Deep Running

Chapter Eleven

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They belong to me in my dreams only.

Author Notes: The weekend continues and conversations are had.

Elliot insisted Liv take his room and the girls ended up having a slumber party. Elliot slept in Eli's room with him and Nick slept in the room Dickie used when he visited. The next day there were plans to take Eli to the Cobblestone Children's Museum of Fredericksburg. Eli loved to go there.

It was only about 20 miles from Elliot's house, so after breakfast they all piled into his SUV and headed out.

Nick laughed as he watched Bad Ass Benson and the Unstabler romp through the different stations with Eli. They may be old, but they were definitely great at the parenting thing. He and Maureen walked along and talked together. He liked this woman. She was just as comfortable talking with him or walking along in comfortable silence. That was rare with someone you just met.

He was thinking how much Zara would love coming here. She was inquisitive and curious. The water play and the pretend super market would have been two of her favorites. He made a mental note to bring her here some day.

"You're thinking about your daughter, aren't you?"

Nick turned to Maureen surprised at her insight.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Yeah, you are. You must miss her a lot. I can see it when you look at Eli. When I was little, Dad always called me when he was caught up in a case. I hated not spending time with him. He wouldn't talk long, just a goodnight or how was school, but it meant a lot. I bet you're a great dad just like mine."

"I want to be. She looks at me with such love and trust. There's nothing like it. I want more kids. When Maria finishes her tour, I want to talk about having another one before Zara gets too much older."

"That sounds so great."

"What?"

"Oh, marriage and a family."

"It'll happen for you. Your young still."

"I know. I just can't find a guy who's committed and who I'd trust with my life. I want what my parents had and what Liv and Dad now have. That kind of relationship doesn't come around that often, but I'm not going to settle, you know?"

"Good. You're a great person and you deserve someone who will treat you right Maureen."

Maureen felt her stomach do a flip. Why couldn't she find someone like Nick? He made her feel so incredible. The way he smiled at her was so kind and sweet. Most men looked at her like she was their next meal.

Eli suddenly ran to Maureen and pulled her hand.

"Maur come in the ball room with me. Pleeeeease."

Nick grinned at her as the little guy dragged her to a room full of balls of all types and sizes. Nick followed them and soon an all out war ensued. Elliot and Liv sat on a bench outside the glassed in room and laughed at their antics.

Elliot watched the smile spreading across Liv's face and he slipped her hand into his, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles.

"Thanks for being so understanding about the kids being here."

"I love being with them Elliot. It's so great to reconnect with Maureen and I love that little boy like he was my own."

"Nick and Maureen seem to be getting along great."

"He's good with everyone. He has the best people skills I have ever seen."

"He's a nice change from me huh?"

"El, I loved working with you. We shared one brain. It was different with you, but I'm learning to respect the differences Nick brings as well. I had to adapt."

"I'm so sorry LIv. I hate what I put you through."

"It's over El. Let's try to put it behind us."

Elliot brushed his fingers along her cheek and she leaned into his touch.

"Thanks Liv."

Elliot looked to see what the others were doing before he cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. That lead to another kiss and another and soon both forgot where they were. They continued until they heard loud banging on the glass and broke apart to see three faces pressed to the glass grinning. Eli ran out fast.

"You kissed Livy. You like her don't you?"

"Yeah, I do Buddy. How about some lunch?"

"Hooray! Burgers? Please?"

"You got it."

Elliot swung him up on his shoulders and Eli grabbed his head as they headed out of the museum.

They decided to walk around the lake after lunch. Later a game of football got pretty competitive when it was boys against the girls. At one point Nick picked up a giggling Eli and the ball and took on Maureen as Liv tried to cover Elliot. Nick zagged right and Maureen zagged left tripping as they ran towards the goal. Elliot picked Liv up off the ground preventing her from intercepting them and both Nick and Eli did the victory dance in their "endzone".

Nick laughed as he reached a hand out to pull Maureen up off the ground. He smiled at her affectionately and reached to pull a twig out of her hair. Maureen froze as his hand brushed her cheek and he held the offending stick up for her to see. She giggled nervously and took it from him.

"What a face plant Stabler."

"Ha. Very funny. I get it. You know, you guys are cheaters."

Elliot walked over and they high-fived each other.

