25. Nothing to Lose

Elliot wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist when they left the dancefloor. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but he did know he'd made the right choice, comforting her. He'd been worried a little about the immediate threat of Nick hanging around, but he realized there was another threat that wasn't so visible, and a lot more difficult to fend off. Olivia's bad experience with that doctor. The sad lyrics of the song had struck him, and apparently her as well. He couldn't fathom how much it would have to hurt to have someone walk out of your life that you truly loved. Once they reached Robert and Declan at their table, Olivia had pulled herself together, and was her carefree self again. Or what had to pass for her carefree self. Elliot was beginning to see the cracks a little and as happy as he was to get a glimpse of the real Olivia, it hit him again how badly she'd been hurt. Would all her insecurities come back full force once he had to leave again in two days? He couldn't even think of the possibility that she'd fall into the arms of another guy once he was gone again.

His attention was drawn to the conversation at the table when he realized that Declan was questioning Olivia about him.

"So you think our Elliot here is a keeper?" he heard his friend ask.

Olivia was sitting across from Declan while Elliot was sitting across from Robert at the small square table. She grinned and glanced at him before answering the question with a question of her own.

"Well, you've known him a lot longer, so why don't you tell me if he's a keeper?"

"Smooth," Robert said, bobbing his head and looking at Declan to see what he'd say to support their friend.

"I will be honest with you here," Declan started, and Elliot gave him a warning glare.

"No, don't worry El. You know I could never embarrass you in front of a lady."

That made all three men laugh out loud and Olivia figured he'd embarrassed Elliot on more than one occasion. Declan really had a way with words at times, and sometimes his wisdom would be shared at the expense of one of his friends. But it was always in good fun. She'd already determined that these three men would be loyal to each other at all times.

"All joking aside, Olivia," Declan continued. "Our Elliot is a solid guy, but frankly, I feel like he's been wavering a little lately. Like he's found out that there is something lacking in his life."

Robert mumbled""hear hear" to support Declan's claim but Elliot looked a little panicked. Olivia thought it was kind of endearing. No doubt, Delcan was going to point out that she was the thing that was missing from Elliot's life, hoping to get her to give him a real chance. She was already past that stage though. She wanted to give him a real chance. There was no denying her own attraction to him, or his to her. She just didn't know how they could make it work long distance.

"Oh no," she said, playing along with Declan's little game. "What could that be?"

"Oh-livia, can you not see?" Declan said solemnly, and Olivia winked at Elliot to reassure him that it was all good.

"No, tell me Declan. Please share your wisdom with me."

Declan laughed then and poked Elliot with an elbow.

"She's good," he said and Olivia smiled warmly at Elliot.

His heart rate had doubled by now and he wasn't sure he liked the way Declan was pushing Olivia. She seemed to be enjoying it though, and her warm smile made him relax a little. He took another gulp of beer while Declan continued his act of the concerned friend.

"Ah, Olivia," Declan said dramatically. "Maybe you should just speak with our friend here privately, and ask him how you could help to make his life complete."

Elliot almost choked on his beer and Olivia put a comforting hand on his arm.

"Please relax Elliot," she said, a playful smile on her lips. "Maybe your friend here is right. Maybe we should go somewhere where we can be alone so we can discuss your problem."

His stomach lurched at the thought and he was suddenly very grateful to Declan. He wanted to get away from Nick Amaro's prying eyes anyway and this was just perfect. If she'd meant it, that is. But Olivia was already standing up, and the men stood with her.

"Are you sure?" Elliot asked, and he scolded himself mentally for sounding like an insecure schoolboy.

Olivia glanced in the direction of the bar and nodded.

"Yep. Absolutely."

Maybe she wanted to get away from Nick's watchful eye as well. His friends assured him they would be fine and to please go and have fun. They went to get their coats and Elliot wrapped his arm around Olivia's shoulders when they left the Saloon together. He had done it again. He was leaving with the most beautiful woman in there again! The night was still young and it was too cold and slippery for a casual walk, so he asked Olivia where they were going.

"Somewhere warm I hope?" he added.

"Well," Olivia said pensively, "we could find a quieter place to sit and have a drink ..."

"Or?" Elliot asked, sensing she was considering another option.

"Ehm ... I do have the house to myself this weekend."

Elliot's stomach clenched again. She was actually inviting him to her home?

