Chapter Text
She hated charity events. Not every aspect of them but Walking in high heels, meeting an ungodly amount of people, and trying to avoid the creeps at the bar for hours. She rather liked the wine and seeing some people she knew . Chief McGrath had insisted she make an appearance here on behalf of the NYPD, and she never hated him more than she did right now. Instead of home with her kid , she was saddled at the bar, nursing a Merlot trying to avoid the gaze of yet another man hell bent on taking her home. She felt his hands first coming to rest on the small of her back.
“Hello sweetheart can I interest you in another drink.” She swiveled removing his hand from her back.
“I think I’m good thanks. “
Elliot watched from across the bar. Jealousy coursing through his veins. When she turned, removing the creeps hand he smiled. He needed to get her alone before she blew his cover and quickly because if she said his name they’d both be dead. He stood to make his way over to her.
“Come on doll. Live a little. What’s one drink.”
“I said I’m good.”
“Come on baby. “
“I think the lady said she was good. Now piss off.” He smirked when turned facing him.
“This man bothering you ma’am.” He put emphasis on the ma’am hoping she’d take the hint.
“He was just leaving.”Liv said. Placing her wine on the bar.
“I was trying to buy the lady a drink.”
“Well the lady declined. So either you run along or me, you and my friends in the back are gonna have a nice little chat.” Olivia’s eyes furrowed as she thought about what he said.
“I’m… I was just leaving thanks.”
“Good choice.” He smiled to Olivia. “Sorry he bothered you ma’am. Any more trouble at all just come find me.”
“Would you care for a dance Mr?”
“Stanton. I would be honored miss?”
“Benson.” She replied. She stood, thanking god the tab was covered by the charity holders.
“Right this way then.” He extended his hand and she gladly took it. Warmth spread through her as his hand left hers finding the small of her back.
He led them to a corner on the dance floor, secluded yet still in the mix. The song was slow , his hand found hers as his other found her waist.
“We only got a few minutes. In the next few seconds I need you to fake laugh like I’m telling you some cheesy joke.” She laughed, playfully smacking his arm. “ Why are you here Liv?”
“McGrath sent me on behalf of the department. Didn’t have a choice.”
“Does he not pay attention to anything on our case files. “ he smiled and she laughed slightly again.
“So what’s with the needing me to laugh?”
“Too many eyes watching. We need to look like we don’t know each other. “ he stated. Twirling her around.
“Ok then what do they think about you dancing on the job?”
“I can play it off as I picked up a woman at the bar. “
“Since we are technically just meeting, and you are UC I’m guessing as a mob hand shouldn’t you be a little more handsy?”
“Not a requirement but if that is what you want.” His voice turned husky. His hand splayed across her back as he pulled her forward flush against him. She gasped.
“You look Beautiful tonight. I see you’re wearing the compass.” He removed a hand from her waist, reaching to take hold of the pendent, letting his fingers linger on her skin just a little. Slowly he placed the pendant back to its original spot.
“Thank you. You clean up good yourself.” She gazed in his eyes. His features softened as he looked at her. Then worry flashed across his features. He leaned in close, whispering in her ear.
“I have to go soon but please go home. There’s a lot going on tonight and I want you home. Can’t risk you being here. I need you to let out a small laugh just before I pull back. I have to keep my cover.” She did as he requesting laughing lowly as he pulled back. She instantly missed the contact of his hands. “You have a lovely evening Ms. Benson. “ he bowed slightly.
“You too Mr . Stanton .” She blushed and slightly dropped her head. She turned making her way to the bar. She would order 1 more glass of wine before leaving.
…………..
She ran a thumb over the necklace thinking back to what Elliot said in her office.
“Lead you to happiness Liv.”
She smiled to herself , placing the necklace in her jewelry box. She climbed into her bed afterwards, her mind still thinking about Elliot. He was her home once before and truth be told he was still her home. She couldn’t deny it now. The feelings she got when he was near. How their banter in her office was akin to foreplay . She knew him, she knows him now, and even though there has been so many years he was gone he still knew her too. It frightened her the connection they still shared. For the first time in ages, she prayed for him, to be able to return home safe to her.
……………………
“Captain Benson. How was the Charity?”
“A Cover.”
“Did you see Stabler?”
“Yes I did. Still doesn’t explain why you sent me to a charity gala that was a cover for a crime syndicates deals.”
“About that. Um well there is more under in that UC than just stabler.”
“And? You sent me why? Hey to the point chief.”
“Well you see… they’ve been looking for someone high ranking in the department to put on their payroll so to speak. “
“What do you mean? “
“Well, they’ve been looking into blackmailing a high ranking person to use as a lookout for trouble. A man on the inside to be their ears.”
“And I fit into this how?”
“You are now on this case sort of UC. I offered you as bait since they were looking for a woman to Blackmail anyway. We had originally planned on Lieutenant Cortez from vice but she is benched due to a shooting that happened on Monday. The Morettis got their saving grace last night when you walked in.
“As bait. How would they blackmail me? I’m clean.”
“Not for long, and before you get settled go to OCCB. No objections. Stabler already gave me a headache this morning and I don’t need you making it worse.”
“Yes chief.”
……………………….
She walked into OCCB. Elliot sat at his desk, and when he spotted her he immediately looked down.
“That’s strange” she thought
“Captain Benson.”
“Ayanna. The chief sent me.” Everyone around her was acting weird. “Would someone like to tell me what’s going on.”
“ Maybe Elliot would like to explain Captain.”
“Im telling you Ayanna like I told McGrath I won’t do it.”
“Detective. You will do it because we are close to cracking this case.”
