CHAPTER FOUR: Olivia Benson's POV

ROAD TRIP

Cragen called both Elliot and me early this morning to tell us that the only thing we needed to pack was what we would need for the drive across the country. I thought he was joking when he told us we would be driving across the country to CSI headquarters in Las Vegas. Supposedly taking an airplane was too risky because that way we would have to go as Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler, not the new identities we could easily travel by on the road.

The only information we knew was that we would be working as husband and wife and that we were very rich and would be living next to the Drakes. Being Elliot's "wife" made me more than nervous. I didn't know how to be a wife, hell I wasn't even good at getting to second dates. So far going undercover looked like it was going to be a living hell. The whole wife situation wasn't the least of my problems; I was going to be their new neighbors, which meant I was first in line to be the next victim.

I sighed heavily as I zippered the last compartment of my suitcase, listening to the clock in my kitchen tick loudly. For the next three days, Elliot and I would be living, breathing, and sleeping in a travel camper fit for a family of at least five. My watch displayed that it was 10:30 AM, just a little over an hour until Elliot came to pick me up.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a slim figure standing in the doorway.

"Hey Kris… what's up?" I finished closing my bag and plopped down tiredly on the comforter.

"Watching you pack. You sure do wait until the last minute to pack now don't you? I had my bags packed weeks ago." The sarcasism in her voice made me smile.

"Sure ya did kid… so… you have fun in Athens ok? And be safe…" Kristin's flight to Greece was scheduled to leave the day after tomorrow around 4:30. Out of 40,000 gymnasts competing in the Junior Elite level, she was the first picked and would be the only one competing in all four rotations in the team competition, as well as all four in the individual competition.

The first week was just to get adjusted to the Greek equipment and learn about the Junior Olympic scoring standards. Then the next five days would be the actual Junior Olympic competition. Her coach said that the Junior USA team was favored to win and it was very likely that Kristin would return with six medals.

Watching her took my mind off work and some of the more gruesome cases; her grace and flexibility never ceased to amaze me.

"Mom the coaches will be with us twenty-four/seven and besides… I've been practicing that left hook you taught me." She pulled her fingers into a fist and thrusted her hand at my face, coming within inches of hitting me.

"Whoa slow down tiger…" We smiled at each other knowing that that smile could be the last ones we shared in awhile.

"Kris… do me a favor… don't give Casey a hard time ok? Just eat what she cooks and take your medicine when you're supposed to."

"Mom, I know the drill… you've already told me about a hundred times."

For a few moments we just looked at each other, but we ended up holding each other in a rather long embrace.

"I love you more than coffee Kris…"

"Yeah… I highly doubt that…"

I smiled, "You're probably right… I'd choose an Irish Crème Cappuccino over you any day."

"Thaaaaanks…" our bond was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"You expecting someone?" she asked, getting up to answer the door.

"No… it's only 11:15… Elliot's not getting here until 12… why? Are you expecting someone?"

"No… let me get it mum… hello?"

A series of muffled noises escaped from both Kristin and the unknown person, as they conversed, their words inaudible to me though I was only at the end of the hall.

"Mum! Prince Charming's here!"

Elliot… every time I saw him it sent butterflies to my stomach like a little school girl ashamed to say she had a crush on someone. Quickly, I glanced in the mirror, and then ventured out to the living room where he was most likely sitting and waiting for me. As I made my way down the hall, I saw Kristin go back into her room. Elliot was sitting on the couch, the heels of his hands supporting the weight of his head. A New York Yankees Martinez jersey and a boot cut pair of jeans hugged his body, showing off his stomach muscles.

"Hey stranger," I whispered seductively, floating into the room like I was on high heels.

"Hey…" his eyes followed down the curves of my body, "sorry I'm early, Cragen wanted us to come by and get our files since somebody forgot them!" he smiled, showing only his top teeth, making me smile back. His eyes were so intense that I had to look away and find something else to stare at.

