From the moment she left his apartment he knew he was a dead man. He'd barely slept a wink all night fighting the primal urge to go to her apartment, break down the door and fuck her senseless until she agreed to be his and only his. But he couldn't. He fucking couldn't because she'd kick his ass and then he'd never get the chance to touch her again. After a restless last hour of sleep, he dragged his ass out of bed, downed a scalding cup of black coffee and went to work wondering how he was gonna face her and not blow their cover. Because of course that was another one of her rules, no one could know. Which had to be true too because as partners, this was very much a problem.

Yep. Screwed. So screwed he thought as he walked into the precinct. His whole body hurt, he felt hungover and he was sober as all hell and yet as he rounded the corner and saw her perched on the edge of her desk sipping her fucking coffee, she looked like not a damn thing had happened. Like they hadn't fucked. Like he hadn't gone down on her until she screamed. Like she hadn't showed up at his apartment naked and all but murdered him with her mouth while gettinng off herself and then leaving without batting an eyelash. Was she some sort of witch? God help him.

"Morning sunshine." She said with an innocent little smile, her feet dangling off the side of her desk as she reached for a box beside her, "Donut? They're fresh. Still warm."

He took a deep breath and pulled at his suit jacket as he watched her lick frosting off her finger, "Morning." He grunted.

John walked up behind him and patted him on the back, "Damn Stabler…you look like you've been through war, you good?"

Elliot saw Olivia smirking out of the corner of his eye, "I didn't get much sleep last night."

Olivia frowned and took a slow bite out of a glazed donut, humming softly, "Everything okay?"

His jaw clenched as he watched her, "I-"

Fin walked up to them and held out a folder, "Hey, so my buddy took care of things. That prick got what he deserved. Kathleen good?"

John looked between them, "What happened? Whose ass am I kicking?"

Olivia dropped the donut in her lap and smiled, "See El? Like I said…we're family here."

Elliot's heart flipped in his chest and he hated her for a moment. How she went from turning him on like an animal to wanting to drop to one knee and beg for her hand in marriage in a matter of seconds was truly magic, "Yeah Fin…she's okay. Thank you for doing that. I appreciate it." He turned to look at John, "Some asshole cut her off and with the rain she skidded and her tire blew out. Shaken up but she's good. No injuries."

He walked over to his desk and took off his coat, draping it over the back of his chair. She was watching him, he knew she was. Probably trying to assess the situation. See if he regretted it. See if he wanted out. John sighed and shook his head, "Well I'm glad she's okay." He walked over to Olivia's desk and reached for the box, "I want-"

Olivia slapped his hand away, "Not that one."

All the men looked at her and she smiled, "That's Elliot's favorite. You can have any other one but that."

John hugged and reached for a different donut, "Geez. Territorial much?"

She smiled and reached for the boston creme donut and held it out for Elliot, "He earned it. What can I say?" John gave her a strange look and she shrugged, "Had a rough night but kept his cool."

John shook his head and walked back to his desk, "You two are weird. Very weird."

Elliot watched as Fin and John started talking about a case, and he looked over at her, "I earned it?" Leaning in he took the donut and whispered, "I thought I already had my treat?"

She laughed and pulled her hand back, licking the frosting off it, "You were such a good boy you get two. Lucky you!"

He clenched his jaw and pulled the donut towards his mouth, taking a bite he groaned and couldn't help how good it felt to see her eyes grow dark, "This is good. Thank you…" Pressing his hand into the desk he smiled and whispered so only she could hear him, "But I gotta say I liked my original treat better…any chance I can have that again?"

Turning, she saw Cragen walking towards them with an agitated look on his face, "Today? Doubtful. I think it's gonna be a long one…but you'll be fine."

He groaned and licked the inside of his donut and she swallowed hard, "But will you?"

Her mouth dropped open and she gasped, "Elliot…"

He winked and turned back to his boss, "What we got Cap?"

He let out a heavy sigh and held his hands out, "Two girls at Mercy. Both dumped outside their apartment. They were roommates. Banged up, bruised, raped, in shock. Neither of them are talking. I need two of you at Mercy. And two of you down at the apartment while CSU looks for prints."

