A/N: This is a slightly shorter chapter, the next should be longer as it will be the last! Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming! Also, I tried not too leave such an evil cliffhanger this time around, I know those can be rough! Oh yes, this chapter contains by far the most OE 'fluff' I guess you would call it. ;)
Disclaimer: If I owned SVU you would know, as Olivia and Elliot would already be together on the show and I wouldn't have to write wishful fan fictions!
Olivia hit the wall rather hard, her knee yelling in protest. She flopped over on her back, one arm twisted behind her. Samson grinned as he looked at her still form, leaning over her. He got down on his knees, slowly setting down the gun. He bent over her, tracing his grimy hands over her jaw. Suddenly her arm came out from behind her, smacking him across the head with the butt of her gun as hard as she could. He fell to the side, unconscious. Olivia quickly grabbed her cuffs and clipped them tightly on his hands. She then grabbed his gun and quickly emptied the bullets, then shoved it into her pocket.
She ran over to the door, kicking it as hard as she could with her good leg. It broke free and she hurried downstairs. Elliot looked up at her, a look of pure relief coming to his face. Olivia smiled at him and then bent over the victim, tossing her coat over the girl's bare legs. Elliot felt the girls hand drop from his and he looked at Olivia. "I've still got a pulse. I think she just passed out." Olivia said, holding onto the girl's wrist. "El… I know this is kind of an inconvenient time, but I just wanted you to know that I love you too."
"Really?" Elliot questioned, feeling a rush of emotion tingle up his spine.
"Really." She answered, smiling broadly.
The medics got there and quickly began to attend to the girl. Elliot and Olivia hurried upstairs and took Mr. Samson into custody. After he had been loaded into a car to be taken to the precinct, Elliot took Olivia in his arms, noticing the pain written across her face. "Are you okay?" he questioned gently.
"Yes, I am just out of shape." laughed Olivia, "But don't tell my doctors about this episode, they will have me on desk duty for the rest of my life!"
Fairly late that night they arrived back at Olivia's apartment, sopping wet from the chilly winter rain. "Oh… my… god…" exclaimed Elliot, shaking from the cold. He quickly yanked off his coat and shoes. Olivia grinned at him as she hung her coat up, snickering at his reaction.
"It's not that cold." She said, taking off her scarf and shoes.
"Yes it is." Answered Elliot, not hesitating as he removed his shirt.
Olivia caught herself staring and quickly turned away. She felt his hand on her arm and she looked up at him, flushing slightly. He smiled as he put a hand on the back of her neck and kissed her. She put her arms around him as he ran his hand through her wet hair. His hands then drifted down to her waist and pulled the ends of her shirt. She felt his fingers slowly unbuttoning it and finally pushing the wet fabric off her shoulders. Her own hands found his belt, fumbling slightly as she pulled it off. He suddenly picked up her legs and carried her across the hall, kicking open her bedroom door. He lay her gently down on the bed, crawling up and laying over her, holding himself up by his elbows. She looked up at him, her dark eyes full of passion. He kissed her again with intensity as she hooked her thumbs through the belt loops on his pants and pulled.
It was about midnight when the phone rang. "You have got to be kidding me." moaned Olivia, rolling over onto her side, Elliot kissing her neck as she did so.
"Elliot! Hold on, I have to get the phone!" exclaimed Olivia as he pulled her over to him, his hand stroking her bare belly. He was a bad listener as he simply proceeded with kissing her shoulder.
Olivia grinned but attempted to be calm while she answered, "Benson."
"Sorry to wake you up Olivia. Are you alright?" questioned Cragen, noticing how out of breath she seemed.
"Yes, I am fine. What's up?" she questioned doing her best to slow her breathing.
"Your victim just woke up from surgery. She wants to speak with you." Cragen said.
"We will be there as soon as we can." Olivia told him, hanging up the phone. "Our victim just got through surgery and we need to go and speak with her." She informed Elliot, wriggling out of his grasp.
Elliot sighed, running a hand through his hair and yawning. Then he flopped out of bed, yanking on some jeans and a sweater. Olivia put on some sweats and a long sleeve shirt and attempted to brush her hair. "Don't worry. You look beautiful." Elliot told her, walking up behind her and running a hand up her shirt.
"Thanks. But I don't want to scare our victim!" said Olivia, finishing brushing it out. As she turned around he pulled her hips towards him, pressing his lips to hers as he did so. "Elliot! I love you, but we have to get out of the apartment! We can finish later!" she exclaimed. Elliot looked slightly disappointed but followed her out the door.
Elliot walked into the victims room, finding her to be looking around the room with tired but very alive eyes. He smiled and said, "Hi Teresa. I am Detective Stabler."
"You saved me." She said, recognizing him instantly. Teresa looked up as Olivia stepped in. "Is that your wife?"
"That's my partner, Detective Benson." Elliot told her, and Olivia smiled broadly at the girl.
Teresa looked at Olivia approvingly and said, "She is so pretty. I heard her tell you she loved you."
