Sonny seems jumpy the entire time Peter’s there. He glances back at doorways and opens the blinds of every room he walks into as if he’s trying to clear the air. In the kitchen, he lights incense that Peter recognizes as sage. The way Sonny’s acting right now is strange and not right and almost afraid of something that isn’t there and it doesn’t make sense.
“I’m not crazy,” is the first thing out of his mouth as he starts a pot of tea on the stove. “At first, it was a good thing. Or at least I thought it was. I missed him, and I needed him, and I was so happy to see he was still here. But it’s… it’s bad, Peter.”
The kettle shrieks and Sonny flinches. He’s not the same brave detective he is on the job, he’s broken right now with a certain age leering from behind his eyes. Elsewhere in the apartment something like coins rattle ominously and fall just as silent.
“I have grown sick of shadows. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. He must be tied to the apartment because he doesn’t follow me out. I tried- I tried looking for another place and he got angry. He scratched me.”
Sonny rolls up his sleeve to reveal three long parallel welts on his forearm.
“When I tried to put together a bag to stay somewhere else he started- he- I couldn’t leave.”
A mug of steaming tea that smells sweet and heavy is pressed into Peter’s hands. He doesn’t drink yet, too busy watching the way Sonny drums his fingers anxiously against the ceramic and glances toward the hallway.
“The sage helps. He doesn’t like it, keeps him out of the room. He’s hiding in the bedroom right now to avoid it.”
“Sonny…” Peter says gently. “Maybe it’s time to get some help, take off work. Losing Mike was hard on you, and maybe you haven’t dealt with the grief and the stress of the job is getting to you.”
“I’m. Not. Crazy!”
Jumping up, Sonny spills some of his tea on the table. He looks like he’s going to cry, and behind him the incense stops burning. Strange, but probably due to the sudden movement. With a shuddering breath, Sonny pulls at his hair and makes the most pained, childish noise Peter’s ever heard. He’s breaking. Peter steps towards him, but before his hand can settle on Sonny’s shoulder, he sees a flash of green eyes and a burning sensation coats his chest.
“Fuck!”
He stumbles backwards and glances down to see three lines of blood starting to stain his shirt, exactly like Sonny’s forearm. Invisible hands push at his shoulders until he hits the door.
Leave, a voice hisses in his ear, and before he seems to fall through the door he catches sight of Sonny crying.
The sound of his door opening jerks Sonny awake, fumbling for his gun before he can even see what’s going on. His eyes take a moment to adjust to the faint glow that seems to be emanating from the figure. Shakily pointing his gun at the figure, he uses his free hand to turn on a light.
“Hey, relax,” says a too-familiar voice. “First of all, I’m bulletproof… but please, don’t shoot me. The noise and the hole in your wall are too much trouble.”
Sonny turns on the lamp finally and sees Mike standing in front of him, warm as the last morning they shared together a couple of months ago. He’s wearing a big jacket and a pair of Sonny’s sweatpants and mismatched socks, just like that morning. His cheeks are slightly pink like he’s just woken up, hair messy with perpetual cowlick.
“Mikey?”
“I know. I know it’s weird, and you probably have questions, but just- just- I need to see you. I’ve missed you.”
Being seven months pregnant meant staying close to home for your honeymoon. Which you really didn’t mind, you tended to be more of a homebody. When Mike brought up the idea of a cabin in the Adirondacks, you quickly agreed. Secluded and little cell reception, meaning you had Michael all to yourself for a week.
The cabin was darling. It was nestled in the woods, away from the main house. The living room had a stone fireplace with a big, plush couch sitting in front of it. The lighting was soft and dim. So much different from the ultra bright lights of the city.
It boasted an awesome kitchen. Mike had gone to the store before you left and bought food to stock the cabinets and fridge. You had planned on preparing most of your meals at the cabin.
Your favorite room was the bedroom, of course. A large sleigh bed took up the majority of the space, along with a small closet, dresser, and another fireplace. The bed faced a set of French doors that opened to a deck. There was a breathtaking view of the lake and foliage. A cool breeze came through the open French doors. You had slept so well with the fresh air and stillness
Mike lazily lifted his head from your chest. “Good morning, babydoll.” Stretching he placed a kiss on your lips. His hand went to your belly, protectively as a smile graced his perfect lips. It was the second day, the first day was basically spent in bed, only getting up long enough to eat and shower. Today the two of you had planned on taking a walk and going to the farm markets.
“Good morning. I trust you slept well.” You ran your hands through his mussed hair and slowly ghosted your fingers over the arm he now had draped over you.
“I don’t remember the last time I slept so well. Between the fresh air, hearing nothing but your breathing and the leaves in the trees, I slept like a rock.” Mike’s face was relaxed. The stress and worry seemingly wiped from his face.
“Yeah. Only I had snoring to listen to as well,” you said teasingly.
Mike sat up quickly, then started tickling your sides. He straddled your legs not relenting, despite your begging and threatening peeing your pants. The last part just causing him to laugh more. You retaliated back by starting your own tickling attack. Before long both of you were a giggling mess with tears falling down your cheeks.
