Quiet

Disclaimer: I do not own them

A/N: Well, you can't really slap a nice happy EO bow on an episode that wasn't very EO. But, it's early in the season and I'm holding out hope. By the way, does anyone notice how much more of a bitch Kathleen is that she was last season? And that's totally saying something because she was a total bitch. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

"How's Kathy holding up?" Olivia asked, handing Elliot a cup of coffee as they walked down the street towards where the sedan was parked. It had been a late night and Olivia hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Elliot all day. She was worried about him.

"Thanks," he said flatly, taking the cup from her and tipping back the scolding contents, not caring when they seared his throat. He crushed the empty cup in his hand and tossed it in a dumpster as they passed by "She's pissed," he finally answered Olivia's question. "All these years and no perp has ever gotten that close. She's threatening to take the kids to her mother's again," he stopped walking and simply stood there.

Olivia turned and walked the few steps back to him "Elliot," she whispered, touching his arm gently; she wanted desperately to take him into her arms and hold him, removing his pain but it wasn't appropriate. "Kathy's just a little shaken up. Give her some time, you two will get passed this. You have before."

Elliot turned away from Olivia compassionate gaze "We didn't get through anything. The only reason we're even still together is that I got her pregnant again," he hung his head "I'm such an idiot."

"Don't say that," Olivia smiled kindly, placing a hand under his chin and bringing his gaze back to hers "Things will work out," it hurt her to reassure him that his marriage would be fine but she knew that all the doubt in his heart was hurting him more.

"I don't think it can," Elliot admitted, trying not to stare into her eyes "Ever since we told the kids that they're gonna have a new sibling, none of them have said a kind word to me," he turned away from Olivia and began walking again. It was like he had lost his family all over again and he was still living in the same house with them.

"Elliot," Olivia quickened her pace to catch up with him. At the corner, she finally caught up with him "Are you okay?" she asked the question already knowing the answer; he wasn't okay and she knew he would tell her he was. In the end, the question seemed unnecessary but she was compelled to ask it nonetheless.

He turned to her in the dim glow of an overhead street light "I… I'm not sure anymore," he admitted and he stepped forward into her embrace. "Liv," he nearly sobbed "That psycho bitch is still out there, walking the streets. What if…? Kathy's got the right idea. She should take the kids and leave."

"That's not gonna happen," Olivia told him firmly "She knows if she comes anywhere near you again we'll hit her with whatever we can throw at her."

"That's not gonna stop her," he said, running a hand down her back, not even aware of the gesture. "You know what was the weirdest thing?" he asked softly. "When I saw her there, I wasn't anymore worried about her than I would be about any other civilian in that situation," he looked down at the ground "I thought I would feel something."

"You were in shock," Olivia tried reasoning, restraining herself from pouncing on the small glimmer of hope. She felt like a horrible person for wanting Elliot's marriage to fall apart. She felt so guilty for loving him.

"No," Elliot disagreed "It wasn't that. I know it wasn't that," he murmured and got into the car.

Olivia climbed into the passenger's seat "It's gonna work out," she reassured him "You'll see."

"I hope you're right," Elliot sighed as he drove her to her apartment building. When the car stopped and just before she was about to get out, he leaned towards her. He didn't know why he did it but he kissed her "Thanks," he whispered as he pulled away.

"For what?" she asked, trying not to smile as her lips tingled.

"I think I'd go insane without you," he admitted "Thanks for being here for me."

"Anytime," Olivia smiled as she got out of the car "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah," he waved "See ya."

He drove back to his house and found it dark. He opened the door and found a note on the kitchen table. He picked it up and unfolded it. With a heavy heart, he read it out loud, the sound of his voice echoing through the void that was his home.

"Elliot,… I'm sorry. This whole thing was just too much. I took the kids to my mom's house. I'm bringing another life into this world and I can't do that if I'm gonna come home everyday to find some crazy bitch with a knife, saying that she's in love with you. Goodbye."

He folded the note again and dropped it on the table. She had left him again. He sank into a chair and let the quiet of the house descend upon him.

A/N: Okay, not very EO but any story where I have successfully removed Kathy from the scene is a happy ending in my book. Hope you liked. Please review and don't worry, I'm gonna update "Showdown" soon but I needed a bit of a break from that one.