A/N: This fic (which was supposed to be a one-shot, but then took on a life of its own) can be read either as a stand alone, or as a sequel/companion piece to my fic "I'll Be Home For Christmas". It takes place following the events of IBHFC, but you don't need to have read it to understand what is going on.


Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.


One week had passed since Elliot had arrived back in New York City after working the case that had taken him away from home for so long. What was supposed to have wrapped up quickly and without hassle had turned into nearly eight months worth of headaches and complications. But, that part of his life was finally over, and he was finally back where he belonged. Even better, in addition to getting to see his family again, he had been able to reunite with Olivia. Though he should have been concentrating on paperwork, Elliot couldn't help but let his mind wander as he remembered the night he had spent at Olivia's apartment when he'd first gotten back home. Not only had she invited him to stay, but she'd admitted to being ready for something more to develop between the two of them.

Since then, they hadn't been able to do much other than share a simple text or catch up with a quick phone call late at night before they each dropped off to sleep. Their mutual work loads were piling on as Christmas drew even closer. Elliot knew he wanted to commemorate the occasion, to at least take Olivia out for lunch to make her feel special, but so far that hadn't seemed possible. At the rate they were going, they'd be lucky to see one another before the New Year.

As though she had read his mind, Elliot's phone buzzed with an incoming text from Olivia. He hurried to open and read it, then reminded himself he would need to focus on work so Ayanna wouldn't catch him daydreaming.

Are you able to meet up later tonight for drinks? I have an idea I want to run by you.

Quickly typing back an affirmative response, Elliot resisted the urge to try and escalate the request by inviting her to dinner. The last thing he wanted was for Olivia to feel pressured. If drinks went well, he could always suggest they catch a quick bite after, provided she didn't need to get home to Noah.

With plans set for after work, Elliot renewed his energy on the papers in front of him. Glancing across the room, he saw Jet watching him with a curious look, and realized the expression on his own face after his brief communication with Olivia was probably a sappy grin. Not letting it deter him, or even caring one bit if he was the subject of office gossip, Elliot merely said a prayer that nothing would happen to derail his plans for later that evening.

Fortunately, the remainder of his day passed quickly with no interruptions. Elliot could only hope that Olivia's day had gone similarly. Just as he was leaving OCCB headquarters and was walking to his vehicle, his phone chimed with another incoming text, this time informing him of where and when Olivia would be meeting him. Climbing behind the wheel, Elliot headed in that direction, pleased that the place his partner had chosen was not only a bar, but a restaurant as well. Perhaps she was holding on to the same hopes that he was.

Arriving at the location Olivia had sent him, Elliot was miraculously able to find available parking close to the entrance. Knowing that this particular place was only a few short blocks from Olivia's apartment building, he began to wonder if perhaps she might head home first before meeting him here. Luckily, given that it was a weeknight, neither the bar nor the dining area were that crowded. Rather than jumping to conclusions, Elliot opted to wait for his partner in the lobby, so she could make the decision of where they should sit.

Ten minutes later, a harried but no less beautiful Olivia came through the door. Her eyes searched the surroundings, and honed in on Elliot almost immediately, a smile taking over her features. As she headed in his direction, he took a few steps to meet her halfway. They met in an embrace, and allowing himself to acknowledge the growing affection between them, Elliot brushed his lips across Olivia's cheek.

"Hey, Liv. I'm so glad you asked me to meet you. I was actually thinking of doing the same, but if your schedule has been anything like mine was this week, I didn't know if you've been able to keep your head above water."

"Barely. I know I said I just wanted to meet for drinks, but would you mind if we also included dinner? I haven't had a chance to eat all day, and I'm starving. I don't want to have anything with alcohol on an empty stomach."

"Of course not. Let's go get a table so you can get off your feet. Then we'll get you fed."

Offering his arm, Elliot was delighted when Olivia accepted it, and fell into step beside him. Together they walked to the host stand, and were promptly seated. After glancing at the menu, they requested a bottle of wine to share. For himself, Elliot chose a steak dinner with a baked potato. Olivia, on the other hand, selected chicken piccata and roasted asparagus. Not long after they had ordered, salads and bread were delivered to their table, and then their server left them to eat in peace. Alone with Olivia at last, Elliot decided to try and see what was really going on.


Not wanting to dive head first into a serious topic, Elliot instead chose to begin by making small talk. He didn't even ask any questions of the woman sitting across from him, opting instead to speak about the events of his day. His efforts earned him an amused smile from his companion, in particular when he mentioned the fact that Jet appeared to be catching on to his more cheerful mood. There was no doubt that Olivia held a certain fondness for the younger detective, much like Elliot himself did. The protectiveness he felt for Jet mirrored that which he felt for his own daughters. Likewise, even though he knew she would never admit it, Elliot suspected that Jet looked to him as something more than just a mentor.

