Song: Singles You Up - Jordan Davis
Genre: Country
•
•
•
Elliot looked down from the TV that was playing a Yankee's game when he heard the familiar ding of his iPhone, signaling he received a text message.
He smiled when he saw "Liv" was the sender, but furrowed his eyebrows together when he read her text.
Liv: "Meet me at O'Malley's at 8 if you're not busy."
He glanced at the top of his phone where it read the time and saw it was 7:35. It would take him about 15 minutes to walk there, so he quickly sent a response and went to change for the bar scene, the Yankee's game long forgotten.
————————————————————————
Olivia smiled a small smile as she Elliot's text message response. She had been at the bar for about a half an hour before reaching out to her partner.
El: "See you then."
It was short but simple. He once told her, in the beginning of their partnership that he'd always be there for her and 10 years later, he still kept that promise.
She slipped her phone in the back pocket of her medium washed jeans, took a sip of the red wine she was nursing and focused her eyes back on one of the many large televisions above the bar.
————————————————————————
About 25 minutes later, Olivia felt his presence as he walked through the door of the cop bar they both often frequented. She didn't have to look to know that the person that was sliding onto the barstool next to her was in fact, her partner.
Hank, the bartender, quickly shot a smile at his new guest and slid Elliot's usual to him; Bud Light.
She took another swig of wine as he did his beer before looking over meeting Elliot's eyes.
"Hey," she grinned. "Thanks for coming. I just didn't feel like being alone right now. I hope I didn't bother you."
Elliot placed a reassuring and friendly hand on her shoulder and met her smile with one of his own.
"You didn't, in fact, I was actually missing you." He said with a chuckle.
It's not unknown that they spend more time together than any pair of partners in the 1-5. Their line of work calls for many 16-18 hour days, but if the truth is known, neither of them minded it.
She laughed out loud. He loved that sound, it was probably his favorite. Each time he hears it, he feels like his heart stops just so his body can soak it in.
I ain't heard you laugh like that in a long time,
I wonder if you stopped his world like you did mine just now.
Olivia nudged his side when she caught him staring at her for a few more seconds than normally, but just smiled at him.
Elliot was quick to notice that she wasn't nursing her usual and he made note to keep that observation in the back of his mind. She always chose Bud Light or top shelf Whiskey.
I see you sippin' red wine instead of whiskey,
And does he want you to be just a little more city?
Elliot glanced over at her, "So how are you and Jake?"
Olivia had been seeing Jake Fisher, a doctor from Mercy General that she met on one of their visits to talk to a victim for about 6 months.
He remembered that day well. The doctor was all but drooling when he talked to her. It made Elliot jealous, but he didn't want to interfere with her life.
He had to grit his teeth when Jake asked for her number and she happily gave it to him with a sexy smile.
Olivia's sigh pulled Elliot out of the memory.
"Were not good." She said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Elliot watched her carefully as she spun her now empty wine class in her hands, waiting for her to continue. It wasn't until she was finished with her next sentence that she actually met his eyes.
"He said he didn't know if he wanted to be with me anymore because I never make time for him." She said as the last word caught in her throat.
Elliot knew that wasn't true, and understood that was most likely the reason she was so upset.
Elliot had noticed several slight changes in her behavior and her every day activities since she had been with him and he couldn't help but wonder if he was pressuring her to do so.
The few times he did meet Jake, he was always way too demanding and almost controlling.
He remembered a couple months ago, when they all met at this very bar. Olivia invited Jake to come since he was off work.
Elliot remembered Jake ordering Olivia's food and drinks for her. He watched as it surprised Olivia as much as it did him, but she just gave Jake a fake, thin smile.
He ordered her a salad and wine and if anybody knew Olivia Benson, while she was very healthy, in shape, and ate good, she would always choose a burger or hot wings with beer on her night out with her colleagues.
That didn't sit right with Elliot.
He also remembers her hair color being changed to a lighter brown, her style changing to be more dressy than normal, and her abrupt changes to not go out with him or the group.
"Well I don't think he deserves you anyways." Elliot said as he took another sip of beer.
She shook her head with a scoff but once she took a sip of her now, refilled glass of wine, she allowed herself to smile.
"I haven't met a guy yet who is good enough for me, according to your standards El." Olivia teased him.
When he didn't acknowledge her joke, she slid her arm over to his shoulder. Before she could say anything he turned his head and said what he'd been wanting to tell her for years.
"I can be." Elliot said simply.
Olivia retracted her arm quickly as if his skin suddenly burned hers.
"El-" Olivia began to say but was cut off by Elliot's next words.
"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping our mutual boundary, but I have to tell you how I feel." Elliot said seriously.
Well, I'm sorry if I'm overstepping
Boundaries I don't mean to be,
But I've just got to tell you how I feel.
"He's not good for you. No guy, I've met has been because they don't treat you like they should. And if he does break up with you, I'm going to call and tell him how fucking crazy he is that he let a woman like you go and then I'm going to show you how you should be treated."
He told her as he moved towards her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
If he ever singles you up,
if he's ever stupid enough,
I'ma be the first one calling you baby,
If he ain't holding you tight, if he ain't treating you right,
I'ma be the first one calling him crazy,
'Cause girl, it's just a matter of time until you find,
That the right guy's staring you back into your eyes, right now
No rush, but if he ever singles you up.
Olivia felt tears well up in her eyes. She had no idea Elliot had the same feelings for her as she has had for him.
She thought about what Elliot said about him not treating her right. She couldn't help but think back to some of the times that he didn't and it really bothered her.
