AN: Maybe a bit shorter than I anticipated and took me much longer to write it, than I expected. All I can say is that I spent lovely 10 days in Morocco and I lost 10 days worth of writing time, plus I had missed school, so everybody wanted something from me suddenly. But here it goes. Hope you like it. And as always your opinion is appreciated.
L.
***SVU***
8.08 Cage
Annoying ringing of his cell-phone was heard all over the apartment. Elliot tried to hide his head under the pillow, but that didn't stop the phone from making annoying noise. He grunted and picked it up from the coffee table, he had left it the night – more like morning – before.
"Stabler," he barked.
"Elliot, I need you to come in," Cragen got to the point.
Elliot threw his head back and turned to his back, "I'm sick," he lied.
"I know you're not sick, and I also know, why you needed the day, but we might have a serial on the loose and I need you at the crime scene," Cragen explained.
"What time is it?" Elliot asked groggily.
"It's eight," Cragen said, then added, "At night."
"I trust you can be here in 20 minutes," Cragen said, hinting he knew – more assumed – that Elliot was at Olivia's, which meant that he knew that she was back.
"Yeah, yeah," Elliot admitted defeat and hang up without saying goodbye or waiting for Cragen to do it.
He dropped his phone on the table again and looked at the ceiling. His mind was all over the place, but work was the furthest thing from his mind. He blinked a few times in an attempt to get his mind working again and properly wake up.
"Shit," he said out loud, pushed the blanket off from himself and got into a sitting position. Elliot took his phone and flipped it open to check the time one more time. It was indeed 8:02 pm, but a blinking envelope symbol on the screen caught his attention. Elliot moved to read his text message, but he grunted loudly, when he saw the sender – Dani. She had sent him 5 text messages, but Elliot was not in a mood to read any of them, so he flipped the phone shut again and dropped it on the table.
He looked around and remembered that his clothes are still in the bedroom, which meant he had to go and quite possibly invade the space she had declared to need.
Elliot stood and quietly moved to the bedroom door. He knocked quietly, but he didn't get a response, which meant that she was probably asleep, or then didn't want him to interrupt her.
Still he chose to open the door. He did that as quietly as he could and sneaked into the bedroom. He glanced around the room and managed to locate the rest of his clothes, but his eyes stopped at the sight of sleeping Olivia. He couldn't help himself from looking and yearning for more. Against better judgement he abandoned his clothes and walked over to her sleeping form. The blanket was covering her halfway, so he pulled it up to her neck, but he let his hand linger on her shoulder longer. He leaned in and kissed her cheek gently. Olivia made a noise and angled her body towards him, but she didn't wake up.
Heavily he removed his hand from her shoulder and resumed to his task of finding clothes. He got his jeans and socks from the floor, but he opened one of the drawers and grabbed a clean shirt. He took off the shirt he was wearing and dropped it in the drawer instead. Then he left the bedroom.
He got dressed in the kitchen, while he drank cold coffee from the pot. After he fixed his attire and caffeine was running in his veins, a post-it notes on the counter caught his attention. He grabbed a pen and left a note, explaining that he has to go work, and he will be waiting for her to contact him.
Satisfied, he grabbed the rest of his things, dropped his phone in his jeans pocket and left Olivia's apartment locking the door on his way out.
***SVU***
Olivia had decided to watch a movie for change. She had spent enough nights with the storm in her head and she decided that she deserved a night off. It has been a few days since she had the last encounter with Elliot. She hasn't called, but neither has he; she was glad in a way that he hasn't, because she is still uncertain of what she should do. She wasn't sure Elliot wanted her at all. Though she kept on reading the post-it note regularly, that he left after their moment of truth.
For Olivia the night went down as one of her most memorable lovemaking or rather pure sex, because she was rarely sore after being intimate, almost never with Elliot, because he was always gentle with her, even when he was driven by his emotions and physical need. Except a few days ago, when she woke up sore and she could swear that she had been ran over by a bus, not to mention the bruises on her wrists, where he had kept her steady and almost painful hickies covering her neck and breasts. Even so, she didn't regret it, because she was enjoying it too much; maybe that's why she didn't call him out then and didn't hold grudge afterwards.
Despite the fact, that she was unsure what to do with Elliot and even though she knew, that she loves him, it was still hard to figure things out. Dean wasn't of much help either, but he offered some options.
She had promised to go out with Dean again, they met briefly the day after she was with Elliot, but then she was not in a mood for anything but a cup of coffee. In a way she felt at ease with Dean, relaxed even, because there was no history, no expectations and no obligations. Yeah, Dean was an arrogant FBI bastard at times, but he was different when there was just the two of them.
Besides she never got to do the dating part with Elliot. The one time they were supposed to go to the theatre, they ended up looking for a little girl, who was with some pedophile, and their big date ended up being demoted into a dinner at the precinct. Dean on the other hand was taking her to restaurants and yet he knew that she had a boyfriend and he was well aware of their problems, but he didn't try to force Olivia into choosing him. In fact he hadn't made a move yet, which made it comfortable and not awkward as one might think.
Her phone rang and Dean's name flashed on the screen. A smile came to her face and she flipped it open.
"Yeah," she said to the phone.
