AN: Sorry for the long wait, but I hope you'll be satisfied with this. Plus I couldn't pass the chance of updating on 29th February - wouldn't want to wait another 4 years to do that. And of course I've been busy working on my Msc. thesis.
Anyway let me know what you think and don't forget to enjoy the story.
L.
***SVU***
8.11 Burned
Elliot leaned on the doorway and watched the twins play, while Kathleen sat on the internet with her back towards him and Kathy was curled up on a couch watching some movie.
He cleared his throat.
"It was good seeing you, but I have to go now," Elliot said.
"Bye, Dad," Kathleen said and waved with her hand, but she didn't turn to look at Elliot. Dickie waved at Elliot, but Lizzie got up from the floor and ran to Elliot. She threw herself at him, which Elliot welcomed.
Kathy looked at the scene in front of her and that reminded her how much she had missed having Elliot here. She stood up and walked up to them.
"I've missed you daddy," Elizabeth said.
"There's not a moment, when I'm not missing you and your brother and sisters," Elliot replied.
Kathy gave them a warm smile and placed her hands over Elizabeth's back, but the girl discarded them and went back to playing with Dickie.
"You know you can drop by at any time and spend time with your kids. It's good to see you with kids, haven't had a normal night like that for quite some time now," Kathy said.
"You know I miss coming home to my kids," he said earnestly.
Kathy offered a half smile.
"You can come back if you want to," she offered.
Elliot stayed silent and looked at his feet. He had to admit it was somewhat tempting – it's what he had been used to for a long time – but then again there was Olivia and even though he missed his kids, he missed her too.
"I know about your problems with Olivia," Kathy said quietly.
"What?" Elliot hissed, "Me and Olivia are fine," he added a lie.
"The hospital. I knew you are having some problems, I'm also almost confident that you are no longer together, but tried to keep up the appearances for me and Kathleen," Kathy spoke in almost whisper.
Elliot looked at his kids to see if they had picked up the conversation, but they seemed to be otherwise occupied, so he focused back on Kathy and pulled his ex-wife to the hallway by the door.
"Things are not great at the moment, it's the undercover operation and Dani Beck," Elliot admitted.
Kathy placed her hand on Elliot's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I truly am, but you can't lie to yourself and to your kids forever," Kathy said seriously and gazed into Elliot's deep blue eyes.
"I know. We are currently having some problems, but we are working on it," Elliot said seriously, "But at first we need to figure out if we can still be partners," he added.
"And I used to be jealous of her. Think about how much time you two spend together and how you might want to be around her more. I don't envy her now, because I had a chance of breaking up with you without seeing your face daily," Kathy concluded.
Elliot smiled.
"I never cheated on you," he said firmly.
"I know," Kathy said with a nod. She knew that, "You're not that that guy. But even wife has right to be jealous when you have a beautiful female partner. At least Olivia doesn't have that problem."
Elliot shook his head, but stayed quiet. He didn't realize how he was good guy in front of his ex-wife and how his recent actions prove his a shell of a man he used to be – the decent husband he once was.
"I have to go, I have to be at precinct in the morning," he excused.
"Take care, Elliot," Kathy said softly and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
"You too," he replied and exited the house he used to call home.
Elliot went to his car and looked over at his phone, he flipped it open and looked for Olivia's name in his contact log. He had an inner debate, but then decided against calling her and drove home instead. He'll see her tomorrow at the precinct just like for every day in the past week.
***SVU***
The morning came and Olivia walked by the familiar setting of the precinct, greeted some detectives and patrol officers on her way and then sat down by her desk. Even though she had been back for over a week, she still hasn't filled her desk with the pictures and office supplies that used to be there, though she noticed a picture of her and Elliot still on his desk.
The man in question came in just moments after her and sat down behind his desk.
"Morning," he greeted casually.
"Good morning," Olivia replied.
"We have any new cases?" he asked.
Olivia shook her head, "Captain hasn't given me anything yet," she added.
"Maybe an easy week is just what we need," he said.
Olivia raised her eyebrows. "You're an optimist," she commented.
Elliot shrugged his shoulders and focused on his computer screen. He typed his password and opened the mailbox, but he didn't have any urgent new e-mails.
As the silence took over, both detectives felt uneasy, because it was heavy and tense.
"How was your weekend?" he asked to ease it.
"It was okay, I caught up on some housework I've been putting off until now," she replied, "You?"
"I spent it with my kids, so it was nice," Elliot replied.
Olivia offered him a smile, and opened a file by her desk. She read it over and started typing her report for Casey.
Elliot decided to have a cup of coffee and left his desk. He got the machine working and poured himself a nice cup of coffee, then looked over at his partner and poured one for her too. She might have stopped drinking soda, but he'd doubt she'd ever get over her caffeine addiction.
2 cups of coffee in hand, he walked back to his desk. He placed one on Olivia's and wordlessly sat down beside his.
"Thanks," Olivia replied with a small smile.
Elliot brushed it off and sipped the coffee.
Cragen walked inside the squad room with newspaper in hand and looked over at the detectives working behind their desks in complete silence.
"Morning," he said and announced his presence.
"Morning, Cap," Elliot replied.
"Morning, Captain," Olivia said and looked up.
Cragen walked up to his detectives, "Any new cases?" he asked.
Olivia shook her head.
"We're waiting forensics for Central park rape on last Friday, but we don't have anything else at this moment," Elliot said.
"Fin and Munch are tracking up some leads. So far it seems to be she-said, he-said case, alcohol was involved… It's gonna be hard to prove rape," Olivia added.
"Let's hope Fin and Munch will find something. Have you finished your reports on Cobb case?" Cragen asked, referring to their case from last week – luckily that was open and shut.
Olivia rumbled through a pile of papers on her desk and handed a folder to Cragen, "Here," she said. Cragen opened it and nod in approval.
