Chapter 3

A/N: Law & Order SVU and its characters are not mine. They are Dick Wolf's and Wolf Films'.

So okay, I know I said the shopping trip was next. But I couldn't let Olivia do this without a friend to support her. Please review!

"So, Liv, how have you been?" Casey Novak asked.

They were at Bar 89 in Soho drinking their famous mojitos. On impulse, Olivia had called Casey because she finally had to confide in someone. Yes she was a bit mortified at the fact that she had done the cliché thing by falling for her partner. But it is what it is. And mortified or not, she could not keep it all to herself any longer. She had to share it with a friend.

Olivia took a sip for her mojito before replying, "Good. But Casey, I have something to tell you. I really need your help, suggestions, whatever. Your honest thoughts as well."

Under Casey's earnest stare, Olivia blushed. Then Casey laughed and sipped her mojito before saying, "I bet I can guess, Liv."

"Really?"

"Sure. Judging by what you said, my guess is that you're in love."

Olivia's jaw dropped. "How did…"

She didn't get to finish because Casey interrupted. "Wait let me finish, you're in love and the guy you're in love with Elliot."

"How the hell did you know that, Casey?" Olivia didn't other denying the fact. Casey in her capacity as one of the best ADAs would know if she lied. "Did Munch and Fin say something? Not that they know anything, but you know those two."

Casey laughed again and rolled her eyes. "Liv, how did I know? You seriously have no idea."

"No." Olivia said definitively. "How did you know?"

"Liv, I've known it from the first day I worked with you guys. And newsflash, you're not the only one who's smitten. He is too!"

"Come on Casey, now you're stretching it."

"You don't see what I see. I see two people too stubborn to admit that they want more. The way you have each other's back and the way you support him and vice versa – seriously, do I have to list why I know what I know?"

It was Olivia who laughed then. "Well you're right in my case, but Elliot? I doubt it. And what you just described there counselor is called friendship."

"I am serious, Liv. Your partner has the hots for you. And evidently you have the hots for him, too. And isn't he getting divorced? So why not take the opportunity? Come on, girl!"

Olivia smiled mysteriously at her words. "Actually, that's why I asked you for drinks."

Casey looked puzzled now and asked, "What do you mean?"

Olivia went on to tell her about the shopping trip she had planned with Elliot the next day and the made up guy she was dating. By the time she was finished telling Casey her plan, Casey was laughing hard. "Oh my God, Liv, you must have given him such a hard on. You know how guys are?"

"I hope so." Olivia replied, mischievously.

"You're bad!" Casey exclaimed. "But I love it!"

"Right." Then suddenly Olivia sobered. "But you know something uh for a lack of a better term – strange happened about a week ago and it was what made me realize that if I wanted him, I had to do something about it."

"What happened? Why strange? Tell me!" Casey leaned forward eagerly.

Olivia proceeded to tell her about the call that she got. Casey's eyes widened. "Oh my God!"

"Right?"

"Do you think he called you deliberately?" Casey asked, taking another sip of her mojito.

Olivia shook her head. "I don't think so, Case. I mean he was normal the next day. I think if he did that deliberately he would have been acting weird the next day. He'd expect some reaction from me, you know?"

"True…" Casey agreed. "But oh my gosh, do you think the girl called you?"

"Why would she do that? Number 1 I don't know who she is. Elliot never called out her name. Number 2, why would she do that even if she did know who I was. If she wanted to make a woman jealous and it should be Kathy she called and not me."

"But doesn't everyone know that he's getting divorced? So I'm sure this girl knows that, so there's no reason to call Kathy. But she has reason to call the woman who'd be the most threat. And that would be you."

Olivia looked at Casey as she finished her mojito off. Casey had her "I'm thinking" look on and had such a serious expression that Olivia started laughing.

"What?" Casey asked. "Come on, Liv. You know what I'm saying is plausible."

