Season Fourteen, Episode Ten: Presumed Guilty

Olivia picks her head up in Brian's direction, the look on her face only read one thing-confusion. Brian, waltzing into her kitchen and nonchalantly throwing travel brochures down, which landed directly in front of her on the kitchen table.

"The Bahamas?" She raised a questioning brow.

A shit-eating grin took over his face, making Olivia chuckle at the sight in front of her."Merry Christmas."

"Wha-I-we're going to the Bahamas? For Christmas? Together?"

"Is that-is that okay?" Brian sits down in the chair next to her, and Olivia nods slowly, seeming quite unsure of herself.

"Yeah, I just-I didn't think we were there yet. You know, vacationing together for Christmas."

Brian could see the fear in her eyes, and he scoots closer, placing his hand on her thigh. "If you don't want to, I can cancel the trip. I don't want you to do anything you're uncomfortable with." His eyes reflect genuine sincerity and only a little disappointment.

Olivia shook her head rapidly. "No, I'm not uncomfortable with it. I just wasn't expecting this. I'd love to go away with you." She smiles broadly, leaning forward to kiss Brian lovingly. "Let's go away."

Brian smiles against her lips pulling away slightly so he can kiss her again, the two of them soon getting lost in each other.

XXX

"Hey, Bri! What about this one? The view looks incredible." Brian can feel Olivia's excitement from the next room.

Brian Cassidy came up behind Olivia on the couch, positioning himself over the back of it, looking at the picture on her phone. "Look at the bed on that, too." He whistles and Olivia gasps and hit him on his chest playfully.

"Don't be an ass." She looks up at him through her eyelashes, attempting to glare, but he simply just smiles "What do you think, though? It's a reasonable price, great location, accommodating."

"It's beautiful, Liv. I trust your trip planning, so book it." Brian leans further into the couch and grins before pecking Olivia's lips and heading back into the kitchen.

"So I figure if we fly out on Wednesday night, and it's a five hour flight, we'd get there around one in the morning and sleep all night before our long weekend? Sound reasonable?"

"Sounds perfect, babe." Brian says as plops down onto the couch next to her. "I can't wait to spend Christmas with you." He winks and leans forward to kiss Olivia properly, and the brunette smirks and kisses him back.

The two of them soon got tangled up in each other on the couch, their deep breathing the only sound in the apartment.

XXX

"You got the warrant? Great, Nick. Go get 'em." Olivia smiles as she hangs up her phone, and Brian reaches over and grabs her hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Everything good?"

Olivia nods. "Everything's perfect. And my phone is going off." She held up the phone that now had a black screen to show for proof, and Brian laughs at the gesture.

"You definitely don't have to do that, but if it means you won't be stressed out on this trip, I won't stop you."

The two of them relax into their seats on the plane, preparing for the long flight ahead of them.

Olivia couldn't turn her mind off, though. Since that day in the hospital a couple of months ago, she felt like she was internally floating on cloud nine. All those years ago, when she told Brian she wasn't interested in anything more, stayed with her for a while after. That guilt never went away.

Until she saw him in that interrogation room-as a perp this time, and her heart caught in her throat. She finally felt like she had the chance to make things right.

Brian must've noticed the look on her face, because he nudged her lightly. "You okay, Liv?"

Olivia smiles sweetly as she sighed, nodding her head. "I'm perfect, Bri." She leans closer to him, pressing her shoulder against his and giggles when he kisses her head.

They only moved when the plane landed, and they could begin their Christmas getaway.

XXX

The sun shining through the curtains and into the room woke Olivia up from the deep sleep she had immediately fallen into after they checked into the hotel, and she opened her eyes reluctantly.

As she becomes aware of Brian's bare chest underneath her head, she can't help but smile sheepishly to herself, placing a smattering amount of gentle kisses across the cool skin of his chest, causing him to stir. He eventually opens his eyes, looking down at Olivia, a smile growing on his face.

"Good morning, beautiful." Brian murmurs sleepily, craning his neck to plant a warm kiss against her hairline. "How'd you sleep?"

Olivia sighs happily. "Amazing because I was in your arms. You?"

Brian grins, nodding his head in bliss. "Same here. Best sleep I've had in years." He kissed her lips this time. "What's on the agenda today, Ms. Travel Agent?"

Olivia scoffs. "Well first a shower. Maybe breakfast, sight-seeing, and a walk on the beach?"

Brian nods. "A shower sounds nice. Are you gonna want help?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Olivia winks and scrambles out of bed, squealing as Brian chased her into the bathroom of their hotel room.

XXX

"I don't want to leave." Olivia pouts, folding her clothes in her suitcase. How she closed her eyes and wished up shooting stars that their vacation was longer than the measly three days they'd planned.

Brian sighs, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her middle. "I know, I don't either, but we have to go back to work eventually."

Olivia shakes her head rapidly and drops the t-shirt in her hands, turning around to face Brian. "No we don't. I have enough vacation time to get me through the next ten years." She whines and wrapping her arms around Brian's neck, he laughs.

"That's not how it works, babe. We'll just have to come back next Christmas." He winked and kissed her lips quickly before heading into the bathroom.

Hearing Brian say that sent Olivia's thoughts running rampant. He was never one to think long-term, always living in the moment, so to hear him bring up their next Christmas together gave her incredible hope.

She groans, turning back toward her suitcase, trying and failing to keep the smile off her face.

For once in what felt like years, she wasn't worried about what she'd ever do without Elliot-she knew she was going to be fine.

XXX