"You'll get mine later, I have to finish it," Elliot said.
"Carry on," Cragen said and left the bullpen with the report from Olivia.
Olivia and Elliot turned back to their work and barely paid attention to anything else going on in the squad room.
It was after 10 am, when Cragen descended from his office and looked for his detectives. He noticed Fin and Munch still being away from their desks, and Olivia and Elliot focused on the papers in front of them.
He shook his head – the case was not the one to give the detectives with fragile relationship with each other, which was in a desperate need for some intervention to mend the fractures between them. It was no longer their personal relationship, it was their professional relationship too. That scared him the most.
"I have a case for you," Cragen said as he reached his detectives.
Both Olivia and Elliot stood, grabbed their jackets and got ready to go out.
"Our vic is Valerie Sennet, she was raped last night," Cragen explained and gave a paper with the address to Olivia.
"We're on it, Cap," Elliot said.
In silence the detectives headed towards the elevators, their bodies moving in unison as always, but their minds were far from same wavelength. That troubled the old captain more than he cared to admit, because while he hoped everything would go back to being okay, when Olivia returned, but things had only turned for the worse. He could constantly catch Olivia and Elliot fighting about protocols or about some other minor work thing, while they were really fighting about the relationship. The two of them were constantly at each other neck, but now they have seemed to find another way to annoy each other – the silent treatment. Not that Cragen was against it, but he missed the friendly banter going on in the squad room and the laughter he could hear to his office. He missed those little moments of joy, while working cases, which are anything but.
***SVU***
Olivia and Elliot returned later with their victim, who was accusing her ex-husband of rape – how convenient. They questioned Vanessa, who didn't have anything good to say about the man, but there is also daughter in the mix, who knows nothing, according to the mother. To make matters worse, then they don't have permission to talk to the daughter, who might be important witness to abuse.
They let Vanessa go back to her life, while they started their investigation. Elliot called up the ex-husband's work and came out he was on a business trip, but he was to return that night.
"What evidence do we have?" Cragen asked as he approached his detectives.
"CSU found hair and fibers at the victim's house, they're running them now. Positive for intercourse, negative for fluids," Olivia explained.
"Which means he wore a condom," Elliot concluded, "Doesn't sound like any husband I know," he added. Being in a similar situation, he was quick to take the ex-husband's side until they knew for sure. Hell, if Kathy wanted a sole custody, she could probably come up with a similar story.
"Well, unless it was premeditated and he went there to humiliate her," Olivia shot back, supporting the victim as always.
"And you think the child told dad where they lived?" Cragen asked, trying to defuse the situation, before the flames rose.
"I think that she's angry and she misses her father," Olivia said easily.
"Enough to give him the address and a key?" Cragen questioned.
"Only Tessa can tell us that, but, you know, we can't talk to her without parental consent," Olivia said and sat down.
"I'll check with Novak, see if we can get around to it," Cragen decided, "Any DV calls to the Sennet house, when they were together?" he changed to topic.
"Yeah, two. First call, no dispensation. Second one, Miles put his hand through the wall," Elliot read from the papers, "Court ordered anger management, but there's no history of ER visits for either wife or child," he added.
"I grew up with an alcoholic mother, and, uh, abuse doesn't have to be physical to cause damage," Olivia said seriously. She felt Cragen's eyes on her, as well as Elliot's, both concerned, but Elliot hid it quickly and snapped away so he wouldn't spend his time thinking about her and the alcoholic mother Olivia had.
"That's true, but if that's all it takes, there'd be a hell of a lot of families with protection orders and supervised visits," he said softly. Elliot avoided looking at her at any cost, because all he wanted to do was walk over to her and pull her in his arms. At the moment, he barely cared about the rules and the fragile state of their current relationship.
Cragen changed the topic to less painful one, because they still had a case to solve. Also he couldn't stop thinking how he was an alcoholic too once, and if he'd had a kid, then he might have been the same abusive parent as the one Olivia grew up with.
In the end Olivia and Elliot left to see the judge, and ask about the decision not to grant restraining order.
Cragen went back to his office and dialed for Casey.
"Novak," Casey answered her phone.
"Casey, it is Cragen. I have a bit of a legal problem," Cragen went to the point.
"That's what I'm here for," Casey said easily.
"We have a case, where our lead witness is a minor and we don't have consent to interview her. I was wondering if there is a way around it," Cragen explained.
"How strong is your case?" Casey asked.
"We have no DNA evidence, plus the perp is victim's ex-wife. There used to be a restraining order in place, but it ran out recently. So I'd say it's not that strong," Cragen explained.
"At this moment I'd suggest you drop the daughter and find something solid, then I think I can figure out a way to talk to the daughter without breaking the law," Casey said sadly.
"I have Benson and Stabler talking to judge about restraining order and I'll have them get background on the vic and our suspect. I'll keep you posted," Cragen decided.
"Will do. How is this working out?" Casey asked.
"I assume you're asking about Benson and Stabler," Cragen said and looked outside his office window, while he figured what to say, "It's not what it used to be, but they seem to be working it out."
"What happens if they don't work it out?" Casey asked out of curiosity.
Cragen sighed heavily.
"First I'd sent them to counseling to figure out what's the problem, and then decide if I have to separate them or not. Or in the worst case I have to send one away, just like I told them after they disclosed their relationship. But I hope it won't come to that," he explained. He really didn't want to see any of his detectives leave, because he has become quite fond of his detectives and how they work together as a team.
"Let's hope they can figure out how to work together again," Casey said heavily.
"Let's hope so," Cragen agreed.
"Look, I have to run, I have to be in court, but if you really want to talk with the girl, then have Liv and El go to school and conduct interview there, but don't tell her about the rape. Let them ask their questions, but don't tell her about the rape," Casey instructed.
