26. Queen

Their reunion weekend is cut short on Saturday afternoon, when Olivia is called in for a new development in one of her cases. She needs to be there for their victim to support her during a lineup, and hopefully they will be able to book the suspect right after. Once at the station, work just consumes her as always, but nothing can really wipe the smile off her face for very long. Besides having a night of the most amazing sex, she and Gene have spent a big portion of their Saturday talking about a lot of things that they've never talked about before. Olivia still finds it difficult to open up about her childhood but she's told him the basics, and Gene has made her laugh a lot because he kept trying to convince her that it's possible to grow up fairly normally in a home where money is never an object and limo rides to school aren't unusual. She believes him, especially after seeing his family and seeing how they interact with each other, and she loves hearing about his and his brothers' antics when they were kids.

His personal issues have a different cause, unlike hers. Her home couldn't have been more dysfunctional and Gene keeps telling her how proud he is of how she's come out of it. Sometimes she wonders if she's really 'out of it' yet because the pain, the self-doubt and the fear of rejection are still there. Even the feeling of unworthiness, but Gene will have none of that. She's his queen and he intends to treat her accordingly, as royalty.

Elliot notices her good mood of course and asks her after a while,

"I take it your talk with Mr. Perfect went well?"

She can't stop herself from smiling even if she wanted to and there's a sparkle in her eyes when she confirms Elliot's assumption with a happy 'yes'.

"I gotta admit I'm surprised it's him," her partner tells her.

"Well, I think you can understand now why I didn't tell you," she gives him back, and Elliot nods.

"I guess so, yeah. I hadn't pegged him as relationship material."

Olivia nods too, sucking her lips between her teeth. How honest is she going to be with her best friend now that he knows who she's seeing?

"He hadn't either, at first," she settles on and then she watches Elliot's face for his reaction.

It takes a few moments but then his eyes flit back to hers, the obvious question lingering in them. One corner of her mouth tugs up and she tilts her head, waiting for him to say something. When he doesn't, she tells him with a shrug,

"Hey, I'm single. I get lonely."

"But it's been more than sex. This guy really got to you."

Elliot knows her well and she remembers how he'd held her last Monday when she'd been so upset about Gene. But she doesn't feel like explaining their complicated journey to where they are now to Elliot. She's just glad he isn't trying to scare Gene off, or tell her that he's wrong for her. Because he's right, Gene really got to her and he's seen that for himself.

"Is that why you're not trying to scare him off?" she asks him and Elliot grins.

"I'm not that bad, am I?"

"Oh yes, you are!"

They both chuckle and Captain Cragen peeks out of his office to see if everything is alright with his Detectives while they're working extra hours on the weekend. The older man shakes his head when they both sit up and smile sweetly at him, but she can see a smile appear on his face as well just before he turns to go back into his office. Olivia's good mood is infectious and when Elliot looks at her again, he tells her,

"This is the first time I've actually seen that a guy makes you happy, Liv. And that he makes you absolutely miserable when something's wrong. And while I hate that he hurt you, I recognize real love when I see it. It's not a smooth ride all the time, I should know. Love hurts like a bitch sometimes but seeing you now, I guess I'm rooting for you this time, hoping it all works out."

Olivia is touched by Elliot's honest words and blinks a few times before thanking him.

"That really means a lot coming from you El. Thanks."

"Eh."

Elliot tries to shrug it off, but she knows his words come from a deep place of caring. They don't usually talk about personal feelings like this. It's not surprising that Elliot cracks a joke so they can go back to their usual, more superficial banter.

"Just don't expect me to become his best friend, alright?"

Olivia chuckles and leans back in her chair when she tells him sincerely,

"I don't expect you to become his best friend. Just promise me you'll stay my best friend."

A comfortable understanding envelops the two partners when he says without hesitation,

"Deal."

…

Olivia stays away longer than he had expected, and Gene is pacing in his hotel room. It's not that he can't stand being alone, or even that he has an itch to call someone else. He just misses her already and it's a scary feeling. She was just here. She loves him. She wants to be with him exclusively. She should be back before the weekend is over, hopefully later tonight, and they'll probably schedule their next rendez-vous before they separate again tomorrow.

