Did that really happen? Maybe it was all just a dream. Sunlight was just starting to peak through the drawn curtains of Olivia's bedroom window. No, last night had definitely not been a dream, she realized with a smile. She rolled onto her side, gazing at her partner's oddly peaceful sleeping frame. He may be the toughest detective at the 1-6, she thought with a grin, but that didn't change the fact that he slept in a fetal position with the most adorable puppy dog expression on his face. With plenty of time before they had to be at the precinct, Olivia repositioned herself with her head resting on Elliot's chest. She couldn't remember ever feeling so safe, or so happy for that matter. The pessimist deep inside her subconscious was waiting for the ball to drop and pummel her back to the lonely reality of her life. However, the newfound optimist inside quickly quelled her fears and allowed her to feel truly content for the first time. I could get used to this. She loved feeling his chest rise and fall with every breath, the warm air from his mouth on her neck. As he gradually started to awake, he rolled onto his side and stroked Olivia's hair, gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Morning, sunshine," she teased. He gave her a taunting smile that sent shivers down her spine. After being his partner for so many years, she knew for a fact that he functioned much better as the day progressed, and would probably get up at noon every day if he had a choice in the matter. He loved seeing Olivia so happy, and could not remember a time when he himself had felt so fulfilled-just holding her in his arms and feeling her heart beat against him. When he leaned over and started nibbling on her ear, she stopped him. "Guess what?" She could not hide the excitement in her eyes.

"What," he mumbled, unable to keep his hands off of her naked flesh.

"It's later." That was all Elliot needed to hear.

Their first time together had been tender and passionate, almost cautious. The force between them was electrifying and scary, both discovering such new territories. The second time could not have been more different. They had awakened their primal lust for each other and both knew that there was no end in sight.

Elliot pinned Olivia to the bed by her arms. The look in his eyes was a mix of hunger and passion. He used his tongue and worked his way down her neck to the defined length of her collarbone. She moaned his name almost inaudibly. Being controlled by someone that she trusted so completely was more erotic than anything she had ever experienced. She could feel herself getting very wet very quickly. Elliot slowly moved made his way down her sternum, eventually making a long stop at her breasts. She bit her lip to keep from shouting out as he ravished each of her hardening nipples. She took advantage of his loosening grip on her wrists and was able to force him to his back. He should have known not to underestimate her strength. "Sorry, Stabler, but it's my turn." She wasted no time making her way between his legs. Just feeling the heat from her breath on his cock brought him dangerously close to an orgasm. He relaxed a little as she carefully took all of him in her mouth. She let out a low moan, sending wet vibrations through his body.

"Jesus, Liv." He hadn't had this kind of attention in the bedroom for some time. His marriage with Kathy had reminded him of an old joke widely known in the police departments around Manhattan.

How come a bride always smiles so big on her wedding day?

-She never has to get on her knees again.

Sophomoric, but Elliot was too busy enjoying his departure from the usual to care about social stereotypes. As good as Olivia was at what she was doing, he had better things in mind. "How do you like it, Detective?" His tone was surly, yet incredibly sexy at the same time.

"How bout you let me show you." This no nonsense approach was what made Olivia such a great detective. Elliot was sure that he had better comply, or suffer the consequences. With that, she quickly straddled his waist, teasing his package with her wet flesh, only to have him wince in agony. "My, my, aren't we impatient?" Liv seamed to get a small amount of pleasure from the amount of power she held over Elliot, but even she had her breaking point when it came to the lust she felt for her partner. She reached in between her legs and slowly guided herself onto Elliot's throbbing bulge. Once he was completely inside her, she stopped and waited before thrusting against him, causing the sensation to build even more.

"Liv, if you're trying to kill me, you're about to succeed."

It was over almost as soon as it had started, but the intensity of the act made up for the brevity. The two collapsed in a sweaty heap, trying to catch their breath.

Elliot stroked her moist cheek with affection. "God I love you, Liv."

"I love you too, El."

She knew they didn't have enough time to go back to sleep before getting ready for work, so caffeine would be a necessity. "Want some coffee?"

"No need," he said with a grin. "I've already had the best part of waking up."

Elliot walked into the bullpen a good 20 minutes earlier than usual. He knew it would look suspicious if Olivia had been with him, especially since he was still wearing the same clothes from the previous day.

"Didn't I send you home yesterday?" Elliot looked up to see Cragen standing by him near the coffee maker.

"C'mon, Captain, when have you ever known me to spend more than one day away from this place?"

Donald Cragen gave one of his signature looks of omniscience. There were few instances in which he could not read into exactly what was going on in his detective's minds. He also knew, as a man, the subtle differences in demeanor that could only be accounted for by a night with someone special. He made the decision to ignore this realization for the time being. "Well, since you are here, how bout getting some work done?"

"Right." Elliot could sense his captain's reserved tone, but pretended not to notice.

About 10 minutes later, Cragen got off the phone in his office and quickly walked out into the bullpen. "There's been a rape/homicide with the same MO as the Branson case outside of Central Park West."

"Shit." Elliot slammed his fist on the desk angrily. It had only been a couple of days since Jeanette Branson was raped, and both Cragen and Elliot knew that there was a good chance that today's victim would not be the last of this unknown bastard. "I just got off the phone with Olivia. She's gonna meet you," Cragen continued.

"I'm on my way. Where in the park is it?" Elliot was grabbing his coat and heading for the door.

"The girl didn't make it, Elliot. Liv's on her way to the morgue. Warner is waiting there for you both."

Elliot didn't say anything, but turned around and left the squad room. This was the worst part of the job, but someone had to do it. Every case seemed a little more personal lately. He thought it probably had something to do with his divorce, even after two years; the almost constant separation from his children had caused him to look at each victim a little differently. In a perverse irony, the pain from his personal life had taken away some of the jaded callousness that kept all officers from being too affected by the horrific brutality of their job.

He arrived at the morgue about 15 minutes later, and quickly made his way inside to find Olivia waiting for him. She looked as upset as he felt. There was nothing worse for a Special Victims officer than knowing that there was a serial rapist on the loose. "Warner told me that she's ready when we are," Olivia said calmly.

"Let's get it over with, then."