Elaborate Lives
"So what's it like sleeping with your partner, detective?" smirked Dickie. The minute the words left his son's mouth, he knew were this conversation was leading and it was only going to get worse before it got better.
* Where these words coming from the same kid? How was she supposed to answer him in front of his father and her partner of nearly a decade? *
"You want some one to blame and someone to be mad at, Dickie. That's fine. By all means, use me. I have no problem with that. In fact, I can understand. More than you will ever understand. But don't take it out on your father. That man has done more than you know for you and sisters and your brother. " retorted Olivia.
Dickie wasn't about to break now. He was on a roll.
"Yeah right. Like I'm suppose to believe you. You're the same reason, he's never home anymore. " yelled Dickie.
Elliot stood behind the two sided mirror listening to every word being spoken between his son and his partner. It was taking every string in his body not to go in there in straighten his son out and defend Olivia.
"Your right, Dickie. I am the reason your father is never home anymore. And the only way I know how to fix that is to turn in my gun and badge." Said Olivia. Don Cragen crinched at the words coming from one of his best detectives in his unit. Exchanging looks with her partner, nervousness washed over both men.
That did it. Elliot had enough. Opening the door to the integration room , he made his presence known.
"Liv, could I have few minutes with Dickie alone." said Elliot. Olivia walked out of the room but not before being stopped by a gentle reassurance by Elliot's hand in her own. She knew that wasn't going to sit well with Dickie, quickly pulling away from the gesture, she continued on her way. Rather surprised by sudden dismissal of the gesture, he returned to try to figure out his eldest son.
"Dickie, why are you so angry?" asked Elliot, not sure where all the anger in his son was suddenly coming from.
"Why would you care." Answered Dickie.
"Because like it or not, my first job is your father 24/7." Said Elliot.
Olivia was at her desk working on some of her paperwork when Kathy walked in with 16 month old, Eli beside her.
"Hey, Olivia. Have you seen Dickie?" asked Kathy.
"He's with Elliot in the integration room." said Olivia.
"Do you mind keeping an eye on Eli, while I go talk to Dickie." Asked Kathy.
"I'm not sure that's the best idea, Kathy." Said Olivia.
"Why? Eli loves it when you watch him. " said Kathy, rather surprised at the answer coming from Olivia.
"I don't want to come between you and your family any more then I already have." Said Olivia.
"It won't be long. And if I leave Elliot with Dickie, I'm sure his temper is going to get the best of him." Said Kathy.
Olivia hesitated. But before she had a chance to object, Kathy had sat Eli in her lap and went in search of Dickie.
"Wivia, will you coror with me?" asked Eli. Eli had those same deep blue eyes that of his father. And just like his father, she had a hard time resisting them.
"Sure buddy. What should we draw?" asked Olivia, pulling some paper and a couple of pencils out of her desk.
Elliot had left the integration room for Kathy to deal with Dickie. Standing just enough in the corner to shadow himself, he continued to watch his partner with his youngest son as they sat at her desk and drew pictures.
Meanwhile Dickie still refused to talk any further as to why he was so angry or who he was even angry at for that matter.
"Dickie, this isn't like you. Why are you so angry? And for god sakes why are you taking it out on Olivia?" said Kathy.
"Because Mom, she's the reason dad's never home anymore. You said so yourself, you hated her. She's the reason you and dad are not together anymore." Said Dickie. Kathy froze right then and there. Guilty at what she had said, she now realized that saying it at all, one of kids would repeat in such a way.
"Dickie, you're all wrong. Olivia is not the reason your father and I are not together anymore. Your father and I still love each other very much, just not in that way that we would like to. Olivia is the reason your father has always been there when you kids have needed him the most. She's the reason your father knew where to look for you. She's the reason your father hasn't gotten hurt on the job as much. Dickie, no matter what, your father and I will always love you and your brother and sisters. That will never change. But Dickie, you have to understand something as well, your father is allowed to move on with his life. And if that means it includes Olivia, then all you can do is except that and be happy for him." Said Kathy.
Dickie knew his mom was right. He did have it all wrong. He never even gave Olivia the chance to defend herself, instead she took the blame for whatever he threw at her. And he threw some pretty harsh words at her. Words that couldn't and shouldn't be forgiven. Kathy sat there trying her best not to smile, knowing that her words had an effect on her son. He was exactly like his father. Hard-headed and stubborn.
