Disclaimer: I own nothing
Sorry it has taken so long. Please be patient. I am writing when I can. Need to update A Year too soon. Please R&R.
Elliot Stabler was tired and pissed off. He had to be at the airport at 5 this morning only to find out his flight had been delayed by an hour. Luckily due to tail wind they had made up some time but not enough for him to beat the FBI Agent from Washington.
Upon arriving at Helena there was no sign of anyone waiting for him which only increased his bad mood, especially when he checked the board and realised the plane from Washington landed 40 minutes before his. Probably off somewhere having a coffee.
Still grumbling to himself he headed for the baggage claim to retrieve his bag. He had no idea how long he was going to be here and Kathy wasn't exactly overjoyed being left at home. Not with Eli running around like a terror. Thankfully his mother in law had decided to come to visit and help out.
He was so busy grumbling to himself he missed the familiar face standing at a nearby baggage claim, but she didn't miss him. Grinning she quickly picked up her suitcase, indicated to her companion where she was going and walked towards the scowling man. Coming up behind him, she leant in and whispered
"Detective Stabler, I see the wind changed and made your scowl permanent"
Elliot spun around and stared in surprise at the beautiful woman in front of him. It had been a long time since he had seen her
"Well if it aint Abbie Carmichael" he grinned "What brings you to Montana?"
"Same thing as you I presume, Alex can't keep out of trouble. I managed to convince my boss I was needed"
"I bet you did" Elliot chuckled then held up a finger as he spotted his duffel and hurried forward to grab it before he had to wait for it to go around again. Hauling it back he saw a tall blonde haired man standing near Abbie. The guy was dressed in a suit and had a decided military hair cut. He screamed 'law enforcement'. Abbie too was impeccably dressed. Put his casual clothes of jeans and shirt to shame, but he had wanted to be comfortable when flying.
"Elliot, this is Agent Graeme Stanton, Graeme this is Detective Elliot Stabler, Manhattan SVU" Abbie introduced them and they shook hands exchanging pleasantries before Abbie continued "Right, my instructions are that they have a driver waiting for us outside to take us to Calling where we will meet more Helena Agents who have already headed out"
Elliot raised a brow as she took off at a fast clip the second she finished speaking. After sharing a look with the Agent beside him they hastily followed, hustling to catch up.
"Hey Carmichael, what's the hurry?" he asked. Abbie paused for two seconds and gave him a wink. He knew then that she had some type of advantage over him and he wasn't sure if he liked it.
Tyler was doing routine paperwork at the station. It was a quiet day to say the least. This morning the ranch had been fairly subdued. The hands had taken to wearing side arms and had been briefed on the situation. She shook her head, the things she got caught up in. She wouldn't have it any other way though, not if it meant keeping Olivia around.
A noise from outside caught her attention, it sounded like several people had just walked in the door. Her brow shot up in surprise as the intercom buzzed. Ruthanne never used the intercom, just hollered. Stretching out she pushed the speaker phone button
"What's up?"
"Sherriff there are some FBI agents here to see you" came the reply and Tyler's mouth dropped in shock. One that she'd been called Sherriff the other because FBI agents were here. Seriously? Was the guy after Alex that dangerous? Or was it just because this was Alex?
"I'll be right there" she told the woman and pressed the button again to turn it off. She stood hastily, slapping her hat on her head and looking down at her work attire of shirt and jeans. Well she was a small county Sherriff. Wouldn't apologise for it and putting some cocky confidence into her walk headed for the door.
Upon opening it she saw 6 men, 5 in suits and one in casual attire. All men looked like their faces would crack if they smiled. The last person was a female, also dressed in business attire but with a wide grin on her face while she checked her over. The woman was drop dead gorgeous, all tall, tanned and dark hair, but she couldn't hold a candle to her Olivia.
She swaggered over and introduced herself to the men, offering handshakes. She was a little stunned when the casual dressed male introduced himself as Elliot Stabler, Olivia's work partner. Considering he hadn't reacted to her in any way she figured he either had impeccable self control or didn't know about her and Liv. Interesting.
Turning to the woman she raised a curious brow when the stunner introduced herself as Abbie Carmichael in a deep husky voice. A broad grin spread across her face and she nodded
"So you're Tex"
"Heard about me have you?" Miss Carmichael chuckled "I am sure it wasn't all good"
"Nope, but it was always pretty funny" Tyler chuckled and realising the others were watching curiously turned back to them "Gentlemen and Lady give me two minutes to call the ranch and tell them we're heading out. Tate can prepare for more guests for lunch then. Are you staying long?"