His shirt became my new point of interest and I had to hold back the urge to run my fingers along his muscles as well. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to wait very long. In a matter of seconds his lips where on mine and his arms found their way around my hips to the small of my back.

The intensity of the kiss was so great that I began to feel my back arching back slightly, as if I was doing a Waltz pose. My fingers traced up around his neck and played with the short pieces of his brown hair.

"What was that for?" I murmured onto his lips.

"Just for being you," he replied, a wide smile spread across his face.

From what seemed like nowhere, a quick bright snap of white light filled our faces. We knew that it could only be the flash of Kristin's Fujifilm Digital Camera, but what were we supposed to do?

For a few silent moments I tried to think of something intelligent to say, but nothing came to mind.

"Hun… you're worse than the paparazzi, you know that?" I said, a playful smile curling around the corners of my mouth.

"Think of it this way mum… now I have something to look at and remember you by before it's my turn to do my routines." Something about Kristin just glowed whenever I was with Elliot and her heavy British accent seemed sweeter and livelier.

"It's already 11:30, so we should leave now so we won't be late. You do have all your stuff packed right Liv?" he teased.

"Yes Dad… gosh… give me a little credit now will you!"

"I guess I'll see ya as soon as I can… please by careful mum…" her bright green eyes seemed to suddenly get grayer, realizing that the time had finally come for us to go our separate ways.

"I'll call ya as soon as the competition's over ok Kris?"

"Yeah… don't forget, a week from today on ESPN from one till four PM. That's the coverage of the team round. The next four days from one to two are the individuals…"

"I won't forget Kris… I'll tape it I promise," I gave her a quick hug and she whispered an almost silent 'goodbye.' I could tell that she was afraid to be on her own, but she's a Benson after all and I knew she'd be just fine.

By 2 PM, we had swung by the precinct to pick up the files I stupidly left behind and Cragen drove us to where our camper was parked. Casey, Munch and Fin were there to shake our hands and wish us luck. Casey and I hugged and I promised her we would go clubbing the second I got back, which made a smile spread across her sad face.

The rest of the squad looked at us inquizzidly, wondering what little secret we had shared. No one knew about out addiction to hip hop and blaring music, hell they all thought we both hated dancing and that alone could make us smile.

Munch and Fin, who Elliot and I always considered like brothers, had warned me to "not let things get out of control." I responded by saying "Don't worry; we'll have this case wrapped up in no time."

Before we got in the camper and put our bags in the vehicle, Munch shouted, "We weren't talking about the case, we were talking about Elliot!" I turned to face them and gave them a small smile and a quick wink before waving goodbye.

Elliot threw our bags on the sofa and climbed into the driver's seat as I joined him on the passenger side, holding our case files in my hand. With a simple turn of the key, we were off.

"Las Vegas here we come!" I shouted out the window as we drove further and further away until I couldn't see the precinct any longer.

DAY 1 New York City- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We drove for two hours and forty-five minutes after leaving the station house before finally reaching Pennsylvania. It would take about three to four hours until we reached Pittsburgh on the other side of the state.

It was almost five which meant that either I would have to cook dinner or we were going to switch drivers and he would make dinner. I knew how Elliot was with cars, which proved that there was a ninety percent chance that I would have to make dinner. Hopefully watching the Food Network with Kristin would help because we both knew I was a horrible cook.

"Well we're finally out of New York…" Elliot sighed.

"Yeah only what… twenty states to go?" I collapsed into the seat exhausted already from only about three hours of traveling.

"Why don't you take a nap or something before dinner?" Elliot asked.

"Ok…" I rolled over in my seat and reclined as far back as I could.

"Liv… Olivia…"

"What?"

"You can sleep on the bed… or the couch…"

"Oh right… good night for now…"

"Good night babe…"

I found my way back to the master bedroom and crawled under the sheets that were tightly tucked in. Curling up in a ball, I quickly fell asleep.

I climbed out of bed what seemed like fifteen minutes later. Initially, I wanted to sleep longer, but screeching car horns and angry drivers screaming at each other was way too loud to sleep through.

