Disclaimer: They aren't mine ... wish they were.

Driving back, the conversation stayed light until Elliot fell asleep, Olivia glanced over to find out why her last question had remained unanswered and smiled. There he was, curled into his seat, clutching onto her damp sweater and using it as a pillow. As they neared the city, Olivia pulled over and gently shook him.

"El … Elliot … wake up," she cooed, turning in her seat. His eyes fluttered open and he grinned when he saw her hand on his thigh.

"So, it's not a dream," he said, looking at her hand.

"Nah," she grinned. "I love you."

"Then it is a dream…a good one…" he sighed. "Why have we stopped?"

"We need a plan," Olivia said, looking at her watch. "It's just gone four …"

"And we need a plan for that?" he asked his brow furrowed.

"No, El, as to where I drive to … you need to go home and …" she began.

"Why?" he interrupted.

"Because you need a change of clothes, for one," she said, pulling at his shirt. "And you need to talk to your kids … they're really upset and confused." Elliot nodded.

"And after that?" he asked, holding onto her hand.

"Well, I'll be at home all evening, you're more than welcome to come over when you're done with the kids," she replied, squeezing his thigh.

"Can I stay?" he asked hesitantly.

"I was planning on it," she smiled.

Olivia had dropped him off and was at home, showered and changed into her warm pyjamas. She knew it was early to be in nightwear but she was tired and cold and it seemed like the best option. Curled up on the sofa, she had only been there a minute when her intercom buzzed. It was Don.

"Hey Liv," he greeted her when she opened her door. He eyed her clothing. "Is this a pyjama party?"

"Oh, no, sorry," she said, looking down at herself. "Just wanted to get warm."

"Everything okay?" he asked, following her to the sofa.

"For me, yeah," she sighed, sitting cross legged at one end.

"And for Elliot?" he questioned. "I know he was with you today … I went by the house."

She shook her head. "Guess this is why you wanted me to stay close to home this weekend."

"Yeah," he sighed. "I couldn't tell you, Liv, I'm sorry. It had to come from him."

"I understand, Don …" She rested her head on the back of the sofa. "It sucks doesn't it?"

"Yeah. How's Elliot doing?" he asked.

"Not good …" Olivia answered, standing up. "Coffee?"

"Yeah, please," Don replied, following her into the kitchen. "Where is he now?"

"I dropped him home … he needs to talk to the kids … Kathleen and the twins stayed here last night, really upset by everything, but especially him, after Mel had called," she informed him. "But he's coming here when he's done … just doesn't want to spend any extra time there."

"I can understand that …" Don nodded. "Look, don't worry about the coffee, I'll hit the road … you just get some rest before El gets here, you look exhausted."

"I'm fine," she replied.

"Get some sleep," he said sternly but with a smile. "Elliot's going to need all the help he can get."

Following her boss' instructions, Olivia slipped into bed soon after he departed, laughing to herself when she realised it was only six … she couldn't remember ever being in bed so early before. Sleep claimed her quickly and it was surprisingly peaceful.

Rolling over a few hours later she found herself in Elliot's arms. Waking quickly, she ran her hands up his chest.

"Hey," she croaked. "How did it go?"

"Shit," he sighed.

"It was never going to be easy," she soothed before realising he was still laying on top of the quilt. "Come in with me," she encouraged, shifting to pull back the bed clothes.

"I thought we were going to take it slowly," he grinned.

"We are," she replied. "Doesn't mean I can't hold you tonight, does it?"

"You sure?" he whispered.

"Positive," she smiled.

Elliot stood up and kicked off his shoes. "Have you eaten?" Olivia asked as he unbuckled his belt.

"Nah," he replied.

"Me neither," she said, sitting up in bed. "We'll order in."

"Don't bother for me," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking off his socks.

"You say that now," she started, skirting around the bed. "But at 3:00 AM when you're starving no one's going to deliver." He smiled; trust her to be so logical.

Coming back from placing the order, Olivia grinned to find him in her bed.

"Hope you don't mind," he said, when he saw her standing in the doorway watching him.

"Actually, I do," she replied and he sat up quickly.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have…" he began before she crossed the room to him.

"I don't mind that you're in my bed," she said. "Only that you're on my side." She climbed in next to him and gently shoved him across.

"But it's cold on this side," he pouted.

