A/N: This Story is Dedicated to TStabler, whom inspired me to write this story. She is an amazing writer and someone special I look up too. I also dedicate this story to Det. Olivia Stabler, both of these authors have inspired me a great deal in my writing and wanting to become a good writer. I hope that you all will enjoy this. As this is, my very first attempt at an SVU story. Much Love to you :)
Disclaimer: Dick Wolf and NBC Universal own these Characters. I just own the plot line to my story. Hugs and Love to all. Copyright~LawandOrderFan01
January 9th, 1988
It was an early Friday morning when young Elliot Stabler woke up. He was getting ready for the first day of his last year of High School. As he got up to get showered and then dressed, he noticed the picture of a blonde haired girl that he kept attached to his mirror. Elliot smiled and thought what a lucky person he was to have this wonderful person in his life. Little did he know what rough waters would lay ahead for the both of them.
As Elliot headed down stairs to fix his breakfast, he thought about the important question he would be asking the blonde girl today. The senior prom, he thought to himself, today was going to be a special day indeed.
Once he got to school. He went in search for the young blonde that he was going to ask to go to the prom with him. When Elliot found the girl at her locker, he walked up to her and said. "Hey, Kathy."
Kathy Malone who was a senior also, turned to look at Elliot and smiled, then said. "Hey, Elliot." In a greeting back to him.
He starred at her for just a moment. Then, he finally asked her the big question. "Would you go, to the prom with me?"
With a smile on her face, she replied. "Yes" to him with excitement in her eyes and voice.
Five months later after they both graduated from High School, they ended getting married one year later, on Sept. 22nd, 1989. It was about three months after, that Elliot had signed up to join the Marines to make money so he could support him and his new bride.
Things were looking bright for Elliot and Kathy, or so he thought they were. It had been nearly six months since he had joined the Marines. Leaving her at home to constantly worry about him, wither he would get or something worse.
When the distance between them got to be to much for Kathy to handle, she told Elliot on a phone call one night in a nervous tone. "We need to talk." With heavy concern weighing on his mind, and on the eve of his three day weekend to be home, his heart was in an emotional depressed state.
After, arriving home on a late Thursday evening, to begin his weekend at home with Kathy, he walked into his apartment with her behind, after they had come from the airport. With a small but low sigh, Kathy walked over and sat down on the couch, with her hands in her lap, and waited on him to get comfortable. Elliot, not one to beat around the bush, sat down next to Kathy on the couch and turned to her and said. "What's wrong, you hardly spoke on the way home." As he leaned back against the couch to await her answer, his mind kept racing and heart thumping to what wait to hear what was going on.
Once she got her thoughts and nerves together. She began to explain to Elliot what she was feeling. Kathy then tilted her head sideways to look at Elliot and said. "El, I've been trying to think of an easy way to say this, without hurting you. But, there's no easy way to say it. With the distance between us and me always worrying about you getting hurt, or something worse, I can't handle it anymore. I want a divorce." She held her breath, waiting to see what he reaction was going to be to this.
After a couple of minutes of silence on his part, Elliot, turned to Kathy and said. "I know, what we promised each other, when we got married. But, if this is how you feel, and you know that I want you to be happy and not be always worrying, or scared, we can call the lawyer in the morning and make an appointment to go down to the court house and get the papers fixed." He said with a small sadness in his voice.
Kathy closed her eyes and took a small breathe, thankfully in a way, that he wasn't mad or upset at her, for saying what she was feeling about their marriage. A deep thud in his heart and Elliot closed his eyes with the pain he was feeling. It just wasn't meant to be. He then re-opened his eyes again and said. "I knew, when I joined the marines, that it was going to be hard on us both, but I didn't know, it would turn out to end this way. But, I'm glad that we both, finally really talked, and uh, I do hope that what ever the future does hold for each of us, you'll be happy." Then gave her a small peck on her cheeck.
She looked at him and gave him a small smile, and then gave him a small kiss back on his cheeck as well. Then, got up and walked into what was their bedroom and got a pillow and blanket, so she could sleep on the couch, leaving him the warm bed to sleep in.