As Olivia sipped on her water and nibbled on a piece of bread while starting to pick at her salad, Elliot could practically see the tension rolling off her shoulders as the stress of the day left her body. Once again, he was immensely glad that she had decided to call him to ask to meet, instead of heading home to deal with whatever was bothering her on her own. After sharing his adventures of the day, the pair sat in a companionable silence. When Olivia was halfway through with her salad, she picked up her wine glass to take a healthy drink and finally began to speak.

"Thanks for meeting me, El. I'm sorry I haven't exactly been the best company, but I really needed this."

"You have nothing to apologize for. Whether it's relaxing over takeout, or sitting here like this in a restaurant, I'll always be glad to share a meal with you."

Taking another swallow of wine – almost as though she were trying to fortify her courage – Olivia set the glass back down and raised her eyes to meet Elliot's unwavering gaze.

"One of the reasons I asked you to join me tonight is that I've been thinking. I know when you stayed with me that night after the holiday party at your apartment, I said that I was ready for something more between us -"

Elliot felt his heart begin to squeeze and crack in his chest. Was Olivia changing her mind about wanting to be with him? Not that he could fault her if she were, he'd certainly messed up on more than one occasion. But, judging by the look on her face, there wasn't any trace of doubt or anger there. Even her body language was open, her hand reaching toward his across the table, their fingertips brushing against one another. No, she still wanted what she had said she did, but there was something else that was making her hesitant. He kept quiet as Olivia exhaled shakily, then continued.

"I meant what I said, I do want that. But you may also remember me saying that there were things we needed to talk about before we take any steps forward."

"I remember."

Olivia made contact then, gripping onto Elliot's hand.

"I know it's late notice, and we will have a lot of ground to cover, but I've decided that I want to start the New Year fresh with you. A new beginning for both of us, but built on all the old foundations that I could always count on. But it's going to take more than one night of talking to get through what I have to say – and for you, too, I imagine. There are things I want to learn about you as well."

"What are you trying to say, Liv?"

Olivia was unable to answer immediately, as their entrees had just arrived at the table. As though sensing whatever conversation the two patrons were involved in was an important one, their server merely refilled their water glasses, made certain they didn't need anything else, then left them alone once more.

"Noah is going to be spending some time with Connor and the McCann's during his holiday break before going back to school. We'll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together, obviously, but on the 26th he'll be headed up to Woodstock, and coming back on New Years Day."

Elliot nodded, trying to make sense of what Olivia was telling him, but still feeling a bit lost at sea.

"What I was wondering is, I have some time off, and I figured you might as well, seeing as you just got back from that long case where you spent so many months away. I thought maybe you and I could spend the week together?"

Now it was starting to make sense. Olivia wanted to spend time with him – quite a lot of time, as a matter of fact. But just when Elliot was about to open his mouth to reply in the affirmative, Olivia held up her hand, indicating that she wasn't quite finished.

"There is just one thing, and I hope it won't be a problem."

Elliot listened as Olivia explained, and his once healthy appetite began to ebb away. While he didn't understand the full context of what she was trying to tell him, he did manage to comprehend that whatever she would have to share would be heavy and emotional. So much so, that she didn't want to have such complicated discussions at either of their respective apartments. Something about not wanting to taint their homes with the ghosts of the past. Suddenly struck by a wave of inspiration, Elliot made a suggestion.

"What do you say we get a hotel somewhere in the city? Make it a staycation? If you're not comfortable sharing a room with me, we can get a small suite with a separate bedroom and I can sleep on the pull out couch."

"That sounds lovely, El. I'd be perfectly fine with sharing. If I'm being honest, I'm probably going to be grateful to have you close. So, do you think you'll be able to get the time off?"

"It shouldn't be an issue. What about you with McGrath?"

Olivia downed the last of her wine, and gave Elliot an expression that made him realize yet again just how formidable of a woman – and a Captain – she actually was. Chief or not, McGrath didn't stand a chance.


After they had finished dinner, and Elliot learned that Olivia had walked to the restaurant from her apartment, he made the offer to drive her home. He was relieved when she accepted, not just for the obvious reason of ensuring she would get back safely, but also because it meant he got to spend more time with her, even if it were just a few precious minutes.

As Elliot navigated his way through the city streets toward Olivia's building, the pair continued to talk about their plans for the week following the Christmas holiday. Now that he knew she was comfortable with sharing a space with him, Elliot made the offer to secure a reservation. Suddenly struck by a wave of inspiration, he also decided to go one step above and beyond.

"Would it be all right with you if I drove Noah to the McCann's? I know you'll probably have some things to finalize at work on the 26th before you hand things over to Fin. Plus, it would be great for me to spend more time with him."

"Are you sure you wouldn't mind? That's over a four hour drive round trip. I hate to ask you to do that."

"You aren't asking, I'm offering. I can pick Noah up, maybe take him for lunch somewhere, then we can hit the road. I'll make it back in plenty of time to meet you, then we'll have the rest of the week to ourselves."

