A/N: Sorry for the delay, but obviously this has been an insane week! Thanks to all of you for reading this and providing all the support :) So curious what you'll think as we barrel towards the end of this story.
Anyhow...things are about to get real...buckle up!
"Where are we going?" Liv's voice lifts over the wind blowing through the open car windows. He's winding the Bugatti slowly through bending suburban streets and glances over at her with a grin.
"Another minute and you'll know." He turns down a long and curving driveway, slowing to a stop as he reaches a broad, white house. There's a large wrap around porch and beyond the house the blue of the Long Island sound stretches to the distant Connecticut shore.
"Elliot?" He hears the quiet wonder in her voice. "What is this?"
"Come in." He moves out of the car, striding quickly to her door. She's still buckled into the seat, staring up at the house and he grins as he reaches over to undo her belt and offer his hand.
He tugs her in behind him as he opens the door to the sun dappled entry, windows everywhere they turn. Excitedly, he takes her room by room; the huge kitchen with the island, the reading nook with the cherry bookshelves, the sunroom in back that overlooks the long yard, beach and water.
He stands behind her at the floor to ceiling window, wraps his arms around her and leans into her ear. "This is yours."
She turns quickly in the circle of his arms to look up at him. "Everything you asked for. The porch, the beach, the sunlight." He tucks her hair behind her ear, her stunned expression making him giddy yet nervous. "Is it alright? Do you like it?"
"El," she whispers and flings her arms around his neck. She presses her face under his chin and he can feel the tears against his skin before the trembling of her body.
"Hey," he whispers in alarm. His hand cradles the back of her head. "What's wrong? Do you hate it?"
"I love it." She manages with a hiccupping breath. "It's beautiful."
"Then what?" He tilts her head back so he can look into her face, swipes away the tears with his thumb.
"I just never thought...never imagined it could be real. It was always just a fantasy. Something to daydream about." She shakes her head, "You can't. It's too much."
"Liv," He kisses her hairline, holds her tighter in his embrace. He loosens his hold so he can once more look down into her eyes. "I want to give you every desire in your heart. You just have to let me."
She wipes the tears away and smiles, something soft and sad and sweet. "You make me really happy." He sees the tears brimming her eyes again and leans his forehead against hers.
"Sweetheart, you have no idea how happy you make me."
He kisses her, wanting to provide comfort, tenderness. Olivia deepens the kiss, licking into his mouth so he groans in response. His hands slide from her shoulder blades, down to her waist. When he reaches her hips, he lifts her, stepping them back against the window. He pins her weight there as she wraps her legs around his hips. And then he skims one hand around her thigh until it meets the seam of her panties. His fingers play there for a moment and she responds with a moan, her tongue sliding against his. Finally he slips his fingers under, gliding against her bare skin so she bucks into his hand. He responds by pressing a finger into her, already wet and ready for him. And he groans this time, breaking the kiss and rubbing his cheek against hers. His mouth works across her jaw, down her throat as he listens to her mewl against him when he adds another finger.
His hand moves back to her hip, ready to carry her upstairs to a waiting bed. But her knees tighten against him and pull him back towards her. "Now. Here." She pants as she reaches down to his belt and works it open. He grins at her impatience, feeling wanted by her is a heady thing. He lets her do the work of opening his pants, freeing his cock, enjoying the feel of her hands on him, stroking.
And then she shoves her panties aside, brings his tip to her entrance and they work together so he can slide inside her. He watches her bite her lip, throw her head back as she takes all of him. And when he's inside her he thinks he could never possibly have enough of her.
She thrusts against him, matching him, her mouth at his ear, at his neck. His hand fists in her hair and pulls her back, needing to see her. "Look at me, sweetheart. Open your eyes." His voice is gravelly and deep and he takes pleasure in the way her eyes slide open for him.
"Yes, baby." He encourages, his hand sliding between their bodies, fingers working her clit. Her eyes slide closed as he clenches around him, "El…" She calls out.
He chases blissfully after her, his jaw clenching as he groans. His hand pushing against the glass as he rides it out.
She nuzzles into him and he kisses her, just below her ear. "I think every room could use this kind of welcome." He whispers hotly in her ear and hears her laugh gently against him.
"Didn't I tell you to take care of it?" The words are a growl leaving his lips.
"I did, boss." Max, one of his security team, tries and fails to look confident. "But his body was pulled from the Hudson-"
Elliot slams his hand against the table. "The Chao family are already high profile. And Ricky was well known as their leader. If they tie him back to me…" He paces behind his desk, rubbing his hand against his chin.
His men wait silently as he stares out the window. He sighs heavily, "Leave," he dismisses, and they hurry for the exit.
Just a moment later, he hears her voice. "Hey…"
Elliot turns from the window to find Olivia standing in the doorway.
"You ok?" She asks as she steps inside and shuts the door behind her.
He shakes his head. "My men fucked something up."
He watches her approach him and lean on the edge of the desk. She doesn't ask and he always appreciates her discretion, that she waits for him to share when he decides it's right. It's part of the reason he is bringing her into the business. He can trust so few, and she has earned that trust.
