Disclaimer: SVU and its characters belong to Dick Wolf. I own nothing. Quotes that are in italics and are underlined are taken directly from the show, and not my own dialogue.

Additional Disclaimer: There is a small portion/quote used in this chapter that belongs to Silence of the Lambs. Like other direct quotes it is in italics and is underlined. I do not own the dialogue, and proper credit is owed to Thomas Harris for the novel and Ted Tally for the screenplay.

After her manicure and pedicure, a fully pampered Olivia returned to the suite she was sharing with Elliot. Knocking once on the door, she waited for him to answer. She wasn't in the hallway long, before she was greeted by the man who had devoted so much time into spoiling her today. It wasn't lost on her that it was only a little after three in the afternoon, and they still had dinner reservations for tonight, too. Unable to find the words to adequately express her thanks, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

"Welcome back, Liv. Did you enjoy getting your nails done?"

Olivia nodded against his neck by way of an answer, then reluctantly pulled away from his embrace – but only so she could show off her manicure. The pedicure would have to wait until later when she had removed her shoes. Elliot took her hand to examine her nails, turning it over gently in his own before raising it to his lips so he could place a kiss in the center of her palm.

"Beautiful"

It didn't escape Olivia's notice that he had been looking directly at her face, and not her nails when he'd said the word 'beautiful'. She felt her face flush under the compliment, even though it definitely wasn't the first he'd ever paid to her. Kissing her lips softly, he tugged at her hand gently until she was further in the room.

"Are you hungry? We haven't eaten since breakfast, and our reservation isn't until much later. I could order us something from room service to tide us over until dinner."

"That sounds perfect, El."

Not wanting anything heavy, Elliot found two things on the menu for them to share – a shrimp, spinach, and artichoke dip served with warm pita chips, plus a flatbread of his own design with garlic oil, mozzarella, and grilled chicken. Since they would be having wine with dinner, he opted to forgo alcohol and instead requested that they send up a pitcher of iced tea. Hanging up the phone, he turned to address Olivia, who had taken a seat on the couch in the living room.

"Food should be here shortly."

"Thanks, El. What you ordered sounds amazing."

Elliot joined Olivia in the living room, and when she propped her legs in his lap he began to lightly rub her socked feet. The television was on for the first time ever since they'd arrived at the lodge, but Elliot just allowed her to assume that he'd spent the time she had been in the nail salon relaxing here in the suite. The truth was, he had additional plans for her after their dinner that had occupied much of his time getting ready for.

"Did you want me to light a fire?"

"No, thanks. But I definitely will want one later tonight, though."

He was about to say something else when a knock on the door of their suite interrupted his train of thought. Going to answer it, knowing without question that it was only their food being delivered, Elliot called over his shoulder to Olivia.

"Did you want to eat at the table, or in the living room?"

"Let's eat in here. I'm still very much in relaxation mode, and a casual setting sounds perfect."

Elliot led the man from room service who had brought their meal into the suite, indicating he wanted the cart by the couch. Then, he pulled some bills out of the pocket of his jeans to use as a tip, thanking them before sending them on their way. After making certain that everything they needed had been provided on the cart, Elliot joined Olivia in the living room. He lay out their spread on the coffee table in front of where she was sitting, and poured her a glass of iced tea, before getting one for himself. Passing her a small plate, he took a seat next to her, then they began to eat the delicious smelling food.

A little more than half an hour later, the plates were empty, and Olivia was full. The two items Elliot had ordered for them to share had been the perfect amount to satisfy her hunger without ruining her appetite for dinner later that night. It had, however, made her incredibly drowsy. Perhaps that was just the lingering effects of the massage catching up with her. She was still in such a relaxed state, that she felt like she could doze off right here on the couch.

"Hold that thought, Liv."

