This was just going to be a Christmas one shot, but then I realised it was getting way too long. So I have uploaded this first part for you to read whilst I continue and finish the second part. Hope you all enjoy it. It is total fluff and fun no serious stuff and all Elliot and Olivia.

Olivia scrunched up the piece of paper she was writing on and threw it at the bin.

"Damn paperwork," she grumbled under her breath. She heard Elliot chuckling and looked across glaring at him. He was sat back in his chair with his feet on his desk wearing a daft Santa hat.

"Something funny?"

"Nope," he smiled. "You need a hand."

Olivia frowned as she stared at him.

"Why what do you want?" she asked him.

"What do you mean?"

"You're after something because you never offer to do my paperwork or help me with it unless you need something."

"Detective Benson, I am seriously hurt," he said putting a hand over his chest. "It's Christmas Eve and I'm just trying to be nice to my partner."

Olivia looked at him and tried to not to laugh at the hurt expression on his face. "I'm fine thank you," she said as she looked down and started writing again. She could feel Elliot's eyes on her still. "Quit staring, you must have something to do."

"Nope, I'm all done," he said throwing a paper clip at her and hitting the top of her head with it grinning to himself.

"Child," she mumbled without looking up making Elliot laugh. Things between them over the last few months had changed. Their partnership and friendship went through yet another rough patch about 2 year ago. There were a lot of arguments over the most stupid things and a few times one or both of them had put in their transfer papers, only to withdraw them again a few days later. Finally Cragen had had enough and sent them both to counselling. It had been the best thing he could have done. They talked and opened up more than they ever had before. Their partnership got back on track and their friendship grew stronger. They were spending more time together away from work and things had never been better.

He waited a few minutes before throwing a pen top at her. She jumped but ignored him as she carried on writing. Out the corner of her eye she could see him reaching into his drawer. Suddenly there was a bang she jumped as she was showered with confetti and Elliot burst out laughing.

"What the Hell!" she exclaimed jumping up she looked at Elliot who was still lying back in his chair laughing with an empty party popper in his hand. "You prick!" she yelled picking up her stapler and throwing it at him.

"Shit!" he said trying to move out of its way and falling backwards out of his chair landing on the floor with a grunt. Olivia watched him disappear off the back of his chair as he dodged the stapler.

"Serves you fucking right," she said sitting back down in her chair and brushing the confetti of her desk and paperwork.

"Fuck Liv do you have to get so violent," he chuckled as he pulled himself up and put his chair right.

"Well you shouldn't be so annoying," she grinned. "I want to get this done so I can finish, I can't believe we have three full days off over Christmas."

"Yeah I know and I can't believe you are going to spend Christmas with Liz Donnelly."

"You would be surprised at how much fun she is. Plus it beats spending it alone again or covering here."

"Yeah I guess."

"So you still spending Christmas day at Kathy's with the kids?"

Elliot shook his head. "Nope. Maureen is spending it with her boyfriend's family. Kathleen is skiing with her friends. As its Kathy's turn this year her and Mike are taking the twins and Eli to Florida."

"But I thought you were spending the day with them?"

"Nah, I was going to go and see them but I was never spending the day with them. It would have been a little awkward."

"So now you won't see them at all?"

"Nope, they are away until the 29th. I can't really complain, I mean I took them all up to my Moms last year. I saw them last night and gave Kathy their presents to give to them."

"So what are you going to be doing tomorrow?"

Elliot shrugged "Not really thought about, I thought we would be working. I mean how often do we get told we have the time off only for us to be called in."

"El you can't spend Christmas alone."

"I'll be okay it will give me time to catch up on my sleep."

He stood up and walked around the desks to her side. He reached down and picked up her paperwork.

"Give it to me," he told her. "You go home, get sorted for going away with Liz, I will finish this," he said taking the paperwork round to his side of the desk.

"El you can't do that."

"Yes I can. I don't have anywhere to be Liv. You go, enjoy yourself. Think of this as my gift you," he smiled at her trying to hide his sadness.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah," he told her. "I'm sure. I need to do something for you as I left your gift at home this morning."

Olivia stood up and pulled her coat on.

"You sure you're going to be okay."

"I'm sure. Go and enjoy yourself I will see you in a few days," he said standing up and facing her. "I will be fine Liv, I'm a big boy now," he said forcing a smile at her.

Olivia nodded. Despite the smile on Elliot's face she could see the sadness behind his eyes. She knew how he was feeling after all the years she had spent alone. Elliot had asked her every year to join him and his family, but she always found a reason not to. He even asked her to go away with him last year. She was going to go but a case came in and she took it so he didn't miss out on spending the time with his kids.

