George always felt afraid when Elliot left the precinct. He would go after a suspect, and George would inevitably find himself thinking of the what-ifs. He tried to shrink himself; he tried to tell himself that what he was feeling was irrational, but he also knew... it really wasn't.
This time, he felt incredibly lucky. Elliot made a point of calling him as soon as they got the suspect in the car: Elliot was on his way. He started to calm down, and soon he had regained his composure so that none of the squad would know that he had been in knots.
Elliot walked in and immediately scanned the room for George. Their eyes met and he walked over. George needed Elliot to follow him into his office. He couldn't do it too often, or people would get suspicious- and they certainly didn't want to come out yet- but this was an exception.
"Detective, you're looking stressed. Want to talk?" He asked in his formal tone, and Elliot understood immediately what George meant.
"I guess, doc." He said, faking reluctance. He followed George silently into the office, sitting down on the 'shrink couch'.
"You're ok?" George asked, needed affirmation. Elliot nodded.
"I'm not hurt. And my day's better now." He added a tiny smile at the end of the words.
"Mentally?" George asked, just to be sure.
"I'm fine, George. I promise." Elliot murmured. He gave George a quick peck on the lips.
"Ok." George said softly. "Ok." He moved and sat down, getting as close to Elliot as he could without sitting on him. Elliot rested his chin on George's head while rubbing George's shoulders; George wrapped his arms around Elliot's waist.
"I love you." Elliot whispered into his ear.
"I love you too Elliot." George said back.
The rest of the hour passed quickly; physical contact, punctuated occassionally by reassurances, made the time fly by. Elliot gave him another kiss before leaving the office, walking to the squad room. George stayed in his office, feeling reassured.
He could cope with this.