Hey guys! I'm back with a holiday story. I usually very weary to write holiday stories because I feel that they date themselves but I was inspired so I'm going with it. I know I'm more of a oneshot girl but I'm going to switch up the formula this time. I'm going to post shorter chapters just so I can get at least some of the story to you guys before Christmas.
This story is slightly in an alternate universe but only really where the timeline is concerned. It's starts modern time and then flashes back several years. I don't want to give much away so if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will answer in the next update.
ENJOY!
Walking into the ballroom of the plaza hotel, Olivia Benson took a deep breath as she surveyed her surroundings. The room was beautifully decorated for the upcoming holiday and the higher ranking of New York's finest were milling around.
Normally, she would not mind socializing and networking with her peers but she suddenly felt a looming sense of anxiety wash over her. She ran her hand down the smooth material of her form-fitting black dress self consciously before the feeling of a soft hand on her back snapped her out of her thoughts. Michael Dodds, her newly appointed second in command and companion for the evening, was at her side.
"Our coats are checked and it looks like we're at table twenty-three." He explained, dexterously flipping the place card through his fingers. "Shall we?"
She did her best to give him a convincing smile. "I'll meet you over there. Just going to stop at the bar quickly."
Dodds gave her a bright smile and a nod before they went their separate ways. Reaching the bar, Olivia tapped her fingers patiently against the polished wood as she waited for the bartender to serve her.
Suddenly, the air in the room changed and she felt the hairs stand at the base of her neck. Sensing a looming presence, she did her best to take a calming breath. "Lieutenant", a raspy voice greeted.
Turning to her right, she saw Ed Tucker standing there, twirling a tumbler of bourbon in his hand. "Captain", she replied, trying to force her eyes to stay on his face and not roam the length of his body. He was wearing a navy blue, three piece suit, a gorgeous contradiction to his usual black work suit.
"What can I get for you, ma'am?" The bartender asked, laying a small napkin down in front of her.
She opened her mouth to answer but was cut off. "She'll have a bourbon, neat."
Unlike Olivia, Tucker did not try to hide his wandering eyes. "Command suits you, Olivia. You look amazing."
Turning her body to face him, she challenged him with a smirk. "You always did have a thing for little black dresses, didn't you?"
Seven Years Ago...
He spotted her from across the crowded bar. She was wearing a slim fitting black dress with her hair done in a loose twist, a little too over dressed for this type of establishment but stunning nonetheless.
Navigating his way through the crowd of people, Ed honed in on her like a heat-seeking missile. She checked her watch and looked around the room as he reached her. "Hot date, Detective?" He asked, his eyes scanning over her body.
Scoffing, Olivia rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here, Tucker? Shouldn't you be at a sleazy cop bar?"
Adjusting the rolled up sleeves of his dress shirt, he leaned against the bar. "Yeah, well, it's hard to make friends at the NYPD when you work for IAB so here I find myself."
"At least you're self aware." She bit back causing him to let out a hearty laugh. That caught her by surprise and she found herself smirking at the sight of him in such rare form.
When he caught her smirking at him, she checked her watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. His face turned almost sympathetic as the wheels turned in his head. "What time was he supposed to be here?" He asked, his eyebrows knitting together in empathy.
Sighing in defeat, she glanced at her watch again. "Forty-five minutes ago", she answered, worrying her hands together.
Noticing her fidgeting hands, he reached out to still them, a reassuring smile gracing his lips. "Well, he does not know what he's missing." He said, his eyes wandering down her body before finding it's way back to her face, a warm smile on his lips. "Every girl should own a little black dress, every boy should see his girl in one." He quoted.
Her eyebrows raised in awe. "Didn't peg you to be well-read, Tucker."
"I'm full of surprises, Detective." He mused, a full smile spreading across his face showing off his bright white teeth. "Let me buy you a drink."
She thought for what seemed like several minutes, his twinkling blue eyes not helping her think clearly in the least. "Okay", she agreed quietly against her better judgement.
Raising his forefinger to gain the bartender's attention, he noticed her checking her watch again out of the corner of her eye. "She'll have a bourbon, neat. Put it on my tab." The bartender nodded and turned to pour the drink.
Olivia's eyes shot to Ed's face when his hand lightly grabbed her wrist. With one nimble hand, he unlatched her watch and slipped it off her wrist. She watched with astonishment as he tapped the face of the watch gently before slipping it into her clutch that was sitting on the bar. "You've wasted enough time on him tonight. Don't give him the satisfaction."
In that moment, something between them shifted. She had never seen Ed Tucker so human and if it wasn't so unnerving she would find it attractive. The bartender placed the glass in front of her and she smiled in gratitude.
Holding his glass out to her, he smiled as she clinked her glass against his and watched as she sipped the dark liquid for the first time. Her face contorted minutely as the burning alcohol slid down her thought. "Bourbon, it's rough at first but it grows on you. We have that in common." He smirked as his glass reached his lips.
Later that night...
"I have looked down the barrel of a gun, I've been slashed with a knife but I've never been more terrified than when that woman was crowning in the back of my squad car." Ed chuckled as he downed the rest of the brown liquor.
