"It's not that bad."

"Just take the damn ice pack." Fin shoved the ice pack into her hands.

"Fine," she growled, and held the ice pack to her eye. She winced when she held the pack against her skin. "Did someone get her calmed down?"

"Yeah, Cherlish's got that covered."

She dropped onto her office couch. "I can't remember the last time someone swung at me in interrogation."

He laughed, "What's your technique? I get swung at at least once a week."

"I probably just prettier," she teased.

"No argument here."

Just them there was a quick knock on the office door and it immediately swung open.

Elliot's eyes widened, and he immediately flared at Fin. "What the hell happened?" He hurried over to the couch, standing her up so he could see her face better. She didn't answer so he turned, still angry, "Fin?"

Fun put his hands up in exaggerated self-defense. "I got there pretty quick but the victim already took a swing."

Elliot's brow furrowed. "A victim?"

"Yeah. I inadvertently stepped in a land mine it's no big deal." She dropped her eyes, unable to hold his gaze. "I'm fine." She reassured.

Elliot still seemed tense so Fin decided to duck out before there were anymore fireworks. "Imma gonna check on Churlish…." He quickly backed out of the room.

-000-

"You did not make popcorn…" Velasco took a handful and sat on the desk next to Muncy.

"Hey! I started making it before Stabler got here."

"Sure, sure." Velasco rolled his eyes.

She smacked his arm, "Seriously!! It takes more than 30 seconds to make popcorn and he hasn't been here much longer than that."

Velasco snatched another handful from the bowl of popcorn. "What's goin' on this time?"

"A victim took a swing at Benson. It was a pretty good hit. Not sure why Stabler's here though, but he doesn't seem too happy."

"Stabler is never happy when Benson is even close to getting hurt."

Both Velasco and Muncy turned. They hadn't noticed Jet approach. After an awkward moment Jet added, "Is that popcorn?"

Muncy nodded, still watching her. She held out the bowl so Jet could take a handful.

"How have they not noticed that the blinds are still open?" Velasco asked, while keeping his eyes on the couple.

"Too wrapped up in each other I guess." Muncy observed.

Elliot had lifted Olivia's chin and removed the ice pack so he could assess the damage. They watched as he gently rubbed his thumb across the bruise beginning to form beneath her eye.

Velasco leaned forward so he could see Jet better. She sat on the other side of Muncy. "Why were you guys here anyway?"

She shrugged. "Chasing a lead with the old man. Any time we pass this precinct, he suddenly needs to either eat or get coffee. And of course since we're so close, we have to see Benson."

"Ah." Both Muncy and Velasco nodded.

Everyone turned their attention back to the couple. Elliot now held the ice pack against Olivia's eye. They noted the really intense eye contact going on.

"It's kind of sweet," Muncy grinned.

Jet gave her a side eye, and Velasco laughed.

Just then, Churlish joined the group. "What are we looking at?" She followed everyone's eyeline. "Whose that?" She casually pointed.

"Elliot Stabler," both Muncy and Velasco said at the same time.

"And?" Churlish prodded.

"Benson's old partner," Jet filled in. "I work with him at the OCCB."

Churlish nodded and returned her attention to the couple.

Elliot still held the ice pack to Olivia's face, but now her hand held his elbow. Some sort of conversation was happening. From the looks of things it seemed a little emotional.

"What the hell are you fools doin'," Fin assessed the gathering of detectives. He noted Muncy and her bowl of popcorn. "Really Muncy? Popcorn?"

"I popped it be…"

Fin waved her off. "I don't care, but if she," he motioned towards Benson, "sees you idiots watching her like a goddamn soap opera, she will make you ride the desk for the rest of your career."

Churlish immediately retreated at the threat. Velasco slowly wandered back to his desk, and Muncy sighed before turning away from the window.

"Uh, so I don't work here. I'm pretty sure she can't fire me or anything." Jet murmured.

"No probably not, but do you really want to be on the opposite side of Captain Benson?" Fin glared.

"No I do not." Jet admitted before retreating to the break room.

-000-

"I really am fine," Olivia's voice held a gentle quality.

"I know;" he reassured, but she didn't believe him. He was never good at hiding the worry.

One hand held the ice pack to her eye and the other rested on her shoulder. She held his elbow to steady herself. "What are you doing here anyway?" She asked.

"I was going to see if you wanted to go to lunch." He removed the ice pack to inspect the obvious swelling.

"I do," she said.

That caught his attention. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She agreed.

"Well I'm not sure how comfortable you are showing off this shiner in public right away." He brushed his thumb across the developing bruise.

Suddenly his eyes caught hers, and she almost gasped at the sudden uptick in intensity.

She felt warmed, head to toe, as she became acutely aware of his hands on her face. He was completely in her space, but she didn't feel crowded…she felt loved.

She resisted the urge to turn away from his gaze, and she began to feel exhilarated by the heart pounding anticipation of it all.

He was going to kiss her. He knew it. She knew it. And surprisingly, she had no desire to stop it. His other hand dropped the ice pack to the floor, allowing him to cup her face in his hands. Her eyes closed in anticipation and her breath caught when his lips brushed hers.

"You okay?" He whispered.

"Perfect," she answered before enveloping his lips with hers.