Olivia flushed and said, "I thought you were unconscious."
"I was, mostly. But I heard you guys talking." Teresa said, looking between the two. "Thanks for coming in. I know you were probably busy, but I needed to tell you something."
"Oh we weren't busy at all, just sleeping." Elliot responded quickly as Olivia self consciously ran her hands through her still mussed hair. "What do you need to tell us sweetheart?"
"The man that had me… just before he shot me he said he had another girl, somewhere else…" as Teresa finished the story they looked at each other in shock.
Elliot and Olivia hurried out of Teresa's room, and were practically running down the hallway when a doctor grabbed Elliot's arm.
"Detective Stabler! I am Doctor Turnamin, Teresa's physician. I just wanted to tell you thanks. Another minute and she may have bled out. You saved her life." He said, shaking Elliot's hand.
"All in the line of duty." Elliot responded, and then he and Olivia politely excused themselves and sprinted to the car.
When Olivia and Elliot walked into work the next morning around nine, Munch and Fin immediately started their questioning. At about three in the morning Olivia and Elliot had found the second victim in an abandoned apartment and rushed her to the hospital. She had some severe bruising and trauma, but it looked like she was going to be okay. After a while their questioning died down and Olivia and Elliot set off to work. Olivia was exhausted, but quite thrilled with the night before. They had saved another victim, and well… She drifted off slightly, biting the end of her pen thoughtfully. Elliot looked up at her with a grin and she smiled broadly back, pen still in the corner of her mouth.
Munch sat back in his desk, a thoroughly disgusted look on his face. "You know, it never used to bother me when you two came into work tired and happy. However, at the moment, I must say I am somewhat disturbed."
"Shut up Munch. We got off of work at seven. We were called at midnight to the hospital." Elliot informed him.
Munch gagged and said, "Exactly, a five hour lapse."
"Seriously Munch! We didn't have time to do anything." exclaimed Olivia a little over zealously.
"What's on your neck Liv?" Munch suddenly asked, leaning forward.
Olivia's eyes widened and her hand clamped over the side of her neck.
"Hey, don't get worried. Just kidding! You didn't have time to do anything, remember?" Munch said, laughing hysterically.
Olivia scowled at him and went back to work. Around noon Elliot ran off to get some food for them and Olivia was searching around the file cabinet. Munch and Fin were watching her with interest and Fin whispered, "Do you really think they are finally sleeping together?"
"I have no doubt." Munch answered, "They have had the hots for each other a long time. They show it in subtle ways, sharing food, their pet names-"
Finn cut him off and said, "Oh give me a break Munch, Olivia could care less if we call her Liv. And I bet she would share her food with us, just the same as she does with Elliot."
Much rolled his eyes and said, "Try it. I dare you."
Fin got up and walked over to Olivia's desk. He pulled out a bag of chips and said, "Hey Liv, you want some chips? This is a really good kind."
Olivia looked up at him with a look of supreme disdain and said flatly, "No thanks. I am not hungry."
"Are you sure Liv?" Fin questioned, smiling very welcomingly.
"Please call me Olivia. And no, I don't want any." She snapped. Fin quickly raced back to his desk, stunned by his rejection.
"Told you." Munch said, "Now watch this."
Elliot had strolled back in , carrying some take out Chinese. "Hey Liv! How's it coming?"
"Great, El!" Olivia responded, smiling the smile that made all the males in the precinct just about pass out. Fin stared unbelievingly as Elliot unloaded the food and then they proceeded eating, every once in a while giving each other bites of their food. Elliot handed Olivia his fork and she ate the last bite off of it, giving it back to Elliot. He then scooped up the trash and walked over to a waste bin.
"Enough trash, El?" questioned Munch sincerely. Elliot looked over at him in disgust and walked by without saying a word.
Fin shook his head and whispered to Munch, "I can't believe I never noticed it."
Cragen stood quietly looking out the window of his office, watching as Olivia and Elliot exchanged remarks that left them both laughing. He doubted he had ever seen a pair with so much chemistry and talent. Thinking back on it, he thought it had been obvious. When he first put them together, Elliot was bitter and disillusioned, but still harbored great talent. Olivia had brought out the best in him, and Cragen knew that Elliot revered her in a way almost sinful for a married man. He had watched them grow as a unit, apprehending all manner of suspects, solving the most puzzling mysteries, and mastering double teamed interrogation tactics to a level he had never seen in all his years. Olivia was sympathetic and patient, checking Elliot's tendency to be temperamental. Cragen had watched them as they shared meals and coffee, trading off driving Elliot's car and staying late together when everyone else had gone. Once, the heat in the precinct had failed due to a blizzard the previous day, and the station was frigidly cold. Olivia had been stuck without a coat and Elliot had given her both his suit jacket and overcoat, insisting he would be fine. All of their antics were astoundingly adorable, even for someone as hardened as he. There was something special in the way they looked at one another and the gentle touches they gave to each other in simple gestures like taking the others hand when they needed to get somewhere fast. Recalling all of this made him hate what he had to do even more. He hated it beyond words, but he gathered up strength as he swung open the door. "Olivia, Elliot! In my office, now!" he called, and the two abruptly stopped laughing, looking up at him in shock.
