The Ante
Chapter Two
By: Lizzie B
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Author's Note: You know what's weird, I'm find this story harder to write than The Bet, lol. Considering they're practically the same story, it's odd. Maybe it's because I'm a Munch fanatic, lol.
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"Okay, okay," Elliot Stabler leaned back in his chair and grinned at Fin Tutuola across the table, over his partner's head, "Remember the Cruz case? Maybe two years back?"
"Oh man, that's cold," Fin said, shaking his head.
"But it's funny," Elliot pointed out and launched into the story. Olivia listened with half an ear, she'd heard all about the crossing dressing Candice. These were the best nights to work in Special Victims. Everyone hanging out at the cop bar down the street, laughing and blowing off steam, it was like one oddly dysfunctional family. Olivia loved it. It was so easy to become just the job, but here they were people again, friends. Everyone laughs as Elliot explains just who exactly Candice was.
She laughs too, and doesn't miss the little wink Elliot sent her way. She smiled back. There may be this unspoken tension between them, but they were still friends. She valued that even as she longed for more. Reassuring touches and shared smiles ended up stored away in her memory so when she was alone and hurting, there was something to make her feel better. Even if they were just memories that meant nothing beyond simple friendship and comfort.
"Now "Candice" was a big girl, but she couldn't hold even one gin and tonic," Olivia recognized the end of the tale, and refocused on the conversation. "But by this time we'd figured out she was pretty much useless to our case so we're about to leave when she throws herself at Fin and they go crashing to the floor." Everyone was chuckling at this point, while Fin kept drinking, "It took Fin, the bar tender and me five minute to get "Candice" off of him."
"Wow, didn't know you were such a ladies man, Fin," Olivia propped her chin in her hand and smiled at Fin, "I know a few "ladies" who would love to meet you."
"If you're all gonna spend the whole night makin' fun of me, I need another drink," Fin said, getting to his feet.
"Woah, anniversary boy doesn't get his own drinks," Elliot said, also standing. "Anyone else need a refill?" There was a chorus of yes! from the table.
"Here, let me help," Olivia said, getting up also and grabbed empty glasses.
"Thanks Liv," Elliot said and she saluted him with an empty beer bottle. Even between the two of them they couldn't juggle all the glasses, so Cragen came to the rescue and took what they couldn't handle.
"So, he's survived," Cragen said when they reached the bar and looked back to the table. "He's good, I'm glad he stuck around."
"Ah, come on Cap, tell the truth, you're just glad you don't have to find John another partner," Elliot joked.
"You mean there are people who would still partner with John?" Olivia pretended to be shocked and Elliot resisted the urge to grab her in a headlock. He had a strict hands off policy for Liv, which wasn't working out too well. Too many times for his liking he'd found his hand rubbing her shoulder or on her arm. And every time it was like touching a live wire. He really had to learn to keep his hands to himself.
"I'm just surprised they turned out to be such good friends," Cragen said, watching as John teased Fin about something, "Who the hell would have thought?"
"John's a good guy, just a little nuts," Olivia said with a shrug, "You get used to him."
"Or tune him out," Elliot smiled, the smile fell away when Cragen reached for his phone. "A case?"
"Landlord was cleaning out an evicted apartment, found a stash of kiddy porn, it looks like the renter might have been producing the stuff," Cragen said without a trace of emotion, "We need to track him down. I'll get the others, you head back to the house."
"Right," Olivia took the lead towards the door, Elliot falling in step behind her. Only when they reached the door did he realize his hand was at the small of her back, guiding her.
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Author's Note: Well, another one bites the dust. I think it's time I watched some SVU episodes to get Elliot and Olivia more in character, or at least help me understand their character better. Please, read and review.