Olivia considered it for a moment. It was no secret that it was difficult for her to accept help – a character trait of hers that she was still trying to work on after all this time. But this was Elliot, and it wasn't as though he hadn't met the McCann's, or even Noah, before. She knew her son would be in safe hands. Plus, it would give her time to fend off McGrath and tie up any loose ends so she could focus on everything she needed to talk to Elliot about.

"That would be great, El. Thank you."

Not long after that was settled, they arrived at Olivia's. As luck would have it, Elliot found a space outside her building. As much as he would have liked, he declined the urge to suggest that he walk her upstairs, not wanting to overstep his welcome. Likewise, since Olivia's apartment did not face the street, he couldn't ask her to blink her lights the way he used to in the early days of their partnership. However, it seemed as though she could still read his mind as clearly as she had always been able to.

"I'll text you when I get safely inside, okay? Only if you promise you won't sit out here all night."

"Deal."

Leaning across the console, Olivia kissed Elliot on the cheek, a gesture he hadn't been expecting, but nonetheless welcomed. With a final squeeze of his hand, she let herself out of his SUV and headed in to her building. Through the glass door, he saw her exchange a greeting with the security guard, then she disappeared out of sight. A few more minutes passed, and then his phone chimed with an incoming text.

Made it inside. Thanks for everything tonight, El. Talk to you soon.

Elliot typed back a brief reply of his own, wishing her a good night. Then he switched the gears into drive and headed off toward home. Later that night, as he got ready for bed, he couldn't keep the smile off his face. It wasn't that his day had started out bad, but it had ended better than he could have ever imagined. The unexpected text from Olivia, asking him to meet her, the impromptu dinner, and now they had plans to spend not just more time together, but an entire week with no interruptions. Not that long ago, something of this caliber would have been so far out of reach. He didn't know what was in store, or what she planned to share with him, but Elliot promised himself he'd do whatever it took not to fuck things up.

The next day at work, Elliot's first stop was Ayanna's office. He didn't know why he had been nervous, there had been no need. His Sergeant was practically shoving him out the door the instant that he'd mentioned that he'd wanted to take some time off. He could only hope that Olivia would be just as lucky in her endeavors to secure her leave, and that McGrath wouldn't give her any hassle.

Elliot's next stop was Jet's desk. While he had a few ideas of his own, he was hoping the young detective and computer whiz would be able to provide some solid advice on where he could quickly get reservations on such short notice. Elliot knew this would further perpetuate the fact that he was technologically deficient, and likely earn him more than a few eye rolls, but he didn't care. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect for Olivia. She deserved that, and so much more.

Talking to Jet had proven to be a great help. Despite making a few comments about not wanting – or needing – to know about Elliot's sex life, she nonetheless doubled down and went above and beyond to find the best place she could, and at quite a bargain, too. Though nothing was said, Elliot wouldn't doubt that Jet's admiration of Olivia went a long way in her wanting to help. By the time all was said and done, he had secured reservations for a suite in one of the city's finest hotels. Not only was it known for its five star room service, but their quarters also boasted a jacuzzi bathtub. There were no improper intentions on Elliot's part regarding that particular amenity, he was just hoping to provide Olivia with a chance to relax and unwind. Promising himself that he would buy Jet an extra present for Christmas, Elliot thanked her heartily and headed back to his own desk so he could message Olivia that their plans had been finalized.


Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day apart from Olivia had been more difficult that Elliot had initially thought it would be. Not that he hadn't enjoyed the time with his family, or that he hadn't understood Olivia wanting to devote all her attention to Noah. Plus, it wasn't as if he wouldn't be seeing her in less than twenty four hours, either. But after being away from his partner for so many years- an act that he was solely to blame for – now that the opportunity was back again, he didn't want to miss another moment.

But the holiday hadn't been a complete loss, instead it was anything but. Though he wasn't able to visit with them for as long as he would have liked, getting to see his grandsons had been a true highlight of the day. Elliot wasn't sure where Noah stood on the scale when it came to Christmas magic, but Kieran and Seamus were at the age when it was all encompassing. Getting to hold them close while they told him about having left out milk and cookies for Santa and waking up to a pile of presents under the tree reminded Elliot of memories he had shared with his own kids – a time that, to him, didn't seem like it was all that long ago. At some point, he had just blinked, and his children had grown up before his very eyes.

Now, though, the festivities were over. Maureen and Carl had bundled up their sleeping twins and taken them home to tuck into bed. Richard and Elizabeth had left for their own respective apartments. Mama had also retired for the night, the events of the day having taken their toll. Kathleen and Eli were the only ones still awake, playing video games in his son's room. His middle daughter would be staying at the apartment in his absence, just to give him piece of mind. As Elliot was finalizing and making sure his bags were packed and ready to go come morning, a text message caught his attention.

