Port in the Storm
Oneshot. Elliot's POV. Set during 'Starved' season 7 after Olivia went undercover at a speed dating event with Dean Cain. Pre Fault, tensions are building.
"Any word," I asked, casually, wondering if our suspect had taken a liking to my partner.
"Not yet," she replied, distracted.
"Well maybe you're not his type…" I ventured, knowing damn well that she was EVERY man's type.
"Oh no," she came back. "He was interested. I could feel it, you know?" she toyed with me.
"Yeah," I responded quickly, too quickly. And she noticed. Hell, I'm only human.
Before I could falter all over myself in explanation her computer beeped, signaling that she had an email. He took the bait, of course he did, he'd be a fool not to. She set up the date for the next day. I pretended not to be jealous, not to be overprotective, I knew it was just for the job, but I didn't like the idea of her spending time with any other man, especially one that we knew to be dangerous.
I took one look at her in that strappy black dress she was wearing for the date and I melted. I instantly didn't want her to go, I knew her appearance would be too much for our perv and he'd go after. Hard. Fin was assigned to be in the restaurant with her and I was to wait in the car for him outside. I guess the captain thought he'd be less obvious about watching her, and I hate to admit it, but he's right. So here I am, sitting in the car stewing while she's in there flirting with a serial rapist. I feel like Cragen is playing it safe with us lately, especially with my pending divorce. He's been splitting us up when he knows things could get intense, emotions will run high, and our allegiance to each other will overshadow our duties. And maybe it is for the best, but we're partners damnit, I'm supposed to have her back, no one else. She can sense it too, the change in equilibrium, the shattering of the status quo. I was with my wife before, safe before, but before is gone and now all bets are off. I miss my children, I'm lonely and lost and she knows it. Knows me too well for my own good. Knows that before I never would have done anything to jeopardize my marriage, my family situation, but, despite my best efforts, my wife pulled the rug out from under me and now I'm a free agent. Before we could just attribute our strong feelings for each other to our parternly bond, I was married after all and she was married to the job. Is married to the job. But lately our bond has been even stronger, even more impenetrable, even more unspoken. Words that are half spoken speak more than full confessions ever could. Feelings are there, we both know it, feel it in our bones, but with my life in shambles she's my port in the storm. Our equilibrium needs to remain intact, for both our sakes, because I couldn't function without her if things went sour.
Fin jumps in the car next me and we head over to Olivia's building. If this guy so much as touches a single hair on her head I will strangle him with my bare hands.
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