Chapter 12

Olivia and Elliot entered their hotel room, completely exhausted. They had not been able to get through all of the letters that night and a message had been left for CSU tech Bobby Hines. So far none of the letters seemed to give anything away.

"I need a shower," she said as Elliot made sure the door was shut and locked.

"Go for it. I'm just going to get ready for bed," he told her. Olivia grabbed what she needed from her suitcase and headed into the bathroom. Under the hot water, she tried to clear her head. She was concerned about Calvin and concerned about what Vivian had gotten herself into prior to her death. The letter that had been in the box with Vivian's ear swirled in her head. What did it say? Why would the letter not have been protected from the ear like the package? With more questions than answers, Olivia finally gave up on the shower and turned off the water.

"You ok?" Elliot's voice came through the door. The bathroom was entirely steamed up. Being late in the day, the hot water just continued to flow. Olivia covered herself up in a towel, unable to get dressed in the hot bathroom.

"Sorry, just trying to think some things out," she admitted.

"We'll be lucky if the toilet paper will be useable. We could probably use it for Paper Mache," he teased, taking her clothes from her hand. Olivia shook her head.

"Calvin and his grandparents are safe. We're narrowing the field. We'll catch these guys. Just like we always do," Elliot promised.

"I'm too close to this. I'm not thinking clearly," she told him.

"You're thinking just fine. We've had a long day. We're both tired. We just need sleep," her partner tried to convince her. Olivia heaved a sigh and took her clothes back from him.

"I think it's less steamy in the bathroom now," she went in and closed the door. Elliot turned away from the door and couldn't help but think about how close he'd been to seeing her completely naked. He shook his head. His partner needed his undivided attention right now, not his dirty thoughts. It was just that he couldn't help himself. He promised her that they'd go slow. He promised her that he wouldn't jeopardize his situation with Kathy and the divorce. Of course, Kathy would make the insinuation they slept together anyway since the department wasn't going to spring for two hotel rooms. Didn't matter that there were two twin beds in the room.

"I could hear you thinking from in the bathroom," Olivia's voice made him turn around. She was wearing tasteful matching pajama top and bottom – and no bra. It made sense of course. No woman went to bed wearing a bra.

"I think I need a shower," Elliot said, swallowing hard. Olivia raised an eyebrow. They had done a bunch of crazy things as partners, including him seeing her in her bra. Covered head to foot in pajamas wasn't exactly her sexiest look. She walked over to him and looked him in the eye.

"Yeah shower," he repeated but remained glued to the floor. Olivia took Elliot's hands in hers. His palms were sweaty. This was not the usual brooding confidence that he displayed. The inner strength, that only she knew just how deep it was, seemed to be completely gone. She was confused but it didn't last long and quickly turned to surprise as Elliot took her face in his hands and kissed her.

"We're both going to need a shower if we keep that up," Olivia said after they parted.

"I made a promise," he said, putting his forehead on hers.

"I was the one that made you make that promise," she reminded him before kissing him. He pulled her toward his bed and pulled her onto his lap.

"El…" she didn't want to stop him. He had been her support through everything that had been happening before and after Jenna. Now she felt like this was something that would help both of them. Then her phone rang.

"Damn," Elliot cursed. Olivia begrudgingly pulled away from him and picked up her phone.

"Sorry for calling so late Detective Benson," it was Bobby Hines.

"You wouldn't be calling unless you have something," she said.

"I have something," he was smiling on the other end of the phone even though she couldn't see him. Olivia couldn't believe what he told her next.

To Be Continued…