Chapter 26 - Answer
The Woods
Friday Morning, July 4
Olivia stared at Maureen. She knew she was expected to give an answer. She rolled the blue wild flower between her thumb and index finger, then took it and placed it in Maureen's hair over her left ear. She took her by the shoulders, admiring her new accessory and smiled, pulling her to her in a hug. Maureen hugged her back. Releasing her, she picked up the conversation.
"Do you think you are in love with two guys?" Olivia turned it back on her. She was not going to make this easy for her.
Maureen's eyes narrowed slightly as frowned, knowing that Olivia was not going to just answer. "Uh...no...not me. A friend. A really good friend."
Nodding her head slightly, Olivia pushed her hair back behind her ears and realized she could use a haircut. "Ahh...the proverbial friend. Give me some details."
"It really is not me, Liv. It's a friend...and...she has these two great guys that care about her a great deal...and I'm pretty sure she really cares about both of them." Maureen leaned into the tree, picking at its bark and flipping the pieces over her shoulder.
"This...uh...friend tell you she loves both of the guys?" Liv leaned into the tree, mirroring Maureen's position.
Maureen caught Olivia's eye, staring intently at her. "She doesn't have to...it's written all over her face whenever she is with either of them."
Olivia looked down, smiling, hoping to throw her off and praying she would not blush. "So, what's the problem? People play the field all the time..."
Interrupting her, Maureen stood straighter. "The problem is that she is going to marry one of the guys and it looks like she loves him, but I really think it's the other guy she loves the most."
Still looking down, Olivia sucked in her lower lip and took in a deep breath. "I see...so if she loves the other guy the more, why isn't she with him if he cares about her? Does he feel the same about her?"
Maureen contemplated this for a long minute. She sighed and turned away from Olivia. "The guy she really loves is sort of...uh...unavailable. And yea...I think he loves her, too."
"Unavailable?" She left the question hanging.
Maureen turned back to face her, her eyes drilling into Olivia's. "He's...uh..he's...sort of married."
"Sort of? What does that mean?" Olivia turned her watch around and around her wrist.
"He and his wife...they...uh...fight all the time...they act like they hate each other...and...it's just...things are not good between them at all. They are always bickering about something." Maureen explained.
"Well, even so...if he's married, then...she does not truly have a choice, does she?" Olivia pointed out the obvious.
"No, I guess she doesn't." She conceded, shaking her head. "But, how can she marry the one guy when she loves the other one more?
"Maybe she realizes she can never be with the one she loves most. Maybe she realizes that to be with him, too many other people would be hurt. Maybe she just wants someone to be with, someone to belong to, to love and be loved. Maybe she is tired of waiting. Maybe she is tired of being alone." Olivia whispered softly.
Looking up, she met Maureen's gaze, watching as the words sank in, as understanding registered in her eyes, followed by a deep sadness. They were both very aware of the thinly disguised real subjects in this question and answer exercise.
Nodding her head, she looked away. "Yea. Maybe you're right." Maureen agreed, sighing heavily. "I never saw it that way. Maybe you're right.
xxxxxxx
Four grills...two gas and two charcoal...sat in a row on the back deck of the Marie Stabler's house.
The smell of hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken grilling hung in the air, making stomachs growl and mouths water. Elliot was manning the charcoal grills, while his cousin, Shane, manned the gas grills. They argued back and forth about which tasted better...food grilled with charcoal or gas.
Everything else was ready and placed on a long table near the house. Potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, regular salad, chips, pickles, buns, pies, cakes, cookies, lemonade, tea, soda and several platters of chicken, burgers and hot dogs took up nearly every inch of the table. Shane brought over the last of the hamburgers he was grilling and Elliot was close behind with another huge platter of chicken.
"Okay...everyone! Gather around!" Uncle James shouted. After everyone was gathered, he said the blessing and the food quickly disappeared from the table. Thirty minutes later, almost everyone was finished eating and some of the kids were wanting to get back out on the water. Rhett realized the group was getting ready to go their separate ways and glanced at Olivia and squeezing her hand that was on his thigh. She smiled as she nodded. Rhett stood.
