Unwinding

Elliot called Kathy to let her know that he and Olivia were going out for a drink. He assured her that he'd be back in Queens in time to get Dickie from the sports bus as he'd promised that morning—the soccer team had an away match that afternoon and wouldn't be getting back to the school until late.

"Dickie called after school to say the team is stopping to eat on the way home," explained Kathy "and then he's going to get a ride home with Eric. So stay as long as you want."

"No, that's okay," replied Elliot, surprised by her relaxed attitude. "I won't stay long—it's just been a rough day and I told Liv I'd stop for one drink with her."

"Elliot, it's fine," Kathy insisted. "I didn't make a big dinner because I didn't know when you and Dickie would be home. And-"she lowered her voice to a husky tone "we'll have plenty of quality time this weekend, won't we?"

Elliot hesitated, and then asked: "Would you like to meet us out? Elizabeth could watch Eli for an hour or so couldn't she?"

Kathy laughed. "That's sweet of you, honey, but hanging out with a group of cops rehashing their bad day isn't exactly my idea of a good time. Besides, I've got packing to do. You go and have fun—I'll see you later."

Elliot put down the phone, shaking his head in pleased disbelief. The Kathy of two years ago would have ripped his head off before suggesting he stay out and enjoy a few drinks with Olivia. He looked up to see Olivia coming back from the locker room where'd she gone to freshen up.

"Ready?" she asked, stopping at her desk to pick up her coat. "I called Declan and he's going to meet us at Murphy's—you don't mind, do you?"

Elliot reached for his own coat. "No, I don't mind." He really didn't. Maybe it was time he got to know this new man in Olivia's life a little better.

Murphy's was crowded for a weekday afternoon. Olivia went to grab a table while Elliot went to the bar to get drinks. She found an empty table and pulled a few more chairs over—Fin and surprisingly, Munch had said they'd stop over when they finished up their paperwork for the day.

Elliot returned with their drinks. Olivia picked up her glass to clink against his. "All's well that ends well," she said and took a big swallow. "Although Cragen sure wasn't too happy with us for leaving him out of the loop." She filled Elliot in on her conversation with the Captain outside the interrogation room. Elliot winced.

"At least he didn't pull our time off for this weekend," he said. "We'll be getting the garbage cases for awhile to make up for this."

Olivia was grilling him—again—about details of the kid's schedules and routines when Declan arrived and walked over to their table. She stood and gave him a quick kiss. "El, you know Declan, right?"

Elliot stood and extended his hand. "Sure, I've seen you around the station. Don't know if we were ever introduced though." The younger man had a firm handshake.

"Can I get you two something from the bar?" asked Declan as Elliot took his seat again. They both shook their heads and he left to go get his own drink. Elliot watched him walk away. He was a good-looking guy, tall and dark haired. Black Irish, he thought. Good for Liv for finding someone who makes her happy.

They were filling Declan in on the events of their day when Fin and Munsch showed up. Munsch ordered a beer in a glass bottle. Fin watched as Munsch pulled an antimicrobial wipe out of his pocket and wiped down the neck before taking a drink.

"You really are a freak," he said, shaking his head in disgust.

"Hey, I have a friend who works in a brewery," exclaimed Munch. "You wouldn't believe the conditions these bottles are stored in before they're shipped. Rats running all over them…"

"Enough! I don't wanna hear it!" protested Fin, taking a long swallow from his own unwashed bottle. "There are some things its better not to know."

It had been quite awhile since Elliot had spent an evening out with friends, and he was glad now that Kathy had insisted he stay. Usually, he had one quick drink with the group before heading home to his family. His co-workers no longer expected anymore from him; they knew that he was always torn between the two loves of his life—his family and his job. This was nice—spending time together without the pressures of the job. Even Munsch was less annoying after a few beers.

They ordered sandwiches from the bar and Elliot switched over to soda. He still had to drive to Queens and after Kathleen's DUI experience, the last thing he needed was for anyone to question his ability to drive.

"So, Olivia's watching your kids for the weekend," said Declan. Olivia had challenged Fin to a game of darts and Munsch was keeping score while providing an ongoing narrative on the history of the game. Elliot and Declan were alone at the table.

"Yeah, she's being a good sport about it," answered Elliot, laughing as Olivia threatened to close Munsch's lips together with one of the darts. "Kathy and I don't get away much."