"Well, I'll warm you up," she smiled, wrapping herself around him.

Elliot closed his eyes as his senses went into overdrive. His life had effectively exploded, everything he was sure of two days ago was gone … And in the midst of lies, secrets and betrayal he held onto the one thing he was sure of; Olivia.

For a long time she just held him, she had no demands or expectations of him, she was just grateful he had come to her and that he loved her – everything else could wait.

When the intercom buzzed, Olivia rolled over. "That will be the pizza."

"Pizza?" he asked, Chinese was their usual fare.

"Yeah," she smiled. "Much easier to eat in bed."

Sunday

Waking a little after eight, it took Olivia a few moments to figure out why she felt so compressed and she smiled when she realised the cause. Elliot was not only asleep across her; his hand had found its way down the back of her pyjama bottoms and was firmly cupping her butt. Trying to move as little as possible, Olivia carefully extracted her arm so she could push her hair from her face; the movement was enough to wake him.

Still transitioning from sleep to wakefulness, Elliot mumbled incomprehensible things to her. It was only when he spoke her name he became alert, and was relieved to see it was her in the bed with him. He had called her name before, more than once, and Kathy had not been impressed in the least.

"Hey, honey," she whispered, caressing his face. "How'd you sleep?"

"Very well," he smiled. It was the best sleep he'd had in a long time. "You?"

"Fine," she replied. "Good thing I'm not claustrophobic though," she grinned.

"Why?" he asked, wide eyed.

"You realise where you're sleeping?" she asked. He looked down at their entwined bodies.

"God, Liv, I'm sorry, you must be crushed." He went to pull away and realised where his hand was. "And…oh, sorry … I, um…" Olivia grinned, he was actually blushing.

"I'm not complaining," she said kissing his nose.

"I wasn't either," he replied, pulling her with him as he rolled onto his back.

Olivia rested her head on his chest, one hand gently rubbing his arm before long they was asleep once more.

It was the ring of Elliot's cell which woke them the second time about 11:00 AM. She rolled with him as he stretched to pick it up from the side table.

"Stabler," he croaked.

"Yeah, El. It's me, Fin…" Fin began. "Look man, Don told us about Eli … and Kathy … and that's just bullshit."

"That's one word for it," Elliot sighed, raking his fingers through Olivia's hair.

"Munch and me thought you might want to catch up for drinks tonight… maybe grab some food … just some time out…away from women," he offered hesitantly.

"Sounds like a plan … but, um… can Liv come?" he asked, not wanting to spend anytime away from her if possible.

"Sure … want me to call her?" Fin offered.

"Nah, she's right in front of me," he replied, omitting the fact that she was actually on top of him rather than in front … but who was he to be technical. By the time he hung up the arrangements were set, 7:00 PM at Serenade's Bar and Grill.

Before he had the time to tell Olivia, her cell rang. It was Maureen and she was very upset.

"Hey, hey, slow down, Mo," she soothed. "What's wrong?" she asked sitting up. Elliot sat up with her and put his hand out for the phone, she shook her head. "Sweetie, talk to me…"

"Is dad still there … with you?" Maureen asked, tears evident in her voice.

"Yes, do you want to talk to him?" she offered.

"No, no," she answered quickly. "I…um … Liv, oh god."

"Take a breath, Maureen," Olivia instructed firmly. "Where are you?"

"Sitting in Michael's car outside of the house …" she gasped.

"Okay, just take a minute and then tell me what this is about," Olivia soothed.

The silence was deafening for Elliot, although Olivia could hear Maureen talk to her boyfriend down the line. It was Michael's voice she heard next.

"Um, hello, Ms…um…Olivia, ma'am," he said cautiously.

"Hello, Michael," she said, shrugging at Elliot when he looked at her.

"Mo's pretty upset at the moment," he began.

"Yeah, I can tell," she replied.

"What it comes down to is that she is freaking out that Mr Stabler might not be her dad," he said slowly.

"What makes her think that?" Olivia asked, trying not to give anything away.

"All this shit … sorry, I mean stuff, with Eli … she asked Mrs Stabler if there was any chance … you know how they weren't married ... And she just shrugged and Mo's been a basket case since … she wants to know and she doesn't want to know and she doesn't want to upset Mr Stabler because she loves him so much…" Michael said, as Maureen sobbed in the background.

"I can understand that," Olivia said.

