You're Somebody Else || A Bensler/EO Reunion Fanfiction

Anchor

When he arrived at the bar, Elliot found Fin almost immediately. He was already seated, reclined slightly in his chair and giving him the surprised you showed up stare down that only Fin could give him. He offered a casual smile and extended a hand, clasping Fin's, "Fin, good to see you," he spoke, his tone genuine. He didn't know for sure why Fin had asked him here, though he had some guesses...each more concerning than the last. Was Fin here to discuss the case? Was he here to ask about what his life had been like for the last ten years? Was he here to discuss Olivia and the conversation they'd had the previous day? So many possibilities soared through Elliot's mind, but he didn't dare ask... lest he cause Fin to deviate and ask more questions than he had initially planned. Some questions would be easier to answer than others, Elliot didn't wish to risk bringing up the more difficult ones of his own volition. 

"So," Elliot said finally, settling in his seat, "How've you been?" It was a loaded question, but the silence that had hung between them as Fin searched his facial expression for answers was deafening and Elliot couldn't stand it. Fin had been about to answer when the waitress approached and asked what they would each like. They ordered their coffees, waiting until the waitress departed the table to resume their conversation. "Same old, same old," Fin said, though it was a pleasantry... ten years go by, something changes. Maybe he wasn't ready to talk about that yet. Elliot breathed a heavy sigh, not bothering to conceal how uncomfortable he felt, the weight of his absence and the things he missed - things he didn't even know the extent of - was heavy on his mind, his heart. "Let's skip the small talk, Elliot," Fin said, his tone matter-of-fact. Fin had never been one for beating around the bush, which was something that Elliot had always admired...even though at time it seemed like a lack of tact. Elliot nodded his agreement, the hint of an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

Fin didn't pull any punches, wringing his hands slightly as he asked, "So, what was so important the last ten years that you moved all the way to Europe and didn't even say goodbye?" Elliot was taken aback by the blunt way in which the question was asked, he chewed at his lip slightly, considering his answer. "Well, after SVU I did a walkabout for a few years..." he said, not bothering to address not saying goodbye. After the conversation he'd had with Liv last night, he wasn't sure he was ready to try and address that again today. Based on Fin's tone, he hadn't spoken to Liv... which might've been a good thing. He leaned on the table, his forearms laying on top of one another, "Then I was doing private security overseas..." he continued, keeping things straightforward, factual. Fin had his arms crossed over his chest and stared Elliot down, his gaze still searching for truths in the face of his former squad-mate. "And that thing in Rome?" he asked, a hint of curiosity laced into his tone. Elliot's brows rose slightly, but he didn't hesitate in answering, there was no point in concealing truths from Fin, "That came out of a terrorism task force I was working on. The liaison job, that opened up...four years ago." 

Fin didn't waste any time, "When you called me, you told me you were coming here for a conference-- anything else?" he inquired. That was the first moment Elliot truly realized that this wasn't a casual conversation between friends, in his own way Fin was vetting Elliot and trying to learn what was the reason behind the car bomb... he must've received intel that suggested the bomb was not merely Antifa. "A few training sessions... next week I'm supposed to testify at a trial," Elliot replied, wrapping his own mind around the potential reasons for the attack... he had pissed a lot of people off in his time on the force, it would be difficult to pinpoint which scumbag had tried to kill his wife. "What's that about?" Fin inquired, subtle intrigue etched into his otherwise casual tone. Elliot's brow furrowed as he recalled facts of the case, "These two guys involved in extortion, money laundering. They were hiding out in Puglia. I picked 'em up six months ago. They're-- you know, they're minor players." He didn't think those two were big time enough to go after his wife... but doubt crept into the back of his mind as he began to think about who they may be tied to. Fin didn't hover on the minor players for long, "Okay, let's go back to your terrorism task force," he said, shifting the focus to, perhaps, some bigger players, "Arson said that the bomb signature was more international than domestic."