Sadly, I don't own any of them. They are forever bound to Dick Wolf and his imagination.
The awkward and dorky ideas belong to me, KrazyKasey©
"Ok. Well then, I'm going to shower"
"Ohh?"
"Umm. Yeah. Is that a problem? You need in there?"
"Yeah just let me grab some stuff. Wait, why are you going to shower at 3 in the morning, Liv?"
"Well….because I can. Get what you need, and uhh let me know when the coast is clear."
Elliot nervously paced in the bathroom pretending to gather some of his shit and tidy up. Unfortunately, there was nothing he needed, so he tried to calm himself down with this deep-breathing crap Kathy had tried to teach him until he realized that he wasn't really nervous in the first place.
"Liv. I'm sorry…it just slipped out, and I was kind of hoping that it wouldn't bother you…" Elliot's voice trailed off as he waited for Liv to cut in.
"Hoping what wouldn't bother me?" She answered, playing innocent like nothing had happened. The only way to kill these feelings of hers was to go on pretending everything was normal and get Elliot out of her head before the venom started to spread.
"You gonna make me spell it out?"
He was met with silence.
"I'm sorry that I called you 'babe'."
"'Babe'? You didn't call me 'babe' El."
"I-"
"You called me 'baby', El," She stated as the edges of her lips curved up, flirtatiously.
Elliot pondered in her kitchen, currently only lit by the open refrigerator door. What the? That's still there?
He grabbed yesterday morning's beer, let the door shut softly, turned on his heel and spoke quietly, "Yeah, I did. So, it sounds like you've got yourself a preference… Which do you prefer? 'Babe' or 'baby'?"
"Uhh," Liv stuttered, in awe of his bluntness.
"Kidding…babe." Elliot stifled a chuckle and had a shit-eating grin on his face, but he still held his breath in anticipation.
"Ohkay see! That. What is that?"
"I'm sorry! Just…come here, come sit down."
Olivia had already changed into her robe. Her cool leather couch gave her chills on her legs as Elliot pulled her next to him on the seat. Those chills met the ones sent from Elliot's touch on her arm, causing her eyebrows to arch and making her suppress a shiver.
Uhmm. What's going on. Why isn't he saying anything? Say something damn it!
Olivia's thoughts were interrupted at the perfect moment. To her surprise, it was her own voice that tore into the silence.
"Just tell me what's on your mind. I'm going insane here. What happened to best friends telling each other everything, no secrets…?"
Elliot sighed and brushed the palm of his finger tips over the back of Olivia's dry hand, sending sparks of electricity through both of them.
Liv didn't move away.
"You and I both know, please don't hit me, that no matter what comes out of my mouth, there's a fifty/fifty chance that you'll pull away from me and I can't have that, not right now!"
"Elliot, I won't pull away from you! When have I ever done that?" Her hand was still resting under his.
"Ugh," Elliot sighed. "Yeah you do, Liv. Ever keep track of how often we fight? And sometimes it doesn't blow over so easily. When is the last time we really talked about you? All that we ever have time for is work and shit. The kids hate me. Kathy hates me. I can't take much more. You're the most important person in my life, my best friend, and I want you to know that I'm scared of losing you!"
After a moment of silence, Liv replied. "Why?"
"Like you said, we're best friends, we tell each other everything. There are no secrets. Only, there are. And both of us are to blame. Look, if you're really up for the night, can't we just spend some time talking? I'll even rub your back again if you want me to."
"Ha, Elliot, if you're rubbing my back, the only thing you'll hear coming from my mouth is moans."
"Yeah? That good, huh?"
"You rub my back so I can rub your ego, Stabler?"
There was a short pause.
"Truth or dare?"
"What?" Olivia spurted out, shocked, but chuckling.
"You heard me! Truth or dare! Choose one woman!"
Both adults let out laughs at the sudden silliness of their conversation.
"Okay. Dare."
"Dare? Really? Hmm…I dare you," Elliot pondered intently with his hand over his mouth, "Benson, I dare you to tell me one thing that is on your mind right now."
"You are such a man. And a typical cheater! Try again."
"Fine," Elliot pouted. "I dare you to rub my back." And as quickly as he had said it, he turned to face away from Olivia.
She froze. She shook. She tried to breathe. Just fucking rub his back Liv! God damn it you're his friend. There is nothing going on. It's just a silly game. Now rub his back before he starts asking more questions.
Her cold, trembling hands met his warm, bare back with simple grace that Olivia doubted she had. She dove right in and pressed through his thick muscle, evening out his skin. Afraid to linger at all, she swiped her thumbs in quick, deep circles over his skin. Once she had evened out all of the kinks and knots in his shoulders, she moved down to his middle back. She noticed cluster of bruises and small cuts along the left side of his ribs. She had no reason to ask him the cause of the injuries; she remembered too well the image of a nasty perp, a 50 year old, but strong as hell, man throwing Elliot into a concrete wall in an alley. She traced the cuts and bruises ever so lightly. She traced them down into his lower back and rubbed right above his hips. She kneaded through the skin and muscle and when she was done, she lightly scratched his back in circles, dragging her hands back up to his neck. After she focused on his neck, she gently rubbed her fingers through his hair. Unaware of why she was doing this, Liv argued with herself. All that she could focus on was each molecule of his skin. Each hair, each freckle, each scar. She had been lost in her thoughts too long and realized that she must have been nearly fondling her partner for at least ten minutes.
She backed away and cleared her throat.
"Sorry, I uhh, I let my mind wander off I-"
"Why'd you stop?"
"What?"
"I mean, you don't have to keep going, it's just, that was like… WOW."
As Liv's heart jumped, she decided to take a chance and have some fun. "Truth or dare? Choose one."
"Truth," Elliot stated without hesitation.
"What's on your mind, El?"
"Pass."
"You can't pass!"
"Skip, pass, lose a turn, take your pick," Elliot called out smugly.
"Elliot!" Olivia laughed at her partner. "Come on, tell me!"
"I'm thinking about…the back rub you just gave me."
"What about it?"
"It felt really good. Where'd you learn to do that? Never thought I'd say this Benson, but your hands on my body are like heaven!" Elliot chuckled.
"Wow. Ohkay. So…" There was silence after her words. Her eyes met Elliot's and they breathed in sync for a moment before Olivia grew nervous. "Truth."
Elliot leaned in so his face was only inches away from hers. He could feel her wavering breath on his skin, just barely. As he teased Olivia, her heart raced and he whispered, "You nervous, Liv?" Elliot beamed a smile, straightening his posture, leaning back and said, "You never told me, 'babe' or 'baby'?
"Baby."