"Hey, I just got away from the office. I'll be by your apartment in 20 minutes," he announced.
"Okay. What are your plans?" Olivia asked.
"Well, it's been a long day, but I guess we could go to some diner and eat," Dean said, hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Or I could pick something up and we can stay in?" he proposed nervously.
Olivia was surprised for a moment, then nod, "Yeah. That sounds good."
"Good. I'll get pizza. You have any preferences?" he asked.
"Without pineapple please," she requested.
"Got it," Dean said, "See you soon."
"See you," Olivia replied and ended the call.
She put the phone back on the table and tried to focus on the movie, but in fact she hadn't been paying much attention to it before. She even didn't know the name of the movie, so she flipped through the channels and found a news channel – Olivia liked to know what was happening around her.
It was nearly 40 minutes later, when she heard her doorbell. She went to the door and pressed the button to let Dean in. He knocked on her door soon after and Olivia opened it.
He stood there with a plastic bag filled with take-out boxes.
"Hey," he said.
"Come in," she invited and stepped out of the way.
Dean came in, handed her the bag and took off his jacket and shoes. She peeked in and to her surprise she didn't find a pizza inside.
"I thought we were having pizza?" she asked and went to the kitchen.
Olivia took the boxes and placed them on the table along with a bottle of wine she found in the bag. Dean came to her and winked. "I went to get pizza, but then I remembered that they make excellent pasta carbonara there, so I decided to get it instead," Dean said innocently, "Besides you seem to be the type of girl, who likes surprises."
"I'm not," she said seriously.
Dean smiled, "I know, but you're cute, when something's not going your way. I like it."
Olivia rolled her eyes at Dean and got the plates. He served the dinner and then placed them on the coffee table. Olivia took out her wine glasses while Dean opened the wine and poured it into two glasses. She took the glasses and brought them to the coffee table, then both of them settled down on her couch and started eating dinner.
"So how was your day?" Olivia asked.
"Confidential," he replied.
Olivia nod, she didn't press for information, because she really didn't need to know about the cases FBI was handling.
"I have to fly out in 2 days and I might stay out of state for few days to take care of one undercover mission," he said.
"Your way of saying I have to cook myself dinner for some time now?" Olivia joked.
"Seems so," Dean agreed, "But maybe you can cook me something, when I'm back," he suggested.
"We'll see," she said with a smile.
"When are you going back to work?" Dean asked.
Olivia shrugged and sipped her wine, "I'm not sure. I have some vacation time and at this moment I my position is filled, so I have to look for a new fit."
"You can come work with the FBI," Dean suggested innocently.
Olivia smiled, "It was good to get away from the SVU for a while, but I don't think I'd like working at the FBI that much. I'm more of a NYPD detective type than FBI special agent type. As unfortunate as it is, I think SVU is in my blood."
Dean put his hands up to admit defeat, "It was just a wild suggestion."
"Noted," she said.
"I wasn't thinking I could get you away from your partner. From what you've told he's not someone you'd just walk away. Being in sync with someone comes rarely, so protect what you have and enjoy it while you still have it," Dean said understandingly.
"Yeah, we work well together," she agreed.
Dean finished his slice and shifted on the couch so he was angled more towards her, "Yet you are not running back to work," he commented.
"We have our issues," she said quickly.
Dean nod.
Olivia leaned back on the couch and angled herself towards Dean, away from facing the TV.
"Any chance your partner is your boyfriend?" Dean asked warily.
Olivia looked down, but kept quiet. That was all Dean needed to see.
"So it is," he said with a smirk, "I wouldn't have picked you for the type. Doesn't NYPD have strict rules against dating a co-worker?" he asked. As much as he had heard relationships between two detectives were forbidden.
"It's frowned upon, but I'm not sure if it's actually a rule. We had our captain defend us and also agent Huang had to explain that we work effectively together and since we were hiding at first and there was no change in the way we work, so there is no reason to separate us," she explained, "But the moment we get personal or something, then one of us has to transfer out."
Dean took his glass in his hand, "Let's drink to the police commissioner for having a heart," he proposed a toast.
Olivia took her glass and clicked it against his. She repeated the named toast and then both of them sipped the wine.
"If I didn't know better, then I'd say you've been trying to seduce your partner in FBI or something," he said suggestively.
Olivia furrowed her brows and silently asked him about his statement. Dean smiled and pointed at himself. Olivia broke into smile, mimicking him.
"Yeah, in your dreams special agent," she joked and playfully slapped his shoulder.
Dean played hurt, holding his hand over the shoulder, where she hit him and accused her of hurting his feelings.
"Your ego had to be contained," she explained simply.
"Olivia, I'm a good catch. You know I'm wealthy, I have good taste, I'm a family guy – I love kids and I don't mind doing the house work – as you know I'm away for quite some time, so I couldn't smother you," he listed his good qualities, "Plus I look extremely handsome."
"Mhm" Olivia said and pursed her lips, "Seems like it's you, who's trying to seduce me," she said.
"Maybe," Dean said suggestively, "But we still have the issue of your boyfriend slash partner in our way."
"Yeah, just that minor thing," she agreed and leaned back, so she could create some distance between them.
"And I'm not a guy to come between something like that," he cleared it up, "How's it going anyways?"