"I'll let them know. Good luck in court," Cragen said and ended the call.
He quickly dialed Elliot to let him know about the situation.
***SVU***
Moderately pissed Elliot and Olivia left the court house, both keeping the anger inside until they reached the street.
"You don't bait a judge," Elliot said to Olivia as he walked out behind her.
"Valerie Sennet was raped. End of story," Olivia defended herself.
"You seem awfully convinced of that," Elliot accused.
"And I think your current situation is coloring your judgement," Olivia shot back and looked at him.
"My current situation?" Elliot asked.
"You don't normally empathize with the suspect," Olivia explained.
"It's not empathy. It's outrage. The guy never touched his wife," Elliot fired when they reached the car.
"Until last night, Elliot. You saw the bruises," she said as she walked around the car to take passenger seat.
Elliot looked down, then back at her. Olivia waited for him to argue back, she knew he will do it eventually.
"Bruising doesn't prove rape," he yelled.
"Is that your gut talking?" she asked.
Elliot shook his head, "Experience," he said, then leaned towards her over the hood of the car, "Or are you saying that you'll file rape charges against me soon? If I remember correctly then I left you bruises after you got back from playing FBI," he attacked.
"Bruises from consensual rough sex are different from the ones of physical abuse and rape. Besides I didn't say no, and if I had, I promise you'd know it," she hissed.
"Maybe it's your judgement, that's clouded," he accused and pulled away.
Olivia was left stunned for a moment, but she recovered.
"You crossed the line, Stabler," she said through her teeth and jerked open the car door.
Both of them sat in the car as the silence took over. Elliot didn't start the car, instead both were trying to figure out if they want to continue this fight or try to make amends for now.
The ringing of Elliot's cell phone disrupted the silence.
"Cragen wants us to talk to Tessa at her school, but we can't mention rape," Elliot announced.
"Let's drive then," she said coldly.
Elliot turned on the ignition, but didn't start driving.
"Look, there is no evidence of abuse, we have to keep an open mind on this one," he said softly.
"He raped her. He has problems with anger management, plus alcohol and substance abuse," Olivia argued.
"But it doesn't mean anything. Hell, you can go to the police and accuse me of rape. You will get attention and I'm the bad guy, because of my anger management, yet I've never laid hand on you," He fired.
"Don't you dare make it personal," she threatened.
"A little late now," he said and tilted his head.
Olivia turned her head away and looked outside the window. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm her down.
"El, we need to drop this, because we can't go interview Tessa, while we're angry at each other. This doesn't work like this," Olivia said calmly.
"Maybe we should let Fin and Munch take over this interview," he suggested, but regretted it immediately.
"No, we can handle it," Olivia was confident.
Elliot nod.
In silence they agreed to let it slide and to put their personal feelings on the background for now.
Still sitting in a parked car, Olivia turned her eyes out of the window and waited for him to start driving. Without realizing she was tapping her fingers over her thigh – something she tends to do, when she's nervous.
Barely thinking, Elliot grabbed her hand and stilled her fingers in his hand. It felt like the time stopped, when they looked at each other, blue meeting brown, but then the clock started working again and both flinched away. He pulled his hand back as if she was poisonous.
"Tessa's school it is," Elliot said and drove away, while awkward silence filled the car.
Neither of them dared to let another word slip past their lips, and they reached a silent agreement to not talk about the fight, the way electricity travelled through their bodies, when his hand took hers, but most of all about the way they've been fighting about everything and that had to come to an end.
***SVU***
Hours later they got to the precinct with Miles Sennet, who agreed to take a polygraph. They were met with Cragen and Valerie by the elevator doors.
Cragen informed them that Valerie had recanted and Miles was free to go, but the former couple had some bad blood between them and stated a shouting match, which quickly could have ended in a fight.
Elliot and Olivia stopped Miles, while Cragen tried to hold Valerie back, but Olivia took over. She threw Valerie into an elevator, while Elliot held Miles against the wall. Cragen ordered uniforms to take Miles out from the back exit. Alone by the elevators, the detectives focused on each other.
"You okay?" Elliot asked and looked her over.
Olivia nod, "You?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said.
Cragen cleared his throat to get attention from Elliot and Olivia. The three of them walked through the halls, fighting over the case. While Olivia supported Valerie, Elliot was convinced the man was not guilty.
"The guy's a time bomb, and you know it," Olivia defended her case.
"He's a hothead, but the problem is, they've both got an agenda here," he brought out another argument.
"Which is?" Cragen asked.
"They're trying to destroy each other," Elliot said simply.
Fin joined them and walked a few steps behind them.
"Your wife just called," he said.
Olivia and Elliot stopped, while Cragen simply looked back at Fin. Weren't Elliot and Kathy divorced?
"Ex-wife," Fin clarified.
"What do you have?" Elliot asked roughly.
"Lab came back with a match to the hairs found at the crime scene. Belongs to Miles Sennet," Fin said.
"Oh, so much for him not knowing where they live," Olivia commented as the evidence supported her.
Both her and Elliot fastened the pace and walked a few steps ahead of their co-workers, who both already suspected another fight starting between the two.
"That doesn't prove he was in the house," Elliot replied.
"Where were the hairs collected?" Cragen interrupted.
"Daughter's room, hallway, common area," Fin answered.
"Any prints?" Elliot continued with the questions.
Fin gave a negative answer.
"Tessa was in her dad's house. She could've tracked that stuff home," Elliot fought.
"To several different locations? You're reaching," she killed his argument.
"And you've got blinders on," Elliot accused.
Fin exchanged a look with Cragen and retreated to his desk, while Cragen followed Olivia and Elliot.
"I'm the longest relationship you've ever had with a man, you said it yourself. You have no idea how bad things can get, when a couple goes sour," Elliot argued, bringing out his experience.
