Im Planning a part 2 for the previous story...but this one was stuck in my brain and needed to get out!
"Good Lord." Jet shook her head. "Do you think he's seen her yet?"
Ayanna rolled her eyes. "Yes. If we see her, he has definitely seen her."
"He wouldn't risk chatting her up right? I mean he's not that dumb…"
Reyes was met with eye rolls from both women.
"When it comes to Captain Benson…" Ayanna started.
"He becomes a special sort of stupid." Jet finished.
"Accurate." Ayanna sat back into the chair, and waited for the inevitable.
"Do you need me to go in?" Reyes leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. The surveillance van was pretty tight quarters. They were all dying to get out.
"No. I don't want to add anymore bodies in there. Let's just see how it plays out."
"Damn it," Jet muttered, and Ayanna spun her chair towards the monitors. She groaned when she saw what Jet saw.
"What?" Reyes leaned in to better view the monitors.
Ayanna typically appreciated Reyes' reticence towards meddling. But right now, it was irritating to fill him in on the gossip most of the NYPD had spread for years.
She sighed and pointed out the man now sitting close to Captain Benson.
"What do you think, Sarge? $20 if he intimidates the man out of the bar, and $50 if things get physical?"
"Hmmm." She thought the proposition over. "I'm certain he's going to intimidate the guy. But I hope he has the sense to keep from making a huge scene. I'll see the $50."
"Are both of you serious right now?" Reyes asked with an incredulous tone.
"Yes." They said simultaneously.
All eyes fixated on the screens, waiting to see how the situation would play out.
-000-
Elliot knew she was there long before he saw her flick her lightly curled brown hair over her shoulder. What was she doing in the Bronx? And this bar of all places. He could almost hear Ayanna screaming at him from the surveillance van, but he had to talk to her right? If he didn't she might risk his cover by saying too much…at least that's how he justified himself later.
He began to drift towards her, but abruptly stopped when he realized that the man seated next to her was with her. He thought he recognized the guy, but he wasn't quite sure where. He wasn't positive what he was watching at the moment. She was dressed like she had just left work, but the man sat very close and the whole thing felt very date like.
He knew he should leave it enough alone. She hadn't seen him yet. He could duck out before one or both of them blew his cover, but he couldn't stop watching them.
She looked happy. Like really happy. He reminded himself that he wanted her to be happy. He'd just prefer if she was happy with him. The man touched her elbow and Elliot felt himself bouncing. He should turn away, but like the familiar cliche, it was like a car accident he couldn't look away from.
He felt his body moving as if it had a will of his own. He tried to stop himself, but when the man leaned in even closer he noticed Olivia playing with the necklace hanging around her neck. His necklace. The compass. Instead of angrily bursting in, he sauntered up with confidence. He stood behind her, pressing one hand on the bar, and his head bent towards hers, "Haven't seen you here before…"
To her credit, she contained her surprise well. Turning slowly, with a smile. "First time here…" her hand dropped from the compass she had been fiddling with. "A little ballsy, chatting up a woman who is already here with someone."
He grinned. She would play along. "For someone this beautiful," his eyes raked over her face and body, "I had to take the chance."
She laughed, "That line work for you often?" She flipped her hair over her shoulder, and the fragrance of her shampoo assaulted his senses.
He leaned in, pressing into her space a little more. He paid no attention to the man gaping at their interaction. "It's not a line if it's true." His voice was low and sultry and he had a clear view of the necklace and the cleavage where it sat. "Nice necklace," he complemented. For the first time she looked like she might break into a smile.
Instead she took a well placed stab, "Got it from a friend, thought he could be more, but he refuses to stick around."
The dig made him feel hopeful and demolished. He decided to play into it, "then he's an idiot."
She grinned at his admission, "he is."
He unintentionally looked towards her date, or whatever the hell he was, and he looked perturbed. He should have kept his focus on her because his wandering gaze reminded her that they weren't alone.
"Oh God," she turned back to the man she came in with, "I'm so sorry Daniel." She reached out for his forearm to reassure him, and Elliot tried to think reasonably. He should back out. Duck out. But he wasn't that smart, or really, he was just that stupid when it came to Olivia.
