Disclaimer: I don't own L&O SVU, however the poem is mine.
Spoilers: None
The Words That Can't Be Spoken
If I promised you one thing
It's to always look you in the eye
I would say I'm sorry,
But that would be a lie
We promised to always tell truth
But I just can't tell you this
Because I don't want to lose you
To someone else's bliss
So I'm writing it on my chest
In case you take the time to look
Baby I love you
It's my heart you took
You burned your name into its flesh
And now it beats in time with yours
What once was mine alone
Has left for your distant shores
We're the best of friends
Nothing I want to violate
But there's more to me
And these feelings won't abate.
The words were hastily scribbled on the bottom of a legal pad. She knew the handwriting right off. It was hard not to after working with someone for ten years. You learned more about them, than you really ever wanted to know, but she hadn't seen this coming. It was truly the last thing she expected from him. He was the very strong, silent type. He never spoke about his feelings to anyone, not even his own son. That he wrote those words and left them for her was almost unimaginable. Unless he didn't leave them for her. She looked carefully to see if he was around, but he wasn't in the squad room. She really didn't know what to think. She'd never seen any sign that he felt differently about her, than say Munch did. But didn't his words say it all? He wanted to tell her, but couldn't, because he didn't want to ruin their friendship. She could understand that. But didn't he know her well enough by then to know that he could tell her, and she would reciprocate? Obviously she was just as good of an actor as he was.
"Hey, Munch?"
"Yeah?"
"Have you seen Fin lately?"
"Not in a few minutes. Check the roof."
"Thanks."
She bounded up the stairs with far more energy than she should have, but seeing his words made her feel a rush, like she hadn't felt before. He was standing a few feet from the ledge, looking out over the city. The lights from the skyscrapers washed over them both, casting their faces in an orangey glow. He looked so lost standing there alone and yet so strong, like nothing could ever topple him. He heard her coming and glanced at her from the corner of his eye but otherwise didn't move. She stood next to him for a time, unsure what to say, or how to get past all the words that were suddenly lodged in her throat. She'd never had a problem being articulate before, but standing there face to face with a man, who was completely in love with her, stoppered her mouth. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, several times, but just couldn't unstick what she was trying to say. He kept glancing at her in expectation. She knew then that she was going to have to make her actions speak for her words. There was no other way to convey what she wanted.
She pulled him away from the ledge, so that he was facing her, cupped his face, and kissed him for all she was worth. She poured her heart and soul into that kiss. It took a second for him to respond, but when he did, it was like everything clicked into place for both of them. His arms came around her, holding her close, as he swallowed her sighs. When they finally broke apart, their breathing was ragged, and desire sparked in their eyes.
"I love you." She breathed, finally able to say the words he had written to her.
"I love you too." They turned back to the view, arms around each other, and her head pillowed on his chest, directly over his heart.