Chapter Four: Burden

"He has two addresses." Olivia declared as she read off the file beneath the car light. "One's in Queens and the other is in Staten Island." She looked up at Elliot to find a solution.

"Well, don't you want to go home and get some sleep? You've had a long day." Elliot said as he started up the car. He let the inside warm up a little and read some of the file with Olivia. Olivia shook her head when he looked at her for an answer but he knew she really wanted to sleep but wanted to catch Harris more. Her eyes looked tired but he wasn't going to anger her. Throughout the drive, Elliot caught Olivia nodding off. They were basically in Queens at that point so starting early would be better. Elliot knew it would be a waste to drive back to Manhattan just to take her home and pick her back up then go back to Queens. He drove to his house and pulled into his driveway. By that time, Olivia was asleep.

"Liv," He said softly and gently shook her.

"Are we here?" Olivia asked tiredly as she straightened up and looked around.

"No, we're both tired so I'm going to let you stay at my house and tomorrow we're going to go to the first address."

"No, no, let's just-" Olivia was cut off by a huge yawn. Elliot only looked at her with a warm smile that confirmed he proved his point.

When Elliot opened the front door, he got Olivia to lie down on the couch. A few moments later, Elliot heard stairs squeaking. He looked up to see the thin blonde in a dark green robe. She peeked from the top of the stairs.

"Elliot?" Kathy whispered. She continued down the stairs and approached him. She was confused as to why he was home so suddenly but happy he was nonetheless. "Did something happen at work?" She asked.

"Ah, no, Kathy. Actually, we're starting a new case." He nodded towards his sleeping partner on their couch. She looked so peaceful when she slept. Elliot didn't blame her; she probably didn't get a chance to sleep on something comfortable for the past day or two, if she got a chance to sleep at all.

Kathy turned to Olivia and stared at her for a few seconds, she then turned back to Elliot with a look of disbelief.

"Without even talking to me about it?" She asked sharply.

"Is was sort of last minute. She wanted to interview someone here in Queens but it got too late and it's a waste of gas to drive her all the way back to Manhattan and back."

"Elliot, I don't think it's a good idea for her to stay here."

"Why not?"

"You know damn well, why. You and I are already hanging by a string here and bringing your "hot" partner into the house is only making things worse."

"The kids like her. I don't see what your problem is." Then he thought about it, "Is this what it's all about? You're jealous of her?"

Kathy ignored the question, "When will she be leaving?"

"Tomorrow, after breakfast. So you don't have to worry about her staying long. When she leaves, I'm going with her. We have an important case to work out."

"Elliot, you're barely home. You're never with your family. What's so important about this that you can't take a day for us?"

Elliot was enraged, "Kathy, Olivia was raped the other night and who knows where the bastard is right now. He could rape again because she's not the first victim and I'm pretty damn sure she's not the last."

Kathy stared at him for a moment and blinked, "Well, Elliot, don't even think about coming upstairs. You can join her on the couch." She hissed and stormed back upstairs. For once, he was happy to be sleeping on the couch. At least he was with someone with a warm heart. When Elliot turned back to Olivia, she was sitting up and staring at him. It was dark but he could tell she had been awake and heard everything. Elliot let out a deep breath and sat down next to her.

"I can find a way back to Manhattan, El. It's no problem."

"No, Olivia. Don't listen to her. Kathy likes to find anything to fuel a fight. It has nothing to do with you." He looked over at her and smiled, "She may not be so happy to see you but I'm sure the kids will be excited."

Olivia chuckled and looked down, "Yeah. The kids." She said almost solemnly. Olivia thought more and more about her chances of having kids ever since they had that case with the stolen embryos. She glanced at him and smiled faintly. Then, she stretched out on the couch. Elliot shifted himself next to her and looked at her from behind. He had to ask her.

"Liv, what happened at Sealview?" He whispered.

Olivia stared ahead and sighed, "I told you before Elliot. Nothing happened."

"Then what happened the other night? Did he say anything to you?"

"No, Elliot, he didn't. Good night." She breathed and didn't speak for the rest of the night. Elliot only sighed and began to drift off into his own sleep. Olivia thought about Sealview and then the abandoned parking lot. A few tears escaped her eyes before she closed them and fell asleep. The only thing that helped her fall asleep that night was Elliot's warm and strong body protecting her.

The Following Morning

"No…no. Please…don't. Elliot…Elliot…Help me…"

"Olivia."

"Elliot.."

"Olivia!"

"El…"

"Olivia, wake up!"

Olivia's eyes opened when she heard a loud voice and felt something poking her cheek. Her eyes focused on a little blonde boy standing in front of her. A group of other children sat in front of her. Baby Eli, now walking, stood directly in front of her and stared at her with large blue eyes. Kathleen and Dickie remained after Maureen and Elizabeth left once she woke up.

"Livvy!" Eli squealed. Olivia only smiled and sat up.

"Hi, Eli!" She said and then looked at Kathleen and Dickie. The two were smiling like they knew something. Olivia looked at them, slightly confused, as she took Eli on her lap.

"Morning, Olivia." Dickie said. "Feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." Olivia said with doubt in her voice. She gently bounced Eli on her knee and waited for the point to be made.

"That must've been some nightmare you had." Kathleen said. Olivia knew where this was going. She was talking in her sleep again. Olivia felt her face grow hot with embarrassment.

"What makes you say that?" She asked coolly,

The two giggled, Eli only stared blankly at them then turned to Olivia with hopes for an answer he could understand. "Ever since our dad woke up, you've been mumbling his name. Over and over again." Kathleen told her. Olivia leaned back and ran her fingers through her hair and looked away from that. Eli noticed her distress and snuggled up against her.

"If I didn't know any better, I would think you've fallen for him." Kathleen prodded.

"That's an understatement, Kathleen." Dickie said. "You should've seen her when I asked her if she slept with him. She said no but the look in her eyes could've fooled me."

Kathleen looked over at Olivia, "Do you, Olivia? Do you like our dad?"

"Where's your mother?" Olivia asked almost instantly in response as she cradled Eli.

"She's talking to dad in the kitchen."

"More like chastising."

Olivia stood up and walked over to the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway when she heard Kathy's voice. She didn't even pay attention to what she was telling Elliot. Olivia was sick of hearing Kathy and Elliot arguing.

"If it's such a problem, Kathy, I'll go now. El, you stay here. Your family needs you." She said. She set down Eli and almost on cue, he ran to Elliot and hugged his father's leg. "Thanks for letting me stay the night, Kathy." She told her with a modest smile and turned and walked out.