Protégé

A/N: Picks up where Chapter 47 left off. It can't always be sunshine and roses, my life has taught me that.

A/N 2: Happy Birthday Erin! I didn't forget. Couldn't get you anything physical, so my gift to you is these words, hope you had a great week/weekend fam!

Disclaimer: I possess very little, especially not SVU.

Chapter 48

Monday, SVU Manhattan 16th Precinct, Summer 2013

"So," Olivia began, as she removed the thumb drive from her computer, "What pray tell do you want me to do with this?"

"Well, I'd like you to put my reassignment into motion," Elliot stated calmly, "I've looked into my options, and I think a lateral move to central intelligence, or…"

Olivia could sense his hesitancy, and prodded him for an answer, "Or?" she questioned, tipping her head to the side as she tried to read his thoughts.

Elliot continued to stare at the worn floor, "Promise not to laugh?"

Olivia was intrigued by the suddenly shy man standing with his hands tucked into his pockets, "Never."

Elliot took one last deep breath, "If I didn't go through for a cop, the only other thing I ever enjoyed was coding, mathematics," he chuckled lightly, "I even considered architecture for one afternoon." He rubbed the back of his neck, he could feel his skin heating up as he shared his schoolboy dreams with the woman he loved. "I know I'd have a lot to learn but I thought maybe I'd apply to computer crimes."

To say Olivia was shocked would have been an understatement. "You don't want to pursue homicide, vice, guns and gangs?"

"Meh, I saw enough action in the marines to last me a lifetime," he shrugged, "Maybe if I'd never done a tour, I'd still be itching for some excitement, but between you and my bike, that's enough blood pumping adrenaline for me."

Hearing his explanation warmed a place in her heart, and lifted a certain amount of weight off her shoulders. She didn't realize how much she had been worrying about her Detective's next destination. She suddenly recalled an ex boyfriend who was also in law enforcement. Some argued Andy was a perfect match for her, but he wasn't stable, always chasing his next rush, a part of her feared she might have to go through that again with Elliot. Once again he had managed to surprise her with his maturity, he certainly carried himself in a way, and was much wiser than his current age would generally suggest.

Olivia could feel the corners of her lips lifting into a smile, "I think that unit would be lucky to have you, I can make some calls-"

"No!" Elliot's head snapped up as he raised his voice, he reached out, closing the distance between them, "So-sorry, it's just, don't get me wrong I'd love the support, but I don't want to get that position the same way I got this one."

Olivia furrowed her brows in confusion, "And how'd you get this one?" she asked holding onto his biceps.

He couldn't help rolling his eyes, "You don't remember? Because you had no problem pointing it out to me, when I met you and Uncle Ed in this very room."

Olivia tried to recall what she had said to him all those months ago, she remembered not being pleased that Dodd's basically stuck him on her.

Elliot could tell just by looking at her the moment the lightbulb turned on in her head, "El I know I said that, and not just that, but things, I said multiple things when we first met, but I didn't-I had no right to-"

He shook his head as he held her by her waist, "You were correct, and at the time every person with a mouth reminded me how I got this position, including my Father-"

"Fine, maybe Dodd's handed you this job because of your last name, but that table out there," Elliot watched as she pointed out to the squad room, hidden behind her closed blinds, "You earned that desk."

Elliot could feel a warm tingling sensation behind his eyes and nose, "Makes sense why it's so old and busted. I mean would it kill ya to update the furniture around here?" he tried to joke.

Olivia huffed, "Well with two less salaries on my budget by the end of July, maybe I will?"

Elliot smiled, happy she understood his need to lighten the mood, he pulled her into his arms, pressing their bodies together, "Sure once I'm gone."

Olivia pressed her forehead into his neck breathing in his unique scent. She never realized the scent of another person could provoke so many different feelings and emotions in her, he aroused her of that there was no doubt, but he also calmed her, "I'm so proud of the progress you have made here as a Detective," she whispered.

"Couldn't have done it without you," he mumbled pressing a kiss into her hair, and rubbing her upper back as he held her close.

He would never get tired of holding her in his arms, but they had to move, they weren't out of the woods yet, and getting caught now would be like losing at the buzzer.

"Wanna see how much progress I've made in the bedroom too?" he inquired, trying to remain serious.

Olivia laughed and pushed against his chest, "You just can't help yourself can you?"

They gathered their belongings, and went their separate ways, but met back at Olivia's place.

Monday Night, Olivia Benson's Apartment, Summer 2013

Olivia barely had time to ditch her work boots, and order some takeout, before Elliot was knocking at her door.

He dropped his helmet and messenger bag, with his shoes in her little entry way. Walking into her apartment he grinned internally as he noticed random objects of his, around her home. Nothing overtly obvious. A travel mug on her counter, a sweater slung over the back of her couch, but it elated him to see these trivial items mixed with hers. He couldn't imagine what he would feel when he would see their genes mixed together for the first time, and not the ones they wear on their legs.

Elliot dropped down onto her couch beside her, slipping his arm around her shoulders, he pressed his lips to her forehead. A message was playing from her answering machine, "Remind you of your appointment this week with our nurse, and OB/GYN. Please make sure you fill out the forms we faxed you, to save you time on Friday."