"As long as it takes to catch Wentworth and whoever is working for him" one of the suits replied
"Then you'll need accommodation. I hope you haven't booked into the hotel, I've been after the Health department to shut it down. We have several guest rooms at the ranch and some workers quarters – "
"Sheriff you don't have to" the suit protested in surprise
"You can get your agency to pay for room and board if you can convince my ma. She'll have my hide if I don't offer." Tyler stated and headed for her office before any more could be said.
Abbie watched the Sheriff disappear into her office while silently applauding Olivia. Well done girl, you got yourself a hot one there. She was glad now they ate lunch on the run after a quick stop at a service station and they were able to make up ground on the other Agents. She turned and looked at Elliot who was busy looking around the small office. She doubted he would complain about resources ever again after seeing this.
Glancing quickly over at the Agents she saw them huddled around, talking amongst themselves. She hoped they wouldn't be too arrogant and rude towards Tyler and the locals. Some Federal Agents had a head swell unfortunately, she hoped there was none in this bunch.
True to her word Tyler was back out in minutes, jacket in one hand and keys in another. Abbie watched the powerful play of muscles in arms and shoulders as she shrugged the jacket on.
"Right, follow me"
"Sheriff, if you don't mind, we would like to see Miss Cabot first" the same suit that had been speaking before piped up and Tyler paused to look at him.
"Then you're in luck boys. Miss Cabot just happens to be staying at my ranch" and ignoring their look of surprise opened the door in the counter and continued outside. Abbie grinned and picking up her briefcase sauntered after her.
Olivia had been roped into assisting Judy get the spare rooms ready for their guests. Two would stay in the house while the other four would stay in the workman's quarters in spare rooms. That apparently was nothing to sneeze at as each had their own bedroom with double bed, mini fridge and small TV. The communal showers were large and well looked after and the area even boasted a small kitchen and games room with pool table and table tennis as well as a Wii. Better than any hotel Olivia had stayed at.
Of course Judy loved teasing her that the reason they couldn't put anyone in their wing of the house was due to all the nocturnal activity which would keep them awake. Olivia had blushed but tried for an indifferent shrug. What else could she do?
She had left Alex helping Tate who was grumbling about the short notice of extra mouths to feed. Luckily she had already taken two large roasts out for dinner that night thinking they could have left overs the next day, it would be enough to feed 7 extra mouths tonight. She was planning to roast them in the charcoal grill, they always came out juicy, allegedly. That and she had giant potatoes which she planned to stuff and vegies. Olivia's mouth watered at the thought. For dinner they were having some soup and hotdogs. Olivia's stomach growled as she checked her watch. 12.40pm. Lunch had been pushed back until 1 and she was quite unashamedly starving. She's spent most of the morning working with Beau again.
The sound of cars pulling up out the front alerted her to the fact Tyler and their guests were here. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She loved seeing Tyler, being around her, it made her feel like a giddy school girl. Of course she had not even been giddy at schoolgirl age so it was very alien to her.
Checking the room for the last time she headed quickly for the kitchen, passing a smiling Judy and into the mudroom. She pulled on her boots, jacket and hat in short succession and hurried outside. Her gaze scanned and found Tyler who was sliding out of her truck. Brown eyes met sparkling blue over the 20 yards separating them and Olivia's heart hammered in her chest. Oh to hell with it, she didn't care that others were watching as she sauntered down the steps and towards Tyler.
Tyler met her a few steps away from her vehicle
"Hey sexy" she grinned up at her tall Sherriff
"Hello beautiful" Tyler grinned then opened her mouth to warn Olivia that some of the company they had were familiar to her when Olivia cupped her face and planted one on her in front of her friends and FBI Agents. Tyler blinked stunned, then growled and wrapping her arms around a trim waist forgot why kissing her lover would probably be a bad idea right about now and kissed Olivia back.
Olivia groaned as Tyler became a full participant in the kiss. Not one usually for PDA she rationalised that this was Tyler's ranch and the Agents were intruders. Besides, she had to get what she could, when she could. Tyler might be spending the next few days busy with work. After a long make out session she gently pulled back, smiling when Tyler refused to let her go.
"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" Tyler husked, still slightly worked up from the kiss
"No reason" Olivia shrugged "Do I need a reason to kiss my lover?"
"No ma'am, these lips are available any time the urge hits" Tyler chuckled, kissing her nose before pulling back with a sigh "You didn't give me a chance to warn you"
"Warn me?" Olivia looked up at Tyler in confusion before her eyes went wide as she heard a familiar voice
"Well now Yankee, you got some explaining to do girl" came the husky voice of Abbie Carmichael and she spun in Tyler's arms to look at her friend only for her mouth to fall open in shock at the sight in front of her
"Elliot? What are you doing here?"