Chapter 21

Olivia woke up with a start. Looking at the bedside clock, she panicked. It was almost noon and she was still in the bed. Wait, she had called in this morning and asked for the day off. Thank goodness. That would have been two days in a row, going in late! She rolled on her back and stared at the ceiling. Where was Dominic? Maybe in the living room. She smiled as she thought about what had happened a few hours ago. He had said he loved her. She didn't return the words, but somehow she knew she would soon. She had never felt this way for a man. She had never told a man to not use protection. What had she been thinking?

She rolled to the side of the bed and got up. She noticed something on the nightstand that had definitely not been there before. She grabbed it and headed towards the living room. There was no Dominic. The envelope had her name written on it so she pulled it open and started to read.

Dear Olivia,

I wanted to see you before I left, but I didn't know if I could handle it. I will probably end up coming over anyway. I heard what you said to Elliott about loving him too. It broke my heart, but I can't really blame you. You have been through so much with him and it would be hard to not develop feelings for someone you care that much for. I want you to know, I have been blessed to have you in my life. Even though, it was for such a short amount of time I will always treasure it. Please remember the things I said about you. You are such an amazing woman and someone will be so blessed to have you in their life. I have to catch a plane and will be deploying to Afghanistan right away. I will be in touch with you and if you want to get in touch with me I have my card in the envelope too. Please forgive me for running away, but I could not take the pain of losing you. I wish you all the best life has to offer, and I hope you will find the happiness you deserve so much! Olivia, I LOVE YOU. I have never said those words to any female that was not family. I truly mean them. Please take care of yourself. Try not to pull your gun on innocent men anymore. I will remember you forever.

I LOVE YOU,

Dominic

Olivia did not realize tears were running down her face until a few dropped onto Dominic's letter. How was this happening? He must of heard her first sentence to Elliott and left. She knew something was not right. When he left the hospital last night she knew she had not said anything that would have made him want to run away. Dear Lord what was she going to do now? She knew she loved this man and wanted to have a future with him. She had to get in touch with him, but how?

She could think better now that she had taken a shower and drank a big glass of tea. She pulled Dominic's letter out and read it again. This really sucked. Why did she not tell him this morning that she loved him too? It was on the tip of her tongue, but she was so afraid it did not come out.

She got dressed and dried her hair. She could not sit here dwelling on things. She had to do something. She pulled his card out of the envelope and read it. Where was his base? Cherry Point, North Carolina. That was a long trip to make without knowing any details. She walked over to the desk and opened her laptop. She knew she could find something about Cherry Point on line. She Googled Cherry Point and thousands of matches came up. She surfed through the results and read all the information she could. She found a contact number for the CO, Commanding Officer, on the base. She immediately grabbed her phone and started to dial.

"Cherry Point local information, how may I direct your call?"

"I need to speak with someone that can give me information on officers that are deploying." Olivia hoped she said the right thing. She was so nervous. She did not want to ruin this.

"Ma'am, do you know what unit you need?"

"Yes, it's the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. I need to find out about Master Sergeant Dominic Pruitt. Anyone that can help me with that, I would be very grateful."

"Please hold, while I transfer your call."

Olivia listened to the spill on why everyone should join the Marine Corps. It was better than listening to elevator music. The infomercial was interrupted right in the middle.

"This is Captain Bruce Laney of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. How can I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Olivia Benson. I am a detective. Manhattan Special Victims Unit. I am looking for one of your officers. Dominic Pruitt. He left New York early this morning, headed to Cherry Point. I really need to speak with him. This is a true emergency and it is very detrimental that I speak with him."

"Slow down, Ms. Benson. Is this a police matter? Or is this a personal matter?"

"Well, Captain Laney, I cannot lie. This is a personal matter. I do not want Dominic to be deployed without me speaking to him. I will not be able to forgive myself." Olivia usually did not speak so candidly to strangers, but this was too important not to lay her heart out on the line.

"Ma'am, Master Sergeant has not checked in yet. His flight will be arriving momentarily, I can let him know he needs to call you as soon as he arrives. He will be sent back to Camp Lejeune before he is deployed."

"How long will that be?"

"He should be in-country for at least a week before he is deployed to Afghanistan. He will be here over night then on to Camp Lejeune. Lejeune is also in North Carolina. It's a requirement to stay for a week. They have to be checked out and made sure they can deploy safely."

"OK, Captain, let's just say if I left New York right away would I be able to catch up with Dominic? Would it be better to plan on going to Camp Lejeune?"

"Yes Ma'am. Lejeune will be your better bet."

Olivia had all ready grabbed her suitcase out of the closet. Throwing things inside she said, "Thank you so much, Captain. You do not have to tell Dominic I called, I will speak with him myself. You have been such a huge help to me. I greatly appreciate your help."

"I hope you get your guy, Ma'am. Master Sergeant is a good man."

"Thank you, sir. He is a wonderful man!"