"Hey! Can I have everyone's attention, please? Your attention, please." He hollered, waving his hands in the air.
As heads turned, the talking and laughing died away. He smiled broadly looking around at the group of people, his family. He was struck by how much he had missed them over the years and kicked himself again for staying away so long.
"I have a couple of things I'd like to say...first of all, I am thankful and blessed to be back home among my family. It is so good to see everyone again. When I left all those years ago, I felt justified and convinced myself that staying away was the only option. I was young and foolish." Rhett looked around the group, catching the eye of first one and then another. "As an older and hopefully, wiser man, I realize how much I missed by choosing to live my life as I did. How much I sacrificed with those choices."
At this point he looked directly at Elliot who was leaning on the wooden railing near the steps leading off of the deck into the huge backyard and down to the lake. "I hope you can forgive me for running out on you, for not being there like I should have all those years. But no matter how far or near, I never quit loving you all, my family. Never. I do regret all the lost years, but I am so thankful that the events in my life have allowed me to come full circle, to be able to share your lives again. To have you in share my life again."
He looked at his Mom and smiled. She was already wiping tears from her eyes as were both of his sisters and Maureen. "And that brings me to the other thing I wanted to share with you." He looked at Olivia and held out his hand. She took it as she stood and he pulled her close. "This wonderful, gorgeous woman, Olivia Benson, whom you all now know as Liv, has become the most important person in my life. We have been together two months today. And while I know that is not a long time, she and I have become so close, so enmeshed that it seems as though we have known each other forever. She's my everything and she has made me the happiest man in the world by agreeing, wholeheartedly, I might add, to become my wife!"
The group erupted with laughter and words of congratulations, joking and ribbing. Marie came to them first, hugging both of them together, crying her eyes out. Everyone followed, hugging and kissing them. Everyone but Elliot. He was glued to his spot on the deck, nauseous, head pounding, heart in his throat. Wholeheartedly? This was Friday. On Tuesday Olivia had told him 'it can't be a secret to you...that I love you, too...I've been in love with you for years.' How could she wholeheartedly agree to marry his brother. She had also told him 'if you love me...how can you do this to me? Tell me these things when I have finally found someone that I could love in spite of what I feel for you'.
His life was so screwed up. This was the stuff of television and movies, even best selling books. Not everyday life. Certainly not his everyday life. All he knew was he did not think he could survive seeing Olivia marry his brother. But he didn't know what to do about it. He had nothing to offer her and Rhett could give her everything she needed and wanted. Love, a home, a family...children. At the thought of children, Elliot's heart constricted with such force, he grabbed at his chest. He looked around to see if anyone noticed and was met with a set of eyes that were so familiar to him.
Huge, brown eyes, locking with his, speaking silently the audible words from Tuesday morning. He was not imagining it. She loved him. She loved him! Why was she marrying someone else? Come on, Stabler! Why? You're unavailable. You had your chance and you blew it. Blew it. Someone else came along and picked up the pieces and it must be some kind of poetic justice that it was your brother. Your brother who used to be your best friend, marrying the woman who has been your best friend for nine years. No. This scenario could not be any more bizarre if someone had come up with it as an idea for book!
Olivia felt as though she were two different people. One person was thrilled to be by Rhett's side, as he announced their engagement. She was ecstatic to know that she was finally going to belong, to be a part of a real family. She was excited to be marrying him. She loved him very much. The problem was with the other person that she harbored within her being.
That person threw a glitch in the whole thing because she loved Elliot more. She was watching him as Rhett made their announcement. She swore she could almost see his heart being ripped to shreds again. His face, even though it was tanned by the last couple of days in the sun, paled. She could almost feel his heart racing, his head pounding, his chest aching with each breath he tried to take. She could almost feel his pain, because she knew it was the same as hers and these were all the things she felt. And when her eyes connected with his, she saw that pain. She wished desperately that she had an answer for him, for her, to this gut wrenching situation. But she had no answer...because there was not one.