"What time is it?" I mumbled wearily, the after affects from a non peaceful sleep clearly displayed on my face and in my voice.

"Hey you! I was wondering when you were gonna make my dinner!" I scowled at him and once again took the passenger seat.

"What's with all the traffic?"

"We're just outside Harrisburg, so there's more cars… by the way it's 7:30…"

"7:30 already! Ugh! Let me make dinner, you must be starving! How could you let me sleep that long! What do you want to eat? I hope Cragen stacked this thing with enough food! Because I don't want to have to…"

"Olivia!" Elliot turned around to face me putting on the brakes at the red light. "Calm down! This is supposed to be relaxing! We're making good time so we'll stop in Pittsburgh in about an hour… can dinner wait until then?"

I sighed, "Yeah… that's great… I'm sorry…"

"I know… now go back to sleep…" he faced the wheel once again and stepped on the pedal. For a few minutes I just stood in the middle of the forest green furnished living room, watching Elliot's hands glide along the wheel as he took a sharp right, finally getting out of the deadlock and onto a back road.

It hit me that I wasn't dreaming anymore. I was going to be Eliot's wife for at least two weeks; maybe longer it all depends on what happens. Quietly, I walked up next to him and gingerly sat down and crossed my legs on the arm rest of his beige leather seat with a black stripe down the middle.

"Why don't you let me drive for a little… I'll wake you up when we get to Pittsburgh… ok hunnie?" he responded by carefully taking my hands and placing them on the wheel. I stood up so he could get around me and get to the sofa or bed, but he didn't move.

"El?" he looked up at me when we came to another stop light, anticipation dancing in his sparkling blue eyes.

Passionately, his hands found their way around my waist, his fingers massaging the bare skin on my back. They found their way around to may stomach. His touch was so electrifying that my entire body relaxed as his hands caressed my soft tanned skin.

I sat down in his lap, sinking into his rock hard thigh muscles. His fingertips continued tracing back and forth around my naval; it felt good… really good. He could tell I had been working out more because my stomach was void of even an once of fat.

The smile he slipped me added to the whole experience. He touched me like I was a fragile, precious gem that could break at any second. This new feeling was so incredibly amazing that I found it hard to ignore the fact that at the moment I was feeling like I wanted more.

We had been dating since February, but we never made love which, surprised many people. It wasn't because that moment just never came… something inside me was afraid he was just like every other man, who left you and when you woke up the next morning they were gone.

I drove like this for at least fifteen minutes, until Elliot finally fell asleep. He was afraid that I was going to get lost, but I did have a GPS on my side, so I knew I would be ok.

"El… El wake up," I shook him lightly trying to wake him. "We're in Pittsburgh… El… Elliot? Ok then… you're asking for it now…" I fished around in the glove compartment for my thirty-five millimeter and flashed a priceless picture of Elliot sleeping.

"Olivia Benson!" he croaked, blinking his eyes several times so they could adjust to the dark.

"You looked so cute… I couldn't resist… listen I'll burn it if you want me to…" If there was anything Elliot hated it was being photographed, especially when he was sleeping.

"Olivia… I told you how much I hate that!"

"I know…" Elliot wasn't just joking around… he actually looked and sounded pissed off. What had I gotten myself into?

"El… will you forgive me…?" his furriated brow suddenly relaxed when he locked into my slightly misted eyes.

"I'll make a deal with you Benson…"

"I have the feeling I'm not going to like this Stabler…"

"I'll let you keep that picture if you sleep with me tonight…"

"Sleep… with you?"

"Not like that Liv… I just want to hold you… it's been along time since you let me do that…"

My heart wanted to lie next to him for the rest of my life, and yet my brain screamed that he was a man which meant he would do what every man did… walk away.

"Liv? Olivia?" he appeared hurt. He probably felt like I didn't love him enough to share my bed with him.

Damn it Olivia Benson don't give in! I should to myself. "Only if you help me make dinner… deal?"

