Chapter 6 – Dirty little secret
Monday - Lunch break at the precinct
"God I forgot how good it was!" says Elliot, eating – savoring – a burrito. "I stopped eating this when Kathy was pregnant with the twins. The smells made her sick. I tried to bring one home after the kids were born but she threw it away, saying she couldn't bare the sight of it anymore."
"So how does freedom taste?" Olivia asks.
"Great really" answers Elliot sarcastically. "I try not to think about the probability that I'll die alone."
"Don't be stupid. Look at you. I don't give you six months until you get involved with someone." She says that naturally, not because she wants to cheer him up, but because she truly believes it.
Elliot hears a little of annoyance in her voice but ignores it and answers "I wouldn't know how to do that. I mean I spent the last 20 years with the same woman. She's the only one I ever knew".
"And you'll find another one with whom you'll spend 20 more years" says Olivia not too pleased with the idea. "It's not too late you know."
"I'm 38 Liv. I made my half way to death. It means I already have one foot in the grave" Elliot answers defeated.
"Don't be stupid." Olivia repeats. "You're in a good shape you'll live more than a hundred years."
"But I'm a cop which significantly reduces my life expectancy."
Olivia smiles at him. "Don't worry about that I'll always have your back."
"I know. I don't expect to be shot by being targeted. I'll probably get killed trying to protect you" Elliot says, not looking at her, lost in whatever memory hit him.
Olivia moves back in her chair. "… Thanks El… That's a nice thing to say" she says upset. "I'm capable to take care of myself, I don't need your protection".
Elliot looks at her, realizing what he just said. "It's not what I meant. But I guess if being a cop doesn't reduce my life expectancy, pissing you off probably will" he says smiling, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yes it will" Olivia snaps.
"Of course you can protect yourself." Elliot says quietly. "I just… I know I couldn't live with myself knowing you got injured because of my incapacity to protect you. I'd rather take the bullet". The painful memory of the Plummer case hits him. The guy went after Olivia and Elliot was scared as hell that something happened to her, and he put protective detail on her without letting her know. She was so angry with him that he feared for a while that she would never talk to him again and ask for a new partner.
"Such a gentleman" Olivia states embarrassed.
"Didn't know?" Elliot asks smiling.
"Elliot? A gentleman?" Munch scoffs making his way to his desk arms full with Chinese food. "What did he do? Bought you flower?"
"Nope. Burrito!" Olivia answers, too happy to change the subject. "He knows the way to my heart. What would I do with flowers? It's not even edible!"
"You always think about food don't ya?" asks Fin following Munch with drinks.
"Not always… sometimes I think about-"
"Elliot?" Cragen asks appearing from nowhere.
"Wh… what?" Olivia shutters. "No! Of course not."
"Yes Cap?" answers Elliot giving Olivia a funny look.
"Oh, you wanted to ask Elliot something! I thought… never mind" Olivia mumbles on her tea.
"I want your report on the Carlson case for eight tonight. Are you two in the middle of a case?" Cragen asks Elliot.
"Actually yes, we're still on the Kristen case. The 14 year old girl abducted and raped for 3 days"
"Are you?" Cragen asks turning to Fin and Munch.
"Not anymore. It's up to Novak now. We're in the middle of the trial." Munch explains.
"Are you summoned today?" Cragen asks.
"No we just attend the trial. We're goin' back there after lunch" Fin answers.
"No you won't. You two take the Kristen case while Elliot and Olivia will finish that damn report. And do your utmost. It's for the D's Chief" Cragen adds grimacing.
Elliot and Olivia sigh in sync after Cragen's departure. Olivia pushes her burrito away and gets up. "I'll go buy coffees. We'll need it." She complains.
After a long hour working in a total silence, Elliot is sick of doing paperwork and can no longer focus on it. He gives a look at Olivia and can't help but smile. "Maggie… sounds weird on you" he says out of the blue.
Olivia throws a paper ball to him smiling and says "Shut up. I was young, ok? We had to keep our relationship secret. It sounded like a good idea."
"Yeah and I'm sure you enjoyed the situation, right?" he winks at her.
"Well it wasn't unpleasant" she smiles flushing and looking at the ceiling.
"Sure. You were his dirty little secret". He teases.
"Oh you have no idea" Olivia laughs.
"Hm, actually I do have some ideas, Maggie" Elliot smiles.
Olivia gets up, walks to him and leans to his ear so that no one but him could hear her threat and says "Don't even dare calling me that again or I swear I kick your ass".
Elliot smirks. "Can't wait to see you try… Maggie".
He defies her with his eyes, a grin on his face. She squints, burning to kick him right now in front of the all squad, and gives him a killing look. She opens her mouth, uncertain of what to say.
She takes a breath, smiles at him and says playfully "maybe later. Revenge is a dish better savored cold!". Then she walks to the cribs under Elliot's appreciative look.