Olivia sighed, the weight of their job settling in her chest, replacing the excitement of last night, "We'll go to Mercy. I'll try and talk to them."

Cragen nodded, "That's what I was hoping for. Doctor said they only want women near them right now…"

Hopping off her desk, she dropped her donut and sighed, "Okay." Turning back to Elliot she smiled sadly, "Ready?"

He sighed and grabbed his coat again, "Yep."

"Catch up with you guys in a bit." Fin called to them.

As they walked towards the elevator, Elliot sensed the shift in her demeanor. She was tough. She'd take anyone down they encountered. But he also knew how draining this job could be. Most people didn't last long at SVU, hell half the time he only stayed for her. Worry filled his chest and as they stepped into the small space he was glad they were alone, "You okay?"

She glanced over at him and smiled, but that fake little smile that made him want to hold her and let her cry, "Course I am." He just stared at her and she sighed, "El…this is nothing new for me. For us. I'm good."

He shook his head as the doors opened, "No matter how many times we do it…doesn't mean it gets easier. It actually gets harder…"

She cracked her jaw and smiled sadly, "Nope. And it's why I hate men. All of them."

And then she walked out of the elevator leaving him alone.

Yeah. She wasn't gonna let him love her anytime soon…with a heavy sigh he followed her knowing it was gonna be a long damn day.


One day turned into two, which turned into three and they were all spent. Completely and totally spent. A few hours here taking shifts in the cribs to try and sleep but this one haunted them. The girls had been tortured and it was clear. Poor Olivia took the brunt of it. They would only speak to her, and she had to endure it all. Every horrific detail on her own and she never blinked, never let them see her sweat. But by the time they were all allowed to go home once the perp was behind bars, Elliot was worried.

She leaned forward on her desk and hung her head as Cragen said, "Go home kid. You need sleep."

She frowned and looked up at her boss, "Yeah. Okay…"

He reached out and squeezed her shoulder, "Want me to call you a cab?"

She shook her head, "No I'll-"

"Cap?" They both turned to look at Elliot, "Can I go too? I'll drop her off…make sure she's safe."

Tears pooled in Olivia's eyes and she bit down hard on her lip, "El no-"

Cragen put up his hand, "No. That's a great idea. Would make me feel better too." He pointed right at him, "You walk her up to the door too."

Elliot smiled, "Of course."

Olivia huffed and leaned back in her chair, "I'm not a damsel in distress. I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"I know you can." Cragen said looking at her, "You prove that every damn day. But sometimes…when you've worked as hard as you have…you need to let someone else look out for you. And that's an order. Understood?" She continued to glare at him, "He's your partner Benson…that's his damn job. Now get the hell out of here before I make you stay for another three days straight."

Sighing, she grabbed her coat and her bag and didn't turn to look at either of them again. Elliot quickly gathered his stuff, "Thanks Cap."

"I mean it. Walk her to her door. She's dead weight on her feet right now. Make sure she sleeps too." He said pointing at her, "And eat something!"

Elliot smiled and draped his coat over his arm, "Copy that Cap."

He missed her in the elevator and he was worried she'd be gone by the time he got downstairs. But either she was completely exhausted and too tired to fight or maybe, by some stroke of luck she actually wanted him to take her home. She was standing by his car, arms crossed over her chest, her jaw clenched tight. Walking up to her, he went to touch her back but she shifted away, "Can we go?"

Moving his hand back he nodded, "Yep." He moved at the same time as she did, reaching for the door but she nudged him back with her shoulder, "Liv-"

"I can open the door for myself." She growled, "I was just waiting for you to unlock it."

He cleared his throat, stepped back and held up his hands, "Okay."

He heard the door slam shut and he lifted his hand, wiping it over his tired face. Oh this was gonna be harder than he anticipated. Walking around the car, he climbed in beside her and turned the key in the ignition, not even bothering to look at her. He knew if he did she'd get mad and only make this worse. So he drove, in silence towards her apartment, wondering what the hell was gonna happen when he got there. He was more than sure she'd fight him on walking her up. But he could be just as stubborn as she could be. Even if she didn't invite him in, he wanted to make sure she was safe. It had been a shit few days and he worried, he always worried.

Pulling up out front, he wasn't surprised when she barely let the car stop before she was climbing out, "Jesus Liv."

