Author's notes: I'm new to SVU and this one marks my first writing attempts in about six months. After having a severe case of writer's block and real life getting in the way, I'm finally back to writing I've decided to take a different path with this one. It will be a musical SVU and while we probably won't see our favourite detectives singing their hearts out, each chapter will be inspired by a different song. (A bit like an extended songfic piece).
This story will tell the tales of a Year in the Life of the SVU and that in itself is a different style for me. It won't be going into the deep, dark, world of their policing, they do that well enough on our screens, this is the alternative stuff with many liberties taken.
All feedback is appreciated and, as is the same with all of us, the characters are not mine and neither are the songs, I'm only playing.
September.
"You've gotta be frickin' kidding, Cap!" Elliot said, jumping up from his chair.
"Do I look like I'm kidding?"
"This isn't possible. There's no way I'm goin'."
"Hate to break it to you Elliot, but you are."
"It'll mean a monkey suit. I hate monkey suits."
"It won't kill you."
"Oh, come on Cap, is there anyway out of this?"
"Listen, we're all going - me included. Believe me, I'm none to happy about attending this Ball but OnePP made it quite clear that the lack of support by this unit in the past has been duly noted. They also suggested the upcoming budget review may be more favourable if we put in an appearance."
"That's blackmail!"
"El, if getting dressed up and going out for a few hours secures us some gains it'll be worth it. Believe me, there are bigger battles for us to fight out there."
Elliot slumped back into his chair, he had never been to a Policeman's Ball in his life and he sure as hell didn't want to go to one now.
The reaction of the rest of the unit was fairly consistent with Elliot's response. No one wanted to go and although they would all put in an appearance it was clear to all they were doing so under duress.
Astoria Hotel
Olivia stepped out of the cab and wrapped her shawl around her; Fin came and took her arm.
"Glad you're here, Liv, everyone else is a no show so far. I didn't want to go in by myself."
"In that case, I'm glad you waited for me. I hate going into these places alone."
Olivia and Fin walked in and handed their shawl and jacket to the coat check girl. Fin scanned the welcome board before finding their names.
"Here we are – table 56. Looks like it's located right at the back."
"Good, I'm not really into the social bull which goes on at these things."
The pair moved through the balloon festooned ballroom and found their table. They picked the furthest seats so they could have their backs to the wall.
"You reckon Elliot is gonna show?"
"He'd better. He said he was just going home and he'd be here."
Fin pulled out Olivia's chair and waited for her to sit down. "Ah, you're such a gentleman, Fin."
"Don't let that get out. I have a rep to uphold."
"Fin, Liv, good to see you here." Don said, shaking Fin's hand before kissing Olivia's cheek. "Sorry I'm late, have you been here long?"
"Yeah man, it was a 7.30 start so that's when we got here," Fin lied. They'd been an hour late themselves.
"Sorry. Had an urgent matter, couldn't get away."
"Must have been contagious because Elliot and John are not here either."
"I'm here," said John, pulling out the seat next to Fin. "I was just surveying the room."
"See anything interesting?" asked Fin.
"Perhaps," John replied, raising an eyebrow and leaving the others to their own interpretation.
The main course was served with the choice of chicken, beef or fish. By the time the waiting staff reached them, Casey and Melinda had arrived. They sat between Olivia and Don, leaving space for Elliot on the 'men's side of the table' as Casey phrased it. The meals arrived, and the speeches started. At first Olivia listened, showing the Mayor, then the Commissioner the respect due, but as the speeches began to ramble, she excused herself and headed to the bathroom. Looking out to the foyer she spied Elliot and moved towards him instead.
"El, what are you doing out here?" She asked.
"Wow, look at you!"
"You like?" Olivia did a quick spin which allowed Elliot to take in the navy blue silk gown. It swirled with her movement.
"I do."
"You don't scrub up to badly yourself," she said, adjusting his bowtie. "So, why are you out here?"