"It's plausible if El and I are a couple. But we're not! We're just partners and friends."

Casey rolled her eyes. "Olivia Benson, remember what I told you earlier? Remember how I knew that you both had the hots for each other? Did either of you ever tell me that well at least before you tonight?"

"No."

"And yet, I knew! Liv if I can see it, everyone else can see it too!"

Olivia laughed again. "Casey, you're crazy!"

"No I'm not. It's as plain as day. You guys are so into each other."

Still chuckling, Liv answered, "Casey. Come on."

"You want me to prove it? I bet you if I call Munch or Fin right now and asked them if they thought that you and Elliot want each other, I bet you they'd agree. Say yes and I'll call."

Casey started to take the phone out of her bag and started to go through her phone book. Olivia stopped her then. "Okay, Casey. Enough, you've made yourpoint."

Casey glanced at her for one moment then conceded. "Okay, seriously, Liv. You can't see what I see."

Olivia was silent for a bit then in a sober tone she asked, "Is it really that obvious?" She blushed red at the thought. "Oh my God. I didn't know. I never thought that people saw us and saw that."

"Hate to break it to you girl, everyone knows except the two of you. Or maybe you did but you two were just too scared and stubborn to admit it."

"I guess."

"So my point is, since we all know it, I'm sure this girl knows it too that is if she knows you too." Casey conclude.

"I heard her voice Casey. I didn't recognize it. I'm sure she doesn't know me. She may know of me – that is Elliot tells her about work. But other than that, I don't think I know her."

"Hmmm….any distinguishing tones in her voice?"

Olivia chuckled again. "So you're playing detective now, counselor?"

"Come on, Liv. Aren't you curious to know who she is?"

"Well…" Suddenly she smiled wickedly, "Well actually, I'm more interested to know if what she was shouting is true."

"What was she saying?" Casey asked, catching Olivia's meaning immediately.

"She said that Elliot was big and hard and good."

Casey's eyes grew big and she actually blushed a little. "Oh thanks, Liv. Now I'll have that image in my head the next time I see Elliot."

"I know, I keep hearing her say it over and over in my head. Especially when Elliot is next to me. It sucks but it also makes me well…excited."

Casey laughed. "Go for it, Liv. Go get him."

"I intend to." Olivia said. "So any tips for tomorrow's shopping expedition?"

"Well first of all you gotta make him feel that this guy you're "seeing" is like Superman. You need to make sure he feels how much you want to sleep with Dr. Chris and how much you want to be sexy for him. Keep him on his toes and make sure you give him a glimpse of what you're offering. And if you do that, he'll be so hot and bothered. He'll be your lapdog for sure."

"What if I get him so horny that I drive him into the arms of that girl when we're done?"

"Well, keep him with you for as long as you can. Offer to buy him drinks after shopping. Tell him it's your way of saying thank you. And if he still runs to her in order to let off steam, well, let me tell you, I'm pretty sure he'll have a hard time concentrating on her. If he does end up in her arms, if you play your cards right, it will still be you he'll be seeing. I'm not going to lie, Liv. He's a stubborn guy and this will be a marathon not a sprint. But I know you're gonna get him. I have utmost faith in you."

Olivia smiled widely. "Thanks, Casey. Anyway, enough about him. I don't want to jinx it."

"You won't."

"So in the meantime, another round of Mojitos?"

"Are you paying?"

"Sure!"

As they waited for their drinks, Olivia turned to Casey one more time. "Casey, I'm scared. I've never felt like this for anyone."

For a moment, Casey felt afraid for her too. She knew how hardheaded Elliot can be. But then she smiled, "I know, Liv. But don't worry – Elliot's a smart guy. He'll figure it out."

Their drinks arrived then and the two toasted to Olivia's success. Under the table though, Casey crossed her fingers for her, just in case.

UP NEXT: We finally have the shopping trip. What happens? Does Elliot end up in Olivia's arms or Millie's?