4. Acting
The only normal conversation they'd had over the past months had been on Skype while Elliot was in Quantico. They had actually been kind of cordial. But then again, the conversation had been in public. He'd told her to be safe and had offered to come back early to watch her back in the tough case she was working on. Because Fin might have her six, but he definitely wasn't him. Fin told him he was better, since he actually watched her back and not her backside. If it hadn't been so painful, that would actually have been funny. And then Elliot came back right after Sonya's death and he'd held her. Their defenses had been down for a few minutes. It had almost been like before. Almost. And that very brief glimpse into the friendship they had once had, had actually helped Olivia relax a little around him. It had felt different after that. Better. Not good, but not as bad as it used to be.
...
He had dreaded this moment. It had been inevitable. They were bound to pick up a case like this eventually. One where they would have to pose as a couple to get a break in the case. He had known as soon as the swing club had come up on the big screen, and he was forcing himself to keep his eyes on the screen. Olivia was standing next to him and was no doubt coming to the same conclusion, that they would have to go in together. He almost jumped when she turned to him and asked him how he wanted to play it. She had actually smiled slightly. If she could do this, so could he. After all, they had been putting on an act for four months now. They were going to say that their vic, their good friend Jerry, had invited them, so they could take a good look around and possibly find Jerry's attacker. Olivia said she would need to go home to change so he offered to pick her up. She told him 'fine' and took off, leaving him to think about the new performance that was now expected of them. A married couple looking for a sexual adventure. He blew out a breath slowly and also left to change.
...
She had dreaded this moment. It had been inevitable. They were bound to be sent out as a couple eventually. She had the act of the distant partner down pat so it was time to flex a new muscle and play the loving wife who needed more than what her husband had to offer. She wondered if it was some kind of karma. She put her fake wedding ring on her finger once again and sighed. She worried that the dress might be a bit too much. But she wasn't dressing up for Elliot. It was for the case. They had to be convincing. She jumped when he knocked on her door. They had been distant for months but the thought of having him so close to her suddenly was making her nervous. Would he even want to touch her after what she'd done? Wouldn't everyone be able to see that in reality he didn't want to come near her?
...
He was actually nervous. After keeping his distance for so long, he wasn't sure how to act around her. Would she even want to touch him after what he'd done? Wouldn't everyone be able to see that in reality she didn't want to come near him? His mind went blank briefly when she opened the door. His eyes were drawn to her ample cleavage immediately and he remembered. As if he'd ever forgotten. Her softness, her curves, her skin, her taste as he'd sucked her nipples ... Olivia cleared her throat and his eyes flicked up to meet hers. Was she amused? He was at a loss for words. She was so beautiful, with just the right amount of makeup and her long hair spilling down to her shoulders in waves. Everyone would notice her as soon as she'd walk into that club. And he would be walking next to her, as her husband.
He held on to her hand for as long as possible. He wasn't comfortable at all to let all the sex craving men in the club loose on his beautiful partner. She might be done with him but he wasn't going to let anyone get frisky with her. But when a couple approached her and she turned around to talk to them, he had no choice. He had to let go of her hand. They needed to stay in character, and their characters were into this. Their vic's apparent swing partner Cassandra soon swept him away as well and took him into a different room.
...
She was actually relieved that they had split up so she could focus entirely on the job at hand. She managed to get some information from the excited couple that was trying to get her into their swing action. She excused herself a while later, not entirely comfortable with the way the man had kept touching her bare shoulder. Maybe a strapless dress hadn't been the best idea after all. She wasn't used to the touchy-feely atmosphere and usually she would have no trouble shooting a man down who got too close too fast. But that wasn't her act tonight. She would stand out immediately if she became too defensive. After shaking off the couple, she went to find Elliot. She found him with the beautiful Cassandra in one of the play rooms and it seemed Cassandra was really into Elliot. She felt a stab of jealousy when she saw that she'd unbuttoned several buttons of his shirt and was caressing his bare chest, while his hand was squeezing her ass. How seriously was he taking this assignment? She thought he might ram his tongue down her throat any moment now. Hadn't they agreed they were just going to watch their first time?
...
Cassandra was beautiful. There was no denying that. But he really wasn't into this extramarital sex thing. Well, not like this. And not with Cassandra. She was all over him though and he couldn't help it that his body did have a reaction to the atmosphere and the way the woman was touching him and pressing her body into his. He figured it would only make his act more convincing and went along with it. Just when Cassandra started kissing his neck with her full red lips, he saw Olivia coming into the play room. There was no way to push the horny woman off him without raising suspicion so he looked at Olivia, hoping she would see the plea in his eyes. She would have to rescue him by interrupting them.
