Chapter 2
Fin stared at the man he had seen just a few months ago. Somehow he looked different when Olivia's gun wasn't pointed at the back of his head. "Hello Detective just came by to see Detective Benson." Fin stared at him for a few seconds, "Elliott you seen Liv?"
"No who's asking," Elliott said as he walked up to the man talking with Fin. Fin looked between the two men, each sizing up the other. "Elliott this is Master Sgt. Pruitt, US Marine Corp, he was a suspect a few months back in the Crewes case Liv and I worked together, this is Detective Stabler." Dominic held his hand out noticing the U.S.M.C. tattooed on Elliott's arm. Elliott didn't accept his handshake. "Why are you looking for Olivia?"
Dominic answered slowly, "I had something I needed to speak with her about and I figured this was the best place to look for her." "I'll come back another day", Dominic headed to the elevator just barely hearing Elliott's "Yeah you do that." He waited for the elevator to arrive and never looked back at the two detectives he knew were still staring his way. He knew she would be gone when he got to the lobby, and when the elevator doors opened and there she was sitting in the corner he wanted to jump up and down. He knew she did not see his approach; she was sitting with her head down. "Olivia," it came out as a whisper and she jerked her head up. He saw the tears swimming in her eyes and grabbed her. He did not care who saw him holding her; he just wanted her to know he was there.
"I thought you had changed your mind," Olivia said very sadly. Dominic tightened his arms, "Yeah well you have a group of protectors up there and I did not think they were letting me through." Olivia's slight chuckle caught him off guard,"Yeah when you're the only female in the unit the guys can be over-protective at times." Dominic wanted to keep holding her, she felt so good in his arms. Her fragrance was driving him wild, she smelled so good but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. Olivia lost track of time standing there in his arms, he made her feel safe and she liked that, no she needed that. Things were better in her life, her therapy was working out, the flashbacks weren't coming so frequently and she and Elliott had actually shared a laugh yesterday. Those things were great but right now the feeling this man gave her was so much better! She pulled away first, looking up at him, he was only a few inches taller than she was, but he still made her feel small and feminine. She couldn't hold his stare any longer and glanced away towards the elevators. Her eyes connected with her partner of ten years and his glare went straight through her. Tensing immediately she pulled away from Dominic and watched as Elliott stormed out of the 1-6.
"Dominic I should not have let this start here, I do want to see you, let's meet somewhere tonight." His face could not mask his excitement, "OK, where would you like to meet?"
Olivia thought about her response, "How about we meet at the new club on Broadway Street, it's called Club Voodoo." "Do you dance Dominic?" He smiled at her and replied, "Not really but as long as I can look at you I will be OK." Olivia felt the blush rise on her face, "So it's a date, tonight at 7." She did not even realize she had been clinging to his hand until he turned to walk away.
Olivia walked back into the squad room and immediately heard Cragen yelling for her to find Elliott. "Where is he Cap'n?"
"I thought he was looking for you. You two need to get down to Third and Canal, there's been an attack." She barely heard his last statement; she was all ready headed out the door. She found Elliott standing outside beside the sedan. He climbed in the car without speaking and she knew this was going to be a long day. The ride to their location was filled with silence and Olivia could not wait to get out of the car. She lunged out as soon as Elliott hit the brakes. She immediately pulled her badge, showing it to the crowd. Another officer came forward. "Olivia Benson, SVU, this is my partner Elliott Stabler, what happened here."
The officer was staring at Olivia as if she had two heads. "It seems there's been a mistake here, these two are making an amateur film and someone called it in." At that moment Elliott decided to let the crowd know how displeased he was, "Don't waste our time with this kind of crap!" Olivia cut her eyes towards him, noticing his jaw tighten as he slammed the car door. Olivia looked at the young officer, "Try to catch us before we drive across town next time!" She gave him a smile as she climbed back in the car.
"OK, Elliott I know you saw me and Pruitt in the lobby but what's the problem?" Elliott stared back at Olivia wondering what was going on with them, "Since when do you date perps?" Olivia was getting angry and let him know it, "Look Elliott who I date or don't date is none of your damn business, and you have no right to judge me. You are a married man jealous of his single partner going out on a date." Elliott pulled the car over, put it in park, and stared at her. "Liv, what's going on with us?"
"Elliott things have been different for a while now, I have dealt with things all alone because you have been so distant. The case I worked with Fin, I had a flashback from Sealview and put my gun to the back of Pruitt's skull and if Fin had not been there I have no idea what would have happened. You knew something had happened but yet you never came to me and asked. I know you have your own life full of kids, a wife and everything else so please let me have my own! We are struggling with our friendship but I cannot beg for your help any longer!" He never opened his mouth; he just put the car in drive and started towards the precinct. Once they got back Olivia cleared her desk and asked the Captain if she could head out early. She left without speaking to Elliott and decided to walk home instead of catching a cab. She thought about what happened in the car and remembered the look Elliott had on his face, how hurt he was. She had said what she needed to say, and was it her fault that Elliott always acted like an ass when there was someone in her life?
Olivia decided to put today's events out of her head and thought about Dominic. Walking up her front stoop she made her mind up to relax in a hot bath. She grabbed the mail out of her box and looked through it walking up the stairs. Unlocking her front door she walked straight to the bathroom. She started the water, and walked into her bedroom as the tub started to fill. She thought about what to wear and had her mind made up before she even opened the closet doors. She picked out her favorite red halter dress and smiled to herself knowing Dominic would love this dress!