God Bless The Broken Road

(Chapter Three: Denver)

Olivia sat at her desk checking her email as Elliot stood across the room with a grin on his face showing off the baby's sonogram picture to Munch and Fin. She wanted to be happy for him, but the truth is it was killing her inside to be without him.

She scrolled down through a list of junk mail when one message caught her eye. Subject "Re: Position Available." She took a deep breath and looked back up at Elliot across the room laughing and smiling. How could he be so happy when she was so miserable? She took another deep breath and clicked on the link to read the message.

Dear Detective Olivia Benson,

Thank you for your interest in our opening for a Senior Detective over our Special Victims Unit. Our committee has reviewed the resume you sent in with your letter of interest and we are very impressed with your work with the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. We were pleased with your arrest record and record number of cases you have helped to close. We also received a glowing recommendation upon contacting one of your references, Captain Donald Cragen.

We have just established the Special Victims Unit here at the Denver County Police Department and believe that your specialties in this area could be a great strength for our team. I am very interested in meeting you and would like to arrange for an interview in person. I, of course would arrange to fly you out to Denver and our department would cover the expense of the trip. Please consider this offer and contact me to set up a meeting.

Sincerely,

Captain David Brooks

Olivia took another deep breath and closed out the email. She hadn't dreamed they would actually be interested in her when she came across the posting for the opening on the internet and sent in her resume. And worse, she didn't think they would actually contact Cragen. She hadn't even told him that the thought of moving to another precinct had even crossed her mind. She glanced up at Cragen's open office door and looked at him sitting behind his desk. She needed to go and talk to him. Explain this all to him. That this was not even something she was interested in.

Olivia stood up and walked to Cragen's office door and tapped lightly against it as he looked up and smiled at her.

"Morning Olivia," he said as if he didn't even know.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course. Have a seat," he said pointing at the chair in front of his desk.

Olivia closed the door and sat down as Cragen turned to a file cabinet, flipped to a file and pulled out a copy of a letter laying it in front of her.

"What is this?" She asked picking up the page in her hand.

"This, is what you came in here for. It is a copy of the recommendation later I faxed to Denver on your behalf. I figured you were interested in knowing what I said to them. All good things, of course."

Her eyes scanned the paper looking over all of the compliments Cragen had given about her. "Thank you," she said softly as they laid the paper back onto the desk. "But this isn't why I came in here. I just wanted to explain. I should have talked to you first."

"Olivia, these people are very interested in you. I'll admit I was a little shocked to know that you were looking for another position, but if this is what you want I think you should take it. I have seen you around here, this last week. You are not happy here anymore. You and Elliot seem to have this void between you. Now I don't know what is going on there, I don't want to know. But I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't be looking at job postings on the internet, let alone sending in a resume if you were not at least a little serious about relocating."

"I have been in New York my entire life. I just can't help but wonder if it isn't time for a change."

"Well, Denver would definitely be a change."

"The Captain over the Special Victims Unit wants me to fly out to meet him for an interview. They are going to pay for everything."

"They want you Olivia. I don't blame them, you are a damn good Detective with a great record."

"Yeah," she exhaled as she sat back in her chair and stared at the file cabinet.

"Then what is the problem?"

"I don't know. I didn't think I was really even interested when I sent them my resume. Of course, the job was for a Senior Detective and I didn't think they would even consider me for the position."

"It is a promotion."

She nodded her head. "I wasn't really even sure I wanted it until I got the email this morning. Now… I guess I am curious."

"So why don't you fly out for the interview and take in some sites. Explore Denver a little bit and see if that is somewhere you think you would be happy. You have plenty of personal time. Take a few days if you want."

"You think so?"

"Olivia, if you do not at least go and check in to it then part of you will always wonder if it would have worked out. At least this way you will know what you are getting in to before you commit to something."

"Yeah."

"Just let me know when and I will get the paperwork filled out. Olivia if you decide this is something you want, I can just fill out a transfer. You would go from here to there in a matter of a few days. They usually help cover moving expense and help you find a place to live. You have a lot to think about. You should really research this before you decide."

