Hesitations

The characters aren't mine.

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"Liv?"

"Hmmm?"

"You're standing on my foot."

I watched with amusement as Olivia quickly yanked her foot off of mine. "Sorry," she mumbled and rubbed a hand across her tired face. "How long have we been standing out here?"

I pushed my jacket sleeve back and twisted my watch around. "Oh, about three hours now." I replied. "Gettin' tired?"

Olivia leaned against the wall with a heavy sigh. "You could say that. I don't think this guy's gonna show."

"We should be relieved soon." I told her and joined her in leaning against the wall. "Want to grab a coffee once they get here?"

Olivia yawned and then perked up slightly at the mention of coffee. "You buyin'?"

"Sure, it's on me." I told her and stared down at my watch. It had been a long time since I'd been able to feel my toes. I suspected they were still there, but I had no evidence to back up that suspicion.

Beside me, Olivia was rubbing her hands together and exhaling on them. "Of course it has to be one of the coldest spring days." she muttered.

"Of course."

Olivia sighed and stared hopefully down the road. I adjusted my collar, hoping to block out more of the cold. After staring at my watch for what seemed like a short eternity, a sleek black car pulled up just down the road. I felt myself grin as Munch and Fin got out and began to walk in our direction.

"Finally." Olivia said and peeled herself off from the wall.

Olivia and I filled them in on what had happened - in other words, nothing - we left them with a warning to keep moving before parts of your body started mysteriously disappearing.

"Where to?" I asked, after Olivia and I had piled into the car.

"Anywhere with caffeine sounds good right about now." she replied and after I'd turned the ignition, leaned over and cranked the heater up to full blast. "Much better." she said, placing her hands over the vent.

I decided that we'd hit a little place that I'd seen and thought looked good. My hands were starting to feel a little roasted, but Olivia seemed to be enjoying the heat so much, I didn't want to ruin her fun.

"Looks cozy." Olivia commented as I pulled the car into a space in front of the coffee house. "Bet they have some great java."

I nodded in agreement and we hustled into the store, not wanting to stay out in the cold for any longer than we had to. She was right - the place was cozy. A few scattered patrons sat at tables, hunched over their coffee. Most were reading newspapers or clicking away on their laptops.

We ordered our coffee and when it was ready, eagerly scooped it up and seated ourselves in a small booth. Olivia shrugged out of her jacket and draped it over the bench beside her.

"So," she said, giving me a slight smile. "What's up with you?"

I chuckled. "We just spent three hours doing nothing and you decide to make small talk now?"

Olivia shrugged. "Sounded like a good question."

I took a careful sip of my coffee, relishing in the feel of the bitter, hot liquid sliding down my throat. "What's up with me?" I said after I'd swallowed. "Not much. Same old, same old."

"Kids okay?"

"Kids are great." I replied. It's not that I didn't like talking about my kids, I just got the impression that Olivia wasn't really interested in hearing about their school projects.

Olivia had her hands wrapped around her cup, trying to sap all the warmth through the styrofoam. "Good to hear."

"How about you?" I asked, figuring that I should at least return the favour. "You doin' okay?"

"Can't complain." she said and laid a slender hand on the table. I looked down at it, fascinated by the gentle curves of her wrist.

"Look Liv," I said quietly. "If there's something that you wanna talk about..."

She shook her head and regarded me with her tired eyes. "No." she said simply.

I put my hand on the table across from hers and allowed my fingers to gently touch hers. Her hand twitched, as though she were considering tearing it away.

"You sure? Because, you know, I'm always willing to listen." I knew she had something on her mind and I had a fairly good idea of what that something was.

"Not right now Elliot."

I moved my hand a few more inches, letting it rest over hers. "Soon?" I asked, prodding her gently.

She shrugged, staring down at my hand covering hers. "Maybe."

I took my hand away, picking up my coffee again. "We should go." I said. "Check in with Cragen before heading home."

Olivia nodded and began to gather up her jacket. "Sure." she murmured and slid out of the booth. I watched her as she slipped her arms into the jacket and pulled it around herself.

"Liv?"

She looked up as she tied a loose knot in the belt of her jacket. "Yes?"

"Whenever you're ready."

She nodded and grabbed her coffee. I stood up and followed her out of the shop.