TRIGGER WARNING: SELF-HARM
WILLIAM LEWIS STORYLINE
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"Try to get some sleep, Liv," shutting the door Brian sighs.
Olivia lies in her bed, silent. The nightstand light remains on, and she refuses to shut it off. Staring at the ceiling for what feels like a lifetime, she turns her head to the analog clock on the wall. She whispers to herself, "3:17." Turning her head to look back at the ceiling she exhales sharply. Stretching her arm out she reaches for her phone. She needed to talk to someone. She needed to talk to anyone. Brian was asleep and Olivia refused to wake him for the inconvenience of a chit-chat.
Scrolling through her contacts, she lands her finger on 'Elliot Stabler.' Pausing before clicking on his name, she sighs. Pressing the phone button, her heart rate accelerates. The phone beeps, "It's Stabler. Leave a message."
Olivia freezes, only managing to say, "This was a mistake. I'm sorry I called." She presses the red button, promptly hanging up and being able to breathe again. Some feeling came over her. An unknown feeling. One she had felt before, but she never could put words to it. Her heart rate sped up, her breathing stopped completely, and it felt as if a ton of bricks had been laid on her chest. Looking at her phone and then at the ceiling she presses his name again.
The call reaches his voicemail again, "It's Stabler. Leave a message."
Tears pour out of her eyes. Pulling a pillow over her mouth she tries to control her breathing and volume. She quietly speaks into her phone, "I was attacked-" Burying her face deeper into the pillow she quickly mutters, "And I'm not okay." Olivia cries louder than she intended to, "I needed you… I need you…" Pausing, she begins to dissociate, "Why did you leave?... Why haven't you called?..." Becoming aware of what she was saying she apologizes and hangs up the phone, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. Please ignore this."
Olivia throws her phone across the room making a loud thud against the wall and then another when it hits the floor. The door swings open carefully, "Liv! Liv, are you okay?" Olivia is rocking back and forth, screaming into her pillow. Pulling the hair out of her head and continuing to sob, Brian wraps his arms around her and soothes her, "Liv, you're safe. You're safe here. Liv. Liv, you're safe." Brian continues his mantra trying to give her some comfort. Olivia begins to control her breathing while Brian continues to hold her. He softly asks, "Would you like me to stay in here tonight."
"No," Olivia bluntly responds. Brian releases her from his grip and slowly moves towards the door. Reaching for the doorknob, Olivia raises her voice, "Don't!" Brian lifts his head up to meet her gaze. Olivia lowers her volume, "Not all the way."
Brian nods his head as he shuts the door. There is a space between the door and the doorway. Olivia slowly rises from her bed to get her phone from the corner. Laying back in bed, she tries her best to sleep, but her thoughts continue to spiral. Staring at the ceiling provides some sort of support for her at this time. She turns to face the clock on her wall. "4:22," she whispers to herself.
She feels a vibration at her fingertips, scaring her slightly. Olivia picks up her phone and sees that she is receiving a phone call. A phone call from Elliot Stabler. She takes a deep breath before she swipes to answer. Not saying anything she can hear a slight exhale on the other side of the line. Not one word is spoken for over a minute. Olivia can hear Elliot mumble, "Liv…" Olivia immediately hangs up hearing him speak. Only seconds pass by before Olivia dials him back up.
Again no words are exchanged. Olivia whispers into the air, "El…"
Elliot almost cuts her off, "I'm sorry, Liv." Olivia almost hangs up again. Elliot lightly asks, "Bagel Works?"
"That sounds nice…" Olivia grins as she sits up.
Elliot grins on the other side of the phone, "I'll be there." He allows her the comfort of hanging up the phone.
Olivia rises from her bed and smoothly opens the door. Brian is knocked out on the couch, snoring loudly. Tiptoeing past Brian she retrieves a key to the apartment and exits the building. Leaving her apartment was an accomplishment in itself. She hadn't been able to leave her complex for three days. Trying to think of her destination she focuses on breathing. It is a quiet morning, there are no sirens or horns honking. Before Olivia even realizes it, she is standing in front of her favorite bagel shop, 'Bagel Works.'
She pushes through the door and takes a seat at the front. She glances up every time she hears the door open thinking, 'One of them has to be Elliot.' A minute or two passes by and Olivia is feeling jittery. About to stand up and run back to her apartment she sees a burly man enter the establishment. The man makes eye contact with Olivia. She mutters, "Elliot…" Falling to her knees she begins to bawl. Scratching and clawing at her chest she repeats, "Elliot… Elliot… El…"
Immediately running towards her, he kneels beside her and wraps his arms around her. Stroking her hair he rocks her back and forth, "It's gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. You're safe now."
"Elliot…" with a balled-up fist, she begins hitting him in the bicep. Full of rage and sorrow all she can do is sob in his arms.
He continues to rock her back and forth for a while before he is able to guide her into a seat. Still on his knees, he looks directly into her eyes, "I'm here." Elliot reaches for her hands and squeezes them, "I'm not leaving you. I promise." Olivia can tell that this time he means it. This time he is telling the truth. With deep sorrow and regret he begs for forgiveness, "I am so sorry, Olivia. I am so so sorry. I'm here. I'm not leaving you."
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A/N: I have never really done a one-shot story. Please let me know if you would like any more of them. I have a lot of ideas that could definitely be quick one-shots. As always stay safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving/holiday season!