A/N: Little Thanksgiving oneshot idea I thought of set in season seven. Pre-Fault. Enjoy!

It was late November in New York and snow was already falling. The temperatures were expected to drop below freezing but it was Thanksgiving, and most of the city would be in the warmth of their home with their families.

At the one-six precinct in Manhattan, it was a different story. Everyone had gone home except the Captain and two detectives. None of them had a family to go home to, so they decided to keep themselves busy with work. Olivia Benson was used to spending the holidays alone. Elliot Stabler, however, wasn't. This was the first year since his divorce had been finalized, and he had been down all week.

He looked up from his computer when his partner placed a pumpkin spice latte on his desk.

"Thought some caffeine might cheer you up."

"Thanks, Liv."

"Anytime, partner," Olivia tilted her head with the sound of Elliot's sigh. "El, if you need to talk you know I'm here."

"I just-how could she do this the week before thanksgiving? Our marriage has been over for years. I fell out of love with her a long time ago." And into love with you, his mind added, but he didn't have the guts to tell her that. He shook his head in frustration. "But, to take the kids with her to meet her new boyfriend's family in Boston? On Thanksgiving? I know I was a crappy husband and father but-"

"Elliot, you are an amazing father and she knows it. She's selfish. She doesn't deserve you or the kids. It's not because of anything you did."

"I tried to call her to get her to at least let me talk my kids. She just yelled at me and said they were better off with her and Chad. The new guy she's seeing. Of course, he's not exactly new since she was seeing him behind my back for five years." He scoffed. "You know she accused me of sleeping with you again?"

"Which I don't understand. I've always supported your marriage El, we've never-"

"I know. She's just projecting. You know even if that were true at least I would have the decency to make love to you in your bed or the cribs or something. I wouldn't screw you in the bed I shared with my wife while she was at work." He blurted without thinking, and she raised her eyebrow at him. "Hypothetically of course."

"Yeah, hypothetically," They had been more flirty with each other since his divorce, never crossing the line, but getting close. "It's her loss El. You're ten times hotter than that Chad guy anyway, and uh, I like the idea of the cribs the best," She smirked and got up to take some paperwork to Cragen's office, leaving him stunned.

When she came out a few minutes later the Captain was behind her, and the look on his face told Elliot they would be working late tonight.

"What's going on?"

"You and your partner will be spending the evening in your car outside Mueller's residence to see if he shows."

"Ah, a stakeout in thirty-degree weather. Just how I like to spend Thanksgiving," Olivia snorted at Elliot's sarcastic retort.

"Don't mind him. He's just now having his morning coffee. It'll be fun El. We can tell secrets and listen to Christmas music," She teased and Elliot gave her a look. "Come on, you know you love being stuck in the car with me."

"You're not too bad," He smirked and turned to Munch and Fin, picking up a stack of papers on his desk. "Plus that means you two get to do all this."

"Paperwork. My favorite pastime." Munch piped up.

"At least it'll keep you from talking about big brother and JFK old man." Fin joked, and Olivia smiled and shook her head at their banter.

"Have fun kids." She teased as she and Elliot grabbed their badges and guns and left the squad room in sync.

X

As the sun started to set both partners knew two things they were thankful for this Thanksgiving: that the heater was working in the sedan, and that hot chocolate existed. The steaming beverages helped to keep their hands and throats warm as they kept their eyes focused on the suspect's home.

For Olivia, Thanksgiving had always been just another day of work. She never took the holidays off like Elliot did because she didn't have a family to spend it with. What was she gonna do? It wasn't like she could cook Thanksgiving dinner, or anything, really. It would end up just being a turkey sandwich from the deli while she sat alone in her apartment and watched a boring movie.

Talk about depressing.

She knew her partner on the other hand was struggling. Even though his childhood wasn't great, he'd spent most of his adult life making sure the holidays were fun for his kids. This would be the first time in the seven years she's known him that he was in the same boat as her: alone on Thanksgiving.

Her heart ached for him. She was used to being alone for the holidays, but it still hurt. She knew he was beating himself up, thinking if he'd been a better husband and father he'd be at home eating a plethora of food and laughing with his family tonight. He wouldn't be stuck in a squad car outside a rapist's home with his partner.