"I mean, well, I don't mean ..."

Now it was Elliot's turn to reassure her.

"It's okay Liv, I get it. Whatever you're comfortable with. You know you're safe with me, right?"

She smiled and looked at him while they continued to walk towards Main Street.

"Yes, I do."

...

They walked most of the way in silence, arm in arm, commenting on how slippery and cold it was a few times and giggling when one of them indeed slipped because of the snow. When they arrived at Olivia's home, she got a little nervous. She hadn't meant to imply anything other than it would be a place to be alone to talk, not to do anything drastic with Elliot. Well, not right away anyway. A small smile played on her lips when she opened the door and they shuffled inside. She kicked off her boots and Elliot followed her example. After hanging their coats on the rack, they made their way into the living room. Olivia switched on one small lamp on a side table and gestured at the couch.

"Make yourself comfortable El. You want a beer?"

"Sure."

Olivia got a beer for him and a soda for herself, and sat down next to Elliot on the couch. She reached for a remote that was lying on the table and pressed one of the buttons. Immediately, a fire lit up in the fireplace, giving the dimly lit room a soft glow.

"That's nice," Elliot said. "Instant fire."

"It's fake," Olivia admitted, "not like the campfires you make."

She blushed immediately, and Elliot gathered she hadn't meant to bring up what they had done by the campfire last summer. He willed himself not to get too caught up in that particular memory and tapped her knee gently.

"Relax Liv. We're starting over, remember? I'm not going to jump you right away because of last summer, okay?"

She smiled, looking into the fake flames.

"Okay."

She was quiet for a beat and then turned to face him, pulling one leg up underneath her and resting her elbow on the backrest of the couch.

"So tell me Elliot. Now that we've started over, where are we headed?"

That was the big question indeed. He knew where he wanted things to go with her, but there were practical issues to consider, the main one being how far apart they lived. How honest could he be with her so early on in their tentative relationship? He was actually relieved when she added another question.

"Are we dating now? Or just hooking up?"

"Dating. Definitely dating Liv," he answered without having to think about it. "I'm done with the whole casual thing. It was never what I really wanted and I know it's not what you want either."

"How do you know that?" Olivia asked, a little surprised.

"I know you want the real deal. I just know that, in here," he said, tapping his chest with a fist. "I guess that's why I ... I'm ... so drawn to you."

It was too early to talk about love, he reminded himself. Olivia nodded slowly and sucked her lower lip between her teeth. Elliot swallowed hard and had to look away. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, and he was staring into the fake flames when he heard her say softly,

"You're right. I do want the real deal. But I'm scared."

He had figured as much and he was surprised that she was admitting it so openly. He sat up straight and look at her.

"Of me?" he asked.

"No."

She shook her head and smiled, moving the hand that had been resting on the backrest of the couch to his shoulder. He leaned back against the backrest, enjoying her touch.

"No. Never of you."

His breath hitched at her words, and at the warm glow in her brown eyes.

"So what's the problem?" he asked her, his voice a little hoarse.

The look in her eyes changed again and he wanted that warm look back.

"You mean geography?" he guessed. "That shouldn't even be a factor, should it?" When two people love each other, he added in his mind.

Olivia shrugged lightly.

"It's something to take into consideration."

"A wise man once told me, the only way to lose is to give up," Elliot told her.

"Let me guess, Declan?" Olivia said with a smirk.

They both chuckled and Elliot was glad things weren't getting tense between them now that they were alone and actually talking about them.

"A wise man asked me once, what's the worst that can happen?" Olivia said, moving her hand from his shoulder to his neck.

Elliot put his beer down on the coffee table and turned to face Olivia.

"And what was your answer?" he asked her, scooting a little closer to her.

"I didn't answer him right away," Olivia said softly, running her fingers through the short hair in his neck.

"What's your answer now?" Elliot said, moving his arm alongside hers to put his hand on her shoulder.

"Worst thing, it doesn't work out."

She scooted closer to him as well and he ran his hand through her hair. It looked like she was growing it out a bit and he liked it a lot. Olivia closed her eyes and leaned her head into his touch.

"So we have nothing to lose then," he said softly, almost whispering.

They moved simultaneously then, and her soft "no" bounced off his lips just before they closed over hers.

...

A/N: To be continued on Monday. Your reviews are always appreciated and motivate me to write!