When Elliot and Olivia come back into the precinct two detectives from the homicide squad have also just arrived. Olivia immediately recognizes one of them, detective Richard Mattis. Mattis has been at the homicide squad for years and works almost every case with the SVU squad whenever they have to work together. The man standing next to him Olivia does not know.
Elliot and Olivia walk over to them and shake hands with detective Mattis. The other man introduces himself as detective Michael Carrillo. Olivia shakes his hand while introducing herself too. She can't help but look in Michael's eyes for a few seconds. They are the most beautiful shade of green she has ever seen. She feels some kind of flutter in her stomach she hasn't felt in a long time. Luckily she catches herself staring before it becomes awkward and she introduces Elliot to Micheal. Elliot in turn shakes Michaels hand too.
While Elliot and Olivia lead the men towards the SVU squad room Elliot can't help but think about what just happened. Was Olivia blushing when meeting Michael or did he just imagine that. And if so, why is it making him feel jealous? Elliot can't help it, he has a sinking feeling in his stomach. Something is about to happen.
They spend the afternoon going through all the leads they have from the previous murders and compare them to the facts they have from the case they got today. They definitely seem to match but they can't be sure until they have Melinda's report. But that'll come the next day so at five they decide to call it a day.
Olivia just has her jacked on when Michael walks towards her. "Olivia can I ask you something?" He asks her.
"Yeah sure what's up?" Olivia asks.
"Do you perhaps know a place around here that has good take-out food? I just moved here last week and I have tried some places but up until now I've only had gross take out." He laughs.
"Of course!" Olivia says. "What do you feel like getting?" She asks him.
"Eehm I think anything that doesn't taste like grease will be welcome." Michael says.
"You fancy some Chinese take-out? I was actually going to get some myself." Olivia tells him.
Michael smiles at her. "Yes sure. Lead the way."
When they walk out of the squad room together Olivia turns around quickly and makes a phone gesture to Elliot and mouths to him that she'll call him tonight.
Elliot doesn't even have time to react before she's out of sight. He is still staring at the door they just disappeared through when he feels a hand on his shoulder. It's Fin.
"Don't know what you're thinking Stabler. But I think our baby girl likes him." Fin smiles.
Elliot swallows the lump in his throat before replying to Fin that it's none of their business. He grabs his coat and leaves the precinct to go home. Fin and Munch share a knowing look with each other.
While they were working on the case this afternoon Olivia and Michael already got to know each other a bit. They both live within a few blocks from the precinct. Michael had told her he moved to New York from Arizona after losing both his parents within a year. He felt stuck in a cycle and decided to chase his dream to live in the big Apple. So here he is. He now lives in an apartment building just three blocks from the precinct. Olivia can't help but feel sad for him. He has moved to New York not knowing anyone or anything here. But at least after tonight he would know one spot to get good food.
The Chinese place Olivia always gets her take-out is only about a five minute walk from the precinct. When they walk in it's fairly busy. Olivia orders her usual and then sits down to wait. Michael orders as well and then sits down next to her.
"So tell me a bit about you Olivia. I mean I've told you a part of my story, it's only fair you tell me about yours." Michael tells Olivia with a smile.
Normally Olivia isn't quick to trust others but she can't help but feel like she can trust Michael with anything even though she's only known him for a few hours.
"Okay, that's fair enough. Let's see. I grew up here in New York. It was just me and my mother. She uuhm wasn't the best mother but I believe it wasn't her fault. But seeing the trouble she'd been through it motivated me to become a detective and try to do something about it. Now I live alone in my cozy apartment, thinking of getting a cat though." Olivia laughs. "And yeah… in my rare free time I like to go for a run or just watch movies on the couch."
"Thank you for sharing." Michael says. "I'm sorry about your mother. She must be so proud of you."
"Thanks, she passed two years ago. But I'd like to think she's proud indeed." Olivia says with a small smile as she remembers a time her mother actually once told her she was proud of who Olivia became.
They continued in their conversation until their food was done. They each got their own order and walked out of the store.
"Well Olivia. Thank you for the dinner suggestion. I'll let you know my review tomorrow at work." Michael tells her with a smile.
"Sure, no problem." Olivia answers. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."
They say goodbye and then they each go their own way.
When Elliot walks into his house all the kids are already home. Lizzie immediately comes to greet him and give him a hug. Dickie is laying on the couch watching a movie. Kathleen is upstairs in her room and Maureen and Eli are in the kitchen together. Eli being a great help to Maureen as she's making dinner.
After hugging Lizzie and greeting Dickie Elliot walks to the kitchen. When he enters Eli immediately runs to him. "Daddy! You're home!" Elliot lifts him onto his hip. "Hey buddy, how was school today?" While Eli rants about some game he played at school Elliot greets Maureen. He gives her a pat on the shoulder. "Hey Mo, thanks for making dinner tonight."
"No problem dad." Maureen says as she gives her dad a kiss on the cheek. Over time she had learned not to ask her dad about his day at work. She knows he doesn't like to talk about that stuff at home.
When dinner is ready they all sit down in front of the TV to eat dinner there. Elliot just can't focus on the movie that's on. He's thinking about Olivia and Michael and about what he sees is happening right in front of his eyes. And the thought he had for a long time but never admitted to himself comes creeping up and now he knows for sure. He's in love with Olivia.