A/N: I truly appreciate all the reviews and the positive feedback from this story. I'd love more of course. I never beta my work so if you see anything that could use some polishing, please let me know.
She can't believe her bedroom is such a mess. There are clothes everywhere and she's still roving through her closet like a mad woman. What Olivia is having trouble fathoming is that she's doing all this because she's going out with Elliot.
The morning was uneventful. He'd woken her up with the wonderful aroma of coffee and the equally intoxicating scent of buttermilk pancakes. And though she's sworn off carbs, she found herself hopelessly indulging.
Who knew the man could turn out a good flapjack?
Olivia started getting anxious about an hour ago. Initially everything she was going to wear from her earrings to her shoes was picked out and ready. Then she started second guessing things.
It began simply enough, swapping out her heels for another pair. Then she didn't think they worked with the dress so she chose another. Next thing she knew, it looked like her closet threw up all over her duvet.
She's standing in her bathrobe after having showered and Elliot will be knocking on her door in about ten minutes.
"Screw it," she says to herself, beginning to dress in the outfit she chose in the first place.
Olivia hasn't been this nervous about a date since junior prom with Frank Modesto. Usually she's confident, excited and happy to get out on the town because she works so much. Now she's edgy and nearly nauseous with anxiety. Her palms are sweaty and her stomach is doing flips.
"It's just Elliot," she asserts to the four walls of her apartment. "You've known him forever so just calm the hell down already."
She dabs on some perfume, pulls on her heels and goes to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine, something to calm her nerves.
Meanwhile Elliot's in her parking garage, looking for a spot. He's changed his tie at least three times and that was after he'd finally found what suit he was going to wear. He's a bundle of nerves and doesn't know why.
"It's just Liv," he repeats to himself yet again.
But the butterflies still haven't gone away. He hasn't been so simultaneously terrified and excited since he left for his first tour in the marines. It's not good that he's likening his date with her to war but it's the truth.
"Breathe," he says, walking down her hallway.
The tie ended up on Elliot's back seat after having yanked it off in frustration. He decided to keep things simple donning a black suit, pale blue dress shirt and black belt with matching shoes.
He takes a deep breath before rapping his knuckles against the cold steel, hoping the flowers aren't too much. Olivia did say they were her favorites.
"Hey," she says, opening the door. "Wow El, these are beautiful," she comments, taking the pink roses and allowing him to come in.
Elliot watches as she enters the kitchen. She gets a vase from a cabinet, running some water inside before returning to the living room.
When she comes back to place it on the coffee table, he feels like the wolf in those old cartoons whose eyes bulge out, heart visibly beating loudly from his chest before whistling a cat call.
She's breathtaking.
He knows she pretty much always has been but he's never really been free to look before tonight. Elliot's had to watch her get ready to go out with other men, dress up as a prostitute or get sexy for some piece of scum they were trying to catch.
It was never for him.
Olivia's dress is a navy blue, strapless number that cinches beneath her breasts with a contrasting tan color and flares out, stopping just at her knees. And God help him, it sways when she walks.
Her hair is pinned back on one side, exposing her neck and drawing attention to the gold dangling earrings she's chosen. Matching gold bangles adorn her left wrist, a nice watch flatters her right and the diamond forever ring she always wears is on her middle finger.
"You look beautiful," he comments, once she's facing him again.
She smiles almost shyly and thanks him.
"You look pretty good yourself," she tells him. "And thank you for the flowers," she adds.
Olivia knows she told him just yesterday that they were her favorites but she's still glad he thought of her.
"Shall we go?" Elliot asks.
She nods, grabs her gold clutch purse and he opens the door for her as they venture out.
Saturday night reservations aren't as hard to come by as Friday nights' on one day's notice but it wasn't easy securing one. La Bovinetti Ristorante is a very popular Italian spot in SoHo and he had to damn near beg in order to get them in.
Elliot has had a lot of first dates in the many months since his divorce. He's even had some seconds and thirds. But he's tired of going through the motions with other women when he sees everything he wants in Olivia.
He doesn't know if things will work out and given their history he's not expecting them to fall in love after just one date. What he does know is that next to his kids, he likes spending time with her more than anyone else in the world and that has to mean something.