Hope you and the family had a nice Christmas, El. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. If it's not too much trouble, can you pick Noah up from my office?

Elliot couldn't help but smile as he looked at the photograph that followed. It was Olivia and Noah. His partner had a Santa hat perched atop her head, and both mother and son were beaming at the camera. Wanting to answer as quickly as possible, he hastily typed a reply.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, too. Meeting Noah at your office is no problem at all. See you around 11.

After receiving an affirmative response, and once they had exchanged good night wishes to one another, Elliot fixed his phone so it could charge while he slept. Crawling under the covers, he hoped that morning would come quickly, realizing that this upcoming week meant more to him that he was able to say.

The next thing Elliot was aware of, the alarm was going off. Surprisingly, sleep had been kind to him, neither anxiety nor second thoughts keeping him awake half the night. There was, perhaps a minor nagging feeling of self doubt in the pit of his gut right now, but Elliot was confident that a cup of coffee and a solid workout would make him feel better. As he dressed in clothes suitable for lifting weights, and padded to the kitchen, he found that Kathleen must have already started the coffee. A note on the table not only confirmed that fact, but also that his daughter had taken her grandmother and Eli out for breakfast. Trying not to feel selfish at the fact that he was relieved to have the apartment to himself for a bit, Elliot helped himself to some of the fresh, fragrant brew. Not wanting to exercise on an empty stomach, he also grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.

As it turned out, some time on the terrace with the weight bench was exactly what he'd needed. Had he had more leeway in his schedule this morning, Elliot would have preferred going to the gym, but since he was due to pick up Noah, he didn't want to do anything that would risk him being late. Plus, he wanted to stop by the hotel on his way to Olivia's office. It might incur an extra charge for early check-in, but he wanted to be able to give her the key card when he saw her, so as soon as she was done with her day, she could head straight to their room without having to worry about waiting on him. Plus, as far as Elliot was concerned, any extra expense to make sure Olivia Benson was treated the way she deserved was well worth it.

Done with his workout, and having worked up a solid amount of sweat, Elliot headed inside to take a shower. Based on the timeline he had built for himself in his mind, he had plenty of time to get ready, take care of things at the hotel, make a short stop on the way to the 16th precinct to buy Olivia a gourmet coffee and something to eat – because he was willing to wager his next paycheck that she hadn't stopped for either yet today – and pick up Noah. Wanting to earn a few extra points, Elliot decided he'd get something for Fin, too. Already he was anticipating the warning he was likely to get from the Sergeant before he would be permitted to leave the SVU headquarters.

Less than thirty minutes later, everything was in order. After checking to ensure he had all he needed, and writing a note to Kathleen so she'd know where she could reach him – something that he was sure would earn him a roll of the eyes – Elliot was on his way out the door. Fortunately, traffic was light at this time of day, at least as light as it could possibly get for New York City. He found the hotel in no time flat, and was more than impressed with what he saw. Having no trouble securing an early check in – aside from a nominal fee, much as he'd been expecting – Elliot's next stop was dropping his own bags off in their suite. Sparing a few minutes to make sure everything was satisfactory, he made his way back to his car and headed in the direction of Manhattan SVU.

It was as he was trying to juggle a cardboard carrier with two cups of coffee, a box containing a dozen donuts, and two bags with pastries that Elliot reached Olivia's department. It appeared every single detective had a phone glued to their ear, and even from where he was standing near the entrance, Elliot could hear McGrath bellowing at Olivia. Reminding himself to keep his temper in check and that shouting at a Chief would not bode well for either one of them, Elliot quickly sought out Fin. From what he could see, Elliot gathered that even the Sergeant was having difficulty from intervening on his Captain's behalf.

Walking over to one of the Detective's desks – Bruno, if Elliot remembered correctly – Elliot passed over the box of donuts with a nod, and then headed in Fin's direction. As soon as he reached the Sergeant, he handed his friend a cup of coffee, though he could immediately tell that the other man wished it were something stronger.

Before Elliot and Fin even had a chance to say a word to one another, a final shout could be heard from Olivia's office, and McGrath came storming out the door. Elliot quickly reasoned that if the man were a cartoon character, steam would quite literally be coming out of his ears. Torn between wanting to plot revenge against the Chief with Fin, and needing to check on Olivia, he glanced at his friend. One word was all he needed to hear.

"Go, man. I got things out here. Don't let her back out on you."


With a nod, Elliot passed Fin a bag containing something so he could eat as well, then crossed the few steps that would take him to Olivia's door. Not wanting to barge in – especially after the way McGrath had made his exit – he knocked once on the frame, waiting for her to look up from where her fingers were flying furiously across the keyboard of her laptop.

"Not now, Fin. I'm fine."

"Like hell you are. And I'm not Fin."

"Elliot."

