A/N: The story has taken a different turn than I expected. Before they see Cragen, El and Liv have a little discussion instead. And, I still don't own any part of the Law and Order franchise whatsoever.
Chapter 4
Of course there is traffic. It doesn't seem to matter what time of day it is in New York, there always seems to be traffic, and chances are it will find you just as it has Elliot and Olivia. For the last forty-seven minutes they have been inching there way along the four lane road.
"I can't believe this mess! Why?" Olivia asks, staring out the open window.
"I know. The whole reason I came this way was to avoid traffic on the expressway." Elliot replies.
All around them cars take turns honking their horns. This results in an echo effect down the road.
"Why honk people? We're still not moving any faster!" Liv yells out the window.
She shifts uncomfortably in her seat then removes her seatbelt.
"I can give you a ticket for that you know" Elliot smirks at her.
"Whatever Elliot" she snaps back without looking at him.
"You okay Liv?" Elliot asks apprehensively.
"I gotta pee so badly right now. One of our kids keeps kicking my bladder. Plus I'm totally craving tacos, and this sitting here waiting is killing me."
They come to a dead stop among the traffic. Elliot takes this opportunity to turn towards Olivia and put his arm around her. As he does, he feels her lean into his touch.
"Our kids Liv. I love the sound of that."
Olivia looks over at Elliot for a second then out the front windshield.
"Well you know they could be."
"They are Olivia. No matter what these are our children" Elliot states matter-of factly.
"I want that too El, more than anything, but you know there is a chance that they could be Kurt's." Olivia says, looking at Elliot once more.
Whenever someone, especially Olivia, mentions his name it stirs up all sorts of emotions within Elliot: jealousy, worry, fear, hatred, and anger. And the mere thought of someone else impregnating his Olivia makes Elliot want to vomit. Yet, for Olivia's as well as the babies' sake, he will never show any of those emotions. Instead Elliot will keep them tucked away deep inside him where they will inevitably fester.
"Have you heard from Moss yet?" El asks, removing his arm from around Liv.
"No, as far as I know he's still on assignment. I keep leaving him messages though."
Elliot's hands now grip the steering wheel, and the distance between he and Liv has grown significantly. He is no longer facing her, nor is he looking at her. She picks up on this change immediately.
"Elliot, you know I had to tell him I am pregnant. He has a right to know you know."
He remains silent seemingly ignoring his partner. Instead, as the car ahead of him finally moves giving him enough room to turn right on the next street he does so. There is no traffic on this side street so they move along it fine.
"Elliot?"
"You said you had to pee right? I'm stopping so you can. Here we are" he says coming to a stop in front of Sam's Market and Delicatessen.
"Don't change the subject El. You know I am right about this."
Elliot doesn't answer her. Nor does he look at her still. She pauses for a moment, looking at him in annoyance. Then without a word she gets out of the car, slamming the door when she does, and heads into the store. After she has gone inside, Elliot glances in her direction for a moment then watches the traffic passing by.
A few minutes later, Olivia emerges from the store carrying a bottle of green tea along with two tacos. After getting in the car she sets her tea in the cup holder then begins devouring a taco. Elliot starts the car and they are off.
After a silent twenty minute car ride, they pull up outside the 1-6. As soon as Elliot stops the car, Olivia is out and walking towards the entrance. Elliot meanwhile hurries to park the car and catch up with her.
"Olivia! Liv, wait! Please?" he yells jogging after her.
Just as she pulls open a door, he catches her, taking a hold of her arm gently.
"Before we talk to Cragen, let's us talk. Okay Olivia?" he pleads.
She hesitates for a moment, looking at the ground.
"Fine El. Where?" she answers.
"The Cribs."
Together they enter the precinct. They manage to sneak past everyone, or so it seems, to their destination. Once inside the cribs, they lock the door behind them and head for their usual spot on the bunks way in the back corner.
"This is where it all began El." Olivia says, taking a seat on the bottom bunk.
"Yeah. And I hope it's not where it's all about to end." Elliot replies sitting next to her.
"It doesn't have to be El. Not if we can get past this thing holding us back." Olivia continues.
"What thing is that?" Elliot asks, wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you serious El? You know what I'm talking about!" she answers, shrugging his arms off her.
He just looks at her dumbfounded.
"Don't be such a dumb ass Elliot! Every time I mention Kurt or the fact that the babies could be his you get like this! Why? I told you from the beginning I wasn't sure!"
"Olivia, I want these babies to be mine so badly. I would give anything to know that they are mine and only mine. The possibility that they aren't hurts more than any pain I've ever felt." Elliot explains.
"I know El. It hurts me too."
Looking at her, Elliot just shakes his head. She doesn't seem to understand what he is feeling as well as what he has been feeling for the past five months.
"Then why do it Olivia? Why sleep with Kurt and I around the same time? Why put us in the predicament? And why not use protection Olivia? Why?"
Olivia is stunned. She is absolutely stunned at this line of questioning from Elliot. After all these years with him, Olivia thought that he'd know why they finally did it. She thought he'd never question her since he'd always have known he loved her like she does him. Apparently Olivia thought wrong.
"Olivia? Can't you even answer me? Do you even know why?"
Someone begins knocking on the door. Both detectives look in the direction of the annoyance. It repeats, louder this time. Elliot gets up and opens the door.
"I know you two didn't think you could sneak in here past me." Cragen says, standing in the doorway.
"No sir" Elliot replies weakly.
"Well, I want both of your asses in my office right now!" Cragen yells then leads the way for his two detectives.
Elliot follows immediately not waiting for Olivia to catch up. Reluctantly she stands and follows the men towards Cragen's office.
TO BE CONTINUED