Disclaimers: None of the SVU characters of mine, axcept for Michelle Mendicez. References to other shows are meant as a crossover, but nothing heavy. All songs used in this chapter are property of their owners, not me.
Author's Note: My apologies for the delay in Chapter Five. I have been a bit busy with some other things, mainly finishing up some other stories. However, here it is, and I hope that you enjoy it!
Elliot felt Olivia's hands clasp behind his neck, as they continued to dance. He closed his eyes, and sighed; the night had moved so much faster, and so much differently, than what he had expected. He had expected to bring his family to a big party, which felt good to him. Then, the devil entered his house in the form of his mother-in-law, making him frustrated and let down, as she had ruined his plans. He didn't really understand why the old crow couldn't just wait; they were going to visit her in the morning, anyway. Not wanting to make matters any worse than they already were, he left, and showed up here. Now, he was dancing with a beautiful woman, having fun, and just enjoying the night. He sighed, content with his moment of complete, uncompromised sanity.
"Something wrong, Elliot?" Olivia asked, looking up at her partner. It wasn't like him to sigh at all, let alone twice in a row, unless something was bothering him.
"No," Elliot answered, shaking his head. He smiled, and looked down at Olivia, considering to himself how funny it was that, even with heels on, she still managed to be so much shorter than him. "Nothing is wrong."
"Okay," Olivia nodded, the look on Elliot's face backing up a satisfactory answer to her question. She felt odd, though, dancing with a married man. The fact that he was her partner didn't ease the feeling much, but, she had been the one to ask him to dance, so it was her own fault. "What in the hell is wrong with me tonight?" she thought to herself, as she continued to move, swaying back and forth with the music. She didn't understand why she was feeling so jumbled, so guilty, as of late. However, the guilt was there, staring her in face, just the same.
Three weeks ago, Olivia had thought begun to think about what she would do if she weren't so bogged down with work. That lead her thoughts to something that she had been secretly considering for some time; a transfer out of SVU. That was where the guilt was coming from. She didn't want to leave the guys, or the line of work, but there was a part that she wouldn't miss. Olivia just wanted for the madness that each new case caused her to stop. Now, such a short time later, she didn't know what she wanted to do.
"Liv?" She heard her voice being called, and snapped back to the present. Looking up, she saw Elliot, his face plastered with what she was sure was an exact replica of the one that she had worn just a few moments before.
"Yeah?" she asked, trying to act like nothing was wrong.
"You gonna' let go of me, or do I need to get a crowbar?" Elliot smiled, and waited for Olivia's reaction. She looked totally baffeled, and then she turned bright red; the slow song had finished, most likely while she was thinking. There was a faster song on, now, and she still had her arms around Elliot. She detatched them, tightening her body as if she had just been touched with something unsanitery.
"Sorry," she mumbled, feeling like a complete idiot. Elliot just laughed.
"It's alright," he assured her. "Not a big deal." Olivia nodded, and started to make her way toward the table. Elliot followed her, and they both sat down. Almost everyone had come back to the table, except for Fin, who had been internally forced to visit the bathroom. Michelle and Brian had even joined the group, and everyone was catching up on whatever they could.
"Eh, Narcotics is alright," Brian said to everyone, responding to John's question, about how it felt to be a narc. "I miss you guys, though. My partner is kind of a prude."
"Would've thought that you would be used to it after me," John joked, trying to keep the mood light between them all. He still wanted a few minutes with Brian alone, but by the grip he had on Michelle's hand, he didn't forsee those minutes coming any time soon.
"Well, this guy doesn't go off on conspiracy theories, but I'm making the most of what I can, trying to replace you." A smile crossed Brian's face, as he stared at his former partner. When John looked up at him, Brian quickly looked away, down at the table. John became curious at Brian's actions, and continued to watch him, as his face lit up. John figured it had something to do with the song that had just started playing; "The Reflex" by Duran Duran had been one of Brian's favorite songs, a secret that John had sworn to take to his grave. It would go, right along with the fact that he actually knew the song well enough to be able to identify it from its opening.
"You've got to dance with me to this one," he said, turning to Michelle. She nodded.
"Alright, Brian," she submitted. "Olivia? Alex? You guys up for it?"
"Sure," Alex said.
"C'mon, Elliot. I know you like this song," Olivia teased, grabbing her partner by the arm. He reluctantly rose from his seat, and the five took of for the dance floor. Alex stopped, half way to the group of dancers, and made her way back to the table.
"John, you're coming with me," she said, grabbing him by his tie. She didn't give him any time to react; it was a simple grab and go.
"Aren't I protected against this in the Constitution?" John asked, pouting.
"Against what?" Alex laughed, not completely sure that she wanted to hear whatever it was that John was going to say.
"Cruel and unusual punishment," he concluded. "I'm protected, aren't I?"
"How is this cruel and unusual punishment?" Alex said, as she began to dance. "Am I that bad of a dancer, John?" She looked at him, as he let his lanky frame stay perfectly still.
"No, but I am." Alex stopped dancing, put her hands on his waist, and began to move around, causing John to do the same thing. He just laughed, and figured that he might as well do as Alex wanted; it was easier than having her nag at him all night long. Over Alex's shoulder, John could see the other two couples dancing together. Elliot and Olivia were still stumbling over one another, in what he figured was the after effect of the beers that each of them had had that night. Right beside them, Brian and Michelle were dancing, and it seemed like they generally knew what they were doing. "One advantage of being younger," John thought to himself, as he continued to match Alex's movements. No matter where she made him move, John was sure to never take his eyes off of Brian. It was strange, because John wasn't planning on watching Brian's body, swaying around the floor, moving to the music. However, that was what he was doing; staring at the well built frame of the much younger man.
"John?" John heard Alex calling to him, and snapped back to what he was doing. "You alright? You just stopped moving all of a sudden."
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, shaking the thoughts of Brian out of his head. "Sorry." Alex nodded, and smiled, and they both resumed dancing. "Damn beer," John thought to himself, as he went back to concentrating on his dancing.
Author's Note: Well, it's a bit shorter than the rest of the chapters, but I wanted to close a few gaps. SandraLeigh, as for your email, I will write you that story! I'm glad that someone wants that to happen! Looking forward to reviews! Thanks, to all who have given them in the last few chapters. I hope to read some more from you! Until the next chapter...