Her silky brown hair feathered over the pillow, crowning her pale face softly. He stood, gazing down at her. Emotions ravaged his mind and heart. Anger, fear, tenderness, guilt and love. She was under so much stress and her coming here was so stupid. It could put her life at risk, her cover could be blown. No self-respecting EDG member would be spending the night in a cop's apartment. Yet here she was. His partner, his best friend, his true love. He reached down and gently stroked one calloused finger over her baby-soft cheek. He stirred slightly, her eyelids flickering. Her lips parted on a soft whimper. "It's okay, Liv. You're safe." The deep rumble of his voice quieted her, and she settled again. The dark shadows under her eyes haunted him. The bruise on the side of her face from the training her new "family" was giving her started a slow burn in his stomach. His cell phone rang, a starling chirp in the stillness of the apartment.
"Stabler."
"Where is she, Detective Stabler?"
The husky southern drawl was unmistakable.
"Star. She's here. She's sleeping. She's also bruised and on the verge of collapse."
"So goes the life, Detective. She's lucky. The EDG gave her a respite, allowed her to go home for a short amount of time. I've ensured that she wasn't followed back to New York. She's safe for the moment, but don't let her get too comfortable. She's on a mission, Elliot. She's got to go back, hon. You've both got jobs to do. It's just not the same job this time."
"That's the part I've got a problem with."
"You think I don't know that? I have to go, but consider this your only warning. The next one will be a command, and she'll have to leave immediately."
He paused before answering, cleared his throat. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
A soft click was his only answer. He closed the phone, slipped in back into its holster on his belt. He looked down at Olivia, and was surprised to see her deep brown eyes open.
"Did you hear that?"
"Your end. How much time do I have?"
"She didn't say. Not much. Go back to sleep, Liv. I'll keep watch."
"I didn't come here to sleep, Elliot. I came to see my anchor, to make sure that you were still here."
A lump in his throat required clearing before he could answer. "Liv."
"Just hold me, okay? I just need…" Her eyes pooled with tears, but refused to truly fall. One trembled over the edge of her lower lid and tracked slowly down her cheek. He reached out and captured it with his finger. He smiled a slight, strained smile.
"Okay, sweetie. I'll hold you."
He nudged her shoulders off the couch, supporting her back with an arm while he moved the pillows cushioning her head. With a grunt, he settled into the plush sofa and nestled her head and back into the crook of his body. She turned her face into his chest and sighed. Her eyes drifted closed and soon the sound of her breathing was regular and deep. Elliot rhythmically stroked his hand down her silky hair, alternately tangling his fingers in it and combing it out. The repetitive motion lulled him to sleep and he drifted off, his head resting on the back of his sofa, his hand wrapped in her hair and his heart lying at her feet.