Help Me Help You
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Author: Purity85
Summary: Takes place a few months after "Weak" as if Elliot has basically frozen Olivia out of his personal life. He thinks he can't talk to her about his divorce because he blames her and because he wants to be with her as more than a friend or a partner if you get my drift. Things get more complicated when they have to go undercover. Thoughts are in italics.
Author's Note: I have never worked in a strip club. I've only been in a strip club once, so I apologize for any inaccuracies.
Part Eight
Elliot actually felt his heart drop into his stomach as her words crushed him. He couldn't find the words to say everything he wanted to say to her, all that came out was, "You've got to be kidding me, Liv."
She rolled her eyes and looked away from him knowing he'd be able to see through her. "I don't want to jeopardize this case or our friendship, this can't happen."
"Look at me Olivia." Elliot sighed with a slight hint of desperation in his voice. She complied reluctantly and he saw something in her eyes that restored his hopes. "We don't even know what this is yet, but we owe it to ourselves to give it a chance. You can't honestly tell me you don't want to give it a try." He tried to convince her lightly cupping the side of her face.
She leaned in to his hand and closed her eyes so that his couldn't burn them anymore. She hated that he could read her so well sometimes. "We can't do this right now. We need to concentrate on the case." She opened her eyes and took his hand from her face and held in both of hers. "How about this? We will let whatever happens happen, but we won't discuss the issues of our relationship until after we've closed this case."
"Does that mean we can finish that kiss know?" Elliot asked with a wink.
She leaned forward and gave him a soft chaste kiss on the lips. Then she pulled back and looked in his lust-filled eyes. "Not tonight El. If I have to dance naked in front of a bunch of men tomorrow I need my beauty sleep tonight. Go home."
"Tease." Elliot growled through gritted teeth as he stood up uncomfortably from the couch. "Tomorrow will you do me a favor?"
"I'm not sure, what is it?" Olivia asked cautiously walking towards him as he stood by the door to her apartment door.
He reached out a touched her hip lightly with his finger tips and leaned close to her, "Please try not to look too sexy tomorrow and don't be alone with any guys besides me."
She smiled at him. "Agreed Stabler, but you've got to promise me you'll do the same."
He stole a quick kiss glad that he felt comfortable in doing so and laughed, "Agreed Benson, we'll both try not to look to sexy and we'll stay away from the guys."
She glared at him, "You stay away from the girls."
"Oh… that makes more since, I guess." He said and then he stopped touching her knowing that he had to leave soon. "So I assume that we tell anyone who asks that we slept together tonight, right?"
She opened the door to usher him out, "I don't think so. We'll just tell them you drove me home for now, we can 'sleep together' some other night." She said using air quotes.
"Okay… so you don't want me to come pick you up?" Elliot asked taking one step out the door.
"We should probably just meet there." Olivia said putting her hand on his chest to push him out the door. "I'll see you tomorrow Elliot."
"See you tomorrow Olivia." He said reluctantly turning and walking away from Olivia's apartment.
The Next Night 7:00pm
Elliot had on a tight, dark blue t-shirt and worn jeans behind the bar. He was feeling very jealous as Olivia appeared on the stage wearing a lot less than he was. There were a lot more men in the room than there had been the night before and all eyes were on Olivia. She was wearing the same boots as the night before, a white men's button down shirt, a black fedora, and a very short black skirt. She was dancing to Ciara's "Looking At You".
So nice to meet ya
Cause everything about you
Says you're my type and I love it
So good to see ya
Cause everything about you says you're right
He couldn't help but smile as she blew him a kiss from the stage before taking a spin on the poll. The only thing that bother him about the intimate gesture was that about twenty other men in the room thought it was meant for them.
And I like it
I can't take my eyes off you
Oh boy got me thinking
What I might do if we leave
Leave here together
Oh, homie you're so fine
And you're on my mind
Olivia shook her hips wildly to the music as she unbuttoned the shirt she was wearing to the tune revealing a black lace bra.
I ain't gonna lie, you're kinda hot
You got my attention and it takes a lot
Baby you turn me on
I'm not gonna let ya lone
Elliot found himself still mesmerized with her as she stared into his eyes as she danced and removed more and more clothing. He knew that she was zoning out pretending she was only dancing for him. He smiled at the idea of another private dance from her. He hoped that the next private dance would be much more private.
All I want to do
Is to get to know you better
I'm a ghetto girl that can do whatever
Baby say it's all good
C'mon now, wish you would
Olivia dropped her skirt and did a few belly rolls in her underwear and matching bra. She was staring at Elliot desperately wishing that the two of them could be alone right now.