Keeping a careful eye on his partner as her hand flew up to remove her glasses, Elliot watched as she got to her feet and crossed the room to meet him.

"Is it eleven already?"

"Just about. I may be a few minutes early, but I had some errands to run first, and I didn't know how long they would take. I wanted to be on time, so I gave myself plenty of breathing room."

Olivia nodded as though she were listening to what Elliot had said, but he could tell he didn't have her full attention. Not that he could blame her. Knowing that she wouldn't welcome any open gestures of affection right now with everything that had just happened, Elliot merely placed his free hand on Olivia's shoulder and squeezed gently in a show of silent support.

"Do you have a minute to talk, or would you prefer if Noah and I just got out of your hair?"

"I can spare a few minutes. That coffee smells amazing."

Elliot smiled, taking it out of the carrier and extending it her direction.

"I'm glad you think so. It's yours. Brought you a chocolate croissant as well."

"You're a lifesaver."

Considering the death glare Olivia was giving her desk, Elliot wisely led her in the direction of the small sofa on the other side of her office, a setting that provided a more comfortable atmosphere for conducting interviews. Taking a seat beside her, but not wanting to push his partner into conversation, Elliot decided to gently prompt her instead.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not right now, thanks. I may take you up on that, later, though."

"It's an open invitation, Liv. Anytime. Just say the word."

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes before Elliot decided to inquire about Noah's whereabouts. He knew Olivia would never put her son anywhere near where he could potentially come across any of the sensitive details that SVU dealt with on a daily basis, but given how loud McGrath had been yelling, the younger Benson had to have been either oblivious or deeply engrossed in something to not have heard the commotion.

"Where is Noah?"

"In my private sleeping quarters, which you may or may not know that I've converted into a meditation room. My bunk is still in there, but I've also added a comfortable chair to relax in and a couple of scented candles. Sometimes it's the only break I can get during one of those cases that just seems to go on forever."

"I'm glad you're taking care of yourself, Liv."

Olivia took a sip of her coffee, and Elliot watched as she unwrapped her croissant and broke a piece off, popping it in her mouth. As she chewed, a thoughtful look crossed her features.

"I don't know how he didn't hear what happened with McGrath. I keep telling him not to turn the volume on his headphones up so high, but I suppose today I should consider myself lucky. That's one thing I really don't want to have to explain to my son."

With a sigh, Olivia finished her breakfast – the only thing she'd had to eat so far today, though she suspected Elliot had already guessed that- and dropped the wrapper into the trash can by her side. Draining the last of her coffee, she disposed of the empty cup the same way. The break her partner had provided her with had been a welcome one, but she needed to get back to work. Especially if she wanted to finish up in time to get out of the office at a decent hour.

"Thanks for everything, El. I don't want to be rude, but-"

"I know, duty calls. Noah and I should be heading out anyway. Don't worry though, we'll have time to ourselves before you even know it."

Feeling more relaxed than she had when Elliot had first arrived, Olivia hugged him, allowing herself to be embraced in return. Then, even though she was reluctant to move from the circle of her partner's arms, she crossed her office to open the door to her private quarters.

"Noah? Noah, Elliot's here. Get your things."

"Okay, Mom. Be right out."

A few minutes later, Noah appeared, his curly hair even more disheveled than usual from the position he must have been reclining in to watch videos on his tablet. Even though he was rapidly approaching his teenage years, he had not yet reached the age where he was ashamed to hug or be hugged by his mother, at least not in a place where there was a limited audience.

"Bye, Mom. I'll call you once a day, just like I promised."

With a backpack slung over his shoulder, and another duffel clutched in his hand, Noah turned to face Elliot.

"Elliot, could we please stop at Shake Shack for lunch before we head up to Connor's place?"

Elliot glanced at Olivia and the two shared a smile. Turning his attention back to pre teen standing before him, Elliot asked what was most on his mind.

"Shake Shack, huh? In the mood for a burger today?"

"That and I thought maybe we could get shakes for the road. Milkshakes are the best for road trips."

"You're right, Noah. They absolutely are. We can definitely do that."

Turning his attention back to Olivia, who was now fussing with something by her desk, Elliot knew exactly what she was up to – she was looking for her purse to give him money.

"Don't even think about it, Liv. I've got it. But before we leave, I wanted to give you this."

Pressing an envelope into Olivia's palm, Elliot said nothing more, just gave a meaningful look. It said everything he needed to. Searching Olivia's face, he saw the instant recognition dawned, followed by a nod.

"Have a safe trip, you two. Be sure to drink a milkshake for me."


Elliot was in a wistful mood as he headed back to Manhattan after having dropped Noah off at the McCann's. He had thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Olivia's son, though some of the moments had been bittersweet. It reminded him of just how much of her experience as a mother he had missed, and he longed to go back and fix things. Noah was such a great kid, there was so much he would have liked to have seen – Noah's first night home, his first steps, his first words. Even the more difficult milestones like the first time Olivia had worried about a temperature or earache, he should have been there for.

