Beautiful Stranger

(Chapter Seven: Meeting The Guys)

THREE WEEKS LATER

Elliot sat at his desk typing up a report on a case they had just closed. He noticed Casey as she walked out of Cragen's office and just sort of hovered near the coffee machine pretending not to stare at him. Elliot exhaled and picked up his coffee mug from his desk as he walked over to the machine.

"So, you gonna tell me what's on your mind, Ms. Novak? Or are we just going to sit around here all day pretending not to stare at each other?"

"She is my best friend, Elliot."

"And I care about her. I would never do anything to…."

"Walk me to the elevator," she said tossing her Styrofoam cup into the trash can. "There is something we should talk about."

Elliot followed Casey as they walked out of the bull pen and into the hallway.

"Casey, I mean it. I mean her no harm. I have only good intentions."

"I know you do. And she really likes you."

"I really like her. I think it is sweet that you worry about your friend, but really it isn't necessary. Olivia is a big girl."

"She is my best friend. We're like sisters. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her."

"You have known each other a long time?"

"We were roommates in college. Now, we're more like family."

"And you are trying to tell me I am not good enough for her?"

"No, I'm not. I am glad that she found a good guy. But it has been a long time since she has been in a serious relationship. And the last time she got burned, bad. It broke her heart, Elliot. I never thought I would see her smile again. Then she met you. And you brought her smile back. Look, all I ask is that you give her a little time. Be understanding with her and try to be patient and understanding with her."

"I get it Casey, she's been hurt. But you need to know that I would never do anything I thought would hurt her. I care about her."

"Good," she said straightening his tie.

Elliot watched as the elevator door opened and she stepped inside. After she had gone Elliot returned to his computer to finish his report.

TWO DAYS LATER

Elliot sat in his parked car in front of her apartment. He opened his cell phone and dialed her number.

"Hey you," he said as she picked up the phone.

"Hey. What are you up to?"

"Not much. I am sitting on the sofa reading."

"Sounds exciting. I was wondering if you wanted to go grab something to eat?"

"Sure. Give me fifteen minutes?"

"Actually, I am sitting outside your building. So just come down when you're ready."

Olivia laughed. "I'll hurry. I'll see you in a few." She hung up the phone and walked back to the bedroom to change clothes.

Ten minutes later Olivia walked down the front steps of her building wearing a white eyelet lace sundress and strappy sandals. A small section of her hair was pinned back and the rest laid wavy around her face.

"Hey beautiful," Elliot called to her as he opened the passengers side door. "I have been thinking about you all day."

"Yeah?" She asked stepping closer to him.

"Yeah," he replied kissing her tenderly.

"So where are we going to eat?"

"I thought I would take you to this place I know that serves the best barbeque New York."

"Sounds amazing."

Olivia climbed into the car as Elliot closed the door behind her. They drove for a while as she asked him about his day. After a while Elliot pulled the car over on a suburban street in front of a bunch of houses. He climbed from the car and walked around to her side to open the door.

Olivia climbed out of the car and looked at him. "I thought we were going for barbeque?"

"We are. This is my bosses house. The barbeque is in the back yard. He is an amazing cook." He took her hand in his and began to lead her across the street to the big house.

"Elliot?"

"What baby?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Olivia, we have been dating just over a month now. I think it is about time I introduce my girl to my friends. Don't be nervous. It is just people I work with."

"What if they don't like me?"

"Liv, they are going to love you. It is okay, really. I'll make you a deal. Give me twenty minutes. Go in and say hello and meet everyone and in twenty minutes if you still want to go, we'll go. And I will take you out anywhere you want to eat. Please?"

Olivia smiled as memories of her begging him to stay with her the night she was attacked flooded her mind. "Okay. I'm just nervous."

"I should have told you. I just thought it would be a nice surprise." Elliot wrapped his arms around her and hugged her then kissed her gently. "I'm sorry I just kind of sprung this on you."

"It's okay. And I really think they are going to love you."

Elliot held her hand and lead her across the street. He smiled at her and winked as they stepped up on the porch and rang the door bell. Minutes later Donald Cragen opened the door and invited them in.

Elliot stepped inside escorting her with his hand in the small of her back. The proud grin on his face made her feel good to be there with him. He introduced her to Cragen and all of his coworkers.

Ah hour later they all sat family style around a picnic table in Cragen's back yard and enjoyed their meal.

"So Olivia, what is it that you do?" Cragen asked her.

"I teach kindergarten."

"Sounds interesting. How do you like that?"

"Oh I love my job."

"Good."