"And eight years in this unit tells me that I don't need to be married to know when an abusive man in escalating. I know well enough how badly relationship can end," she fired back.
Olivia stopped and Elliot stopped with her. They stood by their desks, staring at each other, their bodies inches apart.
The whole squad room was suddenly quiet, anticipation in the air. The relationship status of the detectives was a constant gossiping topic and while they seemed to have a public fight about their case, which was really about them – everybody was listening.
"So you've had a couple of relationships end, it doesn't mean that you know what marriage does to people," Elliot yelled.
"Yet, I've worked with the victims of domestic abuse for long enough to know those things," Olivia defended herself, "Maybe you have blinders on. A recently divorced man as you are, are you seeing yourself in Miles and that's what this is about?"
"Don't make it personal. This case has the element of a kid. Both want her, and neither is willing to give her up. You can't possibly have any idea about that. Unless of course during your wild days you got married, had a kid and divorced without ever telling anyone. Hell, you nearly didn't tell me that I was becoming a father, but then it never happened."
She slapped him hard, "You crossed the line, Stabler," Olivia hissed, "When I become a parent I'll take full responsibility and make it my priority, unlike you. I wouldn't make the same mistakes you did. And I am glad I lost your baby, I can do much better."
She brushed past Cragen and left the squad room.
Cragen, who had been silent beside the detectives finally spoke up, "Back to work, people," he ordered and left for his office.
Elliot was stunned for a moment, then turned around and settled down behind his desk. He avoided looking around, but he did catch a glimpse of Fin's disgraceful look, while Olivia's footsteps echoed in the room and her words on his ears.
Cragen slammed the door shut behind him and sat down behind his desk. He let out a breath he hadn't realized that he was holding and picked up his phone.
"Casey," he said the moment their ADA picked up.
"How's the case going?" Casey asked.
"We have a bit of a railroad. Would you mind coming down here and point us in the right direction?" Cragen asked.
"Of course. Did the detectives mess it up?" Casey asked to prepare herself.
"Our victim recanted," Cragen explained.
"Okay, I'm on my way," The ADA said and dropped the call.
True to her words, Casey walked to the SVU half an hour later. She went straight to Cragen's office, where Cragen briefed her about the events leading to the situation. He left out the big public fight Olivia and Elliot had in the squad room – he was sure Casey will find out sooner rather than later.
He exited his office and noticed that Olivia had returned. She and Elliot sat in total silence opposite to each other, probably working on the case.
"Benson, Stabler – in my office," Cragen ordered firmly.
Both detectives walked right in, Olivia took a seat opposite to her commanding officer and crossed her hands, while Elliot leaned on the window to the interrogation room. Casey paced behind them, when Cragen introduced the case and his detectives fought for their sides. Elliot pushed for Valerie's arrest, while Olivia fought against it.
In the end Casey agreed with Elliot, truth to be told, even Olivia knew it was right thing to do.
Casey walked out right after giving her verdict. Elliot wanted to follow, but Cragen stopped them.
"You two think you can work this together?" he asked, "'Cause if you can't, I will reassign it." Cragen offered a way out.
Olivia glanced over her shoulder at Elliot, who was standing right behind her.
"It's fine," she said and stood up.
Elliot nod.
"I don't wanna see another public fight about your personal life again," he warned his detectives, "If you two can't work together, then I need to know about this. I can't have half-functioning squad and I will not hesitate to reassign you."
Both Olivia and Elliot nod, then left the office and continued the silent treatment.
***SVU***
They caught a break the next day, when Valerie gave her statement and Miles confessed to assaulting her, yet he denied the rape. While Elliot let Olivia take lead on interrogations, he was there to back her up.
Right there in the interrogation room, everything was okay for a moment – they communicated by exchanging looks and their working relationship seemed to be in order.
Casey and Cragen were outside, listening in.
All four of them walked back to the squad room, Olivia and Elliot avoiding talking to each other and sharing their ideas of the event, until they clashed again.
"He pulled her out of the shower, he shook her. And then he left," Elliot argued his case and demonstrated how the bruise got on Valerie's arm.
"Look, that's what you want to believe. This guy is dangerous. He goes from never touching his wife to shaking her. What's next?" Olivia questioned.
Huang stepped in and gave his opinion, which supports Elliot, though Olivia questioned him and tried to find something from the doctor's assessment.
"Are you saying there was no abuse?" Casey asked to clarify it.
Huang didn't say no, but he didn't find behavioral pattern, which is needed to prove the case without any physical evidence.
"It doesn't matter," Casey decided, "Valerie Sennet says she was raped. Her husband admits to assaulting her, and there's evidence of intercourse."
"Maybe she had sex with someone else?" Elliot suggested, "This is a hostile divorce, crying rape is pretty efficient way to get rid of an unwanted husband."
"When did you start working for the defense?" Casey asked.
"The moment you were more interested in an east close than the truth," Elliot argued.
Casey was stunned for a moment by Elliot's words. Guess he's still pissed at Olivia as well as the case.
"My only interest is in being an advocate for rape victims. Now, I thought that's what we do here," Casey fired back.
Elliot agreed.
Cragen decided to defuse the situation before it gets bad again, so he turned to Elliot.
"That's what we all do here," he was firm, "Olivia can reinterview the victim, while you dig discretely into her background. Make sure there are no surprises."
"Oh, so now we're putting victims on trial. Good to know," Olivia commented.
Both of them stood from their desks and came face to face.
"Well, a statement with this many red flags, no good cop would overlook it," Elliot defended himself.
"Especially not one with dead marriage and history of violence," Olivia argued.
Elliot walked away from her to avoid another clash in front of everyone – they'll have it probably, but they can wait until they're no longer in public.
"I thought you said they're working it out," Olivia heard Casey comment before leaving, she could feel Cragen's worried look on her before the Captain headed back to his office.
