"Sounds perfect." Elliot said, pulling Olivia close. "Right now, everything in this moment is perfect because you're here. I really never thought I would have another chance with you. Thank you, Olivia, for giving us another chance."
"Like I had a choice." Olivia winked at Elliot and tossed a saucy grin over her shoulder as she made her way into the living room to tend to Eli, swaying her hips just a little bit more than needed for Elliot's obvious enjoyment.
Olivia smoothed her blouse and nervously watched the floor numbers tick upward in the precinct elevator. She hadn't exactly left SVU in a fantastic manner and she hoped Cragen had decided to forgive her choice language in his office that day. He had argued with her, tried to make her stay, tried to give her paid leave, but she had been relentless, stubborn actually, if she was being honest with herself.
She expelled a harsh breath of air from her lungs as the elevator doors opened to reveal the Special Victims Unit. No one she really knew was around. Elliot had been called out on a case earlier that morning and she could only assume that sans a partner, that Finn and Munch were taking this case with him.
Olivia took a breath and knocked on Cragen's office door. The sound came out more timid than she would have liked.
"Come in!" Cragen barked, not looking up from a pile of paperwork. The blinds clacked against the office door as Olivia gently swung it open and closed it behind her. "Yes." Cragen asked, again, not looking up.
"Ca-Don." Olivia hurridly corrected herself. He was not her Captain currently. Cragen shot his head up at the sound of her voice.
"Olivia." The creases in his forehead immediately disappeared when he saw her standing there. He seemed relieved.
"Don," Olivia started, unsure now of what to say. "I, um,"
"Sit, Olivia." Don said, standing up and gesturing to one of the seats in front of his desk. He came around from behind his desk and sat opposite her. "What can I do for you?"
Olivia had not expected an amiable Captain Cragen let alone the fatherly one before here.
"I want to come back." Olivia said, hurrying the words out of her mouth before her nerve left her. She stared down at her entwined hands, waiting for a response.
Don said nothing. Olivia waited, realizing in his silence just how much she had taken SVU for granted. This was her home and she fervently wished that he would say something to break the tension. Instead, he stood up and walked towards his office door. Sighing, he opened the door and held out his arm, signaling for her to exit. Olivia remained motionless, staring at her former captain in shock.
Shaking, Olivia stood and walked towards the door, dejected and near tears. Don grabbed her hand as she passed him and pulled her into him, embracing her tightly.
"Welcome home." He whispered, pulling her back and catching her gaze. "You've been missed. Your desk should be just as you left it, unless Stabler has been messing with it. When he gets back, jump in on his current case. I've got another one that needs Munch and Fin's attention anyway."
Olivia was stunned. "Get to work, Benson." Don called, returning to his perch behind his desk. Olivia blinked and let out a breath. She shook her head as she walked towards her care-worn desk, happily settling down in her old chair to finish her transfer paperwork.
It was a few hours later when the elevator pinged signaling Elliot, Fin, and Munch's return to the precinct. Olivia was engrossed in reviewing some old cases on her computer, vaguely registering their arrival until the chatter suddenly ceased. She glanced up to find two pairs of perplexed eyes staring at her while Elliot stood to the side unable to contain his smile.
"Liv, you're back?" Fin asked, walking towards her and pulling her into a hug.
"I am." She nodded.
Munch patted her on the shoulder as he walked past, muttering "Thank God." under his breath.
Elliot slowly approached Olivia's desk, their eyes locked. "Welcome back, Benson." He whispered, skimming his hand down her back in greeting. Olivia smiled up at him.
"Munch! Fin! My office, now!" Cragen bellowed. The two detectives complied quickly and soon it was just Elliot and Olivia in the bullpen.
"Cragen said he's reassigning Munch and Fin to a couple new cases. I'm working this one with you." Olivia stated, matter-of-factly. Elliot nodded and passed her his notes. The pair sat comfortably reacquainting themselves with their old routine until lunchtime.
Elliot's phone rang around noon while he and Olivia were sitting at a diner across the street from the station.
"Stabler."
"Elliot, it's Liz Donnelly. Is Olivia with you?"
"Yes." Elliot replied, covering the mouth piece and mouthing "Donnelly" to Olivia from across the table.
"Damn. I was hoping to get you alone. Greg's trial has been set for next week. Olivia will be called as a witness for the prosecution, as will you. I am going to try my damndest to keep your kids as far away from this as possible but I may need to call Lizzie and Dickie. I promise, Elliot, I will try to build my case without them."
Elliot sighed and rubbed his face with his free hand. "You're prosecuting this one yourself?"
"Elliot, under no circumstances do I intend to let this bastard slip through our fingers. It will be a cold day in hell when I trust this case to anyone but me."
"Thanks, Liz. I really appreciate that." Elliot didn't know what else to say. He had been dreading this phone call for weeks.
"What day next week?" He inquired after a few beats.