She wanted to scream at Kathy. What the hell was wrong with her? She had everything Olivia had wanted. She had a loving, devoted husband and four amazing kids. She had the family Olivia could only dream of having, and she chose to break it up. For what? Her new boyfriend Chad was a doctor at the hospital where Kathy worked. His hours weren't exactly more reasonable than Elliot's, so if she reasoned that he would be home more, that was bullshit.

And as if having a five-year affair wasn't enough, she won't even let Elliot talk to his children on the telephone? What a fucking bitch.

"Who is?" Oh, she had muttered that last part out loud. Olivia took a long sip of her hot chocolate before responding.

"Mother nature. This weather is depressing," She quickly covered up. Although Elliot probably wouldn't object if he knew she was referring to his ex-wife.

"You can say that again."

"This weather is depressing," Elliot snorted at her sarcasm.

"Do you think he's gonna show?" He asked her, referring to the suspect.

"Well we've been out here for three hours and so far he hasn't," She looked over at her partner and her concern for him deepened at the obvious stress on his face.

"When was the last time you slept, El?" He sighed.

"What is sleep?"

"Why don't you lean the seat back and close your eyes. I'll wake you if he shows," He shook his head.

"I just keep going over this past year in my mind wondering what I did wrong, what I should've done differently."

"It's not your fault. It's Kathy's."

"I don't even care that much that she had an affair. We haven't been in love in years. Our marriage was doomed to fail from the beginning. It's the fact that I haven't been allowed to even talk to my kids on the phone that's killing me. I know I could've been a better father, but still-" He was cut off by his phone ringing.

"Stabler. Yeah, we're outside his house he hasn't shown. Why?" He takes a sip of hot chocolate as he listens to the caller. "Well, I guess our work here is done, then. Thanks, Fin," He placed the drink in the cup holder and started to drive away.

"Are you gonna tell me why we're leaving?"

"Mueller's dead."

"How?"

"He slid on a patch of ice and drove his car into the Hudson. You want some food?" Her stomach growling answered his question.

"You bet. Chinese?"

"I think we deserve an actual Thanksgiving dinner tonight."

"Does that mean you're cooking for me, Stabler?"

"Me? No. The church makes a big feast every year for lonely people who can't cook."

"Like us?"

"Like us," He gave her a small smile as they drove across the bridge into Queens. "I thought we could go pick up some food and take it to go then head back to my place. Unless you have plans?"

"You know I don't," She returned his smile, thankful that this year she had someone to spend the holiday with.

She was even more thankful that the someone was her best friend.

He turned the radio on and chuckled when 'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas' came on and Olivia groaned.

"God, not this song. It's too early for Christmas, anyway. It's Thanksgiving. Where are the Thanksgiving songs?

"What Thanksgiving songs?"

"I don't know, how about the one about riding through the woods to Grandma's house or the pilgrim's pride one?" He laughed but felt a tinge of sadness at how little knowledge of the holidays Olivia had.

He knew she hadn't gotten to have the traditions and memories he did, and he wished he could change that for her. He turned the radio off and cleared his throat.

"Would you like me to sing to you?"

"Absolutely not, but thanks for the offer."

"Hey, I'm not that bad. I'll have you know I was in a couple of school plays back in the day," She snorted.

"El, that was like fifty years ago," She teased.

"Nuh-uh," He whined. "I'm forty-two."

"And a half," She smirked.

"Yeah yeah," He rolled his eyes playfully.

X

A half-hour later they were at his kitchen table with boxes of food and a bottle of wine. Elliot lit a couple of candles and set the table with a nice set of plates that were only used for special occasions, so it would feel like a real holiday dinner. He grabbed wine glasses for both of them and opened the bottle, filling the glasses with the sizzling beverage.

"Here's to...seven years of partnership and friendship. Cheers." He clinked his glass with hers.

"I'll drink to that." Elliot distributed the food onto their plates so they could dig in. "Ok so, I don't know much about the holiday family traditions. What do we do now? Do we tell each other what we're thankful for or just start eating? What are the rules?" He grinned at her.

"There are no rules Liv. This isn't formal, it's just two friends eating food together." She returned his grin.

"I know that, but I also know that you miss your family this year. I don't want you to have to forgo any Stabler family traditions just because I'm not used to them. Tell me. Is there a football game that should be on in the background or something?"

"You think I have time to keep up with sports with the job we have?"

"Good point. So what else?"

