Disclaimer: its holidays like this that I wish I actually owned SVU.

"Do we really have to attend this Christmas party," asked Olivia with her arms folded across her chest.

She hated having to dress up and put on a façade for people she utterly couldn't stand. She would much rather be held up in her quaint apartment with a huge fire, eggnog, and a good Christmas movie.

"Yes you do Olivia. It's tradition and I would like for all of my detectives to be a part of it," Cragen bellowed at her.

Rolling her eyes, Olivia threw a look Fin's way. She knew he didn't like attending these parties either. They both thought it was dumb and utter hell when other precincts began to boast about how great they were.

"Olivia, it's not that bad. We usually have an ok time don't we?" Elliot asked as he stood and headed for the coffee machine.

Olivia shook her head. Her partner of twelve years had actually said the most absurd thing she had ever heard. Every year he griped about how his wife wanted him home with the kids and how this party took away from him family time.

"What has gotten into you? I thought you would rather be spending time with your family?"

Elliot sighed as he stirred his coffee, "I would if Kathy didn't leave and take my kids with her

Olivia gasped and heard a few muttered comments by Fin and Munch. He hadn't said anything and of all days-Kathy had no right Olivia thought. Her brown eyes met her partner's crystal blue orbs and Olivia's heart broke; she hated seeing him so down and out.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Elliot huffed before staring down into his cup of joe. Then with a sigh, he stood and headed for the locker room. "Naw, I'm fine," he tossed over his shoulder as he walked away.

That evening, Olivia went home and dressed. After trying on five different outfits, she finally settled on a satin green one strap with silver platform pumps and a matching silver bag. She had ringlets in her hair then raked it on the top of her head into a wavy ponytail. Next she did her makeup and retrieved her jewelry. Looking in the mirror once more, Olivia locked up her apartment and headed for Elliot's place.

Elliot sat at the edge of his bed, debating on whether he wanted to be in attendance at this party. His wife had left him and taken his kids and he was supposed to smile and act merry. He threw his hands in the air and headed for the bathroom when a knock at the door stopped him dead in his tracks.

He headed for the door, "Who is it?"

"Who else would it be? It's me," Olivia said sadistically.

Sighing, Elliot unlocked the front door and let her in. He quickly closed it and turned around, surveying her body. She looked amazing and that dress was hugging all the right curves. He was so engrossed in her body that Elliot didn't even hear Olivia clearing her throat.

"Elliot!" Olivia shouted grabbing his attention, "Stop ogling me dammit, I'm not a piece of meat. Are you going to the party or not?"

Shaking the thoughts from his head, Elliot tried to salvage himself by nodding. God he was an idiot. How could he just stand there and undress her with his eyes? Elliot needed to get a grip. His wife had only been gone for two weeks and he was already looking at his partner like she was a totally different woman; Elliot noticed that he had taken the blinders off towards his partner. He was far game and so was she. If he was going to take a chance with anyone, it would've been Liv.

He headed towards his room where she had disappeared to and poked his head in his room. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like El? We are going to the party together because number one: I'm not going by myself and number two: because you need to get out of this house."

Elliot walked on in and took a seat at the bottom of his bed. He knew better than to argue with Olivia. Watching her rummage through his closets, he found it funny that she of all people was picking out his clothes.

"Do you like this?" Olivia asked as she held up a navy blue shirt, a red tie and black slacks.

Elliot gave her a quick nod before he watched them being hurled toward him. Chuckling a little, he watched as she continued looking through his closet for a pair of shoes. He quickly changed and looked in the mirror before he saw her reflection behind him.

"You like what you see?" Elliot smirked.

Olivia rolled her eyes, "Don't kid yourself El, you aren't all that."

He shook his head and looked away. It amazed him that Olivia never showed her emotions even when it was ok. Deep down she truly cared for him and Elliot knew that, even if she hardly ever expressed it.

They finally arrived at the party a little after eight. It was in full swing and everybody looked wonderful. The first to greet them was Melinda and Fin who were obviously a little tipsy.

Fin wrapped his arms around Melinda's waist. "Elliot, what's happenin man?"

Elliot smiled as he kissed Melinda on the cheek, "I'm good Fin. Thanks to Olivia, I'm good."

Melinda and Fin shared a kiss before they turned their attention back to their friends. Melinda grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled her toward the bar while Fin took hold of Elliot and disappeared to a table.

Once the ladies were out of earshot, Olivia spoke, "Melinda, you are wasted. Who gave you so much liquor?"

Melinda snorted, "Who do you think? Fin is a bad influence on me."

Olivia shook her head. It amazed her that they fought so much, but no matter what, they loved each other. It was funny to Olivia that she and Elliot often had little arguments much like Melinda and Fin, but Olivia was in complete denial. She had been told multiple times by Melinda and the rest of the gang that she and Elliot were like an old married couple, but she never believed them, …well, not until now.

