Disclaimer: Law & Order SVU/OC and its characters don't belong to me. This story has been written for fun only, not for money. Also, English is not my native language, so I had some help with vocabulary, but all ideas and dialogues are mine.

Spoilers: OC S4x05 / SVU 25x05

Summary: They finally talk in person, not through voicemails.

AN: A small scene that popped into my head after the eps from this week!

Please enjoy and review!

Me-Time

By musical-Aven

Sipping her wine at the bar, Olivia couldn't quite believe she was really here. She was sitting next to Elliot Stabler, sharing a drink on a Friday night. It had been nearly a year since they had last seen each other face-to-face, exchanging words only through voicemails and text messages.

Her thoughts wandered back to the chain of events that led them to this moment, tonight.

[flashback]

She had just stepped out of the hospital after visiting Maddie when she heard the news. Rita Lasku had been found dead at the hands of a serial killer. And there was chatter that the discovery of Rita's body had been done by a certain Detective on suspension. Benson knew, without a doubt, whom they were referring to. Elliot had not called her back since her last voicemail, she suspected he had a lot of things on his mind. Concerned, she pressed the call button on her Bluetooth, each ring resonating in the confines of her car as she waited anxiously. She half-expected to be met with his voicemail, again, but to her surprise, Elliot picked up on the third ring.

"Stabler."

"Hey, it's me."

"Hey…" he sighed, sounding both grateful to hear from her but exhausted.

"I heard about Rita, I'm so sorry, El." She offered.

"Thanks…it's…it was bad, but we might catch a serial because of it so…"

His voice trailed off, the attempt to find a positive outcome in the situation faltering when facing with his loss.

They fell into a silence, an unspoken understanding passing between them. With everything that had happened – his sergeant's shooting, the tragic accident with a young perp, his suspension and the relentless scrutiny of IAB – Olivia couldn't help but feel the weight it had on Elliot. A familiar fear crept on her, even if she knew it was somewhat irrational, about him running away from it all again. She needed him to stay, to not disappear from her life for ten years.

"You want to get drinks later tonight..?" The words tumbled from her lips before she could stop them.

Elliot's silence showed his surprise at her invitation. Olivia held her breath, her hands gripping the steering wheel waiting for his answer. She needed to see him. She needed to make sure he wouldn't leave.

When he finally spoke, his words were soft, like answering a prayer.

"Yeah." He paused. "Yeah, Liv, I'd like that a lot."

[end of flashback]

And so here they were, side by side at the bar, sipping a drink like old times, almost. The last month had been nothing short of a nightmare, but here, in this moment, they came together trying to find comfort in each other's company. They talked about the past month. Olivia shared her struggle with Maddie's case, the relentless pull of the darkness of it. Elliot spoke of his own battles, the weight of Bell's injuries and the IAB upcoming interviews as well as his family drama. She mentioned being sorry about Rita, and he responded telling her he was grateful Maddie was reunited with her family.

It felt good to just talk, to be heard and understood without judgment. Both of them felt they could be open and share the loads on their minds.

After a while, they lapsed into a comfortable silence. At some point, Olivia snorted.

"Well, we're certainly great company on this Friday night, huh?" She said, sarcastically.

Elliot snorted in response, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. He took a sip of his beer, seemingly lost in thought. She noticed him looking at the compass hanging around her neck for the third time this evening. He hadn't commented on it yet, but she knew he was grateful to see her wear it. After a moment, he spoke softly.

"For what it's worth, Liv, I wouldn't spend my Friday night with anyone else."

Benson felt her heart skip at his admission. She met his gaze, a soft smile tugging at their lips. Elliot's eyes were sparkling, conveying so much, it took her breath away.

"Don't tell that to your kids." She said lightly, taking a sip of her wine.

Elliot shook his head at her deflection, a small, amused smile playing on his lips. Instead of pointing it out though, he chose to delve deeper into their conversation.

"What *do* you usually do on Friday nights?" He asked, his voice curious but gentle.

