Alaskan Nights (A Law and Order: SVU fanfic)

Ch.5

"That's it? He got handsy and then you blew him off?" Rebecca scoffed, sitting up once more. "That isn't pack-your-bags-and-move-to-Alaska worthy, Olivia."

"You didn't let me finish." Olivia yawned. "But I guess I can finish tomorrow, I'm tired."

"No. No. No. You'll do that thing where you 'forget' and I'll never know!" Rebecca shouted as she slung her auburn curls into a ponytail.

"Tomorrow, I promise," Olivia yawned again turning onto her side.

"Okay," Rebecca yawned trying to get the blanket at the bottom of the bed. "Night Liv,"

Truth is Olivia never wanted to repeat the words Elliot had uttered to her that night in the cribs; the last night she ever saw him. He was so different that night, she couldn't describe it but it's like he was a different person. A person that scared her.

She blinked back the forming tears and tried to settle her mind for sleep. Thoughts of Elliot hadn't flooded her for a while and for the first time in months, she found herself wondering how he was doing. Was he ok? Was he eating? He always forgot to eat... Did he miss her? Did he think about her...ever?

•••

Munch had really worked some magic getting Elliot to come with the gang tonight. He had become a zombie of his old self when Olivia left. He would go to work, interrogate suspects, file paperwork, then go home. It was as if his soul was ripped out; his partner was gone.

"El," a soft, southern voice rang accompanied by a slight nudge.
He looked up to see Amanda Rollins, a transfer from Georgia who came just as Olivia left. She was a good partner, he trusted her, but she wasn't Olivia.

"You ok?" She asked noticing he wasn't joining in on the banter at the table.

"I'm fine," he smiled unconvincingly.
"Yeah, okay." She said turning to Fin who was now standing.

Fin banged his glass with a spoon which got everyone's attention.
"Melinda and I have an announcement," he offered smiling down at her. "We're getting married!"
The table erupted in a roar. Nick dug into his pocket and slapped twenty bucks into John's outstretched hand. Amanda stood up and enveloped Fin in a bear hug.
"Finally! 'bout time you popped the question!" She Shouted.

"I remember the day you finally worked up the guts to talk to her," Munch sighed in a nostalgic tone. "I think I had a huge role to play in this romance."

"Yeah, right! Olivia was the one who told me to ask her out! Not you old man!" Fin shouted playfully unaware he had said her name.

Her name.

The table went silent for a moment. No one knew what to say. Saying her name brought sadness. The unknown. It wasn't just Elliot's life she walked out of, it's was theirs too.

"Who's Olivia?" Amanda whispered breaking the silence.

At the moment, as if it were a gift from God, the waitress came over.
"I hear congrats are in order?!" The perky blonde beamed. "So what can I get for you guys?"

***

Elliot had been standing on the balcony of the restaurant for an hour now, while everyone ate. His drink was still cold in his hand aided by the uncharacteristically cool mid-June weather. He was about to take another swig when—

"I miss her too, El." a voice said with his voice low and concentrated." She was like the daughter I wish I had."

Elliot turned around to see his captain standing a few feet behind him. He turned back around and finished off his drink.

"Tell me this one thing," he pleaded, still looking out to the skyline. "Is she safe? Is she happy?"

"Elliot..."
"No," Elliot turned around and glared at him full on."I didn't ask where she is... Or try to trick you into telling me. I just want to know if she is safe. That's all!"

Captain Cragen cleared his throat and stuck his hands in his jeans pocket, standing firm on his promise, "She's fine, she's strong, she's stubborn and she knows what she's doing. She's Olivia."

He nods acceptingly, "She left because I was an ass and I don't even get to say I'm sorry. Sh-she looked so afraid of me, I don't know why I acted like that," he paused trying to keep his voice steady." I just want to say I'm sorry."

"She knows. She knows that you're sorry, El."

Elliot turned his attention back to the view, the simultaneous fade of the natural light and the bright glimmer of the thousands of city lights someone reminded him of her. Heck, everything reminded him of her. He remembered their late-night talks on the roof overlooking the city. How he had been shocked that she had never visited the Empire State Building and had promised to take her someday. That day never came.

"I gotta go, Cap, give Fin and Warner my congrats again, see you tomorrow," he said before disappearing back into the restaurant.

Don looked down and saw him reappear only to disappear into the subway again. God, he prayed he was doing the right thing.

Sorry for the wait, end of terms were stressful. A regular update from now on as long as time permits. Also tell me what you think, yes it is deadly slow but it will pick up soon. xx