“Would everyone just tell me what the fuck is going on and why I’m the new mark.”
Elliot and Ayanna both looked at her surprised.
“I’ve been tasked by my boss Simon Moretti to blackmail a high ranking officer in the NYPD. Someone who had security clearance. It’s my way into promotion. “
“Why does it have to be a female?more importantly why me.”
“They’re more likely to go along with the blackmail than a male officer. And they saw me dance with you last night. They looked into you after you left. Had Lieutenant Cortez been able to attend instead of you, she would have been the mark.”
“How would you blackmail me and what with? Not like I’m a dirty cop.”
“That’s what we are trying to figure out. I still don’t want you anywhere near this case.”
“It’s not up to you detective.”
“I know, damn good thing it’s not. “
“Captain Benson we are sorry to drag you in this but apparently one of the FBI agents knows you? A …”
“Dean Porter?”
“Yes. He recommended you after Lieutenant Cortez was decommissioned. “
“Rat nose bastard.”
“Elliot.” Ayanna admonished.
“Just cause I have to work with him doesn’t mean I have to like him.”
“Anyway today we are tasked with finding a way to blackmail you with false evidence.”
“What about a sex tape?” Jet chimed in from the back. Elliot, Ayanna and Liv’s expression faltered.
“What? “ Liv questioned.
“Not a real one obviously Captain but you know a simulated one. There’s ways of making a sex tape look real without you two…” Elliot and Olivia blushed. “You know, doing the horizontal mambo.”
Ayanna looked at Jet surprised. It was solid the only problem would be if captain Benson agreed. Liv looked at Elliot speaking wordlessly with her eyes. Is it the only way?
“It’s a solid plan jet but how do you get away with making a sex tape, without actually having sex.” Elliot ask.
“Well there is angles that can be manipulated such as .. you on top Captain. If shot from behind with blankets covering most of your ass it would appear you was engaged in the act itself. Missionary much the same way. As long as you two play it up to seem.. real. Kissing would definitely be involved, and probably best if you were both a little intoxicated.” Elliot looked at Jet mouth slightly agape.
“I don’t know how long you thought about that, but that’s …”
“Not like I wanted to think about it. You’re like my dad baldy. It’s as uncomfortable for me as it is for you.”
“How would the camera setup work.” Liv ask.
“Well we could have stabler hide some small hidden cameras we could look at angles and map out what works.”
“And the audio feed?” She ask again.
“ small mic from the camera.” Elliot rubbed a hand down his face.
“How long do you have to get me in bed? “ she smirked at Elliot.
“A week and it’s not funny Liv. These guys ..”
“Are scum who deserve to go down. You getting a little gun shy there…partner. “
“I’m worried about dragging you into this case.” He walked out then. Angrily opening the stairwell to the roof.
“I got him Ayanna. “ she followed the steps knowing where he had gone. She spotted him immediately as she opened the door to the roof.
“Elliot.” He turned. His gaze meeting hers.
“Just say no Liv. You don’t have to say yes. These bastards.. I just don’t want you in this case.”
“Elliot If it helps you take them down then I will assist. Besides the chief made it clear I was selected from the higher ups. I can’t defy a direct order.”
“Then find a way to get out of it.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?” He raised his voice.
“I can take care of myself Elliot. I don’t need you looking out for me. Im helping on this case regardless of your reservations. “ she turned opening the door to the stairs.
“Liv…” he followed.” Liv wait…. “ she stopped in the stairwell as his hand grabbed her arm.” I know you can take care of yourself. I don’t question that but I guess I just didn’t want you to be put in the crosshairs in case this case goes south.” She looked in his eyes, feeling the sincerity radiating from them.
“I don’t like this anymore than you Elliot but we both have orders to follow. At least this way I got you watching my 6.” She smiled at him.” Now let’s go back into the squad room and figure out how to ..”
“ Make a porno?” He smirked.
“A simulated Porno.”
“Either way captain I hope you’re ready. “ he raised his brows, smirked then walked left her standing in the stairwell.
……………..
“Ok so you are both agreement.”
“Yes.” They replied at the same time.
“Ok so we will have to figure out how you two will meet again.”
“Bar.” They spoke simultaneously.
“ Ok we can set up surveillance before that night so we can put Morettis crew there.” She looked down a minute before speaking to jet.” Do you know exactly how to set up cameras so that it simulates…”
“As long as we have a trial run I think we can set up the cameras perfectly providing these two don’t switch up on agreed upon.” She paused.” Positions.” Elliot and Olivia looked down at that, deep red covering their cheeks.
“We will not go off script however how are we going to get around nudity.” Liv ask.
“ we’ll captain I have a intimacy coordinator who can get the supplies we need. I think we can do some stick on bra cups so you’re not exposed and some flesh toned panties. Stablers is more tricky unless we stick to missionary and you on top Captain. “ Ayanna picked a bad time to sip her coffee as she spewed coffee everywhere.
“I think that’s a little TMI for this early in the morning Jet. “
“Might as well rip the bandaid off.” Jet shrugged as Ayanna used a napkin to wipe away the coffee on her blazer.
“When do you see Moretti again?”
“Tonight. He wanted updates on my search for blackmail. I’ll present this scenario minus the faking it part to him.”
“Sounds good. Let me know how it goes. Im going back to the station to see what’s going on there.”
“Will do Liv.”
“And El, be careful.” He smiled as she walked out of the room. He watched as her hips swayed while walking down the hallway to leave. The feel of a folder hitting his arm brought him back to earth.
“Elliot. I need your eyes on getting this case closed instead of Bensons ass.”
“I wasn’t..”
“Don’t even deny it.”