She looked at him a little strange.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just figured you would be upset. I didn't think you would be so supportive."

"Olivia, I love having you here. You are a wonderful Detective and a good friend. But I want you to be happy. I want you to be where you feel at home. If this isn't it for you anymore than I as a friend feel I need to help you to find that. Even if it means losing you as one of my Detectives. I'll be sad to see you go, Liv. But I am excited to see you get this opportunity."

Olivia stood up from the chair and walked toward the door.

"Oh and one more thing…"

"Yeah," Cragen waited to see what she would say next.

"I have not exactly told anyone about this. Actually I would rather no one else know, especially Elliot."

"Okay."

"I just think it would be better if I actually knew what was going on before I told everyone. I mean I may decide to stay here and then I would have gotten them all worked up over nothing."

"By them, you mean Elliot."

"Exactly. He is going to flip out."

"Olivia, you cannot always do or not do things in your life by how Elliot is going to react. I know the two of you are close and he can still be your friend if you are in Denver."

"Yeah, I know. It will just be strange not seeing everyone everyday. I mean you guys are all like family to me."

"We will still be here for you, all of us. And if you get there and decide it wasn't quite what you thought it would be I will welcome you back with open arms at anytime. You know that. You always have a place here, Olivia."

She smiled and laughed a little. "Thanks."

She turned and walked back to her desk. Elliot sat across from her staring at her trying to figure out what she had talked to Cragen about.

"What's up?" He asked figuring she would pour it all out to him.

"Nothing."

"What did Cragen want?"

"Actually I asked to talk to him."

"Oh really? What's going on?"

"Nothing, really. It is personal and I don't really feel like discussing it with you right now."

"Okay."

"I'm sorry, Elliot. I didn't mean to snap. I just don't think it is healthy for us to know so much about each other. I mean I don't breathe without you knowing about it."

"Liv, we have always been close. This is just now bothering you?"

"No, I just think that we are a little too close. I mean if we're not…" she shifted her eyes around the room to make sure no one could overhear their conversation, "together anymore then I think we just need a little more personal space. That's all."

"Okay. I didn't realize I was crowding you."

"You're not. I just don't want us to get that way. We have gotten too comfortable with each other. We are not professional toward each other anymore. There is not enough balance."

"It is the same as it was before."

"It was different before."

"Why?"

"Because we were sleeping together, Elliot. There are things that it is okay for your boyfriend to know about you, that is it not okay for your partner."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Like this morning when we came in and you lead me into the room with your hand on the small of my back."

"I thought you liked that."

"I did Elliot. When you were my boyfriend and that was the only way you could touch me in public with out people noticing. But we are not like that anymore. Now it is just…inappropriate. And we shouldn't have to know where the other person is every moment when we are not at work."

"You tell me these things. I didn't even ask."

"I know. I am just saying I need to work on it, too."

"We have to take everything back to the way it was before. Everything. Before we kissed and held hands and saw each other naked and had sex. Infact, we should just forget any of it ever even happened."

Elliot looked at her shocked to hear her say it.

"Liv, I don't want to for get it."

"Elliot, I am not going to sit around here and wait on you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about the fact that you assume that if this thing with you and Kathy doesn't work out then we will get back together and just be okay again. It doesn't work that way Elliot. You made your choice. And you chose to go back home to Kathy."

"You know why I went back."

"You still went back. It was your decision, no one else's. I need to move on with my life Elliot. Date other guys and try to find my own happiness. Because I am not just going to sit around here waiting to see what happens between you and Kathy."

Elliot stood there with a shocked look on his face. Somehow he had assumed that if things didn't work out with Kathy he and Olivia would get back together.

Olivia stacked some files on her desk then grabbed her jacket and keys off her desk. "I have to meet Casey for court," she said as she glanced at him only for a second before leaving the room.

Three days later Olivia found herself in a window seat on a plane headed for Denver. She stared out the window waiting for take off and wondered how the hell she got where she was now. What was she doing? Running off to Denver was not going to make her not love Elliot anymore. If anything, it could further complicate things. She would be in a new city with a new job and new home, alone.

