It was typical Monday night, when Elliot came back to the squadroom to finish up on some paperwork. He couldn't sleep with Kathy and the kids gone. Imagine his surprise, when he found a desk lamp on in the room and a woman sitting behind the desk doing paperwork.
Olivia.
Elliot tossed his jacket across the chair and took a seat across from Olivia.
„What are you doing here so late?" he asked his partner.
„Couldn't sleep," Olivia responded easily.
Elliot nod and turned on his desklamp. He took some files from the pile and opened the first one. He turned away once again and studied Olivia. She looked exhausted and ready to fall asleep in any second.
„You know it's not your fault," he stated.
„What isn't?" Olivia asked, confusion obvious in her features as she looked up.
„What happened with Fin. You couldn't have had known about the robbery about to happen," Elliot expanded.
Olivia nod vaguely and continued writing her report.
Elliot took that as a sign and turned to his own report waiting to be written.
***SVU***
It was third time Olivia was rubbing her eyes and stretching in past 5 minutes. She was exhausted. Elliot on the other hand seemed to be perfectly awake.
„I'm gonna get coffee. You want something?" Olivia asked as she stood up.
„You seem to be reading my mind," Elliot replied.
„Another hobby of mine," Olivia joked.
Elliot smiled. Olivia put on her jacket.
„You know what, I'll get it. You stay," Elliot said, standing up and getting his own coat.
Olivia shook her head.
„Fresh air is what I need right now," Olivia said and walked past him.
Elliot looked after her, but when she disappeared he continued with yet another unfinished report.
Olivia walked towards the coffee shop across the street. Some days it seems like this place only exists to satisfy the needs of overworked police officers, who need extra caffeine or something to eat.
She ordered 2 coffees and sandwiches, noticing how hungry she really was and knowing Elliot he wouldn't say no to something edible after hours of dull paperwork.
She got back in no time and to her surprise Elliot was no longer sitting behind his desk. Olivia put coffee tray along with sandwiches to her table, took off her jacket and looked around.
„El?" she called out. „Where had he gone?" she thought.
„Liv," Elliot answered from lounge upstairs.
Olivia took her goods and joined him there.
"The couch is more comfortable," Elliot shrugged.
He moved his casefiles from the couch and placed them on the floor, motioning Olivia to sit down by his side.
Olivia dropped coffees and sandwiches on the table and without saying anything went down again. Elliot looked at her actions with curiosity and he got his answer, when Olivia appeared again with pile of papers in her hand.
She sat down beside Elliot and dropped her casefiles on the table.
"I got you a beef sandwich, thought you might be hungry," Olivia said casually.
She took out her chicken sandwich and sipped her coffee. Elliot followed her lead. They ate in silence and started writing again.
"Why didn't you let me go?" Elliot asked after a long silence. Olivia usually let him bring coffee.
"No reason," Olivia replied, but Elliot could say that she was holding back.
"You mad at me or something? Is it because of Rebecca?" Elliot asked, worried about his partner.
"Nothing to do with you," Olivia said, trying to avoid the subject.
"But it has with someone," Elliot concluded.
Olivia turned to him.
"I wanted another cup of coffee and Fin offered to go. That's how he got shot," Olivia said finally.
"Liv, it's not your fault," Elliot said again.
"It should have been me there," Olivia argued.
"But it wasn't. It was Fin and he is okay, he's released from the hospital. There is no way you could have known about the shooting about to happen," Elliot reasoned.
"Still," Olivia said.
"You know what, these reports can wait. Get some sleep, you'll wake up with fresh mind and see that this was just an unlucky coincidence," Elliot said softly.
Olivia shook her head. There was no way she'd go to sleep now.
Elliot put his hand around her, squeezing her shoulder in comfort. He felt the tension on her muscles.
"You're tense," Elliot stated.
Olivia looked up and their eyes met. It was intense moment, when their eyes were locked. Elliot's hand pulled her closer and she willingly leaned in. She closed her eyes and so did he. Their lips met, softly at first, but as his tongue traced her lips, asking for entrance, which she granted. His free hand went to her side, angling her towards her, while hers ended up around his neck, playing with his short hair.
She pulled away and looked for his eyes. They both looked shocked. She removed her hands from his neck as if she'd been burned. He loosened his grip on her. Both waiting for another to speak first.
"It's cold here," Olivia broke the silence and stood up, away from his touch.
In the mean time he moved himself so his back was against armrest and his legs were on couch. When Olivia returned he patted on the place between his legs. Olivia looked at him quizzically.
"Somebody needs to relieve your tension and who better to do it than your partner," Elliot said.
Olivia was still not convinced.
"I'm a great masseur," he added with a smile.
Olivia shook her head in defeat and exhaled loudly before sitting on the couch between his legs. She put the blanket over herself, when Elliot started gently massaging her shoulders and neck, trying to release the knocks there. Olivia pulled her knees up, put her file against them and started reading it over, while enjoying the free massage she was getting.
