Ok, sorry about the wait! Y'alls reviews are so amazing, and thank you everyone for the support. Here's the next chapter. Sorry it's short. I promise more to come and soon!


She thinks that she knows Elliot Stabler better than anyone else on earth. She knows what to expect from him, how he's going to react. She knows the cases that will have him sleeping in the crib, the mornings that he'll scream at Munch, the way he'll look at Cragen if he dares split them up.

Still, there are things she doesn't anticipate.

There was the time that a very uncooperative store manager left them waiting in the denim section for forty minutes. Instead of him becoming angry, he'd tossed a jacket over his shoulder, and showed her his best catwalk to the pounding rhythm of "Sexyback."

That surprised her, drew laughter until there were tears.

Then, there was the time when he told her that Kathy was pregnant with their fifth child, now known as Eli. She thought the papers were signed, and it was a done deal. But when she questioned him on it, he'd snapped at her.

That shocked her, and drew tears on its own.

But last night left her speechless. Sure, he'd declared his love for her, but he was still married. She thought that he was accepting the reality of their situation, settling back into family life. They were just partners, for god's sake.

But he'd come over, kissed the hell out of her, and wished her goodnight. And she'd still be standing there, rooted to the hallway floor if it hadn't been for Simon calling. She managed to get herself to sleep on auto-pilot, but now, come morning, all she could do was brush her bruised lips and wonder if she shouldn't call in sick.

That would give him the upper hand, she decides. She has to march right into the precinct, greet him good morning, and look as if she doesn't just want to take him on top of their desks.

She sighs. That is not going to be easy.

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The week flies by, and she is miraculously spared since Elliot is tied up in court. Of course, after five minutes of celebration, she was paired up with Lake. All the chatter, the easy listening on the radio…

She misses Elliot.

When she has to physically restrain herself after "Call-Me-Chester" refers to them as an old married couple, she realizes she has more in common with her partner then she thought.

By Friday, she's pissed at him. What kind of asshole would abandon her like this? Trapped in Kenny G hell, while he helps out Casey? It's just plain cruelty.

He could at least bring her morning tea. So what if it's completely out of the way. She was his partner, for god's sake.

At least I have a date tonight. Some old law school friend of Casey's, but I'll take anything she can get right now. She wants some time away from Detective Benson, and tonight is her chance.

Angry at the sight of his desk, she shuts off her lamp and heads out of the bullpen two hours early.

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He tries to keep himself away from her place, he really does. Casey mentioned that she'd set Olivia up with some prick named…Terrence? Teddy? Tad?

Whatever his name is, he can't be right for his partner. She doesn't belong with a trust fund baby. She needs someone more real, someone who knows what it is to struggle, someone with a temper like hers.

He tries not to think that that someone is him.

But his night had gone to hell, and he probably will too if he doesn't settle down. He can't go home and he can't stand being alone.

I'm sure the date is over now. She probably hated him, threw wine in his lap and stormed out hours ago. He smirks at the thought of Olivia's anger directed at some sweater-wearing punk. He hopes she was drinking merlot and ruined his khaki pants.

He hears noise in her apartment, so he knows she's home. He knocks once, twice, then decides to use his key.

"OH! Shit, Liv! I'm sorry!" He shields his eyes from the sight of his topless partner on the couch with a man. She yanks her sweater over her top half, shooting him a death glare before smiling reassuringly at her date.

"Tanner, this is my partner, Elliot. Elliot, Tanner."

"Hey, man." Tanner reaches his arm out, as if to shake his hand. When Elliot just glares, he rakes his fingers through his wavy gray strands. "Uh, look, Olivia, I better be going. It was really nice meeting you. Call me sometime when you're less…busy." He buttons up his shirt, grabs his sportscoat and heads out the door.

The latch clicks softly, and both detectives remain silent. He clears his throat, shoving his hands in his pocket.

"I'm sorry, Liv. I didn't think-"

"That's right, Elliot! You didn't think! You just come barging into my apartment at midnight, wanting what? Another goodnight kiss before you go home to your wife?"

"What the hell? I wouldn't use you and you know that," Elliot fumes. "I came over here because I'm having a shitty night and I need to talk to my best friend. And face it, Olivia, that's you."

All the fight drains out of her, but she can't resist one last remark. "Try calling first next time, ok?" His cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"You got it, partner."


I have my first real job interview on Monday, but I should be free to write after that! Reviews are love.