Throwing her head back, Olivia let out a laugh as one of her fingers swirled around the rim of her almost empty glass. "C'mon, Tucker, it's the miracle of life!"
"Yeah, well that miracle left a permanent stain on the interior of the cruiser." He retorted causing her face to twist with disgust. "See!" He snickered, pointing at her expression.
Leaning back against his stool, Ed let his laughter subside as he watched the woman next to him. She looked back at him, smiling shyly as she caught him staring at her. He stretched his arm across the back of her stool, gently rubbing the skin of her upper arm with his thumb.
A clock across the bar caught her attention. "Is that really the time?" She asked, squinting to get a better look.
Checking his own watch, Ed sucked his teeth in disappointment. "Yeah, quarter passed midnight."
Pushing a stray hair back from her face, she huffed. "I better get going." She sighed, looking back at him.
"I'll walk you out to your car." He offered, standing up from his stool. Grabbing her coat off a nearby coat rack, he held it open for her as she slipped her arms in. He slipped on his own jacket while she gathered her things before he pressed a strong hand to her lower back, leading her towards the door.
As they reached her black mustang, she turned around and leaned back against her car door, her hands shoved in the pockets of her coat to ward off the cold. Her eyes reluctantly met his face, the tension hanging thick between them. He brought his hands up to the lapels of her pea coat, pulling them closer around her to ensure her warmth.
She could not help the small smile that spread across her lips as she watched him. His eyes travelled from his hands up to her eyes which widened as his face inched towards hers. His pink tongue peaked out to wet his lips as his eyes darted between her eyes and her plump lips.
Before she could even process what was happening, his mouth were on hers. Shock paralyzed her where she stood as his soft lips pressed against hers. Pulling back so mere inches separated them, his eyes opened slowly to search her face. "Ed", she breathed, her warm breath puffing against his close face. "We've been drinking..."
"I didn't drink that much", he cut her off, his voice softer than she's ever heard it. His hand came up to push a piece of stray hair back before his lips were on hers again. This time it took milliseconds for her to respond, her lips surrendering under his. Her hands found their way from her pockets to grip the lower muscles of his back as he sucked her lower lip between his.
One of his hands tangled in her hair while her mouth opened under his, allowing his tongue to connect with hers. He reached out to brace his other hand against the roof of her car as he pressed his body against hers. She hissed into his mouth, the delicious contradiction of the cool metal and his warm body causing an unfamiliar sensation to rise within her.
Releasing her lips, he pressed his forehead against as his heavy breath panted against her flushed face. Her hands gripped the lapels of his jacket in an attempt to hold him close while she caught her breath.
Reaching his hand behind her, Ed opened the driver side door and braced his strong arm against it as he pecked her cold nose. "Get home safely, Detective." he rasped, before placing another lingering kiss to her lips.
Nodding her head against his, she gave him a small smile before slipping into the driver's seat. She started her car and looked over at Ed through the frosted car window, the twinkle not leaving her eye until she was long gone.
Hanging his head, he couldn't help the shy smile that spread across his face. "You're right, they're my weakness. If I didn't know any better, I would think that you wore it on purpose."
"Don't flatter yourself, Tucker." She laughed, sipping her drink.
Adjusting his cufflinks, his eyes scanned the room. "I saw you walk in, is that your new boy prodigy?" he asked, nodding towards where Dodds was sitting.
"That is my new Sergeant." She explained, straightening her posture in an attempt to seem more professional. "He's new to SVU, actually NYPD for that matter."
He nodded, trying his best to hide his jealousy. "Fresh meat", he acknowledged, squinting his eyes as he looked passed her in an attempt to avoid her gaze.
"Ed...", she warned, looking down at her drink before looking back up at him. He gave her a small smile in apology. "I should be getting back..." She explained, nodding towards her table.
Nodding in understanding, he picked up his drink. "I'll walk you." He offered.
Tilting her head, she gave him a pointed look. "You really don't have to..."
"March, Lieutenant", he commanded with a teasing glint in his eyes, motioning her to walk ahead of him. She rolled her eyes and begrudgingly followed his order.
When they reached the table, Olivia sat down in the chair next to Dodds. Seeing the man accompanying her, he stood and offered his hand. "Michael Dodds." He greeted.
Looking from his hand up to the man's face, Ed reluctantly accepted the handshake. "Ed Tucker, IAB." He replied, shaking his hand firmly. When his hand was released, he sat back down next to Olivia and stretched his arm across the back of her chair. Ed had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep the rising jealousy at bay before he noticed that everyone around them started to take their seats. "I should be getting to my table." He stated, his somber eyes meeting hers briefly. "Take care of her, Dodds. She's one of the good ones."
Looking at Olivia, Ed gave her a melancholy nod and she gave him a heavyhearted smile in return. Dodds, completely missing the exchange between the two, nodded as he watched him walk away. "Old friend?" He asked, looking over at her.
Reaching for her drink, she brought the glass to her lips. "That's my ex-husband."
I love a good cliffhanger! Like I said, if you have any questions feel free to ask! Honestly reviews motivate me like nothing else so if you want quick updates, show me some love!