Author's Note: Thank you guys for clicking on this story. I've been watching a lot of Special Victims Unit lately trying to get these characters just right. I've always liked these two together, and I'm hoping that I can do justice to the charisma that is so obvious between them during the time they spent together as partners on the show. Let me know what you think. Also, please feel free to follow the Instagram account I set up specifically for my fanfictions. I will post about new stories and updates. littlered1615. Thank you guys! And remember to review! Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: Special Victims Unit or any of the associated characters (or the actors). All rights go to their owners.
Where Lions Lie
Chapter One: Olivia Benson 3:02 a.m
The experts say that the it's best to let sleeping dogs lie, that the past is better left alone as though it means as little as water long gone under the proverbial bridge. But what happens when the past is so overwhelming that it consumes every part of our daily lives? How can we ignore the past if it is constantly invading each and every thought? When yesterday keeps knocking on the door, tomorrow is forever trapped outside just beyond reach.
The experts preach moving on, but moving on is much harder than it looks when the past is so vivid that it shapes each and every day of our lives. The red strokes of one traumatic event forever stain the white canvas of our lives when we let them. Moving on would be much easier for me. It would mean no more waking up in the dead of night in a cold sweat, praying that the nightmares would stop, allowing for more than a few measly hours of sleep. It would mean that the scenes and images that kept flashing through my head like a DVD stuck on repeat would finally fade into nothing more than a distant memory. How I wished I could simply get on with my life.
I've tried every night since to forget the events that led up to my life crumbling around me like clay. I've tried to erase the images that will always haunt my dreams, my memories. I've tried tucking the horrendous retentions into the deepest, darkest crevices of my mind, yet still I see and feel the same thing day in and day out. When I finally think I have a handle on things, the past jumps out in front of me, just to sucker punch me in the gut. Emotions and memories flood over me, and I can't seem to breathe let alone function. Everyone I've talked to tells me that these feelings are completely normal, and I just need to believe that time is on my side. After I learn to let go of everything that happened, I'll be happier and things will go back to normal. I'm not as hopeful.
Isat straight up in my bed; the room was spinning, and I could feel the sweat beading down my forehead. The only light in the room was coming from the blinking red numbers on my alarm clock. The time revealed that this was the third time that I'd been startled awake by the scenes that played over and over again in my head. I listened quietly for any indication of any other people in the apartment as I reached for the handgun sitting in its routine spot on my night stand.
I carefully climbed out of bed and moved over to the tiny window in my bedroom. Drawing the curtains back, I noted that it was still in fact locked. A small wave of relief washed through my veins as I moved the curtains back into place to keep my bedroom out of sight to the city streets. I knew that I wouldn't get any peace until I knew that the front door and every other window in the apartment were locked as well. This would be the fifteenth time that I'd checked every lock in the house tonight.
I rounded the corner from my bedroom into the hallway that led into the living room and kitchen. My heart hammered in my chest, the dull thump echoing in my ears as I checked the bathroom. I kept my handgun close to my chest, my finger staying close to the trigger.
As I made my way out of the hallway into the spacious living room, I found myself staring at a waiting pistol. "Welcome home Detective Benson." The words rang in my head; his voice caused fear to jump into my stomach. His eyes were feral, and his smile showed how satisfied he was to be here. I closed my eyes and I felt the gun crack down against my skull as he laughed with a sick satisfaction only psychopaths were capable of.
Dizzy, I opened my eyes again to a quiet living room. Everything was in its designated place. I lifted my hand to my head as I spun around the room, looking for Him. William Lewis, the man that haunted every one of my nights, was nowhere to be found. It had just been a hallucination, a trick that my brain had been playing recently to taunt me.
I sighed, slightly relieved as I hurried to the front door to check that the dead bolt was still in place, the chain lock hadn't been moved, the doorknob wouldn't turn, and the tape I had placed as a precautionary measure was undamaged. I felt tears slip down my face as I sank against the door. Lack of sleep, stress, and an over active imagination made it nearly impossible to shake the feeling that he was coming back. Paranoia had set in months ago. Even though I knew that I was safe with a squad car parked right outside, watchful eyes poised at all times on my building, I continued to let the memories and fear of that night take over.
I pulled my knees up against my chest, trying to get my breathing to finally settle down. I knew that sleep would not come easy tonight. Sleep had been elusive to me for the last several months. Every time I closed my eyes, he was standing in front of me. Even though I'd moved apartments, changed my phone number, changed my locks, I still couldn't sleep knowing that he could somehow find me and finish what he'd started the first time. Even though I kept a loaded weapon close by at all times, even though I relaxed with a steak knife within reach, I still didn't feel safe. I peeked at my phone. The time stared back at me, taunting me. I needed to be up and ready for work in approximately four hours.
I unlocked my phone, and looked through my texts. There were several from other detectives at the precinct, who knew that I'd been having a hard time. Suddenly, from out of nowhere it dawned on me. I closed my text messages after marking all of them as read, and scrolled through my contacts.
Anxiously, I pressed on one. The phone began to ring. "Pick up, pick up, pick up." I whispered into the phone between rings.
" 'Lo?" He said sleepily. His voice was groggy and I knew I'd waken him up.
"El?" I asked, hating myself for the panic in my voice. "It's me. Do you think that you could come over?"
A/N: And with that, I end chapter one. Please read and review. It really does help me want to get chapter two up a lot faster! I really love this pairing together, and I want to do them justice! Please let me know what you think! I should have chapter two up soon! Also, feel free to follow my Instagram I've dedicated specifically to my fanfictions. littlered1615. I'll post about upcoming stories and current updates! Thanks! See you for chapter two!
