Chapter 9

Olivia has always liked Fin. Well actually when he first came on board she was a little skittish of him and they kept their distance but over the years they have grown to have a large amount of respect for each other. He's taught her a lot from his time in Narcotics and she's enjoyed getting to know the few peeks into his personal life that he has offered her. He's also pretty funny when he's not being overly serious. He's a good detective and a good person….. but she swears to God that if he doesn't walk out the door soon there is a good chance that she is going to kill him. It wouldn't be a pretty death either or a fast one. It would probably be some form of torture, similar to the torture she is enduring right now.

Elliot made calculated strokes not pulling all the way out for fear of their skin slapping together and being heard. Instead he pulled back slightly and when he drove back in he held her close for an extra second. The friction against her overly sensitive clit was excruciating and she didn't know how she managed to not scream out in ecstasy. He kissed her initially to muffle the sound but as his thrusts became deeper they couldn't concentrate long enough to hold the kiss.

He held her against the wall with his body, both of his arms planted firmly underneath her thighs. Her breasts caressed his chest and she struggled to find a place on his water soaked body to plant her fingernails. She wanted to sink her teeth into his shoulder, something to counterbalance the beautiful torment she felt between her legs. Elliot's eyes were screwed shut and even when his breathing changed his rhythm never faltered. She was slick and ready and he buried himself as deep as her body allowed. He knew he should've showed some restraint and slowed down his thrusts but when he was inside her he couldn't stop.

He simply couldn't stop.

When he held himself inside her and rolled his hips she whimpered and his hand flew up to her mouth just in time. Her eyes grew wide and he stilled for a fraction of a second to see if Fin's conversation stopped.

Nahh man. I'm just around the corner.

When it was evident Fin didn't hear her, a mischievous grin formed on Elliot's face and he continued. She exhaled and laid her head on his shoulder just trying to ride the wave and focus on anything but that familiar burning that was creeping up inside of her. This orgasm would be more intense, this she knew and there was no way she would be able to keep quiet. She wanted to kill Elliot for putting her through this. For having her use more energy than she had in her life to focus on not making one, single sound.

It wasn't any easier for him. He wanted to come. He wanted to come not long after entering her. Bringing her to the edge with his fingers had already started the ascent and now he was ready to fall over. The tingling in his length was getting stronger and when she laid her head on his shoulder, he in turn rested his head on hers. Their lips were inches apart but neither moved closer to kiss. Instead they closed their eyes, digesting the other's breaths. She breathed out when he breathed in and he thought about the irony of the situation. How this moment was a metaphor for their relationship over the years. Fighting every intense feeling inside of them but having to stay quiet. It was a dance they perfected as time passed but one that neither was willing to do anymore.

He could feel her breaths quickening and knew she was close.

"I want to scream," she whispered in beautiful agony between breaths.

It was taking every ounce of everything in him to keep it together. He felt her walls closing in on him and knew it was inevitable. "You're so close. I can feel you," he breathed.

And by the grace of something that Olivia wasn't sure she believed in, they heard Fin's voice fade and the door slam behind him.

Elliot waited a few seconds giving Fin more time to walk out of earshot before he widened his stance between her legs, spreading her open even more and grinding directly against her clit.

"Now baby," he rasped between thrusts. "Now you can scream."

Olivia threw her head back against the wall and cried out his name. She shattered and her body wouldn't stop convulsing around him. He joined her shortly after, spilling himself deep within her crevice and repeating her name over and over again. Once she got her breathing under control, she opened her eyes to find his blue eyes staring back at her. The look almost made her shy and she bit her bottom lip to stop the blush that she was sure was forming on her cheeks. He grinned and if they weren't in such an intimate position she would've slapped him. She wanted to make jokes about the situation, that they just fucked in a shower at work like two horny twenty somethings and almost got caught by their coworker but instead she surrendered to the overwhelming sentiment of adoration. He put his forehead against hers and kissed her sweetly. The water was beginning to get lukewarm again and their skin started to prune but she didn't care.

He kissed her slow and lazy like he didn't have anywhere to be or anything to do. He wanted it to last forever and even though there were a lot of things he wanted to say to her, there was one thing on his mind that he had to get off his chest.

"Liv," he breathed. His forehead was still joined with hers. Her eyes were closed and she was rubbing her hand back and forth on his arm.

"Yeah."

"Go on a date with me."

Her eyes flew open startled at his statement.

"What?"

He smiled and placed another chaste kiss on her lips.

"Go on a date with me and before you get ready to turn me down or say maybe we shouldn't or it's too much too fast, I want you to keep in mind that I'm still in you," he teased looking down at their lower halves still connected.

She laughed and he basked in the sound of her sexy, husky voice.

