Going to add one more chapter to this story so please bare with me. For now I hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think :) I only own the story. The show and it's characters all belong Dick Wolf.
The sound of a key in the lock echoed through the room and Olivia opened the door with her arm, reaching for the set of light switches on the wall by the door. Noah was stood in front of her and Elliot was behind them, following them into Olivia's apartment. ''In, you go, sweetie.'' Olivia gently placed her hands on Noah's back and motioned for him to walk into the living room. She placed her keys small table by the door and stepped aside to let Elliot walk in. Elliot closed the door behind him and turned to see Olivia helping Noah out of his jacket, the little lad looking up at him the entire time. The curiosity on Noah's face made Elliot smile. Olivia hung up Noah's jacket. ''Noah, honey. I'd like you to meet a friend of mine.'' She placed her hands on her son's shoulders, turning him to look introduce him to the man properly. ''Noah, this is Elliot. He's an old friend of mine who I used to work with at the unit.''
Elliot knelt down to Noah's level, holding out his hand. ''It's a pleasure to meet you, Noah.'' He spoke softly as he knew the boy was shy and unfamiliar with him. Noah hesitated at first but slowly took Elliot's outstretched hand and the two shook hands, a small smile painting on Noah's face. ''Mommy, talks about you all the time.'' He released Elliot's hand and saw the man's eyebrows raise in question. ''Does she now?'' Elliot looked at Olivia and smirked before turning back to Noah. ''What does she say about me, Noah?''
''That you used to drive her a little crazy.'' Noah answered. Elliot chuckled softly, flashing that dazing of his which made Olivia smile. ''Oi, cheeky. I told you that in confidence.''
Noah couldn't help but giggle. Elliot chuckled. ''He's a handful, isn't he?''
Olivia looked at him in mock disbelief. ''Honestly, Elliot. I don't know how you managed with five kids. Never mind one.''
Elliot tittered, gazing at the woman who has come a long way since he last saw her. ''They're worth it in the end, Liv.''
Olivia gave him a warm smile. ''I know they are, El.'' She and Elliot gazed at each other behind Olivia turned to look at her son. ''Noah, sweetie have you got any homework today?''
Noah looked up at her. ''Not today. Our teacher said she's going to give us a lot of homework next week so she wants us to just relax as its weekend. That's what she told us anyway.''
Elliot lips curved into a smile. ''We'll that sounds like a very reasonable teacher to me, Noah.'' Noah looked back at Elliot. ''Miss Archer's an awesome teacher.''
''Awesome Archer.'' Elliot smirked as Noah grinned at him. ''Can I go play in my room now, mum?'' Asked Noah, looking back at her. ''Of course, you can.'' Olivia pulled Noah to her for a hug, rubbing her hand up and down his arm before pulling away. ''I just need you to stay in your room for a while. I need a chat with Elliot as we have a lot to catch up on. Can you do that for me please, Noah?''
''Okay, mum.'' Noah replied. Olivia leaned down and kissed her son's forehead. ''Thank you.''
''Will I get to see him before he leaves?'' Olivia noticed the disappointment in his voice. ''Of course, you will. I'll make sure you see Elliot before he leaves.'' Noah turned back to Elliot. ''You'll still be here won't you, Elliot?'' Noah asked. Elliot smiled reassuringly. ''Of course, I will, Noah.''
Noah's frown turned upside down and his face was spread with joy. Olivia gently patted him on the back. ''Come on, Noah. Go put your things away, please.'' Noah turned around to walk in the direction of his room, quietly obeying his mother's softly spoken order. She watched him walk away until he was out of sight. Elliot stood up and looked at Olivia. ''He's a great kid.'' He murmured. Olivia smiled proudly, turning to Elliot. ''I know. He's a handful and can have his moments like all children do but he's my son and I'm proud to be his mother.''
''Well, you should. You've done an amazing job raising him, Liv. You should be proud of yourself. I know I am.'' Elliot stated. Olivia tucked a loose hair behind her ear, slightly embarrassed but yet touched by Elliot's comment. ''Thanks, El. That means a lot.'' She smiled at him before looking at him with a serious expression, placing her hands on her hips. ''We need to talk, Elliot.'' She asserted. Elliot exhaled, rubbing his temple with his thumb. ''I know.'' He copied her posture and placed his hands on his hips. ''Where do you want me to start?''
