Chapter Three

They spent the day in a comfortable silence, although Olivia kept getting annoyed, because Elliot kept smiling at her. Normally, that would have made her happy, but it was the slightly arrogant smiling. It was not cute.

Munch and Fin came back right before they were getting ready to go. Munch said, ''You know, I think Fin's right. As much as it pains me to say.'' This caused a Look from Fin. ''Kathy doesn't have an alibi for last night. She might actually have done this.''

Olivia asked, ''What does she claim to have been doing?'' She rolled her eyes as Elliot pulled her chair out for her and helped her put on her coat. He was going to be smothering now that he knew she was pregnant. Great. That's the last thing she needed, even though it was nice to be getting attention from him.

Fin wondered if they were together now, or if El was just sucking up because Olivia was looking a little annoyed. He replied, ''She says she was taking Eli home from her mother's, but Maureen had Eli at the house in Queens last night.''

Elliot was surprised. Maybe Kathy had actuallly done this. He hated to think so, but maybe she had been that angry. ''Well, are you guys going to ask her about it?''

Fin replied, ''We've still got to talk to the night watchman, find out how whoever it is got in. We wanted to wait until he got on duty. I think Kathy's looking real good for this, El. I know she's your soon--to-be ex, but I do. And she's known about you and Olivia for years, trust me.''

Olivia's face turned pink. ''Have all of you known about our feelings for each other all this time?'' She asked, hoping the answer was no. She knew it wasn't going to be. She couldn't get that lucky.

Fin and Munch looked at each other. They did. Lake was completely clueless, but they knew. They'd discussed it. Cragen might know, too, they'd just never asked him. ''Um, of course not.'' Fin tried to placate her.

Olivia groaned. ''Well, let us know what happens, I'm going home to relax. I'm feeling a little nauseous.'' She set a glare on Elliot, daring him to touch her. She didn't want him trying to help her outside or anything. She knew he was going to try.

Elliot said, ''I'll follow you.'' She cast another Look on him. He shot back, ''We are only suspicious of Kathy. We don't know who did this, I'm not taking any chances. I don't want to break in a new partner.''

Olivia rolled her eyes, but she knew there was no arguing with him. She said bye to Munch and Fin, told them to tell the same to Lake when they saw him, and let Elliot lead her out to her car.

He also talked her into letting him stay at the apartment that night. ''Kathy knows where you live, Livvy. I want to make sure that you're safe. Just let me do that.''

Olivia headed into the bedroom to change. To his disappointment, she made him stay in the living room. She put on her second best pair of jeans and a soft pink tee. When she entered the living room again, she said, ''You know, I can take care of myself.''

Elliot nodded. ''I know. This is for me as well as for you. I won't be able to sleep if I think someone might be hurting you.'' He willed himself not to cry. She was fine, she was right in front of him, besides, he was here. Nothing was going to happen to her as long as he was here.

Olivia couldn't stay mad at him after he said that. She just couldn't, it was too sweet. ''Well, OK, if it makes you feel better.'' She conceded. He was lucky. She usually didn't let him baby her like this. But she wanted him to be able to not worry. If this is what it took, that was fine with her.

Elliot had taken off his jacket, and it was on her armchair. He sat on the couch, shoes on the floor, sleeves rolled up. He looked like he belonged. Olivia sat down, trying not to sit too close. Elliot messed that up for her by wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.

Olivia tried to pull away, but Elliot was too strong. ''El, if we start a relationship, it would be a bad idea. We work together. Closely together. It's bad enough that the entire squad knows we made love.''

Elliot laid his head against hers. ''No one has to know. We can keep it secret for awhile. They think we're not together right now, anyway. We'll tell them when you start showing.''

Olivia sighed. It sounded really good to her. She got to keep him all to herself for a little while. ''Mmmmmmmmmmmkay.'' She said, as she buried her head in his strong chest. He smelled like soap and Old Spice. It was wonderful.

The next morning, after the pleasurable marathon sex, Olivia made an appointment with the doctor. She made it for the next day, since Cragen had called and told her that they were going to stay home until the psycho was caught. This way, Elliot could go with her. He was insisting on it.

When she went into the kitchen, Elliot had breakfast going. It smelled heavenly. She sank into one of the kitchen chairs. Thinking aloud, she said, ''You know, it's going to be hard to hide this even for a little bit.''

Elliot looked at her. He was wearing a pair of sweats he'd found in Liv's dresser. He'd been surprised that they'd fit. ''No, it's not. We can do it. Have faith, Liv.''

Olivia cell rang, and she went to pick it up. ''Benson.'' She said, watching Elliot scramble eggs. She liked him cooking in her kitchen. It felt like home.

It was a blast from the past. Brian Cassidy. He was one of Munch's former partners. He'd used to work with them before he'd transferred to narcotics. ''Olivia, you are alive.'' He sounded surprised, but relieved.

Olivia was confused. ''What are you talking about, Cassidy? Why wouldn't I be?'' This was a very confusing turn of events. She wasn't even aware that Cassidy still had her cell number. That's what she got for keeping the same number for ten years.

Cassidy told her to turn on the news, NY One. She turned it on, and discovered herself. They were claiming that she'd been murdered. ''It's all over the news, Liv.'' He told her.

Olivia called Elliot into the living room, speechless. Had Kathy done this?