The next morning, after going to the court house and meeting with their lawyer, and getting all the right documents signed and dated. They would be officially divorced in four short weeks. Since they had no kids, it wouldn't take as long.
Walking out of the court house and getting into the car to drive back to the apartment, and get things packed up, after it was all done, Elliot just sat down for a while and reflected on his life and wondered what would lay ahead for him now. But, somewhere deep in his heart, Elliot knew that he would be ok, he had already made plans before his service in the marines had ended, he planned to become a cop, to continue what he had promised his father a long time ago. Even though, he had, had a rough childhood, he wanted to make his dad proud of him.
Elliot moved out of the apartment two days later, after he had made his plans for a road trip to New York City. He had called a few places and got lucky with an interview with a local Police department, located in Manhattan. He loaded up his car, and head toward his new life, with a new feeling of determination.
October 9th, 1992
"Welcome one, Welcome all To The Finest New York Police Academy", that's what the sign said in front of the building where Elliot had entered the academy after he had finally gotten to New York, after having lived in a small town outside of Pennsylvania, where he had gotten a job, to make a few bucks to be able to finish his travel.
To make sure that he was refreshed and ready to start his training. Elliot made sure he got a good night sleep in his brand new apartment. Waking up open six and half hours later, getting showered, dressed, and fed. Elliot headed out the door and to the start of what would be, or what he hoped would be a great day at the academy. He didn't know that something beautiful would be coming his way.
Getting out of his car, after the short drive down, he walked up to the double doors at the entrance to the main part of the building, where the classes where to be held. Going inside, Elliot was in awe of how things looked inside. He'd never seen anything that big in his life. He looked around the main lobby and finally spotted the front desk where the receptionist was sitting.
Striding up to the desk, he leaned over slightly, to get the lady's attention. Feeling someone stare at her, the receptionist looked up and smiled warmly at him, then said. "May I help you, young man?" in a gentle yet firm tone.
"Hi,uh, yeah, I'm looking for the room, to take the course to become a cop." Elliot told the lady.
She smiled again, and then said. "Go down the hall, take a right, third door on your left, and good luck." She wished him kindly, before going back to answering the phone lines again.
He checked out her name-tag, to see what it was and said. "Thank you, Ms. Walters." Replying with a small smile on his face, then was on his way.
Arriving at the appropriate door, he turned the knob and walked in. He noticed that it wasn't full yet, and he had plenty of seats to choose from. Picking a chair in the very front of the classroom because he enjoyed absorbing information, he sat down at the table and waited patiently for the others student cadets to arrive.
Ten minutes later the cadets in training, came filing into the room, where they would all learn how to be great cops, eventually. There were about 30 students in the class. But the eighth student was who caught Elliot's eye. He was in total awe, she was about 5'8 and had the most beautiful brown eyes he'd ever seen in his life. Hoping that she would take the seat next to him, he discreetly slid his chair over. She did notice this, and took the seat next to him with an appreciative glowing smile in return.
Feeling his eyes still watching her, she tilted her head to look at him, and watched her long flowing dark chocolate brown hair fell around her right shoulder, and he knew he had just fallen in love with this angel. She raised her eye brow at him and he responded saying. "Hi." In the most deep sexiest voice she'd ever heard.
With the tension finally eased between them, and loving the sound of his voice, and wanting to hear it again. She said." Hi, my name is Olivia, what's yours?"
Trembling shivers shot down her spine, when he spoke again to answer her in his sexy baritone voice. "Elliot, Elliot Stabler." Giving her the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen.
Before either of them could say or ask anything else, the teacher of the class walked in. And so began their long morning of an intense ten week course.
The next couple of days, Olivia and Elliott feeling the strong connection they had, made sure to sit next to each other every single class. They weren't going to let anyone break this special bond.
One morning however, their bliss was interrupted. A new cadet, a curly brownish-blonde girl, walked into the room, before class started. The instructor of the cadets introduced her, his name was Don Cragen. "Cadets, I would like you all to meet, Monique Jeffries".
Everyone welcomed her. Then she looked for an open spot to sit down. Seeing only one place left to sit, which of course was to the left of Elliott, she took her spot and wait for the instructor to began the lesson. Olivia sensing something different about this new chick, decide to stay close to Elliott and keep an eye on her.
