Partners Forever

Chapter 1 - The Date

Three long months have gone by since I last saw El. He has been undercover again so there has been zero communication between us. I didn't want him to know but I was crushed when he told me he was going undercover again. I felt like we had made progress towards a relationship that was more than friends but that has all been on hold now these last three months. I have been in a funk since he left again and haven't been able to pull myself out of it. I have loved getting to spend time with Noah and I love my job, but it would be nice to have someone to come home to and talk about my day with. Every time I picture who that person is, Elliot's crystal blue eyes and amazing smile appear in my head. It really feels like the universe is preventing us from taking the next step to being in a romantic relationship. I grasp the compass necklace around my neck and smile remembering the last time I saw El and then suddenly feel sad again. Ugg, I really needed to stop dwelling over El and I's non-existent romance and accept that maybe it isn't meant to be. I then heard a knock at the door and looked up to see Amanda Rollins standing in my office doorway.

I stood up and greeted her excitedly, "Amanda, how are you? I haven't seen you since the baby was born. How is everything?"

"Hey Liv. Our little boy is doing wonderfully. I'm not getting much sleep, but Carisi is an amazing dad, and everyone is doing great. Listen, I came to talk to you about something."

"It sounds serious Amanda, is everything ok?"

"Oh yes, nothing's wrong, but I did want to find out how everything is going here at SVU with your team and your squad?"

"Well, everyone is doing good although we are down a team member with Muncy leaving and Churlish is still learning the ropes. We could use an experienced detective." I looked in her eyes with a slight smirk on my face.

Amanda smiled, looked down at her shoes, avoiding my eyes just like a child does when they are afraid to tell their parents something. "Well, Liv, that's why I came here. I miss being a detective, I miss helping victims, and I especially miss arresting and interrogating the perps. I came to talk to you about possibly coming back to SVU and it sounds like you may have an opening?"

I reached out and gave her a big hug, "Yes, of course we do, especially for you! You have made my day Amanda. I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself with everything that has changed, so you showing up and wanting to come back has made me so happy."

Amanda smiled, "That's great Captain. I thought I was burned out on the job, but I realized where my heart is after helping you and Stabler with that big case a few months ago. Speaking of Stabler, any updates on you and him?"

I blushed over embarrassment of how giddy I get just hearing the mention of us in a possible relationship. I sighed, "He has been undercover again since that last case, so any kind of "us" is on pause. I am starting to think there never will be an "us" and I should just move on."

Amanda replied back with a concerned look on her face, "Hang in there, Liv. The universe has a way of surprising us."

Amanda and I talked a little longer about the specifics of her coming back to SVU full time and then we said our goodbyes. I began packing up my things to head home for the day when my phone rang. The name that popped up on the screen surprised me and I let out a heavy sigh. Trevor Langan had recently been the attorney on a custody case that SVU was involved in so I figured he must be calling about that. I really did not want to discuss any more work today but I picked up in case it was important.

I answered the phone, "Captain Benson."

"Hey Captain, this is Trevor Langan. How are you?"

"Um, I'm good. Are you calling about the Johnson custody case?"

"No, I'm not calling about work. I was wondering, maybe, um, if you would have dinner with me?" he asked awkwardly with hesitation in his voice.

I was taken completely by surprise. In all the years we had worked on the same cases and when he helped me with Noah, he has never seemed interested in dating me. I didn't know how to respond. I had been so occupied with mending El and I's relationship since he had dramatically dropped back into my life, that the thought of dating anyone else never crossed my mind. Trevor is very handsome and seems like a genuinely good person even though he has defended some evil people over the years. Why shouldn't I give him a chance? It's only dinner and if it doesn't work out, then nothing is really lost. Elliot has asked me out several times, but I'm so scared of it not working out that it is safer for me to keep him in the "friend zone."

I responded with, "Do you mean like a date?"

Trevor laughed nervously, "Um, yes, like a date."

I said, "Sure, I would love to. I am free tomorrow night?"

Trevor said, "Sounds great. I will pick you up at 7:00. See you then."

The following night I was in my bedroom getting dressed for my date with Trevor. I was nervous, excited, and anxious all at the same time. I did not want to admit how long it had been since I had been on a date and really wanted this to go well. I was tired of all the dancing around El and I did and there was always so much pressure and tension between us. I was looking forward to an evening where I didn't have to worry about any of that. I did feel a little guilty almost like I was cheating on El, but nothing was official with us, and I still held some resentment with him always leaving.

Trevor arrived right on time and was very nicely dressed in a pale blue dress shirt with khaki pants. His salt and pepper hair gave him a sophisticated look and his pale blue eyes were mesmerizing. My heart skipped a beat I think taking in this gorgeous man in front of me. I had never really looked at him previously in any sort of romantic way, but my eyes were open now. I felt him look me up and down and saw his eyes grow wide making me blush.

"Wow, Olivia, you look beautiful."

I replied, "Thanks, you look great too. Shall we head out?"

We arrived at an Italian restaurant I had never been to, but Trevor said was one of his favorites. Conversation was smooth over dinner and overall effortless. We made small talk and got to know each other better on a personal level since we had only previously discussed work stuff. It was a very nice evening, but I couldn't help noticing me mentally comparing Trevor to Elliot. I just could not get Stabler out of my head and it frustrated me to no end. After dinner, Trevor and I were standing in front of my apartment building saying good night. He placed a hand on each one of my shoulders and leaned in to kiss me. I returned his kiss by reaching up, placing my hands on his biceps, and pressing my lips against his. It was a nice kiss, but I wouldn't say there were fireworks. Maybe I just needed more time and the sparks with Trevor would eventually be there. We agreed to go out again soon and said good night.