Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the show.
Notes: This story takes place after Season 8, Episode 14 "Dependent".
This chapter was edited in January 2021, so minor changes to the grammar and story were made.
It was an eerily quiet day at the 1-6. Everyone not in court for the day was sitting around finishing their paperwork. After the most recent case, where IAB accused a cop from their own force of killing a kid, everyone has been letting their thoughts linger on the different topics it had brought up. For one, Olivia Benson, the case affected her the most. You see the cop that was allegedly accused but -finally- found innocent was none other than her partner, her best friend, and her long-time secret crush, the one man that made her go weak at the knees. Elliot Stabler.
They have been partners for the last eight and a half years. In those years she has seen him cry, laugh, and be at his most temperamental. He was married and had four children when she had first met him but now he is a single, good-looking cop. He was good looking before, but now she doesn't have the same guilt any time she snuck a glance at him while working. Olivia knew something was wrong with him last night. She saved his ass from being put in jail and all he did was give her a nod and left.
Olivia Benson had walked into the precinct in the morning to find her partner Elliot Stabler was already there. She noticed a very different expression on his face. He seemed…happy. Like someone took all the weight off his shoulders.
Olivia went to the coffee machine and poured herself a cup of coffee, knowing it was made by Cragen and not Munch. He was in court that morning testifying about a previous case. She walked over to her desk, placing her coffee down as she took her jacket off and flung it around the back of her chair. She sat down and took a warm sip of the coffee that was in front of her, seeing her partner had already started tackling their paperwork.
"Elliot," Olivia had said.
"Yeah Liv," Elliot said using his nickname for her as he looked up.
"Where did you disappear to last night after court? I was going to talk to you."
"Oh," was the only reply that came out of Elliot Stabler's mouth. "I went to talk to Kathy. I asked her to come home."
"Oh...okay," was the only words that could come out of Olivia's mouth. She tried not to look hurt, but she had really loved her partner and although it had pained her when she found out about his and Kathy's divorce, as she saw the toll it took on him, she also had a sense of relief. She could not believe that anyone would give up someone like Elliot. He was sweet, sexy, and charming. He was dedicated to his job, friends but most importantly his family. She knew there was nothing he wouldn't do for them. The relief she felt? Well, that was more to do with her and her guilt. The guilt she felt for being in love with a married man.
"We talked and she said I could come back home. She said she missed me. Isn't this great? I get to be back with my kids again. It sucked seeing them every other week," Elliot told her, grinning as he went back to continue his paperwork.
Olivia now was almost in tears. Sure, she was happy he got to see his kids more often and would be with them again. All she wants is to see him happy. The issue was with her hope, it was now broken. Shattered, like her heart. Little fragments of it spread out in front of her, for her to stare at.
"That's great El. I am very happy for you."
What Olivia did not know was that her best friend Casey was standing behind her by the entrance as she watched this exchange take place, somewhat shocked at how quick a day made. Casey was the only one that knew about Olivia's feelings for her partner.
Realizing she had to do something, Casey made her presence known as she walked quickly towards Olivia. She grabbed Olivia's elbow, signaling her to stand and follow her.
"Olivia, let us go someplace else and get you out of here."
Olivia nodded as she stood, not trusting her voice, afraid she may start crying at that very moment.
Hearing what Casey said, Elliot looked up and asked "Olivia, what's wrong?"
"She and I just need to talk Elliot," Casey said as she led Olivia up the stairs to go to the cribs, as the wondering eyes followed them till they could no longer see.