Olivia shook her head, "I have no idea what will happen with us. At these days I have no idea where we stand, everything is complicated and I don't know if we will make it," she explained, "I guess I just need some time to clear my head and figure out what I want, and when I do figure it out, I just have to hope that he wants the same thing."
"I guess you have some thinking to do," he said, "But the main question remains: Do you want him? Do you love him?" he asked.
"I love him," she said instantly, but added with a heavy heart, "but I'm not sure if that's enough."
Dean nod.
"What about you?" she asked, "You have some special someone at sights?"
Dean laughed, "I don't have that much free time between the job and you," he explained.
Olivia smiled and shook her head, "Oh poor you," she said emphatically. "I'm truly sorry for coming between you and your possible lover."
"I know, poor Dean," he agreed.
He emptied his glass of wine and poured it full again, then poured some for her, even though hers wasn't empty yet.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to get me drunk," she commented.
"Oh, Olivia, I only bought one bottle of wine," he mocked, "If I was trying to get you drunk I would have picked a bottle of tequila instead."
"Jerk," she accused him.
Dean laughed it off and drank his wine.
They were interrupted, when her phone rang. Olivia looked at the caller-ID and noticed it was Cragen. She had an internal debate for some time, but decided not to answer it and in addition she put the phone on silent.
"It's my Captain. I'm not on duty yet, so I don't have to get it," she explained to Dean.
"Maybe there is some kind of crisis?" Dean proposed.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "I'm off duty," she said simply.
Dean looked away and decided not to push the subject. He settled back on the couch and abandoned his empty plate. He noticed how she peeked at her phone, itching to take it and call back. Yet, she made no movement, instead focused on finishing her dinner.
"So, how did you like it?" he asked about the food.
"You're right. It is really good. What is this place anyway?" Olivia asked. She was positive, that she knew every food place around her home, especially those who deliver.
Dean laughed and shook his head. "I won't tell you, because then you wouldn't need me. Now I hold something over you and I can guarantee, that you'll call me, when you want to have that wonderful pasta again," he smirked.
"Or then I look up every pizza and pasta place in NYC," Olivia suggested.
"Or you can do that," Dean agreed.
Both of them shared a laugh at the absurdity of the idea.
"So what have you been up to while you've been back?" Dean asked.
Olivia strolled through her mind to figure out what she had been doing – she went to the precinct, had her confrontation with Elliot and she had slept more than usually. Plus she has met up with Casey for some times. Even though she had done quite some things, but she didn't feel the need to share them with Dean.
"I have slept a lot," she said simply, "And you of course. You have taken up a lot of my wake time."
"Guilty as charged," he took the blame, but he didn't seem a little bit sorry or show any regret for his actions.
"Have you done anything except work and bringing me food?" Olivia asked.
"No," he replied quickly.
"Boring," she accused.
"I know," he admitted, "But we could do something fun and go out for the night," he suggested.
"Like to a club?" she asked with wide eyes, "No," she added.
Dean laughed, "More wine for you," he said and poured more for her.
Olivia slapped his hand after he had put the bottle back on the table.
"What's on TV then?" Dean asked.
Olivia handed him the remote and gave him the decision. He flipped through the channels and finally found a movie. He looked at it for quite some time, then put the remote on the table.
"Yes, this will do," he said to himself, "Have you seen it?" he asked Olivia.
"No… What movie is it?" she asked, because the movie didn't seem familiar.
Dean opened his eyes wide and made a disapproving face. "It's John Wayne, The Duke and it's one of his best movies – The Searchers," Dean said.
"Sorry. I guess I'm not that big fan of westerns," Olivia confessed.
Dean placed his hand over his heart and made a face. "I'm hurt, I'm deeply hurt," he mocked disappointment again, "At least we can fix the mistake right now."
Olivia focused on the movie and saw some familiar elements, "Hey, I know this. One of my friends made me watch it a long time ago. It's the one with the famous quote," Olivia said proudly.
"That'll be the day," Dean quoted.
"That's the one," she agreed.
Dean removed his hand from his chest and suddenly looked a little bit proud of himself.
"We're good," he said easily.
Olivia smiled.
They kept their attention on the screen, but they were interrupted, when Dean's phone started ringing. He took it out and looked at the caller-ID. "It's my boss and I'm on duty, so I have to take it," he explained before answering. He moved over to the kitchen to get more privacy.
He returned to Olivia with apology written all over his face.
"You have to go?" she asked.
"I have to go," Dean confirmed, "One of my undercover operatives gave the stress signal. We have to go and get her out," he said as much as he could.
Olivia nod – she understand the job.
Dean quickly collected his things and he was out of the door before she could even reach at wish him luck or anything.
She didn't like that Dean had to go, but in a way she felt at ease. She picked up her glass of wine and emptied the bottle in that, but the bottle was already almost empty. As she sipped the wine and watched the movie, he remembered the Captain's call. She took her phone and to her great surprise, she had 5 missed calls from Cragen and some from unidentified number.
She instantly felt guilty for ignoring Cragen and called back immediately.
"Olivia, I was getting scared that you're back undercover," Cragen said as soon as he picked up.
"I had my phone in silent," she partially lied.
