He was glad to finally have some time to spend with his brothers. Sure, they annoyed the hell out of him, but it felt good to just go to a bar and play some pool and forget all about crucifixions and Meredith Bonner's overly complicated family tree.
He wanted to see Olivia, desperately. He couldn't understand how it was possible he'd been back a while now, and they hadn't managed to meet each other in person yet. The calls were nice, but not nearly enough for him anymore. Everywhere he looked, he thought he could see her. It was just wishful thinking. Since he got suspended she tried to reach out, but he just couldn't make himself return the call. He had to make it up to her now, and he would, but now he had some ass to kick.
Elliot opened the door and the inside noise hit him. Randall and Joe were already there, waiting for him. It was a relaxed place with pool tables and lively music playing in the background. They were ready to spend a night together playing pool, having a few drinks and enjoying each other's company.
"Are you guys ready to lose again?" Elliot joked, teasing his brothers as they headed to the pool tables.
"You're the one who's going to lose, El. I'm sharp today," Randall replied, laughing.
"We'll see about that, old man," Joe added, giving Elliot a friendly slap on the back.
They grabbed pool cues and started playing.
It was done, Maddie's case was finally done and the girl was safe and sound in the warm arms of her family. And while Olivia really wanted some good rest, Amanda insisted on going out tonight, she actually begged. She needed some girl time away from the kids and the husband. The last time they did this was back in Woodstock, when she met the McCanns. Coincidently, that was exactly where Noah was tonight.
So instead of going home and doing more paperwork, she put jeans and a white t-shirt and a loose shirt over it, some boots and made her way to the bar. She felt good, it had been a while since she felt this comfortable in her own body. I just wished Elliot could see it.
Now, where did that come from? Sure, she missed him, she knew he had gone rogue in a case, Ayanna kept her updated, but he hadn't called her back. The parallels had not been lost to her, a teenager hurt, a suspension, but she decided to trust him, and give him time.
She just wanted Amanda to show up already.
While they were focused on the game, the bar door opened and Olivia entered. She looked so sexy in her outfit that Randall and Joe couldn't help but notice her immediately as she made her way through the crowd at the bar.
"Damn, who is that?" asked Joe, impressed.
"I don't know, but she's beautiful," Randall agreed.
Elliot listened to his brothers but decided not to look at whoever that was. He was completely focused on his game and really, there was only one woman in his mind.
While Randall and Joe were distracted, watching Olivia, Elliot took the opportunity to make a brilliant pool play, and his brothers didn't even notice. Elliot smiled to himself, taking advantage.
Meanwhile, Olivia approached the bar and ordered a drink. She texted Amanda, asking if she would take long to get there when she felt like she was being watched. She raised her eyes and two men were looking at her from the pool table. She took a while, seeing a familiar face but not really being able to place him, then it clicked and recognized one of them as Joe, Elliot's brother, even though she had never seen him in person before. Elliot had sent her a picture when he was still responding to her texts, bitching about his brothers showing up out of nowhere.
Joe and Randall continued to watch Olivia with interest, while Elliot rolled his eyes, trying to stay focused on the game.
"I'll go talk to her," Joe said, looking determined.
"Good luck, I didn't peg you to liking older women ," Randall replied, laughing.
"Meh, I usually don't. But there's nothing like an experienced woman," Joe replied, giving a confident smile as he headed to the bar to talk to Olivia.
"He will make a fool of himself," Elliot said as rolled his eyes again, knowing that his brothers were about to cause some funny or embarrassing situation. He watched from afar, waiting to see what would happen, the crowd from the bar didn't let him see this woman.
Joe approached Olivia with a friendly smile. "Hello, ma'am," she looked up from her phone, surprised with his confidence. "May I offer you a drink?" he asked, trying to sound gentlemanly. She looked at her phone again, seeing Amanda apologies and saying she wouldn't be able to make it.
Olivia sighed at being stood up but soon smiled to herself, knowing who Joe was, she found a great opportunity to play with Elliot, so she accepted the offer. "Sure, why not?" she replied, with an enigmatic smile.
Joe called the bartender and ordered a drink for Olivia and another for himself. They started talking, and Olivia let Joe talk about himself and ask questions about her. She noticed that Elliot was nearby, playing pool with Randall, and decided to make Elliot's life hell.
After a few minutes of conversation, Joe invited Olivia to play pool with them. Olivia, accepting the invitation, agreed to play a game with the Stabler brothers.
