So my first fic was Songs about Rain ... this is my first EO fic. Not quite sure where I want to go with it yet, and this is really just an introduction chapter so it is short. I apologize if you don't think I stay true to their characters, obviously my writing is my interpretation of how they would act in the given situations that I write about. Reviews are much appreciated!

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"Hey Dad? Where are all the pictures you had up?"

Elliot looked up over his morning paper to his daughter standing in front of him. "They're in a book, in a box, in the closet."

Maureen pulled a chair out from the kitchen table and took a seat, resting her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. She knew what had happened with Olivia and could tell it obviously was having an effect on her dad. Even though they never came out and said they loved each other, you could tell. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She was an adult and the same glances Olivia and her dad gave each other were the ones she shared with her fiancee.

"Dad .. you can't just pretend like Olivia never existed. It's not good for you to keep all of that inside."

"I really don't know what you're talking about, Maureen. How's your mom?"

Maureen sighed, "Mom is fine, don't change the subject. You know you can always talk to me, right?"

Elliot half laughed, slowly folding his paper up and placing it down on the table in front of him. "Isn't that my line?"

"No, I'm an adult now. It goes both ways. If you want to talk to me about her, you can."

"I don't want to."

"But Da-"

Maureen didn't get a chance to finish her sentence before Elliot stood up from the table and walked into the living room of his small apartment. Maureen followed quickly after.

"Dad, you can't keep running away from this! She's been gone for three months and you've been grumpy ever since! God, would you just talk about it? I don't really care if you don't wan-"

Elliot raised his hand in the air, cutting her off, "Don't you raise your voice at me, young lady. You may think you are an adult, but you are still a little girl to me!"

"Well, stop thinking of me as your daughter for a minute! Think of me as a friend who cares about you and doesn't want to see you hurt! You are so stubborn sometimes, Dad! I'm leaving, call me when you want to actually admit how you feel."

He didn't even try to stop her as she grabbed her purse off the couch and stormed out his door, slamming it behind her. She didn't want to leave, but she couldn't stand the way her dad had been acting lately. So withdrawn, so alone.

"I love her. I love her so much and she doesn't know it. I never told her. Do you know how much that hurts me?" He yelled out, answering Maureen's question even though she had walked out, "It has always been at the tip of my fingers, on the tip of my tongue. She was right in front of me, in my arms.. and I couldn't tell her before I let her slip away! Not once, but twice!"

He rubbed a hand over his unshaven face, but quickly put it back at his side when his door opened once again and Maureen was standing there.

"You're back," He said casually, hoping she had really left and came back. Hoping she didn't hear what he had said.

"How long have you loved her?"

"Maur-"

She stepped back inside, closing the door behind her. She looked up at her dad with pleading eyes as she approached him, "Please, I need to know."

"I can't answer that."

"Why? Is it because you loved her while you were married to Mom?"

"No! I mean, I don't know.. It's not like we were standing on some perp's porch one late night in June and I just decided I loved her. But that really doesn't matter now. What am I going to do? She took away the second chance she gave me and the only person I have to blame is myself. You don't know what it's like. All I can hear in my head are the words I couldn't say."

Maureen was surprised that he actually opened up to her. She wasn't quite sure what to say. Elliot took advantage of the silence and continued talking. She wasn't sure if he was really talking to her, or if he was talking to himself and she just got him going.

"I nearly broke my knuckles the night she left. Cragen had to order two new locker doors because I completely destroyed mine ..and hers. They were right next to each other, partners. They were what we were supposed to be. I had so much to say to her, so many words that just wouldn't pass my lips. And it's too late now. I should have told her, damn it .. now the only person I'm telling is myself."

"Dad, I'm-I'm sorry. I didn't know how hard this really has been on you.." She wrapped her arms around his stomach and hugged him like he used to hug her when something was bothering her. He welcomed the embrace and wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Don't be sorry for me, baby girl. I'm sorry I just dumped all that on you. It felt nice to get it out, but I shouldn't have with you."

"I'm your daughter. If I can confide in you, then you can confide in me. You always told me I can tell you anything, it's a two way street now."

Elliot ruffled his daughter's hair before stepping back from her, placing his hands on her arms, "Thanks baby, that means a lot."

Maureen smiled, "You know she'll be back, Dad."

"I really hope so."