"Have a good time Liv," he said pulling her into a hug. This part was also new in their relationship, the little touches and hugs. Their councillor had told them they needed to open up to each other a lot more.

"I will," she said burying her face into his neck. They stood alone in the squad room holding each other tightly. Finally they pulled back and looked at each other Elliot's arms still around her waist.

"Merry Christmas Liv," he said softly.

"You to El," she said looking into his eyes, then down to his lips briefly before going back to his eyes. She licked her lips as they looked at each other neither moving.

"Liv," he said his voice deep and low as he moved his head closer to her.

"Yeah?"

"I just want to …"

"STABLER!" yelled Cragen making them both jump apart.

"Shit," said Olivia as they moved apart and she turned to the Captains office seeing him disappear back inside. Her body was shaking. Unless she was mistaken Elliot had been about to kiss her, and if he hadn't of kissed her she was close to kissing him. "I best go," she said giving him a little smile.

"Okay," he said. "I better go and see what I have done this time," he smiled taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "Have a great time," he told her.

"I'll see you in a few days," she said giving him a small smile and walking past him and out the office.

Elliot watched her go and sighed rubbing his hand over his face. He had been trying to find a way of asking Olivia to spend the day with him after he had been to see the kids, when she announced she was going away with Liz for a few days. The next day Kathy had told him she was taking the kids to Florida. He thought about telling Olivia but then decided against it as he didn't want her to change her plans. She had been so excited about spending Christmas away from the city.

"You're a fucking idiot," he said to himself as he looked towards the door she had disappeared through.

"Stabler!" shouted Cragen again from his office. He sighed and walked over the office.

"Yeah Cap," he said standing in the door way.

"You got any plans over the holidays?" he asked him, even though he knew he had none as he had been listening and watching him and Olivia talking over the last few days.

"No none," he said. "Why you want me to cover?"

Cragen shook his head. "Nope. I was however looking for a favour from you."

"Yeah, what?" asked Elliot crossing his arms over his chest as he lay against the door frame.

"I'm going up to my cabin for a few days. There are a few jobs that need doing up there which require two people, plus I'm not as young as I used to be," he smiled. "I was wondering if you fancied coming up with me, give me a hand….. Can't be any worse than spending the next few days by yourself?"

"Yeah sure," he sighed. "As long as you have some beer up there for me," he said.

"I'm sure that can be arranged. Why don't you go home and pack some stuff, I will pick you up in a couple of hours."

"I told Liv I would finish her paperwork."

"It will keep for a few days. Now go. And don't forget to pack some warm clothes," he smiled at the younger man. "It gets pretty cold up there in the winter."

Elliot nodded and turned to leave. "Thanks Cap," he said walking out the office. He wasn't stupid he knew the Cap had asked him to go away with him cause he felt sorry for him spending Christmas alone.

Cragen watched him leave before picking up the phone.

"Hey sweetheart….." he said smiling into the phone.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I will be right down Liz," she yelled through the intercom as she checked she had everything. She picked up her suitcase and small bag of presents. She looked in and saw her gift for Elliot. She meant to take it with her that morning but forgot after she had rushed out. She sighed as she thought about him and how close they had come to kissing. She shook her head as she dropped his present back in the bag. Maybe they would have time to stop at the station on the way out so she could give it to him.

She opened the trunk of the car and threw her case in and the bag of gifts before climbing in the front next to Liz. She still couldn't believe she was spending Christmas with Liz Donnelly. Ever since the trouble with Stuckey when he had injected her with drugs and she had been rushed to hospital, they had become good friends. Liz had asked her if she fancied getting away over Christmas a couple of weeks ago. As she was sure Elliot was spending the day with his kids she had said yes. If she had known then he was going to be alone she would have turned down the off and asked Elliot to spend it with her.

"Hey Liz," she said. "Any chance we could go via the station?" she asked her.

"Please don't tell me you going to get some work to take with you? I promised Don you would be having three days of absolutely no work."

"No I just need to drop something off for Elliot."

Liz looked at her raising an eyebrow.

"I forgot to give him his present," said Olivia.

"I'm not being funny, but do you really think Stabler will still be there now?"

"He said he was going to finish my paperwork for me as he has no plans."

She took her phone out of her pocket and pressed speed dial 1. "Damn it answer phone," she said hanging up and dialling the station.

"Hey Cap it's Liv, is Elliot still there? Oh right…. No it's fine… No nothing is wrong….. Yeah okay," she said hanging up. "He's already left," she said to Liz.

"So what do you want to do? If we go via his house on the way it's going right out of our way. But we can if it's important for you to give him his present."

