In Another Life: Bensler

Part Four

The waiter came over and asked Olivia for her order, leaving briefly before returning with her wine.

'So how was therapy?' Elliot asked nervously.
'It was... okay, i guess' she replied, 'what did you want to explain?'.

Elliot took a long drink from his beer before looking at Olivia, directly in her eyes.

'Listen liv, after i shot Jenna' he paused, looking down at the table and clearing his throat trying to hide his emotions. 'After i shot Jenna, IAB were going to be investigating me. With the record i already had and everything that went down that day, i just couldn't handle it. I couldn't handle you. I knew if i looked into your eyes and told you i was leaving that i wouldn't be able to do it' he said, wiping his eyes as tears formed in them.

Olivia reached across the table and grabbed his hands to comfort him.
'El I didn't know it hurt you so much' she said with a soft smile.
'Liv i didn't ever mean to hurt you, i wanted to say goodbye, i promise you i did. But i knew that i couldn't because it would break me' he said with a sniffle.

Olivia sat there unsure what to say. She remembered that Dr. Lindstrom told her to tell him how much he hurt her, but in this moment her pain didn't seem to matter.

They continued chatting and drinking for a few hours, enjoying each other's company just like old times.

Olivia picked up her phone and looked at the time.
'Shit it's nearly 11' she says.
'You need to get going?' Elliot replied.
'Yeah' Olivia said, 'Wanna walk me out?'.

Elliot threw a few twenties on the table before he grabbed his coat and stood up, Olivia did the same before they both walked towards the door.

He walked her to her car, before they both stopped. Olivia turned to face Elliot.

'I had a really nice time tonight Elliot' she smiled.
'Me too Liv, i've missed you' he replied.

They both leaned in to hug, Olivia laying her head in the crook of his neck.

'I love you' she whispered, thinking he didn't hear.

Elliot place a thumb on her cheek, before lifting her chin up and leaning in to kiss her. He pecked her on her lips quickly, unsure of how she was going to react.

'Liv, look i'm sorry, i shouldn't of done that' he said, annoyed at his own actions.

Olivia looked back up into his eyes, pulling him back in. This time it was different. Olivia brushed her tongue across his bottom lip, asking for permission to enter. He quickly granted it, before long they were fiercely making out.

When air became an issue, they both pulled away panting. Olivia looked into Elliot's big blue eyes, with a wide cheeky grin across her face.

'Goodnight Stabler' she said, as she climbed into her car, 'Call me'.

Elliot watched as Olivia drove down the street. He smiled to himself, before hailing a cab and going home himself.