Don Cragen, the captain of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, was sitting at his desk, when he heard a commotion outside the door. Since it wasn't time for class to start just yet, he wondered what was going on. He got up out of his seat and walked over to the door and looked out the window. There standing in the hallway was, Olivia and Elliot.
They were talking about the very first assignment that Cragen had given to them, when Jeffries strutted up to them and asked Elliot. "Would you mind, helping me with my paper?' with a sneaky little grin on her face.
Olivia knowing that her gut instinct she felt when this girl first walked into class, was right, she was up to something, but what she didn't know. Not liking the way this preppy chick acting toward Elliot, said. "He won't be able too, I already asked him to help me, with mine." Giving the girl an intense warning glare, to back off.
Elliot feeling the jealous tension rolling off of Olivia in waves, he politely said. "I'm sorry, but Liv did ask me first." Not exactly lying to the grungy looking girl, but he didn't won't a verbal fight to break out between the two. So he and Olivia walked into class, with him putting his hand on the small of her back, the action didn't go unnoticed either.
Jeffries just stood there, watching them walk in, and was already in motion of plotting her next move. Sneering at them, as the plan came to her, she also prepared for class to start. Little did she know, her plan wasn't going to work, as easily as she thought it would, and was going to backfire on her in a big way.
Monique Jefferies got up early enough the next morning, to get her plan set in motion of trying to seduce Elliot. She dressed in her boldest, tightest, sexiest top she had, which was a red tank-halter top, and dark tight-ass blue jeans. The tank top was enough to make her breast perk up to the very top. Re-checking herself in the mirror, she grabbed her keys and her hand-purse, and then left for the academy.
Driving the two blocks, she parked the car close to the front of the building and got out. Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, she made a phone call. The person who picked up the other end of the line, said. "Did you talk to him, yet?" the voice of the mysterious caller said in a soft, but subtle tone.
"Not yet, but I plan to do it this morning, before class starts, if I can get his attention, he's been hanging out with this little brown headed chick, he's been flirting with her." Jefferies told the woman she was talking too. Hearing this broke the woman's heart, but she didn't say anything, just told Jefferies to make sure she got it done, all the while thinking to herself. "Who could he be flirting with?"
Not wanting to worry too much, the mystery woman pushed the thoughts she was having to the back of her mind. Continuing on the phone with her rant to Jefferies, she said. "When you talk to him, tell him, uh, tell him that he's going to be a father." Trying to keep the shakiness out of her voice, the two women spoke on the phone for a few more minutes, after Jefferies promised to call the lady back when it was done and hung up.
Seeing that she still had a half hour before class started. She went in search of Elliot. Looking into the lounge were the cadets ate their lunch during break, she found Elliot there eating a sandwich and drinking a soda, along with Olivia. Making her way over to the table, she smiles at Elliot, not aware that Olivia was also starring her down. She asked. "Can I sit with you guys?" even though the other tables were not full. She just wanted to catch her prey.
Neither wanting to be rude or insulting to her, Olivia and Elliot both said." Sure." Unintentionally not realizing, they said it at the exact same time. Slowly take her seat with El and Liv, sitting down across from Elliot , and that annoyed Olivia, because she still didn't trust this woman as far as she could throw her.
Elliot had been chatting with Olivia while they continued to eat their lunch, and it occurred to him, that Jefferies was still starring at him, while she ate her own meal. Getting a little irritated by this, he turned his head and was about to ask her what her problem was, when she started to ask some pretty odd questions, once he looked over at her.
"Were you once married to a Kathy Malone?" She was being a bit subtle and bold, acting as if she'd known Elliot his whole life.
Shifting a little bit uncomfortable in the plastic chair and turning his head to glance at Olivia, who had paused in mid-chew of her sandwich, hearing this part of the conversation, got slightly nervous waiting to hear his answer.
Elliot taking a deep breathe and releasing with a sigh, said."Yes, I was once married to her, but things didn't work out for us. I joined the marines when we got married to make money, so we could start a family, but it wasn't meant to be. So she asked me for a divorce, and I granted it to her. I didn't want to see her unhappy, so the mutual decision was made." Not wanting to say anymore, he went back to eating his lunch, and remained silent.