Olivia sighed and turned her head to look out the window. "No it's fine. I will give it to him when I get back," she said trying not to sound upset.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

Liz pulled out into the traffic and headed out of the city. Olivia sat quietly in passenger seat looking out the window.

"Liv," said Liz after a while. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Has something happened between you and Stabler?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. It's just the two of you spend a lot more time together. There has been a lot more flirting over the last year, I don't know you both just seem a lot closer. I mean you were always close, but something has definitely changed."

"No nothing has happened," said Olivia. "We have just become best friends again you know. The counselling Cragen sent us on really helped. But nothing else has happened. We couldn't anyway, not with work. People already think we are to close."

"But you want it to…. Right?"

Olivia looked at her and even in the darkness of the car Liz could see her eyes glistening with unshed tears as Olivia nodded and looked over at Liz.

"I don't know what to do Liz. I mean I don't know when or how it even happened but I think I might be falling in love with my partner…. And I know there is nothing I can do about it," she said as the tear escaped from her eye.

"Have you tried talking to him, telling him how you feel."

"I can't. I can't risk losing him if he doesn't feel the same. Plus I don't how it would go down at work. I can't see Cragen being very happy about it."

"Don't let what other people may think stop you from getting what you want," said Liz. "Life is just too short."

"Yeah well I don't even know if he feels the same way," said Olivia wiping her eyes. "We have a laugh and there are moments when I think there is something more, but nothing ever happens. I'm sure if he felt anything for me he would have said something or tried something, I mean he has been divorced almost two years now."

"Yes he has and in those two years he has never had one date that I know of. He spends every day with you or his kids or the both of you together, what does that tell you?"

Olivia shrugged "That he only sees me as his best friend. I mean surely if he felt anything else towards me he would have said something. When does Stabler ever hold back on what he thinks or feels," she sighed looking back out the window.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elliot threw his packed bag onto the couch and looked under the small Christmas tree at the one present that still sat there. He walked over and picked it up looking at it. He should have just taken it to work this morning and gave it to her then.

He put the gift in the top of the bag and zipped it up. It would just have to wait now till he got back. Not unless he got Cragen to go via her place on the way out. She might not have left yet and he could give it to her so she could open it in the morning.

He heard Cragen beep his horn outside and he grabbed his bag and ran out slamming the door behind him. If they were quick enough he might just catch her.

"It must be one hell of a gift you have her," he said looking over at Elliot as he drove as fast as he could towards Olivia's

"Erm yeah, I mean no not really. I just don't want her thinking I forgot to get her something and have her pissed at me," he said to him. "We have been getting on really well lately I don't want to ruin it."

"That is true I haven't had a transfer request from either of you for over a year," he smiled as he pulled up outside Olivia's and Elliot jumped out. Cragen watched him as he ran up to the building and pressed the buzzer over and over.

"Damn it," he said dropping his head against the wall as he tried one more time. He resisted the urge to punch the wall and turned around and walked down the steps and climbed back in the car.

"I missed her," he said quietly. "Fuck!" he cursed slamming his hand down on the side of the door as Cragen pulled into the street. He heard his phone beep and took it out his pocket he saw a missed call and text message off Olivia.

I tried to catch you at the station with your present but you had left. I will give it to you when I get back. Merry Xmas xx

Elliot smiled at the two little kisses at the end of the text she had never done that before.

I have just been to your place with your present but I must of missed you as well. Have a great few days, call me as soon as you get back to the city xx

"Everything okay?" asked Cragen.

"As good as they can be," he sighed looking out the window as it started to snow again.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Olivia took her phone out her pocket when she heard it beep and smiled when she saw Elliot's name. She quickly unlocked the phone and read the message. She smiled when she saw he had added two kisses at the end just as she had done.

"What's got you smiling?" asked Liz.

"Erm nothing," she said putting her phone away.

"Nothing my ass that was Elliot wasn't it?"

"Yeah. He tried to see me before I left to give me my present but he missed me," she told her.

"And that's making you smile why?"

"It just did."

"Oh no Benson, spill it. What else was put in that little text that that finally made you smile?"

"Nothing….. Just forget about it, it's stupid. I'm being stupid."

"Do I need to stop this car and tackle that phone from you? You know I won't let it rest till you tell me."

"God I feel so stupid," said Olivia. "El, he put two kisses at the end of the text. He has never done that before."

Liz smiled at Olivia. "Maybe he does feel something after all."

"Yeah and here I am 2 hours away from the city when he is spending Christmas alone."

"Liv if he does feel something for you three days isn't going to make a difference."

"It's gonna be the longest three days of my life waiting to find out though."

Half an hour later Liz pulled off the main road, and onto a snow covered track and down towards the lake house they were staying at.