"I got here just as the Commish got up to talk and he hasn't shut up. I didn't want to walk through and interrupt. Could they put us any further back?"
"I think they are trying to make a point."
"God, I hate these things," he said, gesturing towards the ballroom, "and I'm not too fond of this either." He pulled at the lapels of his rented tuxedo.
"Never mind, El, it's for a good cause."
The applause echoing through the foyer indicated the speeches were over and as people began to move to the dance floor, Elliot and Olivia returned to the colleagues.
"Look who I found?" She said as Don approached them.
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"Me not do as I'm told? Never." Elliot laughed.
"I'm just glad you're here. Now, if you will excuse me, I've got some schmoozing to do."
The evening progressed and despite everyone's initial dislike of the event, they found themselves enjoying the all too rare opportunity of each others company. All too frequently their interactions were tarnished with the filth of their work.
After dessert was served, Melinda stood and pushed in her chair. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, I believe we should make a move to the…"
"Exit! Yep, I'm with you," said Fin, jumping up from his chair.
"I'm glad you're so enthusiastic, Detective Tutuola, I was talking about the dance floor."
"Dance floor – oh no man, I ain't dancin'."
"Yes you are." Melinda took his arm and led him to the floor.
"He never could say no to a pretty woman," chuckled John.
"And neither could you," said Casey. "Detective Munch, let's dance."
"Casey, I…"
"Dance, Munch!"
Elliot looked at Olivia across the now empty table. "I guess you wanna dance, too?"
"Me? No thanks."
"Really? You like to dance."
"Yes, I do."
"But you don't want to dance with me, right?"
"No, you don't want to dance with me."
"I never said that. What makes you think I…"
"El, 'I guess you wanna dance' is not exactly an enthusiastic offer."
"Sorry Liv. Olivia, would you please do me the honour of the next dance?"
"That's more like it."
The pair swirled around the dance floor and were surprised by the ease with which their dance moves came. The quicker songs ended and a slower one began. Olivia moved toward the table.
"Had enough?"
"No, I just wasn't sure about a slow dance."
"Why not?"
"Well, we're partners and I don't want others to think we're more than that."
"Stuff the others. Look Munch and Melinda are dancing so are Fin and Casey. Hell, even Cragen's dancing with the Commish's wife. No one's interested in what we're doing." He held his arms out and Olivia slipped into them.
It was a place she had always longed to be. Her reluctance wasn't due to a sense of propriety but to self – preservation. Lately, her feelings towards Elliot had grown stronger and while she could still act professionally on the job, encircled by his arms was another thing.
"You alright, Liv?" Elliot's voice broke into her thinking.
"Yeah, why?" She gazed up at him.
"You're just very quiet."
"I'm fine – just listening to the song. It's one of my favourites."
"'I Love You Forever' I wouldn't have thought you were a Donna Lewis fan."
"There's a lot you don't know about me."
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Author's Note: I don't know the song itself; I chose it for the lyrics. (edited)
Feels like...
I'm standing in a timeless dream...
Of light mists...
Of pale amber rose
Feels like...
I'm lost in a deep cloud of heavenly scent
Touching... discovering you...
Those days...
Of warm rains come rushing back to me
Miles of windless... summer night air...
Secret moments...
Shared in the heat of the afternoon
Out of the stillness...
Soft spoken words...
I love you always forever
Near and far closer together
Everywhere I will be with you
Everything I do for you
I love you always forever
Near and far closer together
Everywhere I will be with you
Everything I do for you
You've got...
The most unbelievable blue eyes I've ever seen
You've got...
Me almost melting away
As we lay there...
Under a blue sky with pure white stars...
Exotic sweetness...
A magical time
I love you always forever
Near and far closer together
Everywhere I will be with you
Everything I do for you
Say you'll love... love me forever
Never stop... not for whatever
Near and far and always
And everywhere and everything
Say you'll love me... love me forever
I love you always forever...