(Flashback)
Olivia finished her hair and makeup and was getting ready to slip into the low cut neck, high cut thigh, ruby red dress that she picked out for the NYPD Valentine's Day ball with Jake in mind. He always said he loved red on her.
She was going to be meeting the squad, along with Jake there and she couldn't wait to see Jake's reaction when he saw her.
When she arrived, she found everyone she passed by and encountered was looking her up and down. She smirked to herself unable to wait to see the reactions from her two favorite men, Jake and Elliot.
She immediately spotted her squad and Jake, and walked up to them.
Elliot's eyes caught hers before he noticed her attire. She grinned sheepishly as she watched his jaw go slack. She noticed Jake was talking to someone he obviously new and was disappointed that he hadn't noticed her yet.
Elliot walked up to her, "My god, Liv. You look stunning." He said meaning every word. He was speechless and couldn't get enough of her. He could count on both hands the amount of times he's seen her dressed up like that and he was sure each time took a little piece of his heart. She was absolutely breathtaking. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her.
"Thanks, El." She smiled and kissed his cheek, trying to hide the blush he caused her.
"I really hope Jake likes it." She grinned and walked up to him, taping his shoulder.
"Hey, Livia! This is my friend Steven, we went to school together. This is his wife, Julia, I didn't know she was a detective at the 2-4 in the Bronx until now.
She noticed both Steven and Julia looking her up and down, but Jake never even made the attempt to compliment her.
"Hi," Olivia choked out in the sweetest voice she could muster. "I'm going to go sit with my squad, I'll catch up with you in a bit." She told Jake and she was pretty sure he didn't even hear her because he had already started discussing business with his friend.
He hasn't even looked your way since you walked in,
But I can't help it that I can't take my eyes off of you.
Olivia made her way back to the 1-5 designated seating and took a seat in one of the high top chairs next to the window. She www gazing out when she felt a familiar hand on her back.
"Hey, I'm sorry about that." Elliot told her. Little did she know, he watched the entire scene fall out and saw the light quickly leave her eyes.
She shook her head and tried to keep her tears at bay. "It's fine. He hasn't seen him in forever I guess." She explained trying not to make it sound like an excuse.
Elliot nodded and gave her a thin smile. "Would you like to dance?" He asked. "I can't let a beautiful woman like yourself sit here alone." He said giving her his signature Stabler smile that always made her weak in the knees.
She laughed and agreed and they quickly found themselves on the dance floor.
They hadn't been dancing long before Elliot heard Olivia's favorite song come over the speaker and he wondered if it was a sign from God.
Olivia smiled when she heard the song and saw a familiar twinkle in Elliot's eyes. She knew that it would be fun.
They began dancing in rhythm to the upbeat song, "I Like Me Better by Lauv."
She was surprised when Elliot began singing the song with her. Although she shouldn't be, she plays it in the squad car all the time and Elliot often catches her humming it while they work on DD5's.
Your favorite song just came on,
And me and you were singing along,
And he don't even know a single word.
Elliot spun her around the dance floor and sang with her as they laughed and smiled at one another. Their connection and friendship was like no other.
"He doesn't even know the lyrics." Olivia said during the chorus and Elliot let the comment slide. How could you not know your significant other's favorite song. In fact, he's memorized all of Olivia's over the years they've been friends and partners.
Jake may have let her down tonight but there was no way he was going to let her have a bad time on his watch, partners promise.
(End Flashback)
Olivia let her tears fall and looked up at Elliot.
"I'm serious Liv, if he breaks up with you, he'll break up with him and we can start right now." He grinned with a hint of orneriness.
"I don't know what to say, El. I didn't realize you felt the same way." She blushed, subtly letting him know she had the same feelings for him.
"Just say yes and let me treat you right. I want to show you how you should be treated, baby." He begged.
His promise to treat her right continued to ring in her head.
If he ever singles you up, if he's ever stupid enough,
I'ma be the first one calling you baby,
If he ain't holding you tight, if he ain't treating you right,
I'ma be the first one calling him crazy,
'Cause girl, it's just a matter of time until you find,
That the right guy's staring you back into your eyes, right now,
No rush, but if he ever singles you up.
All Olivia could manage to do, so overwhelmed with emotion, was to agree with a nod of her head.
At that, Elliot had to have her. He pulled her close by the back of her head, looked into her eyes and kissed her for the first time in the 10 years they've been partners.
Olivia pulled back from the kiss and smiled so lovingly at Elliot before kissing him again.
He couldn't believe this was actually happening and that he was going to be moving forward with Olivia Benson.
After the kiss, she picked up her phone and read the last text from Jake that read what she had previously explained to Elliot.
Jake: "I don't know if I can be with you anymore if you can't make time for me."
She smirked knowing that she did her damndest to make time for him or make plans with him but they were never good enough or it was never long enough.
She decided that would be the end of it and replied.
Livia: "Don't worry, if all I can do is not good enough for you, I guess we're done. Goodbye Jake."
Elliot watched as she typed it out and pressed send. He smiled like a kid at Christmas. Not because Olivia was his, but because she was now going to learn what it was like to be treated well.
"Let's get out of here and go watch a movie. We haven't done that in a while. You can pick." Elliot said taking her hand after throwing enough cash to cover their drinks.
If he ever singles you up.
He didn't get the chance. Add that to the list of things he wasn't good enough at.
•
•
•
Ok, y'all that was my first ever Song Fic. I hoped y'all enjoyed it. Please R ! I love reading y'all's feedback.