Her phone rang and that took her focus.
"Benson," she said on the phone.
"Olivia, it's Kathy, Elliot's ex-wife," Kathy said on the other line.
"Yeah, hi," Olivia greeted.
"Is Elliot there?" Kathy asked.
"No, uh, he just left," Olivia said and looked in the direction Elliot was last seen, but the moment he had disappeared around the corner.
"I need to talk to you, Olivia. Do have time to come meet me now?" Kathy asked and bit her lip.
"Where?" Olivia asked.
She wrote down the park Kathy wanted to meet and left the squad room.
Kathy was already waiting at the entrance, when Olivia pulled up.
"Hey," Olivia greeted.
"Good to see you, Olivia," Kathy replied.
They entered the park and started strolling by the river.
"So, you're back at SVU," Kathy commented.
"Yeah, it's been over a week now," Olivia replied.
"What happened to the stunner?" Kathy asked.
"Dani Beck?" Olivia asked and looked at the blonde to confirm, "She transferred back to her old unit."
"Why'd she leave?" Kathy asked coldly.
"I have no idea," Olivia gave somewhat truth, "Guess she just couldn't cut it."
Kathy looked over at the detective.
"It makes me feel better to know you didn't like her either," Kathy confessed.
"Kathy," Olivia was firm, "What's this about?"
They came to a stop by the river.
"I just want to know how everything's going," Kathy said easily.
"With Elliot?" Olivia clarified.
Kathy smiled, "He's what we have in common."
"You're divorced," Olivia reminded the other woman.
Kathy smiled again and nod, "But I also know that you're not together with him either," she said.
"He told you that?" Olivia asked and furrowed her brows.
Kathy shook her head.
"Wife always knows. I know you haven't been together for some time now, but you still tried to keep up appearances," Kathy confronted Olivia, "So is it true?"
Reluctantly Olivia nod – she was not willing to be in a position to talk about her relationship with Elliot to his ex-wife.
"We have been having some problems," Olivia confirmed.
"So now you know how I felt all these years. Your bonus is that you see him daily at work and you don't have to worry about his attractive female partner," Kathy said, her words cutting through Olivia like a knife.
"Kathy, Elliot was faithful to you. Nothing happened until you were separated," Olivia defended herself.
"I know," Kathy said with a nod, "Didn't stop me from wondering though. Do you know how much I used to worry that Elliot wanted to spend more time with you, than with me and the kids?"
"He talked about you all the time," Olivia tried.
"But didn't stop him from falling in love with another woman," Kathy said bitterly.
Olivia stayed silent, because she had nothing to say. Also because she has no idea, when Elliot fell for her exactly.
"I'm not blaming you," Kathy clarified, "I'm just worried about him."
"So am I," Olivia agreed.
"Olivia, you understand things about him I will never understand. You're his partner. You give him stability," Kathy said heavily.
Olivia looked at the other woman, but stayed silent.
"Elliot needs to feel like he's on solid ground, only then he can move on. You pulled the ground from his feet, when your troubles began and that's why he has been spending a lot of time with me and the kids," Kathy continued, "And to come clean, we kissed."
"I know, he told me about that," Olivia replied.
"Yet you were willing to meet with me?" Kathy asked.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders, "We were taking a break at the time it happened."
"I see," Kathy nod, "I'm not here to feud with you. I'm just worried about him and maybe you can help him find the stability. He came to see the kids last night and I honestly haven't seen him that angry in very long time."
"It's the case we're working, it hits a little close to home for him," Olivia explained.
Kathy knew she can't talk about the details and she quite frankly didn't need them either, but that might give some explanation to Elliot's actions.
"If you love him, Olivia, then you will support him and work through whatever is going on between you two. I also know that you both have been at SVU longer than average and you have done that, because you have the other to lean on. Without the support you both will burn out and I honestly don't want to restrict Elliot from seeing his kids, but if he burns, then I will have to," Kathy said seriously.
Olivia's phone rang and disrupted the moment.
"Benson," She answered.
"Liv, Miles has a hearing in 30 minutes," Casey said.
"I'm on my way," Olivia replied and hang up.
She put her phone in the pocket and looked at her companion apologetically.
"I get it, you have to go," Kathy was understanding, "I was married to a detective for quite some time – when the call comes then you have to go. Of course most of the time it was you calling in the middle of the night."
"I'm sorry, I have to go," Olivia said, "Take care."
Then she turned around and left Kathy alone by the river.
***SVU***
Olivia got off the elevator and walked towards her apartment, her keys already in hand, when she saw someone waiting by her door. Her hand flew to her hip, where her sidearm was.
"Don't shoot, it's me," Elliot said and stepped closer to her.
Olivia relaxed instantly and got to her apartment door.
"What brings you here?" she asked coldly.
Elliot smiled a little.
"I'm not here to fight," he clarified.
Olivia accepted the reply and opened the door, she left it open after she was inside for Elliot, who followed her and locked the door behind his back.
"Liv, I'm here to call truce," he said.
Olivia turned around and raised her eyebrows.
"Didn't know we were fighting," she said easily, while removing her badge and gun from her belt.
Elliot tilted his head, "Come on, we both know it," he said.
Olivia let out a deep breath and nod reluctantly.
"I don't wanna fight anymore, at least not when we're working," he confessed.
"I don't wanna fight either," she agreed.
She turned away and poured herself a glass of orange juice, then sat down in her kitchen chair and leaned back.
"You're tired," he stated.
Olivia didn't protest, because it was the truth – she was tired, exhausted even.
"So are you," she said.
Elliot agreed too.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately and the case is getting to me, but I don't wanna talk about work," he said.
"Me neither," Olivia agreed.
He walked to her and took a seat by her side. He picked up the juice glass and drank it.