He hates it now that he doesn't live in Manhattan or that Olivia doesn't live on Long Island and he wonders if it would be too soon to suggest a change in their living arrangements. She hasn't even seen his house yet. He will need to rectify that as soon as possible. If she's back at a reasonable hour, maybe he can show it to her tomorrow. His home is his sanctuary, where he spends most of his time, and he's never brought a woman there before who wasn't family or tagging along with family. He closes only a few big real estate deals each quarter and only makes a few trips out of state or even out of the country each year. Most of his contacts with his business associates and even with his assistant are via phone and email these days, now that he is an established name in the business. The only meetings he always attends in person are the ones with his clients and potential clients. Other meetings are optional as far as he's concerned. He doesn't even do all the viewings of properties personally anymore. He's got people for that.

He's never had a problem being alone and he used to have this perfect balance of his life at home and his party and sex life in Manhattan. But now, everything is shifting. He finds himself not even wanting to go back home, although he is very proud of what he's made of the house he bought for himself ten years ago. It's an elegant place and it had been a joy for his mother to decorate. It's much smaller than the family estate of course, but still big enough to have his extended family over and have a nice party. Their gatherings alternate between the Butler family estate and the homes of the three brothers, and his aunt on his mother's side and her two daughters. Although it's only Spring, he is already looking forward to Christmas this year. For the first time, he will have a woman by his side.

He decides to check the family calendar to see what's lined up for the rest of the year. He always enjoys these family gatherings but it will be even better this year, because Olivia will be with him. Well, hopefully. Today is just another example of her unpredictable working hours. She's completely dedicated to her job and now that he knows a few things about her background, he understands that a little bit better. Not being there for that woman today who might be faced with her rapist at the lineup, had not been an option. It won't be the last time she'll be called away unexpectedly and he will have to find a way to deal with that.

The next big item on the family calendar is the 4th of July barbecue at his cousin's. His cousin Ellen lives in Florida so Olivia would have to take time off to join them.

Gene sighs. Things sure are more complicated when you're not alone. But when his phone buzzes and tells him he has a text from Olivia, he can't stop grinning. Complicated or not, she's worth it and then some.

…

A new case quickly eats up the rest of their Saturday night and by the time the Detectives are back at the station, they're exhausted.

"Paperwork will be there tomorrow, boys and girls," Cragen announces, and they breathe a sigh of relief. "Just jot down the basics and get some rest. Munch, Tutuola, if you want your Sunday off, finish up now. Benson, Stabler, bright and early."

Olivia closes her eyes and sighs. She should have known. She and Elliot are on call this weekend and this new case needs their attention, because while the victim is dead, they still want to catch this violent perp as soon as possible, before he rapes and kills someone else.

"I'll stay too," Elliot suddenly says and when she looks at her partner, he smiles at her. "Go on. I'll text you if I need you in the morning."

"I could hug you right now," Olivia breathes and Elliot smiles warmly at her.

"Get some rest," he tells her, and just when she turns to leave, he adds with a smirk, "among other things."

She laughs out loud and is still grinning when she reaches the elevator. She sends a quick text to Gene, telling him she's on her way and before she even hits the ground floor, he has texted back, offering to pick her up. She decides to call him while she waits for a taxi to flag and assures him that she'll be fine. But it's the middle of the night and there aren't a lot of taxis in the area, so it takes her a little over thirty minutes to get to his hotel. When the taxi pulls away, Gene is already coming out of the hotel to greet her and she sinks into his arms, finally allowing her tired body to relax. They walk inside hand in hand, and the night receptionist smiles when they pass his desk. Once they arrive at the penthouse, Gene takes Olivia's jacket and then takes her hand again.
"Come with me," he says, and she follows him, wondering what he's up to.

He leads her into the bathroom where a huge tub is already filling up.

"I didn't know if you preferred bath oil or foam, so please take your pick and I'll get it ready for you in a minute. Why don't you take off your clothes while I …"

He stops talking abruptly and grins at her. "You know what I mean. Robes are over there."

Olivia grins too and after she has picked a lavender-scented aromatherapy bath foam, she gets undressed slowly while Gene finishes preparing the bath for her. She's just slipping into a hotel robe when he turns around to face her. She hears his breath hitch but he composes himself quickly and guides her to the tub.

"Please. It's all yours. I'll go and get you a drink. Some wine maybe?"

"That sounds heavenly. Help me in first?"

