Chapter 36

A/N: I love the mixed reactions to the separation I have some screaming for E/O to get back together and get their act together and then others want to see something between Olivia and Mathew, maybe I can please both audiences!

Cragen Residence, Manhattan, New York

Monday, January 20th 2016

7.21 am

"Melissa! Nicole! Hurry up!" Olivia yelled up the stairs, she already badly missed her intercom system and added it to the list of things she needed to do to her Mother's house.

"Olivia I can drive the girls to school if you want." Eliza said seeing how stressed Olivia was.

"You don't mind?" Olivia asked.

"Of course not." Eliza replied. "I worked as a Nanny for a while after your Mother told me she wasn't coming home."

"You did?" Olivia asked. "Eliza… how would you like to earn a little bit more by being the kids Nanny too?"

"Really?" Eliza asked her eyes wide in a smile.

"Yeah, we can discuss terms of employment because on some days you're going to have seven kids running around but I'm sure we can come to come agreement, I mean our Nanny's used to do all the cooking and cleaning anyway." Olivia replied and Eliza smiled and nodded. "Just stop wearing that uniform and wear whatever the hell you want."

"Sure." Eliza nodded.

"Uh the delivery of the new bed is at four and can you ring the intercom company that I wrote down on the white board in the kitchen I want it in every room."

"I know Olivia and Melissa has gymnastics and Nicole has Piano I'll drop them off and pick them up." Eliza smiled.

"I'll be home for six, if something comes up I'll call and I'll have George tonight and the Crib arrives at two…"

"I know, go have a good day." Eliza laughed putting Olivia's scarf over her.

"Ok I'm going. Girls! I'm going!" She yelled up the stairs.

"Bye!" They both yelled back and Olivia rolled her eyes and hurried off.

Manhattan SVU, Manhattan, New York

Monday, January 20th 2016

8.02 am

Olivia was pleased to see she had arrived before Elliot. She went straight into her office and was surprised to see Mathew Rockwell sitting there.

"Mathew? What do I owe this very early morning visit to?" Olivia asked.

"COM STAT." He replied and Olivia sighed and nodded.

"It's been a bit of a weekend Mathew I've barely look at the file." She replied honestly.

"Well your unit has the highest case closure in the NYPD so I wouldn't worry if I was you." Mathew smiled.

"Good, any of my staff need to worry?" Olivia asked.

"Nope." Mathew replied.

"Then what are we doing here?" She asked skimming through the files in her desk.

"I just thought I'd find an excuse to call by. Your husband called and said you might need a friend."

"My husband?" She asked raising her eyebrows. "Son of a bitch."

"What?" Mathew asked.

"We separated yesterday." Olivia told him.

"He called me last night." Mathew replied and Olivia shook her head and laughed softly. "What?"

"We told each other to see other people." Olivia explained. "I said if he didn't have a date in the next week I'd set up a blind date with a weirdo." Olivia chuckled. "He specifically told me to hit on you."

"He did?" Mathew asked.

"Yeah." Olivia blushed seeing how perked up Mathew became hearing that.

"So if I asked you to dinner?" He asked cheekily.

"Why are you asking?"

"Italian?"

"Carbonara."

"Tomorrow?"

"Eight O'clock." Olivia smiled her eyes still fixed on the file in her hands.

"Meet you at Luigi's west hundred an eighth." He said getting to his feet.

Olivia just smiled as he walked off, there was no harm in having some fun if that's what Elliot wanted her to do.

When Elliot arrived he brought George through in his car seat.

"Everything ok?" He asked as Olivia took the gurgling baby into her arms.

"Yeah you?" She asked feeling awkward.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Uh I need your fives of the Delany case for COM STAT on Friday." Olivia told him.

"Sure." He nodded.

"Can you make sure all uni's have their paperwork up to date because some of them will be leaving us the department is cutting uniforms at the precinct by twenty percent." Olivia said.

"Ok." Elliot replied nodding.

"That's all." She told him as she closed her office blinds.