Olivia studied him. She walked closer to him, taking in his appearance. She couldn't believe that after all these years he was still just as handsome as he was the last time she saw him. Olivia was stood close enough to see deep into his ocean eyes. Elliot gazed into her brown ones, the hurt his saw inside them pained him. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice was delicate. ''All I want to know is, is why you never tried to contact me?''
Elliot felt the hurt in her voice and exhaled deeply, meeting her gaze. ''There's no easy way to explain this.'' Olivia furrowed her eyebrows. Elliot walked into the direction of the couch and slumped himself down, placing his head in his hands. Olivia looked at him sadly and walked over to sit beside him on the couch. He was frustrated, she could tell. Elliot lifted up his head and clammed his hands together, resting his elbows on his knees. He sighed softly. ''After what happened with Jenna I couldn't live with myself. I had to get away from it all. From everything that reminded me of the fact I was a killer.'' He looked at Olivia. ''I never meant to hurt you, Liv. I wanted to get away from everything and every one after that day but the reason I left was to protect you. When I saw the way you looked at me after shooting Jenna, I knew I had to leave because I didn't want you to see me make the same mistake again. I didn't want you to think of me as a monster.''
Elliot was about to turn away when he felt Olivia lay her hand on his arm. ''You're not a monster, Elliot and I want you to know I would never think that.'' Her voice was quiet as she spoke. ''Is that why you went back to the Marines? To clear your head?'' Elliot nodded. ''Yeah. I asked Fin to keep tabs on you for me so I knew you were okay. He told me what you went through with Lewis and I wanted to contact you, Liv I really did but my head was all over the place. I'm sure yours was too.''
''It was El. After what happened with Lewis, I was collateral damage.''
Elliot took his hand and placed it over Olivia's which was laid on his arm, his thumb rubbing her soft skin. ''As you know I went back to the Marines after what happened with Jenna and not long after going back to the Marines I…'' Elliot took a deep breath. ''I learned Katy had cancer.''
Olivia felt her heart stop at Elliot's shocking admission. ''Elliot I'm so sorry. How is she now?''
Elliot shook his head. ''Katy didn't make it. Maureen had just found out she was pregnant at the time Katy was diagnosed so while I was in the Marines, Maureen and the kids helped to take care of their mother while she was in the hospital.'' Elliot bit his lip, shaking his head. ''But the cancer was too aggressive. Katy passed away within three months of treatment.'' Elliot closed his eyes as he recounted the tragic events of losing his wife. Olivia, who felt tears form in the corners of her eyes gently placed her hand over his and carefully squeezed it. ''Elliot I don't know what to say.''
Elliot looked at her. ''There's nothing you can say, Liv. Other than the fact my life has been hell for the last eights years.'' Elliot saw the pain Olivia felt for him and noticed the tears in the corners of her eyes. ''I lost the mother of my children to cancer. Two years later my mother suffered a stroke and had to be placed in a nursing home. Kathleen learned she was barren and couldn't have children and my father died of a heart attack.'' Elliot turned away and stared at the floor. ''My life's just gotten worse since leaving the unit but I couldn't stay there knowing what I did.''
Olivia felt her heartbreak at hearing how much Elliot had suffered over the last few years. He suffered pain just as much as she had and she now understood why she never heard from him. Olivia placed her hands Elliot's shoulders and held him at arm's length. She rested her hand against his shoulder. Elliot gently leaned closer and rested his head against hers. Her other hand rubbed his shoulder blade for comfort. ''Elliot, I'm so sorry.'' She spoke softly. Elliot closed his eyes and opened them again. ''Don't be. If anything, Liv I should be sorry.'' He stated. Olivia looked at him, confused. ''Why?'' She asked. She watched as Elliot moved slightly, just enough so he could meet her tear filled eyes. ''Because of what I did I nearly lost the one person who doesn't realize how much she means to me.'' His voice was tender as he spoke. Olivia blinked back the tears. ''Who is that, El?'' Olivia felt a small shock when Elliot leaned his forehead against hers. ''You.'' He whispered. ''That's you, Livia.''