Elliot moved his hand expertly on her shoulders, slowly lulling her to sleep. He noticed the file falling to her chest and her back leaning onto her heavily. Her breathing evened out, but Elliot kept on running his calloused hands over her soft skin.
It took him a moment to realize, that this felt so normal – Olivia asleep in his arms. He felt his eyelids getting heavier by every passing second. He knew he should let her sleep there and go to crib himself, but he couldn't. How many times had he thought about Olivia and now there she was sleeping against his chest.
Elliot shifted himself, lowering himself to get into more comfortable position. Olivia protested at the movement in her sleep, but instead of waking up she turned herself so she was on her side, halfway on top of Elliot, her hands on his chest. Elliot smiled to himself and wrapped his arm around her in case she decides to do something stupid like roll onto the floor in her sleep. He also used the blanket to cover them up before letting the wonderful land of dreams claim him.
***SVU***
That's how Cragen found them in the morning. The Captain had decided to make an early start to the day, but to his great surprise he found Elliot's and Olivia's things on their desks with both lamps on. He looked puzzled for a moment, switched the lamps off and looked around – no sign of anyone else here. He checked the crib, but that was also empty. Then he heard silent snoring coming from the lounge.
Cragen walked up the stairs as silently as he could and took in the sight before him – Elliot and Olivia snuggled together on that small couch, both sound asleep, 2 cups of coffee on the table along with two mountains of casefiles. There was also blanket now on the floor.
Cragen smiled at the sight, picked up the blanket and covered his detectives. Elliot moved a little, tightened his hold on Olivia and let out loud snore, which made Cragen's smile even wider.
He shook his head and thought about the bet Munch had set up years ago about Olivia and Elliot… Maybe he should join in after all? Those two seemed comfortable enough and with a little time their partnership could grow into something more…
***SVU***
Munch was bored. Fin was on medical leave and there was no sign of Olivia nor Elliot, except their messy desks with their personal belongings, but no sign of either detectives. Something freaky was definitely going on. To his knowledge they had no case, but Cragen hadn't said anything or asked about them, so there was something weird going on, Munch decided. Since he is a detective, he decided to investigate and his first stop was their good old Captain.
"Captain," he said as he walked into his boss' office.
"John, what's the matter?" Cragen asked.
"Why am I the only one working here? Fin I get, but where the hell are Liv and Elliot, their shift started 2 hours ago," Munch explained his problem.
"I don't think Elliot and Olivia left last night," Cragen said easily.
"Where the hell are they then?" Munch asked.
Cragen chuckled and stood. He signed Munch to follow him. Captain lead munch to the couch, where Olivia and Elliot were still asleep, just like hours before, when Cragen found them.
"Seems like Elliot has wasted no time getting a rebound," Munch commented.
"I'm not sure this is what this is," Cragen replied.
"I'm getting a photograph of them," Munch decided and went back down to get his camera.
He returned with their crime scene camera and started taking snaps. To his luck Olivia and Elliot didn't wake up. Munch was sure to catch exactly how their bodies were tangled. Satisfied with his work he and Cragen left.
"When I need something from them, I have my blackmail material," Munch announced.
"You know blackmail is illegal?" Cragen asked with a smile.
"They won't turn me in," Munch replied confidently.
Cragen laughed and descended to his office.
***SVU***
"Munch, get Stabler and Benson, we have a case," Cragen shouted across the squadroom.
"Gladly," Munch replied.
He first went to the bathroom and took a glass of water, then went back to the sleeping detectives. He studied them for a moment. Both seemed at peace and for once not fighting. Munch tilted his head to right side and kept on studying them. He was debating if waking them was worth it because they seemed to be on each other's throats most of the time. He liked to call it their unresolved sexual tension.
Munch sighed and took a step forward. He threw the water in their faces, though most of it landed in Olivia's hair since she was covering Elliot.
The reaction he got, he couldn't have anticipated: Olivia shrieked in surprise and fell backwards hitting herself against the table before finally landing on the floor, but because of their shock and tangled legs Elliot followed suit, hitting his shoulder and side on the table, and then landing on top of Olivia.
Munch crouching, laughing as the two detectives struggled on the ground. Cragen joined him after hearing Olivia scream and so they laughed as they watched the scene unravel in front of them.
Olivia was struggling to push Elliot off of her, while Elliot was still halfway asleep. He placed his hands on the ground over Olivia's head, taking his weight off of her, Olivia calmed a little.
"They will pay for this," Olivia threatened.
"Oh, yeah," Elliot said with a smirk.
He kissed her forehead before pushing himself up, then helping Olivia up and turning to Munch and Cragen laughing at the other side of the table.
"Where's the fire?" Elliot asked.
