5Olivia confidently strolls into the 16th precinct in signature black from head to toe save for an emerald green silk blouse beneath a leather blazer. Gold hoop earrings complement her brunette tresses highlighted in blonde. And the gift from Elliot sits hidden just below the third button of her shirt. She ignores the snickering from the incoming and outgoing desk sergeants as she sips on her pumpkin-spiced latte. Idle gossip is something she's grown accustomed to. But when Churlish and a uniformed officer stop talking when she arrives on the floor, she immediately suspects something is going on. As always, she looks to Fin, who suspiciously isn't where he's supposed to be.
She doesn't have to go far to find him because he's sitting in a chair across from her desk inside her office.
"What's going on?"
"Maybe you wanna sit for this one," he says, smirking.
"You're in too good a mood for anyone to be dead so just spit it out," she tells him, putting away her things before settling in.
"Do you happen to know what the PBA did as a fundraiser this year?"
"I don't know, Fin. It's not exactly a priority compared to everything McGrath has me doing," she answers. "Why?"
Fin wastes no time standing, pulling a little surprise from behind him and dropping it on her desk.
"Really?" She asks, looking at the full-color, glossy calendar. "A beefcake calendar?"
"Check out the month of April," he suggests, heading for the door. "I'll forward all your calls for the next hour in case you…wanna make your own."
Olivia looks at him like he's lost his mind while he does a poor job stifling a laugh as he closes the door behind himself. The second he's gone, she starts flipping through the months of the year. Her jaw drops when she gets to Detective Jalen Shaw donning a Santa hat, a strategically placed stocking, and how well it's…stuffed.
"Damn."
She sips her coffee and lingers before refocusing on commencing her flip through the pages until getting into the Spring months. There in all his nearly naked except for a well-placed cloud-shaped pillow, is her incredibly toned, 6-pack-having, former partner wearing raindrops on his socks.
"Fuck."
Olivia's mouth instantly salivates, her breath hitches, her heart rate quickens and she doesn't have to find a mirror to know how flushed her skin is right now. Her eyes slowly roll over every sinewy muscle, vein, and visible inch of skin as if she's touching him. Fin was right, she needs time. Which, she takes to begin fantasizing until her cell rings.
It's Elliot. She's only talked to him sporadically in the six months he's been gone.
"Hey," he says.
"Hey," she answers. "How are things going?"
"Great," he answers. "I'm home in time for Thanksgiving."
"Home," she says. "What do you mean you're home?"
"Home as in I need a ride from the airport," he tells her, laughing. "And my softball team of children is unavailable," he adds. "I was hoping you were possibly having a slow Tuesday morning, if not I can just do a taxi or a rideshare."
If he wanted to do either of those things he wouldn't be calling. Therefore, she surmises that he wants to see her as badly as she does him. And as she focuses on the defined chest staring up at her from the calendar, she makes a quick decision.
"No, don't do that," Olivia tells him. "I can be there in…about thirty minutes."
"Sounds good," Elliot says. "Judging by the look of the line at the taxi stand and the wait times on these apps, you'll be faster."
"See you in a little bit."
"Thanks, Liv."
Olivia gets up, stuffs the calendar into her bag with every intention of razzing her former partner, and skips saying goodbye to her squad before heading back out.
"Call if anything you can't handle comes in," she tells Fin.
"Sure, Liv," he says. "You get summoned by McGrath?"
"No," she answers. "I remembered I had to replace an expired inhaler with Noah's school nurse and I don't want him to need it and not have it," she adds, letting the lie fall easily from her tongue.
Olivia doesn't know what'll happen when she sees Elliot but whether it's a conversation or a fight, she doesn't want any unnecessary interruptions.
She's sauntering away when Fin stops her.
"Uh, Liv?"
"Yeah," she says pausing her forward movement.
"Word on the street is that Elliot's op is over and he'll be back soon," he begins. "You hear anything about it?"
"No, can't say that I have," she says as Fin smirks. "I should be back before noon."
"I'll hold down the fort, Cap."
Olivia nods as she beelines for the elevator.
She manages to make it to LaGuardia in less time than she quoted Elliot and has to blow her horn to get his attention. What little hair he's capable of growing is freshly lined, his beard is about an inch longer than a five o'clock shadow and neatly trimmed, the light gray suit is tailored to his ridiculously fit frame and his dress shirt is stark white against his black tie with an equally bright handkerchief. The man is dressed like Jason Statham in GQ magazine and it's in that second after she sees him that a freight train of desire mows her down.
Elliot gives her a wide grin including his dimples and she hopes she's not blushing when she returns his smile with a little wave as she pops the back hatch for him.
"Welcome home," Olivia manages once he's loaded his suitcase and duffle. "Where to?" She asks, pulling away from the curb.
"My place is good. I did my debriefing in Chicago so I have a few days before I have to get back to OC."
"The windy city, huh? How was that?"
"Rough towards the end," Elliot admits. "Irish mafia. So…it was big."
"Explains why it took so long," Olivia offers.