"There was an accident. I'm sure the hospital called also. Elliot was taken there, but as it seems his new partner has been keeping him company. He got stabbed with a pen," Cragen explained.
"Where is he?" Olivia demanded and already turned off the TV and looked for her coat.
Cragen gave her the name of the hospital and also told, that he had called Kathleen, because Olivia was not answering her phone. Olivia took the information and almost ran out of the door to get to Elliot.
Guess she got the answer she was looking for along with the news about Elliot.
***SVU***
Elliot was sitting on the hospital bed with his partner in front of him. He found himself giving away compliments to Dani, even though he was not sure if Dani fit in the SVU at all.
"You know the right thing to do," Elliot told her.
"Just because you know what's right doesn't mean you do it," she replied.
Elliot couldn't help but think about Olivia and he knew the right thing to do in his mind. He knew what he had to do after he got out of the hospital – he was done with giving her time, it's time to start pushing onwards.
Dani reached for his hand and Elliot didn't pull away. He could see the way her face was tearing up and he realized that he had made a mistake and she needs to know, that nothing can happen for now or anytime in the future.
"Elliot, I…" she started.
Elliot opened his mouth to stop her from saying whatever she was saying, but he thought he heard his ex-wife's voice. His suspicion was confirmed, when Kathy opened the drapes and interrupted the moment. Kathleen followed.
"Elliot?" Kathy asked.
"Don Cragen called me and told me that you've been stabbed," Kathleen explained and got to his bedside with her mother.
"It was a kid with a pen," Elliot brushed it off, he was not stabbed, he temporally had one more hole in his body, "He shouldn't have called you."
"Yes, he should have," Kathleen defended, "We were worried about you."
"Honey, it's nothing. Really," Elliot tried. He saw Dani standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed, descending slowly, "Uh, this is my new partner, Dani Beck," then he turned to Dani, "My ex-wife Kathy," he introduced the two blondes.
"How do you do?" Kathy asked and shook Dani's hand, then Elliot introduced Kathleen, who also shook Dani's hand.
"What happened to Olivia?" Kathy asked bitterly, mentally preparing herself for the worst possible news.
Elliot thought of what to say, "Well, she's doing a job. She's with the feds," he decided, after all she was doing a job with the feds.
"Listen, I'm gonna go check on Eden, all right?" Dani excused herself – she didn't want to be in this obviously awkward conversation, but she was curious, "I'll see you guys. Take care of him."
"We will," Kathy said with a smile, then turned back to Elliot and took his hand.
"Are you serious Dad? A kid stabbed you?" Kathleen asked.
"Your father probably yelled at him," Kathy offered.
"Yeah, for not doing his homework," Kathleen added.
Elliot smiled.
"It was a little more than that, but close," Elliot halfway agreed.
"Are you ready to leave?" Kathy asked.
Elliot shook his head, "I still have to get my shot," he said.
He asked about how Kathleen and other kids are doing, both Kathy and Kathleen were willing to talk for a long about the things that have been going on lately. Comes out the kids are doing well at school and there haven't been much troubles lately, though they all wish to see Elliot more often, but Kathleen discretely told him, that they have used to the fact that he is not living with them.
***SVU***
Olivia rushed to the hospital found the closest nurse to ask for Elliot's whereabouts, even though she couldn't flash her badge, she still was his emergency contact person and got his location without any problems.
She headed in his direction, but to her great surprise he was not alone, when she found him between the curtains – Kathy and Kathleen were there.
"Olivia," everybody said in unison, all surprised to see her.
"I came as soon as I heard," Olivia explained.
"Weren't you doing a job with the feds?" Kathy asked.
"I was, but it's all done now," Olivia explained.
Elliot sensed the tension in the air and decided not to add any more and took lead in what their story is, "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked Olivia, hoping she'd get the hint to lie.
Olivia looked at Elliot with furrowed brow, then realized, that he didn't want Kathy to know about the situation. "I landed a few days ago, but I haven't been cleared yet and I wasn't allowed to contact anyone until they give me the okay," she lied.
Elliot nod, "Wish you could have," he said with a half-smile, "But I'm glad that you're back."
"Me too," she said.
Olivia casually walked to Elliot's bedside and took a chair to sit at the other side of the bed, while Kathy sat at the edge of the bed and Kathleen in a chair by her parents.
"What happened?" she asked.
Elliot explained their case along with the situation in which he got the wound. Olivia made a pained expression at some details, but she didn't say a word.
"How are you doing?" he asked her.
"Better now," she said with a smile and she was not lying – she was much better now at his company, "How are you? How's the pain?" she asked.
"I'm good. I'm much better now too," he said with a smile.
Olivia nod and noticed how Kathy was holding his hand in hers for the first time. Then she remembered how he told her about the kiss he shared with his ex-wife and maybe… That's where she stopped herself. Elliot noticed her eyes drifting and he pulled his hand from Kathy's, he didn't want to give her any false ideas. He and Kathy were done.
"Good. It's good that your injury is not that serious," she said easily.
A silence fell in the room. The situation was uncomfortable enough and the silence was just as uncomfortable. Elliot could sense it, but with having an ex-wife, a grown daughter and a current girlfriend in the same room he couldn't imagine it any other way.