Elliot would be destroyed if she even told him she was going for the interview. So calling him from Denver to mope about how lonely she was, was not likely to happen. Could she do this with out her best friend? She exhaled heavily and leaned back in her seat. She slid on her earphones and stared at the little screen on the back of the seat in front of her until she had fallen asleep.

An hour later she opened her eyes. It was dark now and the plane was about to descend onto the city that may be her future home. Olivia turned and gazed out the window at the lights below. It wasn't half the size of New York from the air and she already felt a little homesick. She took a deep breath and reached for her carryon bag as the door opened and the passengers started to file out one by one.

She stood up to raise her bag over her shoulder as the strap wedged between the seats. She pulled and tugged on it, but it was no use. She glanced around the planes compartment as she realized she was the last passenger on board and the flight attendants were scurrying around preparing for the next flight.

"Great," she mumbled raising her foot to press against the seat for leverage as she pulled with all of her weight.

"May I provide some assistance, ma'am?" A man's voice said from behind her. Olivia closed her eyes. She wanted so badly for it to be Elliot. There to tell her what a mistake she was making and sweep her off her feet. To admit he was wrong for leaving her to go back to Kathy and that he wanted to be with her.

"Ma'am?" It even sounded like Elliot for a moment.

Olivia sighed and opened her eyes. She turned around to see a very attractive dark haired man with stunning green eyes smiling at her.

"Oh," she mumbled barely able to speak. "Please," she stepped out of his way as he leaned across the seat giving a gently tug to the strap of the bag as it popped loose on the first try. She felt like a fool.

"Here you go," he said with a gorgeous smile as he handed her the bag.

"Thank you so much," she almost stuttered.

"Jackson, you can call me Jack." He extended his hand to shake hers.

"Olivia," she said smiling as she stared into his eyes. "I was beginning to think all of the other passengers had already gotten off the plane." She laughed nervously. He probably had a wife or girlfriend somewhere he needed to get to but she felt compelled to keep him in conversation. "I didn't see you on the plane."

"Ah, I flew stand by. They prefer the staff sit in the back."

"Staff? Oh, are you a flight attendant?"

"Uhh, no. Actually, I am a pilot for the airline."

"Oh," Olivia felt a foolish grin cross her face. This trip was looking up already.

"Another pilot is sick and they needed someone to from Denver to Los Angeles tonight."

"Wow, kind of last minute."

"Yeah, it happens that way sometimes. But I love to travel."

"Sounds like an exciting career."

"Sometimes, yeah."

"So what brings you to Denver."

"Job interview. I'm a Detective with the Manhattan Police Department."

"Talk about exciting." They both laughed.

"Were you in New York on business?"

"Yeah, actually I was supposed to have a couple of days off there, but they needed me for this flight."

Before she knew it they were standing in the airport in front of the baggage claim.

"This is me," she said pointing to a large suitcase on wheels.

Jack picked it up for her and sat it on the ground. He stared down at it for a minute. "How long are you going to be in Denver, Olivia?"

She laughed. "Two days. Well, it is clothes and things to get ready for my interview. I want to make a good impression."

Jack looked over her and smiled as she caught him checking her out. "I'm sure you will."

Olivia smiled and giggled.

"Listen, I'd better get going. I have a lot of work to do before my flight leaves in an hour. It was really nice to meet you Olivia," he said raising her hand to kiss it.

"It was nice to meet you too Jack," she smiled again as she turned to walk away.

"Olivia," he called from behind her.

Liv, stopped and smiled for a second then turned to face him as he approached her again.

"Listen, I was thinking….I mean if there is not a Mr. Detective Olivia Manhattan Police Department, maybe I could call you sometime when I am in New York? We could have dinner or something."

"Umm….yeah." She nodded her head and her eyes lit up as she looked through her purse for something to write on. She scribbled down her name and number on the back of a Macy's receipt and handed it to him.

Jack looked down at it and grinned. "Well, like I said it was really nice meeting you," he looked back down at her number on the paper in his hand, "Olivia Benson."

"It was nice to meet you, too." She smiled and walked back toward the front entrance to catch a cab. She couldn't help but feel excited for meeting him. An airline pilot, she thought to herself. God he was sexy.