Olivia climbed out the car and got her coat from the back seat and pulled it on warming herself against the cold air. There was a fresh layer of snow covering the ground and the lake was frozen. The lake house was surrounded by trees it really was the perfect place to spend Christmas.

"It's beautiful," she said to Liz as she got out the other side of her car.

"The perfect place to relax, and get away from it all. Now come on let's get inside and get the fire going, the wine opened and get something to eat," she said opening the trunk of the car and grabbing her bags. "You start taking this stuff in while I move the car under the shelter," she told Olivia as she climbed back in and drove the car to the side of the house.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So Cap what needs doing up here?" he asked him.

"Honestly, nothing really," he smiled.

"So why tell me you needed a hand?"

"Because I overheard you and Olivia talking and I didn't want you to spend Christmas alone. Trust me it's depressing I have done it a few times myself. If I asked you to come up here just for the company you would have said no and made some excuse. But I knew if asked you to come up and help me, you would say yes."

"So you lied."

"Yup."

"There is no work."

"Nope. However there is lots of fresh air, snow and good food."

"And beer," said Elliot raising an eyebrow.

"Yes and beer," he chuckled.

"I guess I can handle being lied to then….. Just do me a favour when we get back. Don't tell the guys I spent Christmas with you, I would never live it down."

"Deal," he said. "If it makes you feel any better it won't be just the two of us."

"Oh."

"I've been…..I kinda started seeing someone, she is going to be here as well. It's our first Christmas together."

"Woah! Wait a minute. It's your first Christmas together and you invited me. Are you crazy? Does she know?"

"Yeah she knows. I'm not that stupid. I rang and told her earlier… Elliot I wasn't going to have you spending Christmas alone, to be honest I thought you would have spent it with Liv."

Elliot shrugged. "I was gonna ask her but she had plans, so…. Here I am spending it with you and by the sounds of it playing gooseberry."

Cragen smiled as he concentrated on the road as the snow started to fall heavier.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Here you go," said Olivia handing Liz a large glass of wine.

"God I need this," she said raising her glass towards Olivia and the clinked them together. "Chicken pasta okay?" she asked her putting her glass down and opening the fridge.

"Yeah sounds good to me," said Olivia walking over to the fire and standing in front of it staring into the flames. She got her phone out of her pocket and sighed when she seen she had no signal at all.

"Are you going to be miserable and moody for the next three days?" asked Liz smiling at her.

"I'm sorry," she said taking a drink of wine and walking over to the kitchen area.

"I can't blame you," grinned Liz. "I can see the attraction; I mean that guy is all muscle. I was quite upset that I was passed out when he picked me up and carried me to the car and the hospital in those arms. I feel like I really missed out."

"Hey, I thought you had a new man in your life," she said nudging her arm. "Someone I still need to meet yet."

Liz smiled at her. "I do, and you will meet him when we are both ready."

"Yeah, you have been saying that for months now, I'm starting to worry why you won't tell me who it is."

Liz just smiled and carried on making their supper. Olivia rested back against the counter top looking around the cabin.

"Who put up all the decorations and the tree?" she asked.

"Someone from the nearby town looks after the place. I guess they done it and stocked the fridge as well."

"It's so cosy, it's like something out of fairy tale," said Olivia walking over to the tree and gently touching a bauble making it swing on the tree. "I can't remember the last time I had a tree over Christmas. I never saw the point of putting one up just for me, when I was never there anyway."

"Well this year we have a tree, lights, a log fire, plenty of snow and plenty of wine. I think we both deserve it."

"Yeah your right," she said but all she could think about was Elliot at home alone when she was in the most perfect place to enjoy Christmas.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"See what you mean about the weather," said Elliot as he stared out the windscreen. The snow had been coming down steady now for the last half hour.

"Yeah it gets pretty bad up here in winter. I got snowed in a few years ago when I came up here fishing."

"Yeah I remember. You didn't sound to upset when you called us."

"I wasn't. I love it here it's so peaceful. The perfect place to come to it helps me relax after everything that happens at work. The day I called to tell you to tell you I was snowed in. I had to walk for almost an hour in deep snow just to get a signal. It almost killed me."

"It must be great in the summer as well," said Elliot.

"Best fishing ever, I keep meaning to invite you, Munch and Fin up for a weekend, but something always comes up."

Elliot was just about to reply when appearing in front of the car out of nowhere stood a deer.

"Shit! Don!" he yelled.

Cragen saw the deer in his headlights and slammed his foot on the brake causing the car to skid sideways and slip down the small embankment rear end first.

"Jesus Christ," gasped Elliot. "You okay?" he asked looking over at Cragen.

"Yeah, I'm good. Where the hell did that come from?"

