Chapter 17
There was nothing else to do but laugh at the sight. She knew that it was likely what was going to happen when she left him on the roof. Obviously his mind was elsewhere at the moment. And she really didn't want to know the answer to that anymore than what she already thought.
She was in the elevator on her way down when she pulled out her cell phone and began typing a text that simply said:
Don't forget dinner on the way home
It wasn't that she was too lazy to pick up dinner for the two of them, because it wasn't. It just made more sense for him to pick it up on his way over to her apartment. Not like he would care to begin with. He would have just ended up calling later and ask what to do about dinner. This way it saved time and a pointless conversation on the phone.
Few minutes later and she was back at her apartment complex. At least for awhile, she had the place to herself. How long, that was another issue in itself. Not that she was complaining of the company.
Why was it that when ever she went out, even for a couple of hours, there were always at least two new messages waiting for her on her answering machine?
Message 1:
Sent today at 11:45am
"Liv, it's Alex. Just making sure that you actually got out of there at a normal and reasonable time.
Alex was usually one of them. Since the accident, Alex always made it her goal to call at least once and check in on her. Even though she knew she didn't have to. Not since there was someone else there that could keep an eye on her. And heaven knows that he would. And to a point that it would aggravate her to no end none the less.
Message 2:
Sent today at 4:30pm
Baby girl, sneak out tonight and meet us for dinner and drinks at Malone's. My treat. I promise, Munch isn't allowed to talk about any damn conspiracies or otherwise, he's paying for everyone.
That sounded much better than take-out and staying in another night. Although with the company she had, she didn't exactly mind any of it. But this would be a lot more fun that camping out on the couch and watching movies.
Half hour later and everyone was gathered around a large booth in the corner of Malone's. (there is such a place in St. Louis- one of my favorites)
"Where is the conspiracy master himself? Wouldn't be complete with out at least one?" asked Olivia.
"On his damn fucking way. He claims that he fell asleep and completely forgot." Replied Fin.
"And let me guess. You don't by any of it?" asked Alex.
"Hell no. It's Munch for crying out loud." Said Fin.
"Good point." Said Alex.
"Since when does Munch ever sleep? I just figured and presumed that he never did." Laughed Olivia.
That would explain a lot about John. But it still didn't make any sense. And none of them were about to try and figure him out. At least not tonight. Tonight was just to be out and having fun with friends.
"So what happened to Stabler? I would have thought that he would have been one of the first to be here?" asked Fin.
"Don't look at me. I'm not his babysitter. I have no idea of where he went or disappeared to. And I don't think that I really want to know either." Said Olivia.
Alex knew where he was. And so did Cragen. But neither were going to let on that either of them knew what he was up to. Because in truth, what he was up to, was something she would never forget. Something that she never thought would happen. Not in her lifetime that was.
"He said he was running late. He would catch up with us a little later." Said Alex. SHIT. She probably shouldn't have said even that. God, she hoped Olivia wouldn't pick up on it. Too late. She was already getting that 'You know where he is and aren't saying anything' look.
"Why do I have a feeling that you know exactly where he is and what he's up to." Said Olivia.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Liv." Said Alex, trying to cover up what she might have given away. Not so much with what she had but the way she said it. It just sounded like something was going on. And most of them knew about it.
She hated it when they did this. She also hated surprises of any kind. Birthday or anything like that. And yet, this would definitely be different.
An hour and a half later, and he finally managed to sneak in. By now, most of them were on seconds or third drinks. With the exception of Cragen and Alex, who both decided to stop after one, and deciding to be designated drivers.
She didn't look too happy. And was either because he decided to walk in late or it was just because it was getting late. But his bet was on the first one rather than the second. But like he had told Alex and Cragen, he had to take care of something. And it was something that he wasn't going to wait around to do. Not after the way the past year had turned out. He wasn't going to take the chance of losing her again. Now the only question was, rather or not to do with their friends or wait till they got back to her apartment. And if he waited, it would just have him on pin and needles for the rest of the night.
He wasn't even sitting down, when she excused herself from the group. God, he prayed to god that asking her later would fix things. He never did like it when she was either ticked off or just plan fed up with his bull shit. Hell, most of the time, so was he. This wasn't any different. Trying to ensure himself that it was nothing more than it being late in the evening, he tried reaching out to her, to take her hand in his. But when he did, she simply pulled away from him. Letting him know that he was in for it later. Alex followed her outside. Exchanging glances with him that said he better fix things and fast.
