title: Next of Kin
author: SVUFanatic611
rating: PG
a/n: alright, this chapter had some E/O in it. This chapter is dedicated to all my reviewers. You da best!
disclaimer: SVU and its associated characters are not mine.
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"Oh my god…oh my god…what have I done? What did we just do?" Olivia said, scolding herself inside.
"I believe we just kissed." Elliot responded, still not believing that he had given into his impulses.
"Yeah…but…we…you…weren't…NO!"
"Olivia, calm down."
"You expect me to calm down? I just kissed my partner!"
"Wait a minute, just a couple days ago, you said you wouldn't mind going on a date with me."
"Dating is one thing El', but…I just don't know If we're ready for this. We can't do this yet; we can't just jump in…not now."
"I don't know what to say, Olivia."
"Do you care about me, Elliot? I mean really care about me?"
"Yes, you know that."
"Just tell me that you understand and that we'll do this when we're ready; we'll ease into it."
"Olivia."
"Yeah?"
He took her hands in his and looked her straight in the dark, chocolate eyes of hers. "I understand. We'll do this when we're ready…we'll ease into it."
"Thank you…come here." They took each other in their arms and hugged each other for what seemed like eternity.
"'Liv, it's been an eventful day, let alone evening. I think I better go; take the kids home."
"Alright. Listen, Elliot, did that kiss change 'us'?"
"What do you mean by 'us'?"
" 'Us'…our friendship, our partnership, our synchrony…ya know, 'us'."
"Olivia, we've been through a lot over the past six years. Nothing, I repeat, nothing, will ever change that."
"Good, because I don't know if I can handle more change."
Elliot and his kids went home, leaving Olivia on the balcony. "I still can't believe I did that." she said aloud to herself.
"Did what?" Corrine said, playing dumb while stepping out onto the balcony.
"Nothing. Corrine, I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."
"Alright. Dinner was great by the way."
"Thanks." Olivia still couldn't believe what had happened between her and Elliot, but happy in the way that she had dealt with it.
Olivia and Corrine made their way inside. Olivia went to take a shower and Corrine stayed it the living room to watch TV. When Corrine sat down, she noticed some case files on the table in front of her. She took a quick glance to see if Olivia was in the shower and then her curiosity got the best of her. She took a look inside the top case file and all the information inside was all too familiar. It was her father's case. Before she had any real time to react, Olivia came into the room.
"Hey, Corrine, do you know where the shamp…" Olivia noticed Corrine looking at her case files. "Why are you looking at my file?"
"Your file?! If anything, this is my case! Would you mind telling me why you have this?!"
"Corrine, calm down. I was just…"
"Just what? Huh, Olivia? What were you just doing? Please answer me. Why do you have this?"
"I was trying to get somewhere with it."
"Olivia, I can't believe you did this. This is very dangerous territory. I don't want you to get hurt!"
"Need I remind you that I am a grown woman; a grown detective completely capable of handling myself?"
"No, but do I need to remind you that my father went to the same Academy you did; took the same courses? He thought he could handle himself, too, and look what happened to him?!" Tears were starting to stream down her face. The person she cared about most was killed by these people; taken away from her forever. She couldn't stand to see that happen to the only other person she cared about.
"I was just trying to help."
"How? By getting yourself hurt, maybe killed, by these people? Do you realize that that they will hunt anyone down that poses a threat, including you? If you continue on this case, you will get hurt and that won't help." Corrine was close to sobbing.
"Corrine…"
"Forget it. I need to take a walk." She started to walk out the door.
"It's almost midnight."
"I'll be back soon."