Chapter 8

Thank-you for those of you who have commented or pm'd me. I really appreciate your suggestions and kind comments. Thank-you! Here we go, the morning after.

After both of their showers, Elliot and Olivia fell into a deep sleep in Olivia's bed. As Olivia stirred, she could feel evidence of her activity in the past 24 hours. The tiny round bruises all over her body stung under the pressure of Elliot's head that was now resting on her abdomen, fast asleep. Her muscles ached from the strenuous activities of the day, and night, before. Her mouth was dry and scratchy, and she knew that the second she opened her eyes, her head would scream at her for being so stupid. She wasn't 17 anymore, why did she think she could drink like she was.

She felt Elliot stir, hissing slightly when he pushed his face into the skin on her stomach. Elliot turned his head up towards her, "Don't open your eyes," He whispered through his scratchy throat, "Bad idea."

Olivia chuckled, immediately regretting it. Her head scolded her for making such a loud noise. They laid silently until Elliot was sure his bladder would explode. Slowly, he raised himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. Elliot splashed some cold water on his face and felt his senses wake up slightly. He took two Advil and grabbed two more, bringing them and a glass of water back to the bedside table. He moved to the curtains and closed them before laying back down beside Olivia. She rolled over and laid against his side, burying her head into his chest.

"I brought you some Advil."

"Thank-you." She whispered back.

"Who did we think we were?" Elliot mumbled.

"I may have let my ego get ahead of my common sense." Olivia admitted.

"Yeah, well at least you weren't passed out on a lounge chair by 10:00 p.m." Elliot reasoned.

"Oh yeah!" Olivia snorted, "I wonder how Mikes feeling."

"Probably no better than us." Elliot laughed.

"I feel like I went ten rounds with a vodka bottle." Olivia groaned, sitting up on the edge of the bed. She took the two Advil and finished off the water. She slowly lifted herself off the edge of the bed. Elliot's eyes moved over her naked form. He smiled seeing the tiny circles covering her upper back. His eyes wandered down to her ass, watching it sway with her stiff movements.

"Sore today detective?" He smirked at the glare he received. He heard the shower turn on. "You know I could help you relieve some of that tension?"

"I think you've done enough," Olivia yelled from the bathroom. Elliot chuckled, folding his hands behind his head. Olivia popped her head around the corner, "But, I may be able to help you."

Elliot smiled and looked up to the ceiling. She's going to kill me.

Pelican Point Resort & Spa: Restaurant – 10:16 a.m.

The restaurant was quiet, other than the sounds of utensils and dishes meeting and hushed small talk. The atmosphere was indicative of a room full of hungover police officers remembering that they were not teenagers anymore. Olivia smiled in the direction of Mike and his team, receiving the same half smile in return. She found Munch and Cragen sitting at the table enjoying coffee and conversation.

"Ahh! There's our little missy." Munch yelled, causing Olivia to flinch. "What's the matter? One to many beer bongs?" Munch smiled.

Olivia felt her stomach tighten. The thought of chugging beer sent a lump to her throat. She looked up to see John, very pleased with himself, and Don, giving her a sincere, but amused smile. Olivia smiled in return and readjusted the dark aviators on her face.

"Well, someone had to put Mike's team in their place. And since I knew you were too busy flirting with that Lieutenant from Alberta, John, I took a few for the team." Olivia jabbed. Leaning back in her chair and squeezing her eyes shut. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Fin taking a seat beside her.

"Hey Liv, how you doing?" He said quietly, seemingly facing some regret himself.

"I'll be better once I have some coffee." She smiled towards him. As if on command, a waiter appeared with a coffee cup and coffee. "You might as well leave a second cup full as well. Thank-you."

The waiter poured two cups of coffee and informed Olivia of the breakfast buffet set up inside. With a gracious nod, Olivia doctored her coffee and took a long, meaningful sip. She closed her eyes, feeling the hot liquid waking her senses.

"Where is our Mr. Beer Bong?" Munch said pointedly at Olivia.

"In the shower." She replied a little too quickly. She heard Fin snort into his coffee and then clear his throat to try and cover it as Olivia stared daggers behind her amber lenses. Munch looked back and forth between the two, before turning to Cragen. "Did I miss something?"

Don shrugged his shoulders, knowing it was best not to get involved in John's prying.

Munch studied Olivia, looking for an answer to his question, "Does it have anything to do with the hickey on her neck?" John asked Fin.

At this comment Don, Fin, and Olivia choked on their coffee. Olivia brought her hand up to her neck, knowing full well what John was talking about. Her face flushed and her unsuccessful attempts to form words was cut off by Elliot's presence at their table.

"Good Morning!" Elliot said cheerfully, before reading the atmosphere of the table, "What's going on?"

Fin his smile behind his cup of coffee.

"Our dearest Olivia has a love bite, and was just about to tell us who gave it to her." Munch explained.

Elliot's eyes shot to her neck, seeing evidence of his intoxication from the night before. They had an agreement, they could leave marks below the collarbone but nothing above. Elliot's eyes slowly raised up to Olivia's; his apology thick and understood.

"Well, I guess you all were going to find out sometime," Olivia sighed.

