Sadly, I own no one. If I did, I'd quit my job and indulge these characters in their fantasies day in and day out. Dick Wolf owns all; I just take them out for a spin.
A/U…how to explain this…set 5 years after "Undercover." In this version, Olivia and Fin developed a relationship in the aftermath of Olivia's assault. I don't want to give too much away, as the back story will be told. Suffice it to say, cannon up until Undercover, then I take over. Oh, and in my world, Elliot never left SVU.
Original story by Bellatrix wannabe 89; rewritten solely at her request. Enjoy!
Warning: This story has a racial theme, so racist language may be used. THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE OFFENSIVE, merely to make the characters believable. As always, don't like, don't read…that's what the "Back" button is for.
Rating: M
Chapter 2
"No! Daddy, don't leave!" Tina exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Fin's left leg when they entered Sunny Side Preschool. Sunny Side was a child's paradise, filled with bright colors and a caring staff. The three-year-old classroom was broken down into several stations: a colorful carpet where they had Story Time, several child sized desks and chairs for Art Time, a play area with blocks, Legos, play kitchens and grocery carts, and Tina's favorite – a huge collection of dress up clothes. But Olivia immediately fell in love with 28-year-old African-American Sasha Jennings' teaching style and demeanor, and Tina usually idolized her. Fin sighed and knelt down to her level.
"Baby, we've been over this before. Daddy has to go to work, and you have to go to school. When we get home, you can show me all the cool stuff you learned today," Fin patiently explained.
"No, I don't want you to go work today," Tina replied, pouting. Spying the scene Tina was creating, Sasha Jennings approached Olivia.
"Again?" she asked.
"Again," Olivia replied. "I don't get it. She was fine on the first day of school. In fact, I was the one who had a hard time leaving." Olivia chuckled slightly at the memory. She had been so apprehensive leaving her daughter alone on the first day of school, but of course, like all mothers, she pushed through it. "And then, out of the blue, she decided that she couldn't do anything or go anywhere without Fin."
"She's a daddy's girl," Ms. Jennings answered. "Don't worry, it's just a phase. She'll grow out of it." The she turned her attention back to Tina, lowering herself to eye level.
"Hey, Tina, we're gonna have so much fun today! We're gonna talk about the letter C, and do you know what starts with C?" Ms. Jennings asked. Tina shook her head and tightened her grip on Fin. "Cinderella!" Ms. Jennings answered excitedly, knowing full well that it was Tina's favorite story. Tina stopped sniffling and appeared to be considering what Ms. Jennings had just told her.
"Really?" Tina asked softly, still refusing to budge.
"Really, and we're going read Cinderella at Story Time," Ms. Jennings explained. "And we're going to draw pictures of our favorite people from the story. I'd hate to see you miss out on all of that." Tina turned her eyes up towards Fin.
"Can my daddy stay too?" Tina asked.
"That sounds like fun, Tina. I wish I could stay for that, but daddy and I have to go to work," Olivia answered.
"Ok, you stay, and I go work with daddy," Tina replied.
"Tina, why don't you come with me. I have some Cinderella dresses you can try on," Ms. Jennings tried. "And one of them is pink, which I happen to know is your favorite color." Tina looked over towards to dress up area where there were, in fact, several child sized ball gowns on hangers.
"Daddy, come with me," Tina said, taking Fin's hand and leading him towards the clothes. Fin obliged, but when Ms. Jennings had Tina distracted with two different pink dresses, she looked at Fin and Olivia.
Go, now, she mouthed, and the two adults quietly slipped out the door. Olivia was impressed by how gently Ms. Jennings separated Tina from Fin. Her kind and gentle demeanor was the main reason she had chosen Sunny Side for Tina, and it didn't hurt that the school was a block away from the precinct.
"Have a good day," Fin said, giving Liv a quick kiss before turning towards his desk across from Munch. It might have been silly, considering they worked on the same squad, but Olivia always thought the gesture was sweet.
"You too," she answered, heading off to her own desk. "Morning, El," she said, hanging her coat up and taking her seat. "What have we got today?"
"So far, not much. Just the paperwork on the Taylor case from last week," he said, tossing a file to her.
"That's it?" she asked, slightly stunned that nothing had come in overnight.
"And the Simmons case. And Roberts, Maloney, and Holbrook," Elliot answered, handing her more files. "And that's just your half."
