Table for Two
Elle pulled the printer paper box out of the back of her car and balanced it on her leg so she could shut the door. Once she had situated the box in her arms, she maneuvered her way around the few cars in the garage and out onto the street. She caught sight of Olivia heading in and attempted to run to catch up.
"Hold the door," Elle called out just as Olivia disappeared inside. To Elle's relief the other cop held the door open with a smile, letting Elle pass her.
"Move in day," Olivia commented, indicating the box. Elle nodded and followed Liv upstairs. Elle sat down at Munch's old desk and took the top off of the box. She surveyed the minimal contents of the box. She laid the desk calendar underneath her keyboard and placed a picture of her father on the back edge of the desk. She tossed some pencils and pens into the center desk drawer. Finally Elle reached in and her fingers grazed the other picture frame she'd brought with her. She glanced around the squad room and nervously put the picture next to the one of her father. A happy looking Reid stared back at her, his arm draped lightly about her shoulders. Seeing him made her smile.
"What are you smiling about?" Olivia asked, resting her arms on Elle's desk. The new detective jumped slightly.
"Oh…nothing. Just…organizing," Elle muttered. She caught Olivia looking at the two pictures. Liv's hand was reaching towards the picture of Elle and Reid, causing Elle to quickly grab it.
"I just realized there's a crack in the glass," Ellie lied. All of a sudden she felt very uncomfortable in the other detective's presence. She knew it was almost impossible but there was still that tiny inkling of a chance that the squad would ask questions.
"You sure?" Liv pressed, trying to see the picture again.
"Yeah. I'm sure," Elle replied forcefully, shoving the picture back into her box. Liv just shrugged and walked away. Elle breathed a quiet sigh of relief as she watched the other detective return to her desk. She would have to be more careful around the other detectives.
"Liv, can I see you in my office," Cragen called, motioning for her with his hand. Liv took her hands off the keyboard of her computer and walked into the captain's office. He shut the door and sat down behind his own desk.
"What's up, Captain?" she asked.
"Have a seat," he instructed. She sat down across from him and eyed her superior nervously.
"I want you to take Detective Greenaway for a tour of the city. Get her acclimated to the area," Don explained. Olivia just stared at him.
"Did you just ask me to baby sit the rookie?" she asked, sounding insulted.
"Olivia, just think of it as getting to know her. You're going to be working with her on cases," he said, giving her a fatherly look.
"Did Elliot take Dani out on a tour of the city too?" she shot angrily.
"Excuse me?" Cragen countered.
"Forget it," Liv muttered and stormed out of the office. Before she got too far she was stopped by Fin.
"You ok? You look really pissed," he whispered.
"I have to baby sit the rookie," Liv said through pursed lips. Fin did his best not to laugh.
"Liv come on. It can't be that bad. She seems nice enough. Just…go to lunch or something," Fin suggested.
"I'd figure you'd be happy to have another female detective on the squad," he added.
"I'd prefer the testosterone," she muttered back as she once more approached Elle's desk. Elle was focused on the computer screen before her. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she typed with precision. She didn't even notice that Olivia was hovering next to her.
"You missed a letter," Liv pointed out, making Elle jump.
"Christ, don't hover like that," Elle replied.
"Sorry," Liv apologized. Elle finished the email and hit the 'send' button.
"The Captain wants me to show you around the city," Liv said after a brief silence.
"You're kidding right? I'm a big girl. I can find my way around. Besides I've been to the city quite a bit," Elle retorted. Liv couldn't help but smile. At least it seemed as absurd to Elle as it did to her.
"Well…he won't get off my back until we at least leave," Liv sighed.
"Well…it's about lunch time. You want to grab a bite?" Elle offered. Liv nodded and the two women headed towards the stairs. Fin caught Olivia's eye and flashed her a smirk. Once the two women were gone, Elliot looked over at the other cop.
"What was that about?" Elliot questioned.
"Liv just doesn't like change," Fin answered. Elliot shrugged and turned his attention back to the report he was typing up.
Down in the parking garage they were climbing into Liv's car. Elle pulled the seatbelt across her chest and had to reposition it so it didn't irritate the scar. She shuddered slightly as images of that horrific event flashed before her.
"You ok?" Liv questioned as she pulled out of the garage.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a chill," Elle lied. The car ride was silent, each woman lost in her respective thoughts. Elle finally broke the silence.
"How about we try there," he said, pointing to a small café on the left-hand side of the street.
"Sure," Liv agreed and maneuvered the car until she had parallel parked between two other cars.
Shortly they found themselves seated at a table near the back of the café. The waitress handed them each menus and left them to peruse.
"So, how long have you been with Special Victims?" Elle asked as she flipped a page of the menu.
"Eight years," Olivia replied as the waitress returned, pen and pad in hand.
"Can we have a few more minutes, that would be great," Liv addressed the brunette. The woman nodded and disappeared.
"Eight years. That's a long time. I worked in Seattle for a while," Elle said. She wasn't sure if she should mention her time at the BAU. IT was still a sore subject in the back of her mind.
"Doing what?" Olivia pressed. The waitress returned and this time they ordered.
"Sex crimes," Elle answered with a small laugh.
"Guess you're in the right unit then," Liv chuckled.
"Yeah, you could say that," Elle murmured as their waitress dropped off their drinks.
"So what professions were your parents in?" Liv asked after they'd contemplated their drinks for a few minutes.
"My dad was a cop but….he died in the line of duty when I was eight," Elle answered.
"I'm sorry," Liv said, placing a consoling hand on Elle's forearm.
"Thanks. It was a long time ago. What about you?" the other detective asked. Liv averted her gaze.
"My mother….was an alcoholic. She died six years ago. I never knew my father," Liv admitted as their meals were brought out.
"Wow…I…that must have made for a rough childhood," Elle murmured.
"Yeah it wasn't the best. But…I survived," Liv answered. They fell into silence as they ate their meals. Liv was about to reach for her wallet when Elle stopped her.
"I got it. Don't worry about it," Elle said, tossing a couple of bills on the table.
"You sure?" Liv asked and Elle nodded. Just as they were about to head back to Liv's car, a piercing scream echoed down the street. Liv sprinted outside, trying to find the point of origin.
"Over there," Elle pointed. She saw a middle-aged woman standing over a body. Elle and Liv jogged across the street, dodging a couple taxis until they reached the other side.
"Ma'am, what happened?" Elle asked.
"He just…collapsed," the woman answered, her voice shaking along with her body. Liv bent over the young man and felt for a pulse. It took her to find it. It was weak and thread-like. She began CPR as Elle tried to calm the woman down.
"Call an ambulance," Liv shouted at Elle. She pulled out her cellphone and dialed.
"I need a bus, young male collapsed," Elle called in. She gave the address and hung up.
"ETA about five minutes," Elle said and bent down. The young man had a bag slung over one shoulder. It looked familiar to her. She reached inside it and looked at the wallet. She flipped it open and her heart almost stopped.
"Let me try," Elle demanded and practically pushed Olivia aside. It was him alright. She began chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth until he finally coughed a breath.
Elle heaved a sigh of relief as the ambulance sirens blared. His eyes fluttered open for a moment, gazing blearily up at her. She placed a finger to her lips to indicate he should be quiet. The medics arrived and loaded him onto a gurney.
"You want to ride with him?" Liv asked. Elle swallowed, but shook her head.
"You can. I'll meet you at the hospital," Elle answered, slightly shaken. Liv handed her the keys.
"We're going to Bellevue," Liv called as the paramedic shut the doors.
