12.
New York City
The Special Victims Unit had taken down a sex trafficking ring as well as a terrorist group. The final piece of the puzzle connecting the two turned out to be a woman who'd lost her father in a bombing. He had literally been blown to pieces. They had worked with Lieutenant Alexandra Eames, who was working a joint task force with Homeland Security, and Olivia was having drinks with her after they'd finally closed the case.
"It's a rough story about the father," Olivia said pensively.
"They all have a reason. Something," Eames replied.
"And that's how you break 'em. Get them to tell their story," Olivia concluded, taking a sip from her drink.
"Isn't that how you do it?" Eames asked.
"Well, I don't normally do it leaning over sideways," Olivia laughed, mimicking Eames' unusual interviewing tactic, and Eames laughed with her.
"Yeah, hm. I learned that from my partner at Major Case. It was his way of keeping eye contact."
"It's a little eccentric." Olivia remarked.
"You have no idea."
Olivia could tell Eames had liked and appreciated her partner a lot, the way she was looking at her now with eyes that reflected memories of a happier time in the Lieutenant's life.
"Okay," she said, nodding in understanding while they both smiled.
"All that time together," Eames mused. "The two of us. It was like we were married."
It sounded very familiar to Olivia. Painfully familiar.
"But you weren't." Just like they weren't.
"No, we weren't."
Eames looked at her attentively.
"Why do I get the feeling you know exactly what I'm talking about?"
Olivia took another sip from her drink and set her glass down slowly. She looked at the woman at the table with her.
"I do know. I had a partner for twelve years ... in the end, his wife called me his office wife."
"His wife. That's awkward."
Olivia nodded, downing her drink and signaling the waiter for another one. They sat together in silence until their second round of drinks had arrived.
"So ... what happened with your partner?" Eames asked.
Olivia sighed.
"He retired after a shooting at the precinct. Couldn't take it anymore."
"You miss him?"
"Yeah ..." She had to swallow a lump in her throat. "Yeah, I miss him. A lot."
"So much that it hurts." Eames said.
It wasn't a question. Eames was feeling exactly the same. They smiled at each other sadly and Eames suggested they get drunk together and forget about everything for a while. Then they both laughed out loud and decided against it. They did end up having a third drink though, and talked some more about their old partners. Brian was still undercover so there was nobody waiting for Olivia to come home. It was good to relax like this and to talk about Elliot with someone who knew what it was like. Olivia didn't have any real friends she could confide it and was enjoying her evening with Eames. They were both strong, independent women but even they needed someone to lean on and confide in every now and then.
...
September, 2012
Brian had finally resurfaced and called her at work to ask if he could come over to her place later. He'd been debriefed and had at least five days off, and he wanted to spend them with Olivia. She didn't know what time she'd get home so she told him she'd come over to his place as soon as she got off work.
"I'll be here," he said, and she could picture him with an expectant grin on his face. "We need to make up for lost time Liv."
"I know," she said softly, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening in.
Things with Nick had become less tense and she wanted to keep it that way. They were working together again regularly, after being split up temporarily at Nick's request. He was trying to keep his personal stuff out of work and she wanted to do the same. Knowing how Nick felt about Brian also helped to keep their relationship to herself for now. She ended the call when Nick glanced her way. Nick didn't comment and that was one thing she appreciated greatly about him. He would never ask her about her personal life unless she decided to share it with him. And she would do the same for him.
Cragen came out of his office, a piece of paper in his hand.
"Who's catching?" he asked.
Olivia looked around and noticed she and Nick were the only detectives in the room.
"Well, I guess we are," she told her Captain with a smile.
She had hoped they wouldn't get a new case this afternoon because she wanted to see Brian, but this case couldn't wait. They had a thirteen-year old rape victim who had confided in her school teacher.
...
It wasn't until 11.30 pm that Olivia finally made it to Brian's place, exhausted.
"Hey, I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up," Brian sighed, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding her close for a moment. "I've missed you."
Olivia leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, relieved that she could finally relax her tired body.
"I've missed you too," she mumbled against his shoulder. "I'm just so tired."
"C'mere," Brian said, taking her hands and leading her to the couch. "You just sit down and put your feet up. I'll get you something to drink. You eaten yet?"
Olivia leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes.
"Yeah, I ate at the hospital earlier. A drink would be great though."
Brian quickly came back with two beers and sat down next to her. They chatted a little about his undercover op and her most recent case. After finishing their beers, Olivia leaned against his shoulder and he put his arms around her. He kissed her temple and she smiled.