Gene is happy to be of service and to his credit, he keeps his hands to himself when she sheds the robe, and guides her down into the tub gently. Olivia moans contently and leans back. Her skin is still getting used to the hot water but she feels herself relax already.

"Is it good?" Gene asks and she opens her eyes to look up at him. She reaches up to cup his cheek and he kisses the inside of her hand.

"It's perfect. Thank you, Gene."

"Anything for my queen."

Gene leaves to get her drink and Olivia sighs contently again. If she had gotten home to her own apartment at 1.30 am, she probably would have just taken a quick shower before crashing on her bed and passing out. But this is better. So much better. There is only one thing missing, and as soon as that one thing comes back into the bathroom with two glasses of red wine and the bottle, she asks him to join her.

"This was meant for you," Gene tells her, gesturing at the now almost full tub of foam, but she can tell that he wouldn't mind getting in with her.

"Please," she urges him and she knows it doesn't take much to convince him. He hands her both glasses of wine and places the bottle on the floor next to the tub before he strips for her. She bites her lip when he steps into the tub. His body is perfect in every way and when he settles in the tub opposite her, their legs fit perfectly; his feet on the outside of her hips and her calves draped over his thighs. She wiggles her toes against his sides and he grabs her feet, squeezing them softly.

Olivia bites her lip again and Gene squeezes again, applying some pressure on the balls of her feet. She sighs and he grins at her.

"Feel good?" he asks her and she nods.

"I was dead on my feet so … yeah."

She has set their glasses aside after taking a sip of her wine, and he focuses on massaging her feet for another minute before he grabs his glass and leans back against the tub. He is enjoying the bath but he is enjoying it even more how much Olivia is enjoying it. He feels she deserves it, ready as she is 24/7 to help others.

They soak in the tub for a while, adding some hot water every now and then, and when Olivia has finished her wine, she turns around so she can lean against his chest. Gene pours them each another glass of wine and they sip it contently. Gene welcomes Olivia's proximity and wraps one arm around her belly. He would be lying if he said he wasn't eager to touch her, but the bath was really meant for her, with no ulterior motives on his part. He splashes some hot water over her shoulders and Olivia leans her head back against his shoulder so she can kiss his jaw.

"You're spoiling me," she says softly. "Don't make me get used to this."

"Why not?" Gene asks, kissing her temple and rubbing his cheek against her wet hair. "My schedule isn't as crazy as yours. I make my own schedule. I can do this for you, no problem."

"I don't even have a bath tub at my place," Olivia mumbles and Gene has to stop himself from saying what he's thinking in that moment. It's too soon, he's decided. But he can make another suggestion. He hesitates when he sees Olivia's eyes flutter closed again. She looks like she may fall asleep at any moment. He kisses her hair and when she opens her eyes, he blurts it out anyway.

"I have an even bigger tub at my house. Would you like to see it?"

"Your tub?" Olivia says with a chuckle.

"My house!" Gene says, trying for an annoyed tone but failing miserably.

"Where is it?"

He can tell that he has her attention now.

"On Long Island, a couple of miles from the estate. I'd love to show it to you."

"Hmmm. I'm curious now," she says, but her voice is beginning to sound a little sleepy.

"Tomorrow?" Gene asks and he feels a little bubbly when Olivia nods against his shoulder.

"Alright. Tomorrow."

"First, we sleep."

"Yes please."

Gene laughs and they decide to get out of the tub before the water cools off too much. They rinse off quickly and Gene helps Olivia step out of the tub. He wraps a huge hotel towel around her and then kisses her deeply. He knows she's exhausted and he doesn't expect anything from her right now, but Olivia kisses him back eagerly nonetheless. After drying themselves off a little haphazardly, they ditch the towels and crawl into the big hotel bed. They kiss some more before they snuggle up together to get some sleep at last.

"I'm sorry I'm so tired," Olivia mumbles against the skin of his neck.

"It's okay baby. I'm just glad you're here," Gene hears himself say, and he really means it. How things have changed for him!

"But if I wake up in the middle of the night, you're mine," she warns him and he kisses her closed eyelids gently in response, telling her sincerely,

"I'm always yours."

...

Awww.
That was some more Genlivia sweetness for you all, as well as some food for thought. To be continued. Please review?

(PS. For those of you following my every move on Twitter, this wasn't the chapter that made me cry yet. That's still to come!)