"Fuck knows," said Elliot reaching over the back of the car and grabbing his coat and hat. "But I have a feeling we aint getting the car up this embankment in this weather," he said putting his coat on as Cragen reached over for his. Once they both had their coats on they struggled out the car. They both stood staring at the car, the front end of it pointing up the embankment.

"I think you're right," said Cragen. "No way in hell we are driving out of here, I'm gonna need towed out of here."

Elliot raised his hands to his mouth and breathed onto them to warm them up. "So what we gonna do?" he asked him.

"Walk I guess," said Cragen walking to the back of the car and opening the trunk grabbing his bag out.

"You are joking right," said Elliot meeting him at the trunk. "It's freezing, snowing and we are in the middle of nowhere and you want us to walk out of here," he said as he opened his bag and found his gloves.

"I thought you were a tough Ex-Marine," laughed Cragen. "You telling me your scared of a little snow."

"No. what I'm scared of is losing all my fingers and toes to frost bite," he mumbled as he got his bag out and threw it over his shoulders before clambering up the small bank and onto the road. He turned round and held his hand out to Cragen helping him up the bank.

They both looked in both directions blinking as the snow went in their eyes.

Elliot took his phone out his pocket and looked at the screen.

"Nothing," he said putting the phone away when he couldn't get a signal.

"Come on," said Cragen as he started trudging up the road. Elliot sighed and ran to catch up with him.

"So how far we got to go, until we reach civilisation," he asked him after they had walked about 10 minutes in silence. He had been hoping a car might have passed them, until he realised when they were driving he hadn't seen a car in over half an hour in either direction.

"Well the nearest town I would say is about a 2 hour walk in this weather…..."

"What!" said Elliot. "Two fucking hours in this? I got to tell you Cap, the next time you think of inviting me to join you at Christmas, don't bother. I could have been sat at home with a bottle of whisky watching some shit movie eating pizza. But instead I'm freezing my ass off In the middle of nowhere."

Cragen chuckled "If you had let me finish, before you started whining like a little kid, I was going to say the nearest town is a two hour walk. However my cabin is about another half an hour," he said pointing to small track. "It's just down there," he told Elliot.

Elliot looked at him and grinned. "Well why didn't you just say," he laughed as Cragen shook his head.

"Bloody city kids," he said leading Elliot down the track.

Just over half an hour later Elliot saw the lights of the cabin through the trees.

"Yes, at last," he grinned at Cragen who just shook his head. "Looks like your lady friend is already here?"

"Yeah, she came up earlier today, to get everything ready."

"You sure she doesn't mind coming along as well?" asked Elliot still a little worried he would be imposing.

"Trust me, she is fine with it. She wouldn't have it any other way." Elliot nodded okay whilst thinking to himself that he would take a long walk in the morning and allow them to have most of the day to themselves. He was grateful for the invite but wished his Captain had told him first about his friend. He followed Cragen up the steps to the door kicking the snow off his boots as Cragen opened the door and the warmth from inside rushed out.

"Hey were here," he yelled inside as he walked in.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Olivia jumped and spun round as the front door opened and a man's voice called out that they were here.

"About time," said Liz stopping what she was doing and quickly walking to the door. "I was starting to get worried."

"Cap…..Captain," stuttered Olivia as Liz wrapped her arms around Cragen and hugged him. Cragen smiled and stepped to the side. "Elliot?"

Elliot stood in the doorway and stared first at Cragen and Liz Donnelly wondering what the hell was going on.

"Liv….." he said staring at her. "What the hell is going?" he asked no one in particular, but his eyes staying on Olivia.

"If I had known all it was going to take was a little trip to the mountains to shut them up and leave them speechless I would have done it years ago," Don said to Liz loud enough for them both to hear.

Olivia finally turned away from Elliot and looked at Liz and Don who were stood with their arms around each other.

"Don is him?"

"Liz is her?"

Olivia and Elliot both said together.

"Yup," said Liz smiling.

"We got together after I visited her at the hospital after that thing with Stuckey. It kind of grew from there," said Don.

Elliot and Olivia both nodded at the same time but said nothing, still a little confused and shocked.

"Elliot I heard you talking to Olivia and saw how upset you were that she was going away with me and Liz for Christmas, I really thought you were spending the day with your kids. If I just came straight out and told you everything there and then you would have found a reason not come up here, so I spun the little lie."

Elliot just nodded and looked back at Olivia. "Did you know about all this?" he asked her.

Olivia shook her head. "No nothing, I thought it was just me and Liz."

"I wanted to tell you," said Liz. "Not about Elliot I didn't know about that until just before we left, but about me and Don. But Don reckoned if I told you about us and how he was going to be here as well you wouldn't have turned up, and we didn't want that. We both wanted you here."