Elliot broke from their stare, whirling around and running down the steps. He jogged down to the lake, ripping his shirt off as he hit the dock. He ran the length of the dock and then dove off of it. Even from the distance, Olivia could tell he was a powerful swimmer. Did she expect anything less? Everything he did was done with confidence, boldness and power. Except when it came to her. He seemed unsure, timid, powerless. As she watched him, she became aware of someone watching her and when she looked around she saw Kathy glaring at her, the blue of her eyes cold, accusatory. Olivia refused to break eye contact, so Kathy finally did as she turned and followed the path that Elliot had taken.
The group slowly dispersed, some going to ride on the boat, some to play horseshoes, some of the kids were swimming. Maureen, Brant, Kathleen and Justin were on the jet skis. Erin and Emily covered the food with a big table cloth. They would eat this for supper later. Rhett pulled her to him, kissing her hair.
"What you say we go swim a bit? I brought my frisbee..." He laughed.
"Okay...give me a couple of minutes to change." She smiled up at him.
"Meet me on the front porch in ten." He kissed her again and held the back door open for her.
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Front Porch of Lake House
Friday Afternoon, July 4
In less than five minutes Olivia was stepping out to the front porch, the bottom of her red bathing suit covered by a pair of gray NYPD nylon shorts. This time she had on a two-piece. She could hear the laughter, shouts and squeals from the group of kids jumping off of the dock, splashing and playing on floats. She smiled to herself at the happy sounds of this July 4th holiday. The front door opened and she turned, smiling, expecting to see Rhett. Instead, she was face to face with Kathy. The smile fell from Olivia's face and Kathy frowned with displeasure at her. Kathy now had on her bathing suit...a light blue one-piece. She must have come in the front way to change. White shorts and blue crocs completed her attire.
Mustering up the remnant of a smile, Olivia was the first to speak. "Hey, Kathy. Going swimming?"
"Olivia." Kathy smiled and spoke softly. "Yes...Elliot has Eli in the baby float."
"Oh. Eli looked like he loves the water. I saw him with the twins yesterday." She smiled, running her hands through her hair.
Kathy looked her over. "You must be very proud of yourself." Her voice was tight and her eyes were icy.
Narrowing her eyes, Olivia leaned her head closer. "Proud? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play innocent. You've acted like you were a part of our family for years. My kids think you are their aunt you've been to so many family and holiday dinners, even Christmas morning one year. And now...now you've figured out a way to legally become part of the family." Kathy's voice was growing louder.
As her eyes grew wide, Olivia's mouth fell open with shock. "Kathy, I was invited to those family functions...by Elliot...or you. I never forced the issue." Olivia could not believe Kathy was saying these things.
"Of course, you were invited. Elliot feels sorry for you... 'she's alone, she has no one, poor Liv'...that's the only reason you were ever invited!"
If Kathy's goal was to hurt Olivia, it was working. The pain was evident on her face. "Excuse me?"
"No. There is no excuse for what you have done." Kathy snapped at her.
"What I've done?" Olivia was genuinely puzzled at this remark as well as hurt by Kathy's attitude.
"You couldn't get Elliot so you trapped his brother instead." The venom in her voice caught Olivia off guard. Is this what Elliot dealt with all the time?
Okay...okay. She had been trying to remain polite and civil in spite of Kathy's diatribe. What was that question Dr. Phil always asked... 'how's that working for you'? Playing nice was not working, so she figured she'd play the game Kathy's way. And it was apparent she wanted to play dirty. Fine! I can play dirty with the best of them. So...let's play dirty, Olivia thought.
"I didn't know Rhett was Elliot's brother. And you're the one with the corner on trapping men, Kathy. Not me!" Olivia retorted, her brown eyes now black with anger.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kathy demanded, her face now red with her own anger.
"It means I did not know Rhett and Elliot were brothers! What else would it mean?" There must be some truth to all those dumb blond jokes, Olivia thought, as she glared at Kathy.