The nurse came in to ease the tension for a moment. She announced that she had to give Elliot his shots.
Elliot had always disliked needles, so he turned to Olivia and kept his eyes firmly on her. His hand reached out to look for hers and she let him hold her hand as the nurse injected him.
After she was done, she left and ordered Elliot to wait for the doctor. The tension went through the roof again.
"I'm glad that you're not injured that badly, but I should go now," Olivia said finally and removed her hand from his, she wanted to spend time with Elliot, but she sensed that she was the intruder.
"No, you just got back," Kathleen protested, even though Kathy had nod at Olivia's statement.
"I'm giving you some time to spend together," Olivia explained.
Kathleen shook her head and stood, "We should go. I'm sure dad would love to hear about your work with the feds," she was determined.
"It's confidential, so I can't tell anything," Olivia said and tilted her head.
"Right," Kathleen replied, "But dad, you went to look for Olivia a week ago, didn't FBI protest to that?" she asked.
Elliot was taken back, he didn't expect Kathleen to bring it up, "Uh… I didn't see her then. We just missed each other, but FBI didn't know about my trip. They got Liv here for court and she was back, when I arrived," he partially lied.
"Yeah, they flew me in for the time your father was in there. If the feds had known, they would have pulled me out instantly," she added.
"Okay. But still your back, and we should go," Kathleen was firm, "Let's go mom," she said to Kathy.
Kathy stood reluctantly and said her goodbye to Elliot with a promise to call him later. She was well aware of the problems the two of them were having and judging by the way they acted around each other Kathy was sure that the relationship will end shortly.
Kathleen said her goodbye to Elliot and to everybody's great surprise she hugged Olivia. She whispered Olivia an order to take care of Elliot, then she left with Kathy.
"I can see you were trying to give your ex-wife and daughter false idea about the relationship," Olivia commented.
"Kathy didn't need to know and Kathleen knows it partially. I don't want her to worry though," he said.
"Yeah, she did threaten me once," Olivia remembered.
"See, I'm just protecting you," he said with a smile, "How'd you know I was here?" he changed the topic.
"Cragen called me and the hospital called me multiple times. Guess I'm your emergency contact person," she explained.
"I tried to convince them not to call you though," he said apologetically.
"Don't be. I'm glad they called," she said.
"Liv…" he said softly.
Olivia moved from the chair and took a seat by his side on the bed. Elliot got up to sitting position and brought them closer. Olivia took his hand in both of hers.
"When I heard that you were hurt, a thousand thoughts passed my mind," she started, "I was scared to lose you. I've realized that even though I have no idea where we're at, but I wouldn't be okay if you weren't okay."
"I'm okay, honey," he said with a small smile, "Are we okay?"
"I don't know," she said and dropped her head to his shoulder. He used his free hand to wrap around her and rest it on her back.
"I don't know either, but I guess we have to figure it out," he said seriously.
She lifted her head and pressed her lips to his. He more than welcomed her action.
As suddenly as the kiss started, it was also ended. Olivia pulled herself away from him and released his hand. They maintained an eye contact.
"I'm sorry," she apologized quickly.
"Don't be," he said with a smile.
Elliot put his hand on her thigh and moved his thumb on top of her jeans.
"Look, Liv, I love you and I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. I can't undo anything, I would if I could. There's nothing I want more is to be with you and to make you happy. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get us back. Do you still love me? And are you ready to fight?" he said sincerely.
"You know I do," she replied instantly.
"Then we need to figure it out," he said and pulled her gently towards him. She came into his embrace willingly, though she was careful not to touch his injured chest.
The doctor came in and coughed to get their attention. Olivia quickly got up from the bed and stood by his side.
"Good news detective Stabler, you get to go home," the doctor said.
"Anything to look out for?" Olivia asked.
"It was a clean wound. Just don't put too much pressure on it and take it easy the next days. If there's any sign of infection, then you need to come in instantly," the doctor explained.
Elliot and Olivia thanked the doctor and then they were alone again. Elliot collected his things and hopped off from the stretcher.
"My car's out front," he said.
Olivia nod. She helped him with his jacket and then they headed out. She looked for his hand and he took it in his without hesitating.
They got to his car and he drove to her apartment, then stopped the car and looked at her.
"Do you want me to come up?" he asked, unsure of the answer.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders and opened the door, "Sure," she said finally.
They got inside her apartment and the awkwardness stoke again.
"You know it's late?" he asked, just has hesitant as before.
"Yeah, I know," she said.
"What are we doing?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said.
She stepped closer to him and unbuttoned his shirt so she could get a look at his injury. She ran softly her fingers on his chest, barely touching the spot, where the pen had penetrated his skin.
"It's nothing, honey, just a flesh wound. It doesn't even hurt," he tried to brush it off, but it fact he didn't want her touching him like that, because he felt his body reacting to her touch and he was certain that they won't be making love tonight.
"Good," she said easily.
Elliot looked around and noticed 2 plates and glasses of wine on the coffee table. He caught her attention and silently asked about it.
"Dean came over and we had dinner," Olivia said easily.
"Something I need to worry about?" Elliot asked.