Walking towards her apartment she waved back at him without so much we looking at him, "I'll tell Cragen you walked me up. Goodnight Elliot."

He slammed the door and ran up behind her, "I take orders from my Captain to heart. I'm walking you upstairs."

"You've never done it before." She said with a challenging look in her eyes, "I'll blink my lights."

He clenched his jaw and pointed at her, "I have walked you up before so that's bullshit. And no you won't. I'm walking you up."

She rolled her eyes and walked past him, "Fuck off Elliot."

His mouth dropped open as he walked back after her, "Can you explain to me what the fuck I did wrong here? I'm not the one who attacked and tortured those girls."

Putting in the code, she slipped through the door, "Never said you were."

Sliding in the door behind her he stomped after her, "Liv-"

"Go home Elliot." She said, slamming her finger into the elevator button, "I mean it."

When he tried to climb in the elevator she shoved him back and the door closed without him. He cursed under his breath and turned, running towards the staircase, he took two at a time, huffing and puffing as he went. Bursting through the doors, he was so glad her door was near the stairwell. His foot stuck out just as she tried to shut it, "You've got to be kidding me."

"Coulda been a perp sneaking in Liv." He growled as he pushed his way into the foyer, "That's why you should let me walk you up."

She laughed and tossed her head back, "Oh my God Elliot…I'm still armed. You realize that?"

"I do." He said, slamming the door shut behind them and locking it, "But so am I."

She laughed and kicked off her boots, shaking her head as she whispered without realizing what she was saying, "You would never hurt me."

"No. I wouldn't." He said, his voice soft and certain, "I'm glad you at least know that about me."

She stumbled slightly, hand reaching out for the wall to hold her up. "Go home Elliot."

"I'm not going anywhere." He said sternly, crossing his arms over his chest, "I'm staying right here until you calm the hell down."

"Then you'll be standing there until you die." She said stubbornly, "Go home Elliot."

"Let them bury me here then." He said leaning against the door, "Good a place as any."

Turning shot him a seething look and then began to pull at the buttons on her shirt, "Fine. I'm taking a shower. I need to get this horrible week off me."

He swallowed hard when she tossed the shirt down and was only standing in her bra, already reaching for the button on her pants. Her hips wiggling as she moved across the room and kicked them off. What was she doing? Did she want him to follow her? Did she want him to fuck her agression way? Should he do that? Her bra hit the floor and then her panties and she pushed the bathroom door open, turning on the water. He found himself moving into the living room mesmerized by the scene unfolding.

He heard the water pounding down on the tiles, saw the steam begin to fill the small room. And when she climbed into the shower, he'd never been more glad that she had a glass shower instead of a regular shower curtain. Despite his anger, he felt that stirring. That primal need again, the need to bury his cock so deep inside of her that she couldn't see straight. He wanted to fuck her so hard that whatever anger she was feeling right now, whether aimed at him or not disappeared.

Leaning back he watched her, she left the door open on purpose. There was no way she didn't. Through the steamed up glass he saw the outline of her, the curves that made him crazy. Her hands lifted and ran through her long hair before sliding down her sides. He groaned, his hand moving towards his cock. He couldn't help himself as he rubbed it through his jeans. "Fuck…"

He saw her reach for something, and then bend over, and dear god she was really trying to kill him. She didn't need to shoot him, this was torture. He shifted again, his cock straining painfully as he watched her lather up her body. That smooth skin he'd been able to touch, to taste just a few days before and he was aching for her. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees and he cocked his head to the side as he watched her. Biting down on his lip when he saw the hazy outline of her hand sliding between her legs. Her head fell back and he thought he heard a moan and that was his breaking point.

"Fuck it." He growled and quickly stood up, kicking off his shoes and ripping his clothes off as he stalked towards the bathroom.

She was either gonna kill him with her words or she was gonna break him with her body. Either way, he wanted it. He wanted her. Yanking the glass slider open she looked back at him, trying to give him a shocked, innocent expression, "What the hell are you doing?"

Slamming it shut again, it rattled and he saw her bite her lip, pretending to cover herself from him, "Shut up."

She turned her back to him and smiled to herself, "I thought I told you to go home."