"No. What did you mean about me having a corner on trapping men? Elliot is the only man I've ever been with...unlike some people!" Kathy took a step closer, but Olivia stood her ground.
"And you managed to trap him twice, Kathy! Getting pregnant the first time got him to marry you and the second time it got him to come back after signing divorce papers even when he did not want to come back! So, yea...you're the one with all the trapping skills." Olivia was breathing hard and her heart was banging against her chest.
"How dare you!" Kathy was about to strike her.
Just then Olivia noticed Rhett standing at the screen door standing in the foyer. The look on his face was one of bewilderment and shock at what was going on before him. It seemed as though someone had punched her in the gut as she wondered just how long he had been standing there and how much he had heard. She knew he would question her about this. She just hoped she could find an appropriate answer.
At almost the exact moment she saw Rhett at the door, Kathy raised her hand to slap her, stopping midair as another voice sounded behind Olivia at the bottom of the steps. She watched Kathy's glare turn from her to the owner of the voice.
"Don't you touch her, Kathy!" Elliot's menacing voice was deeper than usual. His eyes narrow slits.
Kathy lowered her hand, looking back and forth between Olivia and Elliot. The screen door squeaked as Rhett stepped out onto the porch. His eyes on Kathy as he walked to Olivia and put and arm around her.
"You okay?" He asked her trying to get her to look at him.
Her eyes were still locked on Kathy, she glanced at Rhett finally. "Yea...just peachy."
Kathy took off down the steps, careful to avoid Elliot as she headed for the woods. Elliot was staring at Olivia and she looked his way. Their eyes met and she could feel the pain emanating from him. He turned and followed Kathy.
The look between them was not lost on Rhett. His mind was twirling with questions and thoughts and fear as he watched them. He needed to think and he knew this would not be a good time to discuss what he had heard and seen. So, he decided to put it aside and make the best of the day.
"Hey, come on. Let's go swim." He took her hand and she let him lead her to the water.
xxxxxx
At the Lake
Friday Afternoon, July 4
Hours later, Rhett and Olivia roared back to the dock on the jet skis. She could not remember when she had so much fun. When she was in the academy, she dated a guy that had a motorcycle and he had taught her how to ride. She remembered how free she had felt with the wind tearing through her hair and how powerful she felt knowing she controlled the machine beneath her.
The jet skis were even better because she could speed over the wake of boat and jump, flying into the air. She could rev up the engine racing across the water and then turn suddenly in circles or figure eights with no fear of wiping out and getting hurt. They had ridden with Emily and Marc for a long time, each couple on one jet ski but then they had gotten to ride single. They filled up the gas tank before heading back. Now, Rhett was on the dock and she threw him the line from her jet ski. He helped her off and up. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, running his hands along her bare back.
Elliot was sitting on a blanket about fifty feet from them. Kathleen was lying next to Justin soaking up sun and Eli was napping under an umbrella on his own towel. Elliot could not take his eyes off of her. He watched Rhett help her up to the dock. She had on a red bikini that showed off her physically fit body and left little to the imagination. She tanned easily and was much darker now than she had been this morning. Then he watched as his brother pulled her to him and kissed her. His hands were all over her bare back. Skin to skin She had her right hand on the back of Rhett's head and the left around him, caressing his back. Elliot felt the familiar stirring within him...the combination of the fury, the jealousy at someone else being with her, touching her. What was he going to do? What could he do?
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Fireworks At the Lake
Friday Night, July 4
The whole Stabler clan set up camp around the lake, ready for the fireworks that would be set off across the way from them as soon as it was dark. In addition to the two picnic tables, there were lawn and beach chairs, blankets and towels. People were everywhere. Several of the boys were tossing a football and Rhett, Olivia, Kathleen and Justin were throwing the frisbee as the last light of the day faded from the sky. Kathleen had finally talked to Olivia some, apparently putting aside whatever issue she had with her earlier. Olivia suspected Maureen had talked to her and that was the reason for her change of heart. Whatever the reason, they had a good time throwing the frisbee and Olivia was glad.