"Wivia, park?" asked Eli, putting his pencil down and looking up at with those same blue eyes.
Olivia looked at the 16 month old once again. She knew how much Eli loved the park.
"Oh, um, buddy. I think you better ask your mommy about the park. I have to finish some work." Said Olivia. Eli looked up at her with the saddest face he could give her. Once again, with those baby blues eyes. It made her heart melt. Elliot couldn't help but laugh.
"You know something, Eli. You are exactly like your daddy. You know how to milk it with those eyes of yours. Just like I know your daddy has been standing behind us the whole time." Said Olivia.
Stepping out of the corner where he had been, Elliot moved over to his own desk and took a seat in his own chair.
"If you knew I was standing there, then why didn't you say anything?" laughed Elliot.
"And let you think you had gotten away with it, no way, Stabler." Said Olivia.
By now Kathy and Dickie were walking out of the integration room, more on peaceful terms.
"I see Eli has kept you busy once again, Olivia. "smiled Kathy.
"Oh yeah. He usually does. I think he's looking for the park though." Said Olivia.
Kathy knew how bad Olivia wanted a family of her own and how much spending time with Eli meant to her . And she was good with Eli.
"Wivia, park?" asked again, Eli. He was determined that Olivia was going to take him to the park and he was not about to give up any time soon. Something else he had in common with his father.
Kathy looked at her youngest son and let out a small chuckle. She knew how persistent Eli could be. And this was one of those times.
"Eli, do you want Olivia to take you to the park?" asked Kathy. * Great. Two against one. I know how this is going to end. * thought Olivia.
"Weah." Shouted Eli.
"You don't mind do you, Olivia?" asked Kathy, smiling. She knew Olivia wouldn't.
"No. When you want him home?" asked Olivia.
"Eight okay?" asked Kathy. Olivia looked at her like she was nuts.
"Eight? What about dinner? " asked Olivia. Meanwhile, Elliot was getting too much enjoyment out this.
Kathy glanced at Elliot who by now was trying his hardest not to laugh.
"He'll eat just about anything you put in front of him. Although be fair warned, that if has anything with tomatoe sauce, he likes to play with it." Said Kathy.
"Wear it is more like it." Laughed Elliot.
* Great.*
"I guess we're going to the park then, Eli." Smiled Olivia.
"Yeah!" shouted Eli, throwing his small arms around Olivia's neck. Kathy handed Olivia Eli's jacket and smiled to herself knowing full well what Olivia was in stored for.
"You cornered her. You knew Eli was going to persist with the park." Laughed Elliot.
"So? Eli loves it when he spends time with his godmother. I'm not going to stop that. AND if I know Eli like I do, he'll be out when he comes at eight." Smiled Kathy, walking to the elevators with Dickie.
At the Park
"Wivia, swings?" whined Eli. Elliot was watching the scene from his car, half tempted to get out of his car and join his youngest son and his godmother.
"Wivia, slide with me?" asked Eli. Now he's really enjoying the sight in front of him. Getting out of his car, he headed for the bench across from the slide. Hoping to keep himself hidden for awhile.
"Sure, buddy. I'll ride down with you if that's what you want." Smiled Olivia as they both climbed up the stairs. Eli sitting on Olivia's lap as they both slid down. However, the next thing she knew Eli was running to a bench.
"Eli, where do you think you're going?" asked Olivia.
"DADDY!." Answered Eli. Caught by his on son.
"Eli, you're daddy is still at work buddy. Want to ride…." Started Olivia as she made her way to where Eli was now standing and jumping up and down.
Elliot picked Eli and tried to keep from laughing even more than he already was.
"And you've been there how long, Stabler." Said Olivia.
"Just a few minutes." Smiled Elliot.
"You're bad at lying, Stabler. Now how long have you really been there." Said Olivia
"Half hour, alright." Caved Elliot
"If Eli wasn't present, I'd swear I would kick your ass." Said Olivia.
"No you wouldn't." laughed Elliot.
"I thought you had paperwork to finish?" asked Olivia.
"I do. But it can wait till tomorrow. Not like its going anywhere any time soon." laughed Elliot.
"You really are getting too much enjoyment out of this, Stabler. Just remember the next time you both decide to corner me, it's going to be NO." said Olivia.
"You wouldn't tell your godson NO. Me, maybe and even then that's pushing it." Smiled Elliot.
"Your so sure of yourself, Stabler. " retorted Olivia.