"You did not just tell me to wait in the car." Crap. Did he just say that? He meant while he opened the trunk and pulled their gear out.

Both Muncy and Olivia's faces both looked appalled.

He put his hands up in self defense. There was a real possibility she'd hurt him right now, ""no no I did not."

"That's what I thought," she muttered as she pushed past him.

They unzipped the bags containing their tactical gear. Elliot pushed her hair out of her vest and she tightened a loose strap on his. This was a well practiced dance between them. Natural as breathing.

His hand found it's way to her face without him consciously meaning to do so. He rubbed her cheek with his thumb, "Careful," he cautioned.

He dropped his hand, but her eyes held his, saying all the things she never could verbalize.

-000-

"What the hell happened!? You were right behind me!" He dropped beside her, proceeding to assess every inch of her.

"Relax. I'm fine." She tried swatting his hands away with no success. "When the perp pushed through that field boxes, I got hit by a stack. Smacked me into the industrial equipment on the floor."

"Damn," he moved her face around, checking for any marks. He found a pretty deep gash on her forehead. "You're gonna need a tetanus shot."

She tried swatting his hands away again, "Thank you Doctor Elliot."

"Liv. Relax. Let me take care of you for like two seconds, okay?" He knew she wouldn't fight as hard with anyone else, but this woman seemed determined to prove to herself, or others, that she didn't need him. Didn't help that Muncy just jogged up.

"She okay?" She asked Elliot, but Olivia answered.

"I'm fine. Go take some witness statements."

After Muncy ran off, Olivia leane into him as the adrenaline began to wane. Even after he was satisfied she didn't sustain any real damage, he kept her leaned against him. They sat on the ground, watching the chaos of arrests and perps being dragged out of the building.

"Good work Captain." He meant it. Working cases with SVU was one of his favorite things to do. He loved seeing Olivia fill the role she was born to have.

"Elliot?"

"Yeah?" His voice still flooded with concern.

"We are at a crime scene," she said simply.

"So?" He felt genuinely confused.

"Hand check," she said curtly.

He realized his hand was a little too close to her ass than would be appropriate for 'friends'. Who was he kidding, his hand was on her ass.

"Shit. Sorry," he withdrew his hand…maybe a little too slowly.

She rolled her eyes.

He couldn't help the grin plastered on his face. "Hey, that wasn't on purpose."

"Sure it wasn't." So. Much. Sarcasm.

His eyes danced with mirth, "Would you have liked it to be on purpose." She squirmed uncomfortably, and tried not to smile.

"Oh god, please shut up El." Yup. Definitely trying to avoid the sexual tension.

Might as well lean into it a little more. His lips were next to her ear. "You're turning pink Liv."

"You're an ass," she pushed him away, but she couldn't contain the smile anymore.

"I get that a lot." He grinned back. "Medics!" He called.

She gave him her best, damn you, glare. "I'm fine!"

He brushed his hand against her forehead and he swore he saw her breath catch. "This nice cut says otherwise." His lips were against her ear again. He noticed her obvious chills when he spoke. "Don't let the EMTs touch it." He slid the back of his hand down her cheek. "No scars for this gorgeous face." He watched unconsciously lean into his touch, but when the medic approached she was back to being Captain Benson.

The commanding voice took over when she spoke to the medic, "Just pack it for now. A doctor can take care of it at the hospital."

Elliot smirked to himself at her heeding his advice.

She continued, "I'm not going to be carted to the hospital in the ambulance." Her eyes scanned the chaos. "Where's Fin," she muttered under her breath.

"Taking witness statements.I think." He looked around too before saying, "I'll take you. They don't need me here. Your team has it under control." She eyed him skeptically so he added, "Straight there and straight back," then he dropped his voice so no one else could hear, "I'll keep my hands to myself. Promise."

She rolled her eyes, but agreed. "That's fine. Let him finish taping this up and we'll go."

-000-

Eight stitches later and they both waited for the doctor to show up to clear her on the concussion.

He took a chance and grabbed her hand. She didn't withdraw so he relaxed in the chair next to her.

"Elliot?"

"Hmm?" He kept his eyes closed, trying to relax and enjoy a moment of quiet.

"We need to be more careful with stuff at work. People talk."

He opened his eyes, knowing she just initiated a serious conversation. When she said we he knew she meant you.

"Sorry. I know." He caught her gaze, "I meant what I said. I'll wait. I just want to be with you until then. You have to let me have that much, and I understand that it can't be at work," he looked at their clasped hands and then back at her eyes, "But every now and again I want to know we are progressing towards something."

She kept his eyes focused on his, seemingly processing what he just said. "Come here." She patted next to her. He eyed her skeptically, but complied.

His heart pounded when her hand cupped his cheek, her eyes never leaving his. "Progress," she whispered.

He was somewhere between confused and elated when she leaned in and kissed him. Over the years, he'd learned to tamp down his responses to her, but he wasn't exactly expecting this turn of events.

He kissed her like it was the only chance he'd ever get. She responded in kind, nipping his bottom lip. He responded by swiping his tongue through her mouth, and she opened up again, asking for a repeat performance. He felt one of her hands grip his shirt as she pulled him closer. His hand that had been gripping her upper back, slid slowly down her spine, making sure to press deeply into every curve. His hand finally arrived at the position it had previously been at the crime scene. Square on her ass.

He felt her smile into his lips before whispering, "Not on purpose huh?"

He gave her ass a little squeeze. "Definitely not on purpose," before kissing her again.