"So, about that truce to whatever fight we are having at this moment?" Elliot came back to the reason for his visit.
"Agreed," she said, "But this doesn't mean that we're back together or anything."
Elliot scooted his chair closer to her, but not close enough for any physical contact between them.
"I know. I'm just exhausted from fighting with you. And I also I wanted to make sure that we're okay. I mean that we're fighting at work, but I want to make sure that you and I are okay outside work," he retreated warily and took her hand in his on the table.
"I believe so, at least I don't know any good reason why we shouldn't be," she replied, her eyes on their intertwined hands.
"Good," Elliot said and nod, "I'll let you go to sleep now," he decided and stood up. Slowly he pulled his hand away from hers and headed towards the door.
"El," Olivia said from behind him.
He turned around and saw that Olivia was standing by the desk, looking unsure of what to do next.
"Yes?" he prompted.
Olivia stayed silent for a long moment, "Nothing… I'll see you tomorrow," she finally managed.
"See you," he said, knowing well that she wanted to say something else, "Anything else?" he asked.
Olivia walked up to him and stood in front of him, her head tilted upwards to catch his eyes. He raised his eyebrows to silently ask a question.
"Get home safe," she said with a small smile.
"I will, don't worry," he replied easily.
Neither of them moved from the spot, instead continued looking into each other eyes, waiting for the other to make a move, either to pull away or lean in closer.
Olivia made the first move, she tried to take a step backwards, but just a second later Elliot leaned in and wrapped his arms around her middle in a hug. Olivia relaxed against him and threw her hands around his neck.
Neither of them wanted to be the first to pull away, because it was something they both had missed a lot during their time apart.
Elliot kissed her hair before pulling apart – he knew that if he'd stay like that for long, then he would want more and he might make a move on her, which is not appropriate at the time.
"So, see you tomorrow," he said awkwardly as he moved towards the door.
"Yeah, tomorrow," she agreed.
With that Elliot left her apartment, Olivia was quick to lock the door behind him and lean against the door. It was cold against her warm forehead, but she didn't mind.
Slowly she finished the glass of juice and headed to the bathroom, where she brushed her teeth and had a nice warm shower. Like most of the night she changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt Elliot had left behind, when he moved his things out. She wasn't quite sure if he did that on purpose or he simply couldn't find it, because the shirt was in the closet with her things not his.
For some reason she slept much better that night that she had in previous weeks, months even; but it would be a stretch to say that she slept well. She had been alone for most of her life, but after having someone by her side and hold her while she slept, she had become to miss it. Even though most of the nights she refused to be held or she rolled away from him unconsciously, it still felt damn good and she missed the warm body on the other side of the bed, wondering if he missed her too.
***SVU***
Olivia walked to the precinct the next morning to find Elliot behind his desk and talking to the phone. She went straight to the break corner and made herself a cup of tea. She grabbed a bag of sugar and went to her desk.
"Good morning," Elliot greeted.
"Hey," she replied.
Olivia took off her coat and sat down. She poured the sugar to her cup and stirred it, then opened their case file and started going over the file. She felt Elliot's eyes on her, while she started her work day, so she looked up.
"I'm on hold," he explained.
"Did you find anything surprising about our victim?" Olivia asked for the sake of conversation.
Elliot leaned in towards her, he took in her casual attire with sweatshirt she usually wore outside the work.
"You know, I was surprised to find out about Valerie's boyfriend, that she forgot to tell us about," Elliot said with a small victorious smirk on his face.
Before Olivia could respond, Elliot was lucky and someone picked up at the other side of the phone. She heard Elliot ask for a guy named Philip and that was it.
"Valerie Sennet was just attacked in the streets," Cragen informed them.
"Where is she?" Olivia asked.
"The burn unit at Cornell," Cragen replied.
Elliot had already taken his jacket and he was up, when Olivia stood. He walked over to her and grabbed her coat for her, then helped her get it on and they were on their way.
"Let me know about her condition," Cragen yelled as they were already reaching the hearing radius.
"We will," Olivia shouted back.
They rode the elevator in silence and got to the squad car. Elliot threw the keys to Olivia, who looked at his actions with question marks all over her mind, but she chose not to vocalize them. She got to the driver seat and drove off the moment Elliot had closed his door.
"I didn't see that coming," She confessed.
"Me neither, I mean there wasn't anything in their history that could resolve to this," Elliot agreed.
"Let's hope it's not too bad," she said.
"I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch," Elliot promised.
Olivia sent a glance towards him.
"We will get him, if it was Miles. And he'll face trial," Olivia said calmly.
Elliot looked at her and gave up. "Guess, you're right," he said.
Olivia smiled and absentmindedly placed her hand on his thigh, moving her hand up and down to soothe her partner.
It was a mere minute later, when she realized what she's been doing and she removed her hand quickly.
"I'm sorry, it was totally out of line," Olivia apologized.
"I wasn't uncomfortable, so we're all good," Elliot replied.
"I'm still apologizing, it shouldn't happen. You could write me down to Cragen and I could face sexual harassment charges," Olivia joked.
"Liv, I try my best not to be offended the next time you feel like touching me. And I hope I get the same treatment when you are on the other side," Elliot added.
"We'll see," She replied, then pulled at the hospital's parking lot.
Elliot and Olivia headed inside, their faces back to serious. He flashed his badge and they were instructed to put on gowns. They helped each other into the yellow gowns and then they got to see Valerie. Doctors were all over Valerie, when Olivia and Elliot located her.
"I smell gasoline," Olivia commented, when they saw her.
"She was saturated with it," one of the doctors explained.
"Is she in a lot of pain?" Elliot asked.
"Her nerves are gone. If she makes it through the night, she'll have severe pain tomorrow," the same doctor explained.
While Elliot stayed back, Olivia got closer to Valerie and leaned down, her hands on her knees, so she could be on Valerie's face level.