But that answer didn't satisfy Jefferies, so she kept digging deeper. With determination to find out why he would've hurt this person, she was doing this for, she said. "Is that the only reason for the divorce? Because you joined the marines, that's it?" She was has a hard time believing this, because he had to know about the baby right? And, because she couldn't understand why he would've left someone as great as this woman, whom she was currently dating at the moment, she was going to get the full truth.
Elliot being the gentleman he was, in hopes that she would drop the subject, said."As I just said, when I joined the marines, it put a lot of stress on our marriage and we were young. Being that young and getting married wasn't as easy as we both thought it could be. So, the night I came home for my weekend leave, is when she asked me for the divorce." Ending the conversation with a firm tone to this voice, or so he thought he was.
"So, you didn't know that Kathy was pregnant when she asked you for the divorce?" Surprised by his answer, she sat their smirking to herself; she had knowledge of something he didn't. It seemed like her devious little plan was working, for the time being.
Elliot just sat in his chair stunned at hearing this news. Not knowing exactly what to say, Olivia spoke up for him, and said."El, come on, we've got to go, class is fixing to start." Tugging on his hand, he got up and went with her, still not believing that this cadet could know so much about his ex-wife, it stunned him, because he didn't felt like he knew Kathy at all. This secret that Jefferies had shared with him really had gotten him to thinking.
Entering the class about ten minutes before the other cadets and the captain got there; Olivia took Elliot's hand, and led them to their table they shared. They sat down and she turned and looked him with compassion and serenity in her eyes.
Elliot's heart was pounding in his chest, he was afraid that Olivia might break her friendship with him, after founding all of this out. But, surprisingly, she didn't have the kind of reaction that he thought she would. She kept his hand in hers, and said."I'm sorry, that she put you through all of that. She had no right too. It wasn't any of her busy about your past. I can't believe she even had the guts to ask you about it. What an asshole. She doesn't even know you, yet she presumed like she did. Sorry, it just hurts me that she done that too." What neither of them knew though, was that Kathy had a huge surprise in store for Elliot.
Captain Cragen came in ready to give them all a new assignment that would be dealing with victims of rape, but of course this would be a mock victim set-up, because they weren't cops yet. But, they had to do this, as a requirement of their training course. All of the rookie cadets seemed hesitant about this assignment, except for Elliot and Olivia. Both of them had a rough past, so they knew what kind of emotional trauma lay ahead of them.
With assignments handed out, and everyone getting paired up with a partner before the end of class, Elliot decided to ask Olivia out. He waited for the captain to dismiss them, once he had, he asked."Would you like to go get some pizza?"
"Sure, that sounds good." Olivia said, with a smile.
They stopped on the way back to his apartment, at a small pizza place and got a huge pepperoni pizza and six pack of beer. Once they got to his place, Elliot sat the pizza down on the table, along with the paper plates, and Olivia sat down the beer.
Elliot sat down on the couch first, and then offered Olivia a spot beside him, which she gladly took. Taking out two slices a piece, they got comfortable and turned on the television to watch a movie.
Not finding much on to watch, Olivia turned sideways and pulled her legs up on the couch. After a moment of calm silence, she softly said."What happened with your ex-wife?" Sensing that, he had wanted to tell her something, since they had left the academy and had that conversation with that girl.
Elliot sighing a little, then taking a deep breathe, said."We were young and had just graduated from high school, I thought I was in love with her, and decided to ask her to marry me. And of course she said "Yes". For about nearly seven months things were going pretty good for us, then I started to get into heavy training, incase we had to deploy, and I was only getting to come home for our three day weekends. We only got the weekend, because of the different levels the courses had to them, they were very rough at times. So, on the Thursday evening that we actually got to leave early, because a lot of us had done such a good job, I decided I was going to surprise her. But before I had got to take off, I received a phone call from her that we needed to talk as soon as I got home. I got a uneasy feeling in my stomach, so when I boarded the plane, I just wondered what was going on. When I got home late that night, she was acting a bit nervous, and finally come out and told me that she wanted a divorce. That's when we had our longest talk ever, since the day we had gotten married, and now here I am, and I have to stay that I've actually never felt more relieved than what I do since we did divorce. I don't think I ever really wanted to admit it, but I was never really that much in love with her to begin with." After he finished telling her everything, he turned his head to her, without realizing it, he was actually crying tears of relieve.