"You're too kind," Olivia quipped back.
"Call just came in from Mercy," Cragen said, coming out of his office. "Who's up?"
"We are," Munch said, as he and Fin were already shrugging into their coats. Olivia waiting, hoping something else would come in. She knew that paperwork was part of her job, but she preferred being in the field. Sitting still for too long drove her crazy, and by lunch time, she was getting fidgety.
"Wanna go grab a bite to eat?" Elliot asked.
"You must have read my mind," Olivia said, dropping her pen on the stack of papers in front of her. She had gotten quite a bit of work done, but she was eager for a break. She and Elliot had worked together for so long, that they both knew that "lunch out" meant the diner across the street from the precinct.
"Detectives, good to see you! What are we having today?" the middle-aged man who ran the diner asked after they had settled into a booth. "Two burgers with everything and a side of fries?"
"Sounds good to me. I'm starving," Elliot answered.
"Actually, I think I'll just have a salad, no dressing," Olivia answered, feeling slightly queasy. Elliot's brow furrowed.
"Salad? Really?" Elliot asked.
"Stop it. Millions of people eat salads every day for lunch," Olivia replied.
"Yeah, but they're not you," Elliot answered.
"Well, Fin's birthday is coming up, and I just bought this really great dress…" Olivia began.
"When are you due?" Elliot blurted out. Liv's jaw hung open.
"Excuse me?" she asked, as the waiter placed the plates of food in front of them. Olivia picked up a distinct scent. Pickles, lots of them, and they were making her particularly nauseous.
"You only eat dry salads when your pregnant because lettuce is the only thing that you can keep down," he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh? And just how do you happen to know that?" Olivia asked.
"Liv, I'm your partner. And I have five kids. I just know these things," Elliot answered. "So, when are you due?" Olivia sighed.
"I don't know," she answered truthfully.
"When did you find out?" he asked.
"I did a home test this morning," she answered.
"Have you told Fin yet?" he asked.
"No, and I'm not going to. At least…not yet," she said.
"Liv, I don't think that's such a good idea," Elliot began. "The man has a right to know."
"I know, I know," Olivia said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "But he took the first miscarriage so hard, and the second one nearly destroyed him. I just…I want to wait until I'm sure this one's going to make it before I say anything to him." Elliot hesitated before he spoke.
"That's gonna be kinda hard," he said. "By the time you know for sure, it's going to be pretty obvious you're pregnant."
"First trimester, El. I just want to get through the first trimester. Promise me you won't say anything," she said.
"Liv, I…" he started.
"Promise," she said, a little more forcefully. Elliot sighed.
"All right, it's none of my business anyway," he said. He placed a hand over one of hers. "You're not gonna lose this one, Liv. Tina's going to have a wonderful little brother or sister." Olivia met his eyes, and she saw absolute, unwaivering confidence as he spoke.
"Thanks, El," she whispered.
"So, have you decided what you're going to tell Cragen?" Elliot asked, turning his attention back to his burger and breaking the moment.
"Oh, I'm not tell him either. I was four months pregnant with Tina before I switched over to desk duty. I'll be fine," she said, as she picked at the salad with her fork. So far, she had only managed small nibbles. The smell of those pickles was close to making her vomit. "So, are you and Kathy still ok with taking Tina Saturday night?"
"Let's see, you've made reservations at Fin's favorite restaurant, bought a great dress, dropped some serious cash on a great gift for him, and even took a trip to Victoria's Secret for the occasion. You know, Liv, now that you mention it, I think we might be busy that night," Elliot teased. Olivia gave him a sharp tap under the table with her foot and grinned.
"Stop it," she said. "And how do you know I went to Victoria's Secret?"
"Fin saw the bag in your closet and asked if I knew what was in it. And of course we're fine with watching Tina. You know how much Kathy adores her, and we owe you for all the times you've baby-sat for us when we needed a night alone," Elliot said.
XxXxX
The man sitting in the booth behind them was completely and utterly disgusted. Not only is she married to the nigger, but she let him knock her up. What a whore, he thought. Soon, honey. I'll fix you soon enough.
For those of you waiting for the smut, it's coming, I promise! Fasten those seatbelts, kids, it's gonna be a long ride!
Reviews are always appreciated…and highly motivating!