"Yeah… of course…" he placed a sloppy kiss on my cheek; it was the kind of kiss that you would blow on a baby's stomach and it made weird noises.

"Elliot! That's gross!" I took his strong hand and followed him into the kitchen that had enough space for at least four people to move around at once. It had marble counters with a thin green tile border around the outside that matched the color of the living room. Cragen really went all out on this one, I couldn't believe how big and ornate the trailer was.

"I think I saw some pasta noodles in the pantry…" I opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a can of Ragu tomato sauce.

"Here Liv…" he handed me a pan for the sauce and a pot for the pasta.

"Thanks… Elliot?"

"Yes babe, what is it?"

"Meat or Alfredo sauce?"

"Hmm… how about Alfredo?"

"Ok… can you just watch this and put the noodles in then?"

"Liv, pasta's my specialty remember?"

"Yeah whatever you say Elliot, I'm gonna go get the files. Be right back!" I said in a sing song voice.

I disappeared into the striped bedroom and opened a small handbag that I had placed the two files; one containing evidence about the case and the other about our new lives as Mr. and Mrs. Schwimmer.

I glanced over at the mirror and fixed my hair noticing something in the reflection. Slowly, I turned around to where the little card and rectangular box sat. The front of the envelope read, "For my Olivia." I was tempted to open it, but decided to wait until Elliot wanted me to.

I joined him in the kitchen and saw that he was draining the water out with a strainer.

"Looks great! Here let me help you with that sauce… I think it's ready…" I picked up the wooden spoon and licked a small sample of it.

"Is it good?" I nodded. "Let me have some!"

I raised the spoon to his lips and he too sampled the sauce replying "Mmm…" he swiped some on his finger and slyly smiled at me. I squealed as he chased me into the living room.

We fell over the couch and the sauce landed just to the right of my chin and along my neck. I landed dangling awkwardly, my head inches from the floor. Elliot used his hand to support his weight from collapsing down on top of me.

"Liv, you got a little sauce right here…" he bent down to kiss me starting by sweetly pecking along my jaw line. Eventually he made his way down to my neck, leaving little hickey marks as he attempted to get it all off.

"El… Elliot…" I moaned lightly.

"Yes?"

I sat up turning my body so I could lie down comfortably. I looked down at my white v-neck halter top and then into his eyes.

"What is it Liv?"

"You missed a spot…" I whispered, noticing a small cream spot only an inch or two above where the v came to a point. He looked at me, making sure he heard what the thought he did. Lately I had been sort of closed, and not wanting him to be close to me, we both knew it. The only thing I could do was gaze into his eyes.

Right there, despite all the doubt I was feeling about him being like every other man, at that one moment I felt more beautiful than I ever had in my life. He gave my tiny, delicate kisses along my plunging neckline before he reached the glob of Alfredo.

My mind had no idea what to do, so my body took over by pure instinct. Gracefully, (or at least I hoped it was gracefully) I arched my back like Julia Roberts did in that one Pretty Woman scene. A rush of adrenaline pumped through my veins sending butterflies to my stomach, and yet, I felt totally weightless. Just as I began to feel lust twinkling in my eyes, the timer went off.

The two of us looked at each other for a moment then I groaned turning off the timer and setting the table. I poured the Alfredo sauce into the pasta and stirred them together. Using the biggest spoon I could find, I dished the noodles out on the two plates, making sure that Elliot's was larger.

I walked out to the living room, where Elliot was still sitting on the couch looking almost stunned.

"Do you want to eat out here?" I asked sitting down next to him and handing him a plate, a fork and a spoon.

"Olivia…"

"Yes El?"

"Do you l…"

"Yes… yes I do…"

"You don't even know what I was going to say!"

"Yes I do…" he sighed placing a kiss on my right temple. We finished our dinner in an incredibly awkward silence.

"I think I'm gonna go to bed ok?" he whispered to me as he finished his dinner.

"Yeah… good night El…"

"G'night beautiful…" he gently kissed my lips and went into the bedroom. I sat there finishing my pasta, quietly thinking about what could have happened if it weren't for that damn timer.