Grabbing his hand and holding it, rubbing the top of it with her thumb, Olivia looked him directly in the eyes with love, and calmness, and softly said."I'm sorry, El, I know with what you both went through, that it couldn't have been easy on you. I can tell that you're the type of man that doesn't let himself just give his heart to just anyone. But, I want you to know, that you ever need to talk about anything, anything at all, you have a shoulder that here that you can lean on. I'm here for you anytime you need, no matter what you need." Giving him the warmest smile she could give him, and then lifted up his hand to her face tenderly, and gentled kissed it, in a gesture to Elliot that told him that he would never be alone again.
Still facing her, and looking into her eyes, with more unshed tears that were threatening to spill, he said."Thank you, Liv, it has been rough, but with you being here, it's made it less hard to deal with, than what I expected. You've made me feel more like myself in these past couple of weeks, than I've felt since I left home." His eyes were shining to brightly he didn't even notice, that he'd stopped crying, and was now cradling her hand in his and returning the same gesture that she had just given him, less than a minute ago.
Olivia leaned over, with a small smile still on her face, and gave Elliot a sweet, warm, soft kiss on his cheek, he was only caught off guard a little, but he embraced it, he just didn't let his true emotions show though. Not just yet.
Olivia and Elliot talked for a while longer, about this and that, and got to learn a bit more about each other, and they found at that they a lot of things in common, which made them both very happy. Although, they were enjoying themselves, it was getting late and they had class early the next morning. She started yawning, and he noticed this, then she looked down at her watch, and really saw how late it had gotten, he was shocked to, he was so comfortable with her, he never noticed that it was pasted twelve.
Realizing how tried she was after the long day they had, she said."I guess I better call a cab and head back to my apartment." In truth though, she didn't want this night with Elliot to end, ever. Elliot knowing himself just how tired she was, because he too was beginning to feel the same way. He didn't know how or why, but he could sense that Olivia didn't won't to leave and go home, so with a slight hesitation in his voice, he asked."You could, uh, stay here tonight, if you'd like? No need to try to get a cab this late, and I have a spare room, if that's ok?" He hoped that he hadn't over stepped any boundaries or made her uncomfortable by asking.
Feeling relieved that Elliot didn't won't her to leave either, her eyes were sparkling, with a excited yet relaxed pitch in her voice, Olivia said."If your sure, I don't won't to cause any hassle." Discreetly twirling her thumbs together, hoping that he wouldn't change his mind.
Giving her a loving look, with a small sparkle in his eyes as well, Elliot said."No hassle, and no trouble at all. Just let me get you an extra blanket and a pillow from the closet, that way you can have fresh everything on the bed." His heart was beating fast, but he was overwhelmingly happy, that she didn't change her mind.
Watching Elliot get up and go get the stuff for the bed, Olivia was smiling brightly on the inside. She had never felt like this before in her life, about any man, and she absolutely loved it. There was something very different and very special about Elliot, and she knew in her heart, and didn't know how she knew exactly, but she knew with a doubt she had found her soul mate and true love. She thought to herself "He is the one."
Still in a small haze, Olivia didn't hear Elliot talking to her. So instead of yelling at her to get her attention, because she was in such deep thought, Elliot went down the hall to the spare bedroom and got it ready and all fixed up for her to rest.
After he fixed the room, making sure everything was perfect for her and making extra sure it was comfortable too, he turned and walked out of the room and went back into the living room to check on her. Worrying that Olivia may have changed her mind on him, he walked up to her and gently touch her shoulder, bringing her out of her reviver and asked. "Liv, are you ok?"
Snapping out of her racing thoughts on Elliot, when it had finally registered to her, that he was speaking to her and sounded a little worried, she turned to face him and said."What?"
"I said, did you change your mind, on staying the night?" Elliot said, asking Olivia hesitantly. In his heart, he had hoped that she didn't.
