A/N: I wrote this a while back when hurricane sandy hit and I thought it would be fun to post. Please leave a review because I spent my whole time at home with no power writing this. :) They belong to Dick Wolf
October 27
The windshield wipers on the old white minivan Elliot and Olivia were forced to rent at the crappy little shop in Southern South Carolina squeaked continuously, annoying the hell out of both of them. Being in the middle of the monster hurricane sandy, on the coast of South Carolina was one of the last things to do on Olivia Benson's things to do list. She regretted agreeing to spend the weekend at Munch's mansion here as soon as she heard how badly the storm was supposed to hit, but there was no turning back now.
Munch had invited Liv, Cragen, Elliot, and Fin down to his six bedroom estate, convincing them a nice relaxing weekend on the coast wouldn't hurt anyone. Well it had evidently. All four of them had agreed on getting out of there as soon as possible when they heard the news on the t.v. They'd tried to purchase four tickets back to New York City, but all flights were canceled. Great fucking luck. Elliot had suggested they drive to the safest location they could before the hurricane attacked, and as much of a stupid idea as it seemed, it was better then being hit full on. The four of them agreed together. Munch, Fin, and Cragen had all driven far inshore to find a hotel of some sort to rent. Liv and Elliot actually would have gone too, if not for the fact that pretty much every hotel and motel was already occupied by the panicked residences of the small town. So, Liv and Elliot agreed to drive over to another town up shore and then proceed inshore, if they made it in time.
Squeak, Squeak, Squeak. The wipers slid back and forth at a fast, but steady, rate. Olivia glared, wanting to rip them off and throw them into the 50 MPH wind that was blowing viciously at them. Elliot was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, trying to focus on the deserted road. Anyone who had seen them driving in weather like this, had probably thought they were on a suicide mission. Soon enough, both of the stressed detectives heard the familiar sound of sirens wailing behind them. Elliot glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the police car with dancing blue and red lights tailing them.
"Fuck." He pulled the car over slowly on the side of the road and slammed his fists down on the steering wheel. Olivia touched his muscular arm.
"Calm down, El." She soothed him gently. His quick temper wasn't going to do him much good in a situation like this one. A female cop about 35 with light hair tapped on Elliot's window. He rolled in down and glared at her.
"Sir, what do you think your doing?" The woman asked in an accusing, but soft tone. Elliot shrugged his shoulders.
"Driving." He answered simply, sarcasm dosing his voice.
"Don't be a smart ass." The officer snarked in a southern accent. "Why are you out here when the hurricanes about to hit? Are you crazy?" Elliot was about to come up with another obnoxious retort, but Olivia leaned over him and looked at the woman.
"Ma'am, my partner and I are from New York City, SVU. We came down here for a weekend with the rest of our team, but we got a bit caught up when the storm was announced." Olivia explained to the officer politely. At the mention of her being in the SVU, she could see the woman's green eyes slightly soften. "We came up this way hoping to find any open shelter. Do you think you could point us in the right direction?" The woman smiled as cold drops of rain dripped down her face.
"Sure I could. There's a newish beach house about a mile from here thats up for sale. I'll give ya'll permission to use it. Has working plumbing and everything, maybe no electricity given the storm." She told them. "Just follow me and I'll get ya'll there in a jiff." Olivia smiled and nodded at her, but Elliot continued to glare. When the officer had gotten back into her car and pulled in front of them, Olivia nudged Elliot's arm playfully.
"I got us a little house." She said smirking. Elliot sighed and let out a snicker.
"Your great, Liv." Elliot said with truthfulness. In all reality, there was no one like Liv if you really thought about it. She was kind, but not merciless, independent, but so vulnerable at the same time, intelligent, but not ignorant, and beautiful beyond anything Elliot had ever seen or heard of. Her features were soft, warm. Those light chocolaty eyes that he'd looked into so many days of his adult life, made him drift off into thoughts about her. He wanted to caress her skin like he had to Kathy, but with more passion and meaning. All he wanted was for her to know how much he loved her. Alas, he could not. Being partners with someone for fourteen years gave him no excuse for falling madly in love with her. Not to mention the fact they could and probably would loose both their jobs because of his selfishness. It would make him her enemy, and he never, ever wanted that.
"I know I am." Liv purred in a buttery voice. A few short minutes later, they followed the officer's car up to a house on the shore. The place was small, but not completely a penut. It was painted a white that probably shone brighter years before when it was new. The shudders on the excessive windows that lined the house were painted an dark electric blue that gave the house a certain attractiveness. The added swaying palm trees added to the draw they both had to the place. If it hadn't been for the raging winds and roaring ocean, it would've been a happy little sight. Elliot wondered briefly why anyone would not buy this house. It was cute. Elliot pulled into the driveway and met the female officer at the base of the stairs leading up to the front door.
"Here." The woman trusted a key into Olivia's hand, even though Elliot was closer to her. "It's the key to the house. God knows how long you'll be stuck here, but make sure you drop it off by the station before you leave." She made them promise and Olivia nodded, Elliot a little more half heartedly. "Can I see your badges to make sure you guys aren't cons or something?" The woman asked nervously, and Olivia sensed that this may be the first time she was working alone in such a dangerous situation. Olivia gladly took her badge out of her pocket and held it out of her pocket for the lady to see. Olivia couldn't help but smile at the relieved look on the cop's face. Her green eyes flickered back to Elliot. "What about him?" She asked, coldness traceable in her voice. Elliot hadn't even moved a muscle for the girl. He was just standing there with a bored and slightly pissed look on his face. Olivia looked at him to try and get him to show his badge. El just shrugged.
