The Bet
Chapter Fourteen
By: Lizzie B
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Author's Note: Sorry about the long break between chapters, I had the worst case of writer's block! I think I'm coming out of it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Please read and review.
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John Munch turned when a hand squeezed his shoulder and someone slid onto the stool next to his.
"Hey stranger, buy you a drink?" He asked Olivia Benson with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"Well sure handsome," She smiled, "How've you been John?"
"Oh, just wallowing in the worst of humanity day after day with little sleep and shitty pay. You know, the usual."
She laughed at his sarcastic tone, "Well, it's good to know things haven't changed."
"What about you, Liv? Any carpal tunnel from typing all day?"
"Sorry, John, still as healthy as a horse and insured to stay that way."
John smiled brightly, almost feeling sorry for Olivia. She was about to get worked over like a suspect. At the big meeting for The Bet, it had been decided that John would be the one to talk to Olivia. His mission was to try and get her to visit Elliot.
Everyone else was still working on a way to get Elliot to cave. So far they liked Fontana's idea of kidnapping him best. Other than that they were fresh out of ideas on how to get past the stubborn will of Elliot Stabler.
"So, you have to tell me all the best gossip," Olivia said, sitting down at the stool next to him.
Mentally John chuckled, since she and Elliot were the best gossip the squad had it wasn't likely she'd like to hear about it, "I think Fin's seeing someone, but I'm not sure yet."
"Really? Anyone we might know?" Liv motioned for a beer and John indicated it should be on his tab.
"Nope, but Cragen says the last time he called Fin late at night a woman answered," John explained, "So, I'm subtly trying to find out who it was."
"John, you don't do subtle."
He shrugged, "I have my moments."
Olivia's eyebrows shot up in surprised, "Really?"
"Ha ha," John worked up a fake scowl which just made Olivia smile.
"But I'm betting that's not the reason why you called me." John sighed.
"What? I can't just be having drinks with a colleague?"
Olivia narrowed her eyes and studied him intently. John figured trying to dance around the issue wasn't going to work. Live was honest with him after the Gitano case, he might as well be honest now. "So, basically I'm wondering if you and Elliot have talked."
"John," Liv sighed.
"What? Would you prefer to go back to dancing around the topic the whole night? I can live with that," John held up his hands defensively, "But you don't look so good and neither does Elliot."
"Thanks John, just want I need to hear," Olivia's shoulders dropped and she stared into her beer, "I miss it, you know. Working over suspects, following the evidence, and those big squad brainstorming sessions. I really missed that."
"So, come back," John pressed.
"You know I can't John."
John snorted, "You know, the Olivia Benson I know wouldn't be such a coward." Her head jerked up and she gapped at him, "See, the Olivia Benson I know can bust the balls of the worst rapists and pedophiles with out blinking an eye. She can walk through blood and death every day and get up the next morning to do it all over again. She's brilliant, strong, and doesn't take any crap from anyone. And most of all, if she's got a problem she fixes it."
"It's not that simple this time, John."
"I think it is, Liv. You're scared, I get that, but you've never let fear stop you before. Remember White? You kicked that guy's ass, even though you were scared out of your mind. Elliot's just like White, only he's not out to kill you. Face it head on, hash it all out, hell, rough him up a bit if you have to, but if you don't do anything about it, you're going to be scared the rest of your life."
"You think that's what I should do?" Olivia asked, but John sensed she was asking much more than that.
He took off his glasses and fixed her with a look, "Yes. Without question I think you should get up, walk out of this bar and go see him. You deserve some peace of mind."
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Author's Note: Does she go or does she stay? Wait, aren't those song lyrics?