"No, we just had strength and skill."

Liv and Maureen rolled their eyes.

"Let's have some lemonade and let the testosterone levels settle."

As they plopped down on the blanket and Liv pulled out the cold pack of lemonade, Maureen's phone rang. It was Kathleen.

"Hey Kat, what's up?"

They couldn't hear what she was saying, but could tell from Maureen's responses that she wanted information.

"Yeah, we're all here together. At the lake. Yeah, they're pretty cute together."

Maureen smiled.

"Okay, I'll ask him. Dad, Kathleen and the twins want to come down for a visit and to see Liv, but they can't do next weekend.

"Actually the weekend after that is better anyway. That's the end of the fourth week and everyone gets the entire weekend off starting on Friday after the last class. If Liv is okay with it, tell them they're all invited to come for the whole weekend."

Liv's response was enthusiastic.

"I'd love to see them."

Arrangements were made and then Elliot talked to each of his other three children. When he hung up he saw Nick's face and took a chance.

"Nick, how about you ask your mother and Zara for the weekend?"

"My mom doesn't drive."

"I'd be glad to go and pick them up and bring them for you Nick."

"You'd do that Maureen?"

"Are you kidding? You need to see your daughter and I'd love to meet her."

"That's…that's really sweet of you Maureen. I can't even begin to tell you what it would mean to me."

"I'd love to do it. It will give me time to pump your mother for information Liv could use against you in the future, right Liv?"

Maureen grinned at him as he reached for her. She jumped up and ran away with Eli following her laughing. Nick went in mock pursuit and snatched her up in the air. The sound of her laughter floated past them as Eli danced around them.

Elliot loved to see his daughter happy, but he knew this could only lead to heartache. He exchanged a knowing look with Olivia.

"I'll talk to him. Don't worry El. Nick isn't the kind of guy that would do anything to hurt her."

"I know, but she'll get hurt anyway."

He sighed as he watched Nick set her back down on the ground and brush her hair behind her shoulder letting his hand rest there for a moment. Maureen's eyes were fixed on him and Elliot yelled at them to come on. They were leaving.

Eli skipped between Nick and Maureen on the way back holding each of their hands and begging them to swing him. They were very cute together and Liv sighed sadly. Elliot was right. Maureen was falling for Nick.

Once they got back to the house, Liv and Maureen packed some sandwiches before the two Stabler kids had to head out back to New York. She caught Maureen's eyes drifting out to the two men having a beer out on the deck. Liv knew she wanted to talk about things.

"Nick's nice, isn't he?"

"Yeah…yeah he is. You don't meet a nice guy like that very often, especially one that understands what you do for a living and how important it is."

"Don't worry Maur. You're going to find a great guy someday. I know it."

"Thanks Liv. I'm really glad you got a great guy. I can't think of anyone I would want to see Dad happy with more than you."

They walked out to the car with their arms around each other.

Nick and Elliot brought their bags and loaded them in the back. He pulled his daughter into a hug before he picked up Eli and kissed him.

"Be careful and call me when you get in."

"Yes, Dad."

Maureen hugged Liv and walked around the car to where Nick was opening her door for her. She held out her hand to him.

"It was really nice getting to know you Nick."

"Same here Maur."

That was the first time he had used her nickname all weekend. It made her feel that queasiness in her stomach again. He held her hand for a moment longer and then released it to hold her door for her. As he shut it he smiled down at her.

"I'll look forward to seeing you in two weeks."

"Me too. Bye everybody."

They watched as the taillights disappeared around the curve and then started loading up the SUV. Nick climbed in the car to give Elliot and Olivia a moment alone when they went back to shut everything up.

Elliot flipped off the lights and pulled Liv into a passionate embrace.

"Next weekend…you and me…all weekend long right here. We are not leaving the house. Got it?"

Liv got the message loud and clear as he kissed her deeply.

"Message received. I can't wait El. It's going to be a long week in between."

"For me too."

He pulled her close again and this time the kiss took on a life of its own. Just as Elliot pushed Liv against the wall the car horn sounded.

"Sounds like Amaro is getting restless. We better go."

"Did I mention how much I hate your partner's timing?"

A/N: Next chapter is E/O fluff all the way. Just a warning. Then it's the weekend with all the kids and a tragedy strikes without warning.