"Good evening," says the host, when they arrive. "What name please?"
"Stabler," answers Elliot.
The salt and pepper haired, suit clad man, looks down over the glasses resting on the tip of his nose and finds what he's looking for.
"Right this way," he tells them.
They follow him out to a carpeted area where twelve tables sit, decorated in white linens with burgundy napkins. Hovering above them are strands of clear lights. There are leveled green hedges enclosing the area, and several small, neatly pruned trees in each corner.
Elliot's very fortunate that they got the last available table because the night's perfect for being out and about. Whether they have global warming or Mother Nature to thank he doesn't know, but he appreciates the uncharacteristic 65o mid-April temperature.
He pulls Olivia's chair out for her before taking his own seat.
"Your waiter will be with you shortly," informs the host before making his exit.
All the tables are only large enough for two people. A single candle lit in the middle of each lends to an intimate, romantic atmosphere.
"Some rules for tonight…
"Rules?" Olivia asks, smiling with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah," he responds. "No shop talk."
"Fair enough."
"So," Olivia begins, looking around before resting her eyes on his again. "This is nice, have you been here before?"
"Nah," he tells her. "But I've heard good things and I know you love Italian."
It's her favorite.
"I heard they have great chicken and spinach cannelloni," she says. "I've been meaning to try this place but never found the time."
Between her drama with Alexander and dealing with the subsequent two week suspension, she hasn't really had the desire to venture out.
"Then you should try it," he suggests as their waiter arrives.
"Hi I'm Adam," says the young man. "Can I start you off with a drink?"
"Liv?"
"Hmm," she says looking over the wine menu. "I'll try a glass of Nicholas Sauvignon Blanc," she responds, pronouncing it perfectly.
"And you sir?"
"I've never tried that before," says Elliot. "Is it good?" he asks, Olivia.
"According to the menu it's crisp with a tropical fruit taste," she answers. "Sounds delicious but I've never had it either."
"Then we'll try it together," he tells her, giving her a smile.
"Okay two white Nicks," says Adam. "Are you ready to order your entrées as well or would you like more time?"
"I'm ready," she answers. "I'll have the chicken and spinach cannelloni with the mixed green side salad," Olivia tells him.
"And for you sir?" he asks, writing on a small white note pad.
Elliot peruses the menu for a couple more seconds before answering.
"I'll have the spiedini di pollo," he answers in a perfect Italian accent.
"I'll put your orders in right away and return with your wine," he tells them as he takes their menus and heads back into the restaurant.
"You takin' a language course I don't know about?" Olivia asks. "Your pronunciation was great."
"Thanks," he says. "Your French could use some work though," he adds, garnering a playful kick beneath the table. "Kidding," he tells her. "I'm just kidding. Your mother was French so of course you sound perfect and no, no language courses."
"Thank you," she says. "So tell me what I don't know about the man, the myth, the legend Elliot Stabler," she chides with a grin.
"The male ego is a fragile thing Olivia," he advises. "Don't mess with my illusions of grandeur."
"Aw come on El, what happened to that tough exterior I've come to know and tolerate?"
"You wore it down with years of verbal abuse," he responds, making her laugh again. "But I'll tell you anyway."
"I'm honored," she says. "You can start with the carrot thing and work your way into puberty," she adds, returning the favor of making him chuckle.
Adam returns with their bottle and pours each of them a glass before leaving them again.
"Well I started off kind of shy at that age," he begins. "I barely spoke so my second grade teacher Mrs. Kinder, in all her wisdom, thought it'd bring me out of my shell and get me to socialize more with the other kids."
"Did it work?" Olivia asks, taking a sip of the wine.
She gives him a thumb's up, telling him how good it is.
"Yes and no," he answers after taking a sip and agreeing. "You see, the play was the Farmer in the Dell," he continues. "Jake McFerron got to be the farmer, the other boys were animals and the girls played the veggies," he explains. "So I got picked on for being the only guy in a carrot suit."
"Oh El, that must've been horrible."
"Yeah it sucked…at first."
"At first?"
