It was four-thirty five, and Olivia and Elliot found themselves off work unusually early. Deciding they needed a common place to talk, they opted for the small cafe down the street from the precint. They walked out of the precint to step into the harsh rain. They walked slowly, letting the rain wash over them. People rushed past them like they actually had something to do, but Elliot was oblivious to everything and everyone except Olivia. He was so happy that she readily agreed to go to the cafe with him, even if wasn't a real date. Far be it from Olivia to admit she was happy he asked her. 'She always has been stubborn' he thought to himself. He smiled at this.
Olivia looked up to see Elliot smiling. She took a guess at why he was so happy. Was it because she agreed to go out with him? Had she seemed too eager? Was it simply her presence? She wasn't sure, but guessed it too be all three. The wind picked up and she found herself drifting toward him. She hadn't realized it until she bumped into him. He had noticed; he was off in his on little land. She chuckled to herself.
"What's got you grinning like an idiot, El?" she asked, still watching him.
"Huh?...Oh...I don't know...you...me...being home. What got you trying to knock me off the sidewalk?" he teased, throwing an arm around her shoulders. She immediately snuggled into him. This only made him grin harder as he pushed open the door to the cafe.
Elliot and Olivia had spent the past three hours reminsing on the past, sharing like banter, and gazing into each others eyes. The other customers in the cafe either looked peeved or touched. They could hear the older couple whispering in the booth behind them.
"Aww, they such a lovely couple."
"So young too."
"Reminds me of us, Paul."
"Who says we're not still like that?"
"Nobody, Paul."
"Ya better believe it, Martha!"
"They look so happy..."
"Yeah...think he's...what do these young people say?...think he's gonna hit that?" Olivia snorted at this, Elliot tried to conceal his laugh to a small chuckle, while their waitress openly gaped at the old couple.
"Paul! Where d'ya hear that"
"Jonny told me that was the hip phrase..."
"I swear, that grandson of yours..."
"What about him?..." Elliot and Olivia tuned them out as they leaped into an arguement. They shared a silent smile. They both opened their mouths, as if to say something, but then closed them and continued staring at each other. Elliot looked directly into Olivia's eyes and got lost in the milky chocolate of them...
FLASHBACK
It was an overcast day. Elliot was feeling explosive today and made sure everyone knew. He knew his partner knew and decided to keep her comments to herself. He mad because Kathy had served him with divorce papers a few months back and now she wanted full custody of the kids. He'd be damned if he let her take his children away from him.
"It's my own fault," he said suddenly. Olivia turned to look at him.
"I wasn't the best father. All my life, I've struggled not to become my father and BAM," he paused as his hand collided with the dashboard. "I look up, and I've turned into him."
"That's not true..."
"Yes it is! I'm almost never home. I miss birthdays, sport events, anniversities,... the list goes on Liv!..." He was screaming now. Olivia suddenly realized he wasn't angry; he was scared. Softly, she leaned over and kissed him. She pulled back. He was as shocked as she looked.
"Did you just kiss me?" he asked. He hoped he wasn't dreaming, for it was something he had previously dreamed about, but never had the pleasure to experience.
"I think I did. I'm sorry, El," she said as she turned a dark shade of red. He had always thought she looked sexy, and there were few times when she looked hotter than she did on a regular basis. This was one of those times. She had turned back to the window and he knew she was mentally kicking herself.
"I'm not," Elliot assured her. She turned her head slightly to look at him. He decided she needed more convincing, and leaned in to kiss her again...
FLASHBACK ENDS
Elliot's memory of their first kiss vanished with the shrill ringing of Olivia's phone. Sighing, she looked at the display and decided to take the call. She went to the restroom for privacy and he sat back waiting. He heard quiet cooing, and turned to see the older couple staring openly at him. The woman smiled sweetly. The man winked at him and said "Go after her, tiger"
Elliot grinned and turn around to see Olivia returning from the bathroom. She looked upset, almost as if she had been crying.
"I have to go, Elliot," was all she said as she gathered her coat and fled from the cafe.
TBC
A/N: Thank you to all those who reviewed Flashback and this so far. In case anyone didn't read the summary, this is a sequel to Flashback titled Backtrack. Oh, yeah, I forgot to say the characters weren't mine (except the old people). Dick Wolf caught me trying to take them from his trailer, so now he won't even lend them to me. Sigh, what's a girl to do?