A/N: Set in season 9. Right after "Paternity". This is just a little one-shot that I needed to write after watching that episode. Enjoy.
"I'm heading home," Elliot announced turning to leave the precinct. He took two steps before he turned around and walked back to his desk. "Oh, I almost forgot. Kathy asked me to invite you to dinner tonight. She's making a roast with all the trimmings."
Olivia raised an eyebrow, somewhat suspicious. It was no secret that Kathy was less than fond of the female detective who was partnered with her husband. She had it in her head that Elliot preferred Olivia's company to hers.
"I was surprised too," he answered. "I think it's her way of saying thank you to you for saving her and Eli."
Olivia shook her head. "Ah, she doesn't need to thank me for that." She thought back on the memory of the car accident and how she had done everything she could to keep Kathy alive. Had she not, she would be held accountable by Elliot. It was as if the two went hand in hand, Olivia had to accept that her partner's wife was important to him and so it had to be important to her too. Besides, living with the guilt of not doing everything she could to save Kathy and her baby, would have destroyed her relationship with Elliot. "She's your wife, El. I-"
"I know," he smiled.
They didn't talk about the lengths they'd go to for each other, as friends, as partners. It just came with the job.
"Come on," he gestured. "You need to eat."
Olivia hesitated. "Ah... ok," she shrugged.
EO EO EO EO EO EO EO EO EO EO
"I'm glad you came," Kathy smiled, taking her coat and hanging it up on the rack by the front door. "After spending all day with a crying baby, it's nice to have someone else to talk to."
Olivia smiled.
Elliot led her into the kitchen. Baby Eli was in his bassinet by the table. "Oh, he's beautiful, Kathy. He gets more and more handsome every time I see him."
"Thanks."
"Is he a good baby?"
"Yeah, for the most part. I think he takes after his father," she said teasingly.
"Thanks, Kathy," he grinned, smiling lovingly at his wife.
Olivia looked away. Sometimes she got lonely, but it was times like these that made it a little harder. People didn't see how the single ones coped with having to watch couples express their emotions in a look or a touch. Olivia knew that they didn't do it intentionally, but she still felt that stab of jealousy.
When was it her turn?
"Do you want to hold Eli?" Kathy asked scooping up her three week old baby and offering him to Olivia.
She smiled and opened her arms. Kathy settled him in the crook of her arm and Olivia looked down at the child she had helped come into the world. The smell of a newborn set her own desires into motion. Olivia would have loved to have her own child. It was the only thing in the world that she couldn't just push aside. It was her reason for living.
"You'll make a wonderful mother," Kathy said, watching her intently. "When the time comes."
Olivia had her doubts. Her work was important and her time was limited.
The two women looked at each and just like that, the ill feelings the two women had for each other seemed to fizzle out like the flame of a candle. Whatever awkwardness that had once played a part in their awkward relationship was gone. There was a bond there now.
Elliot watched his wife and best friend and smiled to himself.
"Now this is something to thank God for," he thought silently. The two most important women in his life together. He couldn't have asked for anything more.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Reviews would be gratefully appreciated.