They headed over to the pool table, where Elliot was playing with Randall. Elliot finally looked up just as he was about to hit the ball when he noticed Olivia approaching the table with Joe, he completely missed the play and his heart skipped a beat.
He took a look at her, what the hell was she doing with a shirt like that hanging in bars? He could help but focus on her cleavage, the compass proudly displayed against her sternum. He smirked but then he saw Joe put his hand on the small of her back, helping her maneuver the crowd and a frown took his face.
He knew his brother was just being friendly, but he couldn't help but feel jealous when he saw Olivia with Joe.
"Look who came to play with us," Joe said, announcing Olivia's presence. "This is Olivia,"
"Good evening, boys," Olivia said, greeting Elliot with a teasing look. She winked at them and Elliot gritted his teeth.
She smiled, giving her hand to Randall, who took it and gave it a kiss. "Beautiful name for a beautiful lady,"
Randall observed Olivia up close, still appreciating the view. Elliot tried to remain calm. "Good evening, Olivia," Elliot replied, trying to maintain his composure.
"So who wants to play with me?" Olivia asked, with a challenging smile.
"I'm in," replied Joe, eager to show off his pool skills to Olivia.
Randall decided to sit back and watch, letting Joe and Olivia play. Elliot, however, couldn't resist the urge to participate and decided to play too.
The match began, and Olivia wasted no time in taunting Elliot. Every time she made an impressive move, she would give Elliot a meaningful look, as if she wanted to remind him of his skills.
Elliot, on the other hand, tried to stay focused on the game, but his mind was always on Olivia. He knew she was teasing him, and it left him torn between amusement and discomfort. Every time she bends over the table, he could see just a bit of her lacy bra and the compass would hang forward.
As they played, Joe continued to flirt with Olivia, but she responded with smart and playful responses, keeping the conversation light and without committing to Joe.
After a few games, Olivia approached Elliot as they waited for their turn to play. "You're not going to win today," she said, with a teasing smile.
"We'll see about that," Elliot replied, accepting the challenge.
They continued to play, exchanging friendly banter, but the tension between Elliot and Olivia was palpable. The looks between them were filled with an obvious mutual attraction, something that Elliot's brothers were beginning to notice.
"So, Olivia, what is it that you do for a living?" Randall asked, sensing something in the air and getting tired of seeing his little brother make a fool of himself.
"I'm NYPD," she said with a smile. "Captain of SVU."
Recognition took over Randall's face. "You are her ," he said.
"Shut up, dickhead," Elliot said, elbowing his brother.
"What is going on?" Joe said, coming to stand beside Olivia, once again putting his hand on the small of her back. She took his hand, removing it from her back. "Joe, I appreciate your interest, but I think you're wasting your time with me," Olivia said, her tone playful but clear.
"Damn right he is," Elliot said, irritated.
"Oh come on! I saw her first," Joe wined, and Olivia raised her brow at him.
"Shut up, dumbass," Randall hit the back of his head. "That's the Benson girl."
Joe's eyes widened, he raised his hands in defeat and shrugged a little disappointed. "Okay, bro, I didn't know who she was and it wouldn't hurt to try," he said.
"Oh, yes, it could hurt, alright?" Elliot said to his brother.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Okay, this is enough. First of all, I'm not a girl," she sent an angry look to Randall. And second, El, you do know I'm single, right?" She reprimanded his possessive attitude.
"No, you are not," he said. "What are you doing hanging out in bars with low cut shirts like that?" He said closing her over shirt to cover her a little more. Olivia slapped his hands away, opening the shirt ever wilder and pushing her breasts forward defiantly. Elliot huffed at her, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, bro, you shouldn't be talking, there was a woman sleeping in your bed just the other night," Joe spilled the gossip Randall had told him about Meredith Bonner's sleeping arrangements. Olivia's mouth fell open in disbelief and Elliot ran his hand down his face in frustration.
"Can't you keep your fucking mouth shut?" Elliot asked.
"No, Joey, please do go on," Olivia said, giving the youngest Stabler a nickname.
"Liv, it wasn't like that at all," Elliot began explaining. "I was going to tell you about Chief Bonner."
"Chief, huh? Captain wasn't enough for you?" Elliot looked dumbfounded at her words, and his brother grimaced at the trouble he was in.
"No, a captain is more than enough for me," he said quickly, then realized what he said when he heard his brothers snickers. "I just mean, I mean something when I gave you that compass."
"Dude, you gave that to her?" Joe said. "And she isn't even your girlfriend?"
"Lemme see that," Randall said, moving closer to her and taking the compass in his hand.
