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It was supposed to be a quiet day. It was supposed to be filled with meetings and paper work. It was supposed to be a day that was painfully boring. It was supposed to be.
Tucker checked his watch having just left one meeting and not needing to be in another for a couple hours. He sat at his desk returning some emails and seeing if anything urgent needed his attention. There was a stack of files starring back at him, taunting him. He sighed and pulled the first one off the pile. His cell phone starting ringing with an unknown number.
"Anything to avoid paperwork," he mumbled. "This is Tucker."
There was a delay and Ed almost asked if anyone was there.
"Captain Tucker."
Tucker was a little confused by the formal greeting but decided to play along.
"Lieutenant Benson hi how are you doing," he asked getting a weird feeling even though she had simply said his name.
"Well, Ed," she stressed his name again. "I'm in a bit of a situation here."
That got his full attention.
"What's going on?"
"Well, if you check with Fin you can get the full details…."
Her voice faded away and he heard a muffled male voice in the background.
"Ed, I am sitting here with a couple of people that need some help."
"Ok, what can I help you with," Tucker asked while exiting his office and trying to get a report from what was really going on?
"I need you to get in touch with some people and make a couple things happen pretty quickly."
As Olivia was speaking a report was put into his hands by his number two. Olivia was being held hostage downtown with three other civilians. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest in the moment he almost didn't hear Olivia speaking. He had to lock in and focus…for Olivia, for him.
"I think it would be best if you come down here so we can continue to talk and give Joe a little more time to think about everything he needs."
"Yeah, absolutely I can do that. I am on my way. Can Joe hear me?"
"Yes, you're on speaker."
"Ok hey Joe I am Captain Tucker. I am on my way to you and we can figure out a way to get you out of there ok."
"Captain? Good you must have some pull and clearly I have something you want," he said looking at Olivia.
"Joe I want everyone to come out of that house alive. I need you to promise me to keep things relaxed until I get there. I will get you what you need and we can all go home safely."
"That's all up to you Captain…you have 20 minutes."
It only took him 10 to blast to the scene from there it was a chaotic back and forth until the door to the garden level entry opened. Everything seemed to stop. At least 20 guns were pointed in her direction but only 1 was trained on her head. They shuffled slowly out of the lower level of the townhouse, everything else was moving in slow motion. The release of the kids and Olivia's elbow to Joe's face…the single shot that rang out was like a starters pistol to his heart and he ran for the Lieutenant.
"Olivia," he yelled out as he reached for her.
She grabbed his arm, her grip was like a vice holding on for a lifeline. He could feel her shaking as she tried to hold it together.
"Where is Noah?"
"We'll bring him," Carisi relayed.
"But where is he," she demanded to know?
"He is with Lucy right now; we will find him for you ok?"
"You just take care of yourself right now."
"Tucker," she whispered out amongst the chaos. "Thank you."
"What for? You did great in there Lieutenant," he smiled letting her know everything was ok.
Ed desperately wanted to ride in the bus with her to the hospital but as chief negotiator he had to stay at the scene and give a statements. He promised he would be in touch later. After being checked out at the hospital and giving her statement she just wanted to go home. Carisi offered to go with her but she declined just wanting a night with her son.
"Olivia," Lucy said standing up from the couch seeing the massive bruise on the side of her face.
"Noah?"
"Right here," she bent over picking Noah up from the floor and handing him to his mom.
"Oh my love it is so good to see you," she said giving him a big hug and a few kisses as the tears released from her eyes.
When Olivia loosened her grip and Noah could see his mom, he patted the discoloration on her face.
"Booboo," Noah said softly.
"Yeah my sweet boy mommy has a booboo, but you're making it all better," she said peppering his face with more kisses eliciting a giggle from her son.
Lucy didn't leave until she was sure Olivia was going to be ok for the night. She promised she would be fine and gave her the number of her temporary cell until hers was released from evidence. Once the apartment was quiet again Olivia walked into her son's room and to the rocking chair she grabbed whatever book was closest to her and started reading. She just wanted to be with her son.
It could have been 5 minutes later or an hour, Olivia had no idea how long she had been reading when there was a knock at the door. She almost thought about ignoring the door but knew the person knocking wouldn't be going away. She looked through the peek hole and smiled thankful it was the only other person she would want to see tonight.
"How did you get up here," she asked with a smirked?
Tucker flashed his badge.
"And here I thought it would have been those blue eyes."
"Can I come in," he asked?
Olivia stepped back and Tucker walked into the apartment.
