Elliot had not seen Olivia since days. He had only talked to her on phone for few minutes. He was busy with a new case, too much suspects, too much possibilities, and for her part, she was studying new positions and managing with her new life as a mother.
He missed her
She missed him
They were too busy, but always thought of each other. When drinking a coffee he asked himself if she was drinking her tea at the same time. When eating with Mathew she thought of Elliot who maybe hadn't lunch for a long time.
She was sitting on her couch, reading suggestions, Mathew was slipping. She wanted to call him but feared to call at a wrong moment. She wanted to ask him to come to visit her when he would have time, but…
He was sitting on the corner of his desk watching at the white board, hoping the solution would appear under his eyes soon. He thought it would be easier if she would still be at his side. He wanted to call her to ask if he could come to visit her tonight after work but…
No…Leave her alone, he thought. She has a lot of things to do and if she wanted to see you she would have called you. Yes, but you are the one who is busy with work. Maybe she doesn't dare to disturb you at work. Maybe she just doesn't dare to call you. Maybe…maybe…oh crap Stabler, be a man, call her! She hadn't given any news from a long time and she promised I won't lose her…let's see if you can trust her!
He grabbed his phone and went to the crib not to be disturbed.
Dial
Ring
Ring again
3rd ring…
Maybe she's busy…
Liv: Hi El! What's up?
El: Hi! Well…I was just wondering if everything was ok… crap…be a man, don't act like a teenager, ask her!
Liv: Yeah…I'm fine, so is Mathew. I'm studying vacancies by this time.
El: Anything interesting?
Liv: Yes, do you want me to talk about it now?
El: ..mmmhh…well, actually I thought, I wondered, if you are not too busy…or…if you don't mind…
Liv: Come after work, El.
El laughed lightly: Not my partner anymore but still read my mind…
Liv: See you tonight so? Just give me a phone call when you leave the precinct, ok?
El: ok…bye honey.
He hung up.
God…did I just call her honey?
God…did he just call me honey?
PRECINCT, 7pm.
Elliot was still sitting at his desk. He had read all papers spread everywhere on his desk but couldn't find anything interesting. No clue, no evident sign, nothing… The fact was that it was difficult to stay focused on the goal when thinking of Olivia. He would see her tonight, at hers…he wanted to see her so much, he missed her not only as a partner but as a friend, as…just as Olivia. The detective Olivia, the friend Olivia, the stubborn Olivia, the strong Olivia, the compassionate Olivia, the woman Olivia…with her chocolate eyes, her skin…might be so soft, her way to look at me, the way she holds me a cup of coffee, the way she can calm me down or be angry against me, she does not fear me, she protects me….stop! stop it Stabler! You're slipping and may think too far… skip your thoughts and stay focused….
Cragen: Elliot!
Elliot: Yeah, Cap?
Cragen: How many times do I have to repeat my question?
Elliot: Sorry Sir, I'm seeking for some clue in this huge amount of papers, and nothing yet…I assume I should…
Cragen: …go home and come back tomorrow with refresh mind. You'd be more efficient
Elliot: ok Sir, see you tomorrow.
He ordered rapidly his papers on his desk, went to his locker, took new clothes and made his way to the bathroom of the station.
He hurried in shower and then grabbed all his stuff. He walked to the parking to open the sedan and called Liv.
Elliot: Hey, Liv, I'm on my way, do you want me to bring something to eat?
He stopped walking, speechless in the middle of the parking
Elliot: No, you're kidding, aren't you? Can't wait to see that! Ok, then so I come. Are you sure you don't need anything? Ok! See you in few minutes!
He hung up and smiled.
A woman full of surprises too…
OLIVIA'S FLAT
Knocks on the door…
Olivia: Who's this?
Elliot: Liv, it's me!
She opened the door. Elliot stood there, his hands behind his back.
Elliot: One of your neighbours recognized me and let me in.
He followed her inside her flat. He smelt good things from the kitchen but could not guess what she cooked.
Elliot: So…how was your day?
Olivia turned to him with a glass of wine. She smiled at him.
Olivia: Good! Want a glass of wine or are you on duty tonight?
Elliot had still his hands behind his back.
Elliot: I'd like to, but I can't, my hands are already used.
Olivia: What for?
He held her flowers.
Elliot: For you.
Olivia blushed and put the glass on the corner.
Olivia: El, wow…they are beautiful! Why?
She went to him and took the flowers.
Elliot: Well…I don't know…We hadn't seen each other since you left and…
She put them in water and arranged everything on the corner to emphasize them. The only thing that caught the eyes was the flowers on the corner. She looked at them.
