Chapter Thirteen

"Oh my god, El. How can this day get any better?"

"I have no idea. I don't think it does get better," Elliot said putting his arm around Olivia's waist as they were walking. It served many purposes. One, a gesture to show her he's there and he's having fun. Two, as they enjoy the walk in the sunset, Elliot knows from his job that the park gets more dangerous the darker it gets. Even though he knew she'd know, he won't ever tell her the dominant reason is protection.

Together they sat on a bench to relax as the sky started turning into pink then purple and finally a deep, dark blue. They sat in silence with Olivia's head on Elliot's shoulder, just reflecting on the perfection of such a simple, yet memorable day.

First, Elliot said they were dating. He receives bonus points for that. He then took her to a movie. She hasn't been to a movie in years, and he actually sat through a chick-flick. Olivia was pretty impressed with that. Another high point for her was shopping. Though her work clothes are tasteful, they don't say anything about Olivia's sense of style. She absolutely loves shopping and loves to spend time on her appearance. It's funny how she can be such a tomboy when she's at work- it's a man's job, but when she can be, she is such a girlie-girl. Elliot, of course, knew she liked to dress up and be pretty, but also liked when he'd see her in sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt; it showed how she could look like a goddess and be so down to earth. He just didn't know how interested she was in fashion.

Elliot decided to take her shopping, maybe buy her some new clothes for their upcoming date. He chose and upscale store and told her nothing was off limits, and her eyes got wide.

"Oh, El. You don't have to buy me things, I'm happy just-"

"No, it'll make me happy; don't be so selfish!" This made Olivia laugh. She loved everything about this man.

Olivia had gotten lost in the store within five minutes and Elliot gave up looking for her. She'd find him… and she did. She was holding something behind her back.

"I'm gonna go try this on. That okay with you, Stabler?"

"Uh, yeah," Elliot responded trying to see what was behind her back. All he saw was a swish of red.

She'd look so great in red Elliot thought. She went to the changing booth and he continued browsing for presents for her when he could come back without her. He ended up looking at two white, v-neck shirts that looked too similar for him. They were marked clearance, one for $40, and the other for $60. First of all, he couldn't tell the difference between the shirts, second of all, he didn't understand why $40 or $60 would be considered clearance.

Olivia would know he thought shaking his head and smiling.

"What's that smirk about, Stabler?" Olivia said startling him.

"Hey! I was going to get it for you," he said after realizing she had a new shopping bag.

"Next time, Stabler," she said holding the bag out of reach when he tried to look in it, "I want it to be a surprise"

"Why do you keep calling me 'Stabler'? You've always done it, just a lot more lately."

Olivia bit her lip in concentration, "Hmmm… I don't know. I just like that name, Stabler, and since we're dating I don't have to worry about being unprofessional for saying your name over and over like this"

Later in the day, they decided to get a late lunch/early dinner. They spent hours laughing and talking as their minds wandered down memory lane. They were getting ready to ask for the check when Maureen, Elliot's oldest daughter, walks in and spots them. They of course let her join. Olivia loves Elliot's kids and they love her back. Olivia's been part of the family since she first became Elliot's partner. She was always there at the Thanksgiving table or there singing Christmas carols with the Stabler family; until Kathy started feeling threatened by Elliot and Olivia's closer relationship.

Olivia showed Maureen the dress and both girls giggled at Elliot's slightly annoyed face because they wouldn't let him see it.

"Oh, Liv, it's gorgeous," said the college student, "What did you get it for, though?" she asked playing dumb. She was good at reading people, she already knew.

"Well, I have to have something to wear on our da- on special occasions," said Olivia turning red.

"Oh, yeah, I know what you mean. Anything specific? Like, I don't know, a date?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe just police dinner parties… stuff like that," Olivia said. She couldn't lie to Maureen, yet she could keep a straight face in the interrogation room with a rapist or murderer.

"No dates?" Maureen asked innocently. Elliot's eyes narrowed. He knows how his daughters manipulate everyone to spill any secret. They were falling into the trap.

"Yeah, I guess dates," Olivia said cautiously.

"Like formal ones…" Maureen said nodding her head, and smiling on the inside. She had them now. No secret was safe.

"Yeah…"

"So where has your date taken you, Liv?"

"Uh, nowhere. We just started going out"

"Well, are you planning on going anywhere?

"Yeah…"

"So, where?" Maureen asked. This time it was directed to her father.

"How'd you do it?" Elliot asked impressed.

"I didn't, you just told me."

Elliot and Olivia looked at each other. She won. They lost.

"You could make NYPD's best detectives crack. Did you ever consider law school, Maur?" Olivia asked impressed and amused at the same time.

"Haven't ruled it out, I can still go law…" Maureen said leaning back satisfied with her work and praise.

"Well, just make sure you work on our side, okay?" Elliot said.

Now, Elliot and Olivia sit side by side on the bench, both wishing the day will never end. This is something they'd both remember for a long time. Something Olivia knew would give her comfort and hopefully replace any bad memories she still had. Olivia kept a few memories like this. Memories that are special to her. Memories to drown out her past. Memories like the few she had with her sober mother, becoming Manhattan SVU, Meeting Elliot… Memories like this one. Special.

Special is such an extraordinary word… extraordinary can't even be used to describe it. Special can only be described with itself. Special. How Elliot and Olivia make each other feel. Special. The relationship Elliot have together. Special. Their ability to work together, especially when you are describing the way the work together towards their relationship. Especially when you talk about how they're always in sync with each other; always reading the other person's mind and knowing what the other is thinking without saying a word. It's especially special when they say everything by saying nothing. Sitting together in the silence as night fell upon New York, "I love you" was said without whispering a word.