"Ok." He nodded again before walking out and leaving Olivia to whatever she was doing guessing she felt awkward.

Olivia closed her office door and stripped George down to his diaper before removing her own top half and then like George Huang had told her she sat back in her chair with the blanket to cover her and held her son.

"I'm sure you kept Daddy up all night huh?" She asked as her son blinked his bright blue eyes up at her making her smile. "Things are changing buddy and I don't know if they're for the better or not but you won't remember all of this so you're lucky." She continued as he grasped at her finger and put it into his mouth.

A knock on the office door had her groaning and shifting to make sure she was completely covered.

"Come in!" She called and she was surprised to see Mathew Rockwell enter again. "Ok what do you want?" She asked suspiciously.

"I was going to go back to the office but I thought we could have coffee and just talk." He said placing a fresh carton of coffee on her desk.

"Ok. Thanks." She replied as she stroked her hand over her son's blanket covered back. "Sorry I thought I'd have an hour or two alone." She said knowing that he could see she was topless because he could see her shoulders.

"My ex-wife used to carry out children around naked on her bare chest, it's supposed to be a bonding thing or something, she didn't cover up with a blanket like you do though." He said and she smiled.

"Yeah, George Huang taught me this, said I should try it whenever I had some alone time with my son and the first night away from him last night since he was born, it was really strange so I just thought I'd remind him who Mommy is." Olivia explained and Mathew smiled.

"It's adorable." He said and she nodded before kissing her son's head.

"He's Momma's boy." Olivia said and Mathew nodded in reply.

"I wanted to ask you, are things going to be awkward between you and Stabler now?" He asked cautiously.

"I guess they will be but we're professional you know, we've almost always kept work and privet separate…"

"You can't do that in this job Olivia." He said and she sighed and nodded.

"That's true but I think we can remain professional." Olivia said.

"If not … there's going to be an opening in Bronx SVU for Captain… we want either you or Elliot to consider taking it." Mathew said.

"How come?" Olivia asked.

"Because John Munch never wanted to take captaincy and you and Elliot have …"

"No I mean how come there's an opening." Olivia said.

"Oh their case closure rate is only forty four percent and yours is double that and the brass thinks they need someone more experienced to take it. That's what is going to be the big announcement at COM STAT."

"I'll talk to Elliot, see if he's interested, I mean now we're separated he might take it but who knows he may have taken it even if we were still together." Olivia shrugged.

"Well if he doesn't want it you still can…"

"I could never leave Manhattan SVU Mathew, my life has always been here and this is where my Dad worked you know and I took over from him, it means too much to me and I'm already Captain I don't need to go through it all again." Olivia said and he nodded his understanding.

"The choice is yours Olivia your job here is safe." Mathew smiled getting to his feet. "I'll catch you later."

"Yeah." She replied before watching him go leaving her to think about losing Elliot to Brooklyn SVU.

Manhattan SVU, Manhattan, New York

Monday, January 20th 2016

1.49 pm

"Stabler a word!" Olivia called the office door.

Elliot felt resentment at being called 'Stabler' by his wife but he didn't say anything as he walked into the office without arguing.

"Sit down Elliot." She said and Elliot took one of the seats while she took her own behind the desk.

"Liv are you going to tell me what this is about?" Elliot asked as she was studying him intently.

"You know its COM STAT tomorrow." Olivia said and Elliot nodded in reply though it wasn't a question. "I've been informed that an opening will be made as Captain in Bronx SVU and… I've been told that the job will be offered to you."

"Captain of Bronx SVU?" Elliot asked.

"I was told that they want you or me running the department, I won't leave here, I'm already Captain. It's your choice El, I won't make you leave but if you want to take it I won't stop you either." Olivia explained. "I'm telling you before the brass do so you can have a chance to think it over, weigh up the pro's and con's and then make whatever decision you think is the right one for you." Olivia explained and Elliot nodded.

"How did you know?" Elliot asked.

"Know what?" Olivia frowned.

