Slow Train

Chapter Four

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: Do not have any rights to them.

Author Notes: Miami is burning up, so to speak. For those of you who were worried about Ellliot and his relationship with his friends, hopefully this chapter will make you feel better. Smile.

Liv woke up to the most wonderful sensation. Her head was resting on a firm chest, a strong arm was wrapped around her and a hand was tangled in her hair. She took in a deep breath. It was unmistakably Elliot. She blushed thinking about the kisses they had exchanged the night before. She never in a million years expected to find herself in a romantic relationship with Elliot. Sure she had dreamed about it, but she tried to never let herself hope. She wished they were not on duty. It could be amazing riding across country on a train. For a little while last night the job had faded into the background and their relationship had taken the spotlight. Would it continue or would she drive him away like she had every other man she had ever been interested in? Elliot's gravelly voice interrupted her musings.

"Liv, stop! You're thinking so loud it's giving me a headache."

She slapped him on the chest.

"Very funny. I suppose you think it's perfectly normal for the two of us to be lying in bed together semi-naked."

"No it's not normal. It's extraordinary."

He pushed her onto her back and leaned up over her. He looked down into her brown eyes and smiled lazily at her. Before she could speak again he lowered his head and kissed her softly at the base of her neck and then worked his way up over her chin and finally latched onto her mouth with a kiss that took her straight back to last night. When he had thoroughly devoured her lips, he pulled back and just looked at her.

"Good morning."

"It is now. Wow! Not bad Stabler."

"I used to think about what it would be like to kiss you. All those times you caught me staring at you across our desks? I was probably thinking about kissing you."

"You were not."

"Was too."

"We should be getting into Miami this afternoon."

"That gives us time to get that guy's name off the passenger list and follow up on him. I wonder if he lives in Miami or if he's going on with us to New Orleans?"

Just then Elliot's cell went off. He rolled over to pick it up off the floor by the bed.

"It's Maureen. I need to take this. "

Liv snuggled down and placed her head on Elliot's stomach while he talked to his eldest.

"Hey, Baby."

"Hey, Dad. Sorry I didn't call you back before you left. Kathleen said you called her and talked to the twins too. How long are you going to be gone?"

"It's hard to tell. It all depends on how long it takes for us to catch this guy we are tracking. I can't tell you much more, but we're getting to see the countryside from a train."

"That is so cool Dad. By we, do you mean Liv?"

"Yeah, she's here too."

"Hey Maury."

"Hey Liv, you sound awfully close. Where are you two?"

"Uh…in our sleeper compartment."

"Daddy, do tell."

"Maureen, it's not like that. "

"Oh come on Dad, it is so like that. You're both just too stubborn to admit it."

"You might be surprised young one."

"All right Dad! Are you saying you two are together?"

Elliot looked down at Liv as she turned her head and looked back up at him smiling.

"Let's just say, we've been talking."

A squeal erupted from the other end of the phone.

"Way to go Liv! I'm so happy for you Dad!"

"You are?"

"Dad, for once let yourself be happy. I know Liv makes you happy. I can see it in your eyes and your smile when you're with her and I can hear it in your voice when you talk about her. I have been in love, Dad. I do know a little bit about this stuff."

"When were you ever in love? And why didn't I know about it? We tell each other everything Maur."

"Dad, if you could see my eyes right now, I'm rolling them. I love you Dad, but I don't tell you everything. You need protecting sometimes."

"Okay Miss Know It All. Do the other kids know about us too? They're okay with it as well?"

"Dad, we all love you and want you to be happy. Liv's great, Dad. Why wouldn't we be happy? We like spending time with her. We've known her our whole lives. I for one would be mad if you dated anyone else. One thing though, I sure hope you two are doing a little more than talking at this point."

Olivia burst out laughing. Elliot grinned in spite of himself. He decided to give his daughter as much grief as she was giving him.

"Believe me when I say we are definitely doing more than talking. Talk to you later Sweetheart. I have some…uh…business to attend to."

"Dad, wait, I need details…Liv! Aww, come on you guys…"

Elliot hung up on her and tossed the phone over his shoulder rolling Liv over on her back and tickling her mercilessly.

