19/05/2010 08:47:00

They had all been pretty shaken after the most recent case, Olivia especially. Elliot wasn't surprised when she at first declined to head over to Maloney's but with some persuasion on Jo's part, declaring that she didn't want to be the only female Olivia finally gave in. Olivia was at the bar ordering drinks leaving Jo and Elliot to find a booth.

'Look Elliot I'm fine. I'm in a good place.

'You know I'd beat the crap outta him if I knew who that jerk was right?'

'Thanks Elliot but it's really not necessary. Anyway I'm seeing this new guy and well… I don't want to jinx's anything but it's going really well'

'That's really great' Elliot spoke as his eyes wandered over to Olivia at the bar noticing that some guy in a ridiculously expensive suit was trying to chat her up. Jo laughed to herself.

'So how's Kathy?' Immediately Elliot tensed.

'Jo, lets not go there'

'That bad?'

'She know I'm back?'

'Nope'

'Jeez, I know how much she hated me I can only imagine what she feels about Olivia'

'Why do you say that?'

'Come on Elliot' she snorted as she looked over to the bar to where Olivia was yet again being chatted up my another poor soul who was going be turning around any second now. 'What ever about us spending time together when we were partners, you and Olivia may as well be joined at the hip. No ones blind…. I mean do you want me to go through the list. Hmmm let me see… Stunning doesn't quite do her justice. You know, I wanted to hate her from the minute I saw you two together but honestly how could I? I've never seen someone deal with victims so passionately and she's so selfless. What's the to deal? Why haven't you told her you're in love with her?'

Elliot nearly choked as he gulped a mouthful of his beer. 'What are you…'

'Don't even deny it Stabler. The way you look at her, protect her...not that she needs protection and from what I've heard she's saved your ass more times then we need to discuss. And plus back in the day you most definitely did not look at me the way you look at Olivia.' Jo grabbed a handful of nuts as if the statement she had uttered was in no way inappropriate.

Elliot opened his mouth to continue denying her allegations but one look at Jo told him he knew that she wasn't going to buy any of his bullshit.

He sighed 'You know we separated, almost got divorced a couple years back.' Eyes flicking to Olivia chatting to the idiot in the suit, he turned his attention back to Jo to see a look of surprise on her face but before she could say anything he continued.

'Things with Kathy got so bad. I was never home, I didn't want to be home and then when she finally left it was Olivia left to pick up the pieces. I pushed her away and treated her so awfully. I mean no one gets me like she does. She knows how I'II react even before I think it. Things just got so messed up. I was feeling so guilty and the one person who was there for me through it all end up getting trampled on.' Elliot continued to gaze into the bottom of his glass. ' There was this one case a couple years ago where I chose her over the victim and it derailed us. She went to Computer Crimes and then on an undercover op and my god I thought part of me had died. It was a thousand times worse then when Kathy left. I didn't know what to do with myself!'

Jo whispered 'Have you ever talked to her about this?'

'Olivia and myself aren't very good with words. It just seems that whenever we get too close things just get so complicated. She deserves so much more then a divorced father of five. She deserves the world after what she's been through. I've seen these guys come in and out of her life and none of them are good enough'. His mind wandered back to Dean Porter, the one guy he had seriously been afraid would take Olivia away from him forever.

'Oh boy you got it bad Stabler' she joked but then became serious 'It's not your place to decide that for her Elliot.'

'I know that but I just want her to be happy'

'And what if the only man to do that is you? I mean she probably compares every man she dates to you. Why are you and Kathy even together anymore? I mean the kids are pretty much grown up except for Eli right? And l don't even want to think about Olivia's reaction to when you told her about knocking up Kathy again. Now, that I have no sympathy for. Elliot what were you thinking? Don't get me wrong I would never say anything bad about your children especially that cute 3 year old in the picture sitting on your desk. But seriously not your smartest move Stabler.'

'Don't you think I know that!' He was getting agitated now. 'I love my son but there times when I look back on that night during the separation as a moment of weakness. I feel so guilty what kind of father regrets his son'

'Are you sure he's even yours. I mean Kathy could have been sleeping around?'

'Typical Jo. You always liked to be blunt. Now we are ending this discussion here and now. Yes Eli is mine and Kathy wouldn't do that.' Although it had crossed his mind he couldn't believe that a woman he had spent 20 years with would do such a thing. No best not even go there.

He gazed over to where Olivia was standing. Fin had just come in and bought a round, both beginning to laugh when Munch started into another one of his ridiculous theories. God did she look beautiful when she smiled. She turned slightly and caught his gaze. There was still a slight sense of sadness behind her eyes but he could see that she was finally accepting that they had done all that they could to save the victim. She began to walk over to them.

'Jo, Munch is looking for you… says he needs you to discuss some top secret matter with him'. Jo totally aware of what was going on stood 'Well how can I say no to that' and ventured off towards the bar.

'I thought you might need some saving partner. What was she interrogating you about this time?'. She'd come to like Jo. Yes, maybe at first she had felt rather jealous and yes Elliot never mentioned that he'd previously had a female partner. But her arrival had no affect on their relationship and it was clear that Jo had no interest in that sense. Not that she herself should be thinking like that. 'I mean, come on' she told herself 'he's married'. God those two dreaded words. She was still intrigued by the conversation relating to that matter. She would at some point work up the guts to ask Jo about it but for now she was happy just to sit side by side with her best friend.

'You always know what I need' Elliot said with a smirk although Olivia could sense a tone of sadness.

Trying to lighten the mood by teasing she nudged him 'Hmm mostly but I don't always know what you want'. He laughs slightly but they both stared into each other's eyes wishing that they could let out what they both deeply desired.

Jo returned 'Couldn't find Munch. Did I miss anything?' breaking the tension. The long stare between Olivia and Elliot lingered for a second longer before Elliot stood up declaring it was his round. As he left the table he turned around directly looking at Olivia. 'I'm sure you have some idea'.

Next chapter deals with Jo tackling Olivia on the issue!