"Ok," she agreed. "Ill go out with you but you have to keep one thing in mind."

He lifted his eyebrow in anticipation. "What's that?"

"I don't have sex on the first date."

XXXX

As luck or karma would have it, Olivia ended up working the next case with Fin while Elliot spent his time at the courthouse working on a deposition. The first day she kept watching for signs that he knew what was going on between her and Elliot but he was impossible to get a read on which wasn't necessarily shocking. Fin always played his cards pretty close to the vest. Between her time hunting down someone who was responsible for a possible hate crime against gay men and Elliot's time with the attorneys, they missed each other for a few days and couldn't schedule their date. They did manage to squeeze in texts and phone calls.

The case was another tough one and all her concern about Fin finding out was soon overshadowed by his discovery that his son was gay. It was something she knew affected him even though he kept it to himself. Within a week they closed in on Gabriel Thomason as the murderer of Robin Weller and they had a little "downtime" before the trial began. Elliot returned to the squad room and after what happened in the showers, they agreed to behave at work. Despite flirtatious glances that lasted a bit too long and little touches here and there they managed to follow their own rule.

By Friday it was time for their date and Olivia hoped that they didn't catch a case. She wrapped up the last of her paperwork around 5, hoping to leave a little earlier than normal so she could get ready.

Elliot was still finishing up his and smirked when he saw her in a rush to leave. "You are in quite the rush Liv, got a hot date or something tonight?"

She stiffened for a second but quickly recovered before Fin or Munch noticed. "I do actually."

"Anyone we know?" Munch asked peeking over his glasses.

"Did you finally throw poor Chip a bone?" Fin added.

She sneered and rolled her eyes. "First of all his name was Charles not Chip."

Fin shrugged his shoulders. "Does it even matter at this point?"

"Second of all," she ignored his question, "No it's not Charles and no I'm not telling you who it is."

"What's with all the secrets?" Elliot asked clearly proud of himself. His hands were folded over his stomach and his feet were on top of the desk. He winked at her while Fin and Munch glanced at their paperwork.

"I'm not being secretive it's just none of you guys business."

"What's none of their business?" Casey asked strolling in with her briefcase.

Elliot instantly dropped his feet off the desk and started typing on his laptop to look busy. He had a feeling that Casey knew what transpired between him and Olivia and he knew their ADA wasn't always the most discrete.

"Umm nothing," Olivia said grabbing her coat.

"She's rushing out to get ready for hot date and won't tell us who he is," Fin interjected.

Casey's face lit up and Olivia immediately got nervous. "Oh is that so. A hot date hunh?"

She glanced at Elliot for a second just long enough for him to realize she was in fact on to them. "Well good for you Liv," she said patting her on the back.

"Thanks."

She hurried and grabbed her purse and was about to walk past her when Casey stopped her just in front of Elliot's desk and spoke low enough where only they could hear. "But before you go. I'm sure the guy who's giving you the amazing sex can wait for a minute while we go over something from the Thomason trial. I just needed to talk to you and Fin."

Elliot tried in vain to hide the huge grin that was plastered on his face and Olivia pinched her arm while pulling her the few feet towards Fin. "And thank you for that," she hissed.

"No problem." They got down to business discussing the case for the next few minutes and then Olivia finally turned on her heel to leave.

"Well actually I'm about to wrap up here why don't I walk you out?" Elliot offered. She glanced around and saw that Casey was thankfully tucked away in Cragen's office.

"Uhh sure of course. Come on."

"Ill hurry definitely don't want to hold you up from your hot date," he teased. He put on his jacket and walked towards the elevator with her a few steps ahead. Once they were inside and the door was closed he moved a bit closer to her and his hand lightly grazed hers.

"Soooo," he began in a playful tone. "Amazing sex hunh?"

She huffed and tried to hide the smile playing on her lips. "I swear you and Casey drive me insane."

"I think Casey is slowly becoming one of my favorite people."

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms so her hands weren't near his. "I bet she is. Maybe you should go out with her tonight instead of me," she shot back attempting to act jealous.

"Now why would I do that? She's not the one I'm having amazing sex with," he joked and she laughed despite herself.

"Well you keep it up you won't be having amazing sex with anyone unless of course you want to give Lisa a call," she said emphasizing Lisa with a bitter edge.

He held his chest like he was offended. "Ouch."

They walked to the street and he walked her to the sedan. "I doubt the sex could be amazing with anyone other than you." His change in demeanor took her off guard and she felt her pulse race when his fingers skimmed hers. They were in front of the police precinct so they had to be careful.

"Me too," she said shyly. "But nothing's changed. I don't have sex on the first date."

