Chapter 5

Elliot lay in the bed staring up at the ceiling while a car alarm was blaring outside, cats were fighting near the garbage cans and he could hear a random person outside singing. It wasn't always ideal to sleep with a crack in the window but once he started living by himself he found the noise strangely comforting while he adjusted to his new lifestyle. The noise from the outside world helped him feel not as alone. Tonight is the first night that he wants to close the window. Olivia is lying next to him, her steady breathing is like a lullaby and he doesn't feel alone anymore.

It was nothing but pure desire that drove him to stop her when it was obvious that she was getting ready to leave. He wasn't done with her yet. He had never been the most aggressive when it came to women because he didn't have to be. He had taken a more laid back approach to getting back in the dating scene over the past year and found that most women found it appealing and pursued him as a result. But Olivia was never most women. He stood back and watched her from afar over the past year wondering if she would ever say or do anything and she hadn't. It was that and the hardness between his legs that made him speak up and ask her to get back in bed.

He wanted to taste her and as crude as it sounded he wanted to fuck her again. So he did. When he told her what he wanted to do he predicted that she would say no. He could feel that she was nervous that their "arrangement" had taken a different turn but he was pleasantly surprised when she complied. Her body yielded to his and the sound of her calling his name when she came was something that he knew would haunt his dreams indefinitely. He knew for sure he was a lucky son of a bitch when she woke him up an hour later straddling his hips and sliding down his length without so much as a word. He knew Olivia and how she operated. She was fighting for some control back and he let her. She brought his hands up to hold on to her breasts as she rolled her hips and rode him at her own pace. He was mesmerized watching her move above him and when it was apparent that his orgasm was close, she kissed him hard and increased her speed bringing them both to an earth shattering end.

In the quiet moments after he closed his eyes and hoped she wouldn't leave. And she didn't. She quietly fell back asleep. That was a couple of hours ago. The clock next to him reads 4:13am and he's fighting every urge in his body to not wake her up again. He's hard. Again. He wants her. Again. But rather than take the chance, he lets her sleep because as long as she's sleep she's still there. And that's what he wants most of all.

As soon as he started to doze off he felt her move in the bed. He thought she was getting up to go to the bathroom or leave but she started to thrash her head back and forth and he could hear her whimper. He hears the name "Maria" and realizes she is having a nightmare.

"Liv," he whispered. He shook her shoulder gently not wanting to be too rough. "Liv wake up."

She continues to move her head and say no over and over. He shakes her a little more and her eyes fly open. "El?"

"Yeah. I'm here." He is on his side hovering over her in a half hug while she is on her back. He can see the wheels turning in her head while she's trying to process what happened between them, her nightmare and the fact that she is laying in his arms right now. "I'm here Liv," he repeats.

He rests his forehead against hers and her chest begins to heave less and her breathing is returning to normal. He lightly strokes her arm and he can feel her body relaxing into his. He's trying to not think about how natural this feels holding her in his arms. There's so much he wants to say but he doesn't want to ruin the moment. He doesn't know a lot about her personal life but he doesn't think she has ever seemed to commit to any man for long. As much as he wants to tell her how he feels and that he wants her to give them a real shot, he will keep it to himself for now. Until he feels she's ready to hear it.

XXXX

Olivia can't believe that she had another nightmare about Maria. Every time she closed her eyes she couldn't get the little girl's face out of her mind. The last time she rolled over and the first thing she wanted was to feel him inside of her. She's fighting the urge to take him again but her body is protesting. Her limbs are sore from the amount of sex she has had in such a short period of time. But she needs something. His forehead is on hers and she's in his arms and there just has to be something. She lifts her head slightly catching his bottom lip between hers. She sucks and pulls on it and still can't believe how soft and welcoming his lips are. He moans when she starts to nip at his top lip and opens her mouth completely to his. This kiss is different than the others. He's not cupping her breasts or moving his hand between her legs. Instead it's relaxed and languid. Her hand is holding his head to hers and he is gently stroking her cheek. It feels like Sunday mornings and walks in the park. Easy. Natural. It's feels like something she's not ready to admit yet.

They kissed for what seemed like hours, breaking apart to catch their breaths before their lips joined again. Eventually he kissed her on her forehead, turned her on her side and cuddled up behind her. She fell asleep instantly. When she woke up a few hours later she was happy to see that she had no more nightmares about Maria. She felt safe, she felt relaxed….she also felt Elliot's morning hard on against her ass.

Olivia bit her lip to stop herself from giggling. She wanted to panic and feel nervous at how intimate the whole situation had become and the feelings that were bubbling to the surface, but instead she sighed and rubbed her hand against his that was draped near her covered breast.

"Good Morning," Elliot rasped near her ear. She didn't even realize that he was awake.

"Good Morning. What time is it?" She looked around for a clock but it was on his side of the bed. He leaned over to look at it. "It's 9:30."