She got checked in to her hotel around seven thirty and realized she hadn't eaten all day. She kicked off her shoes and picked up the remote control as she flipped through the room service menu. Minutes later her cell phone rang.

She rolled over on her back on the bed and groaned hoping it wasn't Elliot. She didn't want to have to make up some story as to her whereabouts and she wasn't ready to tell him the truth yet. She reached onto the nightstand and picked up the phone.

"Benson," she all but groaned.

"Olivia?"

"Yes," she sat up quickly in the bed at attention.

"Hey, it's Jack. Listen, they just canceled my flight so I am in Denver overnight. I was wondering if maybe you were interested it getting some dinner together?"

"Uhh, yeah."

"Where would you like to go?"

"I don't know. I have never been to Denver," she laughed.

"Umm, do you like sushi?"

"Yeah."

"I know a great place."

Jack gave her the address and she agreed to meet him there in an hour for a late dinner.

Olivia hurried around the room trying to make herself look presentable. Lucky for her she just happened to pack a little black dress should an occasion such as this arise. She slipped it on and looked at herself in the mirror. She stared at her reflection and smiled as she stepped out of her comfortable underwear and went for the more sexy lacy ones in her bag. She didn't plan on sleeping with the guy on a first date, but they made her feel sexy. A quick spin in front of the mirror and she was out the door.

Fifteen minutes later her cab pulled up in front of the address. Olivia looked up at the building and turned back to the driver.

"Are you sure this is right?"

"This is the address you gave me Lady."

"I'm supposed to meet my friend at a sushi restaurant, this is a night club."

"No, the sushi place went out of business about a year ago. This place has been here about six months. Very popular."

Olivia turned to look at the crowd on the side walk.

"You wanna stay lady or do you want me to take you back to the hotel?"

Her eyes scanned the crown and she spotted Jack standing there in a black suit.

"No, this is good." She handed the driver a twenty and slid out of the back seat.

"Hey," she said with a smile as she approached him on the sidewalk.

"Hi. You look gorgeous," he said taking her hands in his to admire the black dress.

"Thank you." She turned her head to look at the night club and the line in front. "I wasn't sure this was the right address."

"Yeah," he laughed. "I have not been in Denver on over a year. I'm really sorry about that."

She laughed. "It's okay. Anything is fine really."

Jack looked around them. So much had changed since he had been there last.

"I have an idea," he said with a smile. He locked his fingers in hers and held tight to her hand. "Come on."

He lead her across the street and down the block a little ways to a fancy hotel with a restaurant inside. "This place is nice," he said smiling as Olivia smiled back at him.

They didn't have a reservation so they had to sit at the bar until a table opened up, but Olivia didn't care. They ordered drinks, he white wine and her a glass of red. Half way through their drinks they were escorted to their table and given their menus.

"This place is beautiful," Olivia said folding her napkin in her lap.

"The caviar is wonderful here."

"Umm," she shook her head, "I'm not really a big fan of caviar."

Jack smiled at her. "Oysters?"

Olivia winced and shook her head.

"Steak?"

"Love steak!"

They both laughed.

"Me too," he said with a smile. "Actually, I think that is what I will have." He folded his menu and looked up at her as the waiter approached the table.

"Ready to order?" The waiter asked.

"I think we might need another minute."

"Oh, no. I'm ready."

"Ladies' first," Jack said with a smile.

Olivia smiled back at him them looked at the waiter. "I will have the pasta with chicken instead of shrimp and a Cesar salad, please."

"Yes, ma'am. And to drink?"

"Another glass of wine."

"Well, take a bottle of whatever this is," Jack said pointing to her glass.

"And you sir?"

"Steak, medium well. Baked potato and Cesar salad."

A few minutes later the waiter returned with their bottle of wine and salads.

"So, Olivia. Tell me about yourself."

She smiled. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything," he said staring into her eyes.

Olivia smiled and turned her head away as she pressed her lips together.

"Where are you from originally?"

"New York, born and raised."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. You?" She laughed. "Jack, I don't even know your last name."

"Crawford, Jackson Crawford."