Elliot held his breath. They hadn't discussed how, or when, they were going to disclose, but he was sure this wasn't the time or place. Before he could interrupt her, she began again.

"I was marked, by the sharp bite, of Mike." Olivia tried to remain serious, but felt herself faltering when she saw the dumbfound looks on her co-worker's face. Elliot's face was the best; his face was a mixture of relief, jealousy, and anger.

"Oh wow you guys! You really thought I would hook up with Mike?" Olivia laughed, hoping that she could bring some lightness to the table, "I'm honestly a little hurt you all believe that! I meant Mike's paintball gun. He nailed me with it yesterday while I was saving your asses!"

The table chuckled, Elliot and Fin more out of relief. Before sitting down Elliot looked over to Olivia, "Would you like anything from the breakfast bar?"

Olivia's stomach gurgled in distaste. "I'll come with you. I'm not sure how food is going to sit this morning."

"If you plan to continue your competition with Mike's team, I suggest you eat something. We get to start with a run."

In unison, four sets of eyes rolled towards the Captain. Cragen smiled and took a sip of his coffee. "Did you guys not read the itinerary?"

"No." Fin answered.

Cragen laughed, "Well that probably would have been a good read before your third shot. Or 'beer bong'." Cragen used air quotes and shot a playful smile towards Elliot and Olivia.

Olivia shivered at the thought of alcohol. She stood slowly, still stiff.

"Huh? Maybe Mike was right," Munch laughed, "Beer bongs are bad for the knees."

This earned him a sharp elbow from his partner.

Olivia ignored Munch and made her way into the restaurant, feeling Elliot close behind her. She moved towards the breakfast buffet, scanning the various breakfast foods, and fruit, before settling on bread.

"How's your head?" Elliot asked quietly, picking up a few strips of bacon.

Olivia let out a small sigh, "It's getting better. Yours?"

Olivia picked up on the bashful smile that crossed over his face, "Well, after you," Elliot placed his hand on her lower back and leaned down to her ear, "played doctor this morning… It's been perfectly fine."

Olivia smiled, "I'm glad."

His hand stayed on her lower back until she finished grabbing a bun and some margarine. As they turned to leave the buffet, Elliot dropped his hand but walked close enough to keep contact on their upper arms. Elliot took a deep breath, knowing that he was in deep. He couldn't remember ever feeling as drawn to someone, as he was with Olivia. Every minute that he wasn't with her, he wanted to be. And any opportunity he had to touch her, even if it was just a brush of their upper arms, he took full advantage of it. He was in deep, and he couldn't be any happier.

Olivia struggled her way through a bun and half a piece of bacon before giving up. With a defeated huff, she pushed her plate away from her and brought her coffee back up to her nose. The deep, rich aroma soothed her uneasy stomach and helped wake her senses further. Fortunately, her headache had disappeared, but the sun was still too bright. The morning brought a cool breeze off the lake, and Olivia was thank-full that she wouldn't have to run under the sweltering sun of the previous day. By the time her third cup of coffee had kicked in, she was ready for a run.

The team met with the rest of the retreat's members near one of the resort's many running trails. They all shared knowing smiles. Mike and his team made their way towards the SVU, sharing handshakes and chuckles.

"Elliot. Olivia. I would like to apologize for my crassness last night. I guess, I can't handle those fruity coolers as well as I thought." Mike smiled shyly, "I'm sorry for any names I may have called you as a result."

Olivia chuckled, "It's all good Mike. I let my ego get the best of me."

Mike's partner chuckled, "Hah! After you passed out, Olivia absolutely kicked my ass with the beer bong."

"Well, your dare, as insulting as it was, was kind of true. I'm not sure how my knees are going to hold up on this run." Olivia chuckled.

Another officer interjected, "Did you guys hear the officers getting it on last night?"

This got the attention of the whole team.

Mike's partner looked at them with a childish excitement. "Yeah! When we headed back from the beach, we were talking in our hallway and heard someone having some crazy fun on the floor above us."

"Cops. Beach. Booze. Makes sense." Munch interjected.

"Well by the sound of it, they were both making a lot of … sense."

"Which floor are you guys one?" Munch asked.

Elliot choked. His coughing distracted the group as he caught his breath.

"A little sick this morning detective?" Mike asked.

Elliot nodded and reached for his water bottle.

Before the conversation could continue, Kyle got the attention of the large group and began explaining the route that they were going to be taking. The detectives were given a 5, 10, and 20 km options for trails that would loop back around to the front of the resort. They were free to start as soon as they were stretched out, but were told that their time and distance would be recorded for team averages.

"Honestly man, I don't know how you do it." Mike said.

Elliot tore his eyes away from Olivia, "Do what?"

Mike nodded his head towards Olivia who stood a few feet away, stretching out her stiff muscles. Elliot watched as she spread her feet apart, slowly bringing her arms up over her head. She bent at the waist and rested her palms on the ground.

"Work with her." Mike smirked.

"She's an amazing cop. And an even better person." Elliot said, watching Olivia stretch out her muscles.

"And beautiful!" Mike chuckled, elbowing Elliot.

"Inside and out." Elliot whispered. His gaze locked on Olivia's form.

Olivia caught Elliot's stare and threw smile towards him. Elliot returned the smile. That woman.