"Maybe God remembered how cute you were as a carrot"
As much as I want it to be, nothing's mine.
"You went to Long Island today?"
Olivia had literally just opened the door when she was struck by the accusing tone of her partner.
"Yeah, I did." Trying not to hit any buttons, she let him in.
"You went to see my mother?"
"I went to see your mother." Olivia watched Elliot pace around her living room. She knew that these questions would come out of the bag, but never did she think it was going to happen at this late of time.
"El, what's going on?"
Ignoring her question, Elliot asked, if not stated, "She told you about her problems?"
Olivia suppressed a groan; she knew that if she wanted to crawl into her covers in the next hour she had to be careful. "She said you try to block out childhood memories."
"She showed you the photo album?"
Olivia couldn't help but smile at the image of a young Elliot dolled up as a carrot.
"Yeah, she showed me the album," she said with a light chuckle.
Elliot turned to face Olivia for the first time since he barged into her place.
"How did you find her?"
"From Kathy!" damn, he was so stubborn! "It's okay if I don't get a simple thank you, but it hell isn't okay that you show up at my place in the middle of the night questioning me like I'm a perp!" Words were flying out of her mouth so furiously, not even a steamroller could stop her.
Seconds of silence followed after Olivia's sudden outburst. They stood there, staring at each other. With a sigh, Elliot turned away.
But that only accelerated her anger.
"Don't you turn away from me Stabler!" the portal was already open and she had no intention to close it until she got the answer she wanted, "You better give me a goddamn good reason for your abrupt visit. I don't have time at my disposal if you haven't noticed! You—"
"Why?"
Olivia was caught off guard by the soft syllable that was barely audible.
"What?" she asked with a slight shake of her head trying to figure out what was going on. Elliot could be so unpredictable sometimes.
"Why'd you do it?" There was a strain in his voice, "Why'd you go all the way to Long Island?"
Still in the confusion that Elliot had thrown upon her, Olivia, too, wondered why she made that trip. Everything that happened just seemed to be so natural.
"I didn't think I needed a reason to help my partner." She rebutted, too stubborn to admit that she didn't have an explainable answer.
Turning around, Elliot let out a light chuckle. "I remember you one said that you wouldn't drive up to Queens to save my ass but you're willing to go all the way to Long Island. You're something, Liv." He said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Olivia, too, let out a chuckle, remembering that particular conversation from years ago in this very room.
"For argument's sake, it was Kathleen's ass I saved. Plus, it was worth it all, seeing you dolled up as a carrot." Knowing that everything was going to be all right, Olivia plopped down on the couch.
"Oh man," Elliot groaned, hand flying over his eyes, "You didn't see my senior photo did you?"
Olivia's lighthearted laughter confirmed his suspicion. There was a reason he tried to destroy that album when he was a teenager. Unfortunately, his mother showed up just in time, every time. Making a mental note of trying to do that again, he joined Olivia on the couch.
"Yours isn't that bad. You should've seen mine. It was just…well, plain horrifying."
Elliot grinned, "Well then, I'm gonna have to raid your place to get my hands on that photo."
Olivia threw her head back, laughing, obviously amused at his words.
"Honey, there's a reason why fireplaces exist."
"Well, you gotta give me something in exchange."
Olivia pretended to ponder on his words for a moment.
"El, I just got your daughter out of jail," she laughed, placing her hand on his knee, "I think you're the one owing me."
"Thanks Liv," he said softly, squeezing her hand tightly, "You've always been there for me."
It was true, he never realized how much stability she brought into his life until things started to shake and quake when Olivia disappeared undercover for the feds.
Just when Elliot leaned in to kiss her forehead, Olivia lifted her head.
Their lips met.
Olivia froze. Her mind was in complete chaos. She had coveted this moment for so long, but now she was scared. Just when she was about to pull back and laugh it off, Olivia felt Elliot's hand slip behind her neck. That moment, the membrane between them dissolved.
Elliot let out an inward sigh of relief when he felt Olivia respond. For a moment there, he thought things would turn south. When he felt Olivia pull herself closer, he quickly deepened the kiss they both craved for so long.
Their tongues danced.
Their bodies corresponded.
They had their own rhythm.
Damn oxygen.
He gently pulled back from Olivia, grinning at the soft whimper that escaped her lips.
"I thought you hated carrots," he quipped, resting his forehead on hers. Looking into her eyes, he gave Olivia a smile that was only meant for her.
She smiled, tracing the outline of his lips.
"People change," she simple said before bringing her lips back to his.
So whacha guys think?
Love to hear your thoughts!!