"Yeah, it was pretty intricate and I died a horrible death," he says with a smirk. "But the ATF was able to shut down a pipeline of assault weapons and the FBI arrested about 15 dirty cops."
"Damn."
"Damn is right. Some of 'em had more than 20 years on the job," he adds. "It always baffles me how someone can start with the best of intentions when they put on the badge and then…"
"Then you take more money off a drug dealer than you see in a year, you step in shit walking behind a horse on parade duty and the general public hates you."
"True," he says. "But you know that going in."
"Most don't do their research before taking a job," Olivia points out. "You know what does confuse me though?"
"What's that?"
"The new update on my phone," she answers. "I've just started writing everything down again," she adds. "Work events are scribbled all over my desk and Noah's little reminders are on a whiteboard on the fridge."
"What about his Christmas presents?" He asks, in disbelief. "Where you jotting that down?"
"Glad you asked," she says. "Check the glove compartment."
He opens it and the beefcake calendar pops out immediately, prompting Elliot to laugh.
"I knew the phone thing was bullshit," he tells her. "Who gave this to you? Fin?" He asks, flipping through the pages.
"Look at that, right on the first guess," Olivia says. "Who in the hell forced, paid, or threatened you into doing something so ridiculous?"
"It's for charity, in case you don't remember," Elliot says, finding his own spread. "I didn't get the chance to see it before I left but I think it turned out okay."
She thinks it turned out a million times better than okay but she can't tell him that.
"I think December's my favorite month."
"Of course it is," he says, grinning. "I saw you salivating over Shaw last year," he adds. "We can't all be 6'3" tall and built like the Greek God Atlas."
"Don't sell yourself short, El."
"I'm not," he says. "I'm just glad they had a big enough pillow for me."
Olivia shakes her head as she pulls into a spot outside his apartment.
"You mind if I use your bathroom before I head back over the bridge?" She asks as he's pulling his luggage out the back. "Thanksgiving is three days away. I can't tell if there's more traffic coming into or leaving Manhattan," she says, following him to his door.
"Probably about even," he reasons. "I'll put on some coffee," he adds, dropping his things just beside the entrance. "It'll be better than anything at the precinct."
"It's a low bar, Elliot," she says then disappears down the hall. "No need to be cocky."
After she flushes, she goes to wash her hands and pauses in the mirror. Then she pulls the gold necklace from inside her collar and palms the compass. It took her a while to realize how many stones were inside and what they could represent. Eight total. Two for her and Elliot, six for their children.
And though it's led to more questions like what the true meaning is behind giving it to her and if a long-term relationship is actually possible between them, Olivia can't say it's led her to happiness. It's not something she wanted to get into over the phone. But he's back now, and she doesn't have to wait anymore for answers.
She finds him leaning against the counter sipping what he obviously thinks is liquid gold. He's shed his jacket and tie, released the top three buttons of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves.
"You heading out?"
"Yeah," she answers. "Just, before I go—
"—You're wearing it," he says, stepping closer.
And Olivia wants to kick herself for forgetting to tuck it back into her blouse.
"I am."
He tips his coffee up to take a sip and that's when she notices the ring. There in place of his wedding band is something different. A gold signet. An identical compass without the diamonds. Olivia can't help herself when she takes his coffee, sits it on the counter, and holds his ring-clad hand in both of hers.
"I had it made the same time as the necklace," he explains as she releases his hand. "Wasn't ready to wear it."
"I need to know, Elliot," she begins. "Other than it being a going away present, what is the meaning behind giving this to me?"
"I told you, Liv, I want you to find happiness."
He lifts the pendant from where it rests between her bosom, turns it around, and hovers his ring over the back of it. The two pieces of jewelry click together.
"Magnets," she concludes.
"They're drawn to one another," Elliot explains separating the jewelry again. "The stronger they are, the harder it is to pull them apart."
"And the fact that my compass points to yours?" She asks, placing her palms against his chest.
"It means I want us to try, Liv," he says. "Because I think we could be happy…together."
This time when he leans down towards her, Olivia doesn't say a word, pull away or give him any more excuses. Slowly, she slides her hands up to his face. Elliot's automatically moves to her hips.
"There are still some important conversations ahead of us," she points out. "But I think our timing is finally in sync."
Elliot smiles as he leans in to meet her soft, waiting lips. It begins with a few short pecks until he takes her lower lip into the warmth of his mouth. Suckles on it. Their first kiss is unhurried, sensual. His hands slide around her back, pulling her body against his and closing the distance between them. They enjoy the inevitability of the moment until they're overcome with the need for oxygen, resting their foreheads together.
"I really missed you," he rasps.
"Me too," she says, putting her arms around his neck.
"And I've wanted to do that for a really long time."
"Me too," she says, leaning away to meet his eyes. "And now that we have, I wish I wouldn't have waited so long."
"I wanted you to be ready."
"Well…" Olivia begins, moving to whisper in his ear. "I'm ready, Elliot."
She affirms her meaning by opening her mouth against his neck and dragging her tongue along his pulse point.
"As much as I want to, don't you have to get back to work?"
