"Happy New Year"

Elliot was relieved at how well his kids were handling the changes in their family situation. He was proud of all of them. And of Olivia too. He was looking forward to be out in the open with her, and couldn't wait for Cragen's decision about their partnership. He could tell that their Captain was content with the way they were working together. On the job, things really hadn't changed very much. If anything, they were even more in sync than before. They had always been willing to put their lives on the line for each other and that would still be the case.

Olivia was relaxing a bit on the couch and he watched her from the kitchen as she put her feet up and closed her eyes. He couldn't help admiring her long, well-shaped legs and smiled as his eyes drifted up to her face. She was so peaceful, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open. Her head was dropping to the side and she seemed to be nodding off.

On the one hand, he wanted to go to Alex' party with Olivia, but on the other hand he wouldn't mind just staying home with her to ring in the new year together. But he knew she would not appreciate it if he just let her sleep until it was too late to go to the party. So he decided to wake her up after an hour. Olivia stretched and yawned, and said she couldn't believe she had been sound asleep. Elliot sat down next to her and asked if she was up for some dinner.

'I need something to drink first, I never feel well after I've I slept during the day,' she told him. 'One of my many quirks you will have to learn to live with,' she added with a grin.

'Gladly,' he assured her and he kissed her nose before getting up to get her a bottle of water. 'You up for pizza?'

'Sure.'

They ordered in and after dinner they got ready for the party. Elliot had taken a shower and was walking out of the bathroom into the bedroom in his dark blue robe when he saw Olivia, dressed only in her black underwear, digging through the dresses in her closet. She had already showered before him and her hair was still wet. He walked up behind her and cleared his throat so he wouldn't scare her. She turned around and was surprised that he was standing so close to her.

'Hey,' she said. 'Wanna help me pick out a dress? I can't find anything in here.'

Elliot laughed. She had dozens of dresses but she couldn't find anything. He enjoyed discovering her feminine side more and more and put his hands on her hips.

'Liv, you look beautiful already,' he assured her. 'It doesn't matter what you wear.'

She didn't have a speck of makeup on yet and Elliot thought she had never looked more beautiful. He found her little freckles adorable but he knew better than to say that out loud.

'So I should just go out like this?' Olivia shot at him, a hint of frustration in her voice while she gestured at her scarcely clad body.

'If you want to go out like this, I assure you that you won't make it out of the apartment,' Elliot said very seriously, barely managing to suppress a smile.

Olivia relaxed and took the bait.

'Oh really? And why is that, detective? You're gonna arrest me?'

Her sultry tone and the look in her eyes made his body respond in several places and he pulled her close to him with a grunt.

'Definitely. Let me get my handcuffs.'

Olivia leaned into him and her hot breath in his neck made him shiver when she said softly,

'Then I will get dressed for the party this time but you hold that thought for later, detective.'

She released him and quickly turned back around to find a dress but he didn't miss her mischievous smile. He took a step towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

'Oh no,' he whispered in her ear. 'You deserve to be punished now.'

He wasn't sure how she would react but it only took half a second for her to lean into his chest and play along.

'What kind of punishment did you have in mind detective?' she asked, while she put one hand over his and moved the other one behind her to cup the modest bulge that was forming under his robe. Elliot swallowed, feeling his body respond to her even more and moved his hands to her hips before trailing them upwards to the sides of her bra.

'First, this comes off,' he told her, hoping his voice sounded as confident as it would while talking to a suspect.

'I thought I was being punished for lewdness and now you are taking off what little I'm wearing too?' she asked innocently. 'Do you think 'I'm carrying a concealed weapon?'

'One can never be too careful,' Elliot gruffed while unclasping her bra. He dropped it to the floor and placed a few soft kisses on her right shoulder while he took her full breasts in his hands.

Olivia reached between them again to pull his robe open and he released her briefly to shrug the robe off his shoulders. As soon as it hit the floor, he pulled her back against his now naked chest again.

'Well then,' Olivia said softly. 'You'd better continue searching me thoroughly.'

She was going to be the death of him. Elliot moved his hands from her breasts down to her toned stomach and felt her trembling slightly under his touch. He was getting hard very fast too and wondered if they would always have this effect on each other. Olivia sighed when he moved one hand over her panties and arched her back when he rubbed her a few times through the thin black fabric.

'Are you satisfied yet, detective?' she asked, sounding a little out of breath. 'Or do you need a closer look?'

Elliot moaned in her ear before spinning her around.

'I'm sorry miss, I do need to take a closer look,' he said roughly.

He hooked his thumbs in the sides of her panties, pulling them down and kneeling in front of her in one movement. Olivia was watching him and the want and anticipation in her eyes was only outshone by her wide smile. He reached up to 'search' her body for any concealed weapons and told her,

'I' m afraid I'll have to do a full cavity search.'