From any other man, Olivia might have assumed that question would have led to an invitation to a date, but this was Elliot. She knew he was genuinely interested in learning more about her life. She was glad he was trying.

"When I'm not working, you mean?" She countered playfully, meeting his gaze.

Elliot chuckled deeply and it made her skin tingle.

"With Noah's dance class, it's usually some me-time," she explained. "A book, a glass of wine, and some comfy clothes."

Elliot nodded gently, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. Olivia couldn't help but smile at the image that formed in her mind, the two of them curled up on her couch. It seemed that Normal wasn't as scary for her as it used to be.

"What about you?" She asked, turning the question back to him.

Elliot pondered for a moment, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"When I'm not working?" he repeated, a playful sparkle in his eyes. But then he frowned, thinking about his answer. "My kids are all grown up so…I'm usually working." He admitted with a self-deprecating laugh.

Olivia chuckled softly, a hint of sympathy in her voice.

"You need a hobby, Stabler." She teased gently.

Elliot laughed again and looked down at his drink. Olivia took the opportunity to study his face. The lines and wrinkles that marked the passage of time, the beard that was a new addition to his appearance. He was still the same Elliot, solid, caring, protective, but there was something different about him, something that made her heart beat a little faster. Maybe it was the permission she gave herself to enjoy him like this that made the difference too. Back in the days, he was someone else's husband, she couldn't let herself appreciate him this way. But tonight, if she was honest to herself, she was *attracted* to him, physically and mentally, and it felt good to enjoy the feeling fully.

She must have stared too long, because Elliot raised his eyes to hers, a question in his gaze. Olivia felt her cheeks flush, but forced herself to maintain eye contact. Elliot seemed surprised for a moment, but then his expression softened as he read her and understood where her mind was at, and he simply appreciated the moment between them.

Eventually, Benson needed to pick up her son from dance class, so they walked out of the bar together. The air between them was comfortable. As they arrived at Olivia's parked car, Elliot glanced at her, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

"Tonight was great, Liv. Thank you for suggesting it."

His hands were tucked into his pockets, he looked relaxed. Olivia felt similarly and smiled back, a warmth spreading through her while under his gaze.

"Thank you for accepting." She replied, slipping on her gloves, not at all in a hurry to leave.

The night had felt so easy and good, talking with her partner. They seemed to be dealing with their individual issues while still being able to come together and share them with each other. Olivia felt calmer after spending the evening with Elliot, as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

A notification from her phone made a sound, and they both suspected it was Noah texting her since she should have been at the dance studio five minutes ago.

"Say hi to Noah from me." Elliot said, his voice quiet, as if not wanting to disrupt the softness of the moment.

"I will." She responded, both grateful for the evening and sad to end it.

After a long last look at him, Olivia finally moved to walk around her car to the driver's seat. But before she lost Elliot from her view, she stopped. She seemed to hesitate before speaking, her hand going to her hair as a nervous gesture.

"Do you…would you want to do this again, next Friday?" She asked, her voice barely audible over the cars and the street noises.

Similarly to this afternoon, she held her breath, waiting for his answer. Elliot couldn't contain how happy he was at her invitation. His smile could have lit up the whole city, Olivia thought.

"I really do." He answered, loud enough for his words to travel across the hood of her car.

Olivia released her breath and nodded. Elliot wanted to make sure that she wasn't inviting him out of fear of him leaving though.

"You won't miss your me-time?" He asked, not wanting to be a burden.

Olivia was grateful he thought about her needs, but in truth, her me-time was all about gathering her energy back, taking care of herself, feeling like herself again and not necessarily like Captain Benson.

Smiling, she answered his concerns.

"This is my me-time too, El."

Spending time like this, allowing herself to just be with him, it did make her feel reenergized, protected, cared for, and certainly not like Captain Benson. She was simply Olivia with him, and it was better than any solo-time she could have.

Elliot nodded in understanding and followed her with his eyes as she opened her door, stepped into the car, and drove off. Yep, next Friday couldn't arrive soon enough.

The end! Hope you enjoyed it ?Please review!

Musical-Aven

February 2024