Hello! Thank you so so much for coming to check out my story! I do hope you throughly enjoy it and please drop a review to let me know what you think. This will definitely be multi chapter and maybe even end up being multi story. Without further adieu, here is chapter one of I could fall in love with you.
Chapter one: Tomorrow will you want me still (baby do you want me?)
Blood. Blood was everywhere. On the floor, on the walls, the ceiling, the furniture. It was also on her hands whether it be visible or not. Looking around she tried hard to understand how this had happened, but the longer Ellie stood there, the darker her vision became.
"Looks like someone was cleaning house." A familiar voice said from behind her.
Ellie continued staring at nothing in particular and eventually felt a wetness on her cheeks.
"Pull it together Cruz. It happens more than we'd like to admit but the girls usually end up as collateral damage."
She finally turned her head to stare at the man next to her. "Collateral damage? They were hookers so they were asking for it? Is that it Captain? I have been undercover for fourteen months and you have the audacity to tell me they were collateral damage! That their lives don't matter in the grand scheme of things?"
Before she knew what was happening, Ellie lunged at the man before being caught mid-air by her partner, Detective Nick Vargas.
"These women were brutalized and you want to tell me that they had it coming? Screw you! You are the biggest piece of garbage I have ever seen!" Ellie screamed at him, arms and legs flailing in Nick's grasp.
"El give it a rest, lets go." He whispered in her ear.
"Listen to your partner detective, I'll give you a reprieve for that comment because I know you're distraught." The captain told her.
Ellie was quickly pulled out of the crime scene by her partner before she ended up losing her job. She looked back once more and felt defeated. She had spent the better part of the past year getting to know these women and now? They were all dead. Raped and tortured by order of a man that was pure evil. Javier Castillo.
"Hey guys, thanks for staying to catch up on all this paperwork. It will definitely help to get all this stuff filed before Barba goes to trial on this case." Olivia said looking out at Fin, Rollins and Carisi. "Before I forget we have a new detective joining us from Miami Narcotics and Vice. Detective Elena Cruz will be here monday morning and i'm counting on you guys to show her how we do things here in New York."
"Um excuse me Lieu, but Narcotics and Vice? What exactly makes her qualified for SVU? And Miami? Did you take a vacation and not tell us?" Carisi asked from his desk where he had his hand up in the air like a schoolboy.
"I came from narcotics and still do three times the amount of work you do Carisi." Fin interjected.
"Guys, I have already met with Elena and I have one hundred percent confidence that she is going to be a great asset to this team. There isn't a doubt in my mind about her. Alright lets wrap up for the night and I will see you guys monday morning. Have a good weekend." Olivia waved them off and laughed when she seen them all quickly gathering their belongings and making their way out of the precinct. She knew she wouldn't have to tell them twice.
Being in New york was strange. It was mid April and even though the daytime was sunny and warm for the most part, the nighttime was frigid and bleak compared to what she was used to in Miami. The wind whipped her auburn hair back and forth as she pulled her leather jacket tighter around herself. Ellie was trying her best to acclimate to New York and learn her way around the city before she actually started at SVU on Monday. It was around eight in the evening on saturday and she had taken a cab to the precinct so she could walk and back track her way home and to explore what else was around. What she didn't expect was getting chilled to the bone so quickly. On the other hand she should have known that was going to happen since she was used to a more tropical climate. Ellie was more than surprised at the amount of people walking around with the weather the way it was but she figured they were more than used to it. After a few more minutes of walking she came upon a bar and decided to stop and grab a drink and warm up inside. The warmth hit her as soon as she opened the door, making her let out a small sigh before heading towards the bar. Sliding onto one of the barstools, she loosened her jacket as the bartender greeted her.
"Can I get a whiskey straight please."
Ellie glanced around while she waited for her drink. The place was swanky but not overly sophisticated. With it being saturday night, there was a small crowd but nothing compared to what the bars in Miami were like. In Miami you would be lucky to be able to squeeze yourself into the bar let alone find a seat.
"Would you like to start a tab ma'am?" The bartender asked, gaining her attention as he slid the glass toward her on the bars surface.
"Ah don't have to ask me twice, gracias."
Ellie took a long sip from the glass before once again taking in her surroundings. There were a couple of groups milling about at some of the tables, a few couples pressed closely to each other in some booths, and there were patrons scattered along the bar where she was sitting. Soft music pumped from the overhead speakers and different sports played on the televisions behind the bar. Ellie stared at the tv absentmindedly while she sipped her drink, sports were definitely not her thing but she followed along well enough. She was pulled out of her daze when she heard a voice not far from where she sat speaking perfectly fluent spanish. Seated a few seats down from her was a man having a heated conversation into his phone. She quickly glanced back at the television not wanting to stare but she listened intently nonetheless. The man told someone how he was sorry he wasn't able to make it to some dinner with them because of work. There was no malice or annoyance in his voice, just genuine apology to whomever he was speaking to. He then assured the person on the line that they would reschedule soon and that he loved her, all the while speaking perfect spanish.
