Fighting Fear

Chapter 3: Help

The sunlight poured through her wine colored curtains, causing Olivia to slowly stir in her sleep, gradually waking up. As she stood up, she rubbed her eyes, trying to adjust to the morning and what the day held for her. In traditional Benson fashion, she had woken up with only ten minutes to get ready and meet Elliot down the street for coffee.

She stumbled through the maze of dirty laundry to get to her closet, blindly picking out some clothes and putting them on. She brushed through her short hair and put on some concealer and mascara, trying her best to not look as tired as she felt. She brushed her teeth as she tried to put her boots on, hopping on one foot while trying to not fall over.

The wind tousled her dark hair back and forth as she briskly walked to the coffee shop, hoping she wasn't too late. Her eyes met with his through the glass door, causing her heart to quicken.

"Here we go." Olivia said, taking a deep breath and pushing the door open. Each step towards the booth he was sitting in felt like it was frozen in time. She sat down across from him finally, setting her bag beside her and meeting her gaze with his.

He looked different. Rougher. He clearly hadn't shaved in quite some time, as he was in the middle stages of scruff and a beard. His face looked tired, and the almost three years they had spent apart had not been kind to him.

"Thank you for meeting me here, Liv. To be honest, I wasn't sure you'd come." He said, scrubbing one hand over his face. Looks like Olivia wasn't the only one nervous for this little meeting of theirs.

"Why would you think that? I actually keep my word when I give it to someone." Olivia let out defensively. The hurt in her words stung him like a million tiny, little bees. As soon as she saw the shock register on his face, she instantly regretted her stab at him.

"Fair enough." He said, looking up into her eyes to show her that he mean it genuinely

She looked down at her hands that were around the coffee Elliot had ordered for her before she got there. Even after all this time, he still remembered how she liked her coffee. After all, it is all their partnership ran on for twelve years.

"You have a right to be angry at me, Liv. I fucked up. I know I did." His hand scrubbed up and down his face, exhaustion evident as he exhaled heavily.

"What was your point in contacting me?" She asking, as she placed her hands folded together on the table.

"Olivia, I need your help. You're the only person I trust that could do this right." Elliot looked into her eyes, and his own were starting to become glossy with tears.

"What's wrong Elliot? What is it?" Her dark brows furrowed with concern.

"It's Kathy, Liv she..." He was trying to get the words out, but was only met with a knot in his throat and tears threatening to spill.

Olivia placed her hand over his on the table. Her heart almost beating out of her chest, and worry consuming her mind.

"She was kidnapped." He let out, and Olivia was stunned by his news.

"What? What happened? When did this happen?" Her detective brain was already switched into gear, looking up at Elliot for some answers.

"Almost four days ago. That's why I had to find you. God damn police have done nothing to help us. They won't let me on the case because she's my ex-wife, but I can't just sit here and wait like nothing is wrong. She's the mother of my children for Christ's sake..."

"I didn't know you two were separated. I'm so sorry, El. I can try and help however I can with the investigation, but it's strictly business." Olivia said softly, looking up at him.

"No need to apologize. It was coming for a long time. I know this was a lot to put on you, and so sudden on top of it all. How about we talk later and I can brief you on the details and what my plan is?" He asked, clearing his throat.

"Okay, that works. Just message or call me when you want to go over everything and we can meet back here again."

"Sounds like a plan. Thank you Olivia, really. Your help means more than you know right now."