Since the murder of Ryan O'Hallaran by Stuckey and Olivia coming to Elliot's rescue in the hands of the demented CSI Stuckey, even going as far as hurling insults towards Elliot, slapping him and then kissing him, to get Stuckey to trust her and be under her spell, things between the two detectives have been smooth. Both Olivia and Elliot are back to how they were. They are close again and open to each other. Their relationship have gone through so much in the past five years that led to them feeling like they can't trust each other anymore. They were afraid of being judged by one another. The tension between them in the last five years have been unbearable to a point where Olivia had left twice, once she transferred to Computer Crimes and the other time, she went undercover for the FBI. Elliot had closed her off and took everything out on Olivia, whatever was going on in his personal life, he blamed her for them. He knew it was wrong but he just could not stop himself. He thought that Olivia would still be there until she left. But she came back. But things were never the same until now.
Elliot had confided to Olivia that he and Kathy have finally come to a decision. This time, it's final. He finally signed the papers without a fight. Elliot said he had come to terms that, it's over between him and his wife. And that after talking to his kids, he no longer feels like he failed. He realized that they were both hurting each other more by staying together. And that they don't want Eli to go through what the other kids went through. Kathy assured Elliot that she is also to blame for the demise of their marriage. And that he is a good man. Elliot felt free.
They were just returning to the precinct after grabbing lunch at their favorite pizza place when Olivia noticed the change on Elliot's face. She felt the tension in the air and noticed Elliot's jaw tightened. She followed Elliot's eyes and saw the man in their Captain's office. It was Dean Porter, her handler from the FBI.
She put an arm around Elliot and gave him a reassuring smile.
Elliot smiled back.
"What is that prick doing here?"
"I don't know El. I'm sure it's nothing. If it was an assignment, I'm sure I would have heard from him first."
"Does he call you often?" Elliot asked.
"He calls." She said simply.
Elliot eyed his partner and realized that something must have gone on between her and the FBI prick. He admits that Porter isn't really a prick. He just calls him that because of his possessive nature towards Olivia.
When they heard their Captain's door open, both turned.
Dean Porter eyed Detective Stabler before turning his attention to Qlivia. He nodded but Elliot just stared at him.
"Hi, Olivia."
"Dean, what are you doing here?"
"It's both an official and unofficial visit. I heard about what happened on the news with your last case and I just wanted to see for myself that you are alright and the other unofficial matter, we will talk about it in private. As for the official reason I am here, well, I have talked to Captain Cragen here about it and he said to talk to you about it. So can we talk?
"Agent Porter, she's fine. I'm sure you are aware that she has a partner who has her back As for the official visit, why can't you talk to her about it here?" Elliot said sounding irritated.
When Elliot gets territorial, Olivia knows better than to berate him in front of people, especially a room filled of testosterone. So she just stayed quiet but kept her eyes on Elliot.
"Look Detective Stabler, I'm not here to question your ability or to undermine you, I came here to speak to Olivia. Your Captain and your partner will speak to you about this official visit after we speak to her."
"It's Detective Benson, Agent Porter." Elliot said with a tone like he's ready for a fight with the FBI agent.
Elliot stared Dean Porter down.
Dean Porter saw no point in arguing with Olivia's partner.
"Captain Cragen can we go to your office now to talk to Olivia?" Dean Poter asked.
Sensing that she needed to diffuse the tension in the room, Olivia nodded at Elliot, a sign that he needed to stand down and let her handle the situation.
Elliot acknowledged the nod with his eyes.
"Sure." Cragen answered and turned to Elliot again for another warning.
Both Dean and Cragen stepped aside when Olivia stood up and followed her to the office.
Fin and Munch, who only walked in a minute ago turned to Elliot. They could feel Elliot's anger rising.
"What the hell does he want from Olivia? He better not take her away again to go undercover. I'll be damned if I let that happen again." Elliot shouted.
"I don't think you have much of a choice Elliot, if Cragen agreed to it. What I'm curious about is the unofficial reason he is here." Fin said.
"Yeah, I wonder what that's about." Elliot said.
"Even a man with half a brain can figure that out. The suit is in love with our Olivia." Munch said.
"John, did Liv say anything about them?" Elliot asked curiously.
"Elliot, I didn't say they were together. What I said was he is in love with Olivia. Who could blame him though?" Munch added.
"Yeah." Elliot muttered but he has a feeling that whatever Porter has to say to Olivia, it's making him uncomfortable and very jealous on a personal level.
Before closing the door, Olivia looked at Elliot and smiled.
After Olivia closed the door, Cragen motioned for her and Dean to sit down.
"Olivia, Agent Poter here and the FBI need your assistance."
"Remember that case you worked with them, when you went undercover?"
"Yeah. Am I gonna need to go undercover again?"
"No. More like, under surveillance. Stakeout.." Dean said.
"Some of the members have escaped and we have heard that they are here in New York forming a new group. We will for you to identify them."
So how long do I need to be doing under surveillance?"
"Well, it depends Olivia. But Captain Cragen here said that you don't have any case right now you are working on but he said that he will only lend you us if I can pull you out when a case comes up."
"Fair enough. I have to talk to Elliot and tell him what's going on. Are we done here?"
"Well, I'll need to take you to our office after you talk to your partner. And we will probably go under surveillance tonight."
"Okay."
When Olivia opened the door, Elliot stood up to see Olivia's face. He can't quite read it. She didn't look happy or mad about the assignment. Elliot smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Elliot, can I talk to you?"
"Sure Liv. Why don't we go uptairs?"
"Dean, just wait here while I talk to Elliot."
Dean nodded.
Qlivia and Elliot headed upstairs quickly.
"So Liv, what did Porter want?"
"Well, it's not that bad Elliot. I will be doing stakeouts with the FBI. Some of the members of the group that I helped infiltrate have escaped and the word is, they are in New York. So they need me to identify them. Remember Gen-Eng and EDG?"
"For how long?"
"I don't know yet. I am hoping we can catch these people and I can come back to doing my job."
"So I am not going to see you in the office?"
"Cragen said that if a case comes up, then he can pull me out. But for the meantime, I will be working with at the FBI office and doing stakeouts with them."
Olivia noticed the worry look on Elliot's face. She can tell by how his shoulders dropped that he's feeling insecure and uneasy about what she just told him.
She touched his shoulder and smiled.
"El, don't worry alright, I'm going to be fine. I'm coming back. And I will call you when I am not in the office. Besides, you have my number, so call me alright? I have to go now. I need to be briefed on the assignment. I'll see you, okay?"
Just before heading back downstairs, Elliot pulled her arm gently.
"Liv, be careful. If you need me there, I don't care if it's the Feds, I will be there. And Liv, if you need me to kick his ass, I'll be happy to."
Olivia laughed and said, "Ah, I'm sure I can handle him."
"I don't doubt that, Liv." Elliot said laughing.
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