"We want you both here," said Don smiling at them.

"Yeah, so why don't you put your bag down, take your coat off and relax," Liz said Elliot.

Elliot looked over to Olivia. "You okay with this?" he asked her. "With me being here as well?"

"Yeah, I'm really okay with it," she smiled. "I hated the thought of you being alone over the holiday," she told him.

Elliot nodded and grinned back at her.

"Okay where do I put my bag then?" he asked Don.

"That's where there is the little problem," said Don. "We only have two bedrooms."

"That's okay I don't mind the couch," he said looking at Olivia quickly and then to the couch.

"Well why don't you put your bag in my room for now, and freshen up a bit" said Olivia. "Come on," she said leading him to her room.

"Beer or wine Elliot?" Liz asked him.

"Beer…. Definitely beer after what just happened."

Liz looked at Cragen as Elliot followed Olivia down the small corridor to her room.

"What just happened?" she asked Don. "And does it have anything to do with me not hearing or seeing the lights of the car?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elliot followed Olivia into her bedroom and dropped his bag on the floor.

"You're definitely sure you're okay with me being here?" he asked her again.

Olivia sat on the bed and looked up at him. "I hated the thought of you being alone," she told him. "You love Christmas, you're used to being around people, and I'm really glad you're here."

Elliot pulled of his coat and threw it on the chair next to the bed before sitting down next to her.

"I was going to ask you to spend Christmas with me," he told her. "But the day I was going to ask you was the day you told me you were coming here with Liz."

Olivia looked up at him.

"You looked really happy about getting away for the holidays so I didn't say anything."

"You should have. Your my friend El, I wouldn't of wanted you to spend it alone. I know how that feels."

"I always asked you to join me and the family at Christmas, but you always found some excuse, why did you do that?"

Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "It just, it would have felt weird, being there with you Kathy and Kids."

"My kids love you Liv."

"Yeah but I don't think Kathy would have been too happy. Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me Kathy wasn't a little pissed that you kept asking me to join you guys."

Elliot grinned . "Yeah she was a little pissed and then always cheered up when you had to work or turned down the invite….So when you said yes to joining me last year?"

"It was because I knew I wouldn't be getting the evil eye off Kathy all day, and it's not like I could even blame her. I mean we spend all day together the last thing she would have wanted was me there on your days off."

"But I wanted you there," he said taking hold of her hand that rested between them. "I hated the thought of you being alone over Christmas."

"Yeah well I'm not this year, neither of us are. So why don't we get out there have a drink and enjoy ourselves."

"Sounds good to me. Can you believe those two are together? There must be a conflict of interest somewhere there when it comes to court cases," he said as he stood up.

"It all kinda makes sense now," said Olivia standing up with him. "Liz told me the other month she going back to being an ADA or taking on small cases."

"That way she can pick her cases and make sure she doesn't get involved in SVU cases," smiled Elliot as Olivia walked towards the door. "Liv," he said making her stop and turn around. "Do you not think it's gonna be a little weird being here with them."

"What do you mean?" she asked him.

"Well you know….when they go into the bedroom together. It's like knowing your Mom and Dad are still doing it," he grinned at her.

"Jesus El," she laughed slapping his chest. "That is one image I really didn't need, she said shuddering.

Elliot laughed "You're okay I'm sleeping on the couch if anyone is going to hear the headboard hitting against the wall and all the moaning it's gonna be me."

"Okay can you stop now…. Please. Like I said I don't need that in my head," she laughed.

"Need what in your head?" asked Don popping his head in the room and making Olivia jump.

"Erm nothing," she said going slightly red in the face. "Just Elliot being a dick."

"Okay," he said looking between his two Detectives who looked like two little kids who had just been caught doing something wrong. "Liz said to hurry your asses up supper is ready," he said walking back down the corridor.

Elliot took Olivia's hand as she was about to follow him and stopped her.

"I'm really glad we are getting to spend tomorrow together," he smiled at her.

"Me to," she said standing on her tip toes and giving him a peck on the cheek. "Now come on before Mom and Dad get mad," she said keeping hold of his hand and pulling him out the room.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Well I'm shattered, and off to bed," said Don looking at the clock and seeing it was almost half eleven.

"Yeah sounds good it's been a long day," said Liz standing up with him.

Olivia looked over at Elliot and saw him smirking and wiggling his eyebrows as Don and Liz mentioned going to bed. She kicked out at him under the table.

"Ow!" he said jumping and glaring at her. "What was that for?"

"You know what," she laughed as he shook his head.

"I'm just gonna bring some wood in for the fire," Don said to Liz looking away from Elliot and Olivia who grinning at each other across the table. He could tell they were both a little tipsy after the beer and wine they had drunk.