Olivia had heard Elliot say the words, but was unsure of what he'd meant by them. She watched, a bit puzzled, as he cleaned up their dirty dishes and stacked them on the room service cart, then pushed it out into the hall. Then, on his way back to her, he paused by one of the oversized chairs in the room, where the blankets from the other night were folded and stacked along with the pillows they'd used to lie in front of the fire. Grabbing one of the pillows, he brought it to her, and set it on the end of the couch, then encouraged her to lie down. Taking his seat once more on the other end, he propped her legs back in his lap, and began massaging her feet again – just as he'd been doing before their lunch had arrived.

"Rest, my love. I'll be right here. We've still got all of tonight to be together."

She'd never been one for pet names, but something about the way Elliot had called her his love had warmed her heart. Maybe it was the fact that she knew he was being sincere, or the tone of his voice as he'd spoken the words. Either way, Olivia didn't feel the need to admonish him for the term of endearment. Instead, she sighed contentedly and allowed her body to sink into the cushions of the couch. It hadn't escaped her mind that Elliot had already managed to spoil her more since she'd woken up than she'd been in her entire lifetime – and that wasn't counting all he'd done for her while he had been taking care of her. The fire wasn't even lit in the room, and still Olivia was met with a sense of warmth and contentment that enveloped her entire being. She had always wondered what being loved unconditionally really felt like.

What awoke Olivia a little over an hour later wasn't an alarm of any sort, but Elliot's lips pressing softly against her own. Her eyes fluttered open at the sensation, and she reached her arms up to wrap them around his neck. Though it hadn't been Elliot's intention, Olivia was quite insistent, not relinquishing her hold until he blanketed her form with his own. Still, he tried his best not to crush her, bracing himself on his elbows above her, and using his hands to brush the hair away from her face.

"I hated to disturb you, Olivia, you looked so peaceful and content, but I didn't know how much time you needed to get ready for dinner. Our reservation is at seven, and its just after five-thirty now."

Olivia arched slightly beneath him as she stretched, purposely bringing her pelvis in contact with his. There was no mistaking the smirk on her face as she did so, and Elliot had to bite back a curse as he shifted his hips away. They may have still had a decent amount of time until they had to leave, but not enough time for what she was not-so-subtly suggesting.

"Like I promised you in our room at the spa when you tried something similar, later. Until then, stop tempting me, woman!"

Elliot's words were an emphatic but erotic promise as he whispered them in her ear, and Olivia shivered slightly in anticipation at what awaited them after they got back from from their meal. Then, she too had to bite her lip as Elliot used his teeth to nibble slightly at her earlobe, apparently deciding it was only fair to tease her a little since she had taunted him.

She shifted underneath him then, and this time it wasn't in a way meant to seduce. Elliot interpreted her body language immediately, and realized that in their current position, his weight was too much for her. Immediately shifting until he was standing, he placed an arm underneath Olivia's shoulders to help her sit upright. When he questioned her, his voice was laced with concern.

"All you all right, did I hurt you?"

Olivia got to her feet, resting one palm against Elliot's chest, and using her other hand to cup his face.

"Relax, El. You didn't hurt me. Were you taking my breath away? Of course, but that's gotten to be a habit of yours lately. One I certainly will never complain about. I definitely will want to try that again later, though."

Raising up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss against his mouth before turning and walking away. There was no mistaking the deliberate sway in her hips as she headed toward the bedroom. Elliot shook his head as he watched her leave, swiping a hand down his face as he exhaled a shaky breath. Maybe it wouldn't be a very good idea for the two of them to get dressed in the same room, after all.

Elliot was still lost in his thoughts when Olivia appeared in the doorway, a garment bag held in one hand. In the other she carried a pair of high heels and a small bag that he assumed contained cosmetics. He had completely forgotten that she'd stored her makeup along with the rest of her toiletries in the bathroom the first day they'd arrived. Olivia kept her smirk to herself as she thought about just what Elliot's reaction would be when he learned the contents of her 'secret' bag. After several failed attempts, she finally succeeded in getting his attention.

"Did you need to use the master bathroom for anything El? If you don't mind, I'm going to get ready in there tonight, since that's where everything I need is located."

"Not a problem at all, Liv. Just let me grab a couple things, and I can use the powder room if I need anything else."