Olivia shook her head, "He's just a friend and nothing else. He knows I have a boyfriend and he respects that. Nothing has happened and nothing will happen there," she explained.
"Good," he said.
He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers and kissed her quickly. It was Olivia, who didn't let him pull away and pressed her lips firmly against his. Her hands flew around his neck and she forced him back down. He was more than willing and he wrapped his strong arms around her middle and pulled her body close to his. Both enjoyed the sense of their tongues battling for domination and hands familiarizing themselves with each other, or more like reminding of what they already knew.
Somewhere along their kiss, both of them found themselves in a familiar situation and they started heading towards the bedroom, their bodies moving in unison and their tongues still battling each other.
They came to a stop, when her back collided with the bedroom door. Their mouths separated and Elliot opened the door, then leaned in and attacked her lips again. He guided her to the bed and pressed his body tight against her.
She broke the kiss and placed her hands on his chest to create some space between them.
"What is it?" he asked, his face full on concern and frustration at the same time.
She shook her head and started kissing him again.
Slowly she bent backwards and got on the bed, Elliot right on top of her. His touch on her was no longer controlled and gentle, but it became more possessive and filled with need, though he was not aggressive.
Olivia used her strength and rolled them over, so she ended up being on top and also she got the full control over their actions. She broke the kiss and forced him to look at her.
"What are we doing?" she asked the same question he had some time ago.
"I don't know," he replied as she had.
Olivia created some distance between them and sat on his lower abdomen.
"I don't think having sex is such a good idea tonight," she said in all seriousness.
Elliot nod, "Of course. Whatever you want," he said, "And for the record I was not trying to sleep with you."
"Why not?" she asked and raised her eyebrows.
Elliot realized how his position had changed and now he might be in hot waters with Olivia. Maybe he should keep his mouth shut the next time, but for the time being he had to find his way out.
"Like you said it might not be a good idea," he tried to agree with her.
"So you have no intentions of sleeping with me tonight?" she asked suggestively.
Elliot shook his head firmly and moved his hands up and down on her sides.
She leaned back over and moved her middle to his groin. She rubbed herself against his already throbbing erection.
"And is this gun in your pants I've been feeling?" she whispered to his ear.
"Stop it, Liv," he grunted.
"What's your problem? Afraid you won't be able to control yourself?" she asked innocently, but stopped her movements and scooted higher, so she was no longer touching his erection.
"Apparently I can't control how my body reacts to yours, but it's only natural, because you're the one I want. You're the one I love. And we've been apart long enough and…" he explained and hoped he would stop the teasing, because she was right – he will lose control over his actions soon.
Olivia nod against his neck.
"I don't like to waste good," she said innocently and kissed his neck behind his ear, which has always made him crazy.
Elliot grabbed her shoulders and pushed her up so there was reasonable amount of space between them.
"Honey, if you want me to have some amount of self-control, then you will stop this. I can't turn off one of the primal instincts a man could have," he said seriously.
She could see the way he was fighting himself out of respect for her and her wishes. Only that made her heart melt.
"Elliot, I love you," she said simply.
"I love you even more," he replied.
He loosened the hold on her shoulders and let her fall back to him so she could kiss him properly. When the oxygen ran out they broke apart.
"How about we take care of your gun now," she proposed.
"Oh, thank you," he said with relief, it was already too much to bare and he needed her now.
Olivia laughed and pulled her turtleneck over her head. As soon as she leaned over to press herself against him, he rolled them over.
He reached over and turned on the bedside lamp, because he had always liked to watch her while he makes her orgasm.
This time however he froze and flinched away from her the moment he looked at her. He could see her neck covered with red spots as well as some on her breasts. Purplish bruises were on her wrists.
"What happened to you?" he asked, concern written all over his features.
"You," she said simply.
With wide eyes Elliot reached out and ran his hand gently over her reddish neck.
"I'm so sorry, you must know that I never intended to hurt you. Oh, God, what have I done. Why didn't you stop me," he asked in disbelief.
"Hey, hey," she said to get his attention. Finally he dared to look into her eyes. "Do you really think I wouldn't have stopped you if you were hurting me?" she asked in all seriousness.
Elliot shook his head. He knew Olivia was not a woman, who would let a man overpower her and hurt her. She would have stopped him right there and she must know that he'd never hurt her intentionally. All he wanted was to protect her.
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
"Don't apologize and just come back here," she said gently and held her hands up so Elliot could get between them.
He went into her arms easily and buried his face on her neck. He kissed her neck ever so gently and ran his fingers over her hand.
He left a trail of kisses on his way until he found her swollen lips. Elliot captured them and kissed her gently. Even though she tried to deepen the kiss, he refused to let her.
"Promise to stop me, when I go too far," he asked as he pulled away.
"Yeah, I promise," she said impatiently.
Elliot kissed her again and struggled to get his shirt off. She was already a step ahead and fought against his belt, finally unbuckling it and then pushing his trousers down. Using her legs, she pushed the boxers down and freed his aching member. Elliot returned the favor and with a little help from her, her jeans fell to the foot of the bed, her panties following moments later. Finally Elliot unclasped her bra expertly and threw it away, not really caring where it lands.
He moved his fingers to her clit and rubbed her there. He could feel how wet she already was, so he inserted his fingers inside of her.