...
There was something sexy about Elliot in a compromising position, begging for her help. Maybe it was the atmosphere and the smell of sex but Olivia was feeling the power and was enjoying it. She walked right past the couple and sat down on the sofa, about two feet away from them. Cassandra spotted her too and smiled at her while peppering Elliot's jaw with small kisses. Her hand was still inside his shirt. She told her that her husband was truly irresistible and Olivia agreed that he was. Cassandra asked her if it was turning her on to see her husband with another woman, and Olivia said it was. When Cassandra beckoned her to come closer, she complied, mirroring Cassandra's position exactly and pressing herself against Elliot's body as well.
...
Both women were looking at him and Elliot didn't know what to do. Olivia's hand was now inside his shirt as well, the women's arms crossing each other in front of him so they could both reach the pecs on the other side of his body. When Cassandra kissed his neck again, Olivia did the same on his other side. She was acting. She had to do it, he kept telling himself. Cassandra reached up and turned his head so he was facing her, and kissed him full on the lips. He joined in. He had to do it. He was acting too and Olivia knew that, right? When Cassandra broke off the kiss, she looked at Olivia. It was obvious that the woman wanted Olivia to kiss him next. Her next move blew him away.
...
She couldn't deny that it was getting to her. She was actually getting aroused. The feeling of Elliot's strong muscles under her hand had brought back the memories of their one night stand. She had a full-blown flashback while Cassandra was kissing him and her body was now on high alert. She could do this, right? Elliot was playing the part without hesitation, so she could too. She reached for Cassandra's bare shoulder and smiled at the woman in green. She leaned in and could see in Cassandra's eyes that she understood what she was going to do. Cassandra smirked and leaned in as well, her lips parting in anticipation of what was to come. Olivia moved her hand up to cup the back of Cassandra's neck and kissed her ever so softly. She could feel Elliot tense up between them and smiled when she kissed the other woman again. Cassandra moaned and wrapped her hand around Olivia's neck to deepen their kiss. Cassandra's other hand dropped from Elliot's chest and went to her waist, and then further up Olivia's body. It seemed that the only man in their little threesome was totally forgotten.
...
Elliot thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Having both women come on to him had been exciting yet uncomfortable but this ... A soft 'wow' escaped his lips as he watched the two beautiful women kiss and touch each other, right in his lap. He never thought he'd see the day that Olivia would kiss a woman like that and it was a big turn-on. He glanced down at the growing bulge in his dress pants. A very, very big turn-on. Both women were really into it and were moaning as their tongues were dancing together and their hands roamed their bodies. But as sexy as it was to witness, after a minute he was beginning to feel left out. Olivia had probably wanted to rescue him from the other woman but she was getting all the action now, and he only got to watch. Shouldn't he rescue her in return?
...
She couldn't deny that there was something very sexy about kissing this woman. She was soft and tasted sweet. But while she was kissing and touching Cassandra, she was focused on Elliot and his reaction to their little show. He had cleared his throat twice, obviously trying to get their attention but Cassandra was too caught up in their sensual dance to notice. Olivia moved the hand that had somehow ended up on Cassandra's breast and put it on Elliot's thigh. He jumped at the contact and Olivia smiled. Cassandra broke off the intense kiss to look at Olivia, probably to see why she was smiling. She looked down at her hand on Elliot's thigh and smiled as well. Then she placed her hand on Elliot's other thigh. Both women moved their hands up until they reached his crotch, and smiled at him seductively.
...
Elliot held his breath. Only in his wildest dreams had he ever found himself in this position. Only, in his dreams, he would know what to do. He didn't feel as clumsy as he was right now. Before he could focus on his next action, Olivia saved him again. She moved back next to him on the sofa and moved one leg up until it covered his lap. Her knee was nudging his hard-on and he grunted at the contact, but before he realized what was happening, Olivia's mouth was on his. His entire system short-circuited and his instinct took over. He returned her kiss passionately and pulled her into his lap completely, until she was straddling him. They had pushed Cassandra out of the way in the process, and the woman scooted over to give them some room, while watching intently what they were doing. This was the easy part for him. He could read Olivia's body like the back of his hand, because that one time he'd been allowed to be with her, was etched in his brain forever. She was melting into him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck now, while they continued kissing each other, panting in between kisses before delving into each others mouths again. She was pressing her body into him and his erection was becoming painful. He wasn't sure how long he could keep doing this before he'd embarrass himself in public.
