When they got there, Elliot opened the door for her again and then took her hand. They walked up to the apartment building together. Elliot tensed up for a second. Liv asked, ''Hey, what's wrong?''
Elliot shrugged. ''I just don't feel right. There's just something that's not right.'' He looked warily up at the building.
Olivia tightened her grip on his hand. ''It's cool, El. We can handle this.'' She looked at him, wondering why he all of a sudden was so weirded out about this building.
They buzzed and were let in. Deila opened the door. ''Hello, Dectectives. Karen called me. Ask us whatever you need to.''
Olivia said, ''We need to know all of the people who left before the party was officially over.'' She glanced at Elliot, who was just peering around cautiously.
Deila said, ''Yeah, that would be Mitch and Kevin. They were the only ones who left early. I know that doesn't help you. They're the ones who were obsessed with her.''
Liv cast a another glance at Elliot. He was still looking a little uneasy. She took the next question since he didn't venture one. ''Did they cause any problems? Get into a fight with Jordie?''
Deila shook her head. ''No. They weren't talking to each other. Mitch and Kev haven't spoken for three years, since they figured out that they were both in love with Jords. She didn't end up talking to them. She hung out with Kyle and I all night.''
Liv looked at Elliot for a third time, who was still being very quiet. She could tell something was wrong, but she couldn't tell what. She asked, ''Did they leave together?''
Deila shook her head again. ''No. Mitch left first. Kevin stuck around for about an hour after that. He played a game of Pyramid with some of the others and then said bye to Kyle and I at ten-thirty. Everyone else left at twelve-thirty.''
Olivia said, ''That's pretty early for a party.'' She made a note on her pad, wondering when Elliot was actually going to add something to this interview.
Kyle, who'd been sitting on the couch, nervously watching Elliot, said, ''People had stuff to do the following day. 'Sides, we aren't twenty-one anymore.''
Elliot surprised all three of them by abruptly leaving the apartment. He went downstairs and out to the car. He knew Liv was going to be ticked. He couldn't help it. That place gave him the creeps.
Liv came out a couple of minutes later, looking angry. ''What the hell happened in there, El? First, you don't say anything, then you just leave? What's going on, babe?''
Elliot looked at her. It was the first time she'd ever called him anything but his name or her partner. ''I'm sorry, hon, but that apartment gave me the creeps. Something's just not right. Kyle's a weirdo, too.''
Liv said, ''Gut feelings can be wrong, El. I know you don't have a lot of experience at being wrong, but they can.''
Elliot looked at her. ''Liv, I've been a cop for a long time. I know that I'm not wrong about this. I think it might be Kyle.''
Liv asked, ''Why would it be Kyle? Mitch and Kevin are the ones who were obsessed with her. Why would Kyle have done it?''
Elliot shrugged. ''I don't know. There could be lots of reasons. And we have no DNA evidence. That means it could be anyone. Who's to say it's not Kyle?''
Liv folded her arms. ''Yeah, you're right. We can't rule anyone out. But I really doubt that Kyle's the rapist.''
Elliot ended the conversation by getting in the car. For some reason he couldn't even explain, he felt very strongly about Kyle. He couldn't let it go. He thought Kyle should be a suspect.
Olivia stood for a minute outside the car, watching El and thinking. She wondered why El felt so strongly that Kyle had raped Jordie. They had no reason to believe that he had done it. Mitch and Kevin were more believable. Something had to be up with El. Usually he didn't fixate on someone unless he had some sort of reason. He was acting a bit like Monk all of a sudden.
She got into the car and stuck the key in. Elliot still wasn't saying anything. She said, ''El, if this is going to work, we can't be like we used to be. We've taken things to the next level. You've got to tell me if something's wrong.''
Elliot didn't look at her, just stared straight ahead. ''Nothing's up, Liv. I promise. I just don't have a good feeling about him. Let's just go talk to Kevin, OK, hon?''
