Prompt #38: Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt (ft. Aaron Neville)
Safe In Her Love's Arms
~oOo~
It is only minutes after Olivia had been attacked that she gets a FaceTime call from a number she doesn't recognize. She decides to answer anyway.
She gasps when she sees Elliot on the screen. "Elliot…"
He tries to hold back the tears. When Fin called and told him that she had been attacked in front of Noah and had cuts and bruises, he wanted nothing more than to get back to her. "Hey, Liv…
"Where are you?"
"I'm coming to you as soon as I can. I promise."
"But…"
"No, no buts. I'm coming to you."
"Why? I don't matter to anyone."
"Not true. You matter to me. And the kids."
"But you left..you left me."
"I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that." She lets the tears flow.
"Don't cry, Liv. I'll be home soon. And we'll talk…"
She nods. "Where are you?"
"Undercover."
"Ok." More tears stream down her face.
"Hey, it's ok."
"El…" He nods.
"I know. As soon as I get there you'll be safe."
"Promise?"
He nods. "Promise. I'm home for good Liv. I'm not leaving again."
She nods. "I gotta go. I'll see you in a while. I'll call as soon as I get off, ok?"
"Ok. See you soon."
"See you soon." He hangs up.
~oOo~
The next day, Fin picks him up and takes him straight to Olivia as promised. Once they pull up to her building, Fin tells him her apartment number. "Thanks."
Fin nods. "Take care of her. She is not fine no matter what she says."
Elliot nods. "I'm not going anywhere."
Fin nods and heads out.
Elliot heads up to her apartment and knocks. Olivia looks out through the peephole and opens the door faster than she ever had. She throws her arms around him.
"Hey...it's ok. I'm here. You're safe…" He takes her inside and sits on the couch with her in his lap. He rubs her back. She snuggles in his arms and finally falls into a somewhat peaceful sleep. He pulls up his music app on the phone and the first song he hears makes him stop and listen to the lyrics.
Look at this face
I know the years are showing
Look at this life
I still don't know where it's going
I don't know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know
Look at these eyes
They've never seen what mattered
Look at these dreams
So beaten and so battered
I don't know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know
So many questions
Still left unanswered
So much
I've never broken through
And when I feel you near me
Sometimes I see so clearly
The only truth I've ever known
Is me and you
Look at this man
So blessed with inspiration
Look at this soul
Still searching for salvation
I don't know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know
I don't know much
But I know I love you
That may be
All I need to know
I don't know much
But I know I love you
That may be
All there is to know
Tears flow down his cheeks. He holds her closer and kisses the top of her head. "I'll tell you when you wake up but I love you, Olivia."
Olivia starts squirming in her sleep. "No..leave me alone. No..."
He kisses her cheek. "Hey, it's ok. It's just me. You're safe."
She opens her eyes. "Hi."
"Hi."
"Bad dream."
"I figured. What happened?"
"They got me. Left Noah alone."
"You know I would take him if something happens, right?"
"But..."
"No. I would take him for you."
She nods. "Thanks." She starts to get up and sit beside him. He holds her close.
"You don't have to get up."
"Yeah, I do." She gets up, sits right beside him, and lays her head on his chest. "We need to talk."
"Yeah. But not right now. We need to get the rest of these guys off the street and I need Noah home."
He nods. "Tell me what happened..."
She snuggled closer. "You'll think I'm too weak."
"Why would I think that?"
"I got attacked."
"It wasn't your fault. But you're safe now. I'm not leaving you again."
She gets up and goes into the other room.
"Where are you going?"
"Sleep. I'm tired."
"Hey, can I play you something first?"
She nods and he plays the song he heard earlier. As she listens to the lyrics, she walks back to him.
He opens his arms and she flies into them. He wraps his arms around her and holds her tight. "You're ok."
She starts sobbing. He scoops her in his arms and carries her to her room. He lays her down carefully and goes around to the other side so he can join her. She wants to cuddle but doesn't do anything to make a move. He lifts his arm up as an invitation. She scoots over and lays her head on his chest.
"Just rest, baby. I'm not leaving." She drifts off to sleep, safe in her love's arms.
The author of this SVU Love in the Air story will be revealed in March