"Oh, no, I was just thinking about something is all." Olivia said, blushing just a bit, but deciding not to say anything just yet. She just gave me a smile and was practically glowing when she did.
"Why are you, blushing?" Elliot asked, a bit curious.
Olivia blushed again, at being caught by Elliot, and said."No reason." Hoping that he wouldn't push the subject. She felt her heart rate speed up, at the thought that would he would.
Deciding not to push it any further, and waiting to find out later, when she was ready, he said." Ok. Just wanted to tell you, the bedroom is set up, so you can get some sleep." Sensing she didn't won't to say anything more; he took her hand and helped her up. Then led her down the hall, to the spare room, for the night.
Going into the bedroom, Olivia turned around to face Elliot again and trying her best to stifle a yawn and said."Goodnight El, and thank you again, you really didn't have to do all of this, but thank you, and sweet dreams." Giving him a hug and another small kiss on his cheek.
"You're welcome, Liv, goodnight." Elliot said with a bright smile. Giving her a soft squeeze back, before she turned and shut the door. He then headed back to his own room, and for the first time since his divorce, he felt really happy.
Early the next morning, the smells coming from the kitchen, woke Olivia up from her deep slumber. After getting out of bed, from a very peaceful night sleep, first one that she had, had in a very long time, she went to take a refreshing steamy hot shower, then got dressed for the day. She strolled down the hallway and made her way to the kitchen, to see what Elliot was preparing them, that smelt so delicious.
Not wanting to startle him, Olivia quietly said. "Good Morning". Smiling, when Elliot turned and looked at her with a warm smile of his own making his blue oceanic eyes sparkle.
"It's not a good morning, it's a beautiful morning". Elliot said, while fixing them both a huge plate for breakfast.
Tussling her hair a bit, as she sat down at the breakfast bar, Olivia said."I'm glad to see you are feeling better". Giving him a wink.
"I'm not just feeling better, I'm actually feeling, good, after that talk last night. It's like a weight has been taken of my mind and my heart". Elliot said, sitting Olivia's plate down in front of her. Making her mouth water and her stomach growl, not knowing she was actually that hungry.
The aroma of the food was wonderful, waking Olivia senses up and after taking a bit of it, her taste buds too. Moaning in satisfaction, she said."El, where did you learn to cook like this?" Around a mouth full of eggs benedicts.
Taking a bite of his own breakfast, Elliot said."My mom, before she got sick, she taught me how to make things like this." Not wanting to dwell too much on that subject of his childhood.
Laying her hand over his, she stroked her thumb across the top of it."I didn't mean to upset you." Olivia said, still stroking.
Sighing, Elliot said."It's ok, you didn't upset me Liv. My mom, she has something called Alzheimer's disease, it effects your brain and makes you forget things, it's just hard, knowing."
Standing up from her chair, Olivia helped Elliot clear the dishes up. Shocking her just a little, Elliot leaned in and give her another sweet, soft kiss on her cheek.
Pulling back, starring into her mocha brown chocolate eyes, Elliot said."We better get changed, and get to class." His heart fluttering at this new feeling, she was making him feel, but enjoying it immensely.
He was falling hard for Olivia Benson and he knew it without a doubt. The morning went by uneventful. All the cadets had finished their mock interviews. Now, Cragen had them outside behind the building of the academy. Ready to start the actual training course, on how to use their weapon, appropriately.
Spilt up into four teams, they each had their targets selected. Cragen holding a bull-horn, said."Ok, team one, take your positions and remember, never take your eyes off your partners back and work together." lowering the horn to his side, after giving out the instructions.
Team one took their positions, Farmerton, Dover, and Jacobs got behind the prop police car, and Joleson, Peters, and Adams took position in front of the fake door entrance to the forefront of the car.
Clocking the time for the first team, Cragen then yelled out."Second team, take your assigned positions, and you better be more faster than team one was." Growling at them to make sure they understood how important this was.
Elliot and Olivia looked at each other, and smiled with a gleam in their eyes. Taking the positions in the fastest time anyone had ever seen, Cragen stood there with a big smirk on his face, he knew they had a strong chemistry from the very first day in class. So it wasn't a shock, when he watched them move together in perfect sync.