They had just worked a 36 hour day. It was a gut wrenching case, but they got it done. Caught the killer slash child molester. Even got him to confess. They should have gone home to catch up on some sleep; instead they headed to The Diner, their diner. The one they used to go to before everything became so damn 'complicated'.
They sat in silence for awhile, neither one of them taking a stab at breaking it. It was the first awkward silence they ever had, which just made it that much more uncomfortable. A million things ran through their heads, a thousand words that needed to be said.
He was pissed because she left again with; she was pissed because he replaced her. So here they sat drinking their coffee trying to put together the broken pieces of their hearts.
She couldn't take it anymore, "I'm sorry Elliot."
He nearly choked on his coffee. He wasn't expecting her to say that. "For what?" He asked looking into his cup and not at her. She sighed. Rolled her eyes a bit, was he actually going to make her say it?
"I'm sorry I left with out saying goodbye. It all happened so fast, one minute I'm Olivia Benson, the next I'm Persephone James." She exhaled softly, she even smiled. There, she did it. She talked first, she apologized.
"I was hurt, you know." He said still not looking up. Those were big words coming from Elliot Stabler. Detective who held it all in.
"I know, and I'm sorry for that." She said gazing into his hypnotic baby blues, willing his eyes to meet hers.
"You weren't replaced." He said softly, finally meeting her eyes.
"Huh?" How did he know that is how she felt? She didn't tell anyone that. Ahhh. She didn't have to tell anyone. This was the man that knew her inside and out. This was her other half.
"I know I hurt you too Liv. I'm sorry as well." He said with his famous Stabler smile.
"So, we're OK here?"
"Better then ever." He said as they traded 'I want to rip your clothes off' glances. They both smiled, not yet ready to admit what they both had thought.
It was then that she heard it, "Persephone! Oh My God! What are you doing here in NY! Everyone was wondering what the hell happened to you!"
Oh God. Her heart beat faster then humanly possibly. Sweat poured out her palms. "Hope!" She got up and hugged her old friend, "What are you doing here?!"
"My Grandmother lives here, she's not doing so well." She said bobbing her head to the side.
"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear about that." Olivia said with her, 'I'm really sorry' head tilt to the side.
"So what are you doing in NY?" She asked, and then she looked over at Elliot, "Oh!"
Oh NO! As if in slow motion, Olivia saw Hope's hand out stretch to meet his. Oh this is not going to be good, she thought to herself.
"Hi, I'm Hope. Nice to meet you--um?" Oh God…no! Don't say it! Please don't say your real name. Her stomach lurched into her throat; she didn't have time to stop it.
His voice was even in slow motion, "Elllllliiiiiiiiiiiioooooootttttt." Oh God. Why me?