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: This is just a teaser chapter so it is very short.

Part Eight (or 7 and ½ really)

Olivia and Elliot pulled into a parking space near the restaurant where their friends were waiting. Olivia looked down at the tight jeans she had on and the exceptionally low cut tank top. She sighed and looked from her outfit to Elliot.

He smiled and pulled off his jean jacket, "Put this on." He said simply.

She was about to protest but then she thought about what Munch and Fin would say if they saw her in something that low cut. She pulled the jacket on and they walked inside. She smiled when she saw her co-workers, who were already eating. She sat down comfortably next to Fin and watched as Elliot sat down next to John. She could see in his eyes that he had wanted to sit by her as much as she had wanted to sit by him. I wonder what he's got planned for later. This is horrible, we spend all day undercover and now it just feels like we're undercover again because we're still hiding something.

"So… how's the case going?" Fin asked looking at Olivia and Elliot.

"We're pretty close to catching the guys." Olivia said smugly.

"We are?" Elliot asked his partner.

"Yeah I found a gossipy girl today who almost spilled the whole story. I should be able to get the rest out of her by the middle of the week." Olivia explained.

"Maybe I should try talking to her." Elliot suggested.

"I thought we agreed you'd stay away from the girls Stabler." Olivia let slip.

Fin laughed knowingly. "Sound a little jealous Liv. Something going on we should know about?"

She shook her head and Elliot came to their defense. "We both just agreed it would be easier and safer if I handled the men and Olivia handled the other strippers."

John raised an eyebrow and looked at Olivia over the top of his glasses. "Other strippers? I thought you were going to be a waitress."

"They needed a stripper." Olivia shrugged, and then she rather nonchalantly flagged down the waitress and ordered food for Elliot and herself.

"Every club 'needs' a stripper that looks like you." Fin laughed, he barely noticed Elliot's glare as he asked, "So you've been watching Liv dance naked for two days, how's that affecting your partnership?" He laughed.

Elliot looked at Olivia for a moment longer than his head told him he should've but he couldn't help it, she was as captivating now without the makeup and wearing his old jacket as she had ever been. He tore his eyes from her and looked at Fin, "It's not." He said simply.

Yeah, very convincing Elliot. Olivia mentally scolded him as she sighed. She smiled at Fin, "So what's been going on back at the station since we've been gone?"

Munch laughed at how obvious they were being, but shook it off to just being their usual flirtation. Then he proceeded to ramble on about the goings on at the station since the other two had started their case.

He talked and talked all the way to the fortune cookies, but Olivia and Elliot were both to engrossed in their own thoughts and fantasies to pay any attention. Munch finished up his latest theory by cracking open his fortune cookie and reading his fortune to his friends, "Dance like no one is watching."

Everyone laughed out loud at his misplaced fortune and the annoyed look on his face.

"I'm surprised it doesn't say that you are destined to bore people to death." Fin laughed opening his own fortune cookie. "You are a well of strength."

Olivia laughed nervously as she opened her own cookie. "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength."

Fin looked at her as if he was searching her face for something. "That's part of a quotation and it sounds as if you've got an admirer." He smiled mischievously and looked to Elliot, "What does yours say?"

Elliot rolled his eyes, cracked open his cookie, and read the slip of paper aloud, "Loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Fin's eyes got wide and he looked from Olivia to Elliot, "El… is that really what yours says?"

Elliot nodded raising an eyebrow at Fin's question.

"That's the other half of the quotation." Fin explained to them.

Olivia couldn't help but smile when she looked at Elliot and found his blue eyes already eyeing her. They shared a smile and a small moment to themselves even though they knew it wasn't the smartest time to do so.

Munch cleared his throat, "You two want us to leave you alone?"

Yes. Olivia and Elliot thought simultaneously. But Olivia broke their stare to turn to John. "I am getting a little tired. Like I said we should be ready for a bust by Wednesday, so we'll see you soon." She said trying not to sound to eager to leave.

Elliot dropped money on the table to cover his and Olivia's portions of the bill and stood from the table. "It was good to see you guys, nice to get back to reality." Elliot lied as he headed for the door.

Olivia smiled at her partner's retreating form and looked at the other two men. "We'll see you soon. Thanks for dinner." With that she rushed out after Elliot.

"I know you are the conspiracy theorist, but I think something is definitely going on between those two." Fin said to his partner.

"You're right; I just hope they aren't letting it get in the way of the case." Munch worried.

Fin shrugged, "There is one way we could be sure."

IN THE TRUCK

Olivia scolded her partner, "Did you have to rush out of their like that?"

"Yes. Excuse me for wanting to get to what you owe me sooner." Elliot said leaning over and stealing a kiss from his partner as they pulled up to a light.

TO Be Continued…

This is just a teaser chapter for the next one.

Coming Soon by popular demand a private dance, get those last minute song selections in ASAP. : ) Please continue to review.