Marie was sitting with Olivia and Rhett on one side and Uncle James and Lynn on the other and Erin's family behind them. Marie was in a lawn chair while Olivia was sitting on a cooler next to her and Rhett was stretched out on the blanket a few feet from them. Marie took Olivia's hand in hers.
"Liv, I am just so thrilled that Rhett found you. I always worried about him not having someone. But, honey, I think he was wise to wait until you came along." She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
"Thank you. I'm glad he found me, too." She smiled back at the older woman.
"Any idea when you will marry?" She asked, taking a swallow of the lemonade she held in her hand.
"No...not really. We've only know each other a couple of months...though it does seem like I've known him for a lifetime...he'll be gone three weeks...I dread that...being without him. We really have not discussed when...so I can't tell you anything...he said we would know when the timing was right." She smiled again and wiped the perspiration from her brow and upper lip.
"How long have you and Sonny...I mean Elliot, been partners now? It's been awhile." Marie looked around at her family surrounding her.
"Nine years." She told her.
"That's a long time. You must know each other very well by now." Her voice was quiet.
Olivia smiled to herself. "Yea...he's my best friend." He was my best friend...not at all sure what he is now. All I know for sure is that I love the guy.
"Oh...can I asked you something...in confidence?" She leaned closer to Olivia.
Puzzled, Olivia nodded. "Sure."
"You know he and Kathy separated and nearly divorced, Kathleen was so upset. She talked to me and she was convinced that her father was in love with someone else, but she would never say who. Was there someone else?" She whispered.
Olivia was floored. She could not believe Marie had asked her this question and she had no idea how to answer. What was she supposed to say? Oh, yea. That would be me. The one he was...is... in love with. The same one who loves him back and is in love with him...and his brother. That answer question? She did not want to lie to the woman who was going to be her mother-in-law. She did not want to lie ever. So, instead, she smiled and shook her head.
"I think that is something you should ask Elliot...uh...Sonny." Olivia looked Marie straight in the eye as she spoke.
Marie just smiled and nodded her head. She settled back into her seat as Rhett reached up and pulled Olivia down beside him. She put her head on his chest and he ran his fingers through her hair. They snuggled under the night sky, watching as the stars began appearing in the clear sky.
When the fireworks got cranked up, Eli started to cry. Nothing would console him. He could be heard over everything and finally, Kathy got up and took him to the house. Elliot remained behind, lying on his back on the same blanket he had been on this afternoon. His crew was behind Erin and beside Emily's family.
The fireworks over, everyone stayed outside talking and laughing. Shane and his wife, Mona, and Emily and Mark stayed near the lake watching for any children that might wander that way. Uncle James, Elliot, Brant, Lizzie and Dickie brought churns of homemade ice cream down from the house and started dipping it out for everyone. Olivia got in line because she loved homemade vanilla ice cream. It was the only kind of vanilla she would eat. The rest of the time it had to be chocolate.
It just so happened that Elliot and Lizzie were dipping vanilla and Lizzie's had just run out. Elliot put three scoops into a bowl and handed it Liv. Their fingers touch slightly and he quickly moved so that his hand cupped hers beneath the bowl. The look in his eyes simmered with emotion. She did not want to look at him, yet she could not look away from his piercing gaze. The heat from his touch ran through her body over and over as if it were in a continuous loop, causing her heart to pick up speed, her breathing to become labored and her stomach churn. She wondered if she would even be able to enjoy this ice cream.
"Uncle Sonny...I want vanilla ice cream, please." Morgan's sweet voice piped up.
They broke their gaze and he pulled his hand from hers as they both looked down at a now well Morgan and smiled. Olivia got a bowl of strawberry for Rhett and then headed back to him.
"Let's go sit near the lake." Rhett was standing when she returned.
"Okay." She agreed and they walked slowly toward the lake, eating their ice cream.
Rhett laid the blanket out and they kicked off their shoes. Olivia sat Indian style as she ate her ice cream. Rhett stretched out on his side, propped on his left elbow. He lifted his spoon of strawberry to her mouth and she took it then returned the favor of sharing her vanilla.