"We have a body in Central Park," Cragen explained to his grumpy detectives.
"Liv, your hair looks especially nice today," Munch teased.
Olivia quickly moved her hands to her head and tried to make her hair look decent with a little help from Elliot.
"Must be the Stabler essence that makes them sticking out in every possible direction," Munch continued.
"Go to hell John," Olivia snapped and left.
Elliot followed suit and he was halfway down the stairs, when Olivia shouted.
"Munch!" Olivia shouted and looked up, where Munch was hiding.
Cragen looked at Munch suspiciously at the reaction.
"What did you do?" he asked.
"Nothing. Just left a couple of photos on Liv's desk," Munch said innocently.
Cragen shook his head and walked down the stairs, as Elliot sprinted to Olivia.
"What's wrong?" Elliot asked, placing one hand on her shoulder.
He saw the photos Munch left on her desk – them sleeping together from every possible angle. He looked up at Munch and then whispered in Olivia's ear before grabbing his coat.
"I'm gonna shoot him," Elliot said.
"I'll bring the shovel," Olivia agreed.
Cragen walked past them.
"Try to get to crime scene alive," he said turning around for a moment.
Everyone's life was saved by Fin showing up and all the attention fell to him as Olivia and Elliot quietly left the precinct.
***SVU***
It was late at night, when Olivia heard her doorbell. She got up from the couch and opened the door – it was Elliot.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I owe you a coffee," he said and held out a cup of coffee.
Olivia smiled and let him in.
"What's on?" Elliot asked noticing the TV.
"Some talkshow," Olivia replied.
Elliot nod and gave the coffee cup to Olivia.
"You know this will keep me up all night," She said.
Elliot smiled. He took the cup from her hand, sipped the hot liquid and placed it on counter.
"That's the idea," he smirked.
He turned back to Olivia, still standing by the door. He took a step towards her and pushed her against the door, his lips crashing to hers. Unlike last night, this kiss was raw, fuelled by passion. She gave in instantly, kissing him back with same force he was giving her.
He pulled away in the need of oxygen and moved his lips to her neck.
"El, what are you doing?" Olivia asked when she got her voice back.
"What I should have done last night," he said looking up.
"I won't be your rebound," Olivia said firmly and put her hands on his chest, creating space between them.
"It's a great thing you won't be one," Elliot confirmed and tried to close the distance, but her hands were firm.
"Elliot," she said seriously.
"Look, Liv, I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss last night. I can't keep you out of my head. You've been running around in my thoughts for a long time now. I know you want it too, otherwise you wouldn't have kissed me back," he said looking deep into her hazel eyes.
"You're married," she said.
"Separated. It's just a matter of time before divorced," he assured her.
"El, it feels wrong," she tried.
"No, sweetie, it feels good," he said.
He felt the hold of her hands getting weaker. He took her hands in his and kissed them both. He guided her hands to his neck and placed his on her sides. He pulled her body closer to his and carefully placed his lips on hers again closing his eyes. He threaded carefully, moving his hands to her back pulling her against his chest.
She pushed him away again, turning her eyes to floor, then looking up at him. His blue eyes looked sincere and the look nearly made her knees weak.
"Ah, screw it," she said and pressed her lips to his.
He responded easily, lowered his hands and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around him. He backed her to the door forcefully, breaking the kiss and went back to kissing her neck, where he was stopped the last time.
He moved his lips back to hers, letting his hands travel underneath her t-shirt. She started unbuttoning his creating space between them.
"Bedroom?" he asked, pulling their lips apart.
"Yeah," she agreed.
He steadied his hold on her back and carrying her to her bed, getting rid on their shirts along the way. He carefully placed her on the bed before climbing on top of her, taking in every inch of her perfectly tanned skin.
He had the rest of the night to do what he had dreamt of doing for so many times, only this time he won't wake up or get interrupted, when he's in the middle of making love to the woman he cares about.
***SVU***
The rays of sun were sneaking into the room, where two people were peacefully sleeping in each other arms, when a phone started ringing on bedside table. Olivia opened her eyes and took a moment to process the scene, because there was a man in her bed. It all came back in seconds and she relaxed, when she realized that it's Elliot. He groaned at the ringing.
Olivia climbed halfway across Elliot to reach her phone.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Good morning, sunshine. We have another body dumped at Central Park," Munch said.
"I'll be right there," she replied.
"And get your partner; he's not answering his phone, just like you are not answering your cell phone. I'm starting to think that there is something weird going on," Munch added.
"I'll get him," Olivia said with annoyance and hang up.
She tossed the phone on the floor and looked at Elliot.
"Out perp hit again. You have to get home and change," Olivia said and climbed out of the bed.
Elliot let out a loud groan and realizing that it doesn't make things better he got up, got dressed and left Olivia's apartment. They had another day to face perps and maybe figure out what they're doing.