"Know that they were planning on releasing the Captaincy spot at Bronx SVU and that they were offering it to one of us?" Elliot explained.

"Rockwell was here this morning telling me, you saw him come in here." Olivia replied and Elliot nodded and frowned.

"Do you want me to take it?" Elliot asked.

"I don't want to lose my Sergeant." Olivia replied. "But I want you to make the decision for yourself, I won't hold it against you whatever decision you chose to make."

"Fine." He replied getting to his feet and Olivia followed suit.

He walked to the door and Olivia followed him.

"Liv what are we doing?" He asked turning back to face her.

"What do you mean?" Olivia asked.

Elliot grabbed her and kissed her hard.

At first she was taken by shock but then she kissed him back. Her arms snaked around him and her lips didn't leave his as his hand snaked around her slender frame. The kiss was hard, passionate mixed with anger and frustration.

He pushed her up against the door making it rattle and letting everyone know in the squad room that something was happening in there especially when Elliot clicked the door locked.

It took seconds for him to lift her into his arms holding her tight against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist crossing them tight behind him.

His hands stroked up and down her sweater covered back and she moaned subconsciously into his mouth. Slowly he made his way over to the old leather couch that had been the victim of their office antics numerous times and he lay her down on it.

Once he was nearly lying on top of her he dropped her lips and looked into her eyes. Their breathing was ragged, like they were nervous. He stroked his hands down her clothed body and she watched his eyes rake over her body following the pattern of her body.

He slowly lifted his eyes back to her face and then kissed her gently, there wasn't the rush that there had been when he first kissed her. Her hands stroked up his back half lifting his shirt with it which gave him the go ahead to peel off her sweater.

She sat up to help him take it off and then lay back so he could stroke up and down her ribs slowly towards her breasts stopping underneath her bra almost as if seeking permission to touch her there. The arch of her back was permission enough and as he leant down and latched his lips onto hers once again he slid his hands beneath her back to unhook the offending garment.

When he reached up pulling the bra off she found her chance to begin taking his shirt off one button at a time. Her fingers danced nimbly from one small plastic button to the other wasting no time once the last one was done to push the shirt from his shoulders and he helped by taking the sleeves off, dropping it onto the floor for her before pressing his lips to hers again, enjoying the feel of her breasts rubbing against his chest.

She moved her thigh that was pressed between his legs, teasing him a little and when he groaned she laughed playfully. He stroked his fingers all the way down and pulled at her slacks. She rose her hips up to let him pull them off and he took her panties with them leaving her lying there in all her glory while she went for his belt buckle.

He helped her take off the belt and then his trousers and skin tight boxer shorts before he lay on her naked. As he kissed her she stroked her hands up and down his bare back feeling him shiver at her touch.

They breathed in tandem as they continued to kiss and feel each other's skin on skin. Olivia separated her legs and Elliot lined himself between them. He snaked one arm around her shoulders and pulled her up to him a little and she kissed him softly sucking his top lip into his mouth.

He slipped inside her and enjoyed the look that flushed across her face and he smiled smugly enjoying the ego boost her reactions gave him. He pulled her hand into his free one, one still wrapped around her shoulders. He held their hands in between them and as he started to slowly move he kept his eyes on hers. They didn't speak, or give any vocal reaction, the years of having to keep very quiet at home with the kids and the fact that they were in the office with fifty cops outside in the squad room, they had plenty of practise keeping silent. Throaty breathless whimpers were all they gave off as they slowly rocked their hips in tandem and kept their eyes on each other.

The closer to their peak they got the harder it was for them both to remain calm and steady in their movements and kept their eyes on one another. They both had a thick sheen of sweat covering their bodies. Olivia's side bangs stuck to her cheeks and a red blush crawled up from her neck.

Elliot felt Olivia close around him and he pressed his forehead to hers as she arched her back further, her climax taking over her body and causing it to vibrate and contort oddly. It pushed him over the edge. Olivia wrapped her legs around him and pulled him into her, pushing him as deep as he could into her feeling him fire his seed into her.

