This was supposed to be a series of Christmas one-shots but I could only think of one cliche Christmas idea. Hope you enjoy my little twist on it. Merry Christmas!
"Merry Christmas", bellowed Munch as he entered through the precinct doors, coffee in hand.
"You're to boney to be Santa", laughed Fin from his desk.
Olivia chuckled. "And aren't you Jewish?"
"Well", Munch began as he handed her a Styrofoam cup of coffee, "I figured since Elliot has lost his Christmas spirit, I would take over for him."
"Hey", whispered Olivia. She looked over at Elliot who was sitting at their adjoined desks and prayed he didn't hear Munch's last comment. "Lay off him, okay. This is his first Christmas without the kids. Its been tough."
Munch nodded and handed Olivia Elliot's cup of coffee before retreating to his desk. She smiled and walked towards Elliot, silently hoping he was in a better mood than he was this morning.
"Caffeine fix?" She waved the cup in front of him and he took it, not saying a word.
Olivia sat down and began sorting through her paperwork, occasionally sneaking glances his way. She knew Christmas without the kids would be hard on him. Ever since the divorce he had been under this never ending rain cloud. He swore up and down that he didn't miss Kathy but Olivia still felt that it was a lie.
He missed his family. He really missed his kids but most off all he missed that warm feeling you get when you come home to a bunch of smiling faces, happy to see you.
Olivia didn't know that feeling.
"What do you want for Christmas?" She asked, suddenly feeling a whole new pang of empathy. "Its Christmas eve and I still haven't gotten you anything. I may have to sneak out at lunch."
Elliot just glared at her.
"I can't get you another tie", she mused. "I've gotten you a tie the last two years in a row and I'm pretty sure if you get one more pen you'll use it as a dart and nail me in the face with it."
Both Munch and Fin laughed at her comment but Elliot remained stoic.
"What is it about presents for guys?" Asked Munch. "They all suck. Women get expensive jewelry or all day spa treatments and what do guys get; a tie, a pen, or a monogram towel."
Olivia chuckled at the admission. "I would get you golf clubs if you were a normal guy and played."
Elliot, fed up with her attempts at a joke, stood up from the desk and stormed into Cragen's office.
Olivia sat there in silence wondering what he was talking about, her heart sank further by the minute. A few agonizing moments later he returned, only to gather his things and leave.
"Bye, El." She wasn't even sure if he was ignoring her or simply hadn't heard her. Olivia sighed and stared across her desk, gazing at the back of the picture frames on Elliot's side of the desk.
Her heart ached as she counted the frames. There used to be four. One of her and him, one of him and Kathy, one of the kids, and a family photo.
Now there was only three. She didn't want to look and see which one was missing. Instead she just picked up the phone and dialed a number she swore she never would.
Munch listened carefully, unable to make out her whispers into the phone. After a few minutes she hung up and smiled lightly to herself.
"What are you so happy about?" Asked Munch.
Olivia checked her watch and got up from the desk. "Just figured out what I am getting Elliot for Christmas. Its lunch and I have to go pick it up."
Munch and Fin exchanged looks of confusion, both wondering the same thing and Munch walked over to her and quirked an eyebrow at her sudden change in demeanor.
"The only thing he wants for Christmas is to spend it with his kids. They are all the way in Connecticut; there's no way you can pull that off before lunch ends."
Olivia let out a hearty laugh and checked her watch once more. "I'm not picking up his kids, Munch, I'm going grocery shopping. I think a big Christmas dinner will help put the twinkle back in his eye."
Munch eyed her skeptically but shook his head and returned to his desk. "Whatever you say, Liv."
Olivia waved a short goodbye and hurried out of the precinct. Once she was out of ears reach she took out her cell phone and dialed the number to information.
"Kennedy Airport please."
Olivia smiled at the thought of what Elliot would do when he saw her surprise.
"Kennedy Airport", said the voice on the other line. "How may I help you?"
Isn't Olivia the best partner ever? Maybe? Depends; what is she doing?
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