"She was thinking you might have a way of checking this out … you know with Melissa … Melanie…" he began.

"Melinda," she answered and Elliot's eyes widened.

"Can you bring her over here?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, as soon as I can," he said, relieved to have someone else dealing with his very distressed girlfriend.

Slowly Olivia closed her phone and placed it on the side table before turning around to face Elliot.

"What's wrong?" he asked, caressing her face and raising her chin so she had no choice but to look at him.

"Maureen's upset … she's worried that you …" she sighed, struggling to find the right words, but there were none. "She's worried you might not be her dad."

"What?!" he yelled, clambering to get out of the bed. "Why the hell would she think that?" He grabbed the phone and tried to dial her number but Olivia grabbed the phone, tossing it onto the bed as she moved to grab him.

"With you and Kathy not being married when she was conceived and the truth about Eli, she's got herself into a state…" Olivia explained gently.

"That why you mentioned Melinda?" he asked, holding onto her and burying his face in her hair.

"Yeah, she though Mel might be able to short circuit things and she could find out today …" she replied nuzzling into his neck.

"I can't lose another kid, Liv, I can't," he mumbled, his grip on his emotions faltering.

"Whatever the result, you'll never lose her, El, she loves you very much," Olivia whispered, kissing his neck.

With Elliot dispatched to the shower, Olivia phoned Melinda and arranged for an afternoon visit to the lab to do a few simple tests … enough to either know there was something to worry about or it wasn't an issue. She prayed it was the latter.

Dressing in blue jeans and a white tee, Olivia sat on her bed listening to the water in the shower. She couldn't imagine what was going through Elliot's mind, how he would cope if he lost two children in these circumstances. Realising he'd been in there nearly thirty minutes, she moved to the bathroom door and rapped quickly

"You okay, El?" she called, opening the door slightly. "El?" There was no answer. "Elliot," she called moving into steam-filled bathroom and over to the window, she opened it, before turning on the fan. "Elliot, are you okay?" she asked again, tugging on the curtain.

This time when she got no reply she pulled back the curtain and her heart broke to see him sitting huddled into the corner in the tub under the stream of hot water, the very image of a shattered man. The heat of the water had left his head and back bright red; quickly Olivia turned off the water and grabbed a towel, patting him dry.

"El, are you okay?" she asked. "It looks so sore…"

"Can't feel anything," he mumbled, his physical pain no comparison for his emotional pain.

"Hop out," she instructed taking his hand and helping him out before wrapping the towel around his waist.

Picking up her aloe vera gel, she led him out to her bed and sat him side on, before opening the tube and placing a dollop on her palm. She rubbed her hands together quickly.

"This may feel a little cold," she cautioned, "but it will help." He nodded but didn't react to her touch. When she was satisfied she'd treated every reddened part of his flesh, she replaced the lid and dropped the tube onto the bed before moving to sit in front of him. Tenderly she caressed his face, wishing for the world she could take away the look of devastation in his eyes.

"For whatever it's worth," she said quietly, looking into his glassy eyes. "Regardless of the outcome today, you'll still have me."

A smile broke out across his face. "That's worth everything…thank you," he whispered, gently kissing her lips.

When the buzzer sounded nearly ten minutes later, Olivia left Elliot to dress while she went to let Maureen and Michael in, hoping she could calm her before Elliot came in, she wasn't sure if she could cope with both of them distraught.

Olivia opened her door and embraced Maureen, who had managed to keep it together until she saw Olivia.
"Hey, honey," Olivia soothed, holding onto the young woman and side stepping them so Michael could enter the apartment. "Sssh, calm down … you don't know anything yet."

"That's what I've been trying to say," Michael said but stopped short when Maureen glared at him.

"Let's wait until we see Melinda, Mo," she said, wiping Maureen's face.

"But what happens if he's not my dad?" she sobbed. "What happens if he doesn't love me anymore or doesn't want me in his life?"

"Maureen, that will never happen, regardless of what the tests say," Elliot said sternly coming from the bedroom. Maureen ran to him and flung her arms around him, clinging tightly. "I will always love you … always," he whispered gruffly as he tried to stop the tears from starting. "Do you understand?" She nodded into his chest.

"And I'll always love you, daddy," she sobbed, as she looked up into his deep blue eyes, the ones which matched hers in every way.

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