"This kid Frank Menotti was the ringleader of the kids that were giving me grief. And that was fine until he started picking on the kid playing the tomato," he adds.
"And who was the tomato?" Olivia asks, giving him a knowing smile.
"Holly Norris."
"And was Holly a cute tomato?"
"Oh yeah she was," he responds quickly. "I got my ass kicked standing up for her but when it was over she gave me my first kiss."
"And a hero was born," she teases. "That's sweet El."
"Thanks. Now tell me an embarrassing Olivia Benson story."
Olivia looks up and off to her right like she's pondering his request.
"Humph," she says, after a couple of seconds. "Sorry, I got nothin'."
"What?"
"Nope," she repeats, shaking her head. "I thought about it and uh…I can't think of a damn thing."
Elliot eyes her like she's told him she has a fairy godmother that helped her get dressed before he showed up.
"Spill woman."
"Alright, alright," she tells him, holding both palms up in surrender. "Does it have to be a first kiss story 'cuz I gotta say, mine wasn't all that embarrassing nor nearly as cute as yours."
"No," he answers, taking another sip of wine. "Any humiliating story will do," he adds with a mischievous grin.
"Okay," Olivia gives in, exhaling like she's about to reveal the secrets of the universe. "I had braces until I was fifteen."
"And…
"Teenage girls are mean, evil people Elliot," she reminds him. "You know that."
"So…
She rolls her eyes, knowing he's not going to go for that as being the end of the story. He taught her how to be a detective after all.
Elliot knows there's more.
"Alright. So, I was kind of antisocial anyway because of my mom," she continues. "I didn't play any team sports or join any clubs because I knew she'd show up hammered and I'd have to lie or try to explain."
"I'm sorry," he offers.
"No, don't do that," she urges. "Don't apologize, that's not even the embarrassing part."
"You don't have to tell me Liv…
"El, come on," she says. "Just listen, okay?"
"Okay."
"As I was saying," she begins again. "I still had braces and tried to fly beneath the radar as often as possible. But I had this friend, Patricia Dubinsky," she goes on. "She was my best friend actually and that girl could sell ice to an Eskimo so she was always talking me into stuff."
"Was she now?" Elliot asks, waggling his eyebrows.
"Get your mind out the gutter Stabler," she orders, shaking her head and smiling before continuing. "So, she talked me into going to the party of Kevin Rainey, stereotypical head jock. It was a Saturday night and my mom wouldn't be home so I knew I could stay out as late as I wanted."
As Elliot leans in closer to listen, giving Olivia his complete and undivided attention. It makes her smile again because she's just now realizing how often he does it.
"So I go to the party and people are complainin' about how bored we all are, when someone suggests the lovely game of 'spin the bottle'," she continues. "And of course Patty convinces me to play."
"Now we're talking."
"You're terrible," she quips. "Anyway, the bottle points to me and Mark Lightfoot," she says. "Now Mark was half Italian, half Native American, tall, perpetually tanned and the only freshman on the junior-varsity baseball team."
"So what happened between you and this Greek god?"
"I'm getting to it," she tells him. "So it points to me and Mark. We're both kind of hesitant when we get up but hey, we agreed to play the game."
"Rules are rules Liv," he manages before catching an annoyed look for yet another interruption. "Sorry."
"I get in there first and he follows like ten seconds later," she explains. "It was one of those red light basement parties so not only is it dark in the room, it's pitch black inside the closet," she explains. "When the door closes he reaches for me and we start kissing."
"Where's the humiliation?" he asks. "You made out with a handsome jock."
"I'm getting to that," she repeats. "So we hear the timer go off and stop," Olivia continues. "Several things happen after that and none of them were good."
Elliot starts laughing before she can reveal what they were.
"I haven't even told you what happened yet," she says, joining in. "The least you can do is wait."
"I'm sorry," he says, continuing to snicker. "Go ahead."
"The closet door is flung open, the basement is now brighter than Melinda's autopsy room and Kevin's dad, having come home early, has everyone up against the wall like it's a lineup."
Elliot doesn't even bother trying to contain his laughter any more.
"And-
"There's more?" he asks when he gets enough breath.