Olivia looks at her watch.
"It's 9:17 am," she begins. "I told Fin I'd be back before noon," she adds. "I can leave now and we can start this off traditionally," she continues. "Have a few dinner dates, see a Broadway show or two until I eventually ask you up for a nightcap."
"Or?" He says, not liking the first option.
"Or…we can spend the next hour and a half figuring out just how well we fit together," she offers. "And hopefully we'll be strong enough to pull ourselves apart in time for me to buy Fin lunch," she adds with a smirk. "What'll it be, Stabler?"
"Patience isn't my strong suit, Captain," he says, peeling the blazer from her body. "You know this."
Minutes later there is a trail of clothes, shoes, and belts leading from the hallway to the entrance of his bedroom. And Elliot's neatly trimmed beard is between Olivia's bare thighs conspiring with his undulating tongue and the thickness of his fingers to give her the kind of tear-inducing orgasm she hasn't had in years. But he's taking her at the pace of someone savoring a dessert of which they've deprived themselves.
"Elliot," she moans. "Please. I can't…please."
Olivia's in a pleasurable sort of agony but he listens and doubles his efforts. Moments later her back is snapping off the bed.
"Fuck!"
He climbs up her body, resting above her as she comes back to herself, flushed from head to toe and trying to regulate her breathing.
"Something else you wish you wouldn't have waited for?"
"Hell yes," she manages. "What else you got?"
He smirks as he leans down to take a nipple into his mouth, nibbling and sucking until he moves to the other to devote the same rapt attention.
"God," she moans, palming the scruff on his head. "That's…you're really good at that too."
"Thank you," he says, hovering above her again. "I wanted to make sure it was worth the wait."
"And it was," Olivia assures him. "Now I wanna see what was behind your little pillow."
"Little, huh?"
"I don't know," she says, grinning. "Get on your back."
Elliot does as he's told, then pulls off his boxers. Once he's positioned, he folds his arms behind his head and smiles up at her like the cat that ate the canary. Olivia climbs over him, straddling his waist as she looks down.
"So then…not so little of a pillow?" She asks, biting her bottom lip.
"Nope."
Olivia shakes her head but plants her hands above his shoulders, leans down, and kisses him as she coats his shaft in her juices. Elliot immediately moves his hands to grasp her hips.
"God," he groans. "You feel good."
"You haven't felt me yet," she points out.
Olivia takes him in her hand, inching herself over him until she's fully seated.
"Fuuuuuck."
"I know," she says, butting her forehead against his to take a minute. "Shit."
"I'm good," he tells her after a few moments. "You can move."
So, she does. Slowly at first, getting used to the size of him and the fact that it's been a while since she's been with anyone. Olivia tries to follow Elliot's lead and set a leisurely pace but finds herself chasing what's building as another satisfying orgasm and her former partner's right there with her.
Elliot sits up, threading his fingers in her hair, exploring her mouth, kissing and sucking on every piece of skin he can reach as her thighs burn with the intensity of riding him.
He didn't try to romance her with a Bluetooth speaker belting out slow jams. The soundtrack of their consummation is the moans and groans of each satisfying thrust and the panting and breathing of their efforts.
When Olivia cums, she shouts a string of profanities in a combination he's never heard before. When he follows, he's quiet, practice from a lifetime of marriage. Moments later they separate and she shrieks as he picks her up, legs around his waist, and carries her to the shower.
"What are you doing?" She asks.
"Using up every second with you I have."
Thanks to a small make-up bag she keeps in her purse, a steam iron, and enough daughters to leave feminine-smelling products, Olivia is back to being presentable for work by the time she reluctantly has to say goodbye.
"You were right," she tells him sipping the last of the fresh batch of coffee. "Pulling away from you is hard, but then again, it always was."
"Fortunately for us, we don't have to do that anymore."
He trails her to his front door in a pair of gray sweats slung low on his waist. Now that she can do so freely, Olivia throws both arms around his neck and kisses him with all she has.
"Are you getting ready again or just not wearing underwear?"
"Yes," he answers, grinning.
"I missed 2 calls from McGrath and I have 20 minutes to make good on my promise to Fin to get back before noon," she explains. "Otherwise, I'd be more than up for round three."
"Good to know," he says, giving her one last peck on the lips before opening the door for her.
"And Captain?"
"Yeah?"
"Was it the socks or the pillow that did it for you when you looked at my spread?"
"What? You don't buy that December's my favorite?"
"Nah, you don't love December."
Olivia smiles and nods.
"True," she tells him, admitting what she's not yet ready to say aloud. "I'd have to say it was the socks then, Detective. Definitely the socks."
She can hear him laughing as he watches her climb inside her SUV with a promise to call him later. Olivia deals with McGrath and his unnecessarily urgent messages on the way back over the bridge. She stops at her favorite sergeant's deli and is in a good enough mood to order for the rest of her squad too.
Thank God for slow Tuesday mornings.
"Long line at the pharmacy?" Fin asks, smiling as he accepts the bribe from Katz's.
"Like you wouldn't believe."