A/N: Sorry about the delay, I was in Ireland for the summer. However, I managed to write four new chapters. This one in particular, is very dramatic. Things are going to change, BIG TIME. Anyways, I always enjoy your feedback, so don't hesitate. Thanks (and welcome back to those who are back to school ï)!
Chapter 11
Oblivion
"Welcome back!" everyone greeted Elliot simultaneously. Elliot, surprised by the sudden clashes of voices, smiled falsely.
"How was the 'City of Light'?" Munch asked taking off his glasses as the curious crowd moved away.
"Amazing. More spectacular than what Kathy and I expected." Elliot replied exaggerating a little bit; he smiled in glee to see Munch envious.
"Paris is great." Munch added starting to day-dream.
"It was kind of like a second honeymoon for me and Kath." Elliot explained, only realizing after that he went too far. However, Elliot's attention was soon diverted towards Olivia who was sorting through different documents. She scrambled to get everything in order.
"You never had a honeymoon?" Fin asked surprised.
"What? Oh, um...no. I was in the service when we got married. Plus, Kath was pregnant so we couldn't really travel. Guess we made up for lost time." Elliot replied a little scattered. Olivia looked up from her work and met Elliot's eye. She quickly avoided his eye-contact concentrating on her files. "It was great."
"So tell me tiger, was Paris good to you?" Munch asked sarcastically nudging Elliot's forearm and raising his eyebrows.
"Ha, don't know what you're talking about." Elliot laughed dryly nudging Munch back harder.
"I'm taking that as a yes..." Munch laughed. Taking attention away from their developing conversation, Olivia pushed some files off her desk; they landed near Elliot's feet.
"Oh my gosh! Sorry..." she apologized in a false tone. Elliot got down on his knees and helped Olivia pick up her things. "Thanks..." she whispered as he handed her back her things. They stared into each other's eyes until Cragen rushed out of his office in a hurry.
"Fin, Olivia, Munch, this one's for you..." Cragen interrupted the scene. Elliot looked at all three of his colleagues bewilderingly.
"Uh, captain; I'm Olivia's partner." Elliot replied looking for her support; however, she didn't give him any.
"You've been gone for almost two weeks, Elliot. I didn't forget..." Cragen replied, pissed off.
"Then why is..."
"Elliot; I planned for you to be on desk duty..."
"I'm perfectly capable of..."
"Detective Stabler, I am completely aware that you are well able to do your job to the best of your ability. I just want you to be settled in before you get back on the streets."
"Captain, I've been ready since five this morning." Elliot smiled looking at Olivia who nervously avoided contact with him again. She fixed her hair behind her ears and buried her face into her work.
"Alright, change of plans. Munch, Fin; interview some key eyewitnesses and catch up with fric and frac later on." Cragen ordered. After Elliot got his things together, he met up with Olivia outside inside the squad car. She remained silent as he took the passenger side of the vehicle. They drove to their destination and sat motionless outside, waiting for the perpetrator. After a few seconds of waiting, Olivia broke the awkward silence.
"So, Paris was fun huh?"
"Yea..."
"I told you it would be great." Olivia teased.
"Well, you were right." Elliot agreed. What Elliot was really thinking about at that moment was how to confront her statement she made to him in Paris a week before. Those three words haunted Elliot since she uttered them on the phone; oblivious that Elliot heard. The only person he expected to hear "I Love You" from was Kathy or the kids.
"Liv..." he began wording in his head how he would tell her.
"Yea?" Olivia inquired. Elliot didn't answer. "You were saying?"
"What's up?" Elliot asked acting oblivious.
"You were going to tell me something." she replied.
"Sorry, I forgot what it was..." he lied.
"Ok..." Olivia replied annoyed.
"So who are we looking for?" Elliot changed the subject.
"Late twenties, Hispanic, around 6 feet tall. Suspected of raping his fifteen year old cousin. We don't have enough evidence for an indictment, but we have a warrant for his arrest; he broke parole. Be on the look out." Once again silence took over. Elliot looked over at her from the corner of his eye. She knew of his seemingly obvious antics.
"Elliot, cut the bull shit. What the hell is going on?" Olivia demanded.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked, retorting the question.
"Did I say something or do something wrong? Why are you acting like I'm not even here?"
"Liv..."
"El...What ever it is, tell me!" she pleaded. Elliot looked at her tear filled eyes, and nodded.
"That night we spoke on the phone in Paris..." he began but stopped half way. He heard Munch's voice coming across on the radio warning them of something. Elliot and Olivia ignored the warning.
"What?" Olivia encouraged him to continue.
"Well..." Elliot continued, but before he could finish, the sound of open fire took the detectives by surprise. Two shots penetrated the windscreen. Elliot grabbed his upper shoulder region and gasped in shock. Olivia grabbed him covering him from the gunshots. She realized he had been shot. As Elliot scrambled for air, Olivia took out her gun and shot through the windscreen back at the perpetrator hoping for a lucky shot. The returning fire stopped. Olivia screamed at the gushing blood pumping out of Elliot. Radioing in back up, she peeked up to see if the gunman had fled.
"Elliot!" she screamed for her life. She called 911 and frantically called for help while pressurizing the wound so no more blood would come out. "Hold on sweetie!"
"Liv..." Elliot whispered.
"Elliot! Don't you fucking die on me now!" she demanded still crying. She kissed his cheek as a tear ran down his cheek. With every passing second, he slipped into oblivion.
TBC......