Olivia just started the car and headed in the direction of Kevin's apartment. She hoped that El would snap out of it and be of a help when they were talking to Kevin.
The apartment building that Kevin lived in wasn't as nice as the other two. Olivia parked the car and looked at Elliot. ''Are you coming in with me?''
Elliot nodded. Of course. I told you, babe, I'm fine.'' He got out of the car and hurried to let her out before she could let herself out.
Olivia took his hand as she climbed out. She closed the door and they headed up to the building. It was a walk up. They headed inside, and up to the third floor, Kevin's floor.
His apartment was very noisy and the door was already open. Olivia hollered, ''Kevin Davis, it's the police. We've got some questions for you.''
A girl came to the door. ''Hi, I'm Rachel Perez, Kevin's friend. He's getting dressed. Come on in.'' She stepped back to let them in the doorway.
Elliot and Olivia entered, holding out their badges. Elliot introduced them. ''So where were you last night? You weren't invited to the party.''
Rachel shook her head. ''No, I'm a child-hood friend of Kevin's. The group from the party doesn't really like me much.'' She sat down on the couch and gestured to the chairs, indicating Olivia and Elliot to sit.
Olivia said, ''Did you hang out here, or were you at your own place?''
Rachel replied, ''Oh, I was here. Kevin and I are roommates.''
Olivia asked, ''Does he know that you're in love with him?'' She pulled her notebook out of her pocket.
Rachel blushed. ''Is it really that obvious?'' She asked, brushing blonde curls.
Olivia shook her head. ''No, I'm just good at these things. So does it bother you that he likes someone else?'' She knew it had to, when Elliot was with Kathy, it had killed her.
Rachel asked, ''What are you talking about? Kevin doesn't like anyone right now.''
Elliot said, ''You must be in the dark, 'cause he's been obsessed with Jordie Stevens since college.''
Rachel shook her head. ''No, no, he's not. She's obsessed with him. She follows him around like a puppy dog.'' She met Olivia's eyes and ignored El's completely.
Olivia ''That's not the way everyone else tells it. Everyone else claims it's the other way around.'' She wondered if Rachel really was as clueless as she seemed.
Rachel said, ''Kevin and I dated in high school, for our senior year. We have talked about getting back together. So I don't think that he wants her.''
Elliot folded his arms. ''Could be he wants his cake and to eat it, too. Or he could be settling for you because he can't have Jordie.'' He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but something wasn't adding up.
Rachel shook her head again as Kevin came out of the bedroom. ''No, he doesn't like her anymore. Tell them, Kev.''
Kevin said, ''I'm Kevin Davis. You two are?'' He turned the stereo off. Rachel had only turned it down.
Olivia introduced herself and Elliot again. ''We're here to ask you about the rape of Jordie Stevens. Where were you last night after the party? Deila says you didn't stay long.''
Kevin said, ''No, I didn't. I had some work to do at home.''
Elliot asked, ''At ten-thirty at night? What kind of housework gets done that late?'' He didn't like this guy already, but he didn't think he was the rapist.
Kevin looked nervous. ''I didn't do it. I like her, yeah, but I didn't rape her. Rach and I are kind of talking.''
Rachel wore an "I told you so" expression as she said, ''Did you talk to Mitch Oglemeijer yet? He's really the one who's obsessed with her.''
Olivia replied, ''We've already spoken to him, but we can't give you details about the case.''
Elliot asked, ''Speaking of Mitch, Kevin, didn't the two of you used to be good friends?''
Kevin nodded. ''Yeah. We stopped talking because we both liked Jordie. Mitch didn't want the competition.''
Olivia made a note on her notebook and then asked, ''Did she show any interest at all in either one of you?''
Kevin shook his head. ''Nope. But it didn't matter. Mitch and I both liked her and we just wanted to be around her.''
Elliot asked, ''Did you want to be with her enough to rape her?'' While he didn't think that he did it, they still had to ask.
Kevin vehemently refused. ''No, of course not. I told you, I came right back here. I never touched her. I don't think Mitch would have, either. I may not be friends with him anymore, but I don't think that he raped her, either.''