While he couldn't change the past, Elliot could make a promise to amend the future. If Olivia allowed it, he would try his best to be a part of hers – and Noah's- life going forward. Whether that meant shared meals, spending time together, or attending Noah's dance recitals, Elliot knew he was all in.

Fortunately for him, the return trip was passing relatively quickly. When he was about an hour outside of the city, he got off at an exit to stop at one of the gas stations. He didn't necessarily need to refuel, he just needed a safe place to pull over to call Olivia. Uncertain as to what time she would have been able to actually escape her office, Elliot was curious if she wanted him to pick up food on his way, or if she would prefer to wait until his arrival, and they could order room service together.

"Benson"

Elliot could tell by the way Olivia had answered the phone that things weren't going well. She was using her no-nonsense voice, and there was a sharp edge to her tone.

"Hey, Liv. It's me."

"Oh, Elliot. Thank goodness. I just got in my car, I thought you were McGrath. He's called three times already since I've left the office, keeps thinking of 'one final thing' he needs to tell me. I swear if I hear from that man again, I'm throwing my phone out the window and running it over."

Despite the threat, Elliot knew she would never carry it out, if only because that same phone was also what would keep her in contact with Noah throughout the week. But he could certainly see how it was a tempting prospect.

"You're on your way to the hotel then?"

"I am. Should get there shortly. How far out are you?"

"About another hour, so you have plenty of time for a relaxing bath or shower, or whatever you need to do before I get there. What I was wondering is, did you want me to bring anything, or would you rather check out room service later?"

"Let's wait and check out room service. That bath idea you mentioned sounds heavenly, though. I just may take you up on that."

Extending Olivia caution to drive safely, a sentiment which she returned, the two exchanged their goodbyes, looking forward to seeing one another shortly. Pausing at the convenience store attached to the gas station long enough to use the facilities, Elliot was soon back on the road, counting down the minutes as he drove.

Back in Manhattan, Olivia was driving to the address she had been given. Familiar with the hotel in name only, she still managed to find it quite easily, and as she pulled into the underground parking, she was already impressed and doing mental calculations in her brain trying to figure out just how much Elliot had spent in order to secure a room at this particular establishment. Knowing he would never accept reimbursement, and knowing that it wasn't a matter of trying to one-up one another, Olivia instead allowed herself to feel grateful that she was being taken care of, something that various people over the years have encouraged her to accept.

Having no trouble at check in, and needing no assistance with the two meager bags she was carrying, Olivia easily found the room number on the key card that Elliot had passed to her prior to leaving her office earlier that day. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found when she stepped inside. Of course, Elliot had mentioned renting a suite at one point, back when he was making certain of her comfort levels in sharing a room with him, but she hadn't actually expected him to go ahead and do so. This deluxe room seemed to boast every amenity possible, including a separate living and sleeping area, not to mention a table and two chairs for dining. She hadn't even set foot in the bathroom yet.

Setting her bags on the plush sofa for the time being, Olivia toed off her shoes and padded into the bathroom. In one corner was a modest size jacuzzi tub that looked incredibly inviting. On the opposite wall, a steam shower similar to what she had seen in Elliot's own apartment. Looking back and forth between her two options as though trying to decide which she'd prefer as a method of unwinding, ultimately Olivia caved and decided to go with the former.

"Fuck it. This week is going to be tough enough as it is with some of the stuff we're going to talk about. I'm going to pamper myself while I can."

Heading back out to the main room only long enough to grab her toiletries and something comfortable to change into – though the ankle length fuzzy bathrobes had not escaped her notice – Olivia locked herself into the bathroom and turned on the taps. Having washed her hair that morning and in no need to do so again, she piled her chestnut tresses into a messy bun atop her head, and waited for the tub to fill.

In no time at all, Olivia was sinking down into the oversized basin, allowing the hot water to envelop her body all the way up over her shoulders. With a press of a button, the jets came to life, and Olivia allowed a sigh to escape from her lips.

"Elliot Stabler, you're a genius."

Not that she could ever tell him that to his face, no, she'd never survive if she did. But admitting out loud to a quiet room? That she could manage. But for now, all Olivia wanted to do was relax in the swirling water and think about the fact that for the next six days, all she needed to focus on was herself and Elliot.


Forty-five minutes later, a much more relaxed Olivia stepped out of the bathroom. To her surprise, she found Elliot just entering the suite, looking just as shocked as she. Barely managing to keep hold of the clothes she had previously discarded, Olivia mentally chided herself for her startle response, giving her brain the reminder that it was only Elliot, and she had been expecting him, after all.

"Sorry, Liv. I should have called to let you know I was on my way up."

"Nonsense. I wouldn't have heard it anyway. I left my phone out here, so I could get a few minutes of peace and quiet while in the bath."