He was surprised he'd even gotten the words out and he held his breath when Olivia moved to the bed and sat down slowly on the edge, spreading her legs for him and placing her hands behind her to lean back slightly.

'Alright, if you must,' she sighed. 'I will cooperate. Just don't hurt me okay, detective? I still have a party to go to later.'

She smiled at him seductively and Elliot couldn't believe that Badass Benson was actually into this kind of role playing. She was playing her part perfectly and he couldn't stay behind. But it was getting increasingly difficult to hold back. She probably knew that and was teasing him to the extreme.

'Come on detective. We don't have all night. Do we?'

Elliot jumped up and wanted to push her down on the bed and take her hard. But the game wan't finished so he reigned himself in, taking a deep breath before lowering himself to his knees in front of her again.

'Let's see,' he said pensively while moving his fingers over her most sensitive spot and down to find the 'cavity' that needed searching.

Olivia's breath hitched and he was glad he wasn't the only one who was anxious to move things along. She moaned loudly when he pushed two fingers in. She was soft, warm, wet and inviting and Elliot bit his lip while he moved his fingers in and out a few times to complete his search.

'And?' Olivia croacked, throwing her head back while pushing into his hand.

'I don't know miss,' he managed to say. 'I have to be sure ...'

He added a third finger, pushing in all the way and Olivia bucked up, panting and moaning 'Oh yes' a few times as he continued moving his fingers in and out. It was tempting just to keep going and watch her come but he was throbbing with need himself too. So he eased his fingers out of her slowly after a while, before moving his upper body between her legs. Olivia pushed herself against his torso and he moaned, feeling her warm and soft wetness against his chest. He placed a few kisses on her abdomen and smoothed his hands behind her back to lift her up from the bed and move them onto the mattress. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they managed to move far enough so they were both lying on the bed, Elliot on top of Olivia.

'Here's another cavity I need to search,' Elliot grunted before kissing her roughly and plunging his tongue into her mouth.

Olivia returned the kiss passionately and Elliot decided the search was now officially over. As their mouths and tongues were fighting a battle of their own, he smoothed his body over hers. Olivia wrapped her legs around his waist and it was all the encouragement he needed. He buried himself deep inside her without warning. Olivia groaned and started pushing up immediately. They weren't going slow this time. He knew Olivia was strong and while he would never want to hurt her, he pounded into her without hesitation. She wanted it too, he could feel it. He braced himself on his elbows and looked at her face while continuing his thrusts. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was open. She was panting and making a high pitched sound each time he went deep inside her.

'Yes, yes, keep going!' she managed to say and he moaned at the sight of her beneath him.

She opened her eyes and looked at him.

'Liv ...' he panted, not slowing down.

She grabbed his ass with both hands to pull him in even deeper.

'El ...'

'Liv, I'm ...'

'Me too ...'

'Oh God ...'

'Eeell!'

As soon as he felt her body shuddering in extasy beneath him, he came hard and long. He continued thrusting into her until he was completely spent and rolled them over so Olivia was on top of him. She was still panting and trembling and he wrapped his arms around her warm flushed body.

'That ... was ... wow.' she panted.

'Yeah ...' he agreed. 'You ... officially have no ... concealed weapons on you.'

She grinned and kissed him softly on the lips. They lay together for a while, enjoying the afterglow and just breathing together. Elliot caressed her back and buttocks with his hands and wished now that they didn't have to go out. As if reading his mind, Olivia pushed herself up and folded her hands on his chest, resting her chin on them and looking at him.

'Now will you help me pick out a dress?'

He laughed out loud and kissed her forehead before agreeing that they really should be getting ready.

Elliot wasn't much help after all though, and after Olivia had shot down all of his suggestions he shook his head and turned his attention to his own wardrobe. She was on her own on this. He pulled out a simple black suit and a white shirt and got dressed quickly while Olivia finally picked out a brown dress that complemented her eyes perfectly and gave her skin a golden glow. He couldn't believe she actually had a pair of high heels in every color but she produced a pair that matched her dress exactly. Her hair was just long enough now to pin it up and after she had applied her makeup and walked back into the bedroom, Elliot sighed. She looked so sophisticated and he suddenly felt underdressed. Olivia assured him he looked very handsome and gave him a gentle peck on the cheek before getting their coats. She put a sway in her hips as she walked and Elliot shook his head again. He was such a lucky bastard.

...

Alex came from a wealthy family and wasn't doing so bad herself. The house was impressive, almost like a mansion and there were a lot of people already. They didn't know most of them but they soon spotted the lady of the house who greeted them warmly.

'You two look radiant,' Alex told them. 'Are you out of the closet yet?'