"Mmmm. Good, but strawberry is still my favorite." He told her.
She just smiled at him. He was so handsome in his cutoffs and blue Atlanta Braves tee shirt. She kidded him all the time about his allegiance to the Braves.
"We are going to have to get you some new tee shirts." She kidded him.
"What's wrong with my tee shirt?" He asked with mock hurt in his voice.
"Nothing...you just need to support the local teams...Yankees...ever hear of them?" She laughed.
"Okay...I'll get a Yankees shirt soon. Promise." He leaned up for a kiss.
Rhett had been thinking all afternoon about the exchange between Kathy and Olivia. Kathy was definitely jealous of her. He just wanted to know why. He kept thinking back on the things Olivia had said about her partner being her best friend, that they weren't getting along too well lately, that at one time she thought there was the possibility of there being more between them. He remembered how upset she had been with him over what he said about her mother and Rhett had asked her was her partner competition and she told him no because he was married and had a bunch of kids including a baby. Yea, five kids. After hearing Kathy and seeing how Sonny looked at Olivia, he was more than a little confused. And worried.
Putting the last spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, she set the bowl to the side of the blanket. He was still eating the little bit left in his bowl. They were quiet, but for some reason it was not the peaceful quiet that Olivia was used to with Rhett. This quiet was different. It had turned tense, maybe, though she was not sure why.
"Liv...what was all that with you Kathy this afternoon?" He asked quietly, concentrating on the ice cream that was left.
Now she knew why it was tense. Not knowing what all he heard, she was not sure what to say. "How much did you hear?"
"From when she told you Eli was in the baby float..." He still did not look at her.
"What do you think it was about?" She would get him to talk and then decide how to counter it.
"Sounds like she's jealous of you." He looked up at her now, his eyes searching hers.
"Yea...she's been jealous since the beginning. She hates that El spends more time with me than her and the kids. She hates his job and the hours and that was way before I came along." She explained, not real sure about how much information to give him.
"Does she have reason to be jealous?" Rhett asked quietly, glancing away and then back at her.
What a loaded question. She looked away from him, afraid that he would see the truth in her eyes. That he would see that she loves him, but she loves his brother more.
"Why would she have reason? I love you and we are getting married, Elliot is back home with her. So, what possible valid reason could she have to be jealous?" She placed her left hand along the side of his face.
He put his hand on hers and pulled it to his chest, in turn making her move closer to him. "You told her Sonny went back even when he didn't want to...what did that mean?"
She inhaled and exhaled sharply and pulled away from him flopping onto her back. "Kathy left him...because he wouldn't change jobs...he never talked to her...was never home...you know the hours for this job are crap...she had enough. He was devastated. For two years he would not sign the papers. When he finally got to the point that he could and did, she ends up pregnant again and begged him to come home. He did."
"Hmmm...I knew they had some trouble, but I didn't realize it went on that long. They seem to barely tolerate each other even now." He laid on his back now, too.
"Yea..." She whispered, wishing the conversation would end.
"You told me early on that you had thought there was the possibility of more between you and your partner...do you still feel that way?" His voice was quiet, unsure.
She rolled over, nearly on top him. "Yes, there was the possibility. We knew we had feelings for each other. It didn't happen. It didn't work out...for whatever reason. That was then, this is now. I'm with you and I love you, Rhett Chapman. I want to marry you." She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
Softly at first, but then with more passion until it became a demanding kiss. Insistent on more. Rhett responded by pulling her close and meeting her passion with his, running his hands over her and up her back to her neck, tangling his fingers in her soft hair, the kiss becoming rough as their hands traveled each others body. Suddenly, he pulled her off of him, pushing her to his side as he sat up.
"What's wrong?" Her voice was a mere whisper. She was puzzled at this actions and hurt that he pushed her away like that.