"No," Olivia moaned.
Elliot took his fingers out and looked at her with questions in his mind.
"I want you inside of me," she explained and took a hold of his member. She stroked him between her fingers, then guided him to her entrance.
"Condom?" he asked out of the blue.
"I'm on the pill," she replied.
Elliot crashed his lips to hers and pushed himself inside of her. Both of them moaned through the kiss and as Olivia started rocking her hips Elliot got the hint and started thrusting inside her. He took his time and she was growing impatient. She wrapped her legs around his waist and urged his movements, when she pressed her heels against his bottom and started moving her own hips to meet his movements.
He didn't comply.
"Elliot," she whined.
"Patience, Liv, don't want to cause some damage here," he replied.
"The only damage will be caused if you don't find your speed," she threatened him.
Elliot started to protest, but he didn't have a chance, because Olivia had rolled them over and started moving on top of him the way she felt was appropriate. Elliot met her half-way and he could feel his orgasm building up too fast.
Olivia sat up on top of him and changed the angle once again. She groaned at the movement and then continued riding him. Elliot was not complaining as he got to watch her fucking him, he admired the way her breasts jumped up and down with her movements. He couldn't help himself and grabbed a hold of them, his fingers knowing exactly how to treat them.
He could sense by the way she was moaning that her orgasm was close and he pulled her back down, then rolled them over before she could react. He sped up his moves inside of her and she came with a shot of his name. Elliot followed soon after, her name escaping from his lips.
He kissed the corner of her mouth lazily and collapsed on top of her. His hands were on the bed on both of her sides so he could keep his weight from crushing her. Like she usually did, Olivia urged him to let go and trust her enough to fully fall on top of her.
"El?" she asked.
He mumbled something into her hair, where his head was resting.
"Don't hold back," she ordered him.
"I'm not," he said and furrowed his eyebrows.
"I know you are. If this is how it's gonna be, then I can't do it," she was serious.
"What?" he asked in surprise.
"If you're gonna coddle and smother me, then I'm sorry but I can't do this, because I know how much of anything I can handle and I don't need you to protect me from yourself," she explained.
Elliot rolled away from her and popped his head up on his elbow.
"I hurt you, I have to make sure that it never happens again. My job is to protect and keep you safe, so you don't have to do everything yourself," he protected himself.
She rolled her eyes. As much as she wanted Elliot not to hover and not to worry about every little thing, she knew that was part of him. That's what she gets for choosing a chauvinistic man.
"And you realize, that I already had a partner like that at work. First sign of danger and he had to be first. I already have someone to smother and coddle me, so I need you to take it easy," she said.
"I'll try," he promised.
"Good, now get back here," she ordered and opened her arms.
Elliot moved towards her and then he noticed her necklace and he suddenly remembered about the gift he had gotten her a long time ago.
"I'll be right back," he said before jumping out of the bed and getting to his jacket. He found the necklace safely in his pocket. Elliot looked over it and ran his fingers over the word "fearlessness" engraved on the pendant.
He walked back to the bed, kicked their pants off the bed and climbed on top of her.
"I have something for you," he said smugly and opened his palm, where the necklace was.
Olivia looked at him with surprise, her eyes wide. She read the word engraved on the pendant and let her fingers run over it.
"You like it?" he asked with a smile.
"I love it," she said, "And I love you."
Elliot leaned in to kiss her lips softly.
She looked at her current necklace and took it off, Elliot put the gold chain around her neck and fastened it.
"It fits you well," he gave her a compliment.
Olivia leaned over and kissed him again.
"Thank you," she accepted it.
"Go to sleep, you're tired," he ordered.
Olivia turned her back to Elliot and shut off the bedside lamp. Elliot snuggled to her side and spooned her from behind.
"Good night," she whispered.
"Good night, love," he replied.
The silence in the bedroom was broken, when his phone started vibrating in his trousers pocket. Elliot groaned and rolled away to answer the call.
"Stabler," he said to the phone.
"Elliot, it's me. Are you still in the hospital?" Dani asked at the other end.
"No, I got home some time ago," he replied.
"Good," Dani replied.
Elliot got away from the floor and climbed back to the bed, he snuggled close to Olivia while Dani was still on the line.
"Captain wants us to talk to ACS in the morning, you up for that?" Dani asked.
"Yeah, I'll come to the precinct in the morning," Elliot replied.
"Okay. Are you okay? Do you want me to come over or something?" Dani asked.
"No, I'm good. I'll see you in the morning," Elliot replied and flipped the phone shut.
He reached around her and placed his phone on the bedside table and his hand stayed around her. She moved into the contact and pressed herself against him while he tightened his hold, his fingers found hers and he intertwined their fingers.
Satisfied with having his brunette safely in his arms, Elliot fell asleep with his mind at ease for change. He let her even breaths lull him to sleep, but not knowing that his presence allowed her to enjoy a good night sleep after a long time.
***SVU***
Elliot, Dani, Munch and Fin were all knee deep in paperwork and solving the entire mystery after finding adoptive parents, who kept the kids in cages. Now Casey needed their paperwork for court and Cragen had ordered them to do just that.
Elliot stood up in the middle of the writing and exhaled loudly.