He walked up behind her, cock in hand as he watched the water slide down her bare back, "That's not what you want."

She laughed stubbornly and angrily, bracing one hand on the wall in front of her, "You don't know a damn thing about what I want."

He crowded her space again, coming up behind her, his cock now pressing into her ass as she involuntarily arched her back into him, "Well I know what I want."

He bit down hard on her shoulder and wrapped his large hands around her middle, pulling her closer, "Elliot…"

"You said as my teacher I could give my suggestions of what I want to learn." He nudged her wet hair back with his nose, "Yes or no?"

Her legs parted without her even realizing it and his hand slid lower, "Y-yes."

"Yes you said that or yes you want me to touch you?" He said with a smirk, she didn't have to turn to know it was there.

Her second hand fell forward and held onto the wet tiles, her fingers sliding against the surface, "B-both."

He moaned low in his throat and pulled her closer, his cock rocking against her already soaking pussy, "I want to learn about shower sex. Is it as good as people claim?"

The tip of him was pressed at her entrance; she was panting loudly, his fingers rolling along the outside of her clit, "D-depends on if the two people involved…want it."

"Well you just told me you want me to touch you." He said softly, "And I want to touch you." He hissed loudly and rocked forward, sliding a little further inside of her again, "I want to fuck you, right here, right now. So…do you want it?"

She dropped her head down and pushed back against him, "No."

He pulled back, "If you say no…you know that I'll take that to heart. I'm not doing this unless you say yes."

She whipmered slowly already mourning the loss of his cock which hadn't even fully penetrated her yet, "Fuck…"

"Say yes." He mumbled into her ear, his fingers tracing the outline of her pussy, "Tell me yes."

She clenched her fists against the wall and sighed, "Ye-yes."

He hesitated for a moment, "Do you want me to go get a condom?"

Frustrated, she turned quickly and grabbed his face, "Fuck a condom. I'm on the pill."

They stumbled back slightly, and he shifted, pressing her back into the wall as the water pounded down on them, "You said-"

"Elliot. I swear to God." She gripped the back of his neck and pulled him closer, "If you don't fuck me right now I'm going to scream. Why the hell do you think I left the door open?"

He smiled proudly and slid the tip of him over her again, shuddering at the sensation of her pussy without a condom, "So you did want me to come in."

She pressed one foot into the slippery floor below her and then lifted her other leg, draping it over his hip, "As your teacher…I need to see how much you can pick up on your own." One hand slid down her back, and his fingers dug into his ass, "And you got the first part right…but right now you're disappointing me on the second test. Because you haven't done what I told you to do."

HIs hands slid down her back and he lifted her up, her second leg wrapping around his waist, "You want me to fuck you? Here? In the shower?"

Gripping his back she pushed her hips hard against him, "Yes."

"Fine." And then he slammed into her, hard and fast, and they both held their breath, "I follow orders."

Her head fell back with a heavy thud against the wall and her hair stuck to her neck, "Ah fuck-"

His hand held the wall beside her head, "Liv…"

She whimpered as his hips rocked back and forth, her ass banging into the wall as he filled her over and over, deeper than yesterday, "Shit. Elliot. Fuck." Her head fell forward and bit down hard on his shoulder, "Just. Like that…fuck."

Her ankles locked behind him and he used his second hand to slide under her, his palm grabbing her ass, pulling her closer, pulling him even deeper. So deep he felt her back walls, "Holy shit…"

"Yes!" She screamed loudly, her nails digging into his skin, he hissed when the water hit it and he knew she'd drawn blood.

"Jesus Christ Olivia." He panted hard, his hips never stopping their relentless rhythm.

She could barely breathe between the steam and the feel of him buried deep inside of her. Her body shook, her full breasts pressed against his chest and she needed his mouth. Tilting her head to the side, she moved one hand to the back of his neck, pulling his face towards hers, "Kiss me."

It sounded like a beg, a plea and he couldn't say no, not that he wanted too. He leaned in, kissing her firmly, before he felt her tongue pushing between his lips. He groaned, and her fingers held his cheek firmly. He hadn't been able to shave because of how crazy work had been and her fingers scraped over the stubble, "Liv…" He moaned into her mouth.