Olivia asked, ''Why do you think that? Everyone else thinks Mitch is pretty weird.''
Kevin asked, ''Have you ever liked someone you couldn't have?''
Olivia looked at Elliot. He smiled at her, his blue eyes looking as inviting as a dip in the ocean. ''Yes, I have. Sometimes it can work out, even if you don't expect it to.''
Kevin caught the look. ''Are you two dating? How can you keep it seperate from your job?'' He looked like he really wanted to know.
Elliot said, ''We are, but that has nothing to do with the rape of Jordie Stevens. Answer my partner's question.'' He tried to look stern, but it was hard. Anything to do with Olivia made him smile.
Kevin said, ''Well, the point I was trying to make is, even when you can't have the person you love, you still don't want to hurt them. Mitch really loved her. Still does. He wouldn't hurt her like that. However, you might check Kyle Davidson out. He's been dating Deila for three years now, but Jords is his ex-girlfriend. They dated for a year in college. Kyle has always thought of her as the girl who got away. Deila has never really liked that much.''
Elliot shot an "I told you so look" at his girlfriend and said, ''So did Kyle ever leave the apartment during the party?''
Kevin said, ''No, but Deila did for about an hour or so. She was still gone when I left. You'd have to ask Kyle for the time that she came back home.''
They thanked Kevin and Rachel and went back out to the car. Elliot said, ''Well I guess I was right to have such a weird feeling about Kyle and Deila's place.''
Olivia rolled her eyes. ''Yeah, yeah. You were right. But we still don't have any proof. Should we do back to check in with Munch and Fin?''
Elliot nodded. ''Yeah. We'll see what they found out from Jordie's coworkers.''
When they got to the station, Munch and Fin weren't there. Neither was Lake or Cragen. Elliot pulled Olivia to him. ''Looks like we've got a few minutes.'' He said mischievously.
Olivia looked into El's eyes. There was that sparkling ocean feeling again. ''El, we can't do that here. Cragen would have a fit and you know it.'' She told him.
Elliot slipped his arms around her waist. ''Liv, you can't tell me that you don't want to. I know you do.'' He planted a light kiss on her forehead, even though he wanted to do so much more.
Olivia put her arms around his neck. ''I'm not saying I don't. One smell of your neck, and you've got me. I just don't think that it would be a good idea.''
Lake came in, making them jump apart. ''Hey, don't stop on account of me. I'm just here to get some stuff. I've got another case I'm working on.''
Olivia tried to pay attention to Lake, but it was hard with El blowing on her ear and standing so close to her. She could smell him. ''What case, Lake? Why haven't you told us about it?''
Lake was looking very secretive. ''Don't worry about it, Benson. I've got it under control.'' Carrying a few folders tucked securely under his arm, he left.
Coast clear, Olivia hit Elliot playfully on the arm. ''You know what that does to me. We've got to wait for Munch and Fin, whether we want to or not.''
Elliot smiled at her. ''Can't blame a guy for tryin'. Our relationship is new and I love you so much.''
Olivia smiled and ran her hand through his hair. ''I love you, too. And you know that I'd love to just take you right now. But not here.'' She looked into his eyes again, and was nearly undone.
Elliot playfully tickled her, making her laugh. She wrapped her arms around his waist. He kissed her softly. ''You are the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen.'' He told her.
Olivia pulled him even closer. ''I have loved you for years. You are one of the most wonderful men that I have ever met.'' She captured his mouth in a searing, passionate kiss.
Elliot smiled at her when the kiss broke. ''So you don't think I'm good-looking, too?'' He teased.
Olivia responded by kissing him again, this one even more passionate than the last. ''You know I think you're hot.'' She said when they could both breathe again.
Munch and Fin entered the squad room, making El and Liv spring apart. Munch said, ''You guys want to hear what we've got, or take each other right here?'' He ignored the harsh look from Fin.
