Author's Notes: I am still relatively new to the world of L&O:SVU. This story was written before I knew of Olivia's relationship with her mother and I've since found it to be contradictory to the SVU version. As this is the world of fiction I have to ask you to go along with it and enjoy the ride.

Friday

Olivia's Apartment

7.25 pm

It was a warm Friday evening as Elliot headed straight from the precinct to the home of his partner. She hadn't seemed herself in recent days and whilst he couldn't fault her professional approach to the Fleming case they had just concluded, she had all but ignored him on a personal level. When he had tried to discuss the matter, after they returned from an interview, he was met with silence, near tears and Olivia's early departure from work. With a sense of trepidation, he knocked on the door.

"Good devening, Sedective Dabler, to what do I owe this plea – shure?" Olivia swung back with the door and Elliot reached in and grabbed her as she giggled.

"Hi Liv," Elliot answered cautiously. "How are you doing?"

"Me? Never bet-ter. Why do you…ask?"

"You haven't been yourself these last few days."

"Aww, are you checking up on me? Ooh, you're so cute." She pinched his cheek as an old aunt would have. Elliot smiled as he watched her half glide, half stumble to the bench.

"Can I buy you a drink, officher?" She reached for the bottle of vodka twice, not managing to get it.

"How about I get it myself?" Elliot retrieved a glass from the cabinet and picked up the half empty bottle. The security wrapper on the bench suggested it had just been opened. He poured himself a drink. "And what are we drinking to…? He followed Olivia to the sofa.

"To nothing." Olivia flopped down.

"Must be something?" Olivia shrugged. "How many drinks ahead are you?"

"Three!" she said enthusiastically, holding up two fingers.

"Oh, I see." Elliot sat down beside her on the chocolate brown sofa. "Liv, what's…?"

"Don't Elliot, please don't. Not tonight." Tears welled and she turned away.

"Okay, okay," he reached and took her hand. "But you know…"

"You're there whenever…la la la. I know. How about you put some music on?"

"Sure," he said, moving towards the stereo. "What would you prefer?"

"I don't care."

Another drink on and with the conversation stilted, Olivia stood, and after a few seconds gained her balance.

"Elli-liot, I'm a big girl. You don't have to stay because I'm inbree…inebr…drunk."

"I know."

"You're free to go and enjoy yourself."

"I know."

"I've got to go to the bathroom." Elliot smiled. "No, I do. I don't need to hurl, just pee." Elliot nodded.

Ten minutes later, when Olivia had not returned, Elliot ventured towards her bedroom and found her seated on the side of the bed.

"Liv, you okay?"

"Yep," she said as she held onto the edge and looked at the floor.

"The bed moving?"

"No!"

"Okay. Liv, look at me." She wouldn't, so he went to her and lifted her chin. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She closed her eyes so she couldn't see his face. She already felt bad about the way she had treated him but couldn't handle feeling any worse than she already did.

"Liv…" Elliot spoke softly and Olivia cringed.

"Don't."

"Liv, what…"

"Elliot, please don't."

He put his arms around her and held her close to him, he could feel her trembling. The flood gates opened and Olivia sobbed into his chest, wetting the pale blue shirt he was wearing. He stroked her hair and gently rocked, hoping to placate her. Eventually she stopped and he placed a kiss on her head as he pulled back. She looked up at him, mouthing the word 'sorry'.

"How about you go wash your face and I'll order some food. Pizza or Chinese?"

"Neither, I'm not hungry."

"Olivia, you have to eat. It'll soak up some of that vodka. What do you want?"

"Honestly Elliot, I couldn't…"

"Olivia!"

"Make it pizza."

Olivia decided the best way to freshen up was to have a shower. She stood under the tepid water but it failed to soothe her.

"Apollo 13's on at 10, do you want to watch it?" Elliot called to her.

"Yeah, whatever."

She was still in her room dressing when the doorbell rang. "Elliot, take the money from my purse. It's on the table."

"No, I'll get it."

"Elliot, take the money!"

Not wanting to upset her further he grabbed her brown leather purse and opened the door.

"$24.90 thanks."

Elliot handed over $30 and as he was closing the purse something caught his eye, he took a closer look.

"Sir?"

"Oh, sorry." Elliot took the order and shut the door. "Ready when you are Liv."

Elliot placed the pizzas on the glass topped coffee table and went to the kitchen for plates and napkins. He poured two glasses of soda and returned to the sitting room. He turned the television and table lamp on and turned off the overhead light.

"Sorry I took so long."

"That's okay, come and sit." He patted the seat beside him. "I got a pepperoni and a supreme and garlic bread."

Despite her initial reluctance, Olivia ate and as the movie started she moved back and snuggled into the corner of the sofa, resting her head on a cushion.

"I can move to the armchair if you want to stretch out."

"No, it's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'd rather you stay here, unless you want…"
"I'm happy right here."