Elliot leaned against the car door as if he had been wounded. "That hurts I'm not going to lie but I think I can manage."

"That's good to hear." She opened the door and got in and he bent down while she rolled down the window and started the engine. "Unless maybe I could change your mind," he flirted.

She acted as if she was thinking about it for a minute. "Nahh. See you later Stabler."

XXXXXX

Elliot pulled up to Olivia's apartment building a few minutes after 7. He was running a few minutes late but if he knew her she wasn't ready yet anyway. They agreed to dinner and he had a little surprise for her. He knocked on her door at 7:15 and was pleasantly surprised when she answered and was ready. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun and she wore a simple black dress that stopped at her knees, thin straps and fit her curves in all the right places. Elliot tried to stop himself from staring. He always knew that Olivia was a beautiful woman, but seeing her dressed up like this to go on a date with him was a little intimidating.

For dinner he took her to a small but classy Italian restaurant a few blocks from his apartment. It was quiet for a Friday night, which was exactly what he wanted. He wanted them to have the freedom to be able to talk without too much noise and distraction.

"El, this place is really nice. I can't believe I've never heard of it before," she said while looking at the menu.

He smiled and was relieved that she liked it. "An old buddy of mine from High School, his family owns the place. I come here to pick up takeout every now and then."

She was pleased that he would bring her to a place that was so personal to him. She gave him a small smile and continued to browse the menu. "Well since you come here all the time maybe you can recommend what's good here."

The waiter came and took their orders. Elliot recommended the Chicken Parmesan and a perfect complimentary wine.

"I also never pegged you for a wine drinker," Olivia noted.

He chuckled while swallowing the last of his wine. "There's a lot about me you don't know Detective."

"Ok tell me something."

He waved his finger. "Oh no you first."

She got ready to speak but he cut her off. "First some ground rules. There will be no talk of work tonight. Deal?"

He reached his hand across the table. "Deal," she agreed shaking his hand.

They talked during their meal about her times in college and he talked about the kids. They were adjusting better than she initially believed to the separation and she started to believe that maybe he had as well.

"So is this where you brought Lisa?" she teased.

He rolled his eyes and sipped his wine. "No. Her and I went to the movies twice and out for drinks once. That was the extent of it." She nodded her head and he could see the relief sweep over her. "I have to admit I never pegged you for the jealous type. I kinda like seeing this side of you."

She scoffed and finished the last of her food. "You are such an ego maniac. Of course you would like that."

Elliot began to check his watch every few minutes when they ordered dessert and Olivia became curious. "Are we late for something?"

"Not quite. There is a little surprise that should be starting up in just a minute."

She was hopeful at whatever he had up his sleeve. She never saw Elliot as the romantic type considering she had to shop for Kathy's anniversary and birthday gifts on more than a few occasions because he forgot.

The dessert arrived and they both took bites off of the other's plate. They had settled into quite a nice, comfortable rhythm and all of their apprehension about the date faded away. They worked well together as partners and best friends but both were concerned about the transition to being lovers and possibly pursuing a relationship.

"So can I ask you something?" Elliot approached cautiously. He wiped his mouth and set his napkin back in his lap.

"I think you just did," she joked.

He chuckled softly. "Are you having a good time so far?"

She finished the last of her wine and acted as if she was seriously pondering the question.

"Well don't take too long to answer the question Benson."

She tucked her hair behind her ear and laughed bashfully. "I'm having a great time Elliot. Much better than I thought I would."

His face registered his surprise. "I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

She quickly clarified her statement. "It's a good thing. A very good thing. I didn't know how all of this," she gestured between the two of them, "would work. It's not always easy to make that step from friends to…"

"Lovers?" he finished for her.

She flushed at his use of the term. "I think that part we seem to have covered." She gave him a seductive look and he shuffled in his seat. "I meant beyond that though. I mean if that's what you want." She worried for a moment that she may have overstepped.

He reached across the table and interlocked his fingers with hers. "We wouldn't be here if I didn't." They held each other's gaze for a few moments before Olivia looked away first feeling her cheeks warm under his stare. She's slept with him, she's saved his life, she's argued with him but it's this side of him that she feels is the most intimate.

They are interrupted by noises behind them when the curtain she didn't notice before is pulled back and a few men with instruments head to the stage. There are only about fifteen or so people in the restaurant and everyone begins to turn their seats to face them.

"What's going on?" she asked watching the scene unfold before her.

Elliot stood up and pulled an empty chair next to him and held out his hand for her to join him. She quickly obliged and he scooted in close and wrapped his hand around the back of her chair. "There may be a great little jazz band that plays here on Friday night," he spoke low in her ear.