"Man, where was it that you're ass had to be, that had you getting here late?" asked Fin. Cragen just looked at him like he was going to strangle him right then and there. If she didn't do it first. He suddenly remember what Cragen had simply told him when she was still in the hospital. "Hurt her and I'll make sure your buried in a cardboard box, buried six feet under."
"What's the importance to you, Fin?" snapped Elliot. He really was just looking to get punched. And Fin would be the one to throw the first punch. And no one would think twice about letting him do so.
"When it comes to her, then it's all the importance to me, Stabler." Replied Fin. Just as the two of them were going at each other, John Munch arrived.
"Fell asleep my ass, Munch." Said Fin. John could already tell that trouble was brewing in the air. Just by the tension in the room.
"Hey, I did. Aren't we forgetting a couple of people?" asked John.
"Olivia and Alex are outside. You didn't seem them on the way in?" asked Fin.
"No. If their both outside, it only means that Stabler is the cause of it." Said John.
"Stabler, I sear to god, if you went and did anything else other then pick up what you needed to then, I swear to god, I won't have any trouble putting you in a cardboard box and burring you six feet in the ground." Said Cragen.
"I didn't do anything else but just that, like I told you and Alex. It just took me long to find one, that's all." Replied Elliot.
Fin and John looked at each other before returning their focus on the two in front of them.
"Did we miss something?" asked John.
"You want to let them in on your little surprise or should i?" asked Cragen.
He didn't have to tell them. So rather than actually tell them, he showed them. He sat the tiny box on the table and waited for their reactions.
"Stabler, is that what I think it is?" asked John. It wasn't like he knew that it would happen sooner or later. Because hell, everyone knew it would. They were betting on it.
"Well, it sure as hell ain't candy. What does it look like, John?" asked Elliot.
"You planning on doing this now or later when you know the rest of us won't hound you?" asked Fin.
"Why does it matter when I do it?" asked Elliot.
"Because it may help that sorry ass of yours to do it now." Stated Cragen. He knew he was right. His intentions were to do with them around but now that he knew she wasn't exactly speaking to him, then maybe he should do it when they were alone.
"You might want to either put it back in you're pocket or hide it because it looks like Alex and Liv are coming back." Suggested John. And like John had suggested, he put it back in his pocket and sat back down.
Before they even made it back to the booth where everyone was even sitting. Alex stopped her.
"I wouldn't stay mad at him too long, Liv. Because he has a valuable reason as to why he came in late. One that I'm not sure you're going to believe either." Smiled Alex.
"I still think you all were in on this." Said Olivia.
"Not all of us. Just me and Cragen. Stabler said he was sure that John could keep hismouth shut. And Fin, he just thought he would surprise as well. But I do promise that he hasn't done anything stupid. You're going to be rather surprised when you do find out though." Said Alex.
She still wasn't buying any of it. But rather gave up and both walked back to the booth and joined the rest of them. He couldn't do it now. Not when he knew that they would all be waiting to hear any o it, let alone her answer. No, he would do it when they got back to her apartment. The minute they were in the door.
"What time is it, John?" asked Alex.
"About one thirty in the morning. Why? Have somewhere else you need to be?" asked John.
"No. I just think it's about time we called it a night. Considering that we all have to work in the morning." Suggested Alex, grabbing her purse and getting up from the booth.
"But I just got here." Said John.
"Not our damn fault that you supposedly fell asleep. And it's not like this is the last time either." Said Fin They rest soon followed suit, which only left the two of them.
"Need a ride home, Liv?' asked Elliot.
"No. I drove." Said Olivia. She could tell by the tone in his voice that he was being sincere. She had to give some credit. But she also knew that he knew she didn't like any kind of surprises.
But this one would change that view completely.
"But I could use the company back at the apartment, though." Said Olivia. She was at least talking to him.
It wasn't even fifteen minutes before they both were standing just outside of her apartment.
The minute she stepped into her apartment, she could tell there was a different aroma floating in her apartment. It wasn't the normal type of apartment aroma that she was always used to.
And there was her answer. Right in front of her, sitting on her table, in a clear vase, were, what looked like to be, twelve long-stemmed red roses. With a card that simply read: I need to ask you a question.
(Ok so I now some of the next part, I'm borrowing from 'Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason – but I thought fit.)
"I don't care what you ask as long as it isn't "Will you marry me." Said Olivia. But when he didn't answer, her expression fell.
"HOLY SHIT, It is." Said Olivia.
"Well now you just took the fun out if it." Said Elliot, reaching into his back pocket.