Conspiracy Theories

Chapter 1

Olivia sat at her desk, staring off into space. The day had been long and drawn out. She couldn't concentrate on her paperwork. She didn't even notice how John and Fin were bickering happily. All she could see was her partner's empty desk. He was in court that day. It wasn't for a criminal case. It was for his divorce. Elliot had been edgy and snappish all week and as his partner, Olivia had borne the brunt of it. Every time she tried to tell his she was there for him, Elliot would lash out at her, accusing her of pitying him. So she stopped. But he still lashed out at her. It hurt because he was her best friend, and partner, and she loved him as those two things despite his current actions.

She shook herself out of her stupor and tried to concentrate on what she was doing but only succeeded marginally. By the end of the day, she felt shredded by trying to keep on task. She watched Fin leave and glanced over at John. He was still working on his stacks of files. John caught her staring, so he paused and flexed his hand before turning to face her.

"You ok, Liv?" He asked.

"I'm alright, or at least, I'll survive." She answered. John just peered over his glasses at her as if to say 'I'm not sure I believe you,' and studied her. "Elliot just has to get past his anger and hurt and things will be ok again. I can weather it."

"I'm not debating whether or not you can survive his projecting emotions. I'm worried about how well your actual friendship will survive…" He tapered off.

"How well out friendship will survive what? What aren't you telling me?" John looked like he wanted to bit his own tongue off. "John, just say whatever it is."

"Kathy named you as the cause for the divorce and Elliot didn't contest it." She felt like she'd been sucker punched.

"He didn't contest it? I love Elliot as a friend and a partner, but I would never break up his marriage. I don't want that kind of relationship with him."

"What if he wants one with you?"

"I cant with Elliot. He…it…. it just wouldn't work. I can't be with him in a personal relationship. I don't want to insinuate myself into his life anymore than I already have. Elliot is my partner and my friend, but nothing more." John nodded and she turned back to her work for a moment and sighed. "There's no way I'm going to get anymore done with this. Come on, I'll buy dinner." He looked surprised for a moment before gathering up his jacket and following her out. They were all right at working together, but they had never been especially close, so he was a little surprised that she wanted to spend time with him. They got into her car and started out of the parking lot.

"Anywhere you want to go?" Olivia asked.

"Don't care, anywhere's good." For once John didn't have anything to say.

"John, you can talk to me. I'm not going to bite your head off. I'm glad you told me about it, I just wish it had come from Elliot himself."

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine. I promise I wont kill or maim Elliot. I probably wont even yell at him, however, that depends largely on how I feel tomorrow." She said with a small smile as she pulled into the parking lot of a little Italian café. They went in and were seated immediately. John was still at a loss as to what to say. Olivia gave him a hard stare over her menu.

"I swear John, if you don't start talking about something, anything, I'm never going to take you to dinner again." He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"So you know Oswald wasn't really there to assassinate Kennedy. He was there to protect him and he was trying to find the real assassin, but he wasn't fast enough. It was the government who had Kennedy killed, but he found out before hand and hired Oswald to protect him." He stated. She looked stunned for a moment and then laughed a full happy laugh. John smiled.

"Ok, you win. So what other conspiracy theories do you want to share with me?"

"Elvis maybe?" He mused for a moment.

"Elvis? What about Elvis?" She was interested now.

"Well, he's one of the living dead."

"Elvis is a vampire?"

"Yeah, why do you think there have been so many sighting but not pictures? He was changed the night he supposedly died. He's not quite right in the head due to all the drugs in his system, but he hasn't left the building."

Well that's certainly a new one. What's next on the list?"

"Aliens. They exist. They've been trying to take over our world for years now, but they haven't succeeded because there are a couple of people who work for the FBI that keep them in check."

"I think I would have been better off not knowing that one, but I'm glad you're talking to me."

"Now it's your turn. Talk about anything that doesn't involve work or Elliot."

"Well do you really want to hear how I'm redecorating me apartment?"

"Sure. Are you going to paint or put up wallpaper?"

"No wallpaper. I may paint but I haven't had time to pick a color. I got a new bed and bedroom furniture and a bigger desk for my office. I'm leaving the bathroom the way it is."

"What else are you going to do?"

"The living room needs some work and I'm going to get new dishes for the kitchen."

"Sounds good. Have you thought about getting a pet?"

"No, I'm never home. I thought about getting a dog, but with my hours it would be a bad idea."

"You don't strike me as the type to like cats either, demonic little fur balls that they are. How about a Betta fish? They're hardy and don't need a lot of care."

"Is that what you have, John? A fish?"

"I have several. Fish tanks are easy to take care of."

"You surprise me. What else have you not told me?" She gave him a questioning look.

"There's not a lot to me. I'm pretty simple."

"The day you're simple, is the day I bat for the other team." She responded disbelievingly. "You are extremely complex. I rarely know what you're really thinking. You use sarcasm and cynicism as armor and it's very effective."

"Not entirely true. Our conversation on the rooftop that one evening comes to mind."

"That's an exception. That one had personal memories attached to it. What are you thinking about now?" He smirked at her.

"Guess." She studied him, trying to gauge what was going on behind his eyes. They were sparkling mischievously and he had a half smile of amusement on his face.

"You're enjoying our conversation, but beyond that I have no idea." She said at last.

"I'm disappointed now. I figured it would be quite clear what I was thinking about."

"Is this one of those things, that because I'm a woman, I should guess what the typical male would be thinking about, so sex?"

"Not exactly about sex, but definitely something intimate. I am after all, at the very least, atypical."

"True. So what were you thinking, or do I really want to know?"

"I was thinking about how much I enjoy your company and how much I would like to…" He trailed off and Olivia raised an eyebrow in silent question. "…take you dancing." He finished. She laughed softly.

After that their conversation turned to mundane things. Eventually winding down to silent and comfortable contemplation of each other. Finally Olivia spoke.

"We better go. The restaurant will be closing soon. Do you need a ride home or did you drive today?"

"A ride would be most appreciated if I'm not out of your way. My car has finally died, for good this time."

"Not a problem." They drove to John's apartment in silence, comfortable with each other in a way they hadn't been before. When they reached the building. Olivia slid the car into park and turned to face him. "Thank you for keeping me company tonight. You're a good friend and a great guy."

"This is the point where you tell me that friends are all we can be right?" She didn't answer. "But anytime you want to talk or just want some company, I'm here."

"Thank you." He nodded and got out of the car.

"John." She called before he shut the door. He leaned down so he could see her. "I wasn't going to say we could only be friends. That would be too cliché for me, and untrue." He favored her with a wide smile before stepping away.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." He shut the door then and turned away to go up to his apartment, as she drove away into the night.

As he lay in bed that evening, thinking over his time with Olivia, he couldn't help but contemplate the possibilities now open to him for exploration.