"Me tengo que ir madre. Buenas noches." He said into the phone before ending the call. (I have to go mother. Goodnight.)
Ellie glanced back over as he sat his phone back down on the bar and signaled to the bartender for another drink. Taking in his appearance she figured he was some kind of wall street mogul or CEO due to the expensive suit and just the way he held himself. He was beyond captivating and Ellie found herself unable to tear her eyes away completely, instant attraction hitting her. Downing the rest of her drink, she followed his step and signaled for another.
As the bartender poured her drink he casually told her, "It's on the house, courtesy of the gentleman to your right."
Ellie was dumbstruck and looked over to see the same man she'd been watching before tip his glass up in the air for her and raise an eyebrow. Giving him a slight seductive smile, she watched as he stood with his drink and moved down to the stool next to her.
"I sincerely hope this seat isn't being saved for someone else. Do you mind if I join you?"
"Not at all. Thanks for the drink." She told him.
"El gusto es mio." He said smoothly. (My pleasure.)
Holding out her hand, he took it in his as she introduced herself. "Elena."
"Raphael." He replied before raising and pressing a small kiss to the back of her hand.
A thrill coursed through her in that moment. It had been a long while since Ellie had met a man of this caliber. She knew she was out her league with him but decided to enjoy what she could. As Rapheal gently let go of her hand, she slowly retracted her arm and grabbed her glass to take another swig of liquid courage.
"Do my eyes deceive or are you also from one of our wonderful latin countries?" He asked her nonchalantly.
"Hmm what gave me away." Ellie replied with a small grin.
"Mmm I know a beautiful latina when I see one."
"For someone living in New York that's an interesting gift to possess. And you, I'm guessing Cubano?"
Raphael looked at her suspiciously until she let out a small laugh while bringing her glass to her lips.
"Heard you on the phone, I know a Cuban dialect when I hear one." She joked before taking another sip of the whiskey.
They had talked for all but a few minutes and Raphael was already beyond fascinated with this woman and felt a strong pull to her that he'd never experienced before. She exuded fervor and he immediately felt the intense urge to claim her.
"De donde eres hermosa?" (Where are you from beautiful?) He asked her purposefully in spanish to test her fluency.
"I just arrived here from Miami yesterday actually. Believe it or not I'm actually from Cuba originally." Ellie told him. "Born in America then immediately hauled back to Cuba. Interesting upbringing to say the least."
"I have no doubt. My mother came to America before I was born, not that I haven't been to the motherland. I have family still residing there. Never fails to amaze me that they refuse to leave even with the state of things there."
Ellie looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before responding with, "Ah you have not seen the best parts of Cuba then. You might change your mind."
"Doubtful." Rapheal said in a no nonsense tone with a small grin. "Would you like another drink?"
"I suppose one more wouldn't hurt. Does your mother tell you about her life in Cuba?"
"She does tell some stories of her upbringing there, life was difficult for her parents but she still had a happy childhood. She wanted more for me though so my parents made the decision to come here before I even made an appearance."
The bartender filled both of their glasses back to the brim and Raphael thanked him before raising his scotch back to his mouth.
"So you've been in New York your whole life then?" Ellie asked before doing the same.
"Si. Never knew anything else. Also a very interesting upbringing." He told her.
"From what I've seen so far, things seem to move in fast forward here."
"That is a very accurate description of New York."
They both sat quietly for a moment, thoughts coursing through their minds just as quickly as the alcohol was. Raphael looked back over and fully took in her appearance. Elena had long dark hair that reached down to the middle of her back with a slight wave to it. She was small in stature with curves in all the right places that begged to be caressed. He drew his gaze back up her body and stared deep into those beautiful brown eyes, curtained by long luscious eyelashes. The makeup on her face was minimal, only enough to accentuate her natural beauty. Ellie slowly wet her lips with her tongue, her mouth suddenly dry for some reason. Raphael's gaze completely captivated her and before she knew what she was doing she reached forward and caressed his cheek. Groaning, he covered her hand with his and brought it back to his lips where they slowly ghosted over her skin. He couldn't help but radiate closer towards her as her other hand landed gently on his thigh.
"Before I think any better of it, do you wanna get outta here?" Ellie said on a breath, somehow much closer to him than she realized.
Without a word, Raphael flagged down the bartender and quickly paid for their drinks before standing and pulling her up and out the door with him.