Olivia said, ''Back off, Munch. Of course we want to hear what you found. We've got info to share with you, too.'' Elliot's hand was snaking around her waist again, and she batted it away. She needed to concentrate.
Fin said, ''We found out it probably isn't anyone from the workplace. Nobody there was harassing her or anything like that.'' He went to stand by his desk. He didn't know what Munch's problem was. Yeah, it was a little weird to catch Liv and El making out in the squad room, but now that they were together, that was probably going to happen from time to time.
Olivia asked, ''Are you sure? Mitch Oglemeijer works with her, and we got some of the party guests say he was pretty obsessed with her.'' She folded her arms, to help resist the temptation to grab Elliot and throw him down on the floor.
Fin nodded. ''Yeah, it's most likely nobody from work's our rapist. What did ya'll find out?'' He shot a warning look at Munch. Even after all these years of partnering with Munch, he still didn't know how the man's mind worked.
Olivia replied, ''We talked to Mitch's sister, the party hosters, and Kevin and his new girlfriend. Kevin told us that Kyle Davidson's Jordie's ex-boyfriend. He dated her for a year in college. The problem is, Kyle never left the party. His girl Deila did.''
Fin said, ''What reason would Deila have for raping Jordie?''
Elliot said, ''Could be she's jealous that Kyle thinks of Jordie as the one that got away. She could've snapped. It would explain why there was no DNA. But then we'd have to look for anything she might have used.''
Fin said, ''That's possible. Have you guys gone back and asked Deila about it?''
Olivia said, ''No, not yet. We wanted to see what you had found out before we went back.'' She caught Munch looking at her, and met his gaze. She could quickly broke it before he said something else.
He did anyway. ''Yeah, you looked like you were working real hard just now.'' He said resentfully.
Elliot looked at Munch. ''What right do you have to judge us? Liv and I have been waiting for years to be together. You were one of the ones who told me to go for it with her. Why are you all of a sudden jumping at us?''
Munch got right back in El's face. He wasn't quick to anger, and they hadn't had many fights. ''I told you to go for it, yes, but the squad room is no place to mount your new girlfriend.'' He was surprising himself. He didn't know why this bothered him so much.
Olivia stepped up beside Elliot. '''Get off our case, Munch. What El and I do is our own business.''
Munch said, ''Yeah, until you're making out in the squad room.'' He could hardly believe the way he was talking to them. He didn't really care if they had sex all over the station. It just was annoying him.
Olivia had to grab El's arms to keep him from hitting Munch. ''John, just back off, OK? We'll try to keep it under control.'' She just wanted to get Elliot outside and away from John before he did something that they'd all regret.
Elliot looked at her incredulously. ''He's not Cap. We don't have to make that promise.'' He knew that Olivia just wanted to get him away from Munch, but he didn't want to give in.
Olivia said, ''I know, babe, but he's got a point, OK? Let's just drop it for now. El and I will go interview Deila again. See why she left her own party. You and Fin check out Kevin's and Mitch's backgrounds. See if they've got any priors.'' She pulled El out to the elevators, him looking back at Munch incredulously the whole time.
Elliot was still peeved, and didn't say much on the way down. Olivia kept looking at him, wondering how mad he still was. He just kept balling his hands into fists.
When they got outside, he finally said, ''Is this how it's going to be from now on? Munch judging us? And Fin's his partner, why didn't he say anything to him?''
Olivia rubbed his back softly. ''I don't know, babe. But you don't know what was going on with Munch. We'll talk to them both later. Everyone will calm down. Let's just go to Deila and Kyle's.''
They got there, and Kyle was outside, looking peeved. ''Dectectives.'' He said, as they got out of the car and walked up to him. His shirt was a little torn.
Elliot asked, ''What's up, Kyle? Why are you outside like this?'' He quickly pulled out his notebook, in case it had something to do with the case.
Kyle looked up to the second floor, towards his apartment. ''Deila and I got into a fight. Rachel Perez called, accusing me of raping Jords. Deila said she believed her, and threw me out.''
