Layover--Chapter 2


Dulles International Airport was a zoo, and even that was an understatement. As Elliot had later learned, more than their flight had been grounded by the weather and people from all parts of the country were scrambling to find shelter. Most of the hotels were booked shut and those few that still had openings also had high prices and long lines.

"So what's our next move?" Olivia asked as she collapsed onto one of the many gray chairs that sat across from the arrival/departure boards. Laying her luggage next to her chair, she stared at the boards in front of her noticing how many flights had the word 'grounded' next to it.

"Well it doesn't look like we're going to be getting into a hotel for the night so it looks like we're stuck here," Elliot grimaced.

"Are you kidding me? I'm not spending the night in the airport!"

"Liv look around," Elliot suggested.

Olivia glanced around the area noticing the numerous people wearing the same expression of confusion and exhaustion. Men, women, and children populated the area that would normally be full of bustling travelers searching for their gates. Her head dropped against the back of the chair and a sigh escaped her mouth. "We're never getting out of here are we?"

"Doesn't look like it," Elliot answered dropping onto the chair next to her. "I'll check with the travel agent again once the mob dies down, but I doubt they'll be anything new."

"So what do we do now?"

"We try to entertain ourselves I guess," Elliot suggested.

Olivia's eyes shot up immediately at the suggestion. "What?"

Elliot laughed noticing the look on her face, "Get your head out of the gutter Liv. I meant talking, playing a game or something."

The slightest hint of pink tinted Olivia's cheeks but she hid it quickly. "So what do we talk about?"

"I don't care," Elliot said. "You pick."

Olivia knew this was her chance, and as much as Elliot would hate her for it she just had to ask. "So how's single life?" Olivia knew her question had hit home when Elliot's face turned a slight shade of red, muscles tightening.

"Liv-"

"I know you probably don't want to talk about it," she interrupted, "but I can tell that it's killing you inside and if you don't tell someone it's only going to continue to tear you apart." She waited for his answer but only the silence remained. "You know you used to tell me things, Elliot. We used to be partners and now I feel like…like you're closing me out."

"I'm not used to this," he said finally.

"To what?"

"This feeling of loneliness. I've always been the family man, the one that everyone looked to for strength, but all of that is gone now. And I don't know how to act."

The silence once again infiltrated the situation and the pair sat there. Neither was sure what to say next or how to fill the rest of their time together.

"I'm sorry," Olivia finally blurted out. At Elliot's confused face she continued, "I'm sorry for bringing the whole divorce thing up."

"Don't worry about it Liv," he said. "I'm getting over it. Slowly but nonetheless."

Olivia smiled and leaned her body against the side of her chair that bordered Elliot's, letting their shoulders touch just slightly. As the silence covered them once again, Olivia felt her eyes drift shut and a smile spread across her face. She felt Elliot's body shift and she stiffened automatically.

"You can fall asleep on my if you want Liv," Elliot said.

She smiled inwardly; it still amazed her how he knew exactly what was going on with her even when he couldn't see her face. "These seats really aren't that comfortable," she said shifting her body into numerous positions, none of which were comfortable enough to allot her the sleep she desired.

"Sure they are, you just have to know how to work them." Without waiting to make a further explanation Elliot pushed softly on Olivia's back to get her to sit forward before pulling on the armrest and folding in underneath creating a more comfortable environment to catch a quick nap.

Olivia leaned forward and performed the same routine on the armrests on the other end of her chair and stretched her legs out. "This is so much better," she said. She didn't move, but rather waited for Elliot to initiate any sort of contact. She hadn't finished the thought before she felt his hand on her shoulder pulling her upper body down.

"Comfortable?" he asked once her head was situated in his lap, her legs bent at the knees, her unruly hair tucked behind her ear.

"Mm hmm," she mumbled through a smile.

"Good, catch some sleep Liv. We could be here a while."

She would have argued but she was bordering on exhaustion from the day's events. Within moments Elliot felt her breathing even out and he knew she was asleep. He continued to watch her noticing how serene her face looked when she slept and how that one piece of hair refused to stay tucked behind her ear. He was pulled out of his thoughts by his cell phone, which luckily was set to vibrate and didn't wake Olivia.

"Stabler," he answered just above a whisper.

"Elliot, where are you two?" Cragen's voice demanded.

"It's okay Cap, they had to ground the plane in D.C. and we're stuck in the airport until we can get a hotel or this blizzard passes."

