A/N: I started this on a whim in my notes app. Did not expect anyone to be all that interested. Now I feel the need to go back and at least proofread.
March 5, 2021
Her days are never ordinary, they never have been. They're long and grueling and more often than not, she leaves with a headache brought on by the sheer stress of it all. Sometimes she still works for sixteen hours straight, though she tries her hardest not to these days. She has someone to return home to, someone who'll be waiting for her with animated stories and his usual complaints about homework, school and not getting enough time with his favorite girl. She's his favorite girl.
She glances out of the windows as she walks through the precinct and the flurries that filter down from the grey skyline make her want to head home early today. She wants to make two cups of hot chocolate, one for him and one for her, and eat Oreos past his bedtime. Maybe, if he's had a good week in school, they can go ice skating tomorrow. It'll be a treat for him and a hazard for her, but he'll love it and he'll laugh and he'll make her arduous week worth it.
On this Friday, which doesn't feel the same as all the others, it is oddly quiet. Her team is catching up on overdue paperwork and there's a chance she'll be able to make it home at a reasonable hour. Walking back into the squad room, Olivia notices that the door to her office is closed. She looks around surveying the area, her eyes stopping on Fin, and then Amanda. It's like they're actively trying not to look at her. For two cops they're painfully obvious. Fin actually pulls a file up and completely guards his face. She's only walked to the bathroom and come right back so she's confused. Who could've walked into her squad room and changed the atmosphere in a matter of minutes?
"Who's in there, guys?" she asks softly, the hint of laughter in her voice. Because of course, this is a joke. It must be. "What's going on?"
She'd drawn her blinds during her last meeting so she's unable to get at least a peek. Was it the Chief? Had she done anything wrong within the last week? Now nervous, but always quick to get over her fears, she heads straight to her office.
Fin clears his throat just as her hand touches the doorknob. She glances up at him, her eyes land on his mouth and he speaks. "It's Stabler," he says.
She hears it in slow motion and it's too late to stop herself. She thinks just at the last moment when the door is already propelled open, and he's standing there behind her desk, looking at her that maybe she should stop walking. But it's too late. She's there presently, stumbling into her office, steadying only after she's halfway in and his eyes are all over her.
She feels it. The way his eyes rake over her.
The door behind her slams closed and she knows it's Fin having her back. She imagines him extending his body, stretching as far as possible while still in his own swivel chair as he shuts the door for her. Fin knows her and Elliot well enough to know they'll need the privacy.
Just as Olivia looks up, his face spreads and he's smiling at her now, showing off dimples she's missed dearly. "Elliot." His name sounds foreign now. She hasn't said it, Elliot, in a while.
He holds up a picture of Noah. "His eyes are blue."
"Yes, they are," she agrees, with a nod of her head. She knows what he's asking, but she wants him to be a man about it. Ask, she urges with her eyes.
His eyebrows harden and set, and his eyes squint as they focus on her. Ok. He'll play.
"Is this an old photograph?"
"Yes," she answers plainly, eyeing the photo of her son with a baseball bat in his hands.
"An athlete already?" He beams a little with fatherly pride and she rolls her eyes.
Her voice is flat when she speaks. "He's 8, Stabler."
"Are you sure? Our kid would have to be about 10 now."
She laughs, but it's humorless and dry. "You're not his father. He's adopted."
"A shame."
They stand there, looking at each other, taking each other in. He's wearing a fitted, navy sweater and dark jeans, with a matching baseball cap. He's sporting a beard now. The groomed salt and pepper frame his lips and suddenly, she yearns to touch it. She takes in his body next, noticing that it's bigger and bulkier with muscle.
"You need a kidney?" she asks finally, eliminating the silence.
He laughs and shakes his head. He places the photo of Noah back down on her desk before he walks around it. He's eliminating the furniture between them and she's suddenly nervous.
"My kidneys are fine, Captain. Thanks. I do have high blood pressure, though." He walks to her and stops right in front of her.
"I can't fix that," she says softly, noting that she's abruptly on the verge of sounding breathy. Her eyes land on his lips, up the slope of his nose, and right into his piercing blue eyes.
He drops his hands, opening his arms to her, offering a hug. How could she ever say no? Olivia slips her hands up the length of his arms, reveling in the feel of his muscles. Her hands connect behind his head and his arms encircle her waist. He pulls her flush against him, remembering how amazing it's always felt to hug her this way, straight on. She's the perfect height and she settles against him snugly.
A moan slips out of her mouth when his arms slip under her blazer. The side of her face knocks against his, sighing softly as his hands slide under the curve of her ass. The response is involuntary. Her nipples harden against his shirt and she feels a quiver within her. Her breathing quickens and it feels so, so good, but she pushes against his chest anyway. He lets her put space between them, but his hands still grasp at her hips.
"Stop," she whispers.
"Hi," he says, still smiling.
Her fingers reach up, landing on his bearded jaw. She wants to kiss him but hesitates. Instead, she leans forward, resting her forehead on his lips. "Hi," she rasps.
It's a long moment before she drags his face down and pulls his lips down on hers. She spends it arguing with herself, but she ultimately loses. The kiss is chaste at first, one innocent peck followed by another. Her head tilts and she wraps her wet lips around his bottom lip, tugging it, breaking the seal of his mouth. He groans into her mouth, gliding his tongue along with hers. His hands slip back around, cupping her ass again. She pulls back, holding his bottom lip between her teeth. She looks up and only lets it go when his blue eyes land on hers.
"Fuck," he mutters. He doesn't know if it's the burning on the sensitive skin of his bottom lip, or if it's the look in her eyes.
"Get out."
"Olivia-" he stops speaking with the lift of her eyebrow. He doesn't want to challenge her, push her or hurt her any further.
He knows she means it, but he risks it anyway. He leans in and pecks her lips one last time before backing away from her.
"You look beautiful, Liv," he whispers before sidestepping her. He grabs his coat and just like that he's gone.