A Waiting Game

Finally

Elliot's POV

God she is gorgeous. I can't stop staring at her.

We've been sitting here for probably 2 hours. Her at her desk, and me at mine, supposed to be filling out DD5's, I haven't gotten one done, because I've been staring at her.

I hate this. I can look at her, but I can't touch her. I talk to her but I can't tell her.

Except for, that last part, it's complete shit. I could tell her. And what the hell's stopping me? I'm divorced. I got divorced because I'm in love with her. And it's been 3 months, 3 months that I've wasted, sitting here staring. Fuck it.

"Hey Liv, do you uhh, want to go get drinks after work?" I ask, hoping that my voice isn't shaking as much as I think it is.

"Yeah, sounds good." she says smiling, "We could head out now if you want?"

"Yeah, I'd really like that." I say.

We head out of the precinct, and walk a few blocks down to O'Malley's, the old cop bar.

After a few beers, I can feel the low buzz in the back of my skull, that gives me just enough courage to start a real conversation.

"Liv, you been seeing anyone lately?" I ask, trying to be casual.

"No, uhh, was seeing a reporter for awhile, but it didn't work out." she says tossing back a shot of tequila.

"Oh..." I say staring into my glass.

"You okay El?" she says, putting her hand on my arm.

"Yeah I'm fine." I say pulling back quickly.

"Are you sure, you don't seem fine." she says.

"Yeah, uh, I'm gunna get another round." I say, walking quickly to the bar.

I come back to our booth with four beers, and six shots of tequila.

"You trying to get me drunk, Stabler?" she jokes.

"No, I'm trying to get me drunk." I say with a halfhearted smile.

An hour later, we're both sloppily drunk. She's slurring her words, and I'm seeing doubles.

"Hey Liv, can I tell you a secret?" I ask her laughing.

"You can tell me all the secrets." she's says smiling at me.

"I'm in love you, I am in love with Olivia Benson." I say.

She stares at me and I suddenly feel too sober to be having this conversation so I toss back another shot.

She climbs onto my lap and straddles me.

"I love you too Stabler." she whispers into my ear. "Take me home."

Twenty minutes later we're making out, in the elevator of my apartment building. When we get too my floor, I pull away long enough to find my keys and open the door.

As soon as we're in, she drops her things on the floor and slowly walks into my bedroom, unbuttoning her shirt, and tossing it on the ground.