Chapter Text
His world falls to pieces on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
Fin’s gruff voice greets him and he barely hears half the words that leave his mouth after he says, “She died.”
Somehow he manages to get on a flight from Rome to New York. Doesn’t tell his new bosses where he’s going. Doesn’t call Kathy to tell her he’s on his way back to New York.
Can only think about that the woman who at one point was his guiding light is now in a morgue somewhere and he wasn’t there to back her.
He wallows the entire flight. If any of the flight attendants or other passengers try talking to him, he doesn’t reply, doesn’t even register any of them as he’s flown across the ocean.
When he walks off the plane at JFK, he realizes that he doesn’t have a plan for any of this. Where he’ll stay. Where the funeral is. Hell, he doesn’t even know how he’ll get out of this godforsaken airport.
He walks past baggage claim with a backpack on one shoulder and a duffel bag on the other and when he walks out into the brisk New York air, he looks back and forth as he thinks about where to go now.
However, his decision is made for him when he spots Fin down the road leaning against a black SUV and he waves him down.
Fin pulls him into his arms for a brief hug, their arms tight around each other for a moment before they pat one another and step back.
Fin appraises him and shakes his head. “You look like hell man.”
Elliot lets out a loud laugh and gives him an amused glare. “Don’t look so much better yourself there, Fin.”
Fin chuckles and tilts his head towards the car.
“Hop in, I’ll take you to the precinct. Everyone’s there now.” It’s quiet on the drive over, Elliot nervously fiddling with his backpack straps as Fin weaves them through New York traffic.
When they finally make their way up, Fin starts updating him. “We’ve got two detectives, Carisi and Rollins. Last I knew Cragen was on his way to help with everything.”
The elevator pings to let them know they’re only a few floors away.
“Munch is making his way back as well. But what we really need to figure out-“ The elevator doors open and they’re greeted by a toddler with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes running out of the squad room.
“Noah!” A woman’s voice calls from the squad room and he runs straight for Fin, who scoops down to pick him up.
Elliot feels his heart drop to his stomach as he takes in the boy in Fin’s arms and realizes just who he looks like.
“Elliot meet Noah, Liv’s son.”