"Not your fault," Daniel graciously said. It made Elliot want to puke. More so when Daniel laid his hand over Olivia's. "We can leave if you want. We don't have to discuss this here." Daniel gave Elliot a scathing look.
He felt his fist tighten and release. This had to be a work thing. This guy's clothes screamed lawyer. "Um, no. Why don't we wrap this up tomorrow." She offered.
Olivia wasn't purposefully baiting him, but she was trying to reassure the man she came with. He needed to duck out, but he couldn't.
"Uhh, yeah, if you're sure." Daniel stood, and tried his luck one more time, "can I drive you home?"
Elliot hung back with his arms folded, watching the scene play out,
"Umm…" her eyes darted to Elliot and back to her date or whatever the hell he was. She gave him a genuine smile, "I'd like that, actually."
She stood, and turned towards Elliot. It was nice to meet you, but uh," the look she gave him was an obvious back off. "I need to go." She replaced her glare with a smile before taking the arm Daniel offered.
He walked away, trying to shake off the brush off. From the corner of his eye he watched Olivia leave with the lawyer, and he tried to control the scathing jealousy burning in his gut. He tried mingling with the patrons of the bar but he felt completely done for the night. Still, he had a job to do so he brushed away thoughts of her, and got to work.
Elliot finally got back into his rhythm and worked his way around the room, mingling with the higher ups of the company they had under investigation.
"Will you excuse me," he held a finger up to the CFO's assistant. His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Meet me in the back. Now.
He didn't recognize the number, which wasn't really abnormal because the text came on his UC burner phone.
He tucked his phone back into his pocket. "I'll just be a minute," he told the assistant before discreetly exiting the bar through the back exit.
-000-
"Now where's he going?" Ayanna all but groaned. They just dodged the potential Benson disaster. They didn't need any more detours.
"Out back." Jet pulled the back security camera up in addition to Elliot's existing wire.
"Is that?" Ayanna squinted and looked closer.
"Awesome," Jet mumbled with a smile.
Sure enough Elliot's cam drew closer to Captain Olivia Benson. Standing in an alley. In the Bronx. Behind a random bar. "Damn it." Ayanna muttered under her breath. These two would be the death of her. She had a little control over Elliot, but honestly he basically did whatever the hell he wanted. Benson though. She had zero control there. In fact, Benson held a significantly higher position in the NYPD hierarchy. Ayanna had no influence there. All she could do was watch the train wreck and minimize the aftermath.
"Thought you had a date," Elliot said as he approached. Benson didn't exactly look thrilled to be standing in this dark alley.
"Well, yeah. For a case, but some idiot detective trampled on that." He snapped
That appeared to ruffle Elliot's feathers. "Using yourself as bait huh? Been a little while though hasn't it."
Good Lord. Ayanna closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. These two. They seemed to get some satisfaction from provoking one another.
"You're such an ass," she threw the insult as she started walking away. Ayanna suspected it was more for dramatic effect than actual intention.
"Wait." Elliot groaned in frustration. "Shit," he followed her and caught her arm, spinning her towards him. "I'm sorry I'm just…"
"A jealous ass." She finished for him. "Believe me. I'm well acquainted with jealous Elliot. He used to be a staple in my life." Her words held a fierce bite behind them.
"Well. You really know how to pick winners don't ya." He bit back.
"Oh my God. Do you think you get to have any input on my life? After disappearing for ten f-ing years!?" She shook her head ruefully. "No. You don't get to comment on how I held my life together after you left…" she gulped back what looked like angry tears, "and you certainly don't get a say now." She crossed her arms, "Especially since you still seem inclined to leave your life behind in favor of being someone else. Guess what El? Your life doesn't exactly stay frozen in your absence!"
Elliot stood in stunned silence after her painfully honest outburst. He softened, and reached out for her.
She looked angry and hesitant.
"Liv," her name came out low and soft.
Ayanna felt the air of the interaction change, and their observation seemed horribly intrusive. "We should turn this off. None of this is case relevant."
"Oh come on." Jet half joked, "This is my favorite soap!"
Ayanna turned when she heard a crunching sound coming from behind her.
"Reyes, where the hell did you get those chips?" Jet laughed.
"Oh, I keep them behind monitor number three." He said nonchalantly.
"You keep Doritos behind equipment worth thousands of dollars." Jet snarked, "Nice."