Her heels dug into his ass, her fingers holding him closer, "Don't. Stop. Please."

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he fucked her hard against the wall, his balls aching with the need to release, "You're so fucking tight."

She smiled against his lips and clamped down around him making him tense and gasp, "You like that?"

His hand slipped on the wall behind them and he stopped for a moment, "A-ah Liv…"

She clamped down around him again, "Keep going."

His first slammed into the wall behind him, "I can't move when you-d-do th-that. To-to tight." She giggled and did it again and his head dropped down to her collarbone, "Try-trying to kill me?"

She sighed and rolled her hips, "No. Trying to teach you a thing or two. Remember?"

"Unlike any lesson I've ever had." He hissed looking up at her through heavy eyes, "I'm gonna have a coronary here in your shower…"

She smiled seductively, her voice was low, raspy and confident as all hell, "Fuck me Stabler. Fuck me so that I'm sore in the morning."

He grimaced and leaned forward, tugging her bottom lip between his teeth, "Hold on."

She gripped him tighter, holding on for dear life knowing he was going to do just what she'd asked. And that's what she wanted. She wanted to forget and wanted him to be the one to do it. Only him. The only man she trusted. God she hated the opposite sex. She fucking hated them for all they could do, all they unleashed. And she wanted to hate him, but she didn't and she knew she never would. This would not be okay if it were anyone else. It had to be him.

She sighed happily as his hips slammed forward again, in and out, stretching her past her limits. But God it felt good. Her eyes closed tight and she clung to him for dear life, desperate for a release she knew he'd bring her. And he wouldn't stop until he did. He watched her, trying to read her expression but he had to see her eyes. He knew how angry she was, how much this case had shaken her and he didn't want her envisioning any of it. She wanted to look at him, to feel him, to know that he was the one who was inside of her, "Look at me."

She whimpered softly and shook her head, "Elliot just keep going."

He snapped his hips back, almost fully pulling out of her, "I said look at me Olivia."

His voice was low, stern and her eyes snapped open, "You don't get to-"

"Yeah. I do." He growled, "Because I'm the one fucking you Olivia. Me." He slammed forward and she cried out, "You feel that? Whose cock is in you right now Olivia?"

She wanted to scream, wanted to push him away but she'd never been so turned on and she needed that fucking release, "Yours."

His hand held her firmly against him again, "And who's cock is going to make you come?"

Her fingers dug into his back again and she smiled at this new wild side of him, it hadn't taken long at all to pull it out of him, "Yours."

"And who am I?" He growled against her lips, "Who I am Olivia?" Her head fell back again and her beasts pushed up against his chest, "What's my name?"

One hand fell back behind them and pressed into the wall as she screamed out, "Elliot!"

He knew she was close, her body was tense around him. But he wasn't going to be satisfied with just one for her. He moved with purpose, his hips snapping back and forth, their bodies colliding, sliding against one another, his feet slipping on the tub below them, "Are you gonna come?"

She took a long deep breath, "Oh God, y-y-yes!"

And she did. Hard, pulsing around his cock, her legs trembling and he pulled out shocking her. Her legs felt like jello, her feet hitting the tub floor. His hands shot out and held her in place, "Don't move."

Her knees buckled and she felt dizzy, "What-what are you-"

But before she could process what was happening, he was on his knees, hooking her left leg up and over his shoulder. His lips were wrapped around her clit and he groaned, "I want you to come again."

Her hands hit the back wall, palm side down, slipping against the wet surface, "Jesus Christ Elliot!"

His tongue pushed up inside of her, still pulsing and he tasted her, sweet and hot. He moaned loudly and shook his head back and forth, his stubble scratching at the inside of her thighs. "Yes!"

She'd never felt this, no way in hell had she ever felt this. This wasn't normal. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. This was some insane dream she was going to wake up from. Her heart was pounding, the space was full of so much steam she could barely breathe. She felt weak, but desperate for him, aching for him, wanting this to never stop. He was like a mad man, devouring her whole. She sucked in a deep breath and looked down at him, wanting to watch him, "Elliot…"

His arm slid up between her legs and wrapped around her from behind, "I said I want you to come again."

