as well.

Olivia frowned, "What kind of stuff?"

"Work, my family, you."

"Me?" She questioned, "What about me?"

He shook his head and smiled at her, "Just some things that he helped me to realize about you."

"Like?" she was eager to know exactly what he was talking about.

He cleared his throat and answered her, "You'll find out. By the end of our lunch." He smiled, "I promise."

Their waitress returned with two plates in her hands and set them down on the table. "Can I get you anything else?" she asked, flashing a quick smile at Elliot.

He returned her smile and shook his head, "Nah, I think we're good." With that she winked at him and left. He glanced back at Olivia who was staring at back him. "What?" he questioned and she shook her head in reply, reaching over to steal one of his fries. "Guess that will never end."

"What?"

"You stealing my fries."

She bit off half then held it out to him, "Do you want it back?"

He leaned over and carefully grabbed the half-eaten french fry with his teeth, pulling it into his mouth and chewing slowly. He swallowed then smiled, "Yes."

She laughed, "You're annoying." She finally dug into her salad and began to eat.

"You said we needed to talk, so talk."

He nodded, "Yeah. There's uh- some things I need to tell you. Some things I've realized."

"About me right?"

"Mhmm, but we'll get there. But first I need to tell you about that day. About why I left." she nodded and he continued, "That day was one of the worst days of my life Liv. I shot a little girl because I was scared. She just started shooting."

"Elliot you didn't have a choice."

"Liv please, just let me finish. Let me get this out." she sighed and nodded. "I was scared to death Liv. Not for me or for her or Fin or Munch or anyone in that squad room except for you. After it was over, I realized that I did the one thing I said I would never do again. And that was choose you over the job." she started to interrupt, to tell him that he didn't need to do it but he held up his hand, silencing her.

"I know what you're gonna say Liv but it doesn't matter because I realized that no matter what happens, no matter how severe, your life is what is most important to me. If it came down to it, I would choose you Liv, everytime."

"El," she barely whispered.

He reached over to grab her hand that was sitting on the table, gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "I didn't know why. Protecting you has always been a reflex, something that was automatic. A good cop Liv, a good cop protects the victims at all costs. They should think of the victims first or civilians, not their partners but they didn't matter to me. You did. Making sure you were safe was all that mattered."

She shook her head and quickly pulled her hand back, "You're blaming me?"

His eyes widened, "God no Liv, Never. I would never blame you. I could never blame you. I blame myself." He looked down briefly then back up at her, "I blame myself for caring so much."

"But that's what makes you a good partner El. That's why I trusted you, why I trust you so much."

He nodded, then picked up the toothpick that came with his sandwich and started to play with it, "I know. But I realized that I couldn't do it anymore. It was too hard. It was like Gitano all over again. I chose you then and I chose you again and I would choose you again and again and I knew that I couldn't not choose you. Which is why I talked to Cragen. I needed to figure out what all of this means, what I could do."

"You told Cragen this?" he nodded, "And what did he say."

"Not much, but he did help me realize something."

"What?" she whispered.

"That I'm in love with you." he saw her eyes go wide so he reached out quickly and grabbed her hand, "I've been in love with you for a long time but I didn't realize it til now."

She softened and relaxed, "Elliot, I-"

"Shh-" he silenced her, "You don't have to say anything Liv." He slowly caressed her hand. "Look, I know I was stupid to leave you like that and I'm really sorry but I really did need space. I needed to work out my feelings, see what was real and what wasn't. I'm glad you came to my place, I'm glad we talked, I'm glad I talked to Cragen too. I know you probably still hate me but-"

"I could never hate you," She said instantly. "Yeah you were stupid and I am still a little mad but I could never hate you Elliot. I forgive you."

He smiled, "Yeah?"

She nodded, "And I had feelings for you too Elliot. I still do but this is a lot and it's happening really fast. For a while, I thought I'd never see you again." She sighed. "I just don't want to jump into anything too fast and I think it's best if we just forget about the 'Jenna Thing' and just work to get back to how things were before. Because I miss you. I miss my best friend."

"I've missed you too Liv." He linked their fingers together over the table, "And I'd like that." He gently pulled her hand up to his lips and softly kissed them causing a warm, tingly feeling deep inside both of them, "Wanna go for a walk?"

She smiled, "Yeah." But her smile quickly faded when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and saw "Amaro" flash. She groaned before answering. "Okay Nick." she hung up the phone and sighed.

"Time to head back?"

"Unfortunately yes."

Elliot helped her with her jacket, threw some cash on the table, and led her out the door.

"Text me when you get a break."

She smiled and nodded, "I will." she reached for the door handle, opened and got out of his car.

"Oh and Liv?" she turned back to him, "I love you." She smiled again, "Be safe." He told her before he quickly sped off.

Not too sure if I want to continue this but your reviews would be helpful. Thanks for reading.