I own every single character and I get royalties on every time someone uses the CHUNG CHUNG noise. I am Dick Wolf. Hear me roar!*

Their movements were quick and soundless though not entirely painless as her back was scraped by the unfinished concrete wall and his chronically sore shoulder struggled for strength to hold up her body. Moans filled the small room filled with custodial products. Rhythmic panting mixed with the smell of cleaners. The cries and perfumes of sex were diluted by the chattering and laughter coming from the party in the ballroom down the hall. Her silver dress had slid up her legs and gathered around her waist as his tuxedo bottoms rested down at his knees. He pressed her body against the cement wall with her legs wrapped around his waist. Their shaking bodies allowed gasps to escape as their climaxes rose closer and closer to the surface. She clutched to the metal shelfs, that held bleach and Windex surrounding her, for support as her lover drove himself into her.

"Oh God." She moaned. She knew she was close and from the desperate sounds of his panting, she knew he was too. She bucked her hips ever so slightly, allowing the right spot to be slammed perfectly. She leaned in and bit his shoulder to muffle the screams that wanted to escape and give away their hiding place to anyone who might pass by at that moment. He allowed his hot moans to escape into her neck and hair. They remained in that position for minutes longer, taking in the scents and sounds of their lovemaking. They slowly separated from each other and as she finished straightening out her dress and flattening her hair he pulled her body against him and kissed her lips and neck.

"We have to get back to the party." She whispered grumpily. She wasn't happy that she had to stop him before they started against the wall again. She squeezed his arms and pushed him away from her, "Let's go. Your wife will be waiting."

He frowned and shot back, "So will your date."

She pulled open the door and peeked out into the hallway to make sure no one would see them leave. She tried to ignore his hands on her bottom and moving their way around the front to rest on her breasts as she waited for a couple to pass by. When she knew the coast was clear she reluctantly pulled her body away from his and entered the hall. He followed, sighing loudly as his frustrated energy had no release. She could tell he was unhappy so she peered around before turning and planting a gentle kiss on his lips.

Olivia smiled as Elliot traced her face with his fingers, "We're only here for a few more hours and then I'll see you at work tomorrow."

Elliot nodded, "Fine. I better go find Kathy."

"I have to find Michael."

Kathy sipped her martini as politicians and police officers swirled around the room socializing and dancing. It was impossible to tell the difference between the black tuxedos and the gorgeous white, black or silver gowns. Kathy knew this night was special to the brothers and sisters in blue. A night they could leave their guns and badges at home and let loose. They pretended to hate it- but Kathy knew that it was loved. Her husband was especially guilty of that charge. Every year he complained about getting dressed up and hiring a babysitter but when he arrived he was in his glory. Being a veteran detective in the toughest unit of the NYPD made him somewhat of a celebrity amongst his colleagues. Again, he feigned hatred but lapped up the compliments. He enjoyed being told he was a tough guy and that he was a hero and that no one else could do what he does for as long as he has. Except one person. Kathy frowned at the thought of the one person who could keep up with her husband. Olivia understood everything about Elliot. She understood the demands of his job, his deepest fears, his hopes. She knew why he kept doing such a torturous job. She also knew how shaky his marriage was and how insecure Kathy was about her husbands relationship with his partner.

Kathy watched as Olivia danced with Elliot. They held each other so gently, as if they both knew they were fragile beings. Her silver dress fell along the line of her body so perfectly, displaying how fit she was. Her hair was long and wavy, like she had spent the day at the beach. Elliot looked like Prince Charming in his tuxedo. But Kathy knew their clothing was not why they looked so amazing. It was the glow of her skin and the sparkle in their eyes. It was a rare phenomenon for an outsider to see. But Kathy knew it well. It was the reaction their bodies and spirits had when they were together in a casual setting. No tears or blood or victims. Just them. Kathy had seen it when Olivia came for dinner. It was what initially terrified her about the heart-breakingly beautiful woman. That the pair didn't just understand each other, they seemed to have a chemical reaction when around each other.

"It's kind of scary, isn't it?"

