Chapter Text
A COFFEE IN SOHO
CHAPTER 1 LONELINESS
Olivia, a young detective, believed she had it all: a job that allowed her to seek justice, investigate, and help make the world a better place.
A principle she had always believed in — what could be better than the Special Victims Unit?
But there were nights like this one when she felt alone.
She had chosen to go home instead of sleeping at the precinct — it had been almost a week since she’d been back, due to a complicated case.
Her apartment felt too big, too cold; almost unfamiliar. She could swear she knew the corners of New York’s streets better than her own home. In fact, she felt like a visitor in her own place — if one could even call it a home.
She scanned that so-called home with her eyes.
On the bookshelf sat her forensic psychology and law books — her secret passion — just as she had left them.
In the fridge, there was only some orange juice and two apples. The shelves were even worse — just a box of stale cookies.
“Great, Olivia,” she sighed.
All she wanted was to sleep, and now she’d have to go grocery shopping just to survive. That stood between her and rest.
For a moment, sadness crept into her eyes. Not because of the food — but because she was alone, and no one seemed to care whether she was okay… or not. Whether she lived… or died.
Except him.
Elliot Stabler — her partner, her brother, and…
She grabbed her bag, and just then, her phone rang.
—“Benson.”
—“Hey Liv, it’s Elliot. Kathy and I want to invite you over for dinner.”
—“Me?” she asked, surprised.
—“Yeah, unless there’s another Olivia I don’t know about.”
Liv smiled. Even though she tried to think of a way to decline, she couldn’t come up with an excuse.
She grabbed her keys, gave her apartment one last glance, and shut the door behind her.
The Stabler home was the complete opposite of Liv’s apartment: noise, toys, colors, life — and the hardest part —family.
Kathy welcomed her while holding a large bowl of salad.
—“Come in, Olivia. Dinner will be ready in five minutes.”
Olivia nodded with a big smile, left her coat and purse in the entryway, and walked toward the kitchen.
It was amazing how she felt more familiar with Elliot’s house than her own apartment.
—“Olivia!” —the girls greeted her with hugs.
Liv rolled up her sleeves, ready to help in the kitchen.
—“No, Liv! You’re our guest!” —Kathy shouted.
—“Girls, take Olivia.”
Olivia sat in the living room, letting her eyes wander through every corner, filled with photos and special moments.
For a moment, envy washed over her body — like a cold settling into her heart — realizing she had nothing like that. Just a handful of photos with her mother, not even a dozen, and a few with her team.
But it was the wedding photo of Kathy and Elliot that caught her eye — and her pain.
She thought she would never wear a wedding dress.
Who would want to be with her?
Who could handle that kind of life — adrenaline-fueled, uncertain — never knowing if she'd come home safely?
After a while, Elliot came downstairs in workout clothes.
—“Hey, Liv,” he smiled.
—“Elliot,” she stood up quickly, blushing a little.
—“Thinking about the future?”
—“I don’t think there is one.”
Elliot looked at her closely, studying her face.
—“Liv, you’re more beautiful than you think.”
—“Thanks for the compliment… though I doubt that changes anything,” she said, tossing a pillow at him with a bitter smile.
But deep down, Olivia knew no one understood her like Elliot did…
And that any future she imagined could only exist in her imagination.
—“Come on, let’s eat.”
Dinner passed normally — until Kathy asked that question.
—“Is there someone in your life, Liv?”
Olivia nearly choked and turned red.
—“Yeah, Liv, tell us!” said Maureen. “We won’t tell Dad.”
Maureen kept insisting.
—“Dad doesn’t let you date, I get it. He’s so overprotective.”
—“Well… there is someone I like.”
—“I hope we get to meet him, Liv. Bring him over sometime. You know you’re like a sister to us.”
To Liv, that felt like a dagger to the heart.
She just lowered her gaze and quickly reached for dessert — which now tasted bitter.
For a second, she glanced at Elliot and Kathy holding hands, looking at each other with love — a love she knew she would never have.
—“I have to go. Thanks for dinner.”
She tried to play it cool.
—“I’ll drive you,” Elliot offered.
—“No need. I’ve got a few things to take care of,” she answered quickly.
—“Alright. See you tomorrow.”
Liv wanted to run, and the moment they were out of sight — she did.
That night had been cruel — reminding her just how alone she truly was, and showing her something she would never have:
A family. Someone waiting for her. A partner. A soulmate.
If Elliot were free… would he be the perfect man for her?
She was going to head straight home, but instead chose to keep walking — wandering through the streets of Soho.
After all, no one was waiting for her.
She stepped into a coffee shop — it looked a bit expensive, modern, and sophisticated… but she didn’t care.
—“Mmm, why not?”
Already in line, Olivia began to regret her decision — but it was almost her turn. Automatically, she ordered a cappuccino.
She held it in her hands.
—“Olivia, what are you thinking? Is it your partner?” —she asked herself.
Her thoughts tormented her. She gripped her coffee too tightly. Tears were threatening to fall.
Until…
She bumped into someone, snapping her out of her spiral — guilt turning into embarrassment.
—“I’m so sorry!” she said, quickly trying to clean the person’s coat. “It looks expensive.”
—“I’ll pay for the dry cleaning,” she added in a rush.
A hand stopped her. Liv looked up —and met an intense green gaze.
A bit cold, but with a flicker of warmth.
—“Easy, I’m not going to sue you. But it’s only fair you buy me another coffee.”
—“Yes, of course.”
Liv’s eyes were glassy now. She kept wiping the coat, as if she could scrub away her guilt and thoughts.
His hand was still holding hers —firm, warm, and soft…
So different from Elliot’s rough hand.
—“But I think this counts as harassment,” he joked.
—“Ahh—” Liv jumped back slightly.
His smile, though teasing, seemed genuine… and mysterious.
—“Rafael Barba,” he introduced himself.
—“Olivia Benson.”
They looked at each other.
Maybe fate was giving Olivia a chance.
Or maybe he was just another stranger crossing her path.