"Well there's the prayer, but since you're not religious-"

"No, but you are. I'm not going to complain if you want to bless the meal. I promise," She just wanted to make him feel better.

He'd had a rough time lately, and she wanted to help him have as normal of a Thanksgiving as possible. She'd put up with anything he needed if it made him happy. Plus, while he was right about her not being religious, she admired his dedication to something as sacred as his faith. She knew it was important to him so she'd honor it.

"Alright." He cleared his throat and bowed his head, placing his hand on top of hers. "Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks. Thank you for all the graces and blessings you have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage, our food and shelter, our health, the love we have for one another, our family and friends." He glanced at Olivia after saying 'friends'. Tonight he realized she truly was his blessing because she was both a friend and family. "Dear Father, in your infinite generosity, please grant us continued grace and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the name of Jesus, your son, and our brother, amen." He did the sign of the cross on his chest and picked up his fork.

"Now we dig in?"

"Yep." It wasn't until she went to reach for the knife to spread butter on the roll that sat on her plate that she realized her hand was still in his. She blushed slightly at the intimacy of the evening. The candlelit dinner, wine, and hand-holding. It would be easy to get used to, but she had to remind herself that she couldn't. Elliot was her partner. This was nothing more than a nice dinner between friends like he'd said. She tried to shove any thoughts about how this setting could be described as date-like from her mind. Before she could move her hand he lifted his own, took the knife from her hands, and spread butter on her roll. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"El, I may not know how to cook, but I know how to spread butter on a piece of bread."

"Well, you were staring at it like it was a puzzle. I thought I'd help you solve it." He smirked and she rolled her eyes.

"Eat your food, Stabler."

"Yes ma'am."

After a few minutes of eating in silence and enjoying each other's company, Elliot spoke up again.

"So what are you thankful for, Benson?"

"Hmmm...not much," She joked. His hand flew to his chest in mock hurt.

"I'm wounded. I thought for sure the first thing on your list would be your handsome partner."

"The first thing is that I didn't have to be stuck in a car all night. The second thing is my goofball partner who I'm lucky to call my best friend. Your turn."

"I am thankful for my kids, my beautiful selfless best friend, food, and that I didn't have to sit in a car all night. However, if I did, I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend that time with."

"Aww, sweet talker," She returned his smile. "You better not make me cry," It was true though. She knew it because she felt the same way. For all the horrors they saw on the job, getting to spend every day with him was a treat. "Ditto though," She took a sip of her wine. "What other traditions do you have?"

"Well, we could share our earliest or favorite Thanksgiving memories?" She laughed sadly.

"That sounds depressing," She sighed. "Umm earliest?"

"Or favorite," He didn't want to make her feel pressured to tell him anything painful for her. The holidays were supposed to be happy.

"Honestly I don't remember having Thanksgiving growing up. My mom was always too drunk to cook. Sometimes we'd watch the parade together, or...I'd watch it while she was passed out on the couch. I've only had a real Thanksgiving dinner twice in my life. Once in college when my roommate invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her family, and tonight."

"Well, I hope tonight makes up for the years you've missed."

"It has actually. It's been really nice. Thank you."

"You're welcome," His gaze lingered for a moment, and there was something about the way she looked in the candlelight that made him want to lean forward and kiss her.

"What about you?"

"What about me?" He was still staring at her lips.

"Favorite Thanksgiving memory?" Her smile is what sealed the deal for him.

"This," He whispered and captured her lips with his.

She was in shock for a moment before she cupped the back of his neck and deepened the kiss. They moaned softly as their tongues explored and tasted. When they pulled apart they rested their foreheads against each other and Olivia gave him a couple more pecks.

"I think this is my favorite Thanksgiving memory, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Would you like another one?"

"I would," She kissed him this time and there was more passion, more certainty, less hesitancy. They didn't need to say 'I love you' yet. It was evident enough from the kiss.

"So much better than dessert," Olivia laughed into his mouth and pulled away.

"I still want pumpkin pie though."

"Like I could ever say no to you" He took the pie out of the box and gave them each a slice. "Happy Thanksgiving partner."

"I think this is my favorite holiday now."

"Just wait till Valentine's Day."

"You seem pretty confident."

"I am. Eat your pie, Benson."

"Happy Thanksgiving Stabler."

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope everyone who celebrates it has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Thanks to my beta FragileVixenFic!