"A southerner?"

"My family's in Virginia mostly. I grew up in Georgia."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You hide the drawl well," she grinned. "Though I don't know why you would want to, I think it is beautiful."

"Well, I have been away for a while. I have an apartment in Maine and that is where I stay when I am not working. Not much use for a southern draw in Maine."

"I guess not."

"So why exactly would you want to move to Denver from New York?"

"It is a promotion."

"The money good?"

"As good as it can be on a cop's salary. It isn't too shabby." She smiled again.

"Wont you miss New York?"

"Yeah," she tilted her head and thought about it for a second. "All of my friends are there."

"And your family?"

Olivia looked up at him and took a drink of wine. "I don't really have family. All I ever really had was my mother and she passed away years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. The people I work with have kind of become my family. That is why…if I decide to take this job, I will miss New York so much."

She tipped her head and smiled at him. "What about you? What do you like about Maine?"

"Great Lobster. During season you can buy the right there off the pier. As fresh as they get. You like lobster?"

"Yes."

"I'll have to make it for you sometime."

Olivia smiled at the thought of seeing him again.

"I'd like that."

They talked for another hour as they enjoyed their meal. Then Jack paid the check and they walked along the sidewalk waiting for a cab to drive by. As they walked slowly and talked it started to thunder and rain. Jack put his jacket over her and they ran into the nearest entrance to get out of the weather.

Olivia laughed as she looked down at herself and back up at Jack. She looked around them, they had ran into a small movie theatre. Jack smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"It's getting late," he said looking down at his watch. "If you'd like I can get the number and call a cab."

"Jack I have had such a great time with you tonight."

"I have had a great time, too."

He pulled her close to him and gently places a soft kiss against her lips.

Olivia leaned forward longing for more.

"I have been wanting to do that since I met you on the plane."

She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I'm not ready for this wonderful night to be over," she said softly.

"It doesn't have to be," he leaned in to her and kissed her tenderly as he moved his thumb slowly over her chin.

Olivia sighed as their lips parted.

Jack just stared into her eyes for a few more minutes then he looked around hem forgetting momentarily they were in a public place.

"You want to catch a show?"

"Sure," she said with a smile. "If there is anything starting this late."

They walked to the ticket counter to look up at the sign.

"The last show started half an hour ago."

"Actually," said the kid behind the counter, "my boss is making us stay over to screen this new romantic comedy that starts tomorrow. I'll be running the projector from the booth to make sure the sound and everything is good on it. But the theatre will be empty if you guys want to sit in, you are more than welcome."

Olivia looked at Jack. "What do you think?"

"I think it is a wonderful idea if it buys me a couple of more hours with you."

The kid handed them two tickets. "Up the ramp first door on the right. Sit anywhere you'd like."

Jack held her hand and walked her toward the concession stand. "What would you like?"

Olivia smiled. "A diet soda."

He looked at the kid behind the counter. "I need a large popcorn, a large diet soda and a large regular."

Olivia leaned in over his shoulder. "I'll be right back," she whispered as she turned and walked toward the ladies room. She fluffed her hair and checked her make up, then joined him to watch the movie.

"Big question here….where do you prefer to sit at the movies?"

"Big question?"

"Well yes. Something like that could make or break a relationship."

Olivia laughed. "That all depends who I am with and if I actually intend on watching the movie. If I am actually going to watch the film, then closer to the front. But if I am just here to be alone with a special someone and don't intend on watching the movie anyway then in the back. It is darker and you have more privacy."

Jack laughed. "Okay, you are with me. Where do you want to sit?"

She stared into his amazing green eyes. "Since this is a first date…"

"Technically, it is a second date."

She looked at him and smiled.

"Well, dinner at the restaurant and now the movie. I'm gone a lot, I have to make every moment count."

"Kind of puts a new meaning to speed dating." She laughed.

"Yeah."

"How about somewhere in the middle?" She asked pointing at the row in front of them.

"Perfect!"

He handed her a soda and took her other hand in his as he lead her to the seats she had pointed at.