The rapid rise and fall of his chest, evidence that he was breathing hard. Of course, she could hear his ragged breaths as well. He ran his hands over his head and through his hair and stood up, looking down at her. She then got up and came to stand about three feet from him. He would not look her in the eye. His hands were on his hips and he chewed his cheek. Just like Elliot, she thought.
"Rhett...please. Tell me what's wrong?" She pleaded, taking a step closer.
He took a step back and she felt the hot tears instantly well up in her eyes.
"Have you been with Sonny...with Elliot...with..." He swallowed hard. "...with my...my...my brother?"
For the blinding pain that pierced her being, he might as well have shot her point blank with a gun. Her heart clenched at the question. The tears cascaded down her cheeks and she did not even bother to wipe them away.
"Would it matter if I had?" She asked him, her eyes intent on his.
The tears salty in her mouth and tickling her neck as they trailed downward until they finally disappeared into the fabric of her tank top, she looked away and pushed past him. He grabbed her by the arm, turning her to him.
"Please, Olivia...I need an answer. Have you been with him." His eyes were filled with tears as well, his voice gruff with emotion.
She looked deep into his eyes. Shaking her head slightly, she gave him his answer. "No." She pulled her arm from his grasp and began walking away.
Before she had taken more than few steps, Dickie could be heard in the background running down the grassy hill and shouting to his dad. "Hey, Dad! Dad! You left your cell phone in the house. Mom says to call Captain Cragen. He needs to you and Liv to come to work."
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A/N: You guys are just awesome with your reviews! Sorry this has taken longer to get together. I'm playing softball...had three games this week and I am taking a Citizens Police Academy class that is totally awesome! Got to shoot an M16 and an MP5 Monday night! Can't wait to shoot the glock this Monday! I'm going to pretend I am Detective Bensler! LOL!! I'll make Liv and El proud of me!
Alright, was anyone else as disappointed as I was with 'Closet'. I was SO hoping for a little more EO than we got...which was not much. I did love the look on El's face when that reporter told him his partner was sleeping with the editor and Liv's face when she came in and saw El with Kurt. Priceless. I think there should have been a few more scenes with her and Kurt...you know, maybe even let Elliot have walk in on them in Kurt's office...guess that is the EO shipper and the writer in me. BTW if you missed 'Undercover' it comes on tonight on USA 11:00pm EST. Mariska has got to have an Emmy for that performance!
My mom had an ultrasound Thursday...should know something by next week, hopefully. My friend has to wait two and half more weeks before she can have the PET scan to see if the cancer was contained or spread. Thanks for the prayers, thoughts and well wishes.
scotland958 - It is such an honor to me that my story pushed you into signing up to review. And that a former editor gave me a good review? WOW! I am doubly honored! Thank you so much! Keep on reading and reviewing! Please! " )
Ruli - Don't worry it will be EO...somehow. And I hope you like the 'rest of the story' conversation with Maureen and Liv.
RomieG- You have some very interesting ideas for some possible twists and turns...hmmm.
onetreefan - Yep...I'm in a dilemma with how to make EO happen...but it will. Rest assured, it will.
Veil & Metal Chick: I'm a volleyball player, too! I love it! Doing softball right now, but my volleyball league starts up the first week of August! Can't wait! Guess I could have made them play some of the actual game, huh? Maybe some other time. Thanks to both of you for your awesome reviews! " ) Bensler P.S. Metal Chick - Don't forget about passing that word along to Dick!
faithsydney - So, you have become OCD about SVU and EO on FF. I hope this longer than ususal delay in posting the next chapter did not upset you too much. Thanks for taking the time to review!
xoc - Right back at ya! I had to go and read your next chapter of Climb that you posted like a minute after mine posted. I have got to schedule some time to sleep! I think it was 2:30 that morning and I get up at 6:30! LOL! How on earth can you write so many stories at one time? I have another one I started after 'Undercover' but I cannot seem to work on two at the same time. And I am behind enough on my reading and reviewing to write more than one!
LivNel4ever - Yea...that Kathy has a knack for showing up at all the wrong times and places. Might have to take care of that...