1

I am just pulling into the parking lot of some seemingly-expensive ballroom the station rented out, when my phone starts o ring. I look at the caller ID and smirk. Fin.

He still thinks I'm coming alone. This should be good, I think.

I motion for Olivia to be quiet and put the phone on speaker. She looks at me curiously for a moment, but when Fins obnoxiously loud voice reaches her ears, she has to stifle a laugh.

"Hey Munch! Couldn't find a date for you and yo' skinny behind? All of the girls in the police force probably thought you was too old."

I hear a quiet and (in my opinion) completely adorable snort come from my right and I roll my eyes at Olivia, bringing the phone closer to me, and farther away from her. I want to mess with Fin a little more, and she's about to blow my cover.

"No, I found someone." I say off handedly, in a way I know will make Finn beg for more info.

" What?! Munch! How could you get someone that fast? Every woman in the station, and the sation nearest to us too, already has a date, and Olivia called me about a half hour ago, saying she had just found someone. So who the hell could you be going with? I know your not gay!"

See, told you.

I look over to Olivia and, with a humourous twinkle in my eye, mouth, "You called him?"

She nods and then resumes her silent laughter at, I assume, Fins indignant outburst regarding my sexual orientation. A second later, I can here Fin mumble something under his breath, which I can't quite make out. Or, rather, I can, I just want him to repeat it, so Olivia can kill him later.

"What was that Fin?" I ask him almost mockingly.

" I said she must be some pretty desperate chick to want to go on a date with you. That, or ugly."

Olivia opens her mouth in silent indignation and shoots a look at, the phone, I think. Unless she can see Fin through the speakers. I glance at them briefly, realize it is, indeed, the phone she is glaring at, and laugh.

"Fin, my date resents that. And from the look on her face, I think she's going to want to meet you in the parking lot later tonight." I swear I can see Olivia nod slightly at that statement. I know the silence is killing her, she wants to yell at Fin, and she wants to yell at him now.

" Oh damn, she heard that? Sorry. But still, there's no way any girl can take on me."

I look over at Olivia, who is in good humor again. I can tell because she gives me a grin and punches the inside of her left hand with her right. Hard.

I laugh again. "Fin, I'm pretty sure this one can kick your ass."

"Whatever you say man. See ya.in a few"

Fin hangs up, and I realize we have been sitting in the parking lot, still in the car, for over fifteen minutes. I snap my phone shut and get out of the car, and Olivia does the same. I shut her door for her and wait for her to link her arm with mine. Once she does so, I gently turn her face so she is facing me, and we simultaneously break out into matching grins.

"Oh he is so dead." Says Olivia, and I fake wiping away a tear. "I know, I actually feel a little sorry for him." Olivia laughs and says,

"I bet the last person he expects is me."

"Me too. Hey Liv?" I look at her closely, " You know I didn't pick you as a last resort, right? I was just...I didn't think you would want to come with me."

Olivia gives me a sad smile, " Why do you always think so little of yourself? Five minutes before you called, I was thinking of calling and inviting you," She reassures me.

I am going to allow myself to act like a teenager for a moment while I think,

Yes! She likes me back! Olivia Benson likes me!!

...Okay, I'm done now.

Looking at my watch I realize we are a bit past "fashionably late," and heading dangerously towards, "Were the hell are Munch and Benson?!" I show her my watch, saying, " As fun as this conversation may be, I believe we can continueit inside, were Fin is probably pacing in anticipation. It's best not to keep him waiting. He gets fidgety."

Olivia laughs her beautiful laugh again, and still arm in arm, we head towards the ballroom doors.

Show time.