Then, just as quickly as it had started, it was over.
...
Olivia struggled to remember why they were here. Images of Elliot's naked body pounding into her kept flashing through her mind while they kissed. It had been four months but it might just as well have been yesterday. His hands were gripping her hips and she knew he was struggling as well. She knew they were acting but she couldn't help wondering how much of this was really them. She knew that a lot of it was really her, but was this Elliot or was it Detective Stabler playing his part? She was about to save them both by breaking up their make-out session and saying she wanted to go home. She'd know the answer to her question once they got outside. Perhaps it was finally time to talk about it. When Elliot pushed his erection into her dress once more, she was tempted to just keep going. But they had to get out of there. They couldn't do this. Not here. They shouldn't do this at all. So she broke off the kiss and whispered in Elliot's ear, loud enough for Cassandra to hear, that she wanted him to take her home, right now.
...
She was smart. A lot smarter than he was. While testosterone had taken him over completely, she was the one who still had a plan. And it was perfect. She had put on an amazing show with Cassandra, and there would be no doubt in anyone's mind about why they had come to the club tonight. He had just been an accessory and he was humbled by how much Olivia was willing to do to crack a case. He knew it had been an act but he couldn't help wondering how much of this was really them. He knew that a lot of it was really him, but was this Olivia or was it Detective Benson playing her part? He helped her get up from the couch and as they stood, Cassandra gave them both a sultry smile, saying how sorry she was to see them leave already but that she understood and she hoped to see them both again very soon. They promised they'd be back and retreated quickly, acting like they were unable to keep their hands to themselves much longer. For him, it wasn't an act. He was back in her bedroom all over again and he wanted her. God, he wanted her. But it couldn't happen again like it had before. It wasn't fair to her. He didn't have anything to offer her back then. But he was working on it. He was going to make it all up to her. He just couldn't tell her yet because she would stop him. She might even run. By the time he was done, he would be free to run after her, wherever she might run to. He glanced at her as they put on their coats. She hadn't said a word to him since she'd told him to take her home.
...
Olivia was trying to get her body to calm down. She knew she wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. She'd been back in her bedroom all over again and she wanted him. God, she wanted him. But it couldn't happen again like it had before. It wasn't right. He had his family and they needed him. She expected that he'd found his rhythm again with his family over the past few months. At least he hadn't treated her as filth tonight. He hadn't been reluctant to touch her and she was relieved. Maybe they could go back to some kind of friendlier understanding, after the cold months they'd had. She could feel his eyes on her and she wondered if he blamed her for what she'd done tonight. Surely he could see that there had been no other way to make a convincing exit from the club? As they walked out into the cool night air, she sighed. If he wanted to call her on it, she would understand. But he didn't. He just asked her if she was okay. She was. She was fine. He hailed them a cab and gave the driver her address. Olivia took a few deep breaths, glad to be tucked away in her winter coat so Elliot wouldn't notice. By the time they reached her building, she had calmed down enough to be able to have a conversation.
...
Elliot didn't know what to say to her. She'd said she was fine. What else did he expect? He was relieved that she hadn't been reluctant to touch him. But he wondered if she blamed him for what she'd had to do tonight. She had been the one with the plan and he'd felt completely useless. He should tell her she did good. By the time they reached her building, his body had calmed down enough that he was able to say it. As the cab pulled over, he looked at his partner and told her she had done a great job tonight and he thanked her for getting them out of there with their cover in tact.
...
Olivia nodded. That was it? You did great and thanks for getting us out of there? Fine. If that was all he was going to say, she was done. She said she'd see him tomorrow and they could compare notes at the station. Then she got out of the cab, told him goodnight and slammed the door shut.
...
Elliot watched her walk away and felt guilty again. He could have said more to her. Asked if he could come up so they could talk. But he knew she wouldn't let him come up. Not after what happened. He felt useless again. He had to make it up to her. All of it. He just had to.
...
Olivia cried herself to sleep. After all this time, he could still hurt her so deeply. While he'd been acting the whole time, she had allowed herself to get hurt again. She ached for him and hated herself for it. She wasn't sure how long she could keep doing this. Maybe it was time to find another job. She'd tried before but she couldn't stay away then. Things were different now. Everything was different now. What was the use of getting up in the morning every day, knowing she'd see him but would still miss him so much? It was torture and she wondered why she kept subjecting herself to it so willingly. Why was she still hanging around, as if there was any hope left for something better?
...
A/N: Don't you hate the way they never really talk to each other? Frustrating, huh? Any ideas what Elliot is up to?