Relieved to see that she had indeed followed his suggestion, and glancing over her features for himself to take in that she did look much more at ease now as opposed to when he had seen her earlier that morning, Elliot crossed the room. Upon his approach, Olivia dropped her clothes into her open bag and was ready and waiting for his embrace.

"Before we get settled and decide on something to order from room service, why don't I show you the rest of the place?"

"That sounds great."

Ignoring the protests from his partner, Elliot picked up Olivia's bags and began carrying them in the direction of the bedroom, knowing she would follow. Part of him was surprised she hadn't investigated the entirety of their quarters yet, but Elliot had understood Olivia's need for some privacy and downtime.

As Olivia stepped over the threshold into what was the sleeping portion of the suite, she hadn't been sure what to expect. It certainly wasn't a space boasting not just one, but two king size beds. The more she considered it, the more deeply touched she felt. She had already confessed to Elliot back when he had talked about making the reservation that she wouldn't have a problem sharing, and might actually need him close. But there was still a part of her that was hesitant about what the intimacy of sleeping in the same bed would mean – even though they had already done exactly that the night Elliot returned from Sacramento. At least this way, no matter what she decided, he would still be in the same room. Although Olivia didn't doubt that if she were to ask, Elliot would relegate himself to sleeping on the sofa without hesitation.

"You can pick whichever bed you prefer, Liv, but that isn't a decision we need to make now. I also brought some snacks and bottled water with me to keep in the room. I don't mind splurging on room service for meals, but what they charge for the other stuff is ridiculous"

"I completely agree."

They stood for a moment, just studying one another. The atmosphere in the room wasn't awkward, it seemed as though they were each trying to figure out what steps to take next. Ultimately, it was Elliot who spoke.

"If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, I think I'm going to grab a shower myself, change into something more suitable for lounging around in. Then we can look over that room service menu and decide what we want to eat. Unless, of course, you'd rather I take you out somewhere for dinner?"

Elliot watched as Olivia met his gaze, arching one eyebrow.

"Seriously, El? Do I look like I'm dressed to go anywhere?"

"Point taken."

As Olivia grabbed something from her bag and headed out in the direction of the living area of the suite, Elliot turned in the direction of where he'd placed his own luggage to grab something to wear. On his way to the bathroom, he spied his partner already curled up on one corner of the sofa, tablet in hand.

"Please tell me that you are using that for something fun, and not anything work related."

"No work, I promise. I'm actually looking for a new book to download, maybe on the chance that I might get some reading time this week."

"That's great, Liv. I'll try to be as fast as I can."

"Take as long as you need, I'm not going anywhere."

Though he didn't say the words out loud, in his mind, Elliot couldn't help but think 'thank God for that'. With a wave, he padded into the bathroom, and closed the door behind him.

Less than ten minutes later, he had emerged again, only to find Olivia engrossed with something on her tablet. Not wanting to disturb her, Elliot crossed to the bedroom long enough to put away the clothes he had previously been wearing, and then paused by the table to grab the room service menu before joining his partner on the sofa.

"Getting started on your reading already?"

"No, just looking through some photos Noah and I took at Christmas. I'll show you later."

Wordlessly asking permission to sit closer, Elliot scooted over so they could both see the menu at the same time. Though they exchanged a knowing smile, neither of them commented when they simultaneously reached for their reading glasses in order to see the fine print. Neither of them were in the mood for a full 'sit-down' meal experience this evening, so instead they opted for a variety of different appetizers to share, along with a bottle of wine. Though she hadn't said anything out loud, Olivia knew she'd prefer to indulge in alcohol tonight, before the conversation topics got too heavy, and its presence might become triggering for her as opposed to calming.

Once they had made their final selections, Elliot called down to place their order. Thankfully, it was still early enough in the evening that the kitchen wasn't yet swamped, so the food was expected to arrive shortly.

While they waited, Elliot entertained Olivia by telling her of his time spent with Noah that afternoon. From the sounds of things, her son had truly regaled Elliot with tales of his dance classes, and had also been a non-stop chatterbox the entire drive. According to Elliot, he and Noah had eaten burgers and fries at Shake Shack, then ordered shakes for the road. Originally, Elliot was only going to get one for Noah, but somehow had found himself convinced that it was a necessity for the road trip.

Just as Elliot was wrapping up his tale, there was a knock on the door. While he had noticed the way Olivia had jumped slightly at the noise, Elliot wisely chose not to comment. Heading over to answer, he admitted the server who was delivering their dinner, directing them to place the trolley containing their food by the table. Remembering to tip generously for the service, Elliot thanked the man sincerely a second time as he exited, then locked the door again.


The array of appetizers they had ordered made for quite an impressive feast. Thankfully, the kitchen had also sent up some extra plates, so they wouldn't have to juggle everything. As Elliot surveyed the contents of the trolley, he caught sight of Olivia out of the corner of his eye. Yet again, there was something about her body language that was giving him pause. Wanting to do everything in his power to make her comfortable, he decided to try something.

