Author's note -
Okay, this story is all I can think about at the moment and it's driving me crazy. I've listened to the song at least twenty times today - if not more. I think by the end of the story I'll probably never want to hear it again.
Disclaimer: All I need is a sack, some duct tape, a permanent marker, a taser and something to make me invisible and they'll be alll mine!!...now, where's that Harry Potter guy when you need him...?
"Weren't you guys here before?" Asked a uniformed officer as Elliot and Olivia showed their badges.
"Yeah, my partner dropped her glasses." Elliot nodded as both he and Olivia ducked under the tape.
"Oh okay, not a problem." The young man said, turning back to his post.
Elliot was right about the amount of people still at the crime scene; enough to not be suspicious by being there or leaving inconspicuously. They crunched their way to the small trap door and squatted down next to it. Elliot pulled a half size crow bar from his backpack and began working at the door as Olivia rested on her haunches.
"I can't believe that guy is a cop. For starters we're carrying back packs and secondly I wasn't even wearing glasses before. As if I wouldn't have contact lenses if I did need glasses." Olivia ranted in a whisper.
"Munch wears glasses." Elliot smirked as he slowly pried the door open.
"Shut up." Olivia hissed.
Another creak from Elliot and the door flew open, making a dull thud on the soft dirt and snow.
"God, its freezing." Olivia commented as a slight draft floated out of the tunnel.
"It's four in the morning – of course it's freezing." Elliot replied in a whisper, "Ladies first."
Olivia smirked as she started to descend down the ladder, "Chicken."
Elliot chuckled to himself as he waited for Olivia to get in.
Heard a thud then 'fuck' slip from Olivia's mouth.
"What?" Elliot hissed into the black.
"I didn't expect it to end so suddenly." Olivia grumbled.
"Shine the torch around and tell me if you see the knife or a blade or something." Elliot stuck his head into the tunnel.
Olivia did as Elliot and took in her surroundings, "Elliot it's not here." she sighed.
Elliot picked up the crow bar and shoved it back into his back pack before descending down the ladder as well, pulling the hatch shut over his head.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Olivia said angrily, her voice echoing down the tunnel.
"Don't worry, there's a little catch thing on the inside of the lid for an easy exit." Elliot assured her.
"Uh-huh." Olivia nodded once before turning back to the tunnel.
"Do you think we should keep going?" Elliot asked.
Olivia shivered as a slight draft reached them so she pulled her coat tighter around herself, "Sure, why not?"
She shifted her back pack slightly and turned her torch to face forwards and slowly began walking down the tunnel.
If I only could…
The tunnel was the darkest place she had ever been, save for the light of her torch. She was sure Elliot must have seen the equivalent when he was in the marines but she wasn't sure. He had put his torch away and was right beside Olivia as they walked. The tunnel was a continues arch way about eight feet high and seven feet wide The walls were cement or something of equal texture, the floors just dirt. It seemed to go on forever. After a couple of minutes you couldn't see the end in either direction. It had slight bends which were barely noticed by either detective as they followed the only option they had.
Click. Click. Click. Thud.
"What was that?" Olivia stopped mid-step and turned to look at Elliot.
"What was what?" Elliot whispered back.
Click. Click. Whoosh. Click. Thud.
Olivia felt the gust of air and shivered.
"You mean that?" Elliot asked, still whispering.
Olivia nodded and turned her torch in the direction they'd come from.
Click.
Click.
Click…
Elliot & Olivia held their breath waiting for the 'thud' that should have followed.
Let me steal this moment from you now…
They saw the white light before the noise hit them with enough force to knock them both backwards, to the rough dirt and grit. A series of small flashes and blasts of noise assaulted their senses, confusing and numbing their minds to the pain they would feel moments later.
If I only could, be running up that hill…
It's hard to say how long the explosion lasted but at this point Elliot didn't really care. There was only one thought that remained constant in his mind as he felt around for his torch.
Olivia.
Finally all the rummaging paid off and he pressed the small button along the staff of the torch. The light illuminated the now thick air. Small bits off rock and concrete lay around the tunnel and further down where the pieces got larger. Elliot shone his torch through the haze which was beginning to settle until he spotted Olivia lying on the ground a few feet away. He crawled over to her, his head spinning slightly, and evaluated her condition.
She lay unconscious but still breathing. She had minor scratches on her face but her thick clothing had prevented any grazes apart from a few on her hands. Her hair was splayed out across the dirt and a bit messed up. Elliot brushed a few strands from her face and touched her shoulder.
You…
If I only could, be running up that hill…
"Olivia." Elliot said gently, knowing the headache she was going to feel all too well.
Olivia grumbled slightly and let her eyelids flutter a bit before closing again.
"Olivia look at me. I need you to focus on my voice." Elliot told her quietly.
Olivia groaned as she turned her head slightly.
"No, shhhh…shhhh. Liv, stop. Don't move. Just open your eyes and look at me okay." Elliot held her face in place with his calloused hands.
Olivia opened her eyes and let them flutter briefly before blinking a few times and closing them again – much to Elliot's disappointment.
"Liv, you need to stay awake okay." Elliot brushed her cheek lightly with his thumb, his hands still framing her face, "Tell me something. Tell me anything."
Olivia expelled a breath of air and sucked another in as she breathed through the pain. She opened her eyes and held Elliot's gaze for a moment in the dimly lit tunnel.
You and me…
If I only could, be running up that hill…
"My head hurts." She mumbled hoarsely.
Elliot smiled sadly, "That's it Benson, suck it up."
Olivia smiled too before shifting and pushing herself up against the wall, bating Elliot's hands away when he tried to help, "I have a headache Elliot, I'm not an invalid."
"Fine." Elliot put his hands up in defense before getting up and sinking against the wall next to her.
Olivia turned her head to face Elliot and waited until he did the same before speaking, "You better hope there is more than one exit because if there isn't I'm gonna kick your arse for dragging me down here."
Elliot just chuckled despite the situation.
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places…
So, what did you think of the second chapter? Sound good?
I'm already working on the third chapter so drop a review and I'll try and get it up sooner.
I wasn't going to update until I had 10 reviews but oh well. Next time I'm sticking to my guns and won't update until I have 20 reviews in total.
Thanks...Gosh, I know - I'm demanding.
Lots of love and hugs,
Curses...