"How long have you been a teacher?" Fin asked her, picking up another rib from his plate and licking his fingers.

"I was a substitute teacher for about four years. This will be my first year teaching full time. I am really excited."

"Does school start up again soon?"

"In eight days."

"You really have a beautiful home, Mr. Cragen."

"Well, thank you. You can call me Don."

"Don," she said nodding her head. "The flowers by the fence are really beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen Gardenia's grow that big before."

"Those were my late wife's prized possession. He award winning gardenia's. I replant them each year, just for her."

"That is really sweet of you to grow them in her memory. I am very sorry for your loss."

"It was a long time ago. But every time I see those gardenias I can almost see the smile on her face when they would come up every spring. What do you think about the ribs?"

"Oh, they are really good. I am so full, I don't think I could eat another bite."

Cragen wiped his hands on a napkin. "Could I show you something?" He asked her.

"Sure." She cleared her plate and wiped off er hands as she followed him to look at the flower bed.

"God she's incredible, Elliot. Does she have a sister?" Munch asked.

"I don't think so," Elliot replied smiling at her across the yard as she looked back at him.

"I think she is just what you need to get over this divorce and back into dating again," Fin replied.

"I'm crazy about her."

"She is sweet and sexy and smart. What's not to love?" Fin answered. "You are a lucky man."

"I know. I really care about her. And I am glad to finally get the chance to introduce her to you guys."

"Well, if things don't work out between the two of you, can you put in a good word for me?" Munch asked.

"Right," Elliot said shaking his head.

Later on the ride home Olivia slipped her hand into his.

"Thank you for introducing me to your friends."

"I am glad you finally got the chance to meet you."

"So, do they approve?"

Elliot looked at her and smiled. "Yes, they do. And Munch said if things don't work out between us, he would like you to know he is interested."

"Oh, he is huh?"

"It seems so."

They both laughed as Olivia twirled a white flower in her fingers.

"I cannot believe Don gave me one of his gardenia's."

"I can't believe he lets you call him Don. We all call him Cragen."

Olivia smiled again.

Elliot walked her back to her apartment as they began to kiss outside the door. He opened the door and they stumbled inside dropping their things into the floor. Olivia stopped to turn on the lights as Elliot took a seat on the couch. A few moments later she stood in front of him gazing into his eyes.

Olivia raised her skirt a little as she moved forward placing one knee on each side of Elliot on the couch and leaning in to kiss him. She moaned softly as Elliot kissed her passionately. He cupped his hands under her ass and pulled her into him until she sat on his lap with her arms around his neck as they kissed.

Elliot slipped his hands under her skirt moving them slowly up her thighs until they had past her cotton boy short panties and brushed gently across the warm skin of her flat stomach.

Elliot shifted her hips until her knees were under his arms and he kissed her neck. He stood up, lifting her and carrying her backward down the hallway. Before he knew it they had fallen across her queen sized bed half undressed and were kissing passionately.

"We don't have to do this," Elliot said softly as Olivia sat up over him.

"I want to," she whispered kissing gently up his bare chest through his unbuttoned shirt. "You don't?" She asked raising her head to study the look in his eyes.

"Oh God, I want to. I have wanted to since the first day we met. But I want to do this right. I don't want to rush you."

"You haven't rushed me." She took a deep breath and laid down beside him on the bed. She reached to the night stand and opened the drawer digging around for a moment and then closing it again. "Look Elliot, I am ready for this if you are. But if you're not, that is okay, too." She laid her hand on his chest and opened her palm to reveal a condom.

Elliot moved his hand up taking the little foil wrapper in his hand and rolled over laying her onto the bed. He leaned in to kiss her and touch her and stare into her eyes. She moaned softly and closed her eyes as she heard him tear open the condom wrapper.

He kissed her and combed his fingers in her hair. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," she whispered staring up at him as she ran her fingertips over his chest.

Elliot pushed her knees apart with his hand slowly then lowered himself to her body. "You're sure? We can wait if you want to."

"I'm okay. Unless you want to wait? That's okay, too." She stared up at him really hoping he wouldn't want to wait.

"I'm ready. Olivia, I am crazy about you." Elliot brushed his mouth gently against hers and kissed her passionately. As he did, he raised up and slowly entered her body. Before he knew it, they were making love.

She was so beautiful and smelled so wonderful. She moaned softly to his touch as she tipped her head back. She was the most incredible thing he had ever felt and they were so good together.

They made love for hours, several times through out the night, exhausting each other and nearly an entire box of condoms. When they had finished Olivia fell across his chest and he held her tight until they had fallen asleep in each others arms.