"You and Olivia are close." It was a statement, not a question, and something in the way Declan said it made Elliot take a closer look at the younger man.

"We've been partners a long time."

Declan nodded, looking down at the drink he was twisting around in his hands. He raised his eyes to look at Elliot. "She talks about you a lot. "

Elliot shrugged. "We spend a lot of time together. Olivia's like family."

"Has it ever been anything more than that?" Elliot's first instinct was to snap "Of course not!" but he could see how difficult it was for Declan to have this conversation.

"No," said Elliot simply. "It's never been, and never will be anything else. My wife and I have had some rough times, but I love her and always will. "

Declan nodded. "Thanks, man," he said. "I just needed to know where things stand."

Shouldn't you be asking Olivia these questions? Elliot thought, but held his tongue. It wasn't his business.

When Elliot got home a little before ten p.m., the house was quiet. Kathy had left the outside and kitchen lights on for him, but there was no sign of her. He hung up his coat and headed quietly up the stairs. Lizzie and Dickie's doors were closed but he could hear faint music coming from both of them. He tapped lightly on each door and went in to say good night.

When he got to their bedroom, Kathy's side of the bed was turned down and a book lay on her pillow but she wasn't in sight. The bathroom door was partly opened and as he moved closer, he could see her moving around. He pushed open the door and leaned against the jamb, watching as she rearranged the contents of the travel cosmetic case she'd been packing since he'd told her about their trip.

"Hey," he said softly. She looked up at him and smiled.

"You're home—did you have a good time?"

Instead of answering, he crossed over and took her in his arms, pulled her close, and turned her around so her back was against the sink. He kissed her, long and hard, his body pressed along the length of hers.

"Wow, did you miss me or something?" She laughed, pulling away to look at his face. Ignoring her question, he began to kiss his way down the length of her neck to her shoulder.

"Don't you want to wait and save your energy for the weekend?" she whispered into his ear.

He took her hand and held it against the front of his pants. "Does this feel like it will wait until this weekend?" She laughed softly and moved her hand slowly up and down, assessing the situation.

"No, I'd say we better take care of that right away," she said softly. Elliot's strong arms scooped her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist while he carried her back to the bedroom. He put her gently on the bed, and stood looking down at her as he unbuttoned his dress shirt and tossed it aside. The rest of his clothes followed suit. His blue eyes were dark and full of longing as he gazed down at his wife, who looked back up at him, mirroring the same emotions. She made no move to undress herself, so Elliot made short work of tugging down her pajama bottoms and panties. He lowered himself to the bed and bending over, raised the thin whit e t-shirt she wore so he could kiss her breasts. Kathy sighed with pleasure and slipped a hand up to caress the back of his neck.

"I love you, Els," she said softly, pulling his face down for a long kiss. His mouth tasted like whiskey and she nibbled at his bottom lip in a teasing manner. He stopped her with a rough kiss and moved so he was poised over her. Looking deep into her eyes, he entered her and watched her face as she closed her eyes in pleasure.

"I love you too." He said hoarsely.

After, they lay in bed together, catching up on their respective days. Kathy told him about her attempts to get Eli to try to eat something other than Cheerios. Elliot laughed at the antics of his stubborn son, knowing exactly who he took after.

"I met Olivia's new guy tonight," he told Kathy. "He seems like a decent guy. I hope it works out for them."

Kathy raised herself up on her elbow and looked down at him, a worried expression on her face. "You don't think she'll have him over while she's watching the kids do you?"

Elliot started to laugh, and hen realized that Kathy was serious. He pulled her back down beside him.
"No, of course she wouldn't," he assured her. "Her focus is going to be totally on the kids this weekend, don't worry."

Kathy cuddled into the crook of his arm and was quiet for a minute. Elliot was drifting off to sleep when she added: "Maybe you should say something to her."

Elliot groaned. "Kathy, I don't need to say anything to her. It's not going to be an issue, okay? Olivia's going to have her hands full with the kids; there's no way she's going to add Dec to the mix."

"Maybe she'll ask him to come help," argued Kathy. "I just don't think it's a good idea for someone we don't even know to be…"

"She won't." Elliot said firmly. He kissed the top of Kathy's head. "Let's get some sleep, I'm beat. And Eli will be up early."

Reviews welcome! Next, Elliot and Kathy finally get their weekend away, but not without a few bumps along the way.