I'm looking at you
Me and my girls
And your homeboys too
I can dig that cause I'm into you
So act like you hear me
Cause I'm hollerin' at you
So c'mon baby
A guy was coming closer to the stage and Olivia didn't think much of it, she figured he was just going to leave her a tip. She didn't know what to do when the guy climbed on to the stage.
I'm looking at you
Me and my girls
He rushed over to her and grabbed her around the waist and started to fondle her as the DJ cut off the music. It took everything Olivia had not to beat the crap out of him knowing it would blow her cover. But she knew that with Elliot it in the room she wouldn't have to wait long. She was right as she saw Elliot jump over the bar and rush to her aid. He jumped on the stage pulled the guy off of Olivia and punched him in the face. Soon he was met by Steven and the Viking who dragged the guy off stage. Elliot picked up the men's shirt and handed it to Olivia as he rushed her off the stage. "Are you all right?" He asked smoothing his hands over the sides of her face and kissing her forehead tenderly.
She smiled at him and nodded, "I'm better now." Then she leaned in close and whispered, "I hated not being able to fight that guy."
He laughed and whispered back, "I know."
"You should go back to the bar Rick." She said getting back into character and pushing him away.
He nodded. "I'll see you later tonight?" He asked as he walked away.
"Most likely." She said with a sly smile as she walked back in to the dressing room.
There was a petite red headed girl sitting on one of the vanities and she looked at Olivia, "You okay over there Cherry-girl?"
Olivia smiled and nodded, "I'm fine I just can't believe that they would let something like this happen." Olivia said trying to use her current situation to siphon information out of the other girl.
"If you think that's bad you should just be happy that none of the guys that work here were involved." The younger girl said bitterly.
"What do you mean?" Olivia asked sitting down next to the other girl.
"These guys here don't know how to treat a lady. Once one of them gets a hold of us, they like to pass us around." The girl said pushing her hair out of her face revealing a bruise that extended from her temple underneath her hair.
Olivia jumped to look the injury over once it was revealed. "Did they do this to you?" She asked concerned.
The young girl nodded. "But I'm just lucky that what happened to Katie didn't happen to me." She said looking at Olivia like the older woman was her salvation.
"Excuse me!" Ivory screeched from the doorway of the dressing room, "I hate to interrupt this gossip session but Sammy ain't paying ya'll to sit around."
The younger girl pushed her hair back into the style that it had before to cover her bruises and rushed out on to the floor.
Olivia looked at Ivory, "She had a really bad bruise on her face."
Ivory rolled her eyes, "Yeah and you might get on too if you're not back out there in five minutes." And with that the other woman turned and left the room.
Olivia knew now who she needed to talk to and what needed to be done in order to figure out the rest of the case. She changed into an outfit for working the floor and went back out there. She was filled with happiness after the rude run-in with Ivory to see Elliot's blue eyes shimmering at her from across the room.
11:30pm
"I'm out of here. I'll see ya'll tomorrow." Elliot said to the two bouncers, Sammy, and Ivory who were sitting around. He saw Olivia sitting near Ivory and extended his hand. "You coming Cherry?"
She nodded and pulled Elliot arm around her, "Night." She said to the group rushing Elliot to the car.
Once they were safely inside the car Olivia leaned over and kissed her partner softly on the side of his mouth.
He looked at her puzzled and said, "I don't think they're watching us."
"I know." She said with a smile taking his hand in hers and kissing his fingertips. "That was just to thank you for saving me earlier."
He rolled his eyes, "You could've saved yourself, you didn't need me."
"And you didn't need to jump the bar to come save me but you did and that was your thank you." She explained.
"Think I could get a little more thank you back at my place?" Elliot asked raising an eyebrow at his partner as he started to drive to the aforementioned destination.
She leaned in closer to him and said in a husky, sexy voice, "Let's go there and just see what happens."
He smiled from ear to ear unable to hold it in at that idea and could feel his fantasies slipping away as her cell phone rang.
"Benson." She answered after recognizing the number as Fin.
"Hey little miss strip club, Elliot with you?" Fin asked.
"Yes we just got off work." She explained.
"So did Munch and I why don't you two come meet us for dinner at that Chinese place down the block from the station?" Fin suggested and Olivia could hear John in the background begging them to come and entertain him since he'd been stuck with just Fin for so many days.
Elliot who could hear parts of the conversation through her turned up earpiece was mouthing to her to say no, but she ignored him unable to think of a reasonable excuse. She reluctantly said, "Sure we'll meet you there in twenty." She hung up the phone and looked at Elliot with big eyes, "Change of plans, Stabler."
He gritted his teeth and smiled, "Fine, but after this you owe me."
"What did you have in mind?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You'll see after dinner." He explained.
TO Be continued… please review. : )