She turned to him delighted at the prospect. "I didn't know you liked jazz."

"Well I did tell you there was a lot you didn't know about me."

It's true. They've been partners for almost eight years and she's learned more about him personally in the past week or so than she has during all those years. "So how long have you liked jazz?"

"My dad was a big jazz fan," he answered and she can see his mood shift at the mention of his father. She didn't know a lot about Joseph Stabler other than he was an ex-cop and a real son of a bitch at times. She wanted to know more but she knew that topic is something he's held close to the vest for a really long time and also she was concerned about the question being reciprocated. They've both only talked about their parents when necessary because of all the wounds that it opened up.

She turned back around to watch the stage when she felt the soft timbre of his voice in her ear again. "I used to sit and listen to records sometimes with him when I was young. I didn't really like jazz at first but it was a way for me to spend time with him. After awhile I grew to actually appreciate and like the music. I even have some of his old records at my apartment. I listen to them from time to time."

Olivia is almost speechless at the confession. He is surprised that he offered up so much himself. Deep down he hoped that by giving her tidbits about his past she would see how serious he was about the future. She grabbed his hand and held it in hers against her knee and they listen to the band play some tunes that he is familiar with.

"Do you want to dance with me?"

She startled at the question. He managed to surprise her yet again.

"Here?" she looked around and noticed that no one else was dancing.

"Usually when one couple starts everyone joins in."

Couple. The word was foreign but becoming more familiar to describe them.

She stood up and followed him to the small area not far from the stage. The other patrons smiled at them as he wrapped one arm around her waist and put his other hand in hers. Elliot was a good dancer and his moves were smooth and fluid. As with every other part of their lives, their cadence was perfectly in sync. Olivia held her head close to his and let the music overtake her while she tried to process the night's events. She had never had such a perfect date and she found herself holding back tears when she heard him lightly hum in her ear. It wasn't about the dance or the food or the evening. She was overcome at the depth of sentiment she felt for this man.

There was no doubt in her mind.

She was in love with Elliot Stabler.

XXXXX

They pulled up to her apartment shortly after midnight. After dinner and dancing, they hung around to meet Elliot's friend and his father that owned the restaurant. They heard Elliot talk about Olivia before and was pleased to finally get a chance to meet her. He was proud to show her off and his friends were happy to see him in a new place in his life.

When Elliot didn't turn the car off, Olivia was a little dumbfounded.

"Walk you to the door?" he offered.

"Umm you don't want to come up?"

"You said you don't put out on the first date remember?" he reminded her grinning.

She chuckled back and pulled his hand in hers. "I think you are worth making an exception."

He exhaled and played with her fingers while he searched for the right words to say. Olivia began to panic at his silence. "Look if you don't want to—"

"No no it's not that," he quickly corrected her and scratched the back of his head trying to find the right words to convey how he was feeling. "This is the real deal for me Liv and I want to prove that to you so if that's your dating rule then so be it. I don't want to treat this any different than what you would do for someone you were serious about. I hope that makes sense."

Elliot was never the best communicator and he hoped that she understood what he was trying to say. He wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs and make love to her well into the night but he wanted her to see that they were so much more than that. His marriage was over and she was the person he wanted to be with.

She was disappointed but genuinely moved by his admission. "It makes perfect sense. So if my rule is that I don't have sex until the fifteenth date you would be cool with that too?" she asked trying to tease him.

"I would be cool with whatever it takes to be with you."

Her whole body broke out in goosebumps. "Well just so you know it's not."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "And thank goodness for that."

She took his hand and squeezed it tightly in hers. "I do kiss on the first date though. I mean if it's a good date."

"And this qualifies as a good date?"

"It was a great date," she clarified.

She leaned in to kiss him and it was soft and sweet. She pulled back at first and was ready to say goodnight until she caught a glimpse of his eyes. In the darkness, his blue eyes gleamed and took her breath away. She leaned in again and their lips intertwined. This time the kiss was more frantic and she could feel the adrenaline running through her veins. His tongue danced with hers but when her hand landed on his chest he quickly dragged his lips away from hers. "Get in the apartment Liv," he warned and she chuckled.

"Fine," she playfully huffed.

He walked her to the door and embraced her giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Good night Elliot."

"Good night."

She was about to walk in the door when he called back out to her. "Hey Liv?"

"Yeah?"

"Since I can't walk you up to your door blink your lights so I know you got in safely."

She smiled at the memory of his words to her early on in their partnership when everything was so different and now ironically feeling very much the same. "You still are a stubborn son of a bitch aren't you?"

"Would you want me any other way?"

"Good night Elliot".

She opened her apartment door and looked down to see his car still sitting there. She blinked her lights and saw him slowly pull away.