"Noah can you say hi to Mr. Tucker," Oliva asked her son softly knowing he was a little shy around new people. "He is a friend of mommy's."
"Tuck," came a soft reply.
Tucker couldn't help but smile at the young boy. This was his first real time meeting her son and he had to admit he was more adorable in person than the pictures.
"Hi big man. You having a good night hanging out with mommy?
Noah nodded his head as the three of them settled on the couch.
"I haven't been able to put him down since I have been home. He must know I've had a long day because he has been such a good boy tonight allowing me to hold him."
"Ahh he just wants to make sure his mommy is ok…always looking out for others… wonder where he gets that from," Tucker smiled.
When they sat down on the couch something caught Noah's eye and he wiggled out of his mom's lap. He stayed close but went to investigate the shiny object he saw flash. The two adults eyed each other but remained silent as they let Noah explore. It took Tucker a moment but he realized what it was Noah wanted and removed the badge from his waist and handed it to the curious boy. Noah smiled taking the badge and examining it.
"Mama," he said showing her the object.
"That's a police badge see it says Captain," Olivia pointed out.
"Capin," Noah repeated.
"Where is yours," Tucker asked softly not wanting to distract the boy?
"Desk," she said nodding towards the hallway.
Tucker got up and retrieved the badge slipping it to Olivia.
"Noah this is mommy's police badge," Olivia said handing over her badge.
Noah took the second gold shield and his grin doubled in size very proud he now had two. Olivia's heart swelled with joy seeing her son so happy in that moment. It was a sight she wasn't sure she would get to see again.
"Capin," Noah asked him mom.
"She will be bud," Tucker cut off his mom knowing Lieutenant was not in the two year olds vocabulary yet.
Olivia cocked and eyebrow; it wasn't bad enough he put her in the lieutenant position, now he wanted her to be captain. He just shrugged and gave his signature smirk. They two talked and entertained Noah until it was the little boy's bedtime. He was a little reluctant to surrender the badges but halfway through a story he was out cold and Liv was able to take them from his grasp.
Olivia walked back to the living room and saw Tucker with two glasses of wine.
"I'll trade you," she said holding up his badge.
They made the trade and Olivia took her first sip of wine all night.
"It's no bourbon but it will do. So, how are you really doing?"
"I've had better days but I guess it could have been worse. Thanks for stopping by tonight. I don't have my cell phone it's in evidence."
"So when you see 10 missed calls me from I get a pass and you're not going to think I am some stalker," he asked with a smile?
"I'll give you a pass this time. God Ed," she said not really sure where to go from here as the weight of the day hit her.
"Hey, no come here," he said pulling her into a hug. "I am glad you were able to called me."
"I just, I can't believe I came so close to never seeing Noah again."
"I was not going to let that happen."
"He umm…he asked me if there was anyone at the NYPD that cared if I lived or died."
Ed just hugged her tighter unable to imagine the fear she must have felt.
"I care Olivia. I know we have a colorful past but these last few months meeting for drinks and dinner….I care," he repeated not so good with the words.
They remained on the couch cuddled up drinking wine and just talking. Ed was there to listen to whatever Olivia had to say. Some were just random thoughts, other were specific details from being inside that house. He wanted to be there and offer any support he could.
"You want a refill," he asked.
"No, I'm ok."
Ed just nodded. He figured she wanted to end the night and he didn't want to overstay his welcome.
"I guess I should get going," he said getting up not really meaning his words.
Olivia followed his actions.
"Ed," she said as they stood in the living room.
He turned to her and waited for her to continue. She did so by slowly leaning into him and brushing her lips against his. She pulled back after a moment judging his reaction. After almost two months of drinks, dinner and texts it was their first kiss. Ed smiled and secured his arms around her making sure she was protected. They both smiled as their lips met again, this time with a little more passion and exploration.
"Ed, stay," she whispered breaking from the kiss.
"Olivia," he questioned not wanting her to regret anything.
"Nothing has to happen; I just don't want to be alone tonight."
"You're not alone," he said pulling her into a tight embrace.
They remained in the living room for a few moments before Olivia double checked the locks on the door and they retreated to her bedroom. Olivia remained in her t-shirt and shorts while Ed striped down to his boxers and undershirt. He was tense for a moment but settled quickly when Olivia snuggled up to his side. She used his chest as her pillow and he wrapped her up in his arms knowing she needed the comfort tonight. He remained awake long after Olivia fell asleep. He had wished she never had to experience this day but he couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. He softly kissed the top of her head before drifting off to sleep himself.