"Just shut off the feed for now Jet." Ayanna said firmly. But it appeared Elliot was going to beat them to it.
Elliot unbuttoned a couples buttons on his shirt. "What are you doing?" Benson asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well unless you want this conversation archived in our case records, and witnessed by my entire team, I'm pulling this wire."
Ayanna suspected Benson wasn't thrilled any part of the conversation was recorded. There was a rustling sound and the feed cut off.
-000-
Elliot tugged on her elbow, and she inches closer. "Liv," his tone was rich and sweet. Damn him. How was she supposed to pull away when his perfect blue eyes were pleading and he was saying her name in that way.
She didn't lean in, but she didn't pull away either. She felt stuck between being angry at him for leaving, and relieved to see him. "I'm sorry I got in the way tonight." He pulled her even closer.
She sighed. "It's not all your fault. I played into it." Her brown eyes flicked to his, and she felt her anxiety rising. She bit it back and tried to finally say what she wanted to say. "I was just relieved to see you." Her eyes dropped to her feet and she kicked at a loose rock on the ground. "I hate not hearing from you. It makes me…" she took a breath, hoping to alleviate her discomfort. "It makes me nervous."
His hand was on her hip and she realized she had slowly moved closer and she was very much in his space. "I'm sorry." Elliot started. "I'm sorry I have to do this assignment. We are down a team member. Maybe I don't have to do this, but I felt like I needed to. Maybe part of me was running, but I promise, I took the job because I have a responsibility to my team." His clear blue eyes echoed the sincerity of his statement.
Her fingers toyed aimlessly with the necklace. It had become a nervous habit in his absence. His eyes dropped to the necklace and back to her face. Her heart pounded as his other hand reached for her other hip, effectively pulling her in close.
Her heart raced, and she couldn't meet his gaze because it would all be too much. She kept her eyes downcast until used and finger to lift her chin. She had no choice but to look into his eyes, and she saw the all too familiar adoration there. He had been clear with his intentions months ago, and she pushed him away. The memory of that moment was anxiety filled. But this moment? All she felt was sweet anticipation.
His eyes dropped to her lips, and she knew he was going to kiss her, and she hoped he wouldn't change his mind like he did in that urgent care exam room. Maybe she needed to leap first.
She brought her lips to his. The kid was soft. She pulled back, breathing him in, relishing the electricity coursing through her.
Apparently that little taste was not enough for him, and his lips fell on hers, and she could feel the years of tension melting away.
She fisted his shirt and pulled him into her so their bodies were completely flush. His lips moved against hers, and she sighed, opening her mouth to fully engage in this all to perfect kiss.
His tongue tangled with hers as the kiss became more insistent. More aching. More filled with need. She fell a couple steps backwards, thankful for the brick wall behind her, keeping her upright. His body pressed into hers, and she could feel all of him, and a soft moan left her lips, causing him to smile. He trailed his lips down her jaw and neck, focusing on a spot that seemed particularly sensitive.
She hummed in response. His lips dropped to her collarbone and she really hoped there weren't cameras behind this bar because things were getting heated, and she couldn't hit the brakes.
She untucked his shirt and smiled as she felt his abs suck in with the near gasp of his breath. Her delicate hands pressed into the misleads of his back, as she pushed him impossibly closer.
His lips were back on hers, hot and passionate. His hands roughly felt the curves of her body before pushing her hips into his. She let out an unintentional gasp, but it was muffled when his mouth came hot over hers. His hands trailed down her backside. One hand grabbed her ass while the other pressed into the small of her back keeping her pushed completely against him.
With his hands all over her she struggled to keep a cool head. He lifted the back of her shirt, just a little, just enough for his fingers to find the skin there. But the feeling of cool bricks on her now very flushed skin whipped her back into reality, and she knew she needed to slow this thing down or there was a possibility she'd be doing this man in her apartment tonight…if she made it that far.
He responded to her now slowed response, pulling back while still dropping light kisses to her mouth and cheeks. She sighed, and leaned into the tender touch. "I want you to come home," she breathed.
He kissed her again, deep with meaning. "As soon as I can Liv." His hand brushed against her hair as his lips came down on hers. "As soon as I can," he promised, "I'm coming home to you."