Elena watched as his heart returned to a normal pace and she rolled out of his bed. She wasn't one who was held after a night of sex. She and Elliot had been doing this for about six months now. She would see him broken, jealous or angry and she knew he would need her that night. She sighed and turned away to find her clothes that were scattered on the ground.

Elliot looked at the woman beside him. She was still full of life and mystery. He knew what he was doing wasn't right by any means. Elena was a substitution for Olivia. But he couldn't get enough.

Elliot strolled into the 1-6 after a rough and wild night with Officer Montero. He saw her as she walked into the precinct and he knew she would remain professional.

He thought he was being good about remaining normal until Munch spoke up. "Gee Fin. It seems that Stabler got laid!"

Elliot froze as he got a cup of coffee. Olivia was laughing in her chair and Fin smirked. "What are you talking about fool?"

"Stabler hasn't been this relaxed coming to this precinct in God knows how long. My guess is that he got laid."

"Maybe I got a good nights sleep. Ever consider that?" Elliot said making his way to his desk with a smile on his face.

Fin and Munch looked at each other quickly and replied in unison, "No."

Elliot laughed as the two detectives ventured on a case. Olivia and her warmth moved to the edge of his desk and smiled as Elliot worked on his paperwork. "What gives, El?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You are a little happier this morning. Is there anyone I should know about?" Olivia said with a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Elliot smiled in a brief content knowing she was jealous. He was about to reply when her phone rang. "Hold that thought," she said as she moved to her desk. "Benson. Oh hey there," she said lowly. He knew it was Damian. Damn it, he thought to himself. "I had a really good night... Oh shut up..." she laughed and it tore at his heart.

Instead of listening to the vomit creating conversation, he stood up and felt a familiar tension in his body that was only present when he was angry or jealous. He had moved to the doors when he saw Elena from the corner of his eye with Officer Kephart. He moved to them and quickly stated, "Officer Montero. I need you for some more information on a crime scene." The perfect cover, he thought to himself.

"Sure," she replied. She looked at Jesse and said, "Get me if the Davidson family calls again. We need their statements for Novak. I want them to be as comfortable as possible."

"Just shut it E," Jesse said with a smile. "They like me more than you," he said with a humored tone. "Plus Im hotter."

"Whatever," she whispered as she followed the tense detective. They had turned the corner and she spoke, "El--"

She never finished her thought as his lips were instantly on hers. She moaned and pulled their bodies closer as she tried to soothe his tension and anger. "Not here," she whispered separating herself.

"Tonight?" he asked. "My place."

She nodded as he moved away from her. She fixed her hair and makeup quickly in the bathroom before Jesse could notice the smudges around her mouth.

Elliot turned the corner and watched Olivia with a disapproving face. "Liv.."

"Officer Montero, huh?" she spat filled with anger and jealousy.

"Don't speak so loud. It was one night."

"For what, El? For an easy lay?"

"I didn't want to be alone!" Elliot growled and met her eyes. "And who are you to judge? Its not like Dennis is going to be your forever man is he?"

"Its Damian, Elliot," Olivia growled.

"Whatever!" he said as he moved passed Olivia and waited for Don's instructions. He was going to need to release his anger and jealousy soon. Thank God for Elena Montero, he thought to himself.

For six months this had been their pattern. Either it was due to a bad case or Elliot's jealousy was mightier than usual, he turned to Elena for the friction of souls. They weren't talking lovers. No, she was his comfort. He didn't need to speak. He would release. He would ease. He would de-stress. That was enough for him. It was enough for her... until now.

Elliot had noticed the spark was missing in Elena's eyes tonight. A rich and fire filled pain filled her eyes and he watched as she masked her tears. He turned to his side and watched her dress. He admired her curved body but saw the pain-laced strain in her back. "Elena?" he whispered huskily in the darkness.

"Hmm..." was her reply as she found her bra under his bed.

"What's wrong?" he asked as her movements became more deliberate.

"Nothing, Stabler. I just need to go."

"Where? Wasn't Kephart talking about going on a date with someone tonight. You can stay." Elliot said trying to break through her armor.

"That would be a bad idea, Elliot," she whispered as she wiped away a tear. "You have been working a tough case for Cragen. You need to rest."

"What about you?" he asked as she moved around.

"What about me?" she asked not knowing where he was headed. Damn it, where is my shirt? she thought to herself.