He takes a breath and sits, looks up at her. "The cops found Ricky Chao's body."
She purses her lips, "How big of a problem is this?"
Elliot shakes his head. "Not sure yet. I'm careful, always. My security is tight. I'm cautious about who knows what and how much. But working with the other families...it's harder to be discreet."
"You'll figure it out." Olivia replies, reassuringly and he believes her. He reaches towards her and she slides into his lap, wraps her arms around him and he takes comfort in her embrace.
A few nights later Elliot is leaving the No Name. The changes suggested by Liv are already showing profits and it seemed like things in regards to Ricky Chao had settled. With Olivia working the business full time, she had stopped waitressing and was already back at home waiting for him. Elliot is looking forward to returning to her and the home they share part time.
But as he steps outside he's greeted by the cops. An older man with a trench coat and receding hairline stands in front.
"Mr Stabler, I'm Captain Cragen. I need a word with you about a business associate of yours, Ricky Chao."
Elliot adjusts his jacket as he eyes the older man. "I'm not sure I'd call Ricky Chao a business associate." Elliot replies coolly. "More like a distant acquaintance. I was sorry to hear about his untimely passing."
The captain nods with a smirk. "Well, it would be best if you came down to the precinct so we could review any information you may have. I'm sure you're eager to help us put away the people responsible."
Elliot smiles, clears his throat. "Surely that's not necessary, captain. It's been a long day."
"Mr Stabler, you can come down now and we can make this a friendly chat. Or I can come back tomorrow with a warrant and it'll be decidedly less civil."
Elliot nods slowly, the smile still plastered on his face. "Very well. I'm sure I can spare some time."
"Your business interests seem to be flourishing, Mr. Stabler." Captain Cragen appears to be reviewing a folder in his hands, but Elliot isn't fooled by his casual demeanor.
"I thought you had some questions about Ricky Chao? Although again I have to point out that I didn't know Ricky all that well, so I'm not sure how I can help." Elliot gives him a mocking sort of smile.
"You know..." the captain closes the folder and places it on the table in front of him. "I've heard that you and Ricky Chao actually did have some business. In fact, I've heard that the Genovese family, the Pinheiro family and the Williams family also have business with you. Which is funny really. Because those four families have some very interesting reputations. And well, Mr. Stabler, your reputation is rather interesting as well. Wouldn't you say?"
Elliot shrugs, "You really can't believe everything you hear, captain."
"That's where I think you're wrong, Mr. Stabler. I'm inclined to believe a lot of things I've heard. Starting with your role in Ricky Chao's death."
Elliot leans back in his chair and waits.
"From what I understand, Ricky Chao was undermining your business." Cragen snaps his fingers. "Did I forget to mention that I've heard the five families are behind Onyx, with you as the head? Silly me."
Cragen taps the manila folder idly. "But Ricky Chao is famously greedy and I guess he just couldn't help himself. But you're not a man to be trifled with, are you Mr Stabler?"
Elliot checks his watch. He's becoming uncomfortable with the level of detail the NYPD seems to have and he knows he needs to leave before things get worse. "It really has been a long day, captain. If you're just going to waste my time with idle gossip, then I think I'll be going."
"I assure you, it isn't just gossip." Captain Cragen smirks at Elliot.
"Care to share? If you're going to bat around these accusations, you're going to have to stop being so cryptic." Elliot smirks back.
The captain stares at him for a long moment. "It is rather late." Cragen stands, opens the door and looks back at Elliot. "When the time is right, you and I can have another chat."
Elliot rises, struggling to retain his cool facade. "Until then, captain."
"Bet on it." Cragen's face is suddenly very serious and Elliot can see the trouble from a mile away.
He comes home from the police station late, finding Liv already asleep. She looks peaceful under the covers, her shoulder covered only by the strap of her silk nightgown. The conversation at the precinct had not gone as smoothly as he would have liked. And as he looks at Olivia, he thinks back to the interrogation. It felt like a warning shot. Like there was worse to come.
He's worried that things are bad, a more dire situation than he's ever been in before. Elliot has had enough scrapes with the law. But he's always found a way to evade. This time he's starting to wonder if he'll be able to escape as he's done so many times before. Or if he'll need to do something drastic. And he doesn't know what that means for her, for them.
He sits on the edge of the bed and caresses her hair, her jaw, her shoulder. Leaning down, he kisses her neck, slow and open mouthed and she stirs. He pulls back as she blinks up at him. She gives him a sleepy smile, "Hi."
"Hey," the stress melts away at the sound of her voice. Olivia sits up, her arms wrapping around him, pressing her face into the crook of his neck. "Are you coming to bed?"
"Mmhmm." His hands coast over the soft material, drifting over her bare arms. She pulls back and then reaches for his tie, tugging it open and discarding it. Liv pushes at the lapels of his jacket until it joins the tie in the floor. He lets her work open his shirt as he plays with the ends of her hair, as his fingertips slip along the edge of her nightgown.
When he's bare chested he finally gets up, opening his belt and trousers and removing them with quick movements. He pushes away the sheets and kneels back on the bed so he can pull her nightgown off and bare her naked body to him.