"Shit," she panicked and started to look around for her clothes. "I didn't realize I slept so long."

"Well you were tired," he countered with a playful tone. She kept moving around in the bed to spot her clothes and cell phone but his arm was still around her waist.

"Very funny Elliot. You seem to be pretty tired yourself." She put her hand on his arm to move it and he finally relented allowing her to get out of the bed.

"Well what can I say? You wore me out."

Her lighthearted grin dropped for a second at the mention of what they had done. She quickly recovered and gave him a shy smile.

"I need to get going," she changed the subject. She sat on the edge of the bed, picked up her bra and began to put it back on. "You are off today. It's Sunday. Why are you rushing?" He was disappointed that she was leaving.

"I don't want to take up your day El. Do you have the kids or something to do?"

He crossed his hands behind his head watching her get dressed. "Nope. I wasn't supposed to come back until tonight remember? I don't have anything to do."

She stood up to put on her jeans and wobbled on her feet almost losing her balance. The stress of the night's activities left her more sore than she realized. She looked behind her to see Elliot trying to hide his amusement under the blanket and failed miserably. She couldn't help but smile when she saw him. "Go ahead. Get it out of your system."

"You are clearly in no shape to be going out. You should stay here and rest your body," he offered still laughing.

"I have a feeling if I stay here my body won't be getting much rest." The words were out of her mouth before she realized it. "I mean—"

"Oh I know exactly what you meant." He leaned over towards the end of the bed and threw her jeans back down on the floor. "Just stay."

She sighed and felt the fight leaving her body. She really did have nothing planned for the day and as much as she hated to admit it she did enjoy Elliot's company outside of work. She liked the light hearted side of him that she was beginning to see lately but she felt staying longer would just lead to something they both agreed wouldn't happen.

"El, we said this would be for one night," she reminded him.

"I know. We said sex for one night. That doesn't mean we can't hang out right?" he challenged her. "I mean unless you can't trust yourself around me."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes.

"No I really get it Liv. You should probably go. I know me in this bed naked would be too hard for you to resist," he teased letting the blanket conveniently fall off him exposing his ass.

Olivia was never one to back down from a challenge especially involving Elliot. She wasn't sure she would win, but she knew either way she wasn't going to lose. "Ok El. You're on. I'll stay."

He smiled in victory and returned back under the covers.

She began to unhook her bra, her eyes never leaving his.

"What are you doing?" he asked his voice dropping suddenly.

"I'm actually still a little tired so I'll sleep a little longer." She leisurely pulled the underwear down her legs and climbed back in the bed. "Is that ok with you?"

He cleared his throat and scrubbed his hand down his face. "Yeah yeah that's fine."

"Are you sure? You seem a little nervous" She was enjoying this and he smiled back at her accepting her challenge. He pulled the blanket back and tapped the space next to him inviting her back into the bed. She climbed in and laid back down quickly turning to her side like she was laying previously. She waited to see if he would join her but he was as still as a statue.

"El?"

"Yeah"

"I slept really well when you were cuddled up behind me. Do you mind?"

He sat still for awhile thinking about praying for the ability to control himself but he figured that he probably shouldn't be bringing God into this. He scooted behind her and she quickly settled into his body. They lay still for a few minutes before Olivia started to move and fluff the pillow underneath her. She settled back into him again wiggling her ass against his groin under the guise of trying to get comfortable.

"Liv?"

"Yeah."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry I can't get comfortable," she lied trying hard to keep the smile out of her voice.

"Try harder," he said simply. He sat up allowing her to fluff the pillows and move around to get settled. "Better?"

She looked up at him with innocent eyes. "Yes thank you."

They were laying for a few more minutes when she felt him start to doze off and she made her move. She squirmed and her ass connected right against his length. He moaned and put his hands on her hip to still her.

"Careful Liv. Don't start something you can't finish," he warned.

"I think we both know I can finish. We just shouldn't." When the words left her mouth she didn't think they made much sense but she felt she should stick to her guns.

"Why?" It was a question he genuinely wanted the answer to.

She could here the seriousness in his voice and turned around to face him. They were both laying on their sides facing each other with their hands resting in their hands and weight on their elbows.

"Because we talked about this. We didn't want to change our partnership or our friendship remember?"

"Yeah I remember. We did it..a few times," he quipped giving her a mischievous smile. "So now we know what it's like."

"Right," she agreed.

He looked down nervously while he worked up the courage to ask the next question. "So…what was it like?" Elliot was cocky when it came to a lot of things but when it came to sex his experience was limited. He and Kathy had good sex at one point but when the marriage started to deteriorate so did their sex life. During the last year before their separation they were barely intimate at all and the fact that Kathy stopped trying made him feel a bit insecure.

Olivia was genuinely surprised by the question. "Elliot Stabler are you actually asking me if it was good for me?" she inquired with a sly grin.