Kathy spun around to see the tall frame of Michael Foster. His sandy brown hair swept over his eyes and he smiled his gorgeous smile at Kathy. But Kathy noticed that the smile didn't reach his bright green eyes.

"What's scary?"

"Your husband- my girlfriend- they have a pretty intimidating relationship." He nodded his head over to Olivia and Elliot, who were laughing at some joke that only they knew the punch line to.

Kathy smiled sadly, "They're very good friends."

Michael mirrored his fellow player on the bench with a sad, ironic smile, "They have a connection that I wish I could get in on. I feel like I'm always playing second fiddle to him... Did you ever feel that way?"

Kathy frowned at such a personal question from a man she barely knew, "I know he loves me. I also know that he and Olivia are very good friends. And for two people who live for their jobs, they're very lucky to trust the person who has their back."

Michael nodded in agreement but the frown remained, "That's true..." He paused for a moment, his eyes squinting at the closeness of his girlfriend of almost a year and her best friend. Michael let out a deep sigh in response, "It's just exhausting when you're questioning them all the time." He stated before walking off to the bar, leaving Kathy to brood in her insecure silence.

Elliot cringed and hissed. Hot coffee had scarred his tongue, "Jesus." he muttered as he bit down on the sore point of his tongue. The door of the corner store he stood in opened. Olivia walked in and noticed the pained look on her partners face.

"You okay?"

"Bernt ma toongue." He explained with his tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, "You gunna be okay? Or do I need to call a bus?" she teased and Elliot rolled his eyes.

"I'll survive." he shot back. Olivia grinned and took the second coffee from his hand, "Did you get anything from the driver?" he asked.

Olivia blew on her coffee, took a sip and shook her head, "No. He saw the same thing everyone else did. Black ski mask, yankees jacket, jeans. The problem with this weather is that no one second guesses when they can't see a persons face." The couple faced each other at the door of the bodega and peered out into the blowing wind and snow. They could barely see their car parked on the street.

"Lets do this." Elliot braced himself, pulling his jacket closed and ducking his head. Olivia pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head and zipped up her jacket even more before pushing out into the blizzard that was attacking the city. The pair jumped through the snow that had piled up on the sidewalk and reached their car in a matter of seconds. Elliot rounded the front and jumped into the drivers seat while Olivia threw herself into the passenger seat. They both laughed when their doors slammed shut and they tried to fill their lungs with warm air.

"Start the car!" Olivia cried and Elliot shoved the key into the ignition and turned. When the car made a choking sound and did not start, Olivia groaned, "You have got to be kidding me!"

"I knew that knocking sound I heard earlier wasn't a good sign." Elliot muttered as he attempted to turn over the engine again but to no avail.

Olivia picked up the radio and pressed down on the button, "SVU portable to central- cruiser is non-operational- requesting a pick up-" She frowned when no response came.

"Radios must be down because of the blizzard." Elliot stated as Olivia threw the radio on the dash in frustration. Olivia started to rub her temples and Elliot's eyes reflected concern, "You okay?"

Olivia smiled a tired smile, "I'm fine- just a little hungover."

Elliot grinned, "You're kidding me- you barely had anything to drink."

Olivia raised her eyebrows at her partner, "You think I'd hook up with you in a hall closet if I didn't have a few drinks in me?"

Elliot shot her a smug grin, "I am pretty irresistible."

Olivia punched his shoulder before letting her hand slide down his arm and her gloved fingers linked with his, "Did you have a good time last night?"

Elliot shrugged casually, "I guess so. I always like boasting about our closure rate to those jocks in Homicide."

Olivia smirked and wiggled her fingers in his hand, "Kathy looked like she wanted to blow my head off with your gun." She whispered.

"Michael was giving us to stink-eye as well." Elliot sighed.

"He told me he feels like I prefer talking to you over him."

Elliot rolled his eyes, "Give the doctor an Aplus! He's right!"

Olivia smacked Elliot in the chest, "Come on! You like Michael!"