"You wanna get some sleep?" Brian asked.
She knew he had hoped for some more action after they had been apart for a few weeks and she had missed him. She pushed herself up a little to bring her eyes level with his.
"I'm just tired Bri, not dead."
Brian laughed out loud and pulled her up with him as he got up from the couch.
"Alright then," he grinned.
"I'd like to take a shower though," she said with a sly smile and Brian's grin got even wider.
"Want some company?"
"Yeah, I do."
As soon as Olivia had stepped into the shower, Brian stepped in behind her and closed the curtain. They washed their hair quickly and then started washing each other. The hot water was a blessing for her tired muscles and aching bones, and Olivia relaxed when Brian pulled her back flush against his chest to cover her with soap. She moaned when he rubbed soap on her breasts with his big hands and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against his shoulder. She could feel him getting aroused, pressing into her lower back and her body responded as well. She was glad he was back and enjoyed the attention he was giving her. He was nipping at the skin of her neck with his teeth and lips while he continued caressing her body with his hands, and it occurred to her that he was probably leaving a mark. She didn't care right now and moved her hands behind him to grab his firm ass.
"O, livia," Brian said softly. "You want me baby?"
"Yeah," she sighed.
She wanted to forget about the thirteen-year old girl who had been raped three times by her stepbrother and had finally told her teacher after it had happened again right before school. She wanted to forget about the hooker she'd talked to earlier in the week, who had come from an abusive home and was now on drugs and selling her body to get her fix. She wanted to forget about all the memories that had resurfaced during and after her evening with Alexandra Eames. She wanted to forget about Brian's latest undercover assignment, where he had once again been surrounded by beautiful escorts. And she wanted to forget about not being with the love of her life.
She turned around in Brian's arms and kissed him passionately.
"I want you ..." she sighed between their heated kisses, "to make me forget ... everything."
"I will," Brian promised her.
And he did. He made her forget everything for a while and she slept soundly in his arms the entire night.
...
A week later, Maureen called her to invite her to her twenty-eighth birthday on the 30th. It was on a Sunday and she was throwing a big party for her family and friends.
"Mom and dad and Eli are coming too. I hope you will be able to make it as well, Olivia."
Olivia felt her stomach clench nervously at the news. Elliot was coming back to New York in just a few days. As much as she would want to see him again, she wasn't sure how that would go, now that she was with Brian. She wasn't going to bring Brian to the party. That was a no-brainer. Besides, Maureen and her boyfriend didn't even know him. Still, things might be a bit uncomfortable between her and Elliot and she was restless.
She felt almost relieved when Brian told her he had another assignment and was leaving the next day. Now she didn't even have to mention the party to him, and he wouldn't comment on how jittery she was.
Brian came over to her apartment to say goodbye. He couldn't tell her what his assignment was, but he did assure her that it wasn't likely that he would meet a lot of women this time.
"I know you get jealous Liv, even though you don't want to admit it," he grinned.
She smiled and kissed his nose.
"You bet," she admitted. "I'm extremely monogamous myself so I expect nothing less from my boyfriend, okay?"
"Okay."
"Okay. Now you can leave."
The both laughed and hugged before he was out the door, off on another assignment for God knows how long. Olivia sighed and closed the door. She bolted it, knowing she would be on her own again for a while.
...
Elliot was glad to be back in New York. Just seeing the city from the airplane right before landing had made his heart soar. The city was still home to him. They'd been living in Santa Cruz for almost a year now but it still didn't feel like home. This was.
You know what's in New York. Do something about it.
Jake Bronson's words had been ringing in his head often since he'd spoken with the man. He hadn't met him since and sometimes he wondered if their conversation had really happened. But it must have, because it was still affecting him today. And now he was back in the city.
After unpacking at the hotel, Kathy called Maureen to ask if she needed any help preparing for the party. It was only Friday but it looked like they were making a really big thing out of it because Maureen was busy already, and she accepted her mother's offer to help immediately. Before Kathy could even ask, Elliot had already nodded.
"Sure, go ahead. Me and Eli will be fine. Let me know when you're coming back, okay? I'd like to go out to dinner together."
"Yey, MacDonalds!" Eli yelled and his parents laughed.
"Maybe," Elliot told his young son. "Or maybe we'll go to a different restaurant."
"Pizza?" Eli asked hopefully.
"Maybe," Elliot said again.