Olivia laughed out loud and Elliot loved the sound of her laughter.

'We're getting there, Alex,' she assured the former ADA. 'we're just waiting on Cragen's decision.'

Alex nodded pensively.

'I see. Well, he's here too so maybe you can ask him about it. Get it over with.'

Elliot was surprised. Their Captain wasn't a party goer at all and he didn't even know he socialized with Alex. She told them they would find more familiar faces in the living area and they walked further into the house. Melinda spotted them and waved. Olivia grabbed Elliot's hand and pulled him along with her through the crowded room to where most of their co-workers were standing. Her spontaneous gesture surprised him but as soon as they reached the group, she released his hand. They greeted Melinda, Cragen and Munch, who told them Fin was also on his way with his latest girlfriend.

'How 'bout you Liv, no date tonight?' Munch inquired.

Olivia just smiled and told him she didn't need a date to have fun.

'Besides, I have my partner to keep me company.'

Elliot grinned and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

'Don't worry, I've got your back Liv,' he chimed in.

Munch just raised an eyebrow and looked at both of them before turning back to the conversation he'd been having with Melinda. Captain Cragen tapped Elliot on the arm and gestured at him and Olivia to step away from the group.

'Yes Cap?' Olivia asked, and Elliot could tell she was a little nervous. Maybe the Captain had reached a decision.

'Listen,' the Captain started, making sure nobody they knew was within earshot. 'I've watched you both work over the past week and I've spoken with Tucker.'

Elliot saw Olivia tense up and put his hand on her lower back reassuringly. What was the worst that could happen? Well, with Tucker you never knew.

'As you know, you two have been evaluated several times over the years. I've discussed with Tucker that you've been very close for years but it has never affected your case closure rate. Well, not negatively,' he added with a smile.

Elliot was beginning to like the sound of what Cragen was telling them.

'Also, it speaks for the both of you that you came forward yourselves. Therefore, Tucker has agreed to give you six months to prove you can keep your relationship out of work. This should also be enough time for the two of you to decide if your relationship is viable long-term. We'll evaluate after three months and again after six months. At that time, a final decision will be made with regards to your partnership as well as both your places in the unit.'

Elliot looked at Olivia and he assumed he was beaming at least as much as she was.

'Before you start partying, I must stress that no hanky panky will be tolerated on the job,' Cragen warned them sternly. 'And also, no personal disagreements should be hashed out between the two of you while you are on a case.'

Olivia nodded and grabbed their Captain's hand with both hands.

'No problem Captain, thank you!' she said enthusiastically and she shook his hand.

Elliot thanked him as well. The no arguing on the job might need some work but they weren't a lovey-dovey couple in public, and he didn't expect them to become one either. However, he did have a strong urge to hug Olivia right now.

'Sir, we are not on the job right now so ...' he said with a smirk.

Cragen smiled and waved his hands, gesturing at them to just go and do what they thought they had to do. Elliot pulled Olivia close to him and looked into her brown eyes, asking her permission silently to kiss her. She gave him her most beautiful smile and leaned in to kiss him while he put a hand against her cheek. He kissed her gently but she pulled him in, wrapping her arms around him and intensifying the kiss. Their co-workers noticed them and started applauding. They broke apart smiling and looked at the small group. Alex had just joined them and was all smiles. Fin had arrived with a beautiful blonde on his arm and joined the group as well.

After answering most of their questions, leaving certain details to the imagination of their ever curious co-workers and friends, the group settled down. They were all very happy for them and Elliot swore he even saw some money changing hands between them.

Elliot watched Olivia move very naturally among the guests, chatting with familiar and less familiar faces. She was relaxed and he thought he had never seen her quite like this. She had a glow about her and he took pride in knowing he was at least part of her new-found happiness. He'd always wanted her to be happy, for as long as he'd known her. She'd had a difficult life and had come out of it so strong. He had finally broken free from the expectations of others and had chosen his own path. He was now dedicated to Olivia's happiness, knowing that she was all he needed to be happy himself. It wasn't a sacrifice this time, it was what he really wanted. He knew it in his heart.

When the countdown from ten to zero started just before midnight, he saw her making her way towards him. They finished the countdown together, hands around each others' waists, and wished each other a happy new year on zero. Elliot pulled her close to him and she returned his hug. They held each other tight, looking forward to a new year, a new beginning, a new life.

...

Well, this almost wraps up this story. I intend to write an epilogue early in the new year and then continue writing my new story "Partners for Life". I'm still looking for an episode in which Liv and El had a good fight to use in the epilogue (preferably after Hothouse, for the sake of the timeline). So if you have a suggestion, feel free to send me a PM.

I wish you all a joyous and most of all a healthy new year!