Elliot takes her in, his hands sliding along her soft skin, caressing her breasts. His mouth moves over the curve of her breast, his tongue slides against her nipple before he takes it into his mouth and sucks. He listens to her breathing quicken as she arches into him. Finally, he presses her back, Liv wrapping her arms around him as she settles. They share a languid kiss as she scrapes her nails through his hair and against his scalp.
He takes himself in his hand, rubbing his tip against her core and feels her squirm against him. And then he doesn't want to wait any longer. He pulls back to look in her eyes and slides into her slow and steady. When he's buried inside her, he stills and brings his hand to her cheek, his thumb following her cheekbone as she presses into his touch.
"Elliot," she whispers as her eyes shine in the dim light of the room. He kisses her tenderly, her hands framing his face. He's awed by her, by how he feels about her. Utterly overwhelmed by what she stirs in him, he can feel the tears gathering in his eyes and squeezes them shut.
Slowly he begins to move, feels her hands press along his shoulders and his back. He kisses her temple, her brow, the tip of her nose. Finally his lips meet hers again. He rests his forehead against hers as he thrusts faster. And then as he begins to lose control, he pulls back to look at her again, staring up at him in return. He slides a hand behind her head, another grasping her hip and they move together.
"I love you, Olivia."
Her eyes fill, a tear slipping out of the corner and he traces its path down the side of her face, kissing the wetness.
"Elliot," she whispers again and he kisses her once more. He wants to hold onto this, the safety of this moment before the precipice ahead. But it's racing away from him now. She's fluttering around him and he angles towards her, brushing her clit until she moans and arches and comes apart around him. He follows her over, collapsing onto her as his climax ebbs. He gathers her in his arms as he slips out of her, turns onto his back and settles her against him.
After a moment she turns away, reaching to the nightstand for a sip of water and he leans towards her when she offers him the glass.
They curl up together again, his chest against her back, his arm wrapped around her. He rubs his scruff against her shoulder.
"What if we left everything behind? Went off to some beach somewhere?" He can't see her face, but he feels the deep breath she takes.
"Tell me what's wrong." She responds quietly and he sighs against her. She turns, pushing against him so she can change positions and face him. He kisses her gently.
"El...talk to me." Her gaze is tender and even in the midst of the chaos he feels safe with her. He's never had that before.
"The cops were waiting for me tonight. They had questions about Ricky Chao."
She nods slowly, calmly. "So you want to leave?"
"I don't want to. I don't want to leave my kids. But...I'm not going to prison. I just can't. And if I'm going to leave, then it's gotta be now. Before the cops finish putting the pieces together."
He watches her close her eyes, feels her hands wrap around him as she burrows herself into his embrace.
"Come with me." He whispers.
"Are you sure?" Her voice is muffled as she speaks into his shoulder.
He kisses the top of her head, stroking her hair until she pulls back to look at him.
"Completely sure. Come with me. Just us. We'll go live in anonymity in some quiet place."
He sees her tearing up and kisses her forehead. "Please trust me, sweetheart."
"I love you, El." She whispers in return, her expression unreadable.
"Tomorrow night. I'll come get you. Just pack the bare minimum. I'll buy us a new place, far away." He promises. He feels her wrap her arms around him, squeezing their bodies together. He falls asleep with her body tight against his.
The call comes an hour before he's set to leave and pick up Olivia. Everything's arranged, money shifted overseas, transportation booked. He'd just finished one last dinner with the whole family.
But the voice on the other end of the line is panicked. "Boss. They're coming now." Max's voice is tight.
He'd put Max on surveillance, following around Cragen to try to stay on top of what was happening. But he hadn't counted on this.
Elliot takes the back stairs towards the garage. He's plotting out the route in his head, the fastest way to the airstrip. He figures he's got a fifteen minute head start, if he's lucky. It's not enough time to reach Olivia. He's desperately trying to figure out a way to her, when he hears the crunch of gravel behind him. He whips around and she's there. He's surprised, but mostly just relieved, and he takes two steps towards her, "Liv, thank god. Come on," He waves his hand towards her, but she's just standing there, not moving. He can see it now, a strange look in her eye, something unfamiliar. Elliot takes two more steps towards her, "Liv?" When she doesn't respond, he thinks it must be fear. "Sweetheart, they're on the way. My car's right here. We can make it to the jet. We can be gone before they can get to me. Just you and me." He smiles at her and she takes a half step forward, turns slightly. Her right arm comes into view and his eyes skim down to see the gun in her hand. "I can't let you leave, Stabler."
He frowns, confused. "Liv?" He drags his eyes back to her face, searching for an answer. Something clicks, an understanding, however vague. He can see it now, her eyes are hard, cold, her mouth set, stern. This is the woman he loves, and yet, it's not. He swallows down a wave of anxiety. "Who are you?"
"I'm exactly who you think I am." She replies, soft. Then her voice takes on an edge. "Except you killed my best friend."
A/N: So...did you see it coming?! How is everyone doing with that?
And don't worry, final chapter will be up no later than wednesday night!