"Oh my God." He whispered as he lay his head down on Olivia's chest both of them breathing heavily.

"I know." She replied running her fingers through his sweat filled hair.

"What are we doing Liv?" He asked again without even moving, still planted deep inside her.

"I don't think that we should talk about that in this position." She chuckled weakly.

"I love you so much Liv." He said softly turning his head so he could look into her eyes through the valley of her breasts.

"I love you too El." She replied. "You know that."

"I do." He sighed softly causing goose pimples to rise on her breast. "I know living separate is for the best Liv but the thought of you going on a date or kissing another man, it kills me Liv." He told her honestly. "You've got a date with Rockwell haven't you?"

"He asked me but if it bothers you so much I'll cancel." She said honestly.

"No I want you to go." He replied from his heart. "I think I'll take the Bronx job." Elliot said.

"Ok." Olivia replied her cheek rubbing into Elliot's head.

"You really ok with that?" Elliot asked.

"Of course I am El, you'll be captain, you'll be earning more, in control of your hours, and it's a great opportunity for you El." Olivia spoke softly and Elliot could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"Ok." Elliot nodded.

"If we're working different precincts maybe it will save our relationship, our marriage." Olivia said and Elliot nodded in agreement.

"But for now we'll live apart." Elliot said. "Try and put the spark back in our love life and our marriage, try and give our kids the attention they deserve."

"I'll talk to Mel and Nikki, they'll come round and agree to see you El." Olivia replied.

"I hope so. I mean I've been Nic's Daddy since she was born even if she does know about Cole." Elliot said.

"I know, I know you love Nicole and Melissa as much as you love the rest of our kids El." Olivia replied softly.

"I spoke with Maureen this morning." Elliot said from nowhere.

"How are my darling step children?" Olivia asked, she missed them and thought of them often.

"They're good, thinking of coming up to stay for two weeks while the kids are with you, they want to make sure I'm taken care of even though Nanny Sue will still be with me." Elliot chuckled.

"Well they better come and see their step mother and half siblings while they're visiting I mean they've only seen George once since he's been born." Olivia replied with a smile.

"I'm sure they will, Kathy's coming down with them too, she wants to see you." Elliot said as he rubbed his cheek into Olivia's chest.

"Ok." Olivia nodded. "I'm sure we'll go for coffee."

"Yeah." Elliot nodded.

"El…"

"What?" He asked heavily, he was close to sleep.

"As much as I am enjoying lying naked here with you we have work to do and there's a high probability that someone will come and knock on that door at any moment." Olivia laughed and he rested his chin on her chest so he could look at her.

"I don't want to move." He said with a smile on his face.

"Neither do I but if we don't we're going to get caught." Olivia laughed and Elliot reached up and kissed her hard.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too." She replied before kissing him again as he climbed off her and passed her clothes over.

"This room stinks of sex." Elliot chuckled as he pulled on his boxers.

"Well it's me who has to sit in here all day with people come in, as long as no one from the brass turns up I think we're good, no one is going to comment on husband and wife making love on the couch." Olivia laughed as she pulled her bra on.

"So when are you going on this date with the Commissioner?" Elliot asked as he buttoned up his shirt.

"El don't do this." Olivia groaned.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"If you don't want me to go just say it, seriously because if you don't I won't." Olivia replied and he shook his head.

"Olivia if you want to go on a date with this guy, have a good time and end up sleeping with him that's your choice, ok? I don't mind what you do." He told her as he leant in to her, one arm either side of her.

"Ok fine but whatever I do with whomever and vice versa can we not talk about it? When and if we ever get back together then we can tell each other who we had dates with and who we slept with but until then it's none of our business what the other does." Olivia said and Elliot nodded in agreement, he would feel the same if he had a date and she was questioning him.

"Fine." He said giving her one last kiss before he walked out of the office leaving her shake her head and wonder what on earth they were doing.

Next Chapter – Ha, bet none of you expected that! ;)