The Listener
Alex Cabot scanned the coffee shop for Elliot Stabler. She found him, sitting in at a table in the corner and she felt the sudden rush of security that he had come to represent in her life. Elliot looked up and caught her eye, with a smile he waved her over. She walked across the room ducking through the tables, getting closer to him with every step.
He stared at her as she walked across the room. She didn't look like herself—she almost looked sick. She was pale, her arms crossed in front of her which made her look small, and he immediately noticed the sunglasses. He had never noticed how attractive she really was until he noticed how Olivia's illness started taking away the things that had made her appear so healthy. She looked like a wreck, which only endeared her to him more.
"Hey Al," he said to her, giving her a big hug as she walked over to the table. She didn't say anything to him at all. Once she was in his arms, her emotions spilled out and tears filled her eyes. He frowned as he could feel her shake in his arms. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked her gently.
"Nothing," she sighed. "I just wanted some company."
"Come on, Alex. Don't bullshit a bullshitter."
"I don't know what's wrong." Alex said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Let me be more specific then," Elliot said. "Why are you crying today?" He gestured for her to sit down, and she sighed, accepting his offer and sliding into a chair next to him at the little green wire table. He handed her a cup of hot coffee and she smiled at the gesture.
"I, I can't do anything right." She said, quietly. He frowned at her when she didn't take the dark glasses off.
"Come on, Alex." Elliot said, leaning back in his chair, slightly uncomfortable. "You know that's not true."
"It is, Elliot. I'm, I'm just not enough."
"Alex, you've been, amazing." He said, taking her hand across the table. "You already know that."
"No I haven't, El." She said frowning.
"Alex." Elliot stared at her, watching tears fall from under her dark glasses. He wanted to take her into his lap and hold her. For the first time in his life, he started to feel angry at Olivia. Why couldn't she see this? He wished that he could show her the hours Alex had sat by her bed while she was asleep. He wished that he could show Olivia the way Alex had cried that first night, as though her heart would explode. He wished Olivia could see the way her anger was hurting Alex now. Alex never showed this side to Olivia. Instead, Elliot held her and got to pick up the pieces.
"I can't make her happy." Alex sighed. She felt disappointment in herself that flowed deep in her veins.
"You know how Olivia can be." He sighed.
"No," Alex felt fresh tears running down her cheeks. "This is different Elliot. We could work this stuff out. We always did. But she, she doesn't want me around."
"Give her space."
"El, she begged me to be there. Begged and begged. And once I gave in nothing I did was right."
"If it makes you feel better, she doesn't like me either."
Alex smiled a weak smile. "It does a make me feel better that I'm not the only one."
"She does love you," Elliot said quietly, looking into her blue eyes.
Alex looked down and spun the ring on her finger.
To Be Continued…