CHAPTER 7
16th Precinct
February 13, 2004
7:36 AM
Olivia and Elliot strolled into the precinct chatting about nothing in particular. As they made their way into the bullpen, they noticed that once again, all eyes were on them and the sound of quiet whispering could be heard.
"I wish they would all mind their own goddamn business," Olivia fumed as she headed for the coffee pot.
Elliot shrugged off his heavy winter coat, then took hers from her. He hung the two of them up, then joined his partner in her quest for caffeine. Standing beside her and speaking quietly so only she could hear, he said, "'Liv, they're only so interested in us because they're jealous. You really should take it as a compliment you know."
"You honestly think they're jealous of us? Me with my past and you, the single-dad-whose-wife-ran-off-and-left-him-with-four-kids-to-raise?" She asked.
"You're forgetting something," he began.
"Oh really? And what's that...Detective?" she asked seductively.
"They don't *know* what goes on outside of the precinct. They don't know your past and they certainly don't know about Kathy. All they see is that I'm now single and have an amazingly gorgeous partner, who, if they had the chance, they would jump at the opportunity to be with in a heartbeat."
A smile spread over Olivia's face at his words. "You really think I'm gorgeous, Stabler?"
He nodded. "I think I've told you that at least a thousand times before."
"Yeah, but some things never get old."
She returned to her desk and buried herself in paperwork. Having been working on the "Ski Mask Case" for the last few days had left little time for any of the mounting paperwork that was due by the end of the day. She sighed heavily, wondering just how in the hell she was going to managed to get through all of this stuff before six o'clock.
"You all right?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah, I just don't even know where to start will all of this," she said, waving her hands over her desk.
"You'll figure it out. I have faith in you," he said.
She shook her head, then returned her attention to the task at hand. Two solid hours passed without interruption. Suddenly, Casey Novak burst into the squad room. Olivia and Elliot exchanged a look, then Olivia got up and perched herself on the end of Elliot's desk, awaiting Casey's news.
"So, what happened? Did you get him?" Olivia asked.
"Guilty on five counts of rape in the first degree," Casey stated and waited for someone to pick up on what she said.
"FIVE counts? There were SIX victims, Casey," Elliot said.
"I know. The jury acquitted him on Jessica's rape. Apparently there were only microscopic traces of his DNA in the sample taken from her rape kit. The jury did not feel they could return a guilty verdict on that victim," she explained.
"So, let me see if I got this straight," Olivia started. "They agreed that he raped five defenseless young girls, but couldn't wrap their brains around a sixth without conclusive DNA evidence? What kind of bullshit is that?!"
"Unfortunately, that is what the jury decided. I can't do anything about it. Jake's lawyer is appealing the ruling saying that if there was doubt that he committed Jessica's rape, there is doubt that he committed all of the rapes," Casey replied.
"This just keeps getting better and better. Do you ever have any good news when you come here?" Elliot asked.
Casey did not respond. She stood there staring at the two detectives, dumbfounded at Elliot's question.
"I guess not," she said before she stormed out of the bullpen.
"Fabulous. At least the prick didn't get off an all counts," Olivia offered.
Frustrated, Elliot plopped back down into his desk chair. Olivia headed back to her own desk and the two resumed their paperwork.
After lunch, Olivia noticed Elliot checking his watch for the fourth time in the last hour.
"You got a hot date, Stabler?" She asked jokingly.
His cheeks flushed at getting caught watching the time. Before he could respond, a young delivery boy walked into the room carrying a dozen hot pink roses with half a dozen red ones mixed in. He walked over to the first person he saw—Munch.
"Hey, do you know where I can find an 'Olivia Benson'? These are for her," he said.
"Yeah, she's right over there. Kinda easy to find, only woman in the room," Munch said sarcastically.
The delivery boy blushed, then walked over to Olivia. "Are you Olivia Benson?"
"Yes," she replied turning her attention away from the computer screen. She gasped when she saw what he was holding.
"These are for you. Have a Happy Valentines' Day," he said. He placed the vase down on her desk, then left the building.
