Wildfire

Cragen's Warning

Elliot showed up to Cragen's office at 8 am right when he got there. He even brought a coffee for him. Cragen took it with a suspicious look to Elliot. He took a drink with a grin. "Why bring the coffee?" Elliot sat down at the couch with a shrug. 

Cragen had already got the money in a bag ready for the bust in a large black duffel bag. "There's a tracking device in it. I've got a wire here for you to wear. Here's a wire for Liv to wear as well. The device is easy to put on. Clip it to your undershirt or bra, in Liv's case. It's all wireless. The van will be parked outside the house posed as a cable van." Cragen explained, handing two small wires with mics to Elliot. Nodding, he pocketed them and sighed. 

"Elliot," Cragen started, as he brought out the alcohol that he kept in the file drawer and a shot glass. He poured a shot and handed it to Elliot who took it and downed it. "You know you can't keep it going with her when this is over."

Elliot sat the shot on Cragen's desk and swallowed several times, staring at the glass with furrowed brows. "I know I shouldn't, but -- "

Cragen sat down in his chair and grabbed a tissue and dried out Elliot's glass and put it up before leaning back and looking at Elliot with a sorrowful look. "No, there's no but. You're married. You and Liv are partners. If you two got together I'd have to disclose to IAB and they'd do an investigation and then I'd have to switch partners." 

Elliot knew this. For the longest time, he'd rather look after Liv and love her in silence than be afraid that someone else didn't protect her and loose her completely. Now, though, he wasn't sure. Kissing Liv, and being able to give her an orgasm was a dream come true for him. He wanted more though. He wanted to be able to call her his completely. 

"I want her completely," he said hoarsely, remembering that morning. 

Cragen knew what he was remembering. "I know, but you can't do anything else. If you two do anything else then that could complicate things for the case. I know you and Liv don't want Cody's case to be tainted by you personal feelings."

Elliot cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah. Cody needs his real parents. His case to be closed and Zitnaker and NIkoli put away for good."

Cragen nodded and stood. "I know you would never intentionally hurt Kathy, Elliot." He patted Elliot's shoulder as Elliot started to leave the office. "Remember Kathy." Cragen looked intently at Elliot before closing the door behind him. 

Elliot sighed and heaved the duffel bag on his shoulder and headed back to the fake life with Liv. 

~~~

Liv had woken up to an empty bed. It was odd. Elliot had told her he was heading in to see Cragen and get the money, but she didn't think he was going to go so early. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. They stayed mostly on their own sides of the bed last night. Minimal cuddling, which upset Liv slightly. Although, there was a good reason most likely. 

She peeked into Cody's room. He was still sound asleep, so she decided to make coffee and pancakes for breakfast for him and Elliot when he got back. Liv was nearly done with the pancakes when Elliot got back, a black duffel on his shoulder. He grinned sadly at her and dropped the duffel in a chair. 

"Hey," she greeted. "That the money?"

He nodded, going to her and peeking at the pancakes. "I didn't know you could cook this well," he teased with a grin. 

Liv scoffed at him as she flipped the last pancake. "Just for that, you get none."

He grinned at her and sneaked a small pancake from the top of the pile and ran away before Liv could hit him with the spatula. Cody had just walked out of his room in his train pjs, rubbing his eyes sleepily. 

"Cody," Liv greeted joyfully. "Come get some pancakes."

She turned the stove off and sat the plate on the still warm top and got out a couple plates. Cody came over and peeked up at the pile. "Be careful, the stove's hot," Liv warned, but allowing him to get his own. 

He was very mindful of where his hands were placed as he picked out three pancakes and took his plate over to the table. Elliot had taken another plain pancake right before Liv had taken hers with a smirk at her. She narrowed her eyes at him and raised an eyebrow. She would get him back later. 

Liv and Cody ended up at the table talking about his dream last night. Apparently they were in an off Broadway production of Jurassic Park. Thankfully it was only a dream. Elliot could not sing for the life of him. He was sure that Liv could sing like an angel though. Elliot called Zitnaker, who he knew would be at the office. 

"Hey, I got the money, I'll be by around 7 tonight," Elliot said. 

"Okay, I'll be expecting you."

Elliot turned to Liv who nodded in understanding. She turned to Cody at the table who looked up at her, confused. "Cody, so, we have to talk about something."

Elliot came over to sit on Cody's other side, looking serious. "We aren't Willow and Gerald Smith," Elliot said simply. 

Cody looked afraid and sat back in his chair. Liv quickly leaned forward. "No, honey, you're safe with us. It's okay. We're police officers. I'm Olivia Benson and this is Elliot Stabler."

"We're here to catch the men that hurt you and kidnapped you," Elliot said in a gentle tone. 

Cody settled slightly. "Why am I here then?"

"We had to go undercover to get you safe. Now that you're safe and we have the money to 'buy' you, our friends are going to come get you and take you somewhere safe while Elliot and I go finish this with your kidnappers," Liv explained slowly. Cody listened and thought hard about it. Eventually, he nodded. 

"Will I get to go home to my real mom and dad?" He asked, hopefully, looking back and forth from Elliot to Liv. 

Elliot smiled at him. "Yes, buddy." Cody grinned the biggest grin Elliot's seen and leaned back, bringing his legs up in the chair. 

Liv and Elliot exchanged looks. They had to do good on this bust tonight. For Cody.