AN: Song "Apologize" by OneRepublic

Apologize

The evening was turning out better than Olivia had planned. She sat across from a gorgeous man in a very swank seafood restaurant.

Her hair was perfect, the humor was right, and the mood was just about fitting for an invitation to Olivia's new living room.

It was the first date she'd been on in four years. She was never keen to blind dates, but her new partner, Sergeant Sean Dignam, convinced her other wise.

Sean was adamant that she give his one and only best friend a go.

With a wicked scoff she took one for the team and accepted the date. But only to break the new partner trust barrier between her hot mood swings and his potty mouth.

When she reached the restaurant and met Richard Bear, Sean's match making skills were proving to be promising.

Richard was smart, handsome, down to earth, and honest. Most importantly, Olivia couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so hard.

"Don't let Dean fool you, he's as sensitive as they come. His wife made us watch "Little Miss Sunshine". Cried like a baby. Don't even bring it up, he gets all emotional."

Olivia smiled ", I'll have to try that the next time he calls me a cold bitch with a , and I quote, mule ass mother fuck'n temper. Yeah, he actually said that."

"He was never good with words."

"Oh, his vocabulary is extensive, let me tell yeah."

The conversation took its' seven second pause and Richard took a breath to make the next move.

"Richard, stop. I've been on enough of these to know what the next move is. Let's just cut to the chase. I like you. I have a feeling you are interested. I happen to have an unopened bottle of wine and a lonely house that I've only ever shared with the real estate agent and my wayward cat, Elizabeth. Let's go before we close this joint down."

Richard shook his head lightly in shock and amazement. He loved her aggressive attitude. "I'm all yours, Detective. So how does one name a cat Elizabeth? As in Queen Elizabeth?"

"As in Elizabeth Bennet, one of the first ball busting women of her time."

"Yikes. Remind me stay away from your cat."

SCENE

Olivia's button nose wiggled in amusement as Richard told her about the most embarrassing thing he'd ever done. They walked from her gravel driveway and in mid laugh the image caught her eye.

"Elliot."

There he was, crouched on her stoop in blue jeans and a leather jacket. He stood slowly. Fists shoved into his pockets. "Liv."

"What are you doing here?"

Elliot looked at Richard and then back to her. "I needed a vacation. Thought I'd come to see this house you wrote about…you know, in the card."

"Oh, Cragen gave it to you?"

"Yeah, well, he brought it in. Yeah. Am I interrupting something?"

Richard could feel the tension. He backed up awkwardly.

"Richard. Sorry. Richard, this is Elliot. He's an old co-worker of mine. Elliot, Richard Bear."

Richard held out his hand, but Elliot ignored it.

"Hi," was all he could mutter.

"Should I go," Richard asked out of confusion.

"No. No, Richard, please don't go. I can see Elliot any time." Olivia grabbed his arm and pushed past Elliot for the door. "Elliot, one second."

She pushed her key in the lock and opened the door. "There. Make yourself at home. I'll be in…in like five minutes."

"Are you sure? We don't have to-"

"Richard. Yes."

She closed the door in his face and hesitantly turned towards Elliot.

"Co-worker? That's not what you called me eight months ago."

"Things change."

"They certainly do."

Elliot sat heavily on her front porch step and she stood behind him almost relieved, but too proud to show it.

"How'd you find me?"

"With a German Shepard and a flashlight."

Olivia closed her eyes and smiled. He never looked back at her. He was too ashamed.

"You can't stay here you know."

"Liv, sit down. Please."

She sat next to him. The steps were small. The feeling of his leg just touching hers was like a thousand pins and needles.

"Elliot, I'm not kidding. I was serious when I said it was over."

"Liv, I'm sorry," he said and turned to her with his sad eyes and his solace quiet. "I am sorry."

She watched him and waited for something else, but he seemed content with "I'm sorry."

"And that's it."

"It needed to be said. And I mean it. I'm sorry."

The words weren't as sweet as she imagined them to be. In silence she closed herself off. With arms crossed and shoulders hunched she pulled away from him and stood in the grass.

"What's wrong?"

She knew Elliot wasn't as poetic as most of the men she'd dated, but she never figured him to miss the signs of a true apology and the flame that she'd held for him for so long. Quietly she spoke. Her voice sang with broken melody. "I'm holding on to your rope,

Got me ten feet off the ground. I've heard what you said, but I just can't make a sound"

"You tell me that you need me

Then you go and cut me down."

"But wait

You tell me that you're sorry….

Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late"

I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late. Olivia repeated the thought in her mind and couldn't believe that she'd said it. All of the nights she spent pinning for him. Missing him. Needing him. Her walls were too thick.

Elliot grabbed Olivia's shoulders and pulled her towards his gaze. "I came all this way. I left my entire life. I don't know what to say, but you need to listen. I'd take another chance, take a fall

Take a shot for you

And I need you like a heart needs a beat"

"But it's nothin new. Elliot, you had your chance. Why did it take you this long to figure it out? I gave you so many. So many.

I loved you with a fire red-

Now it's turning blue, and you say...

"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you

But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late

it's too late to apologize, it's too late"

"Olivia, I was scared. I was a fool."

She headed for her front door and he grabbed her arm.

"Get your hands off me."

He let her go and she stood next to the door.

"Olivia, don't do this. I need you. I can't live with out you. I can't."

"Don't you have a baby and a wife to take care of?"

He stood in silence. He was astonished that she would treat him like this. "Liv, I left everything. I thought it was what made me happy, but I was wrong. I was completely wrong."

She pushed away every thought of weakness towards him and opened her front door.

"I'm sorry."

Alone he stood. Alone he crumbled. The porch darkened and he walked away empty.