My watch displayed 9:35 PM, which for us was really early, but I too was feeling wiped out. I put my plate in the sink and turned the other lights off so the whole trailer was dark. I mysteriously slipped into the bedroom, shedding my shirt and pants. In the moonlight I searched for a pair of pajama pants to wear. Ten minutes later, I found a pair in the bottom of my suitcase and pulled them up over my underwear and took a deep breath trying to reassure myself that it would be ok to sleep with him.

It's ok Olivia… he'll be there when you wake up… he won't leave you… he won't walk away… he loves you doesn't he?

I climbed into the other side of the bed, turning so I faced Elliot. "I love you so much…" I kissed his lips careful not to make him stir. I twisted away from him once again and allowed my eyelids to close.

I don't know if he was sleeping or awake, but I remember he wrapped an arm protectively around my waist and pulled me close to him.

"G'night Elliot Stabler…"

Day 2 Pittsburgh, PA – Columbus, OH – Indianapolis, IN -

Chicago, IL

I woke up to discover that my most dreaded nightmare had indeed come true. When I woke up, it wasn't in Elliot's arms, but alone in a bed made for two. Tears began to collect in my eyes.

How could he just leave me here?

"El, Elliot?" I called out to what felt like only empty space. "Elliot?" I said again, hating how my voice trembled.

After two minutes of waiting, I realized that he wasn't coming and sank back into the covers feeling terribly used. Reluctantly, I allowed my tears to flow freely from my brown eyes.

The door opened slowly, but I figured that I had only imagined it which made me cry more.

"Olivia?" I looked up at Elliot with red puffy eyes.

In his right hand he had a plate full of bacon, eggs and toast and in the left was a glass of orange juice and the two case files we were going to review the night before. He set them down gingerly on the nightstand and crawled up the bed to get to me. He pulled the sheets up around himself and pulled my body into his lap. I cried harder and he placed a comforting hand behind my head and brought it down into his chest.

"Shh… Liv… Olivia, it's ok…"

"I'm sorry I must look really stupid crying like this…"

"What's wrong?"

"I thought you were like any other guy and just well… left me here…"

"Olivia, not all men do that, especially to the woman they love…" I knew his words were true because he looked at me when he said them, not at my black bra that I had fallen asleep in.

I let out a heavy sigh into his chest and reached for the file marked Mr. and Mrs. Schwimmer.

"Ready to do this?" I asked, attached to his blue eyes that were clouded because he realized that he had made me cry.

"Yeah… let's find out what ridiculous stuff we have to do now…" Elliot smiled and held me closer until I returned his grin.

"Ok… Mrs. Olivia Schwimmer… thirty years old… thirty years old! They made me older!"

Elliot chuckled, "Whatever you say Liv…"

"Ok what else… what… WHAT!"

"Now what?"

"I'm a housewife…" we exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

"You! A housewife!"

"Hey! I can be a housewife! A pretty damn sexy one too!"

"Well… can't disagree with that now can I?"

I smiled and rolled my eyes, "Ok… I was raised in Boston and went to Duke Law School, but had to drop out because my family went basically bankrupt. That's when I met you… my friend Casey took me on a trip to NYC where I ran into you on a boat cruise and you asked me out…"

"Interesting… a boat cruise eh?"

"I know how corny…"

He smiled, "Ok… and let's see… I'm Elliot Schwimmer, thirty-three years old and made a lot of money in real estate. When my parents died I also received their stocks, which I made millions off of. And well… I guess that's it?"

"What about hobbies? I mean if the Drakes throw us a party, which will most likely happen, we need to have something to talk about…"

"Yeah… hmm… I'll be the big golfer and poker player… you can be… I dunno what do rich people like to do? Hmm… you can be a shopaholic?"

"Very funny! But that does work for Las Vegas… and what about Ballroom Dancing?"

"You don't dance Liv… remember?"

Oh shit… "I, uh, I could learn…"

"Right…"