"Well, it looks like the other half of my family has given its blessing, so there's nothing else to come between us Detective Benson. What do you have to say about that?"

Liv stopped struggling and went serious for a minute. Elliot stopped tickling her and looked down with shock as her eyes filled up with tears.

"Liv?"

"I…uh…I say I'm so honored that your kids feel that way about me and I want them in my life as much as I want you in my life. Once again, I never thought I'd ever find myself in this place with you El."

Elliot stroked the back of his hand tenderly across her cheek.

"Me either. Liv, I know I haven't said this yet, because I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right, but Maureen's phone call just put my mind to rest about everything. Liv, I love you. I have loved you for a long time now. Over the years that love has evolved from protective training officer to partner to friend, to the love of my life. You and my kids make me so happy right now I could cry too. I didn't think I was ever going to be this happy again. I love my kids and our relationship is so special, but there was that part of my heart that needed, wanted you too. There aren't words to express what I'm feeling right now."

"Then don't talk, just show me."

Elliot took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. When he pulled back her eyes were still shining with tears.

"I've never told anyone this before El. I'm so terrified right now that I can't breath. El, I love you too. I have loved you for so long, I don't even remember when I didn't love you. It started out with affection and grew into something I've been afraid to admit. It's kept me out of other relationships and left me in a state of limbo. My heart has always been yours. I was just too stubborn to admit it."

Elliot pulled her close and held her.

"I'm here now. I intend to stay right here for the rest of my life Liv, if you'll let me."

"Elliot what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I want this to be permanent, but I'm not ready just yet to ask you to marry me. I need to do this the right way and I don't even have a ring yet. Know this. Once this case is over, I plan to make the most romantic marriage proposal you have ever seen."

Liv smiled so big her mouth hurt. Just then the intercom went off.

"All passengers. We will be arriving in Miami in thirty minutes."

"Way to ruin a moment."

"Relax. I've heard Miami is very romantic and we have an overnight layover there before we catch the train to New Orleans. Now get off me Stabler and get dressed before I take you right here on the spot.

"Down girl. I'm not going anywhere."

Two hours later Liv was standing and looking out at the beach from their hotel balcony.

"Can we go for a walk on the beach after we track this guy Donald Sayer down?"

"Yeah. I'm just waiting to hear from Fin as to whether or not he's in the system."

As if on cue, the phone rang. Eliot picked up.

"Hey man, what did you find out?"

"Wow, not even a hello or a what's up? I do all your dirty work and this is the thanks I get? Maybe I won't share what I know about our friend Donnie."

"Come on Fn, we want to get started so we can have the evening off."

"And pray tell, what would two gorgeous single people do at night in Miami. Hmmm. What do you think Munch?"

"Tell them they have a ten o'clock curfew. I want to talk to Liv."

"In a minute old man. Listen Elliot. I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree. This guy is married, two kids and I traced his credit card back six months. I could only find a history of riding from New York to Miami and back. Three of the murders have been committed on other lines. The guy is clean as a whistle too."

"Thanks Fin. I guess we head to New Orleans."

'Looks that way my friend. Must be hard, all that traveling, stuck in a small compartment with a gorgeous brunette. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it."

"Ha ha, very funny. Liv you want to talk to Munch?"

"Sure, but bring the phone out here. The view is amazing."

Elliot handed the phone over to Liv and leaned on the rail watching the people on the beach. It was so different from New York. It reminded him of his mom's house a little bit, only the beach was a lot more crowded. He wondered if his mom would like Liv. He knew they had met at least once. Elliot remembered the case with Kathleen and knew his mom had ended up helping. He suspected it was Liv that convinced her to talk to Kathleen. He never thanked her for that.

"Hey Munch. Miss me?"

"Liv, you have no idea. So, what's the status with you and Stabler? Should I check the cash pool yet?"

"Not yet, but probably soon old man."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really."

Now both Fin and Munch were sharing the phone.

"Talk Baby Girl."

"You two will just have to wait, but I can guarantee there will be some changes when we get back. Gotta go."

"Wait, Liv. Come on that's not fair…"

Liv smirked as she slapped the phone shut.

"Let's go check this place out, shall we?"