A/N1: I decided it was time to write a "what happens after Elliot leaves SVU" FF… so, this is my first one. Forgive me if I'm a little rusty. I don't watch ALL the new ones, so if I have missed a sentence about Elliot being gone or was even mentioned in passing… PLEASE, tell me. It's just not the same without him. ='(

A/N2: this takes place six months after he's been gone.

It had been six agonising months since Elliot had left the precinct and Kelly and Nick had taken over. Olivia had fought the feelings for months, reasoning with herself that sooner or later she would stop missing him, and she would find common ground with the new detectives, she might even start to like them. Cragen watched her like a hawk, which bugged her. She had never had to be watched before, and even Munch and Fin had their moments of asking how she was doing, as if without Elliot she had forgotten how to function, which if she was honest, wasn't all that far from the truth.

Olivia didn't sparkle the same way she had before. There was no subtle jokes or small smiles when something was funny. She poured her heart and soul into each and every case, and for some reason it mattered more that she solved them, as if she was trying to prove herself, or make up for Elliot's absence.

Despite her ability to act professional at all times, Olivia flinched every time Cragen ordered her to work with Nick or Kelly. She felt like Cragen was trying to replace the irreplaceable, and it made Olivia feel sick. She said nothing though. She went with whoever she was assigned to, and she worked hard at whatever case she was on. And when she was back at the precinct she felt that familiar rush of anger for the way that Elliot had left, and wondered why she even cared so much that he was gone.

She hadn't spoken to him since, and he had made no effort to call her, which was why Olivia was stunned when Kathy walked into the precinct late one afternoon, and asked to speak with her. Olivia was finishing up with her paperwork, when she was interrupted.

Munch, who had been standing nearby, suggested she use the empty interrogation room for some privacy. Olivia, who's curiosity made the deciding vote, nodded and led Kathy into the room, and then quietly closed the door behind her.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, trying to hide the nervous feeling she had in the pit of her stomach that resembled the likes of the spin-cycle on her washing machine.

Kathy shifted on her feet. "I um… I need to ask a favour, and forgive me if it sounds out of line, but I just have to ask."

This made Olivia nervous. "Okay…"

"I would like you to come to dinner, tonight. I know that you have cases and I know your probably busy, I remember the hours it takes to be a- listen, I need you to come. Elliot needs you to come."

Olivia took a visible step back. "Did he ask?" this surprised her, since he hadn't called her in six months. How could he expect her to-

"He doesn't know," she admitted, cutting off her thoughts. "I didn't tell him I was asking you, I just- I didn't want to get his hopes up in case you say no."

"he hasn't called me since he put in his papers," she told him. "What makes you think he even wants to see me?"

"I just know," Kathy replied. There were some times in a marriage, where you didn't have to ask, you just simply knew, and this was one of those times. "Please come. You don't even have to stay long, just enough to- please… I never thought I'd ever have to ask anything of you again, but some things you just escape. I think you will always be wanted in his life. I know that he hasn't exactly been the greatest friend to you, I mean, not telling you and- it must have hurt."

Kathy had no idea.

"I don't think I want to see him," Olivia said, honestly. What kind of relationship did they have if Elliot couldn't even tell her that he was leaving? It made her feel sick every time she thought about it.

Kathy nodded. "I understand that. I do. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't the most important thing. Please, Olivia. Please, come."

There was something about her desperation that made Olivia say yes. At least if she saw him, she could set some things straight and he could answer a few haunting questions that wouldn't leave her. "Alright," she agreed. "But I can't promise that I won't get angry at him. He left without a word. I can't just forget that. He was my partner for twelve years. I deserved that much, so if I-"

"I understand," she said. "I do. It's fine. Get mad if you want. So, you'll come then?"

"Yes. I'll come. What time?"

"Six."

"I'll be there."

So… how did I do? I missed those cliff-hangers.

Are you ready for the next chapter? Reviews are nice… it's been a while, since I don't upload half as much as I used to. Sorry. My muse was on vacation. I hope he doesn't go away that long again, but you can never tell. *turns to muse and starts bickering*

=))