She barely heard him but through the loud shower but she knew he meant it. She nodded slowly, slipping her hands in his thin hair, "So-so close. Please…"

"Keep your eyes on me." He whispered, his nose nudging her clit making her jump, "Okay?"

Sucking on her lip she nodded, her other hand moving up to grasp her breast, tugging her nipple, "O-okay."

He moaned agianst her again, sliding his tongue ina nd out of her, fucking her with it. His arm snaked around her and his thumb pressed against her clit, applying firm pressure. Her eyes started to flutter closed and he pulled his thumb away, "Eyes. On. Me."

His breath tickled her and she wasn't sure she could form a coherent sentence. The only sound that came out was a strangled, "Guh…"

He smirked and leaned in again, his thumb rolling, his tongue fucking, lapping up all she had to offer. And all the while, he looked up at her, like this was the most normal thing in the world. Like this wasn't only the second time he'd gone down on her, tasted her. Her eyes were wide as she watched him. She didn't think he was even blinking as he moved. She wanted to look away, wanted to pretend this wasn't as intense as it was but one more flick of his tongue and she knew she was a goner. And something in his expression, told her he knew it too.

Smug bastard.

He pulled back just slightly and she whimpered, he smiled, leaning in and flicked his tongue against her clit roughly and she shattered. Her hand gripped the back of his head and her hips moved forward. He held her there, sucking on her through her orgasm. Her legs shook and he held her up, "I got you." His hands slid up and down her legs, "I got you Liv."

She shook harder, and felt the water falling down on his chest, "El…stand up."

Glancing up at her, he sighed and kissed her inner thigh "You don't-"

"Stand up." She growled, trying to breathe, "Just…stand up."

Slowly, he eased himself up off the slippy tub floor and stood above her, his body pressed against hers, "You okay?"

Pressing up on her toes, she kissed him hard, "Shh…"

He huffed and felt her turning him, pressing him against the wall, "Liv…"

Her hand covered his mouth and her lips found his neck, "Your turn."

He mumbled against her hand, "Liv wait-" She bit down hard on his neck and he growled, "Ah shit…"

She laughed and kissed her way down his chest, her legs still weak as she knelt in front of him, "Water's gonna get cold so focus…"

He laughed and felt his head hit the tiles behind him, "You're something…"

She sighed and wrapped her hand around him, pumping him slowly as her lips moved towards his balls, "Oh, I know."

His mouth hung open as he watched her, "Liv…please…"

He had said he didn't need it, but she knew he was lying and he knew he was lying. As frustrated as she was, he was too. He hated this job sometimes. But God he loved her. And he couldn't leave. Wouldn't leave. Not without her. Never without her. Her absence in Oregon had proved to him there was no life without her, and he knew for sure he had to make her see what this really was.

He felt it rising, that release that she'd given him only twice now, but was unlike anything he'd ever felt in his life. She was intoxicating and beautiful, she was everything. His everything. Her hand moved quickly and she hovered over the tip of him, her lips curling slightly as she whispered, "Keep your eyes on me Stabler."

He couldn't stop the laugh that escaped his lips and he sighed, "Liv…"

She shook her head and sucked him into her mouth, speaking with her mouth full, "Eyes. On. Me."

His hand tangled in her wet hair, wrapping it around his fist and he couldn't help it as his hips rocked forward. She didn't even flinch, just let him continue moving in and out, fucking her mouth like it was nothing. She moaned around him, her cheeks hollowing, pulling him deeper, "Fuck Liv!"

Her hand wrapped around the base of him, tugging on his balls, "Hmmm…"

His hand slapped against the wall behind her and his mouth hung open, "Liv I'm gonna-"

But she only pulled him in further and before he knew it, he was coming, hard and deep in her throat. She gagged slightly but didn't pull away, only swallowing all that he offered. His head fell back and hit the wall hard as she pulled back, a slow smile spreading on her face, "You were saying?"

He laughed again and ran a hand over his face, "Fuck me."

She laughed, pushed herself up slowly and trailed kisses from his hip to his lips, "I thought we just did that to each other?"

He sighed and reached his hands out to hold her face in his hands, "Damn Liv…"

She smiled, hands sliding up and down his chest, "So…shower sex. What did ya think? Worth the hype?"