Since they had basically traveled back in time, the boy would be awake for a long time. So he had to think of something to wear him out a little. After Kathy had left, he decided to just go for a long walk uptown. He was aware that they were heading in the direction of his old precinct but he knew they weren't going there. Memories of the shooting still haunted him at times and he wasn't ready to go back to the place where it had all happened. Where his career had ended, and his partnership with Olivia.
Olivia didn't even know they were already in New York. Their texts and phone calls had become less frequent now that she was with Brian. He didn't want to impose and it looked like she didn't need the contact as much as she used to anymore. He took Eli to a diner to order him a milkshake and decided to text Olivia to let her know they were in town and why.
He received a reply within ten minutes.
'Hey. I knew you were coming, Maureen told me. Guess I will see you Sunday. Liv.'
He smiled. She was coming to the party. He'd like to see her before the party, but he didn't know how to arrange it. She was probably with Brian every night now, and he had Eli. He was pretty certain Kathy wouldn't appreciate it if he left them alone during the weekend so he decided against it. At least she'd be at the party. Would she bring Brian? God, he hoped not. Fending off the visuals of his hands on Olivia was hard enough. He really didn't want to see the guy. He took a chance and sent another text.
'Brian gonna be there too?'
Her reply came a few minutes later.
'He is undercover again, don't worry ;-)'
He grinned. She knew him too well. And judging from her text, she didn't hold his initial reaction about her seeing Brian against him. He felt better already and was beginning to look forward to Sunday. After Eli finished his milkshake, they walked back to the hotel.
...
The party was in full swing already when he finally saw Olivia come in. There were about 25 people in the spacious living room of Maureen and Steven's house. The room had been cleared out and in stead of the usual furniture, stand up tables had been placed in the room. A small stage had been set up in a corner for a DJ who was playing all kinds of music and there were lower tables along one of the walls, with drinks and various snacks for the guests. Elliot watched Olivia from a distance as she greeted Maureen and Steven, and then his other children. She was wearing a nice purple dress and he noticed once again that she had become a little fuller over the years. The feminine curves of her body were perfect in his eyes and he couldn't help staring, until he saw her looking back at him. She was smiling slightly, one eyebrow raised, and Elliot felt his cheeks getting warm. Busted. Eli was holding Olivia's hand and was pulling at it, dragging her in his direction. She let Eli guide her to his father and her smile grew wider when they were face to face.
"Hey."
"Hey. Glad you could make it."
"I'm glad you could make it," Olivia replied, bowing down a bit to squeeze Eli's nose gently. "All the way from California."
The little boy was overjoyed to see her again and provided a welcome distraction for Elliot, who was trying to come to terms with the fact that Olivia was just a two feet away from him. You know what's in New York. Do something about it.
He looked at Kathy, who was in an animated conversation with her sister and Kathleen, who had also brought a boyfriend to the party. His family continued to grow and he felt incredibly blessed. After taking a deep breath, he looked at Olivia again. She was still alone. Well, aside from Cassidy. Just thinking his name left a bad taste in his mouth and he looked around to see where they could get a drink.
"You want a drink? I'll get us some."
"Sure. I'll walk with you."
They made their way to the drinks table and Kathy joined them while Eli bolted off again towards his brother.
"Olivia, so nice of you to come. How are you? Did you bring your new friend?"
Kathy seemed a little too happy to emphasize that Olivia had a friend these days, and she smiled sheepishly.
"No. He's working. Besides, Maureen and Steven don't know him so I wouldn't have brought him anyway."
"Oh, that would have been perfectly fine Olivia," Kathy continued, still a little too giddy for her taste. "I'd love to meet the man who's stolen your heart."
"Well, maybe another time," Olivia said and she breathed a sigh of relief when Kathy dashed off again immediately.
Elliot glanced at her at the exact same time she glanced at him, and they both laughed out loud. No words were necessary, they had both seen and felt the same thing. Elliot handed her a glass of wine and held his out for a toast. He winked at her and they clunked their glasses together, toasting to nothing in particular, just being happy to see each other again. They were sipping their wine quietly when Maureen asked the DJ to stop the music for a while because she wanted to say something.
"Dear friends and family, we're so happy you could all be here with us tonight," Maureen said as the room went quiet. Steven joined his girlfriend on the small stage.
"You may wonder why we made such a big deal out of my twenty-eighth birthday," Maureen continued, "since it isn't really a special number. But we have a little announcement to make."
...
A/N: What will Maureen and Steven's announcement be about and how will it effect their guests?