As he headed to do just that, Elliot heard Olivia calling after him to be careful, because she had already plugged in her curling iron, and it would be hot. She didn't want him to get burned by accident. The thought of seeing her yet again with that long hair of hers flowing in soft waves around her shoulders made his stomach do a flip-flop. He was remembering the night of their first date, and just how beautiful she had looked. Tonight, he would get to see her in that very same dress again. Elliot quickly shifted his mind to his own wardrobe before his errant thoughts would cause his body to respond in an unwanted and unwelcome fashion. Thinking about their first date was a pleasant memory, to be certain, but it also would remind him that it was the first time he had seen Olivia naked. There would be plenty of time to revisit that later.

Alone in the main bathroom, Olivia slipped out of her clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. Then, she opened the bag that had undoubtedly been a mystery to Elliot. She removed a pair of black lace panties complete with garter belt, and thigh high sheer stockings with additional lace around the top. These had been what she had wanted to wear on her first date with Elliot, but had held back out of a combination of nerves and the fact that he would have been the one to undress her. Now that there was literally nothing standing between them, she wanted him to see her in something like this, and couldn't wait to learn what his reaction would be.

After dressing in the lingerie, Olivia slipped on the robe to keep herself covered while she styled her hair and did her makeup. Dividing her hair into sections, she curled them one by one. When she was finished, she didn't brush them out. Instead, Olivia grabbed the clip she had selected for tonight and slid it underneath, then tugged upwards. The action pulled her hair in from the sides and up, almost as in a ponytail, but not quite as harsh. The result was a cascade of curls raining down past her shoulders, making her hair appear even longer than it actually was. A light touch of finishing spray held the style in place, and the look was complete.

Now that her hair was finished, Olivia concentrated on her makeup. Using the shadows she had brought with her, she applied a subtle amount to both lids, then followed with just the barest touch of liner and mascara. A hint of bronzer to enhance her cheekbones and other facial features gave her skin a healthy glow. Finally, she put on some of her favorite lipstick.

The next step – and most crucial before slipping into her dress – were the accessories. A pair of gold hoop earrings to compliment the pendants that were always present around her neck, and a watch with a delicate gold band that was dressier than the more practical one she wore for work. All that was left now was to slip into the dark navy dress that held so many memories. Olivia even thought that maybe she'd even ask Elliot to zip her up – after all it would come with the promise of unzipping her when they got back.

Elliot and Olivia arrived at Kanu, the lodge restaurant, fifteen minutes ahead of their reservation. They were informed that their table wasn't quite ready, and that they were welcome to wait in the lounge until someone called them. Olivia took Elliot's offered arm and walked with him to the lounge area, where they found a seat on one of several leather couches. Nearby, a stone fireplace boasted a welcoming warmth to the room. It was a pleasant way to pass the time, and shortly after seven, someone came to show them to their table.

Once seated, Elliot and Olivia were each passed a menu. Then, two more were laid on the table. The first was a wine list, while the second offered a listing of the specialties for the three course option that was also available. After making sure that nothing was immediately needed, their server promised to return shortly with two glasses of water and a basket of bread for them to share.

"So, Liv, what do you think?"

"It's unlike anything I was expecting, Elliot."

He chuckled softly, not that he would ever laugh at her, but more at the way he always found her so endearing. She'd completely misunderstood his question. Olivia was so focused on her surroundings, that she'd barely even looked at the menu in front of her.

"No, I mean, what do you think about what you're going to order?"

"Oh. Oh!"

The light bulb went off, and Olivia snapped out of her daze. Part of her still felt like she was lost in a dream – a sensation that she hadn't been able to fully shake since she'd taken things to the next level with Elliot – but she focused her attention on the pages in front of her. She recognized some of the entrees from having seen them on the room service menu the other night, but just couldn't seem to make up her mind. That was when a suggestion from Elliot piqued her curiosity.

"Why don't we look at the three course menu, see what it has to offer?"

"El, no. That would be entirely too extravagant."