Olivia stood up and gently pulled the card out of the bouquet. "'Liv, finding the words to describe how much I love someone has never been difficult — until I met you. Trying to explain how I feel about you is pretty impossible and 'I love you' just doesn't seem to cut it. The best I was able to come up with was this: You are my everything, Olivia. I love you and always will. Love, Elliot." She looked over her desk at Elliot with tears in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to run over and wrap her arms around him, but she knew that this was not the place for such displays of affection.
He smiled, then came over to her side of the desk. "Who's the lucky guy, Benson?" He asked as he bent down to smell one of the flowers.
"Just a secret admirer. No one you know," she replied coyly.
"He has good taste in flowers. Must know a lot about you," he said.
"Yeah, he knows everything there is to know," she said. She took the small card and tucked it into her purse. She didn't need that falling into the wrong hands.
"Come on, let's get back to work. I'd like to be able to go home sometime today," Olivia said.
The rest of their day was pretty uneventful. By six o'clock, they had managed to finish all of the paperwork that was due and even got a jump on some of the stuff they did not need until the following week. The captain had been pretty impressed by the efforts and called them into his office.
"Benson, Stabler, have a seat," Captain Cragen said as he put his hands into his pocket.
"You two did a great job with the Ski Mask case. It was unfortunate that so many girls were hurt before we could stop them, but it was because of your efforts we apprehended them before they could get the rest of the girls on their list. Because of the great work you did, I'm going to give you two Monday off as a day to rest and recharge your batteries after such a stressful week. Enjoy."
"Thanks, Cap. You really didn't have to do that though. It's part of the job," Elliot said.
"Well, there is another reason that I'm giving you two Monday off," he said.
Olivia and Elliot exchanged worried glances. "Regardless of what you two might think, I know everything that goes on in my stationhouse. I know what you two have been up to," Captain Cragen said.
"Sir, I'm not going to say I'm sorry for..." the Captain cut Elliot off before he could finish.
"I'm not going to make a big deal about your relationship as long as it doesn't affect your work. I know that fraternization is forbidden, but you two have been carrying this on for a while from what I've seen and very little has changed," Cragen said.
"Thank you, Captain," Olivia said, embarrassed about the whole thing.
"Don't thank me yet, Olivia. There are few rules that I'm going to impose. First, the whole thing must stay out of the office. Don't ask, don't tell is what I'm going for here. Second, you two cannot show up to work late and together all the time. Occasionally is one thing, but I've caught it twice this week already. And last, as I've already said, your work cannot suffer in the least. Do I make myself clear?" the Captain said.
"Yes sir," they replied in unison.
"Good. Now enjoy your long weekend," he said.
They turned to leave the office, when Cragen called to Elliot. He turned just in time to see the Captain wink at him, then smile. Elliot smiled back and shut the door behind him.
"What am I going to do with those two?" Cragen mused to himself.
***********************************************************************
The Mall
7:37 PM
"How could I be so stupid to forget Valentine's Day?" Olivia scolded herself for the umpteenth time. She quickly went from store to store searching for the perfect gift for Elliot.
"I think I'd have an easier time find a needle in a haystack," she mused. She looked around at all of the other shoppers who were all doing the same thing she was—last minute Valentines' shopping. "At least I'm not the only one who forgot," she mumbled to no one in particular.
After making her way around the mall twice, she finally decided to get him the DVD/VCR he'd mentioned he wanted a while back. Olivia purchased the player and was about to leave the mall when a small store in the corner caught her eye. It was Victoria's Secret. She had never really shopped for seductive lingerie before and thought it might be interesting to go in a see what they had this year.
She perused the store for a bit when she came across a strapless, back lace teddy with a matching thong. "Hmmm...this seems interesting. I think Elliot wouldn't object if I modeled for him," she thought. After locating the correct size, she bought her lingerie and headed home.
This was sure going to be the most memorable Valentines' Day yet. Especially when she finds out what Elliot has in store for her.
