"They weren't kidding when they said every door was locked." Olivia sighed as she and Elliot returned to their room. "It's going to be close to impossible to snoop around without getting caught."
"Don't worry." Elliot assured her. "In case you didn't notice, none of the people we met stopped talking. It'll be no time before they spill enough for us to get a warrant."
"I think they taught me some new interrogation skills with all their questions." Olivia said as she took a black dress out of her suitcase. "It was tiring."
"And just think we get to do it all again at the welcome dinner."
"I can't wait." Olivia said sarcastically. "What was with all the questions about children? Every one of them asked when we were planning on having kids. Didn't you think that was weird?"
"It could just be them being nosy, but it did seem suspicious. Nice safe with the infertility story though. The tears were a nice touch."
"Thanks." Olivia said aburtly. "I'm going to shower and get ready for dinner."
The shift in her demeanor didn't go unnoticed. "Liv?"
"Don't worry, I'll leave you shot water." She said with a weak smile.
xxxxxxx
Olivia had just finished applying her mascara when Elliot stepped out of the bathroom. "Well look at you." She said taking in his tux with a slight whistle. "You sure clean up nice."
"Look who's talking."
"This old thing?" Olivia laughed twirling around to show off her bare back. "I always dress like this when I'm off duty."
Elliot looked in the mirror and frowned. "I haven't worn this thing in at least five years." He said pulling on the jacket. "Are you sure it looks okay?"
Olivia rolled her eyes. "You're worse than a girl. You look perfect. As usual."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"Not if you have to ask. Come on let's go get dinner over with."
XXXXXXX
After the gourmet meal, the members of the Thornley's moved into the main lobby for Brandy.
"Did I use the right fork?" Elliot whispered as he and Olivia sat on one of the leather couches.
"I hope so. I had no idea what I was eating and just followed your lead."
Eleanor James smiled as her new guests laughed at their private conversation. "You two are such a lovely couple."
Elliot smiled moving closer to Olivia. His smile grew as he felt her shiver as his hand touched her bare back.
"We like to think so." Olivia said placing her hand on his thigh. She had never touched him there, and marveled at the strength under her hand.
"They are adorable." A woman Olivia remembered as Doris Foster agreed. "After all these years and they still have that air of a new couple to them."
Olivia glanced at Elliot and blushed slightly. Elliot tried to recall a time in the past he had seen her blush and smiled when he came up empty.
"Don't be embarrassed dear." Doris said. "It's refreshing to see a couple who still can't keep their hands off each other. "
Olivia sighed as she felt herself blush more.
XXXXXXXX
"I think we're a hit." Elliot said as they returned to the room shortly after midnight. "It'll be no time before they start opening up."
"I hope so." Olivia said quietly. She sat down on the bed and bit her lip. She wanted to shut these people down and get back to her normal life. They had been undercover a day, and she had already messed up. She couldn't pin point the moment it had happened, but all night she didn't feel like she was pretending to love Elliot. Maybe it was the tux, or the feel of his hand on her back. Whatever it was, she needed to make it stop. Elliot was her partner, her friend, she wasn't about to ruin that or this case because she was hit with a case of hormones like a fifteen year old.
"Liv?" Elliot asked gently. "Everything okay?"
"Fine. I'm just tired. I'm going to change and get some sleep."
"Okay." Elliot said not fully believing she was fine, but there was no denying she was tired. "You can have the bed. I'll take the couch."
"No. It's a king. We can both sleep in the bed." Olivia said. She knew sleeping in the same bed would do nothing to stop how she was feeling, but they needed to be well rested, and that wouldn't happen sleeping on a couch.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Olivia said before disappearing into the bathroom.
Elliot stared at the couch. The bed would definitely be more comfortable. He was trying to hold himself to his just friends decision, but she wasn't making it easy with that dress, and the way she had touched him at dinner. And now sleeping in the same bed? But if he didn't, she would know something was up. And he didn't want to ruin the case by freaking her out.
Laying his tux on the couch he pulled on a pair of sweat pants and climbed into the bed.