A bit shorter of a chapter but I didn't want to keep you guys hanging any longer. Setting things up for later.

Fair warning - may be a couple more weeks before 5 will be up. I'm in rehearsals every night for Addams Family so my only writing time is the weekends (and that's when my depression likes to strike) and I've had major writers block lately.

Anyways - Just warning ya! Thanks for the love.

"Here we are," Elliot said later that afternoon as they pulled up to a quaint, gray-sided cottage-style condo on the edge of the beach in Cape Cod. He put their rental car in park and reached for the ignition, turning and removing the key from it.

"Wow," Olivia breathed in disbelief as she took in the sight of it in front of them. It was a charming little house with blue and pink hydrangea bushes out front, in full bloom. "This is really ours?" she asked.

"Yep. For the entire week." He beamed and cracked the driver's side door open, excited to get her out of the car and show her the inside of the house. "Come on," he said, "let me show you the inside."

He hopped out of the car and slammed the door shut as Olivia crawled out of her side. She immediately felt the warmth of the sun shining down on her skin. She stretched her arms out wide in the wind as her hair whipped around her face; she'd been cooped up in the plane and car now for almost five hours total at this point.

They'd flown into Boston earlier in the day and rented a car at the airport, journeying the rest of their trek on the ground instead of in the air.

Elliot popped the trunk and unloaded their suitcases as she walked around to the back of the car to help him. She slid her sunglasses up and into her hair, trying to calm the raging storm that was her dark chocolate waves flying round in the wind.

She reached for her suitcase handle and shrugged her purse up onto her shoulder as she glanced around her new surroundings. The calm, serene beach was a far cry from the concrete jungle that was Manhattan. While she'd grown used to the hustle and bustle, this was a nice change of pace. Life seemed to move slower out here on the Cape and she was appreciative of that.

"It really is beautiful out here," she said as she gazed at the beach across the road.

Not as beautiful as you are, Elliot thought to himself. He smiled and shut the trunk. "You like it?" he asked.

Olivia nodded. "How did you manage to get it? Places out here book out so far in advance."

"An old friend of mine owns it," he said as he leaned down, "let me borrow it for the week…on one condition."

"Yeah and what's that?" she asked as they walked up the little cobblestone path to the front door.

"I leave happier than I arrived." Elliot unlocked the door and it swung open before them, the cool air of the air conditioning in the unit hitting them like a brick wall. "He said I needed a break, needed to find some sunshine and happiness."

"That's a good friend," she mused as they walked into the house and her breath caught. It was a stunning little condo – beautiful hardwood flooring with white furniture in the living room and an open concept, white kitchen to match. There was a huge bay window above the sink, overlooking the beach and her heart swelled in her chest. She could definitely relax here.

"I'll show you the bedroom," Elliot said as he guided her through the house and down the hallway. He opened a door and the large master bedroom came into view.

"I, uh…asked if there were two beds," he said quickly as he reached back to rub the back of his neck nervously. "I can sleep on the couch if you're not comfortable sharing."

"It's fine, El." She held up a hand to silence him. This was just as much his vacation as it was hers; he wasn't going to spend it sleeping on the uncomfortable pull-out couch when there was a bed big enough for the both of them.

"I just want you to be comfortable," he said shyly.

She turned around to face him and smiled. "This is your vacation, too," she reminded him, "It's fine." She sat her purse down on the bed and glanced at the suitcases he'd left in the bedroom doorway. "Suppose we should settle in," she mused.

"Ah," he said as he jumped into action, wheeling the suitcases towards the center of the room. "I know we just got here but I have another surprise for you."

"You're just full of them, aren't you?" She couldn't hide the smile that came over her face.

He smiled in return as he walked back over to her and settled his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "I'm going to run back into town and pick up some groceries for us for the week," he began.

"Okay…" Olivia felt her breath hitch in her chest, though she didn't know if it was from his words or the fact that his hands were on her in a way they'd never been before.

"And you…" He adjusted his position so he could clasp both of her hands in his. "You are going to the spa. I've booked a hot stone massage, facial, and nail services for you."

"Elliot," she said, immediately doing calculations in her head of what that must have cost him.

"Like I said, I have a lot to make up for."

"Yeah but you don't have to grovel."

"I'm not groveling. Just showing you that I'm serious."

That he's committed.

He gave her hands a little squeeze and added, "Be ready to go within the next hour, okay? I'll drop you off before I head to the store."

"Yeah," she said as she nodded. "Just going to take a quick shower and wash the airport off of me."

He nodded. "Anything you want, food wise?"

"Um, yeah." She turned around to her bag. "Maybe some bagels and cream cheese, and fresh fruit?"

"Already on the list."

Olivia could feel the blush creeping into her cheeks as she bit the inside of her lip. "You're too good to me, Stabler," she muttered.

He laughed. "Again, that is where I disagree. Now, I'll leave you alone so you can get ready."

She watched him as he walked out of the room, counting her lucky stars that she'd said yes to this vacation.

TBC