The case didn't take long. It was pretty open and shut. By noon, Nick and Olivia already had the suspect in the interrogation room, confessing. They walked out of the room, smirking proudly. Olivia looked at the clock, sighing,"I told Elliot I would meet him at 12:30," she said, looking at Nick.
Nick shrugged,"I bet Cragen will let you go ahead and do the paperwork later. I'm sure he wouldn't want you to miss lunch with your boyfriend," he said, jealousy flashing through his eyes on the last word.
Olivia placed a discreet hand on his shoulder, leaning over him as if to look at the paper on his desk,"Well, then, he wouldn't let me leave, because I'm sure my boyfriend will be eating lunch right here, while he fills out the paperwork on the case we just solved together," she said, smiling warmly at him.
Nick smiled back at her, the jealousy fading at her words,"Sorry, I didn't mean to-" he started.
Olivia cut him off,"It's ok. I would be the same way, if not worse, if you were going to lunch with another woman, but I promise you that this is nothing but a friendly lunch, to catch up. You know, we used to be best friends. We told each other everything. Now, of course, he will never be my best friend again, because that spot is already taken by this really incredible guy that I'm really not supposed to be dating, but I kind of am anyway, but it will be nice to have Elliot back in my life, as a friend," she explained.
Nick continued to smile at her,"I get it, Liv," he said simply.
Olivia smirked,"Besides, now that Alex has gone off the deep end, who am I supposed to complain about you to, when you piss me off?" she asked.
Nick rolled his eyes,"You better get going, or you're going to be late," he informed her.
Olivia checked the time,"You're right. I'm going to make sure Cragen doesn't have a problem with me leaving for a little while, then you can walk me out," she said, quickly adding in a softer voice,"The camera in the elevator is broken, and it won't be fixed until tomorrow." With that, Olivia turned, walking to her Captain's door and knocking, hearing him tell her to come in, she entered.
"What's up, Liv?" Cragen asked.
"I told Elliot I would meet him for lunch, do you mind if I take off for a little while? I'll do my paperwork before I leave," Olivia asked.
Cragen nodded,"That's fine, just keep your cell phone on, in case we need you," he said dismissively, his gaze returning to the papers on his desk.
Olivia nodded,"Thanks Cap," she said, walking out of the room, closing the door behind her. She glanced at Nick as she passed him, knowing he would follow her. She walked straight to the elevator, calling it, ignoring Nick's presence, until they were in the elevator and she had pushed the button to the ground floor. Once the doors had closed, Olivia turned quickly, kissing him deeply. Nick's arms automatically wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him, as Olivia's arms wrapped around his neck. They stood like this, locked in a passionate embrace, until they heard the familiar ding that meant the doors would be opening soon. "See you later, babe," Olivia said, giving him one last peck, before pulling away.
"Bye," Nick said, watching her walk away, before hitting the button to go back up to the squadroom.
Olivia walked into the pizza place, immediately seeing Elliot in a booth in the corner,"Sorry I'm late, traffic was a bitch, and I was a little late getting out of the precinct," she said, sliding in across from him.
Elliot smiled at her,"No problem. I did go ahead and order for us though," he said, pushing a glass towards her,"I ordered you water, because that's what you used to get when we came here, and I didn't know if you still like sweet tea," he said,"I also ordered us a pepperoni pizza, and before you even say anything about it, I am paying," he added.
Olivia rolled her eyes, sipping her water,"Water is fine. I do still like sweet tea. You are paying half, I am paying the other half," she stated simply
Elliot shook his head and chuckled,"Just as stubborn as always. You haven't changed all that much, Liv," he said.
Olivia shook her head,"Not really," she said simply.
"So," Elliot started,"How have you been?" he asked, looking at her intently, giving her his full attention.
Olivia sighed, running a hand through her hair,"Well, let's see. I started dating my partner, out ADA figured it out, and threatened to tell Cragen. I told her our friendship was over. She told Cragen anyway. I yelled at her. She kissed me. I told her to leave me the fuck alone. I told Cragen that I was dating you. Alex sent me flowers with a note saying that she wouldn't leave me alone until I forgive, and that she is determined to 'have me', whatever the fuck that means. My boyfriend's daughter is visiting starting tomorrow, and I have no clue what the hell I'm going to do. So, yeah, I'm doing pretty great," she said sarcastically, falling right back into their old routine, telling him everything.
Elliot looked shocked, and immediately questions began to fly out of his mouth,"Alex told Cragen about you guys? Alex kissed you? Alex is a lesbian? Alex is in love with you? You told Cragen you were dating me? Nick has a daughter? Why are you so scared about her spending the weekend?" he asked rapidly.
Olivia took another drink of her water,"Yes, Alex told Cragen. Yes, she kissed me, obviously she is a lesbian, and I guess she's in love with me. Yes, I told Cragen I was dating you. I didn't know what else to do. I just, I panicked. Yes, Nick has a daughter, her name is Zara, and I'm scared, because I have no fucking clue how she is going to react to me dating her dad. She's only six, and her parents just divorced. That's a lot to handle on it's own, I don't think she really needs the added stress of having to accept someone new into her life," she explained.
Elliot sighed,"Liv, you are great with kids. She is going to be fine. Now, about the fact that you told Cragen that we're dating, what the hell are you going to do about that?" he asked.
Olivia shook her head as the pizza was brought the their table. She watched Elliot take a piece, before taking a slice for herself,"I have no fucking idea. I guess, until Nick and I are ready to tell him about us, we just lie. He doesn't know who I go home to, or with, after I leave the precinct. As long as Nick and I are careful, we won't get caught," she said.
Elliot nodded,"And Nick has no problem with Cragen thinking that you're dating me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Olivia shrugged,"He trusts me. He doesn't like it, but he knows that it's not the truth," she said simply,"Oh, did you get Lizzie set up for her first appointment?" she asked after a moment.
Elliot nodded,"That's actually where she's at right now. When I leave here, I'm heading to pick her up," he informed her.
Olivia smiled,"Good, I think it will do her a lot of good," she said as her phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket, sliding the bar to answer it, and bringing it to her ear,"Benson," she said, listening for a moment,"Alright, I'll be there in a minute," she said, hanging up.
"Duty calls?" Elliot questioned.
Olivia sighed as she nodded, throwing some cash down on the table,"I'm sorry," she apologized,standing up.
Elliot nodded to her,"It's alright, I understand," he said simply, receiving a hug from her, before watching her walk out of the restaurant, sighing.
"Nick?" Olivia asked, walking into the waiting room of the hospital, spotting him sitting in one of the chairs,"What are you doing out here? You could have started taking her statement without me," she said as he stood up, walking to her.
"She wouldn't talk to anyone but you, Liv," Nick informed her.
"What room is she in?" Olivia asked.
"305," Nick answered, following her as she began to walk down the hallway,"But, Liv, there's something you should know," he said as she opened the door.
"Alex?" Olivia questioned, looking at the blonde sitting on the hospital bed, shocked.