He reached for her hand, covering it with his own. His next words were gentle.

"Let me be the judge of that, okay?"

Picking up one of the other two menus that had been left on their table, he began to scan it. Almost immediately, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. Price was the least of his concerns, but some of the items listed sounded more like something he expected to see made on a cooking competition show, and nothing like anything he or Olivia would want to eat. She asked him to read her some of the suggestions, and without thinking, he recited the first one that came to mind.

"Fava bean hummus"

Olivia smirked, and even though she was chastising herself internally for the turn her mind had taken, she couldn't help herself. Raising an eyebrow at Elliot she spoke to him in a low voice.

"Please tell me that one of the recommended wine pairings is not a Chianti"

Not following at first, Elliot dropped his head to scan the menu. Then it dawned on him. She was referring to the iconic line from the 1992 film The Silence of the Lambs. The one in which Hannibal Lecter had said 'A census worker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.'

After reading her a few more of the selections from the other courses, they mutually agreed that that option wasn't for them. Instead, they focused on narrowing down a wine choice and continuing to peruse the menu they had originally been given. By the time their server had arrived, Elliot and Olivia were more than ready to place their order.

Elliot opted for the soup of the day as his starter, while Olivia chose to begin her meal with a house salad. Then, he chose the Pasta Primavera – the menu had boasted it was prepared with fresh, hand made pasta. For an additional fee, he'd requested that it be topped with grilled chicken. Olivia had selected the Harissa Chicken Breast, served with sweet potato fingerlings in addition to other vegetables. As a final touch to their meal, Elliot ordered a bottle of wine that was sure to compliment both of their entrees.

Left alone at their table once more, Elliot took a moment to take in the beauty of the woman sitting across from him. Her eyes were shining brightly tonight, a true sign of her happiness. He remembered the moment Olivia had stepped out of the bathroom earlier that evening, only to turn around and ask him to zip up her dress for her. He had happily obliged, but hadn't been able to resist kissing her neck when he'd finished. As always, the scent of her perfume had been intoxicating. If not for his already having made these reservations, and his promise to give her the best night possible, he would have dropped everything to spend the night with her eating room service and making love in front of the fire. Still, he reminded himself that dinner would only take a few hours, then they would have the rest of the night together in their suite.

Elliot and Olivia were in no rush though, and they slowly ate their starters and savored the wine. By the time the entrees had arrived at the table, the bread basket was empty and in need of replenishing. Their server took it away so he could bring them a refill, and made sure they didn't need anything else.

Even though they were in the middle of a crowded restaurant, Elliot and Olivia somehow managed to make their dinner an intimate event between the two of them. Blocking out everyone and everything around them, they focused solely on the small bubble that was their table. Neither would have noticed if there had been any open displays of affection or public proposals among the other couples dining, because they were simply too wrapped up in one another.

As Olivia began to eat, curiosity began to get the better of her. The conversation between her and Elliot so far tonight certainly hadn't been lacking, but she was wondering just what else he had up his sleeve for the rest of their night. She was a detective after all, and she highly suspected he was keeping something from her.

"El? Just what are your plans for the rest of the evening? We're not going to be getting back to the suite that late. Plus, it's not as if we have a timetable to keep tomorrow."

Instead of answering right away, Elliot first took a bite of his pasta. Then, he set down his fork and reached for his wine glass. As he sipped the liquid, he tried to hide his smirk at Olivia's obvious exasperation at his deliberate avoidance of her question. Still tiptoeing around the subject at hand, he instead addressed the latter.

"Speaking of tomorrow, what would you like to do? Earlier this week you had mentioned the Olympic museum. Was that something you were still interested in seeing?"

Olivia leveled her gaze on the man sitting across from her, raising an eyebrow. It was a similar look that she often would give a perp in the box when interrogations got heated, and Elliot fully understood now how those individuals must have felt facing off against her.

"Elliot. You're not answering my question."

"You're right, I'm not. But with good reason."