"What do you say we opt of a more informal setting this evening? Arrange everything on the coffee table, then maybe find a movie to watch while we eat?"

The relief on Olivia's face was palpable.

"That sounds great. This sofa is very comfortable, I wasn't exactly looking forward to moving. Unless, of course, you needed help."

"Stay right where you are, Liv. I'll take care of this."

True to his word, Elliot had everything set up within minutes. He also disappeared briefly, leaving Olivia wondering exactly what he was up to. It was when he returned holding a small device in his hand that she understood.

"I got sick of basic cable TV in hotels when I was out in Sacramento. So I went out and bought the cheapest streaming stick I could find, figuring I could keep it for travel – not that I'm planning on going anywhere anytime soon. But I thought it would come in handy this week."

"I like that idea, El."

The coffee table was now laden with the different appetizers they had chosen – a creamy spinach and artichoke dip served with toasted pita chips, stuffed mushrooms, a small vegetable tray, a cheese board, and a charcuterie arrangement. The wine Elliot had chosen would accompany all of the selections beautifully.

Elliot insisted that Olivia help herself first, while he set up the streaming device on the big screen television. By the time he returned to pour the wine and fix his own food, he could see that was comfortably settled on her corner of the sofa, legs tucked up to one side and plate balanced delicately on her legs. Passing his partner first a glass of wine and then a few napkins, Elliot eventually took his own seat, stretching his legs out underneath the coffee table.

It didn't take long for the pair to decide what they wanted to watch, Elliot deferring to Olivia's preference for comedy. In truth, he'd have watched anything she wanted, just to see a smile on her face.

Once they had eaten their fill – the amount of food ordered having been perfect to satisfy each of them – it was Elliot who insisted on cleaning up and returning the room service trolley to the hall. Olivia, for her part, was starting to feel the effects of the wine, but not in a way that was alarming. In Elliot's presence, she only felt safe, and the addition of the alcohol to her system made her feel as though she could drop her defenses even lower. Still, she didn't feel quite ready to delve into the minefield that awaited with all the heavy conversations that needed to be had. So, when Elliot returned to join her on the sofa, Olivia decided it was time to set a game plan for the week.

"Hey, El?"

"Yeah, Liv?"

Steeling her nerves with a steadying breath, Olivia reminded herself that she was only talking to Elliot. A man who she trusted, a man who she had asked to join her so they could eventually explore whatever was building between them, but on a fresh and clean slate. She wasn't backing out, she just wasn't ready to start tonight. She needed a few more hours of reprieve.

"You know I asked for this time with you so we could talk about things, and I still want to do that. Just, would you mind if we waited until tomorrow before getting into things? I think we might both benefit from some relaxation and a good night's sleep first."

"Of course not. If I didn't stress this enough before, this is all on your terms, Liv. Whatever you do or don't feel comfortable sharing is completely up to you."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

Elliot reached out a hand in Olivia's direction, which she wordlessly accepted. Squeezing gently, he gave her a nod, reaffirming his earlier words.

"Now, why don't we watch a few more movies before we head to bed – unless, of course you are tired and needed to sleep?"

"Not at all. I haven't had this much time to myself in ages. I'm going to enjoy it. Next movie is your pick, Stabler."

"Be careful what you wish for."

In the end, they had watched three movies together. At one point, Elliot had suggested to Olivia the idea of ordering dessert from room service, but she had simply shaken her head, insisting that she was still too stuffed from their shared dinner. As the night drew to a close, and fatigue was starting to settle in, the pair took turns in the bathroom brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed.

As they were standing together in the bedroom, each of them fussing with their respective bags, Elliot dared to broach what he feared might be a sensitive subject.

"Liv? What would you prefer for sleeping arrangements tonight? I'm not trying to pressure you, I'll even sleep in the living room if you're not comfortable sharing -"

Olivia crossed the room quickly to place the flat of her palm on his chest. It reminded Elliot of the time earlier that year when she'd used the same gesture to ground him when they had been standing in the hospital room and he'd been so shaken after she'd been shot. With just a simple touch from her, he felt himself calm instantly.

"El, relax. I can't say for certain how I'll feel tomorrow, but tonight I'd like to share. It's a king size, after all, same as I have at my apartment, and we've already spent the night together there already."

"Okay, but if you change your mind, just say the word, okay?"

"I promise."

It took the pair about ten minutes to settle in. Elliot had offered to leave the TV on if Olivia preferred the distraction, but she was perfectly content with the quiet in his presence. Also, to his surprise, she cuddled up against him, wrapping an arm around his waist and resting her head against his chest, much the way she had the night he had stayed at her place upon his return from Sacramento. Elliot didn't know what the rest of the week held in store, but tonight he was going to be grateful for the woman in his arms.