"Well yeah."

"I thought it was pretty obvious that I did. I mean I did—you know." She didn't want to just say the word. Even though they had sex, talking about the two of them and sex was still awkward territory.

He wasn't prepared to let her off easy. "Know what?"

"You are such a jerk sometimes. You know what I mean. I had several orgasms Elliot so it should be pretty obvious that I enjoyed myself."

He blushed a little. "I'm the jerk but you couldn't just answer my question with a simple yes."

She put her arm down and settled into the pillow.

"I was just making sure." He dropped his arm and settled into the pillow next to her.

"I kept coming back for more so that should've been a sign."

"Oh you definitely kept coming," he joked.

"You are such an asshole," she laughed. He smiled and the gleam in his eye sent a rush through her. She tried to keep herself talking so she wouldn't get lost. "So did you enjoy yourself?"

"Very much so," he answered instantly. "You're amazing Liv."

She tried to stop the red from showing on her cheeks but the smile he gave her proved that she was unsuccessful.

"You're not so bad yourself. So I guess we were right."

"About what?" He flipped onto his stomach pulling the pillow tight under his head.

She mimicked his position. "We both said we thought about it and figured it would be good. I guess we were right."

"I guess so," he replied wistfully. He regarded her closely. Her hair was down and a little messed up. Her make up was mostly worn off and she looked more relaxed and carefree than he had ever seen her. Olivia was a beautiful woman. There was no doubt about that but it was seeing her like this fresh faced first thing in the morning without the weight of the world on her shoulders that really showcased her beauty. "Thank you for staying. I really didn't want you to go."

She could see the sincerity in his eyes and it touched her. They both hadn't had the easiest of times lately but the fact they could find comfort in each other meant a lot to her. "You are welcome. Although I do think before long you are going to want to get rid of me."

"You think so?"

"Yep. When I start making my demands it can be a bit much," she teased.

"Lay it on me."

"Well I already did that," she flirted and he raised his eyebrow.

"First the ass wiggling then this. That's strike two." He held up two fingers to emphasize his point.

"And what happens on the third strike?"

"The rate you are going you will find out soon enough."

She rolled her eyes and slapped him lightly on the chest. "Anyway back to my demands. I need breakfast and coffee."

"I thought you were sleepy."

Busted. "Well you and all your talking woke me up," she lied.

"Ok. Whatever you say," he rolled over to get ready to get out of bed but she touched his arm stilling him. She wasn't ready to end their pillow talk quite yet.

"I'm not ready to eat just yet though. Maybe we could just stay here for a little longer."

He smiled and laid back down on his stomach facing her. "Ok."

"Sooo…what do you normally do on your days off?" She was trying to make conversation and she realized she really didn't know how he spent his spare time.

"Normally I just catch up on all the things I can't do because of our ridiculous schedules but on Sundays I do like to sit back, relax and watch football."

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes. "Of course."

"As a matter of fact my team is playing today at noon. I could order a pizza and you could watch it with me."

"Watch the Giants play? No way."

Elliot looked stunned. "The Jets."

"What?"

"I don't like the Giants I like the Jets."

"The Jets suck."

"Get out," he quipped pointing at the door.

She giggled like a schoolgirl and the sound was music to his ears. Olivia Benson was capable of giggling. He didn't think she could surprise him anymore today but this was a welcome revelation.

"Oh now you want me to leave."

His hand landed on her spine, stroking her smooth golden skin. "No. I don't want you to leave." She closed her eyes really feeling his touch. He caressed her back, his hand gliding lower and lower taking the blanket with him. She moaned despite herself and he felt the goosebumps cover her skin. He stopped just above where the covers bunched at the curve of her ass.

"El," she breathed.

"I know," he explained. "I wasn't going to—"

She lifted her eyebrow to challenge him. "Oh you weren't."

He gave her a guilty smile. "I thought about it but figured you needed a rest."

"Oh I'm the one that needs a rest?" she joked and slapped his arm away from her. He grabbed at her arm to stop her and she rolled over to grab his other hand. They started to tussle and Olivia's giggling just encouraged him more.

"Liv, it would be in your best interest to stop," he chided her. "You are still naked."

"You can't handle it, I get it." She was out of breath and the sheet was starting to slip. "Do you give up?"

He chuckled while she hovered over him holding his hands down. Her naked right breast skimmed against his small patch of chest hair and he could feel himself starting to get aroused again. He had to stop this and soon. "Do you?" she asked again tightening her hold.

He was about to "give in" when his phone started to vibrate on the nightstand next to them. "Saved by the buzz." She looked over at the caller id by instinct and saw the name that flashed on the screen. She instantly let go of his hold. "I'm going to go to the bathroom," she declared cutting him off before he had a chance to say anything. He glanced at the screen right before it went to voicemail and saw the name flashing that ruined the moment.

Lisa.