"Alright. How's Olivia?"

"She's sleeping right now," Elliot said still watching the steady rise and fall of Olivia's chest.

"How'd she do on the plane? She's not all the fond of flying."

"She freaked out a bit, but she kept it together for the most part," Elliot said before something struck him. "Hey Cap how did you know we weren't in Miami?"

Cragen chuckled on the other end, "Maureen called the station house six times. She said you were supposed to call her as soon as you landed and that you hadn't so she automatically assumed something was wrong."

Elliot laughed quietly. "I'd better call her then."

"Yeah you better. If she comes down here one more time I'm going to personally drive her to Washington."

"Thanks Cap. Bye." Elliot pressed the end button before dialing Maureen's cell phone number.

"Where the hell are you?" she answered.

"Hello to you too baby girl," Elliot said quietly. He knew he was in trouble just by the tone of his eldest daughter's voice.

"Daddy what's going on? Where are you?"

"Well they had to ground the plane because of the weather so Liv and I are stuck in Dulles Airport in D.C.," he answered. Olivia stirred next to him causing Elliot to pause momentarily.

"How long at you stuck in D.C.?" Maureen asked.

"I don't know sweetie," he answered just above a whisper.

"Dad why are you so quiet?"

"Liv's asleep in the next chair," he explained. "Look sweetie I'm sorry I didn't call but I promise you everything is okay."

"I believe you dad, but it'd be nice to be kept in the loop about these things."

"Sorry Maur," he repeated. "I'll call you back and let you know where we'll be staying…if we ever get a hotel that is."

"We? Like you and Olivia sharing a room? How many beds dad?"

"Maureen," Elliot said with equal parts embarrassment and shock. "You have a dirty mind you know that? Where did that come from?"

"Mom says I get it from you," she laughed.

"I highly doubt that," he chuckled. "Goodbye sweetie."

"Bye Dad."

Elliot snapped his phone shut and glanced down at Olivia who was still peacefully sleeping. He ran his hand softly over her hair, tucking it back behind her ear.

"Hey Mister," a small voice said.

Elliot looked at the boy in front of him; he looked about 4 or 5 years old with shaggy brown hair and matching cinnamon eyes. "Hi," Elliot said in what could be considered his 'trying-not-to-scare-children' tone.

"Can I have my car back please?" the boy asked pointing underneath Elliot's chair.

He looked down and notice the small green car that had found its way under his seat. Bending down he picked up the toy and handed it back to the boy who accepted it with a smile. "Thanks," he said and looked like he was going to turn and leave but first added, "Your wife's real pretty." Before Elliot could correct him, the boy ran back to his parents.

'Oh well,' he thought before tipping his head back and closing his eyes.


Olivia's eyes fluttered open and for a moment she did not remember her surroundings but soon it all came crashing back her. She lifted her head slightly but soon realized that she couldn't move the rest of her body. It was then that she felt the hand resting on her hip and her entire body flushed.

"Elliot," she said in a groggy voice. "Elliot wake up."

With a mumbled from deep within his chest, Elliot's body shifted slightly causing his hand to drop from its place on her hip and land against her stomach dangerously close to her breasts.

Olivia gasped slightly at the intimate touch of Elliot's hand. The skin underneath her sweater warmed at the thought of his hands touching her, and Olivia mentally kicked herself for it. "El you gotta wake up," she said again this time lightly smacking his knee.

Elliot's head shot up, eyes blinking before finally focusing on the board across from him. He brought both hands to his face, rubbing the sleepiness from his expression.

Olivia exhaled at the loss of contact, but hid the emotions quickly. She pulled herself into a sitting position and tucked her legs underneath her body, sitting Indian style. "What time is it?"

"7:38," he said glancing at his watch. "Think we should check with the travel agent again?"

"Worth a shot," she smiled. Elliot returned the smile before pulling himself off the semi-comfortable chairs and heading back in the direction of the travel agent's desk.

Olivia watched as he walked away, noticing the muscle in his shoulders and back and the way they tightened when he woke up. If they were lucky they would be able to get a hotel room and not have to spend another moment in this airport, but Olivia wasn't getting her hopes up.


Okay kiddies, that's the next chapter. Sorry it took so long but school is taking over my life for the time being. Finals are next week so my next chapter won't be up until later. I hope to finish this story over Christmas break, but who knows? Oh yea and don't forget to review! I absolutely loved the amount of reviews I got last time, now let's try to double it!