Disclaimer: This is fanfiction people. FAN… FICTION… That should say it all. They're not mine or we wouldn't still be waiting twelve years later for El and Liv to get together!
A/N: This is my first EO story. I hope I do it justice.
FYI: When I wrote the first part of this chapter, I had the end of Wrath in mind. Olivia sitting alone in her apartment, crying, and Elliott knocking at the door.
Comfort. Truth. Hope.
Chapter 1: Comfort (1/3)
Detective Olivia Benson sat in her darkened apartment crying; her empty apartment. Calvin was gone. All that remained of him a suitcase of belongings by the front door. Well, there was the painting he'd done for her and an ache in her chest. The painting lay on the coffee table in front of her. The words 'by Calvin Benson' taunted her. They mocked her and her lack of children or family. She had a half-brother that she rarely saw, but that was it. There wasn't anyone in her life that belonged to her or that she belonged to. No one that would be there for her no matter what. No one that would love her unconditionally or that she could love her unconditionally. Her mind briefly wondered to her partner, but quickly flitted away from that which would only bring more pain.
She thought of the words Cragen had thrown at her… 'A detective desperate to start her own family'. God, those words had hurt. Each one a stinging barb that had struck home. There were parts of her, deep down, that could admit he had a valid point. However, when faced with having to make a choice, she'd done the right thing. She'd brought Vivian in. She did only want the best for Calvin, and for him to be happy.
Jesus, she would miss him.
Now she sat alone… again. One her own… again. With no one… again. Like always.
Was she such a terrible person for wanting someone to love? To love her? She thought miserably and continued to silently cry.
That's when the knock at the door came. She didn't move. Then her phone began ringing. When that stopped, the knocking began again. She didn't need to answer the door or the phone to know who it was. Elliott.
He didn't need to knock; after all, he had a key for emergencies. So she supposed it would be a test. Would he let himself in or would he leave? Would he care enough to make sure she was alright? Would he know that she was desperate to not be alone? Would he know that she needed some proof that she wasn't alone in this world or would he think that he should leave her be?
The door opened.
Elliott closed the door behind him, took off his coat and hung it on a hook. He didn't say a word as he walked over to his partner and best friend. He didn't say a word as he sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her. Her body tensed next to his momentarily before she relaxed, placing her head on his shoulder.
Olivia felt his cheek rest against the top of her head as he gently stroked her back. He still didn't speak. He simply held her as she cried. He gave her comfort by letting her know that she wasn't alone. He let her know by his actions that there was someone who cared. She'd been wrong; there was someone who would be there for her.
TBC