"I'll get the wood," said Elliot.

"You sure?" asked Don.

"Yeah I'm gonna stay up a little longer anyway. I will tidy all this away," he said nodding down at the table."

""Are you sure?" asked Liz.

"Yeah I'm sure, Liv can help me," he smiled over at Olivia.

"Okay, if you need any more blankets there is some in the hamper at the end of the corridor by Liv's room," said Liz.

Elliot nodded as Olivia stood up and hugged Don and then Liz.

"Thank you," she whispered to Liz as she hugged her.

"Anytime Honey," smiled Liz as Don took her hand and led her down the opposite corridor to their room.

Elliot and Olivia cleared the table and washed the few glasses that were still out.

"You heading off to bed now?" asked Elliot as he pulled his coat on to go outside and get the wood.

"Not just yet. I was gonna make a hot chocolate if you fancy one?"

"Yeah okay," he smiled glad she wasn't going to bed just yet. "Why don't you do that when I get the wood and build the fire up again. Make sure you put loads of marshmallows in mine," he winked before heading out for the wood.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elliot fell back through the door his arms full of wood and not able to see over the top.

"Can't believe it's still snowing out there," he said dropping the wood down next to the fire. He turned around wiping his hands on his jeans and saw he was talking to an empty room. He looked towards the kitchen and the bench tops and didn't see any cups of hot chocolate. He sighed and bent down and began to throw some more wood onto the fire.

"Make sure you top it up well," said Olivia from behind him, making him jump.

"I thought you had decided to go to bed," he said turning around unable to hide the smile on his face.

"Nope just got changed before I made the chocolate."

"So I see," he chuckled looking at her pyjamas."

"What?" she asked blushing a little as he looked her up and down.

"Bunnies in Santa hat PJ's," he said grinning.

"Yeah… well, I thought it was just me and Liz," she smiled. "Why don't you stop grinning and go and get changed in my room whilst I make the chocolate."

Elliot nodded and walked towards her as he headed to her room. He stopped as he got level with her and bent his head to whisper in her ear.

"You really suit them," he said his voice just above a whisper. "You look really cute."

Olivia blushed and felt goose bumps on her skin as he whispered in her ear, her heart racing at his words. She turned to face him but he had walked away towards her room.

"Jesus Benson, get a grip," she said to herself walking to the kitchen and getting the stuff out to make the hot chocolate.

Elliot sat on the bed and opened his bag and dragged out a pair of sweats. He looked down and saw the growing bulge in his jeans. "What the hell is wrong with you," he sighed. "She was only wearing pyjamas," he thought to himself. He had seen her in a lot less in the locker room and undercover. He sat for a while thinking of anything he could to calm himself down. Finally thoughts of Munch naked running around the squad room seemed to do the trick.

He got changed into the sweats and a vest top and headed back to living area praying he would be able to control his growing attraction for his partner.

He stopped as he walked back into the living room. Olivia had turned all the lights off apart from the Christmas tree lights. She was sat on the floor resting back against the couch facing the fire sipping on her mug of hot chocolate.

He rested against the door frame unable to take his eyes off her. She had no makeup on and the glow of the fire lighting up her skin. He had never seen her looking so beautiful.

She turned her head sensing someone watching her.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked him when she saw him leaning against the frame staring at her.

"Yeah," he said his voice breaking slightly. "I'm good." He said still not moving, as Olivia stared back at him.

"You stand there any longer your chocolate will get cold," she said finally looking away from him, when she realised she had been staring and checking him out a little too long. Elliot pushed himself away from the frame and walked over to her sitting down beside her. She picked up his cup and handed it to him. "Plenty of marshmallows," she told him. "Just as requested."

Elliot chuckled when he looked into the top of cup and saw it loaded with pink and white marshmallows.

"Just how like it," he said as he scooped some out with his spoon and into his mouth.

They sat in silence for a while both of them staring into the flames drinking their chocolate.

"Penny for your thoughts?" said Olivia.

"Just thinking how much the kids would love it up here. Maybe Cragen will let me bring them up here one weekend."

"It is a pretty special place, so quiet and peaceful."

"Yeah," he said looking over at the Christmas tree.

"You're really missing them aren't you?" she said nudging his knee with hers.

Elliot nodded. "It's my first year without them for Christmas. Even the first time me and Kathy split up, I spent Christmas Eve and day with them."

Olivia reached over and took his hand. "I'm sorry El," she said squeezing his hand gently.

"At least I have you," he said looking down at their joined hands. "Right now I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be."

"Me either. I was looking forward to coming away this year with Liz but…"

Elliot looked over at her.

"But what?"

