Here's the next chapter! I really hope it doesn't disappoint.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Law and Order SVU or its characters. The story was written simply for fun and not for profit. They belong to Dick Wolf.

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Chapter Nine

Two Months Later

Olivia walked to her apartment door rummaging through her purse to find her keys; the sound of her heels clanking echoed through the quiet halls. As she placed the key in the door lock she felt his arms wrap around her waist.

"Can I come in?"

Matthew. That was the name of her third date since her and Elliot split up. Her third date that would end after the first.

"I don't think so. I'm sorry Matthew. I had a great time but.."

"But huh?" He looked down at the floor with a smile removing his arms from around her. "That's okay. I had a great time. Hopefully we can do it again sometime."

Olivia turned back around to face him, and gave him a kind heart-ed smile, placing her hand on his chest. "Yeah." She removed her hand from his chest and turned back towards her door to open it. "Good Night Matthew."

"Good Night Olivia."

Once inside she threw her keys onto the table and kicked off her heels. She made her way over to the couch, and flopped down hard with a heavy sigh, bringing her hand up to cup her forehead. I have to stop buying new dresses for these things. Olivia removed herself from the couch and walked to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine relax. After obtaining the crimson red liquid she made her way to her bedroom to get into more comfortable clothes.

It had been two months since her and Elliot talked in his apartment that night. He kept his word to her, neither has mentioned their relationship since, and he never argued with her about it. It was extremely hard for both of them at first. Things were very awkward at work, and they just avoided each other outside of it. Then after one particularly rough case for them Elliot asked Olivia to go for a drink. She couldn't say no.

Flashback

Olivia was sitting at her desk, head in her hands with her fingers rubbing long circles over her temples. They had just closed a case where a fifty two year old man raped, and murdered, his three young children. Each ranging in ages from fourteen to eight. This case was really hard for all of them, especially her and Elliot since they were the lead detectives. She was happy that it was all finally over.

"Hey Liv?"

Elliot's voice shot through her like a bullet. They hadn't really talked much outside of what was happening with their cases. She missed him. He was nothing but kind to her since they split up, they didn't argue ,or hate each other by any means. To the average person it was as if nothing had ever went on between them. They were still Benson and Stabler. Still partners. Still friends. No one could even take a guess at their underlining heartache.

"Whats up El?'

He dropped his gaze down to the floor and his words almost came out stuttered.

"I was...I was just wondering if you..maybe..but you don't have to..."

She couldn't help but smile at his attempt to talk to her.

"Just say it El."

"Well I know this case has been hard on both of us. I was just wondering if you wanted to grab a drink to wind down now that it is over..I mean ..not a date or anything...just two friends winding down and having fun together."

Olivia couldn't find words to say. She wanted so badly to accept his offer, but she was scared of what it would turn into. Last time the two of them did this they ended up in bed together. Before she could answer him he spoke again and the brokenness in his voice almost brought her to tears.

"We...we are still friends...right?"

That answers that. She got up from her chair and walked over to where he stood next to his desk. She gently cupped his cheek with her hand, smiling while she looked into his eyes and nodded.

"Of course we are El." He let out a heavy sigh and returned her smile. "Come on. Lets get out of here."

End Flashback

Olivia had more fun that night than she had in a very long time. The two of them went to a local Irish pub; both not ready to return to the bar where it all began for them almost a year before. They alternated buying drinks for each other and sat and talked for hours. For the first time since their split Olivia truly laughed out loud. From that night on things were no longer awkward between them. She still loved him. Was still in love with him. She still wanted to be with him, but even after all of this time she couldn't figure out a way to trust him again. It nearly broke her when she found out he had kissed Kathy and not told her. She wouldn't be able to live if it happened again. With her or any other woman. She couldn't be with him until she really trusted him that he wouldn't hurt or lie to her again. So for now she was happy to have her best friend back. She was happy that he didn't break that promise to her.

When Olivia made it to her bedroom she placed her wine on her dresser and began to remove the straps from her brand new $60 dress. I really have to stop buying new dresses for these things. She isn't sure why she bothers going on these dates. All of them end the same exact way. They aren't Elliot. She almost feels bad for the poor guys, before they even knock on her door their chance with her is over.

Her dress hits her ankles and she gently tosses it to her hamper with her foot. When she places her hand on her wine glass to take a sip she hears her cell phone ringing.

"Benson"

"Hey Liv. It's me."

Of course he would call now. It is as if he knows he won another round.

"What's up Elliot?"

"Just wanted to let you know that Cragen called me, said that you weren't answering your phone."

"Yeah I was....."

Shit! She stopped herself right before she slipped. She didn't want him to know she was on a date.

"At the movies with a girl friend of mine. Had it off while I was in the theater."

"Oh cool. What did you guys see?"

God Damn him. Think quick.

"Some stupid romance movie she wanted to see. I don't even remember the name of it. She picked it out. So what did Cragen want?"

"He said that he needs us to come in early tomorrow. Said he needs to talk to us about something."

"Shit, what did you do now Stabler."

She heard him chuckle from the other end of the line.

"Hey, wasn't me this time Benson."

Olivia couldn't help but smile and playfully roll her eyes.

"If you say so El. So what time does he want us in?"

"Said to come in like fifteen to twenty minutes early. I asked him if it was anything important and he said not really too him. Whatever that means."

"Yeah, okay. Sounds good. Thanks for letting me know."

"No problem. See you in the morning Liv."

"Goodnight El."

Olivia hung up the phone and walked into her bathroom to get ready for bed with a smile. Her favorite way to end her evenings was with the sound of his voice.

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The next morning Olivia arrived at the precinct exactly fifteen minutes early. She walked into the squad room and it was completely empty. She laughed to herself at the sight of it. It's funny how everyone manages to wait until the exact minute they have to be here. She placed her keys and purse down on her desk, and as she did she heard Elliot's footsteps behind her. She turned around to greet him and saw that he had two fresh cups of coffee in his hands. He hasn't done that since we...

"Morning Liv. Brought you some coffee. You aren't a morning person when we don't have to be here early. Figured you would really need it now."

She playfully slapped him in his arm. ".ha. Look whose talking."

She took the cup from his hand and as she did they heard the voice of their captain calling from his office.

"Elliot. Olivia. Come on in."

The two of them, coffee's in hand, walked to their captains office. Both a little bit nervous about what he had to talk to them about. When they got inside they each took a seat and waited for him to speak. Once he did Olivia spit her coffee out all over Cragen and his desk.

"Well, it looks like you two are going to Hawaii."

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TBC

hehe...told you I had a lot in store for this.

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