Fighting Fear

Chapter 2: Butterflies

The tips of her fingers graze over the weathered piece of notebook paper. As she flips it open, she is met with handwriting that she was all too familiar with, and one that she would never forget.

"Shit." Her maroon painted nails gripped the paper tighter, as her eyes scanned the letter that was addressed to her. Her stomach dropped as she read the signature at the end, signing off with the word "love" written beside their name.

The letter slipped from her hands as her grasp was loosened with the decision to get something to drink from her old, broken fridge. She swore the landlord of her apartment hated her, but she lived comfortably so it didn't bother her much. Admiring the NYPD magnet on her freezer, she opened it up and took out a bottle of wine she store there for emergencies and/or special occasions. As the red wine poured into her glass, she heard a knock on her door.

"Just a second!" She said, before taking a quick sip from her glass and walking over to unlock the door. As her eyes locked with his, she could no longer speak and butterflies were consuming her stomach.

"I know you got my letter, Liv. Stop pretending like you don't see me. I'm not invisible, I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere." He breathed out, just trying to spit the words out of his mouth before Olivia decided that she wasn't going to let him speak anymore.

"I'm not sure what you're trying to rekindle here Stabler, but it's far too late to even try. I'm done with you, and I have been for a long time now. Please leave." She said softly, her voice breaking up at the end of her sentence and she shut the door slowly on his shadow.

"Don't do this to me, please Liv. Don't shut me out." His roughed palm was placed on the other side of her navy painted door, still keeping it open enough for him to still see her.

She could feel her eyes start to water, the sting of tears just threatening to stream down her face. But she was strong. Olivia Benson was a big girl, and she wasn't going to let her ex-partner just waltz right back into her life. She looked up at him, inhaling deeply.

"If you want to talk so badly, can we at least do it tomorrow? I've had an exhausting day and the last thing I need right now is this. How about we meet for coffee at the shop down the street? Tomorrow morning around 8?" Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as the last words came out of her mouth. She didn't mean for it to sound so friendly, but she had to admit that she did miss him dearly.

"That sounds great." He said, clearing his throat. She could tell that he had been emotional as well. They've always been able to read each other like a book. Hell, who wouldn't be able to when you're attached like they were for twelve years.

Olivia started to slowly shut the door, when she heard Elliot speak up.

"Hey, Liv?" He spoke softly.

"Yeah Elliot?" Olivia's voice was just above a whisper.

"Thank you." He said firmly. Never in a million years did he think it would go as smoothly as it had.

"You're welcome, El. Goodnight." She shut the door all the way, making sure to lock the three tarnished handles. The smile wouldn't wipe off her face if she tried.

"Goodnight." Elliot began walking back to his car, content with how his night had gone. He'd finally be able to talk with his best friend again, and he couldn't wait to be able to talk with her tomorrow.

A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful feedback on the first chapter!! I'm really enjoying writing this one & it has been such a joy that you all like it. Keep the comments coming!