Olivia felt as though she had been kicked in the gut. She lowered herself to the couch to avoid falling over. "You're in love with me?" She stammered, the shock of the concept still sinking in. "But, Elliot, we're partners. How long have you felt this way?"

"I guess, in some way, since day one." There was a sudden hint of guilt in his voice.

"So, for almost half of your marriage to Kathy?" Olivia tried to sound accusatory, but how could she without being a total hypocrite? It wasn't as though she hadn't been secretly hiding her own feelings toward her partner for just as long.

"I know this doesn't change the fact that we're partners, but I knew that there was no hope of me ever getting any sleep if I didn't tell you how I feel."

Olivia tried to speak, but a mix of utter exhaustion and shock prevented the words from leaving her mouth.

Elliot started moving towards the front door. "I guess I'll let you get some sleep. I just"-

It was as though he was being controlled by someone else. He knew he had to feel the touch of her skin, to taste her lips, almost as if his livelihood depended on it. He leaned in gently, working hard to control the overwhelming desire in his soul. His lips tenderly brushed against hers. Waiting for some sort of response from her, their eyes met. That one look said everything-every fear and emotion they had both held onto for so long. It was now Olivia that made the advance, latching onto her partner's lips with an unequivocal magnetic force. This was all the encouragement Elliot needed. He tenderly caressed the back of Olivia's head while his tongue explored every gentle curve and crevice of her lips. She gave a soft moan, which only intensified his desire. He shifted to lessen the uncomfortable tightening of fabric around his groin. She leaned back into a supine position on the couch, opening her legs just enough to assure him that he was welcome to proceed. She loved the way he always showed respect for her feelings-there were few men that she had ever allowed herself to trust on such a deep level. With a delicious sigh of contented release, Elliot made his way between Olivia's legs, moving up her body until they were completely entwined. She shuddered when his hardening cock rested against her. He saw her reaction, which helped in no way to relieve his increasing tension but he still managed to remain a gentleman, because the last thing he wanted to do was rush anything. Their newfound lust for each other was inexplicable-never before had any woman been able to excite him so much with so little as a glance. Actually being this close to her, feeling her soft skin, sensing her heat, knowing that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, was enough to send him over the edge. Olivia reluctantly tore away from his lips to whisper something in his ear.

"I want you to see me, Elliot. All of me." With that, he aided her in removing her oversized shirt and was quite pleased to discover her lack of underwear. He had never seen anything so beautiful or sexy in his life. Her skin was remarkably soft and supple for a veteran detective, yet there was no mistaking her well toned muscles. Her breasts were the perfect size, not too large or small, and her very erect nipples did nothing to hide her increased state of arousal. This was a body that the ancient Greeks would have worshiped. Elliot's mind was filled with all the sordid and exciting things he wanted to do to her. She could read the desire in his eyes, but instead of giving him free reign of her naked flesh, she pulled him towards her till they were at eye level. Slightly confused, he questioned her with his eyes.

"Not like this, El. This is more than just sex. Sex is for one night stands and clumsy teenagers in the backseat of a car. I don't want sex with you, I want to make love. There is always time for that other stuff…later." She grinned mischievously. Elliot was overcome with his feelings towards Liv. He pulled her against him in a deep embrace, while his hands stroked her lower back. "Tell me what you want," he whispered gently.

"I want you. I want you so much it scares me." With that, she rose to her feet and seductively led him into her bedroom by the tie that he had never bothered taking off earlier. Once they were at the foot of her bed, she started removing his clothes at a tortuously slow pace that made him weak in the knees. With every article of clothing she undid, she never once took her eyes off him. With her hands, she guided over the muscular bulges of his chest and shoulders-remnants of his jarhead days that were as much a defining characteristic as his unpredictable temper. As her hands crept from his shoulders to his stomach, she slid one hand down his pants while using the other to undo his belt. He wasn't sure how much longer he could last.

"Mmmm, you're driving me insane." With that thought, he hastily kicked out of his pants and boxers and lifted Olivia into his arms. Their naked heat fused together in one of the most erotic moments that either had ever experienced. Elliot laid her down and balanced his weight on top of her. It was then that he noticed a small tear roll down her cheek. He had been around the block enough times to know that it was rarely a good thing to make a woman cry in bed.

"Liv, what is it?"

"I need you inside me, Elliot. I need to feel you, to know that this is all real."

He gave her a tender yet sly grin and kissed away the tear. "All you had to do was ask."

She gasped when he slid inside her, stopping to catch his breath from the overwhelming sensation. He could have died right then and there a happy man. Luckily, though, he was still alive and going strong. Each thrust sent shivers down his spine. They moved as one, molded together as if their bodies had been made for each other. Their pace quickened and their force increased, both realizing that neither would be able to last much longer. Elliot squeezed Olivia's hands for support as the pressure from her orgasm sent him over the edge. He collapsed as she rolled on top of him, neither wanting to be separated anytime soon.

"Elliot?"

"Ya, Liv?"

"I love you too."