Title: Undeserved

Author: ZombieJazz

Fandom: Law & Order: SVU

Disclaimer: I don't own them. Law and Order SVU and its characters belong to Dick Wolf. The characters of Will (and his family) and Noah have been created and developed for the sake of this AU series.

Summary: The bad hand Olivia's been dealt continues - this time with real implications for her son. She and Will, along with the help of her work colleagues, work at navigating the devastating news and the new developments it brings to their lives.

Author's Notes: This AU series is for SVU fans and readers who want Olivia to have something that resembles a more normal life outside of work and a family of her own - hopefully somewhat realistically within the canon of SVU. Her relationship with Elliot is that of partner and protective older brother and colleague. It won't devolve from that - they aren't ever going to get together in this series. If you're an E/O shipper, you likely won't enjoy these stories. The timeline is a little loose and since most of the stories ultimately takes place outside of the work environment, there aren't too many references to cases from the show. But this series would generally be starting in about Season 12/13 of the show. It assumes Elliot hasn't left SVU yet. Please let me know what you think and if you distribute elsewhere.

Rob held out a small container of muffins and what was clearly a pumpkin pie wrapped in tin foil out to her as she opened the door for him. She motioned for him to come in.

"Mom sent these over for you," he said, "didn't think you'd have had time to do any baking with work and the kid." She could see him looking around the apartment. It was in all out chaos as they packed. Boxes were every where, along with piles of things being sorted as keep, trash, donation. "She picked ones that are all hippie-fairy-sticks-and-twigs so you guys should be OK with them. Taste OK, though. My kids haven't noticed they're healthy ones anyways."

She just set it on the counter. "Thanks, that was nice of her."

He just nodded and rocked on the balls of his feet a bit. It was something Will did when he felt uncomfortable and he was trying to make conversation too.

"Will's just doing early story time with Noah," she nodded down the hall. "He'll be done soon, I'm sure."

He nodded but the silence that fell between them felt a little uncomfortable. She'd met Rob enough to know him and to make small talk – but wasn't used to having to hold a conversation with him on her own, however, brief. She saw him looking down the hall to where Will was. From where she was standing she could just see him sitting on the floor and reading to her son.

"Yeah, I'm just, you know, driving Will over."

He clearly wasn't comfortable with the silence either.

"Yeah, he appreciates that. Easier than the ferry or the bus – with his bag and stuff."

He nodded.

"Umm, can I get you something?" She offered. "Coffee? Coke? Water?"

"Nah, nah. I'm sure he'll only be a few minutes anyways," Rob said. He glanced around the apartment again. "So the packing's going, huh?"

She nodded. "Yep. It is. Haven't got as much done in Will's place yet, though."

"Umm, look, Will told me not to bug you about it, but I just wanted you to know that you guys are still invited, if you change your mind or whatever," Rob said, half ways making eye contact with her.

She nodded. "Yeah, no, I appreciate it. But I just think Noah and I are going to do our own thing this year," she said, hoping he'd drop it, though she knew that wasn't really in his personality.

"Yeah, looks like you've got a lot going on," he said.

She sighed and looked back to Will – who was oblivious to the on-goings in the kitchen and smiling about whatever he and Noah now appeared to be chatting about.

"We haven't done something to upset you? It's not the whole cop versus firefighter thing? Or one of us or one of the kids did something or said something? I know Tom can be a bit of an ass. But that's just him, you know. He rubs Will the wrong way all the time too."

She shook her head and held up her hand. "No, Rob, it's nothing like that. Noah and I – we're just used to doing our own thing on holidays and all the family and chaos at your place ... It's just a little much for us right now – and we've got the packing to work on anyways."

He nodded.

"OK. Because we're just trying to get to know you a little better," he said. He could tell she wanted the conversation to end and see her staring down the hall to his little brother. "Look, I know you guys are still … undefined or just friends or fuck buddies or whatever," he said. "None of us will be grilling you about it. We aren't judging."

She gave him a sideways glance, clearly unimpressed. He suspected if Will wasn't there, she'd be throwing him out.

He sighed. "Look, the family, we worry about Will a lot. Worried about him a lot – especially after Tessa. And, Mom with him living in the city alone …" he trailed off a bit. "We worry less now that he's got you guys … to tend to and to watch out for him." That at least got some of her attention. "He's been more himself these last few years – smiles more, laughs more. Just … we see more of our Will then we had for a while there."

He rubbed his thumb against the counter. Fuck her place looked so much nicer than his brother's – considering the places where exactly the same.

"I mean, we've been hearing about you guys for years now. We've met you. Our kids have hung out. But you keep turning down all of our invitations to come spend time with the family," he said. "We've had to drag you both out to the couple you have come to. And were they really that bad when you got there? You seemed like you had an OK time to me."

"Rob…" she started but she just really don't know what to say.

"It just sucks. We want Will home and want to do our little family traditions – especially now with my parents getting older and Dad's Parkinson's, who knows how much longer … Mom wants … needs … us all there. But it really sucks to feel like we're always pulling Will away from his family and to feel like he really wants to be somewhere else."

She looked at him.

"Anyways," he waved his hand. "The invitation is open. You know where to find us. We don't see you … have a nice Thanksgiving." He moved back towards the door. "Just tell Will I'm waiting in the lobby, when he's ready."