Elliot smiled, "I do like him. It's just easy to make fun of his intelligence because he's not aware of what's going on between us. He can diagnose a hematoma but he can't see that his girlfriend is cheating on him."

Olivia rolled her eyes, "You're not one to talk. At least I've always been sleeping with you while dating Michael. You've been married to Kathy for over 20 years and she has no idea we're together."

Elliot sighed, "Well, you and I both know the only reason Kathy and I are still together is for the kids."

Olivia bit her lip and nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I know."

A comfortable. contemplative silence settled in the car as Olivia continued to press the radio button, hoping that the static would dissipate and they would not have to walk back to the station in a blizzard. Elliot rested his head against the steering wheel, closing his eyes in hopes of rest but the same thought kept running through his mind. It was a thought that had stayed with him since Kathy had put it there two months ago. He had avoided confronting it with Olivia, afraid to scare her off. But now, she was stuck in their car, nowhere to go. She could not run away and leave the question unanswered. She could not avoid conflict, like the champion turtle she was.

"Do you think you're meant to be with someone?" He asked, trying to appear non-chalant. He could feel Olivia stiffen but then relax.

"You mean, do I believe in soul-mates?"

Elliot shrugged in response.

"I don't know. I believe in connections between people... but someone who matches your soul? It's hard to say..."

"Is it hard because you're involved with two people?"

The mood in the car shifted instantly. Olivia sighed in a frustrated tone and shot a dark glare at Elliot. He knew she struggled with her relationships with Michael and Elliot, "Why are you bringing this up again? I told you- I'd be honest with Michael if I knew he wouldn't leave me."

Elliot nodded understandingly, "And if you weren't in love with him, you wouldn't care if he dumped you."

Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, "So what? You're annoyed that I love Michael? You're the one that wont leave his wife- whom you're not even in love with." she snapped.

Elliot sighed. He had touched a nerve and she was throwing back some low blows, "Liv- you and I both agreed-"

"I know what we agreed El. I'm not saying I want to change our arrangement- I just- I don't want you to get on my case about Michael and how I feel about him."

"This isn't another "Who do you like better" argument Liv. I was just wondering how you felt about soul mates."

Olivia calmed down and rested her head against the back of her seat, "Can you not do that anymore? You know I have a hard time with my feelings."

"Liv. I just- Like you said, it's confusing for me because I'm not in love with Kathy anymore. So to know that you love Michael... It's difficult for me to understand. But I can respect it."

Olivia was clearly still upset that Elliot had brought up the conversation at all, but her body had relaxed slightly. She rested the side of her head against her window and watched her cold breath fog up the glass. She rested in the same position for a few moments, aware that Elliot was staring at her. Her stubbornness would not allow her to glance back at him. She wanted him to know that she had been annoyed with him. She felt she could remain cross with him for the rest of the day but when he leaned over and kissed her temple, her resolve melted away and she smiled.

"Is that your version of an apology?" she asked.

"I'm sorry I pissed you off." he stated before kissing just below her ear, "Don't hold it against me."

"You'll be punished severely tonight." she teased, leading to his laugh filling her ears.

"Thank God." he said before kissing her cheek once more. He then rested his forehead against her temple and they both closed their eyes, soaking in the closeness of their partner.

Their moment was spoiled when the crackling sound of their radio coming to life, "Central to SVU Portable- come in SVU portable."

Olivia snatched up the radio, "SVU portable to central- we hear you."

"We got your call. Cruiser is still non-operational?"

"That's right."

"Give us your location and we'll send a uniform unit your way."

Olivia rattled off the location of their car before thanking the central radio unit and setting the radio on the dashboard. She then turned her gaze towards Elliot, "Back to the bullpen."

"Back to the bullshitting." he grumbled.

What? A new story? How the hell did that happen?

Reviews? What? How the hell did that happen? I guess you faithful readers are just FANTASTIC!

*Dear Dick Wolf- please do not order a head-hunter- I publicly acknowledge that I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING related to you or NBC. If you sue me, you can have my Bob Marley poster... That about the only thing I own.