More intrigued than ever, Olivia was almost about to question him further, but decided to let the subject drop. She figured she'd have her answers soon enough. For now, she was content.

When they were finished with dinner, Elliot and Olivia were offered the option of dessert. While interested, they declined, figuring they could always order something from room service later on in the night. After settling the bill, it was Elliot who stood first, then he assisted Olivia from her chair.

As they neared their suite, Elliot pulled Olivia close, kissing her. They were just outside their door when he stood behind her and loosened his tie, removing it. It was time to put into play the next part of his plan for the evening.

"Olivia, do you trust me?"

The quality of his voice had changed somehow. The timbre was now lower and more gravelly in her ear. Olivia shivered despite herself, though she was feeling anything but frightened. If she was feeling any emotion at all, it was anticipation.

"Yes, of course."

"Do I have your permission to blindfold you for a few minutes? I want the next part of this to be a surprise, and I don't want to chance you peeking."

A hint of a smile played over Olivia's lips at his words. She was more curious than ever now, wondering just what was going on. Still, she was deeply touched that he had asked her permission.

"You may. But don't you trust me?"

Elliot leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the back of Olivia's neck.

"Of course I trust you. However, you are a detective, and I know that once curiosity gets the better of you, you're going to want to look. I can't have that happen until I'm ready."

After checking in with her a second time to make certain she was still okay with what he was about to do, Elliot gently used his tie to cover Olivia's eyes, tying it in a knot at the back of her head. Then taking her hand in his own, he unlocked the door to their suite, and guided her inside. Not wanting her to fall, he led her over to the couch in the living room and helped her to sit.

"Wait here."

"You were expecting me to go somewhere perhaps?"

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Elliot couldn't resist playfully calling her a smartass as he moved about the room gathering what he needed. Though her sight had been taken from her, Olivia still relied on her other senses to try and figure out what was going on. She heard rattling noises, and Elliot's footfalls as he crossed the room. Then there was a scraping sound followed by the telltale smell of sulfur. The fireplace in their room had an ignition, and didn't need lit manually, so he must be lighting candles.

Then, music began filtering throughout the room – but not just any music. Olivia had recognized it immediately. If she was correct in her guess, Elliot had somehow gotten his hands on her iPod. This was the start of one of her favorite playlists, and a guilty pleasure at that. Feeling his presence by her side, Olivia blinked a few times as the blindfold was removed. It wasn't hard to adjust to the lighting in the room, as it was brightened only by candles. Elliot held his hand out to her, and offered an explanation.

"Ever since I planned this trip, I wanted to have a special day for you that ended with dinner and dancing. I had the dinner part taken care of, but the dancing was a bit more difficult to come by. So, I created our own dance floor here. I hope you don't mind."

"Mind? El, this is wonderful."

Olivia allowed Elliot to help her off the couch, and she was soon enveloped into his arms. One of his hands rested on her waist while the other held her hand against his heart. For her part, Olivia wrapped her arm around Elliot's neck, grateful that the heels she was wearing leveled the playing field a bit in terms of their height difference. Together they began to move, taking gentle steps and swaying softly to the music.

They must have danced like that for thirty minutes, holding one another close. Then, Olivia had ideas of her own. She wasn't sure what Elliot's next plans for their evening were in this slow seduction, but she wanted to move things straight to the bedroom. The jetted tub could wait until later. After all, she'd been waiting all night to find out what his reaction would be to the lingerie she was wearing. Standing up on her tiptoe, she whispered in Elliot's ear, her lips purposely grazing his earlobe in the process.

"Take me to bed, El."

A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to get an update out on this. I'm even posting this before I even have much on Chapter 36 started, but I wanted to post something, as it had been awhile. As most of you know, I also have Lighthouse now which is taking up a lot of my time. Well, I recently started work on what I thought would be a one shot for the upcoming holiday season, and that has quickly morphed into what I believe will be a multi chapter story, making it now 3 active works in progress on my plate for me to juggle. For now, I just go where the muse takes me. I can promise that I have every intention of completing all of my active stories! As always, thank you for reading!