Olivia breathed a long awaited sigh as she collapsed onto the couch in Elliot's living room and closed her eyes. It was a sigh of relief, she was finally home. She didn't realize how much she truly missed New York until the plane landed at the airport. Elliot had laughed at her the whole taxi ride home, teasing her by calling her a tourist. She couldn't help but gasp and point at all the buildings she missed and the places she made him promise to remind her to go to. The only time she was quiet was when they passed the precinct. As much as she missed it, she knew she wasn't ready to go in there yet. She needed time to build up the courage to ask for her job back. It was courage she wasn't sure she had.
Elliot took a seat on the floor next to his couch, where Olivia had quickly fallen asleep. He had placed a blanket over her, but she barely moved. He knew that she was exhausted, physically and mentally. He brought his hand up to her face and rubbed her cheek with the backside of his fingers. She stirred comfortably in her sleep, bringing her own hand up to her face to rest on top of his. Elliot smiled, placing his head down on her stomach. It wasn't the most comfortable position for him to try to get some rest in, but he couldn't bring himself to leave her once she was right there in front of him.
--
Olivia brought a hand over her eyes, trying to block the unwanted sunlight that was shining in her eyes. She jumped up into a sitting position when she realized that someone else's hand was on her face.
"Mmph... what? What's wrong?" Elliot mumbled as he was rudely awakened as she jumped up, his head flying off of her stomach.
"Oh gosh, I forgot where I was." She had a hand on her heart, trying to bring her breathing back down to a normal level, "How did you sleep down there?"
"Terrible. I might have to take a medical leave of absence," Elliot used the couch to push himself off of the floor. He then occupied the seat cushion next to Olivia that was now empty.
"Well, it's your own fault for not sleeping in your bed. Speaking of medical leave, when do you have to go back to work?"
Elliot glanced down at his watch, "Oh, in about an hour."
"An hour?! What did you expect me to do while you are at work?"
"Come with me."
Olivia stood up from the couch and began pacing in front of it. Her hands found their way around her blonde hair and she began to play with the back of her neck, something Elliot knew she did only when she was nervous and uncomfortable.
"No… No, El. I'm not ready for that yet."
Elliot stood and stepped in front of her, stopping her pacing. He placed his hands on the curve of her hips, reassuring her, "I'm not asking you to go back to work. I just think you should at least visit everyone."
"They think I'm dead, Elliot! I don't think dropping in with you would be a great idea."
"And when would it be a good idea? Are you just going to keep running from everyone else like you ran from me?"
Olivia had no words to say. Instead, she decided that a firm slap across Elliot's cheek was the best way to respond to him. As her hand slid off his now red cheek, she growled, "That was low, Stabler. REAL low."
"I'm not going to apologize, Olivia. You need to stop running and just go back!"
"Go back to what?! I don't have a job anymore, Elliot. I walked away from it. I walked away from everything!"
Olivia threw her hands up in defeat as she stormed past him. He reached out and grabbed a hold of her arm firmly. She turned, looking down at his hand on her arm before moving her arm back quickly, loosening herself from his grip.
"Don't you dare grab me like you just did. Don't you dare, Elliot Stabler!"
"Fine, Olivia. You win. I tried to be nice but I guess you don't want anyone to be nice to you. I'm sorry I grabbed you, but I'm not sorry that I think you should tell everyone the truth."
"I'm not ready!"
"What would make you ready? A month of hiding away in my apartment? You do what you want, Olivia Benson. But I can guarantee you are going to slip up. You can't stay away forever. Someone is going to spot you on the street one day. You might think that you can fool people with your ridiculous blonde hair, but you can't fool the ones who know and love you. Now, if you'll excuse me… I have to start getting ready for work."
Elliot didn't even look at her as he walked past her. She turned and watched him walk into his bedroom, wincing as he slammed the door. She knew he was right. She couldn't go forever without being seen by someone who knew her. She sighed and slowly made her way for his front door. Quietly, she opened the door and slipped out of his apartment, knowing exactly what she needed to do.