Olivia had never been a clock-watcher before, but today was different. Every minute dragged on like an hour. It was a rare slow day in the SVU department and there was little work to distract her from what she perceived to be the loud ticking of the clock.
"Liv" Elliot said standing next to her desk sipping on cold coffee, and chewing on a two day old bagel. There was no response at Liv's end. "Liv" he said again with more force and setting down his drink on her desk.
"When did it become acceptable to sneak up on people?" Liv asked after she regained a little of her composure. She had been so deep in thought that Elliot had really startled her. Liv's breath was coming quick and her heart was racing out of her chest. Elliot could tell something was up with Olivia recently, but it was Friday and he knew whatever it was, the weekend would most likely fix the issue without him having to get involved. This was a plus for Elliot because it was Maureen's birthday today. He was over the moon that it was slow so he could head home when Liv left to see Cabot. Win/Win Elliot figured.
"Whatcha doing?" Elliot asked taking another bite from his stall bagel, causing crumbs to drop on Olivia's desk in the process.
"Just reading over the "Milton Case" files." Olivia said brushing the crumbs off the edge of the desk and onto a piece of paper before getting up to try to dump the crumbs into a near by waste basket.
"Why are you doing that? Isn't that the whole reason for your meeting with Cabot?"
"The better prepared I am the quicker Alex and I can finish. I may actually get to have a nice dinner tonight at a normal time without worrying about rushing back to work." Liv said brushing the last few crumbs off her desk before sitting down again.
"Well if you are going to finish early your welcome to join us for Maureen's Birthday dinner. I'm sure Kathy is going to burn whatever it is we are having, but I can assure you the cake will be amazing."
"How can you be so sure?" Olivia questioned, worried that Elliot might answer that he would be the one baking it, in which case she would have no choice but to show up. If only to see Elliot try to cook.
"I'm picking it up from the bakery on the way home. No chance of Kathy ruining it." Elliot said holding up his right hand "Scouts Honor."
"Thanks for the offer but you know Alex." Olivia said relieved to have a good excuse not to join them. "I just hope she doesn't keep me there all night." Liv said drawing out the last 2 words for emphasis. "Every time I think something will be quick and easy, she finds a way to complicate it."
"As prepared as you are I am sure it will be quick. Although I am not sure if all your prep will really matter anyways. Last time we met with her she was eager to get done so she could meet Robert somewhere. Seeing that its Friday I am sure she has plans for later and wont want to spent the night with you. Could you blame her?" Elliot said. Before he even had a chance to react Liv hit him with a balled up piece of paper.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" She asked.
"Nothing" was all Elliot said before grabbing the piece of paper and throwing it back at Liv. Liv quickly ducked causing the paper to hit the coffee cup sitting on Munch's desk. All they could do is watch as for what seemed like an eternity the cup swayed back and forth before Munch finally grabbed it.
"Now settle down children" Munch barked. "There will be no throwing objects in class. Stabler, don't make me call your mother!" Everyone burst into laughter before getting back to work.
Olivia tried to look busy, but her mind was racing. What did Elliot mean when he said Alex wouldn't want to spend the night with her? What was he implying? Liv liked to believe that despite the constant bickering between them, that Alex was her closest female friend. Surely your closest friend would want to spend the night with you from time to time wouldn't she? Olivia glanced over at Elliot who sat reading over some paper work totally unaware that what he had just said was causing Liv's mind to reel from his innocent comment. Olivia muttered under her breathe "MEN!!" before rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to the "Milton Case". At least the little diversion had made the clock stop ticking so loudly in Liv's head.