By mid movie, Elliot glanced over and Olivia was asleep. Reaching for the cream throw rug, he gently placed it over her. She slept through the rest of the movie and when the final credits rolled Elliot hit the off switch on the remote. The silence woke her.

"Oh, it's over."

"Yeah."

"Sorry, I'm not much company."

"That's okay. Why don't you go to bed?" She shook her head.

Elliot decided to tackle the issue head on. He manoeuvred himself so he would be able to hold onto her. She closed her eyes.

"Olivia, look at me." She did. "Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Okay, then we're going to have a talk."

"Elliot, really I can't."

"Yes you can."

"I don't want to." She moved to get up but his arms encircled her.

"I know you don't want to but you need to."

"No, I don't need to. I don't need anything. I don't need anyone. I don't need you!" She struggled to break free but his grip tightened.

"Yes you do. You need to do this."

"No I don't," she said but her strength was gone and she collapsed into his arms. For several minutes he sat and held her.

"Liv, why didn't you tell me your mom died?" She shook her head. "When did it happen?"

"Wednesday."

"What happened?"

"Heart attack – very sudden."

"Why didn't you tell me, Liv?" he asked, gently stroking her arm.

"What could you have done?"

"Given you some support."

"I don't need support."

"No, I can see you're handling this well."

"I'm handling it as well as I can!" She broke free and jumped up from the sofa.

"I know you are – but why do it alone?"

"Because I am alone!"

She rushed into the bedroom and Elliot followed. "Are you happy now? I'm alone – all alone. No mother, never had a father, no living relatives, no husband or children – no one. I have to do it alone because I am alone." She threw herself onto the bed and sobbed into the pillow.

"Hey Liv," Elliot began, sitting on the bed beside her.

"Don't 'hey Liv' me." She sat up. "Don't tell me it's okay or it'll be alright. It's not!!! There are billions of people in this god forsaken world. Hell, there are 300 million in this bloody country alone and I've got no one. NO ONE! If I died tomorrow no one would even notice."

"I would."
"Sure, you'd have to break in a new partner."

"No, I'd miss you."

"Why? Why would you be any different to everybody else? My father certainly didn't love me or my mother and she certainly had a different way of expressing her love.

"But your mother did love you, Liv."

"How the hell would you know, Elliot? Really, how would you have the remotest idea as to what my mother thought?"

"She told me."

"When? When on earth did you speak to my mother?"

"About two months ago. She rang the precinct but you were in court with the Petersen case – she knew it was a rough one. I told her I'd get you to call her back but she told me not to tell you she'd rang. She said she was just checking up you because she loved you and she wanted to make sure you were okay." He reached over and brushed away her tears. "She also said to take care of her beautiful little girl and I fully intend to."

"Oh." A fresh shower of tears fell. "I'm so sorry Elliot, I didn't mean to…" She cried into his shoulder.

"It's okay, Liv, it's okay."

When Olivia woke, Elliot was in her bed and she was in his arms. Her head ached and the sunlight through the yellow curtains hurt her eyes. She fumbled with the quilt, trying to cover her face.

"Good morning, Olivia." Elliot stroked her hair.

"Morning," she mumbled back.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No. Argh, maybe a new head, oh and stomach."

"That's what replacing blood volume with vodka will do."

"Never again."

"That's what we all say."

Olivia tried to sit up but her spinning head made her lie down again.

"How about I make you some strong coffee?"

"Aha." She rolled over and placed the pillow over her head.

"Hello there, how are you feeling?"

"Better, I think." She glanced towards the alarm clock. "God, it's gone four. Why didn't you wake me?" She stumbled out of bed and into the sitting room.

"I did. Three times."

"I've got so much to do. I have to…"

"You have to sit and listen…okay? I didn't spend the day in bed. You may or may not have noticed I've been home today, showered and changed." Olivia looked hard, she hadn't noticed. "I've also taken several calls relating to your mom's service on Tuesday. The funeral director has everything organised except for the peony roses. He couldn't find…"

Olivia grabbed the Yellow Pages from beneath the coffee table. "Florists…f.f.fl. I'll just ring…"

Elliot took the phone book. "I already did. Three dozen peony roses as per your mom's request."

"Oh."

"The minister called to confirm he'd be at the cemetery twenty minutes before the service."

"Okay."

"And Mrs Graham from Angelton House called first thing about your mother's belongings."
"Oh, I must…"

"And I picked them up on my way back this afternoon." Elliot stood and indicated the boxes behind the sofa. "I also phoned Cragen and you are off all week and I have Tuesday off. So what else do you need to do?"

"This." She went to him, kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much and I'm very sorry for last night."

Elliot pulled back. "What happened last night?"

"You know, I…"

"Nothing happened." He kissed her forehead. "Now, what else needs to be done?" He pulled away.

"Could you hold me for a little longer?"

"Ah, that's easy done."