"You are still such a mystery to me," he whispered. "There was something in your eyes that seemed broken. You can talk to me."

"That would be a mistake," she whispered.

"Why?" he asked.

"Stabler, when did this become about emotions and feelings?" she asked. Diversion. She was beginning to turn to her natural defense mechanisms. She couldn't--wouldn't allow him to see her heart and how each time he used her it broke a larger part of her soul.

"Well, Montero," Elliot replied in a mocking tone, "I come to you when I am angry or I am hurting and you give yourself to me no questions asked. I want to know why."

Elena sighed and finally met the eyes of her lover. "Elliot," she whispered moving to the edge of the bed. She found her shirt and began to button it up slowly. "I am the friend who one turns to when they are hurting or lost. Once they find their way they venture off without me. Im okay with it. You are healing, Elliot. I am here to be your friend and bring you a renewed sense of confidence and ability. You are a strong and beautiful man, Elliot. That is why I am here."

"You never ask for anything. I barely know you. What are you afraid of?"

That when you realize that I am madly in love with you, you will run faster than I can say no. "I am not afraid of anything," Elena replied defensively.

"Bull shit," Elliot replied sitting up and moving her hair to the side. He kissed up her warm neck and sighed when he was met with the saltiness of tears. "Elena, you are kind and beautiful. When the right man comes he will love you forever."

Knowing he wasn't speaking for himself broke her heart. Instead of breaking in front of him, she stood up and moved to her purse. "Get some sleep. Cragen will kick your ass if you don't get some sleep."

Elliot smirked and fell back down into the pillows. "Goodnight, Elena," he whispered as he closed his eyes as his heart found comfort in sleep. He returned to his true love, Olivia, in his sleep.

Elena had entered hers and Jesse's apartment quickly and smiled when Zac, their police dog, greeted her at the door. "Hey baby," she whispered feeding it quickly. As he ate, Elena moved to the fridge and took out the orange juice. For some reason, she couldn't get enough of it.

"He wouldn't release his guard until you got here," Jesse said from the kitchen doorway.

Elena smiled and turned to her best friend who had found comfort in his Hane's boxers. She smirked and said, "Hey, where is Leanne?"

"She was a flake. I ditched her about three hours ago and hung out with Zac."

"That is really sad," Elena said with a sad smile. "What? Was she not up to par with your intelligence?" she asked in a mocking tone.

No, Im only in love with you, Jesse thought to himself. "No, but if I have to hear about another twist on General Hospital, I will happily shoot someone."

Elena laughed a real laugh and Jesse smiled knowing that he could do that for her. He moved beside her and noticed the tear tracks on her cheeks. He sighed and looked out toward their dog that had claimed their couch. "How is Stabler?" he sighed.

"Jesse..."

"Does he treat you well?" he asked.

"He barely knows me," she whispered. "I'd like to keep it that way."

"Why don't you want to let anyone in?" Jesse sighed. "You will end up alone if I get married!"

"That is a large If," Elena said with a playful smirk. When she noticed that he wouldn't budge, she sighed and moved beside him. "Jesse, men don't love women like me. There are two types of women. The type men want and the type men can have. I am type B."

"That is not true," Jesse said drinking some orange juice.

"Jesse, once Elliot's heart is healed, he will leave like every other guy..."

"And you will end up hurt again and I will pick up the pieces!" Jesse growled.

Elena stopped and looked at her best friend with angry eyes. "What the hell does that mean?" she asked.

"Nothing," he growled. "Im going back to bed. Cragen will call us if he needs us to canvas tonight."

"Jesse..."

"Goodnight, Elena," he whispered roughly as he slammed the door from her. He sighed and leaned back against the door and he was amazing at how she still couldn't see that he was in love with her.

Elena sighed and Zac looked at her from the couch. "What are you looking at?" she asked in a bitter tone.

Zac barked and returned to his venture for sleep.

Elena sighed and moved to Jesse's door. She knocked softly. "Jess? Jesse, Im sorry, okay?" She hated it when they fought. He was her best friend. She couldn't lose him. Giving up on the prospect for reconciliation tonight, she surrendered and whispered, "Just get a good night's sleep, okay?"

Without a reply, she moved to her doorway. As she was about to close her door she heard a muffled, "Night, Punk."

She smiled and called out, "Night brat." She then closed her door and moved to her empty bed to try and attempt to remove Elliot from her haunted mind and broken heart.