***End Chapter 7
16th Precinct
February 13, 2004
7:36 AM
Olivia and Elliot strolled into the precinct chatting about nothing in particular. As they made their way into the bullpen, they noticed that once again, all eyes were on them and the sound of quiet whispering could be heard.
"I wish they would all mind their own goddamn business," Olivia fumed as she headed for the coffee pot.
Elliot shrugged off his heavy winter coat, then took hers from her. He hung the two of them up, then joined his partner in her quest for caffeine. Standing beside her and speaking quietly so only she could hear, he said, "'Liv, they're only so interested in us because they're jealous. You really should take it as a compliment you know."
"You honestly think they're jealous of us? Me with my past and you, the single-dad-whose-wife-ran-off-and-left-him-with-four-kids-to-raise?" She asked.
"You're forgetting something," he began.
"Oh really? And what's that...Detective?" she asked seductively.
"They don't *know* what goes on outside of the precinct. They don't know your past and they certainly don't know about Kathy. All they see is that I'm now single and have an amazingly gorgeous partner, who, if they had the chance, they would jump at the opportunity to be with in a heartbeat."
A smile spread over Olivia's face at his words. "You really think I'm gorgeous, Stabler?"
He nodded. "I think I've told you that at least a thousand times before."
"Yeah, but some things never get old."
She returned to her desk and buried herself in paperwork. Having been working on the "Ski Mask Case" for the last few days had left little time for any of the mounting paperwork that was due by the end of the day. She sighed heavily, wondering just how in the hell she was going to managed to get through all of this stuff before six o'clock.
"You all right?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah, I just don't even know where to start will all of this," she said, waving her hands over her desk.
"You'll figure it out. I have faith in you," he said.
She shook her head, then returned her attention to the task at hand. Two solid hours passed without interruption. Suddenly, Casey Novak burst into the squad room. Olivia and Elliot exchanged a look, then Olivia got up and perched herself on the end of Elliot's desk, awaiting Casey's news.
"So, what happened? Did you get him?" Olivia asked.
"Guilty on five counts of rape in the first degree," Casey stated and waited for someone to pick up on what she said.
"FIVE counts? There were SIX victims, Casey," Elliot said.
"I know. The jury acquitted him on Jessica's rape. Apparently there were only microscopic traces of his DNA in the sample taken from her rape kit. The jury did not feel they could return a guilty verdict on that victim," she explained.
"So, let me see if I got this straight," Olivia started. "They agreed that he raped five defenseless young girls, but couldn't wrap their brains around a sixth without conclusive DNA evidence? What kind of bullshit is that?!"
"Unfortunately, that is what the jury decided. I can't do anything about it. Jake's lawyer is appealing the ruling saying that if there was doubt that he committed Jessica's rape, there is doubt that he committed all of the rapes," Casey replied.
"This just keeps getting better and better. Do you ever have any good news when you come here?" Elliot asked.
Casey did not respond. She stood there staring at the two detectives, dumbfounded at Elliot's question.
"I guess not," she said before she stormed out of the bullpen.
"Fabulous. At least the prick didn't get off an all counts," Olivia offered.
Frustrated, Elliot plopped back down into his desk chair. Olivia headed back to her own desk and the two resumed their paperwork.
After lunch, Olivia noticed Elliot checking his watch for the fourth time in the last hour.
"You got a hot date, Stabler?" She asked jokingly.
His cheeks flushed at getting caught watching the time. Before he could respond, a young delivery boy walked into the room carrying a dozen hot pink roses with half a dozen red ones mixed in. He walked over to the first person he saw—Munch.
"Hey, do you know where I can find an 'Olivia Benson'? These are for her," he said.
"Yeah, she's right over there. Kinda easy to find, only woman in the room," Munch said sarcastically.
The delivery boy blushed, then walked over to Olivia. "Are you Olivia Benson?"
"Yes," she replied turning her attention away from the computer screen. She gasped when she saw what he was holding.
"These are for you. Have a Happy Valentines' Day," he said. He placed the vase down on her desk, then left the building.
