Disclaimer: Elliot, Kathy, and Olivia belong to Dick Wolf, not me. Maybe someday, he and I will work something out, but for now . . . I am resigned to writing fanfiction.
This oneshot is kind of a continuation of a scene from Nocturne, but there aren't any major spoilers and it's okay if you haven't seen the episode. Kathy and Elliot talk – or, rather, don't.
This case has been particularly trying. It's hitting a little too close to home for me – Kathleen takes piano lessons and I can't help but wonder if her teacher could possibly be like Mr. Holt; a man who takes advantage of his students. Of course, I've run a thorough background check on the man, but it does little to assuage my fears, unrealistic as they are.
I'm passing through the family room on my way to the kitchen when the piano catches my eye. Suddenly, unwelcome images assault my senses and all I can see is Mr. Holt sitting on that piano stool, abusing Evan. I can't bear to look at our piano and I slam it shut, as if that will somehow push away the figures, so clear in my mind.
"Elliot!" exclaims a voice from behind me and I jump. But then I realize that it's just Kathy and my muscles relax. "You all right?" she asks.
I glance at her briefly but then turn back to the piano, unable to tear my eyes away. I wonder what she'd say if I told her I want to pummel it to shreds and then put it in the trash and make Kathleen stop taking those lessons. But I quickly dismiss the thought. Work is work and so it should be. Family is family and the two should never mix. One of us should be able to sleep at night.
"Yeah," I reply.
She lets out a deep breath, then comes to sit down next to me on the sofa. She looks downright exhausted and I feel a pang of guilt when I realize how late it is; she was probably sleeping, woke up to find herself alone in that big bed – again – and came to find me. "How's it going?" she asks.
I know she wants me to let her in, to make some effort, but I can't. I love her too much for that. Instead, I groan; the result of my pent up frustrations. "Going," I repeat ineloquently.
Kathy's clearly trying hard, but I can't even bear to meet her halfway on this. Still, she pushes on. "What's going on at work?"
It frustrates me so much how little she understands about my job and the toll it takes on me. I just can't talk to her about these things. "Nothing."
She looks at the ground, then back at me, and the look on her face tells me how hurt she feels by my inability to trust her. "You talk to Olivia about it?"
"She's my partner," I reply. It's not an answer, but at the same time, it is.
Even though I don't say them, the words are still there and we both hear them loud and clear: And partner trumps wife.
I hope you enjoyed this oneshot. Review if you did!