Olivia: Really Elliot, they are beautiful, I love them. Thank you so much.
Elliot: I assume Mathew is sleeping?
Olivia: Yes, we wandered a lot in the park today and he was really tired.
Elliot: Can I just see him? I'd like to see the big boy I think he became.
Olivia laughed: Yes, in few days he changed a lot.
She guided him to her bedroom. She opened the door slightly and he saw Mathew sleeping peacefully. He smiled and exited the room.
Olivia: He's begun to speak.
Elliot: Really?
Olivia: Yes! He makes people understand what he wants. He improves himself day after day.
Elliot: That proves he feels secure with you.
Olivia: I hope! I just fear the day I'll have to work again. I hope he won't believe I leave him.
Elliot smirked: Is that you really fear this or…are you afraid to leave him and not spend a full day with him?
Olivia smiled: Both, I think! You know El, I already understood the fear you could have for you kids. The fact that when catching up a suspect you think of your kids. But now, I have another view and I do know the fear you have. I have the same now.
Elliot: And this won't ever disappear.
Olivia: I know.
Elliot: So you said you'd cook for us tonight…explanations?
Olivia: Yes, I wanted to cook for my son because I want to feed him with natural products…
Elliot: If Munch heard this he would love it!
Olivia: and so I re opened my old cooking books, and tried some things.
Elliot: Tonight is a new try?
Olivia laughed: Are you afraid I may poison you?
Elliot smiled again: No! Not at all…
Olivia: You're such a bad liar, Elliot!
Elliot: I'm kidding…I'm glad to taste what you cooked.
Olivia: Good! So come on, it's ready!
Elliot: What did you cook?
Olivia: Chicken with cream, nature vegetables and mashed potatoes, everything cut, sliced and home prepared!
Elliot: God! I'm impressed!
Olivia: Don't speak too fast, taste it first!
She brought the meal on the table.
Olivia: As the French say. "Bon Appetit"!
They sat and began to eat silently.
After few minutes Olivia could not resist:
Liv: El, what's wrong?
El: Nothing, I'm fine. It's really delicious, Liv!
Liv: Thanks but don't avoid the subject, I know you, El, I know there is something wrong. What's it?
El sighed , took a sip of wine and looked Olivia straight.
El: It's a case, but I don't want to bother you with it.
Liv: Bother me? El, we have worked together for nearly 10 years....
El: Yeah...that's too.
Liv: What?
He stood up and went to the window.
She follwed him and stayed behind him.
Liv: El, please talk to me.
El: I miss you...I can't handle a case, I don't understand what I have to find....I lost control and...
He bit his lip
She moved toward him and put her hands on his shoulders. He turned and hug her. He repeated against her neck:
El: I miss you, Olivia, really, I miss you so much.
She embraced him and put her hand on his head.
Liv: I miss you too,El. I'm happy being a mother, having Mathew in my life but I miss you too.
They pulled apart and locked their gaze. He put his hand on her cheek and caressed it with his thumb.
El: Liv,...
Liv: Yeah, tell me El...Tell how I can help you.
El: He went to the table to drink a few wine.
El: I have a perfect family, no evidence of something wrong, but the point is that the oldest daughter was raped. No fluid, bruises on legs, marks of links on wrists...but any f****** clue. It seems that everybody has everybody's back, in the family, in close friends, at school....I don't know how to help her, it is as if the world was against her. I know there is something not clear with this family. But...God I can't find anything!
Liv: And the labs?
El: Nothing really helpful... I have a wrong feeling about this family...
Liv: What kind?
El: I feel as if we are...
Liv: What?
El: Liv...It is as if our team was in danger....It's weird, I can't explain that but...
Liv: Did you talk to Cragen?
El: No...he would ask me to go home and take some rest...
Liv: It may be a good thing...
El: No...It won't. I need to work or I'll be crazy soon.
Liv: Ok then...ask Huang, maybe he will find what's wrong and help you with a new clue.
El: Mmh...I'll think of it.
Liv: Yes you should. Tomorrow I'll have lunch with Melinda. do you want to join us?
El: No, thanks. I know she'll be happy to share a moment with you and Mathew.
Liv: Ok..
They talked again a few about the case and Elliot began to relax by her side. He was feeling comfortable with her and she loved being with him at hers, with nothing more than them talking, glasses of wine and soft music.
He left at midnight, apologizing for being so talkative, which made her laugh...Stabler is not really a talkative guy.