"Yeah," she tells him. "Mark's not even the guy I was kissing," she reveals. "It was his buddy Jeff," she adds. "Some skinny, pimply faced kid who'd had a crush on me since the third grade."
When she finishes, they're both laughing so hard, people at other tables are starting to give them side glances.
"Wow Liv," he says, wiping tears from his eyes. "That was…you really delivered on the embarrassing part."
"You're welcome I think," she explains. "After lining us up, Kevin's dad smelled all of our breaths for alcohol, shined a light in our eyes to check our pupils to see if we were high, then kicked us out."
"That's great," Elliot comments. "Please feel free to share any more equally embarrassing tales from your adolescence."
"Not gonna happen Stabler."
The waiter arrives at their table and places their entrees in front of them. After checking to make sure everything is to their satisfaction, Adam leaves them to enjoy their food.
They chat back and forth during the meal, commenting on how it tastes and making light conversation. A while later after they've finished, Adam returns to take away their plates.
"Would either of you care for dessert?" He asks.
"I'm good thanks," says Olivia. "I couldn't eat another bite."
"Me either," Elliot agrees. "I'll take the check please."
The waiter nods and leaves them alone again.
"The food here's pretty good," comments Olivia. "I wouldn't mind coming back."
"The atmosphere's not so bad either," Elliot says, giving her a smile. "So I was thinking it's still early…
"And…
"I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me in the park," he asks her.
Olivia used to enjoy Central Park when she first became a cop. She's exercised there, had a few picnics on the Great Lawn and has enjoyed Shakespeare in the Park a time or two.
But after getting into SVU, more often than not she's there because of a sexual assault victim or a rape/homicide. With years of that locale as a crime scene, it's lost its appeal.
Perhaps that'll change tonight.
"I'd like that," responds, as he signs for their meal.
Arriving a short time later, Elliot noses his car into a space across from the 72nd street entrance. They are strolling leisurely along when he chances slipping his warm palm into hers.
As much as they'd seen on the job and as often as the two have walked side by side, Olivia can admit there were more than enough times when she simply wanted to reach for his hand.
"Is this okay?" He asks.
"Definitely," she answers, offering him a smile.
They continue to walk on the unseasonably warm, inviting night enjoying a slight breeze as they run into others taking advantage of the tranquil surroundings. About ten minutes into their stroll, Olivia and Elliot find themselves at Bethesda Terrace.
The beautiful fountain at the end of the courtyard has a winged statue known as the "Angel of the Park".
"I've always loved this section because of her," comments Olivia. "Even though my mom didn't have us subscribe to any specific religion, I've always been drawn to the angel," she reveals. "She just looks so…
"Welcoming?"
"Yeah, I guess," Olivia tells him. "I can't really describe it. She just gives me a sort of…peace."
"That's good," he responds, slightly squeezing her hand. "Maybe that was the intention behind it."
"I'll bet she's seen a lot," says Olivia, leading him to a nearby bench.
"Yeah, even more than we have."
Elliot lets go of her hand to put his arm behind her on the seat as they take a rest from walking.
The water of the fountain flickers, as the glow of the full moon reflects off the surface of the pool and each drop. The dark sky is clear enough to make out constellations and Elliot takes the time to point out all that he remembers from the days he longed to travel among the stars.
"Do you ever regret not pursuing your dream to get into the space program?" She asks.
"Nah," he tells her. "After finding out Kathy was pregnant I knew I had to get my head out of the clouds and get a steady paycheck."
"It's just…your face lights up when you talk about it almost as much as it does when you're telling me about Eli's latest stunts," she points out. "It's a shame you didn't get your wish."
"Next to becoming a dad, I found something I was just as passionate about when I joined SVU," he offers. "Getting justice for victims gives me a purpose being in NASA would never be able to," he continues. "Sure it would've been great exploring outer space in zero gravity but…," he pauses to eye her.
"But what?" She asks, nearly whispering with their faces a breath apart.
"We never would've met."
She doesn't know what she was thinking telling him she doesn't kiss on the first date. Right this second, there's nothing she'd rather do more. He's basically just told her he'd choose their time together over being in the space program.
It's a complete turn on.
