A/N: Thanks for all the reviews everyone. Here's the next chap. Enjoy!

Chels--for all your support--thank you. :)

Disclaimer: Dick Wolf is still the owner. And NBC, I guess.

Resolutions

Even after half a month of living in his new apartment, the lingering odor of the former tenant makes Elliot nauseous. It smells like old woman and cat piss, but he can't open the windows to get rid of the stench because he can't afford the heating bill. Instead, he views the odor and the accompanying stains as a constant reminder of how shitty it is to be a 43-year-old divorcé—well, nearly a divorcé—living on the outskirts of Queens.

On the bright side, his place is rent controlled and he can keep up with the payments. He reminds himself of that fact every night before he goes to bed to the sound of his neighbors going at it like fucking animals.

Hatred for his new apartment and neighbors—not to mention the stress of going through a divorce—makes Elliot's nights restless and short. Since he can't sleep, he goes into the precinct early and gets in a good workout before he dons his suit and tie. He tells himself it's a New Year's Resolution to stay healthy, not just a distraction from his less than ideal mid-life.

***

Thud.

"Oh Ge-orge!"

Elliot wakes from his uneasy sleep when the headboard hits the wall behind his head. He reaches for his alarm clock and holds it in front of his face to read the blurry numbers.

3:00

"For God's sake."

"You're so beautiful," George grunts loudly.

Elliot can't stand it. He should go over there and write them up for a noise ordinance. His temper has gotten shorter; he's starting to not care if his neighbors think he's an asshole. Not getting laid in close to three months will do that to a man.

Instead he gets up, makes coffee while he checks his e-mail and throws on some sweats. After he eats, he heads to the precinct for a workout. There's nothing like 150 squats and a good round with the punching bag to help him cool off and forget his neighbors.

***

Elliot hears someone running on the treadmill before he even opens the gym door. The footfalls create a steady rhythm. It's just shy of five o'clock. Who would be here this early?

He's truly surprised when he sees his partner on the machine. Despite the hours they work, she's never been much of a morning person.

"I thought you went to a gym by your place," he says in greeting.

"Membership expired. What time is it?"

"'Bout five. How long have you been here?"

"Since four. Must've lost track of the time." She slows her pace to a walk and puts her hands on her hips, breathing deep. Sweat glistens at her temples and along her neck.

Elliot wonders what's on her mind; he saw the zoned out expression on her face when he first came in. But he knows better than to ask her if something's up.

"You know, normal people sleep at three in the morning."

"Look who's calling the kettle black," she says. "You look like you had a rough night."

So the circles under his eyes are noticeable. "Yeah. Something like that."

"Everything okay?"

"Uh. . ." He can't do it. He's not ready to tell her about the divorce yet. Not until he dots his 'i' and crosses his 't's. Which will be soon enough; Kathy hasn't tried to screw him over too badly, so they won't have to drag it out in court. Everything will be so much easier when it's over. At least he hopes it will.

She's looking at him expectantly.

"Just can't sleep. Gotta lot on my mind. What's your excuse?"

"Same thing."

He should've expected an equally vague answer. You get what you give.

Olivia comes to a stop. She eyes the water bottle in his hands, licks her dry lips. "Can I have some? I forgot to grab a bottle on my way out."

He hands it to her without question and she takes a long drink, eyes closed. Elliot watches her neck as she swallows.

"Thanks," she says, giving it back half-full. Then she lifts the hem of her shirt to her forehead, wiping the sweat away before it can leak into her eyes.

Elliot's gaze is drawn to the exposed skin, but he catches himself and looks away quickly.

Olivia catches him too. "It's just skin, El. Nothing to blush over."

Yes it is. The images of her skin—beneath his hands, his mouth—are more than enough to color his cheeks.

He clears his throat. "I didn't mean to stare."

She shrugs noncommittally, tries to act like it's no big deal.

But it is. It's a big deal because she's his partner, not his lover. He can't look at her like she's his, can't look at her like he wants to. Olivia doesn't seem fazed. Her nonchalant attitude irritates the hell out of him.

"Spot me?" she asks, sitting down at the bench press.

He nods.

Wrapping her hands around the bar, she begins a set. Elliot remembers—when they were first paired up—spotting her once or twice; she can lift more now than she used to.

"You look thinner," Elliot remarks casually but he ends up sounding like he's accusing her of something, not giving her a compliment.

"Not much."

After ten reps she rests, then starts again. Elliot watches her arms, waiting for any sign that her muscles are too tired to lift. Olivia holds steady through another ten.

"Why are you on this health craze all of a sudden?"

"Whaddya mean?" she asks, adding a five pound weight to each side of the bar.

"You're losing weight. You've stopped drinking coffee, tea. Anything with caffeine. And yesterday you ate a salad."

"What's wrong with being healthy?" Her words are a little raspy after her third set, her face red from the effort.

"Nothing, I guess."

On her fourth set, her arms begin really shaking. He knows she doesn't want him to help her—even though she asked him to spot her—but his hands are itching to put the bar on the rack. Somehow he holds back and Olivia finishes the set.

"Why're you trying so hard?" he asks, voice low.

"I'm not." Olivia takes hold of the bar again, but Elliot holds it in place by leaning on it.

"Bullshit." Then it dawns on him. "You're doing it because of him."

She sits up, swinging both legs to one side of the bench. "Him? You mean Henry? Don't be ridiculous."

"He's changing you."

"I'm the only one changing me, Elliot."

"Why would you want to change? You're fine."

"Change is part of my New Year's Resolution. And it starts by getting healthy."

"Liv, you are healthy."

"Not enough."

"What the hell does that mean?"

She doesn't answer him. Getting up, she gathers her belongings. "I'm going for a shower. See you upstairs."

Elliot's convinced that Reed's the reason behind Olivia becoming super-conscious of her body and her health. Maybe it's because she's dating a doctor. Maybe it's something else.

A/N: You may be all, "What the heck is going on with this chapter?" but it isn't a filler chapter. And as for the next chap, well, all I can say is the Lion King song "Be Prepared" is going through my head right now. Hehe. But seriously, you've been warned. Let me know what you thought. Reviews make me smile. :)