"Valerie… Valerie, can you tell us who did this?" She asked gently.
"Miles did this," Valerie replied weakly.
"She shouldn't be talking, her lungs are burned," second doctor commented.
Elliot grabbed the same doctor by hand and demanded to be told about Valerie's chances.
"It doesn't look good," the doctor said sadly.
By the time Olivia was also there, "That's why we need her dying declaration," Olivia explained.
"Fine, just be quick," the doctor gave her permission.
Olivia and Elliot both got close to Valerie and Olivia leaned down like before. Elliot was by her side, listening in. Olivia asked the questions and Valerie explained how Miles had gas in a water bottle and how he sprayed it all over her and then lit her up with a match. The mother's concern was her daughter and Elliot promised to get Miles before he gets Tessa.
After Valerie went into respiratory arrest, both Olivia and Elliot were pushed aside. They looked with fear how the doctors bagged and intubated Valerie. Olivia was right beside Elliot and she couldn't fight it, so she leaned into him from the back and used him as a support. Elliot simply lifted his hand over her and wrapped it around her.
The doctors pushed them out of the trauma room into the hallway, while he still had his hand around her.
"We need to find Tessa," Olivia stated.
"And we need to get Miles," he added.
As the doctors ran through the hallway, the detectives got by the wall and stood there for some time. They took off their gowns and hats, then Elliot took out his phone and informed Cragen. He ordered the TARU to track Tessa's phone. Both of them knew Casey was not going to be happy about the outcome.
Still close to each other, they walked through the hospital into the parking lot.
"That's just brutal," Olivia said once in the car.
"I know. What kind of person does this to another," Elliot added.
He took her hand in his and held it tight.
"I don't even know if I wish for Valerie to make it, because it's gonna be hard," Olivia confessed.
"The doctors are not thinking that she will," he offered.
His phone interrupted the silence in the car. It was Cragen letting them know that Tessa's in Central Park and ESU is on it's way, but Cragen wanted Olivia and Elliot to run point.
Olivia drove them to Central Park, where Fin was already waiting with the ESU. Both Olivia and Elliot informed them of the game plan and then got their vests on while arguing about the blame for these events. The police had located Tessa by a fountain.
Elliot and Fin made initial contact from the front, hoping to get Tessa away from Miles, while the ESU team came from sides. Olivia took the back, so Olivia got initially the closest to Miles, but unlike others she loaded her gun with plastic bullets. Elliot got the kid and Olivia took Miles out, though he'll make it.
They had Miles driven to the precinct and Tessa taken to the hospital along with Valerie's mother. Olivia and Elliot briefed Cragen and then they were on their way to the hospital to let Valerie know about the outcome.
It was questionable, when Valerie asked if they had killed Miles. It was a red flag to both of the detectives, but they chose to ignore it and write it down as shock reaction. To confirm everything, Olivia asked once more if Miles raped her and she gave a positive reply.
Then they left Tessa alone and got out of the burn unit, so the doctors could do their job. Both removed their hats and masks rapidly, but then they heard Valerie scream through the open doors and they flinched.
Olivia was on the one wall, while Elliot was opposite to her. Both stopped removing the gowns and just stood frozen by the wall. Elliot was first to recover and he got his gown off, then he noticed Olivia, who was still and moved over to her.
He hugged her tight, pressing her between the wall and himself.
Neither of them protested against it, while both of them knew it was wrong to look for comfort in each other, because of their current relationship status.
In fact Olivia was grateful for the chance to bury her face against his comfortable chest and feel his strong arms around her, because for that moment everything was okay and all of the worries faded away. She couldn't even hear Valerie's screams – maybe they had stopped, maybe she just managed to block them out for the moment.
When she recovered and continued to remove her gown, Elliot took over and removed it from her, then threw it in the basket.
He took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers.
"Come on, I'll take you home," he said quietly.
Olivia shook her head.
"I need to go to the precinct," she claimed.
"Work can wait another day," Elliot tried, but Olivia argued back, so he gave up and promised to take her to the precinct.
Elliot couldn't bring himself to go back there, he needed to be alone and process what had just happened with their case and with Olivia. It felt good to hold her close again, but when she was so close, it kept him wanting more and he knew he was not in a position to do more than hug her.
He dropped her off at the precinct, parked the squad car and took his personal one to drive home.
Even though he got home at reasonable time and after a couple of hours in front of TV, he decided to go to bed, but he couldn't take his mind off the case and Olivia.
As Elliot tossed and turned in his bed, his mind drifted to a conversation he had with Kathy some days ago. She was willing to let him come back home and that's exactly what he wanted since the moment she kicked him out, but now, when he was in a position to return he realized that it's not what he wants anymore. He misses his kids, but he doesn't miss being married to Kathy. There's another woman, who keeps him awake at nights and to whom he wants to return – Olivia.
4:47 hit the clock on his bedside and Elliot found himself staring at the ceiling of his bedroom. He had given up sleep in about hour two of rolling around the bed.
His phone beeped, indicating a new text message. Elliot flipped the phone open and read the text. It was from Olivia, who wanted to meet him downstairs. Elliot chuckled – she must me facing the same problem he is, except while he gave up trying to sleep, he had no intentions of going anywhere until he had to be at work.
He got up from the bed and pulled on a pair of sweats, t-shirt and picked a gray sweatshirt from the chair, then headed out. Olivia was sitting on the stairs in front of his apartment building.
She handed him a cup and he politely thanked her, then took a seat by her side.
"Is that a flower in your cup?" he asked as he peeked her drink.
"It's tea," she explained.
"You're serious about that, aren't you?" he asked without waiting for an answer.
She sipped her tea and looked ahead.
"I couldn't sleep," she said heavily.
"Me neither," he confessed and drank his coffee.