Olivia stood up and gently pulled the card out of the bouquet. "'Liv, finding the words to describe how much I love someone has never been difficult — until I met you. Trying to explain how I feel about you is pretty impossible and 'I love you' just doesn't seem to cut it. The best I was able to come up with was this: You are my everything, Olivia. I love you and always will. Love, Elliot." She looked over her desk at Elliot with tears in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to run over and wrap her arms around him, but she knew that this was not the place for such displays of affection.
He smiled, then came over to her side of the desk. "Who's the lucky guy, Benson?" He asked as he bent down to smell one of the flowers.
"Just a secret admirer. No one you know," she replied coyly.
"He has good taste in flowers. Must know a lot about you," he said.
"Yeah, he knows everything there is to know," she said. She took the small card and tucked it into her purse. She didn't need that falling into the wrong hands.
"Come on, let's get back to work. I'd like to be able to go home sometime today," Olivia said.
The rest of their day was pretty uneventful. By six o'clock, they had managed to finish all of the paperwork that was due and even got a jump on some of the stuff they did not need until the following week. The captain had been pretty impressed by the efforts and called them into his office.
"Benson, Stabler, have a seat," Captain Cragen said as he put his hands into his pocket.
"You two did a great job with the Ski Mask case. It was unfortunate that so many girls were hurt before we could stop them, but it was because of your efforts we apprehended them before they could get the rest of the girls on their list. Because of the great work you did, I'm going to give you two Monday off as a day to rest and recharge your batteries after such a stressful week. Enjoy."
"Thanks, Cap. You really didn't have to do that though. It's part of the job," Elliot said.
"Well, there is another reason that I'm giving you two Monday off," he said.
Olivia and Elliot exchanged worried glances. "Regardless of what you two might think, I know everything that goes on in my stationhouse. I know what you two have been up to," Captain Cragen said.
"Sir, I'm not going to say I'm sorry for..." the Captain cut Elliot off before he could finish.
"I'm not going to make a big deal about your relationship as long as it doesn't affect your work. I know that fraternization is forbidden, but you two have been carrying this on for a while from what I've seen and very little has changed," Cragen said.
"Thank you, Captain," Olivia said, embarrassed about the whole thing.
"Don't thank me yet, Olivia. There are few rules that I'm going to impose. First, the whole thing must stay out of the office. Don't ask, don't tell is what I'm going for here. Second, you two cannot show up to work late and together all the time. Occasionally is one thing, but I've caught it twice this week already. And last, as I've already said, your work cannot suffer in the least. Do I make myself clear?" the Captain said.
"Yes sir," they replied in unison.
"Good. Now enjoy your long weekend," he said.
They turned to leave the office, when Cragen called to Elliot. He turned just in time to see the Captain wink at him, then smile. Elliot smiled back and shut the door behind him.
"What am I going to do with those two?" Cragen mused to himself.
***********************************************************************
The Mall
7:37 PM
"How could I be so stupid to forget Valentine's Day?" Olivia scolded herself for the umpteenth time. She quickly went from store to store searching for the perfect gift for Elliot.
"I think I'd have an easier time find a needle in a haystack," she mused. She looked around at all of the other shoppers who were all doing the same thing she was—last minute Valentines' shopping. "At least I'm not the only one who forgot," she mumbled to no one in particular.
After making her way around the mall twice, she finally decided to get him the DVD/VCR he'd mentioned he wanted a while back. Olivia purchased the player and was about to leave the mall when a small store in the corner caught her eye. It was Victoria's Secret. She had never really shopped for seductive lingerie before and thought it might be interesting to go in a see what they had this year.
She perused the store for a bit when she came across a strapless, back lace teddy with a matching thong. "Hmmm...this seems interesting. I think Elliot wouldn't object if I modeled for him," she thought. After locating the correct size, she bought her lingerie and headed home.
This was sure going to be the most memorable Valentines' Day yet. Especially when she finds out what Elliot has in store for her.
***End Chapter 7