"Hey, paws off," Elliot exclaimed, pushing his brother away.
Olivia chuckled at the brothers. "Yes, he did give it to me, and then he ghosted me, again ."
"Where did I go wrong with you?" Randall said to Elliot. "Have I taught you nothing?"
"Yeah, what not to do." Elliot said. "And I didn't ghost you," he looked at Olivia again.
"Really, then why does it feel like I'm dating Ayanna? She's the one always texting me," Olivia questioned. "Even to say strange blondes are sleeping in your bed." She completed.
His mouth fell open. "You knew!" He accused.
"Of course I knew, I know everything," she said, taking a sip of her beer. "I just like watching you squirm."
"I think I'm in love," Joe whispered somewhere behind them.
"Right? Close your mouth, little bro, that's your future sister-in-law," Randall whispered back.
"So wait," Joe said, loudly this time. "How long have you known each other?"
"25 years," Elliot answered, coming to stand next to Olivia.
"Dude, what the hell? Have you kissed her yet?" Joe continued.
"No, he didn't." She answered.
"Look, Liv," Joe said, earning a glare from Elliot. "Not all of us Stablers are idiots. Maybe you should test a younger model. We'd be married already. And I'm really good in bed, still have all that stamina."
Elliot made a move to go after his brother, who hid behind Randall, but Olivia grabbed his arm. "Thanks for the offer, Joey. I think I'll stick to Elliot, tho. I invested too much time already." Elliot beamed at her, sneaking an arm behind her and pulling her into his side.
"I feel like I'm intruding," Randall said to Joe.
"That's because you are," Elliot said without taking his eyes from Olivia.
The brothers noticed the change in mood between Elliot and Olivia, and although Randall and Joe were ready to tease Elliot about it, they decided to give them both space. Finally, when the brothers said goodbye and left the bar, Elliot and Olivia were alone for a moment. Elliot took the opportunity to talk to Olivia.
"Olivia, I think we need to talk," Elliot began, his tone serious.
"Oh, now you want to talk?" She teased. "I think I already know what you're going to say anyway," Olivia replied, smiling softly.
"You tease me like this because you know how I feel about you," Elliot said, finally revealing his feelings.
Olivia nodded, seeming pleased with Elliot's honesty. "Yes, I know. I was waiting for you to take action. To be honest I've been waiting since that urgent care room," she revealed.
"I almost kissed you that day, didn't think you were ready yet,"Elliot smiled, happy to finally take that step. "And in your office too, but I didn't want to kiss you and leave for a UC right after." He confessed. "I want us to be together, Olivia. No more holdbacks. No more misunderstandings. I love you and I don't want anyone else in my bed but you." She laughed softly at his words.
"I love you too, El," Olivia replied, smiling. "I'm ready, I'm in. Don't want anyone else in your bed either."
After 25 years of waiting, the tension between Olivia and Elliot finally reached a breaking point.
The tension in the air was palpable as Elliot turned to Olivia, his eyes full of emotion. "You really know how to tease me, Olivia," he said, a playful smile on his lips.
"Maybe I'd like to see you trying to stay calm," Olivia replied, her eyes full of spark as she looked at Elliot. "Besides, I always thought you needed a bit of a challenge."
Elliot chuckled softly, realizing Olivia was right. "You're definitely a challenge, Olivia," he said, taking a step closer to her.
Olivia stood her ground, her eyes never left Elliot's, but his were focused on her mouth. "So, you're going to keep me waiting another 25 years?"
Elliot knew this was the moment he had been waiting for so so long. Without further hesitation, he caressed Olivia's face with one hand, his fingers gliding gently across her skin. Another hand of his squeezed her waist, bringing her closer to him. The tenderness of Elliot's touch made Olivia close her eyes for a moment, savoring the closeness and affection she felt.
Elliot leaned in closer, his breath mixing with hers. Olivia opened her eyes to meet Elliot's gaze, their hearts beating in rhythm. "I think 25 years is too long," Elliot said quietly, before leaning in and finally kissing Olivia.
The kiss was full of passion and emotion, the culmination of years of waiting and repressed desire. Elliot held Olivia tightly, her hand still caressing her face as the kiss deepened. Olivia responded with equal intensity, her hands holding Elliot tightly.
"You know, my bed is sadly empty right now," he says against her lips.
"Yeah? What a coincidence, mine too. And it's closer..."
" God , you are so smart, Captain."
"Don't forget that, Detective." She moves away from him and raises her hand. He wastes no time holding her hand as they make their way to the car.