"I have those forms I need you to complete for my appointment this week, it's just a general family history, mine are finished if you have any questions and want to look at them," Olivia pointed to one of the tables beside her couch.

"Of course, you want me to come?" Elliot inquired as he looked over the forms with one hand, keeping the other arm securely wrapped around her.

"No you don't have to, it's the first appointment, it'll just be a lot of talking, previous history, what to expect going forward, all the boring stuff," Olivia explained.

"Oh…" Elliot wasn't sure if she thought she was doing him a favour. "Thought you said you finished yours?"

Olivia who had leaned her head against his shoulder, looked up at him, "I thought I did? Did I miss a section?"

Elliot turned a piece of paper over so that she could see, "Hah, uh yeah just the whole side of your Father's history. I know now why you never mentioned your darling Mother, but what about your Dad? When's the last time you saw him?"

"Th-that's a complicated situation," Olivia stated, "All I will say is I've never met the guy."

"What? Don't tell me some man knocked up your Mom and then bailed? I mean I've only had the pleasure of meeting her once, and she definitely has an icy demeanour but-"

"I don't feel like getting into it tonight," Olivia cut him off.

Elliot felt disappointment, first she didn't want him to attend her appointment with her, and now she wouldn't talk about her parents. Was she purposely shutting him out, he wondered.

"Mmmm," she hummed, "I just ordered some pizza, by the way," she tipped her head at his motorcycle helmet, "Should you really be driving that already so soon after being shot?"

"Ughh, don't start please, my Mother practically hid my helmet before realizing I had more than one," he turned his head to look at her, "Liv, I'm safe, I'm gonna get cleared by my Doctor this week and will be back to work next Monday. If anything I'm gonna be bored outta my mind."

"Hmmm," Olivia mumbled, "I'm never going to stop worrying about you, but since you're off this week, there are some things you can do, like continuing your apartment hunt?

"Our apartment hunt," Elliot corrected while rubbing her shoulder, happy to hear she still wanted to move forward with him in their relationship, "That's true though, a place for you, me, and Baby B."

"I love you Elliot Stabler," Olivia turned her body into his, pushing her head forward she nuzzled his face with her nose, first his cheek, then she pressed her forehead against his, while ghosting her lips over his mouth. She could feel the change in his breathing, and just as he moved to kiss her, they heard her phone ring.

Olivia pulled back, "One minute… Captain Benson," she called into her cell.

Elliot sighed heavily, and used both hands to wipe his face, when he heard her doorbell ring.

He saw Olivia mouth the word 'Pizza,' and he hopped of the couch to go fetch their dinner.

He was just opening the box when she approached him from the other side of her kitchen counter.

"Should you really be eating this kinda food now that you're pregnant?" Elliot asked while reaching for some plates. When all he heard was silence, he turned his head to see a raised eyebrow, and a scowl on her face.

"You really want to go down that road?"

Elliot paused, "What can I get you to drink?" he asked, pretending he hadn't questioned her dietary choices.

"Actually I'll have to take a rain check I need to go meet a potential victim, Avery Jordan, she got my name and number from a colleague," she explained.

"Oh um," Elliot looked down at the pizza, "Want me to come with?"

Olivia smiled, "Thanks for offering but she seemed a little skittish, think I'll meet her alone for now."

"Is there anything I can do?" he inquired.

"Actually yes, when you're finished can you wrap that up so I have something to eat when I get home?" Olivia pointed to the pizza as she started to gather the things she would need.

"Are you gonna be late?" Elliot stood alone in her kitchen.

"Don't know, probably be a few hours, midnight maybe later?" Olivia appeared in her entry way, sitting on a small stool to slip her boots back on. "Will you be here when I get back?"

Elliot walked towards her and knelt at her feet, he grabbed her heeled shoe from her hands. He lifted one of her sock clad feet and rubbed it slowly, before slipping her shoe over it, "Can't stay over, my parents know I'm off this week, I have no legitimate reason for not coming home at night."

"Mmmm," Olivia tried to contain her moan, but the short foot massage felt wonderful, "Right well I'll text you when I get back then."

Elliot stood when he was finished and offered her his hand, pulling her to her feet. He kissed her lips, then her forehead, and slid both his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into his body like he had in her office.

"Please be safe," he whispered as his cheek settled against the side of her head. He took a deep breath, breathing in the scent that was solely her.

"Always, don't forget to lock up," Olivia said kissing his cheek and turning to leave.

Elliot sighed as he stood alone in her foyer. As much as he loved working at SVU with her, he realized; if he was given the choice of going with her to work to interview someone, or being there in her home when she got back from the interview, he would choose the latter 10 times out of 10.

A/N: Sorry for the wait. Adrenal crisis + diabetic DKA + anaphylactic shock + a hand wound = no writing. Just resumed physio and got my dressing off my hand. Will try to update all my stories in March.

A/N 2: If you ever want an author to update their stories I highly recommend flooding their fic with comments. This worked for me. Can thank jsouatfan on AO3 for any new updates in the next couple weeks lol.

A/N 3: Did you spot a previous case mentioned? If you did you might be able to predict where this is going.