"Opening arguments are 9 a.m. on Monday. Can you pass the word onto Olivia for me?
"Sure thing, Liz."
"And Elliot?"
"Yes?"
"Don't be late."
Elliot grinned at Judge Donnelly's fire. They were in good hands.
"Elliot, what did she want?" Olivia asked, setting her fork down to rest in her barely-eaten salad.
"Greg's trial starts Monday at nine. You and I will both be called to the stand as witnesses. Hopefully, Lizzie and Dickie will not need to testify."
Olivia sighed. She wasn't ready for this. She didn't perfect bubble that she and Elliot had managed to create over the weekend, not when she had just gotten him back. Her demons scared her.
"Liv, it'll be okay." Elliot soothed, seeing the panic brush across her face.
She had promised Elliot she would stop blaming her self so Olivia steeled her emotions and did her best to smile at him.
"Who's the prosecutor? Tell me we didn't get saddled with Greylick."
Elliot smirked. "Donnelly." He flashed a knowing smile as Olivia physically relaxed. Donnelly was a bitch to go up against and she did not envy whatever public defender Greg managed to retain.
Light brushed over the sheets of Elliot's bed, filtering in through the deep purple curtains in his bedroom. Olivia was wrapped around him, fast asleep for what seemed like the first time in a week. Nightmares and anxiety had plagued her since the trial date was set but she had done her best to carry on and not let it affect her day to day life and work. She had stayed over every night at Elliot's apartment, which thrilled him to no end. Eli was most certainly a distraction for her and the joy that reflected in her eyes when she was with him was infectious. Elliot deeply ached to one day be able to give Olivia a child of her own.
Baby steps. He reminded himself the dim light of his bedroom. Stroking Olivia's bare back, he gently began to stir her awake. Opening arguments were set for two hours from now and she would freak if he let her sleep any longer.
He kissed the top of her head, nuzzling his nose into her hair and inhaling deeply. She squirmed under his affection. Slowly pulling her eyes open, Olivia smiled a sleep-worn smile at Elliot.
"Good morning." She whispered, cuddling further into his side.
"It is now." Elliot replied, smirking as she rolled her eyes at his response.
He continued pulling his fingers over the bare skin of her back and arms. "It's seven. We should get up so we're not late."
"Nope." Olivia answered, shaking her head into his naked chest and planted a kiss over his heart.
"Yep." He replied, rolling her over onto her back and hovering over her.
"Nope." Olivia whispered, dragging her fingernails gently up his biceps and scraping the sensitive skin on his shoulders.
Elliot bent down and captured Olivia's lips in a searing kiss. He skimmed his fingers down her side and brought his hands down to the seams of her tank top. Elliot dragged the thin material slow up her body, kissing the newly exposed skin as he went. Tugging the tank top over her head, Olivia tossed it haphazardly to the floor. She gasped as Elliot's mouth met her pebbled nipple and groaned as he pulled and sucked on the sensitive bud. Her hands found Elliot's waist band and she swiftly pulled his sweatpants down his body, using her feet to kick them all the way off. Elliot pressed his waiting erection into Olivia's stomach and kissed her fiercely with renewed fire. Olivia was overcome immediately by his intensity. He divested her of her shorts and panties and the two soon fell into a tangled, breathy, rhythm.
Olivia pressed Elliot as close to her as she could, desperately clawing at his back, needing to feel his weight on her. She just wanted the initial shock of today to be over. She knew seeing Greg again would bring back emotions and feelings that she had vehemently tried to suppress and right now, in this moment, all she wanted to do was lose herself in Elliot.
Sweat beaded on Elliot's forehead as he sought out Olivia's lips once again. She was close; the pulling and clenching of her inner walls was driving him insane. He captured her bottom lip gently between his teeth, pulling a moan from deep within her throat. Olivia's hips met his thrust for thrust and soon she found herself spiraling over the edge, taking him with her in a powerful climax that left them both breathless. Elliot collapsed onto Olivia, making a half-hearted attempt at not crushing her. They held each other in the silence of the morning. Olivia focused her thoughts on matching her breathing with Elliot's, trying to bring her body down from her orgasm as Elliot continued to tremble over her. After a few moments, Elliot pulled slowly out of Olivia and rolled to his side. He gathered her to him and held her tightly.
"I love you, Olivia." He whispered into the nape of her neck.
Olivia rolled over to face him so the two were almost nose to nose. "I love you too, Stabler." She breathed, dipping her head and resting her forehead against his chin. He kissed her head and then pulled her out of bed.
"C'mon, Benson. You need a shower." Elliot said with a smirk.
As Olivia watched the bathroom fill up with steam, her thoughts drifted back to the trial and to Greg. Fearless, that's the kind of strength she would need to muster up from inside herself today. She blinked back emotion as she thought of how lucky she was that Elliot was by her side. He would need to be her strength today and she would need to be his.