Work Text:
Labor Day Weekend.
It’s been 3 months, 2 weeks, and 1 day since he told her he was going undercover again. When her phone rings - “Unknown Caller” - she almost doesn’t answer, but then the ‘what if’ of it all crosses her mind, and she does.
“Captain Benson.”
Silence. She repeats her name, waits a second, and almost hangs up. But then, “Liv?”
“Elliot? Is everything - are you okay?” His voice sounds strained. Hesitant.
“I’m fine. Can’t talk long. Just, uh, needed to hear your voice.” She imagines him shrugging his shoulders on the other end of the line.
“I’m here, El. I’m here.” She’ll be waiting for him when he gets back, too, but that feels like too much of an admission for now.
She holds tight to the compass he gave her before he left. The one meant to lead her to happiness. She just hopes it guides him home to her, too - safely and in one piece. She thinks she’s ready, now - really ready to give things with him a shot. He can be an arrogant, stubborn, son-of-a-bitch, but she’s never happier than she is when he’s around.
“I don’t know when I’ll be able to call again.”
“That’s okay. I’ll answer when you do.” And she will. She will always answer when he calls.
*****
It’s been 5 months, 1 week, and 6 days since she’s seen him when he calls again.
“I miss you,” he responds to her greeting. He sounds more relaxed but sad this time.
“Miss you, too, El.” And she does. She had hoped he would be back by now. “How’s it going?”
“Making progress. Still think I’ve got a while left, though. Maybe by the end of the year.” He pauses, and they sit in silence for a moment. “You and Noah have plans for tonight?”
She chuckles. “I’m on call. Noah’s decided he’s too big to go out with his old mom on Halloween. He’s going to a party at one of his dance friend’s houses. Lukas.”
“Ah, I remember those days. First time he’s ditched you?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d have at least one more year.” Now she’s feeling sorry for herself.
“We always think there’s more time,” he says, and the multiple meanings hang between them.
They talk for a few more minutes before he says, “I should go. I’ll call as soon as I can.”
She smiles to herself, even knowing he can’t see her. “I’ll answer. Stay safe out there, El.”
“I will.”
They hang up, and she manages to catch a couple of fitful hours of sleep before she gets called into work.
*****
New Year’s Eve makes 7 months, 1 week, and 6 days that he’s been undercover in God-Knows-Where, USA. She thinks he’s still in the States anyway.
Her phone rings at 11:45 p.m.
Noah’s at the McCann’s, and she’s in her office. She really should be focusing on the paperwork in front of her, but she misses him. Wants to talk to him. Doesn’t know when she’ll get another chance if she doesn’t answer. “Hey,” she says, knowing that the ‘Unknown Caller’ is him.
“Hey, Liv.” He sounds more like himself than he did the last time they’d spoken - two months ago now. How has it already been two months?
“It’s good to hear your voice. How are things?”
She hears the smile in his voice when he replies, “It’s good to hear your voice, too. Don’t think it will be too much longer - not in the scheme of things, anyway - maybe another month or so.”
“You’re staying safe?” She questions.
“As much as I can, Liv. I’m doing everything I can to come home.” The ‘to you’ is implied.
As the clock strikes midnight, she’s telling him about the case that’s driving her team crazy. He interrupts her with a “Happy New Year, Liv. Wish I was there so we could celebrate together.”
It takes her breath for a moment, then she says softly, “Happy New Year, El. There’s always next year.”
*****
8 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days.
Fin has insisted that she take the day off for her birthday. That she deserves a day for herself. She finally gave in yesterday afternoon when he wouldn’t drop it. She’s sitting on her couch, engrossed in a book when there’s a knock at the door. It’s unusual that Jorge didn’t call her to tell her that someone was here to see her or that someone on her ‘approved’ list was on their way up.
She looks through the peephole and is immediately taken aback. He’s here. It’s not a phone call. Or even a video call. It's him. Here. In the flesh.
She takes a deep breath - reaches out, unlocks the door, and pulls it open with a shaking hand. “Elliot?”
“I’m here, Liv. I’m home.” She swings the door the rest of the way open and wraps her arms around his neck. “I thought of you every day, Olivia,” he says into her hair.
“Me, too, El. Me, too, every day.” She pulls back to look him in the eye.
Later - when they look back - neither of them are able to say who made the first move. But that’s not important. Their lips meet in a passionate first kiss, and they both know this is only the beginning. After almost 3/4 of a year - after 25 years - this feels right. Happy. Some would even say normal.