The week was spent relaxing, exploring, eating delicious meals prepared by your wonderful. No schedule. No suits, no scrubs. And the phone hadn’t rung once. The two of you danced in the kitchen, made love outside. You were bummed to be heading back to reality on Sunday. To have to share Mike again with his Dad, SVU, criminals…
On Friday, Mike found a jazz festival he wanted to check out. You knew where there was jazz, there was BBQ.
Mike wrapped an arm around your waist as he studied the menu. “I think I’m getting the BBQ ribs, cheesy potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and peach cobbler. What sounds good, babydoll?”
“Oh! I’ll have the same! Plus a lemonade.” Your mouth was watering just thinking about it. You actually felt giddy.
“You sure you can eat all that? I may even have trouble finishing mine.” Mike teased.
“Believe me. I can and will finish, then come after yours, Mr. Dodds.” You poked his chest and laughed.
“Well consider me on notice,” he pulled you to him and kissed your head.
After dinner, which you did finish, you and Mike went to the area where the bands were playing. “I’ll be back in just a minute,” Mike winked as he walked to the back of the stage.
Clapping along with the crowd as the current song ended, you took a double take. Mike was on stage. What in the world was he doing up there?
“Hello.” Mike raised his hand for a small wave. “I’m Mike. That beautiful woman,” he pointed to you, “is my wife. Today is our one week anniversary. I have loved her for seven years, and soon we’ll have a son to share that love. It’s a wonderful world.”
You could feel everyone’s eyes in you, but the only person you could see was Mike. A small laugh escaped as tears stung your eyes. You blew him a kiss, while the other hand cradled your belly.
Mike caught you kiss and blew one back to you. “Hit it guys,” Mike started singing your favorite song. “I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself what a wonderful world…”
’What the hell is taking so long?’ You read the text and cursed. Shit. He was mad. Again. ’Just waiting for the coffees. It’s really busy.’ Your anxiety grew by the second, just like Sam’s anger probably was.
“Caramel macchiato and Double-shot Americano for Y/N. Have a good one.”
Finally. You smiled and grabbed the coffees. “You too”, you said looking back over your shoulder. The next thing you knew, you slammed into a someone. Hot coffee went all over your front and the chest of the stranger. “Oh my God! I am so sorry! I- I..here let me help you.”
He was swiping coffee from his chest, mumbling in Spanish. His brow was furrowed as you used napkins to help clean the coffee. He shed the leather jacket, that’s when you noticed the badge and gun.
“Oh shit. You’re a cop…Detective…” You stumbled over your words. His polo shirt was tight, face scruffy, his curly, dark, overly long hair was, well sexy.. ‘Jesus get a grip, Y/N.’
“I’ll survive. Are you okay?” His eyes looked you over for injuries. A smile crossed his face.
Wow. He had the most beautiful brown eyes you had ever seen. “No, I’m, uh, I’m fine. Looks like you got the worst of it.” He looked vaguely familiar, but you didn’t know from where.
“Nah. Really it’s fine. I have about a hundred more of these shirts at home.” he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You look so familiar.”
“I was thinking the same about you,” you responded back. “I’m Y/F/N. Y/F/N Y/L/N. Maybe we know one another from Bellvue. I’m a PA there in the ER.”
He thought about it, “That’s it! You took care of my mom when she slipped on the ice and broke your ankle last month.”
Thinking back you did remember his mom. “Oh, she is the sweetest. Cesaria, right? How is she?” You touched his arm in a comforting manner.
"She’s great. Getting the cast of soon. I’ll tell you asked after her.” He smiled and you thought you’d melt right there. “I’m Nick by the way. Nick Amaro.” He offered his hand to shake and you accepted. His hand was warm and soft.
“Well, I better go. Sorry again about the shirt, and scalding coffee. I owe you one.” You slipped him a business card with your info on it. You were backing away from Nick, unable to stop smiling.
“This doesn’t look like waiting for coffee to me,” Sam’s voice made you stop dead in your tracks. ‘Oh shit.,’ you thought to yourself.
You plastered a smile on your face, then pressed up to kiss his cheek. “Uh, I uh ran into him, literally. I wasn’t paying attention and smacked right into his chest. We took care of his mom last month. This is NIck.”
He took in your appearance, then looked at Nick. “Sam, I’m the boyfriend. Hey sorry, man. She can be a little clumsy.” Sam replaced his cold stare with his fake, polite, I’m a doctor face. He put a possessive arm around your waist. HIs fingers dug into your waist causing you to wince.
Nick’s brown eyes stay trained on you for a beat too long before he turned his gaze to Sam. “No problem. Really.” His jaw clenched when he saw the pained expression on your face. He seemed to not miss a thing.
“We need to get going, sweetie,” Sam said. He grabbed your hand in his and squeezed, hard. “Nice to meet you Nile.” He lowered his gaze to you. “Guess I’ll have to do without coffee this morning.” The smile on his face sent chills down your spine.
Nick watched as the two of you left the coffee shop. He knew deep down that something was not right. He had seen his Dad treat his Mom the same way. ‘Just stay out of it Amaro. Maybe it’s not what you think,.’ he said to himself. But he knew he was right. He could feel it in his bones. No way he was going to ignore his instincts.
SVU addict 