Olivia asked, ''Why would she believe her? I thought you'd been dating for three years?'' She cast a look at Elliot. That didn't sound like a loyal girlfriend.
Kyle nodded. ''Yeah, we have. But Deila has never liked the fact that I stayed friends with Jordie. And she never liked her in school. So I'm not real surprised that Dee believed Rachel.''
Olivia asked, ''May I ask why you and Jordie broke up? If you don't mind.''
Kyle shook his head. ''It's cool. Well, we had been dating for about a year, and I was getting ready to ask her to marry me. Then she told me that she wasn't ready to commit to one person, and that she wanted to be just friends. I was hurt for awhile, but then I missed her, so we were friends.''
Elliot asked, ''Do you know why Deila left the party? Kevin says she left. Said we'd have to ask you to get the time that she came back.''
Kyle said, ''I'm not sure why she left. She did leave, I remember. But she didn't come back until about one am.''
Olivia glanced at Elliot, then back at Kyle. ''Are you completely positive?''
Kyle nodded. ''Yeah, I remember, because I was watching Die Hard 2 on USA when she got back.'' He looked up at the window to his place again.
Olivia said, ''We've got to talk to Deila, El. Let's go.'' They walked into the building and headed upstairs.
El said on the way, ''We need a confession, Liv. If it was her, we've got nothing that Novak can take to court.''
Olivia nodded. ''I know. I just hope we can get one if it was.''
The door was open, and Deila was pacing around, listening to loud music. She seemed to be having a conversation with herself. She looked very dishevelled.
Elliot said, ''Deila, it's Olivia and Elliot, you remember us? What happened?'' He thought a gentle approach was the best. They needed her to tell them where she had been the night before, and he didn't think force was going to work.
Deila looked up. ''What happened? I'll tell you what happened. Kyle raped Jordie Stevens, that's what.'' She went back to muttering to herself.
Olivia asked, ''How did you find that out?'' She and El carefully entered the apartment.
Deila didn't stop pacing as she replied, ''Rachel Perez called and told me.''
Olivia pulled out her notebook and then asked, ''Did she give you any reasons about why she thinks that?''
Deila shook her head. ''No. She just said that that's what she thought. I chose to believe her because I knew that Kyle still loves Jordie, so I thought he might have done it.''
Olivia looked at Elliot. That sounded like Rachel sticking her nose in. ''Well, OK. But we actually came to see why you left your own party and didn't get home until one-thirty.''
Deila looked at her. She looked even more nervous now. ''Why? Who told you that?'' She demanded to know.
Elliot answered. ''After we talked to Kevin, we talked to Kyle. They both told us that you left the party. Kevin said you left before he did. Kyle confirmed what he told us.''
Deila looked even more nervous now. ''I don't remember why I left. I was with Kyle and Jords. You should ask them.'' She had started to look a little out of it.
Olivia said, ''Well, here's the thing, Deila. Kevin also told us that Kyle thought of Jordie as the one that got away. He said that you didn't like that too much.''
Deila sat down on the couch, running her hands through her hair. Elliot was beginning to like her for this. ''Yeah, I don't even like her. She's his ex. She's never given him a second thought since they broke up, but I know he still loves her. It bothers me.''
Olivia said, ''I can understand that. If one of my boyfriend's exes was still around, it would bother me.'' She waved her hand at El to let him know that she was just sympathizing with her.
Deila seemed to be outside of herself as she said, ''Yeah, that's why I did it. I fixed her. I showed her.'' She looked very dazed.
Olivia looked back at Elliot and then back at Deila. ''What did you do, Deila?'' She asked carefully.
What she said next surprised them both. ''I raped her. I took the dildo that Kyle got me for my birthday.'' She waved her hand towards the bedroom. ''It's in a plastic baggie under the bed.''
Elliot went to get it as Olivia read Deila her rights. They took her down to the station, Elliot calling Fin on the way. It had never been this easy before.