Chapter Text
Olivia sat, blanket wrapped around her hunched shoulders, knees tucked to her chest, staring aimlessly at her contact list. Her thumb hovered over one name in particular. There was no point— he wouldn’t be awake. It was selfish to disturb him. She shook her head and set her phone down on the coffee table.
No.
Yes?
She picked it back up again and before she had chance to hesitate, she hit call.
The phone rings twice before she hears his gravely voice, rough with exhaustion, the weariness in his voice catching her off guard.
“Liv?”
She took a breath, before responding. “Sorry. I know it’s late.”
“You don’t call at 2 AM unless it’s important. What’s going on?”
She closes her eyes, pressing a hand to her forehead. She hadn’t planned what to say — she just needed to hear him.
“I—” her voice faltered. “I couldn’t shut it off. My head. The wake. Cragen…”
Silence on the other end, but she hears him exhale slowly. Like he’s been holding the same weight all night.
“Me too— been staring at the ceiling for hours.”
She half laughed. “Figures. Some things don’t change.”
“Some things don’t have to.” He smiled
She leant back into the couch, letting his words settle. They remind her of the countless late nights they once spent side by side — squad room lights humming, paperwork piled between them, comfortable silence that never needed filling. It’s the same silence now, even over the phone. Familiar. Steady. Necessary.
She continued, whispering now. “ I wasn’t sure if I should call.”
“Liv… you can always call. No matter what time it is.” his tone was firm, steadying.
Her throat tightened, emotion rising before she can stop it. She wipes quickly at her eyes, grateful he couldn’t see her. For years, she told herself she didn’t need this — his voice, his presence. But tonight, after losing Cragen, the truth pressed too heavy to ignore.
“Thank you.”
There was another long pause. Neither of them moved to hang up.. The silence was thick but warm — like the space they used to share in the squad car, driving aimlessly after a case, just because neither was ready to go home.
“We’ll get through this. You and me.”
Her chest tightened at the familiar phrase — how many times had he said it before? Back then, it always meant the next case, the next crisis. Tonight, it feels bigger. About grief, about them, about whatever’s still unspoken.
“You should try to get some sleep.”
“Only if you promise to do the same.
“Deal.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow Liv. I’m here.” he paused. “Love you.”
“Goodnight, Detective.” She smiled, then hung up.
After a short exchange of messages a few hours prior, they’d decided to meet in a quiet Brooklyn diner— Elliot’s suggestion. The midmorning sunlight filtered through the venetian blinds, striping the cracked vinyl booths. She stopped for a moment, looking over to Elliot in the corner. She took in the smell of burnt eggs and coffee and basked for a moment in how ordinary it all was. Comforting, in a way.
Elliot looks up and sees her immediately. Coffee cup cradled between his hands, looking thoroughly worn and weary.
He half stood as she approached. “Liv— “
She kept her voice carefully neutral as she sat opposite him. “I wasn’t sure you’d actually show.”
Stabler shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You asked. That’s all it takes”
The waitress dropped a menu infront of Olivia. She barely glanced at it. She stirred the coffee Elliot had ordered for her, avoiding his gaze, letting the spoon clink against the ceramic, filling the silence.
“Last night felt— unfinished.”
“Did you go in— to the funeral?”
“Yeah— uh” He stopped for a moment to clear his throat before looking back up at her. “Said hi to Huang, Cassidy, Rollins, rest’a the squad but— I didn’t stay. Couldn’t be there.” He scrubbed a hand over his mouth.
“Good. Thats good. I’m proud of you, El.” she reached a hand out to touch his, he took it without a word. “I feel terrible, y’know, that I didn’t reach out to him more, stay in contact with him.” her lip quivered
“He didn’t begrudge you for it. He knew you were busy being the boss lady, looking after Noah….” he laughed
“You been talking about me, Stabler?” she smirked
“Well, I kept in contact with him, he reached out, after Kathy— and after that I tried to see him every few months. Was nice— felt like old times again.” he smiled, his eyes glistening.
“I’m glad, that you had that.” she nodded. “He was the closest thing to a father I ever had.”
“Was certainly the best father figure I ever had.”
Olivia smiled a melancholic smile, and squeezed his hand.
“How’s Fin.”
She sighed, rubbing her temple with her free hand. “Stubborn— as ever. He says he’s fine but— this wasn’t some random mugging. Whoever came after him knew what they were doing.”
He sat back, jaw tightening. “You think it ties back to an old SVU case? Or someone who’s got beef with him from before he joined SVU?”
“That’s the problem, we don’t know which. Bruno and Velasco have been digging through files all night— but nothing obvious yet.” she sighed
“That why you couldn’t sleep last night?”
“Yeah— I. Between Cragen and Fin.” she bit her lip. “He’s more than just a Sergeant to me. He’s family El.”
“What can I do for you Liv— for fin.”
“Well, I think he could use a friend right now. One who’s not his boss or subordinate. He’s playing this dumb video game— I think he’d love to see you, El.”
“It’d be my pleasure, Captain.” He smirked.
Olivia decided at last to turn her attention to the numerous notifications on her phone which she’d ignored. She removed her hand from his and gasped at the amount of obligations that had piled up in the mere twenty minutes she’d taken to speak to Elliot.
“I gotta go.” She stood up swiftly. Elliot stood with her, placing a hand on her bicep as she repacked her purse in an attempt to ground her. He gazed steadily at her.
“Thanks, El.” She smiled and turned to leave
“Love you.” he grinned
“See ya”