He groaned and pulled her closer, kissing her, his tongue pushing between her lips, tasting himself on her, "Fuck yeah."

She laughed against his hips and then reached behind her to turn off the water, "Good. I bet it'll be even better when you find the right girl."

As soon as the water stopped, he felt a rush of cold air wash over him as she kissed his cheek and slid open the shower once more, climbing out and grabbing a towel, "There's extra's towels under the sink."

He stood there, breathing hard as her words settled in his mind. I bet it'll be even better when you find the right girl.

"Fuck." He mumbled to himself again, he heard her walking towards her bedroom.

He stretched his legs slightly, bending his knees and quickly climbing out of the shower. He wasn't going to bother with a towel, but she called out quickly, "Don't drip water on my hardwood floor or you're a dead man!"

He grimaced and reached for a towel, wiping himself down as best he could before he wrapped it around his waist and followed her, "Hey Liv I-"

She'd already slipped on a t-shirt and was toweling off her hair, "I'm so fucking tired. I need sleep…and I'll sleep damn good now. So thank you." She tossed the towel towards the hamper and sat down on the edge of the bed, "You're a fast learner. I'll give you that."

He stood there, still breathing hard, hands on hips, "Liv-"

Reaching for the water beside her bed she took the bottle to her lips and took a swig, "See you tomorrow?"

He frowned and squeezed his hip, "Liv…"

She shook her head, smiling softly before pushing herself up off the bed and walking towards the living room again. He saw her reaching for his clothes, "No, no, no. No sleepovers Stabler. You agreed."

He felt her press his jeans into his hands, "It's been a shitty few days and I think-"

"Well I think we both need sleep." She turned him towards the door, "And I hate sharing a bed. So go. Before I kick your ass. Okay?"

He sighed and slowly began to pull on his jeans, "But-"

"I'll tell Cragen you were a good partner, dropped me off, made sure I was okay and went home." Stroking his cheek she smiled, "Your work here is done Detective. See you in the morning. I got breakfast last time so it's your turn."

He pulled his shirt up and over his head, "Are you okay?"

She tossed him his shoes and smiled, "Of course I am."

He frowned and slipped on one shoe, "But you weren't before…"

"I was frustrated." She said with a shrug, looking away from him, "Like you said, long few days. But you helped. And sleep will make it even better. So yes. I'm good."

He took a deep breath as he pulled on the second show, "Are we okay?"

She tugged at the bottom of her shirt, her hips rocking back and forth, "Always."

He swallowed hard and reached for the door behind him, he didn't want to leave. God he did not want to leave. But he knew that she wouldn't let him stay even if he begged, "Liv…"

"Goodnight Elliot." She said walking back to her room without looking back at him.

He heard the click of the lock to her bedroom and he sighed, "Damn it…"

As he walked out of her apartment, double checking that it was locked, he wished he could go back in time and stop this. What the hell had he been thinking? She wasn't going to give in. No matter how good the sex was. She was never going to let him in. And now…he couldn't stop. Because if he stopped, she'd look for someone else and that…that was something he couldn't survive.

By the time he got back to his car, he turned back and leaned against the car, looking up at her window. He saw movement, saw her pacing in her room, running her fingers through her hair. She wasn't okay. And he knew that. Reaching for his phone in his pocket, he was about to call her, but he chickened out, instead he typed a quick text.

Blink your lights Benson. I'll stay out here all night until you do.

He saw her stop pacing, and he held his breath. Would she ignore it, would she say something sarcastic back? He saw her reach for her phone, saw her read the message. Saw her face flush and then walk towards the window. He stood up a little straighter and he waited, please he thought. Please blink your lights.

He saw her look down at her hand, and then his phone pinged.

Looking down, he read it outloud, "Stubborn son of a bitch…"

He laughed and looked up at her, nodding slowly, still waiting. He saw her shoulders lift, and then slowly, very slowly her hand reached out and she flipped the light switch, once, twice and he let out a little breath. No. She wasn't okay. But maybe…maybe they would be. Just hang on, he thought. Hang on Stabler…give her some more time. He lifted his hand slowly, waved and then she turned and walked away from the window. Pushing himself off the car, he walked to the driver's side and climbed in.

Just hang on. He thought again. She's worth it. God she's worth it…