"Valerie Sennet wasn't raped. She was sleeping with a law firm investigator. She really put her husband through the wringer," she explained.
"She died 20 minutes ago," Elliot said sadly – the hospital staff had called him after Valerie passed, but then again they didn't expect her to make it.
"She knew that she was gonna die and she still lie to my face," she said in disbelief.
"When love warps into hate, there's nothing you won't do," he stated and glanced at her with sadness in his eyes.
"I don't hate you, I never did," she said.
Elliot placed his free hand on her thigh on top of hers and intertwined their fingers.
"I know," he said quietly, "Do you regret it?"
Olivia looked up, a half-smile on her face and shook her head. "Never," she stated.
"Good, I don't either," he said.
Olivia leaned over and rested her head against his shoulder. Elliot was surprised by her actions, he let her hand go and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him.
"So, are we okay?" she asked and rolled her eyes to look at his face, but she couldn't see her eyes and she didn't want to move away from his embrace.
"I just need space to disagree with you, so I don't feel like it's gonna cost me our partnership and relationship," Elliot said seriously.
"You've never been gun shy before," she commented.
"Yeah, well, you know, I mean, things change," he ranted. "People shut you out and leave," he added bitterly.
Olivia felt like she was punched in the stomach.
"Like you said, you're the longest relationship that I've ever had with a man. Who else would put up with me?" she commented.
Elliot tightened his hold on her.
"They're all fools," he tried to reassure her.
"I'm sorry the way I handled… everything. I should have been straightforward with you," she apologized.
"You should have," he agreed.
Olivia lifted her head slightly and sipped her tea.
"So, are we good or…?" he left the question in the air.
Olivia moved her head up to face him. "Where do you want us to be?" she asked.
Elliot leaned in and pressed his lips softly against hers. She was a willing participant and placed her cup of tea on the stairs, so she could wrap her hand around his neck and deepened the kiss. He mimicked her action and discarded his coffee in favor of putting his hand around her.
They pulled apart in the need of oxygen.
Olivia buried her face between his shoulder and neck, her eyes were closed and she was satisfied with breathing him in.
"Do you wanna come upstairs? It's kind of chilly here," he asked.
Olivia lifted her head and nod, "Yeah," she vocalized her answer.
They let go of each other to stand up, then Elliot took her hand in his and led her into his apartment. Once inside he locked the door while Olivia let her eyes wander around the apartment. She noticed most of his things still in boxes in the living room.
"I see you are not planning on staying here for long," she commented.
"I just never got around to unpacking. Comes out I really don't need all of the things," he replied.
Olivia stood in front of him and looked up, unsure of herself, doubting her feelings and suddenly scared that he might reject her and that's something she couldn't handle.
As he stepped closer to her and placed his palm on her back, she regained the courage she had while she was coming to see him.
"I miss you," she blurted out.
"I miss you too," he replied.
"So, does it mean that we're done been broken up?" she was straightforward.
Elliot nod and moved his hands to her shoulders, where he pushed her coat down and threw it to the rack.
He kissed her again, but this time with more passion and urgency. His hands guided her body against his possessively, Olivia came willingly, content in being his arms again.
As their tongues battled for domination, he pushed her against the wall and enjoyed the feel of her body pressed up against his while his hands had liberty to rediscover every curve on her perfect body. Olivia was doing the same and he moaned into the kiss.
They broke the kiss in a need of oxygen, but their foreheads stayed in touch.
Olivia yawned, which caused both of them to laugh.
"Come on, let's go to bed," he said, when he took her hand headed towards the bedroom.
"Are you sure it's a good idea?" she asked with hesitation.
"To sleep, we don't have to do anything else," he clarified.
"Okay," she replied and followed him.
In the bedroom Elliot moved to his drawer and pulled out a t-shirt, then threw it to Olivia. Without turning any attention to her, he undressed so he was wearing only his boxers, when he lifted his look and turned into towards Olivia.
She was still fully clothed and didn't make a move to change it.
"Is there a problem, Liv?" he asked.
She shook her head, "No, I just got lost in thoughts," she explained and offered a smile.
She unzipped his sweatshirt and took it off, then moved to her white t-shirt, but Elliot stopped her and wrapped his fingers around the hem of her t-shirt and silently asked for her permission, which she granted. With that Elliot pulled her t-shirt over her head and placed it on a chair on top of her sweatshirt, then expertly placed his one hand on her back and unclasped the bra. He took a moment to admire her breast before taking his t-shirt he had thrown her before and pulled it over her head. Next he unclasped her belt and undid the buttons on her jeans, then pulled them down and she stepped out of them.
Elliot led her to his bed and pulled the blanket over her. Instead of going around the bed to his side, he decided to climb over her, but he barely made any contact with her in doing so. He slipped underneath the covers and wrapped his hand around her, coming to rest on her stomach. Olivia scooted closer to him, so his chest was against her back and intertwined their fingers in front of her.
"You know that I love you, right?" she asked.
"I do now," he replied, "I do too, so you know."
"I know," she replied.
Olivia turned her head so she could kiss him, but ended up rolling around completely so she was face to face with him and pressed her lips firmly against his. He pulled her further onto his as he fell onto his back and pulled Olivia along.
She broke away too quickly for his liking, but she placed her head on his chest and slipped his leg in between his. Elliot simply had his arms around her body and smile on his face.
"Don't you dare even think about rolling away from me tonight," he warned her playfully.
"I'll do my best," she promised, "But even if I do, I want to do more than just kiss you in the morning if you're up for it."
"Oh, Liv, I can't wait," he was eager.
He felt his eyelids getting heavier by second and sleep coming. As he felt her breathing evening out and her chest move rhythmically against his, he gave up and let sleep claim him.
Both of them had smile on their faces, morning promising to be better than they had been in the past months.