"Olivia, what's going on with you and Elliot? He seems a lot happier that he was a few weeks ago."

Olivia sipped her glass of wine slowly as she glared at Melinda. Her friend always seemed to stir up trouble, but she was never wrong. "Melinda, I just told him what he needed to hear." Olivia said as she continued to sip.

"Sure you did. And he just so happened to have you on his arm for a date tonight. Honey I may be tipsy, but I'm not drunk. I can see what's going on."

"Sure you can. So I don't have to state the obvious about you and Fin do I?"

Melinda swirled around on her chair and hopped off, "You sure don't. We are finally official." Melinda threw back her shot and glanced across the room, "Yes, he is finally mine. Hook, line, and sinker!"

Olivia burst out laughing as she watched Melinda walk off in the direction of Elliot and Fin. Melinda always kept her on her toes and she was glad they had finally come to their senses. Now only if she could take her own damn advice.

"Penny for your thoughts," Elliot said startling his date.

"Elliot!" Olivia gasped, "Don't do that."

"I'm sorry, so what were you and Melinda talking about?"

"Nothing really. Did you know she and Fin finally made it official?"

Elliot looked at her curiously, "Yeah, he told me earlier. I'm happy for them, they deserve each other."

"Yeah, everybody deserves to be with someone," Olivia said as she gulped the rest of her cabernet.

Elliot watched her intently, wondering what underlying meaning her statement held. After being her partner for over twelve years, he could read her like a book and he knew she was holding back on

"Olivia? What's wrong, what are you keeping from me?" Elliot asked as his arm rested on the back of her chair.

Olivia turned pointedly and glared at him. "Just because I make a statement like that doesn't mean I'm holding anything back. I'm just speaking in general."

Elliot nodded, "Sure you are. It'll come out sooner or later."

"You're right, it will and when it does I hope you are prepared," Olivia said before she hopped off the stool and headed towards Cragen and the rest of the gang.

Elliot watched her walk away, adamant about going after her but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He would wait until she had cooled off and gotten some alcohol into her system before he approached her again.

The party continued full swing. The dance floor became crowded as more and more people danced the night away. The room was decorated in red and gold trimmings along with a huge Christmas tree right by the bay window. It was like a movie scene that you always dreamed about.

Moving from the bar, Elliot began his search for Olivia. He wanted to know what was bothering her. He wondered around the enormous ballroom until he found her, sitting at the bay window looking out into the beautiful, dark sky. He slowly walked toward her, watching her intently and how radiant she looked from the moonlight hitting her face.

"Can we talk?" He asked sweetly.

Olivia turned and looked up into his eyes, "El, I don't want to argue. I want to have a good time, ok?"

Elliot agreed before he took a seat next to her. "I know you hate when I badger you about things, but I just want you to know you can always talk to me."

Olivia smiled as her eyes became glassy. She couldn't look at him. She couldn't let him see that when he was around all of her walls shattered to pieces.

Elliot sensed a change in the atmosphere as he tried to look her in the face. Olivia continued to turn away from him so he couldn't get a good look. Elliot knew what she was doing and it only confirmed his suspicions of what she was keeping from him.

Rubbing the top of her hands, Elliot cupped her face with his other hand and turned Olivia to face him. It was then that he saw her eyes had filled with unshed tears. Stroking her face softly, he spoke volumes without saying a single word. Slowly, Elliot held Olivia's gaze as he moved steadily toward her face. Inching closer and closer, Elliot could feel her breath on his lips as his senses began to tingle. Closing his eyes, Elliot inched forward once more as he felt her lips brush against his. When she didn't pull away, Elliot pressed his lips deeper into her as the heat began to rise within their bodies. All was lost at that moment as Olivia inched closer to Elliot wrapping her left arm around his neck, pulling him closer into her embrace.

Suddenly their wonderful kiss was interrupted by Fin, Munch, Melinda, and Alex. The gang gasped as they watched their co-workers making out.

"Finally we get to see some action between you two," Munch said as he approached Elliot and Olivia.

Elliot and Olivia rested their foreheads against one another. Their friends could definitely ruin a perfect moment. Wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, Elliot looked up at the gang before he spoke.

"We're going to see where it goes, no promises."

"Trust me, we weren't looking for any," Fin said as he held Melinda close.

The gang looked so happy and merry. They loved each other like family and no matter what; they could count on each other.

Olivia rested her head on Elliot's shoulder. She could finally say that this Christmas was probably the best Christmas she ever had. She had friends who loved her and a new man who adored her, she couldn't ask for anything better.

Looking over at the gang, Olivia lifted her glass in the air, "Merry Christmas guys."

"Merry Christmas," they replied in unison.

The music continued to play and people continued to dance. The mood was jolly and full of love. This was truly a one of a kind Christmas that neither Elliot nor Olivia would ever forget.

Who's up next? Will it be Casey or Melinda? Stay tuned!