"You have my word, he is a detective." Olivia assured the younger woman. "One question, is there any grocery stores still open around here?" Sadly, the two geniuses hadn't brought any food with them, even though the odds of a food store being open was very low. The girl craned her neck to the left and pointed a finger in a direction of a small little red sign glistening across the street. It was barely visible through the many sheets of rain, but El and Liv managed to make out the words, 'Fresh Food.'
"That crappy stores almost always open. I have to warn you, its not that great." Her cheeks reddened slightly when she realized that she wouldn't be able to help the detectives anymore.
"Thank you." Olivia told her with a sincere smile. The woman smiled back. "What's your name? Just want to make sure I have one when I return these." Liv said jingling the keys lightly in her hand.
"Lucy Smith." She responded practically beaming with the thought of her name being given out to elders ranked above her.
"Well, thank you Miss Smith, but I think my partner and I can take it from here." Elliot's harsh voice came into play, suddenly and Liv shot him a look.
"Thank you!" Liv called over her shoulder once more as Elliot pushed the small of her back up the steep narrow stairs leading to the door. She managed to jam the key into the lock hurriedly without getting much more wet from the rain. It didn't make to much of a difference though because pretty much the only dry place on her that hadn't been soaked in freezing water was the bottom layer of her hair. Even that was the slightest bit damp. Elliot slammed the door behind them and they stood breathing there heavily for a moment before he started to peal off his soaking wet shoes.
"Aren't you getting changed?" He asked her as he tugged his shirt over his head, revealing his sculpted abs that made Liv's stomach go absolutely insane. She cleared her head quickly though, not wanting him to know how much she was drooling over him.
"I'm actually going to get some food at the store." Liv said. His eyes flickered up to her's in concern.
"I don't want you going out there alone." He said. Liv laughed a little at this. It was so like Elliot to be overprotective of her.
"I'm a big girl El, I can handle a little rain." Liv said grinning. He sighed reluctantly and she promised once more she'd be careful. He seemed a little more satisfied at this. Before she had actually driven up, Elliot had helped her carry the small amount of luggage they brought with them, up to the house, so El could get changed into something warm. While Liv was gone, Elliot was given the chance to father explore the small house. The living room was amazing. It was carpeted in a warm brown carpet and the walls were painted a light blue. In the very center of the floor, surrounded by a big leather couch was an indoor fire pit, full of wood. Elliot was so thankful for this that he wasn't even sure how they'd gotten lucky enough to stumble upon this place. Well, the officer who had the key to this place. There was only one bedroom with a king size bed. The dark sheets smelled brand new and it had a beautiful view of the iron gray ocean being knocked violently around.
About fifteen long minutes later, Liv returned to the house, now fully drenched in each arm a brown paper bag full of food. Lovely delicious food. Elliot felt his stomach grumbled at the thought of retaining any type of substance in his stomach. Considering the fact that he hadn't eaten for a good five hours made it okay.
"Yummm..." Elliot moaned as she took out a bag of chips. He tore it open immediately and shoved a handful of saltiness into his mouth. Liv laughed and shook her head at him as she proceeded to put things into the cabinets. There was absolutly no electric in the house, so Liv had only been able to buy non refrigerated foods. It was a bit of a let down, but because she had such a brilliant mind she had bought chocolate, marsh mellows and gram crackers.
"How did you know about the fire pit?" Elliot asked her confused. Liv's eyes shot up and craned her neck to the living room to see it.
"I actually didn't know. You can still make smores without fire you know." Liv told him a matter a factually. Elliot chuckled and helped her put the rest of the things away. Once they were finished, El offered Liv the chips. She shook her head lightly.
"Why? Potatoes are the best thing to walk on the earth. Don't fight the urge, Liv." Elliot said with crumbs falling from his mouth.
"I'm fine, really." Liv denied him once more. Elliot sighed.
"At least eat something. You must be starving!" He urged her. Now it was her turn to sigh.
"I'm not hungry right now." She said quietly, lowering her eyes to her feet clearly uncomfortable. Elliot stopped chewing at the change in her tone of voice. Not that this was weird for women to deny any fatty foods, but Liv hadn't eaten in over five hours. She really should try to eat something.
To be honest the only reason Olivia was denying to eat was because she didn't know how much of it she could hold down. Car sickness was something that ran in her family. Elliot didn't know about it and she was making sure it stayed that way.
"Are you sure?" Elliot asked her once more. Her eyes flickered angrily up to his when he wouldn't stop pushing. He held up his hands in surrender. An awkward silence overtook them both. "Theres one bed." Elliot said finally. Wow. The only thing he'd managed to say was basically referring to something sexual because of the fact that a bed was someone's most intimate space.
"Okay, I'll sleep on the couch." Liv said ushering over to the equally comfortable couch that was in the living room in front of her. Elliot shook his head.
"You should take the bed, Liv." He told her. She didn't bother arguing with him anymore. It just wasn't the time. "Hey, I found something while you were gone." Elliot said changing the subject to something a little less awkward. He took her hand in his, abandoning the chips on the counter as he led her into the living room. A tingle of excitement raced through Liv's body as she felt the physical connection with his hand. Sure they'd held hands before, when they were scared, upset hurt, but not this freely. Not like they were in love each other. Which they both new was impossible. Right?