"How's your knee?" Cragen asked Olivia as soon as she had stepped in the door.
"It's getting better." Olivia replied, feeling uneasy.
"Good. Well you get back to work, I need to talk to Elliot privately." Cragen told her flatly. Olivia glanced at Elliot, and a slight nod of his head gave her the silent approval. She hesitantly walked out, shutting the door softly behind her. "First of all, good work. I heard you saved that victims life." Cragen began and then paused as if he didn't want to day what came next. After a moment however, he began again quite firmly, "I have been hearing certain rumors about you and Detective Benson. Perhaps you would like to set them straight."
"What kind of rumors?" asked Elliot slowly, fairly certain he knew the answer.
"That you are having a relationship- and not one of partners. Specifically, that you are sleeping together." Cragen said, and Elliot looked away. "Answer me Detective. Is it true?"
Elliot looked up, defiance sparkling in his clear blue eyes. "Yes." He noticed Cragens lack of surprise and quickly supplemented, "But it won't interfere with our work. You have my word."
"Well, I wouldn't concern yourself about that." Cragen replied, leaning back into his chair.
"What do you mean?" asked Elliot, his eyes narrowing.
"I am transferring Olivia out of SVU. I offered her up to homicide this morning, they want another detective and were thrilled to hear she was available. However, the second the second the Bronx and Queens Homicide found out, they began to hound me to give her to them instead of the Manhattan branch."
"What? You are auctioning her off after all she's done for you?" Elliot spat, taking a menacing step forward.
"I am not auctioning her. I think it's best for her, not too mention the fact that relationships between partners are highly frowned upon. Can't you see it's hard on her, being on SVU with her past? Do you not care about your partner's welfare?" Cragen asked him, and quickly wished he had not said it.
"Do not ever accuse me of not caring for my partner! She is all I think about! And she is an outstanding cop. Everyone has trouble with SVU, but she wants to do it, as do I. For the victims. And if you transfer her, I am quitting! Olivia will remain my partner, or I am done." Elliot shouted, clenching his fists as they shook in anger.
"Elliot, I think you are overreacting…" Cragen started, but Elliot glared at him.
"So, are you still going to transfer her?" questioned Elliot.
"Yes." Cragen responded.
Elliot didn't say one word as he pulled his badge and gun from his belt, tossing them onto Cragen's desk. With that he turned and walked out.
Olivia was sitting at her desk and looked up instantly when Elliot came walking out. "El, what's going on?" she questioned, panic seeping into her voice as she noticed the absence of his badge and gun.
"They are transferring you into homicide! I am not going to work SVU without you!" Elliot exclaimed, and Olivia's jaw dropped. She got up and ran to Cragen's office.
"Captain, are you really transferring me?" she cried, hurrying to his desk.
"I am sorry Olivia." Cragen murmured. Olivia's eyes welled up with tears and Cragen added, "You know the rules. No partner relationships."
"Well, I won't ever forget SVU." Olivia said, and Cragen stood as Olivia yanked off badge and gun just as Elliot had done. She dropped them on top of Elliot's, a tear escaping down her cheek. As she walked out she paused in the doorway, "It was what I had always dreamed of doing. Helping people. I didn't fall in love with my partner to spite you or the NYPD, if that's what you are thinking. We were a team, and it just turned into something more. I am sorry. But you can tell homicide I am quitting."
Munch and Fin both stood as Olivia walked out, quite obviously crying. "Olivia, what's up?" Munch questioned gently.
"Cragen's kicking me out of SVU." Olivia said, wiping her eyes.
"Are you serious?" Fin screamed, looking utterly appalled. Olivia nodded and felt Elliot rest his hands on her shoulders. "You too, Elliot?"
"Yes. I am not going to let her take the heat for me." He said, squeezing Olivia's shoulders reassuringly.
Fin shook his head, "I can't believe that! It's horrible! What could you two possibly have done to merit this punishment?"
Olivia glanced at Elliot who sighed and told Fin, "We have been having a not just partners relationship. That's not allowed."
Munch and Fin both broke out into a series of cuss words and curses hearing that. "Sorry, but that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard."
"What is?" Casey Novak questioned as she walked into the precinct.
"Elliot and Olivia have gotten fired for having a relationship!" Munch told her, and Casey froze, looking quite taken back.
"Why? That is not fair! No one cares. It's not as though it wasn't obvious for years." Casey said matter of factly.
"And we tried so hard to hide it." muttered Elliot with a small grin.
"Ya, well, you failed." Casey informed him, "I will talk to Cragen. We have to be able to work something out."
With that the ADA marched off to Cragen's office. Fifteen minutes later she re-emerged, carrying a small bundle in her arms. "You guys owe me big. I have gifted you with one month to prove yourselves. Don't screw it up." She said with a grin, dropping two familiar badges and guns on their desks.