"I'm done," he announced and went to Cragen's office.
Munch, Fin and Dani sent him dirty looks, but they didn't have time to get back to their papers, because their attention was pulled once again.
Olivia walked through the doors into familiar unit and looked at the detectives all working, but Elliot not to be seen. She walked up to the blonde sitting behind her desk and asked the same question she asked some days ago.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for detective Stabler," Olivia asked.
"You just missed him, he's with the captain," Dani said without looking up.
But Munch and Fin looked up at the sound of familiar voice.
"Olivia," they said in unison.
"When did you get back?" Munch asked and got up from his desk to hug Olivia.
"A little over week ago," Olivia replied.
"You look amazing, Liv," Fin commented, when Munch had released her and it was his turn to hug the female detective.
"Thanks," Olivia said. She looked down at her. Elliot had promised to take her to dinner and then to theatre, which gave her opportunity to dress up. Actually she wore the same black dress she wore about a year ago, when they were planning on having a first real date.
"So which one of us will get to take you out tonight?" Munch asked.
Olivia rolled her eyes – she had missed him. "I'm sorry John, I already have a date, but if he bails on me, then you're first on my list," she said.
Munch placed his hand over his heart and showed appreciation.
Olivia took a step back and sat down behind Elliot's desk.
"I'm sorry, but you're supposed to sit there," Dani said to Olivia.
"Liv, have you met Elliot's new partner, Dani Beck," Fin introduced.
Olivia extended her hand and said her name.
"You're Elliot's former partner?" Dani asked in surprise.
Before Olivia could answer, Cragen's office door went open and Elliot stepped out.
"I didn't forget," he said the moment he saw Olivia.
Olivia stood up and turned around, "I know," she said, "I just got tired of staying home, so I decided to see how you're doing here."
"We're good," Elliot said, when he finally reached her.
He didn't hesitate and crashed his lips to hers. Their bodies came together and once again they were reminded of how good they fit together.
Munch made noise to make Olivia pull away from Elliot.
"You take a seat right here and humor the guys. I have to change and then we're ready to go," Elliot said and pointed at his chair, where she was sitting before.
He helped her sit down and pushed it behind the desk.
"Guys don't scare her off, this time I am taking her to the theatre," Elliot said to Fin and Munch.
"I wouldn't bet on it, because she promised to come with me if you bail on her," Munch announced.
"In your dreams," Elliot shouted before disappearing from the bullpen.
Olivia looked over the case files on Elliot's desk out of habit and noticed how few ongoing investigations were the ones she worked on.
"I've seen you here before," Dani said to Olivia.
"Yeah, I came by a few days ago," Olivia confirmed.
Olivia had decided not to like the blonde sitting behind her desk. Mainly because she had kissed Elliot, but also because she was sitting behind the desk Olivia used to sit.
Munch and Fin were filling her in with the most important events from the time she was in Oregon, but they stopped, when Cragen appeared.
"You decided to come back to SVU?" Cragen asked hopefully from Olivia. He remembered the conversation he had with her about a week ago, but he also remembered the way Elliot responed just yesterday about his partner. Apparently he'd want Olivia back, but he made it clear that Cragen was the one with power and he was still pissed about being partnered with Dani.
"No," Olivia said, "But couldn't hurt to look around."
"You will be back," Cragen said firmly.
Olivia smiled and stood to give her Captain a hug.
Elliot returned to the squad room in clean suit and a white rose between his fingers.
"A rose for me, Elliot, you didn't need to," Cragen said, when he noticed Elliot coming towards them. He released Olivia, but she stayed by his side.
"No-no, the flowers are for the most beautiful woman in the world," he said with a huge smile and gave the flower to Olivia.
"And what are your intentions with my Liv?" Cragen asked, playing the role of Olivia's father.
"Dinner and theatre. I'm a simple guy," Elliot said.
He tried to take Olivia's hand, but Cragen interfered.
"You bring her home at 10 pm and I don't want any tricks," Cragen said firmly.
"Yes, sir," Elliot said seriously.
"I hear that you are mistreating my girl, you're gonna be sorry. I also let you know, that I carry a gun," Cragen threatened.
"Noted. She will be in good hands with me," Elliot assured the Captain.
Cragen smiled and took Olivia's hand, then gave her to Elliot and despite the absurdity of the scene in the middle of the bullpen, for Elliot it felt like truly getting Olivia's father's approval to date her. Everybody knew Cragen felt like she was his daughter.
"I'm sure she will be," Cragen said.
"Did I tell you how amazing you look today?" Elliot asked.
"No," Olivia replied.
"You do look amazing," he said softly and kissed her cheek. He pulled her to his side and wrapped his arm around her to show possessiveness.
"Now get out of here before I change my mind or we catch another case," Cragen said with a smile.
Elliot placed his hand on the small of Olivia's back and led her towards the elevators.
He looked at the squad before following her and while he could see a smile on all the male detectives, there was Dani, who looked jealous, disappointed even. But Dani Beck was not his responsibility.
"Let's make sure we get to see the show this time," Olivia whispered.
Elliot nod and kissed the side of her head gently.
"We will," he was certain, when the elevator arrived and they got in.
This could be their first real date.