"Well I might be good friends with Liz but she isn't…. I mean I wanted to spend Christmas with my… God this is making me sound like a teenager again," she said without looking at him. Elliot could see her cheeks turning red as he looked at her. He leant over and whispered into her ear.

"I wanted to spend Christmas with my best friend as well," he said to her quietly.

Olivia lifted her head and looked at him. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he smiled. "We might have had a bad few years, but what partnership and friendship doesn't. I'm really glad Cragen sent us to counselling. We came out of it a lot closer and lot a stronger."

"We did didn't we," she smiled at him. Elliot nodded and put his arm around her and pulled her to him. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"So," he said. "What's your favourite Christmas Movie?" he asked her.

"Erm I would have to say Elf," she grinned. "You?"

"Die Hard," he chuckled.

"El you cannot have Die Hard as a favourite Christmas movie," she laughed.

"Sure you can its set at Christmas there is tinsel and Santa hats and Christmas music in it. Therefore it must be a Christmas movie."

"Favourite Christmas song?" she asked him.

"Silent night."

"How about that me to."

Elliot wriggled around making Olivia sit forward.

"Numb ass," he said pushing himself up onto the couch and dragging Olivia with him as he settled back, he pulled Olivia back to him and wrapped his arm back around her and they lay back against the couch.

"Do you think Munch and Fin ever sit like this?" she giggled as she lifted her feet and tucked them under her.

"I can't see it somehow," he laughed. "I can't see many partners sitting like this."

"So what is so different about us?" she asked him as she felt his fingers running up and down the top of her arm.

"I don't know, people have said we have always been to close, personally I think that's what makes us such good partners…. I would give my life for you Liv," he says quietly.

"No you wouldn't," she tells him. "I wouldn't let you. You have more too live for than I do, your kids need you."

"And I need you Liv, I can't do this job without you…. I tried when you went to Oregon and computer crimes."

Olivia sat in silence for a while. "You worked okay with Dani Beck."

Elliot sighed and dropped his head back. "Your right we did work okay together, but she wasn't you, we didn't have that connection that we have."

"Is that why you kissed her?" she asked him. "Because she wasn't me."

"I guess…."

"Thanks," she said going to stand up but Elliot pulled her back down.

"Let me finish Liv," he said keeping hold of her arm. "I didn't mean it like that."

Olivia held back the tears that were forming in her eyes. She really thought they had been getting closer and to hear him say he would rather kiss that bitch than her.

"Look it doesn't matter. I mean you were single you were free to kiss anyone you wanted. I mean why would I be bothered about it….. I'm not bothered about it. Your free to kiss anyone you want," she said quickly trying to ignore the tear finally falling down her cheek.

"So if you're not bothered why the tears?" he asked her using his fingers to turn her head towards him.

She shrugged. "I guess I'm just a little emotional, being up here for Christmas, the wine we had and the fire and light's, just ignore me, I'm being stupid," she said forcing a smile and wiping away the tear.

"I can't ignore you Liv, trust me that's one thing I can't do," he took a deep breath as he lay back again and pulled Olivia back with him. "What I meant was….."

"I told you El, you don't need to explain."

"Jesus Liv could you just shut up for five minutes and let me talk," he laughed. "What I meant was I have too much respect for you, to just kiss you like that when I was still married, up against the side of my jeep. Whenever I think about kissing you it's always in the most perfect place with the perfect setting. Not out the back of some bar."

"You have thought about kissing me," she said quietly.

"Ooooh yeah, quite a few times….. More than a few times," he smiled.

"So why didn't you?" she asked him still not looking at him.

"Because I still haven't found that perfect setting or the perfect time," he said as he played with her hair. "Plus I want to make sure you want to kiss me as well, I don't feel like getting punched by you when I do it or a swift knee in the balls."

Neither moved or said anything for a long time as Elliot's words sunk in. He couldn't believe he had told her he had thought about kissing her. Olivia bit her lip to stop herself from grinning after hearing his words.

Elliot closed his eyes and dropped his head back as he kept playing with her hair, as Olivia sunk further into him closing her eyes.

"Liv you should go to bed," he said. "You're starting to fall asleep."

She shook her head slightly "To comfy," she told him.

Elliot reached over and grabbed the blanket and pulled it over them as he lay down and took Olivia with him. She cuddled into him as he wrapped his arm around her and she lay her head on his chest.

"Just for the record," she yawned. "If and when you do kiss me I won't punch you or kick you in the balls."

"Good to know," he smiled closing his eyes as he heard her breathing even out.

Part 2 will be up later today I promise. The second part will be a little naughty towards the end, but then if you have read my other stories then this won't surprise you in the least. However if you would like to read a non-naughty version then I can do that as well just let me know and I will do both