During the film they held hands and fed each other popcorn. They were not even half way through it before they started kissing passionately in the dark. Dropping half a bucket of popcorn into the floor between their feet. Olivia still had his jacket on and raised her fingertips to touch his jaw while he kissed her. He was such a good kisser.

After the movie they shared a cab back to her hotel and Jack walked her up to her door holding her hand the entire way. They stood outside for a moment just staring at each other.

"I had such a good time," Olivia said with a soft smile. "Thank you, for everything."

"I'd like to see you again," Jack said softly as he leaned in to steal another soft kiss.

"I'd like that," Olivia whispered staring into his eyes.

"Can I call you?"

"I would be hurt if you didn't," she replied.

Jack placed his hand against her jaw and pulled her mouth to his for a passionate good night kiss. One turned into two and several kissed later Olivia reached behind her and slid her key card into the door popping the it open as they stumbled in and fell across the bed.

Jack leaned in over her as he smiled and kissed her again looking deep into her eyes. He slid his suit jacket off her shoulders and laid it beside them on the bed. They kissed and touched each other for a while. They moved their hands over each others bodies above their clothing and explored.

Everything inside Olivia wanted everything he was. She had never been so attracted to someone she had just met. His kisses were strong and sweet and he smelled like really great cologne. He was such an incredible kisser. She moaned a little as he kissed her lips again.

"Jack," she cooed against his chest.

"Yes, Olivia?" He turned to look into her eyes.

"I really want this," she said softly.

"So do I." He leaned in and kissed her again.

"Jack…"

"Yes, Olivia?"

She just looked at him for a minute. "I don't do this," she said softly.

Jack stared into her eyes and kissed her again. "Neither do I," he said as he laid across the bed beside her and looked at her.

Olivia smoothed her hand down his chest over his shirt.

He raised his hand to hers. "Olivia, we should stop. It is too soon for this," Jack said reaching across the bed and placing his hand against her cheek.

Olivia sighed, a little disappointed and a little relieved.

"Olivia, I don't want to rush this. I care about you." Jack slid over against her and pulled her into his arms. "I would love nothing more than to make love to you right now, but I really don't think either of us are ready for that."

She smiled at him. "You're right. I was just laying here trying to think of a way to break it to you that I wasn't ready."

"I should go," he said kissing her lips.

"You could stay," she said softly looking at him.

Olivia slid over in the bed and pulled back the blankets.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll behave. I'm going to change out of this dress though." She leaned over and kissed him.

Jack watched her as she walked across the room and opened her suitcase pulling out a tee shirt and a pair of boxers and went into the bathroom to change. He sat up on the edge of the bed and kicked off his shoes. Olivia walked out and watched him as he slid his belt out of his pants and laid it on the night stand.

"Hey beautiful," he said with a smile as she climbed into the bed next to him.

"Hey," she said softly with a smile.

Jack unbuttoned his shirt and laid it over a chair across the room then reached for his pants. He stopped and looked at Olivia for a moment.

"I sleep in my boxers. Is that going to bother you?"

"No," she said with a smile and laughed a little. "You're shy?"

"Well, we did just meet a few hours ago."

They both laughed as he stood up, stepped out of his pants and tossed them over the chair beside his shirt.

Jack crawled into bed beside Olivia and pulled her in against him. She nestled her face in against his chest as she breathed in the scent of his cologne. She moaned softly as she exhaled and raised her chin to kiss him.

"I'm glad you stayed," she said softly.

He held her tight, "so am I."

Olivia gazed into his eyes as he kissed her again. She settled back against him and closed her eyes.

"I have not even held a woman in months," Jack confessed softly kissing her cheek.

"Well, you're doing just fine." She kissed him softly and closed her eyes.

"Olivia, I have to leave tomorrow."

"I know."

"My flight leaves out at noon. I need to be there by ten thirty."

Olivia opened her eyes to look at the alarm clock across the room. "It is after three already," she said softly. "Are you going to get enough sleep?"

"I'll manage," he said smiling at her as he pulled her close once more. "It is only about a two and a half hour flight."

"Oh."

"Goodnight Olivia."

"Good night Jack," she whispered through a yawn.

Before long they had fallen asleep together.