Breathe.

Chapter Five: Give Me Tonight

Elliot woke up on the couch and remembered he had let Olivia have the bed last night. As much as he would have liked to share it with her, he didn't want to rush anything between them.
He got up off of the couch, grabbed his pillow and blanket, and put them away in a closet with the others. Elliot made his way to the kitchen and proceeded to start making breakfast. However, when he got to the stove he saw a pan already on it. He glanced over to the coffee maker and sure enough, it was on and the pot was almost full.
She has already started taking over my kitchen. Elliot thought to himself.
As he wandered back over towards the living room, the bathroom door opened down the hall and Olivia emerged dressed in black work slacks and a loose plum-colored blouse. Her hair was pulled up and out of her face. She was beautiful.
"Well, good morning," Elliot spoke, startling Olivia.

"Dammit!", she contained herself, "Elliot you can't appear out of nowhere like that." She turned around with a hand on her hip and one resting on her stomach. Elliot thought she was adorable when she got all maternal.

"Okay, okay. I apologize." He said, laughing slightly.

Olivia realized he had just woken up and was only dressed in some signature NYPD complimentary sweatpants that hung low on his waist.
"You should probably get dressed. Unless you plan on going to work in sweatpants. " Olivia said as she turned back towards the counter to continue making breakfast.

"You're probably right. But are you sure you want to make breakfast? You shouldn't be on your feet for so long. Let me do it after I get ready." Elliot tried to persuade her.

"Oh no, no, no. I'm fine. I can make breakfast. If I have to, I'll grab a barstool and use it. I'll be alright. Go shower and get ready." She argued.
Elliot complied and walked into his room to go get cleaned up.
•••••••
After his shower, Elliot headed toward the kitchen again and as soon as the air hit him he smelled it.
Pancakes
Olivia knew he loved pancakes, in fact, they were his favorite. It was a small detail she had noticed over the years of their partnership.
Elliot walked over to Olivia dressed in his freshly ironed slacks and white button-up. She felt his presence but didn't move from her spot near the stove.
He came up behind her and kissed the base of her neck. She giggled and leaned into him.

"It smells wonderful." Elliot enthused.

"It's going to taste even better." Olivia smiled as she spoke.

"Can't wait." Olivia turned to El and placed her hands on his chest. She stood up a little on her tiptoes to kiss him. Liv wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, this time kissing him with all the passion she felt in the moment. When they separated, Elliot was the first to speak.
"Your pancakes are gonna burn." They both laughed and Olivia went back to finish cooking. Elliot sat at the island and watched her glide through the kitchen almost like she had been there, in his house, in his kitchen, her whole life.
•••••••
Later that morning, they were headed to the precinct. It was a normal workday for Elliot but Olivia was surprisingly nervous. She hadn't even come within a block of the precinct since her staged death. Now she was going to ask the Captain for her job back.
"So listen, there are a few new people here. Finn, Munch, and Brian are there still but there's this new girl. Her name is Dana and she's quite the spitfire so once you get to know her the whole southern hospitality thing goes away. Dana is a lot like Miranda. I think eventually you'll warm up to her and actually like her." Elliot warned her without looking away from the road.

"Seems like you like her enough for the both of us." Olivia seemed tense and El knew it was just her nerves. He took one hand off the wheel to place on her thigh and glanced over at her. She took his hand in hers. It was a silent reassurance that Elliot was all hers and there was absolutely nothing to worry about.
They pulled into the parking lot and went straight to the Captain's office together.

As they walked in, they were greeted cheerfully.
"Olivia Benson, son of a gun!" Cragen was over the moon at the sight of her in his office again. Olivia met his enthusiasm with an embrace. He began reminiscing the first time she walked into the precinct. She had always radiated confidence and strength.
When they parted, the Captain looked over at Elliot in the doorway. He didn't say a word but understood what his boss was telling him.

"Hey, uh sorry to interrupt old friends but Liv, could I talk to you for a second outside?" Elliot asked cautiously.

"Sure." She spoke with a smile. Out of her peripherals, she saw Cragen give Elliot a look and nod at him. Something was up.
El grabbed her hand to lead her outside the office. She stopped in her tracks and looked at the Captain. Elliot tried to lead her out but she caught his arm with her free hand. "Just.. uh, wait a sec, El." Liv gave Don a once over. He kept averting his eyes to the mini interrogation/conference room connected directly to his office. Olivia's curiosity was peaked. She walked over to the blind covering the one-way mirror and pulled the string. No one stopped her.

There he was.

Menacing, repulsive, and immensely intimidating.

Olivia stormed out of the squad room and hailed a cab.