Elliot moves his hand to the back of her neck, rubbing his thumb against the soft skin of her nape.
"What's your policy on kissing on the first date?" She asks him, a playful grin gracing her face.
He doesn't bother answering. Elliot simply leans in and touches his mouth to hers, applying the slightest pressure before pulling back. He doesn't want to overstep by doing more.
"I'm glad we're not catching this weekend," she says, leaning her head against his shoulder afterwards. "I could sit here like this all night," she adds with a contented sigh.
"Me too."
A few minutes of quiet passes with neither of them speaking. They people watch and enjoy each other's company before Elliot breaks the silence.
"Some people think war is constant gunfire and missiles flying overhead," he begins in a somber voice. "But when I was in Desert Storm, there were times it was so quiet you could hear the guy next to you breathing."
Olivia knows it's one of those moments where words aren't necessary. While he has spoken about the marines in generalities, this is the first time he's talked about serving during a time of war.
"I don't know if it's because it's the desert or it being just a wide open space, but the sky seemed bigger and the stars seemed closer," he describes. "I always thought it was a contradiction that something so beautiful and so horrific could be going on in the same place at the same time."
She unclasps her hands in her lap to place one of them on his thigh, just to let Elliot know she's there with him. He's silent again after that but Olivia's glad he shared that much.
Physical intimacy won't be a problem. It's separating what they develop off the clock with one another versus who they have to be at work that may be an issue. And the natural pull they have towards one another, has gotten just that much stronger tonight.
"I think it's time I got you home," Elliot says, nearly a half hour later.
He pulls his arm from around her to get up and notices she hasn't moved.
"Not ready to go yet?" He asks, smiling.
"The sooner I leave, the sooner I get home and the sooner Monday gets here," she responds, nearly whining. "It's only a day away."
Elliot shakes his head before grabbing both hands to pull her to her feet.
"As much I'd love to sit here all night with you…
"Okay, okay," she tells him.
They hold hands walking out of the park and a short time later he has Olivia back at her front door.
"Thank you for dinner El," she tells him. "I had fun tonight."
"You're welcome, so did I."
He steps forward to give her a respectful peck on the cheek, having remembered what Olivia said about not usually kissing on the first date.
But she has other plans.
She takes his face in her palms before bringing her lips to his as Elliot slides his arms around her waist, pulling her fully against him.
She means to keep it short and simple but the night couldn't have been more perfect for them. They laughed to the point of tears, the food was delicious, the conversation in the park was intimate and the nervousness they both had at the beginning of the evening faded away before their dinner arrived.
And it's not like they're strangers.
"I uh…," Elliot tries, after they stop to breathe. "I should let you go."
"Yeah," she manages with her back against the door.
"But you should know I don't really want to," he adds, hesitantly retreating as she puts her keys in the lock.
"I can tell," Olivia says, smirking.
"We should do this again," Elliot says.
"Soon," she agrees, getting the door open.
"I'm gonna go now before I embarrass myself," he says. "I'll call you."
He manages an innocent kiss to her cheek before turning and heading towards the elevator.
Elliot is nearly skipping by the time he makes it down to his car. He turns his satellite radio to a feed titled Love, listening to it all the way home as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel. Things couldn't have gone better between them and he finds himself impatient to see her again.
But he'll have to settle for the sound of her voice.
Inside her apartment, Olivia's already out of her dress and in a large sleep shirt. She sits down with her laptop and takes thirty minutes to read through emails and shoot a few responses. Afterwards she brushes her teeth and is climbing beneath the covers when her cell begins to ring on her nightstand.
"Wow," she answers. "When you say you'll call…
"I know," he laughs. "I just…I really had a good time tonight."
"Me too," she admits. "But El…do you really think we can keep it out of work?"
"I don't know Liv," he answers with a sigh. "But if tonight is any indication of what we can have outside off the clock, then I'm willing to give it a shot if you are."
Olivia agrees, making the decision to enjoy her time with him while she can, whenever she can and not worry about all the ways it could go wrong because of the job.
"I am."
"So what are you doin' tomorrow?"
End A/N: They had a great start, an awesome first date. But will it last?
