A/N So part of this chapter is inspired by the family gathering coming up and what looks like Liv talking to one of Elliot's daughters in the promo. It looks like Maureen. My hunch is she reaches out to Liv because of how worried they are about Elliot.

/

Olivia walked into the squad room about half an hour after later having left the hospital after talking to Elliot. What a cluster she thought as she stopped at the desk to get her temp taken then proceeding to her office.

"Everything okay, Liv?" Fin asked as he hung up the phone from talking to a witness on a case they had just wrapped up

"Uh, yeah." She looked around, Kat was running a trace on a suspects phone and Rollins desk was empty, she made a mental note to check in with her in Georgia about her father, "you got a minute, Fin?"

He nodded and followed her into her office and shut the door.

"Let me guess, the something you had to take care of had to do with Stabler?" Never one to beat around the bush Fin also knew Olivia and her body language well enough to know

She sat behind her desk and ran a hand through her hair, "Somebody beat the crap out of him, Fin."

Fin took a seat, "Whoever was behind Kathy's murder?"

"He told me to back off so I left." She shook her head, "I don't need this. I'm Captain here and I have a son. I don't need to be dragged into this mess. Garland already told me to keep my distance. He got a call about Elliot going rogue over at OC. He said he doesn't want to lose me."

"Well, sounds like between Elliot and Garland you best stay away." Fin observed knowing his boss and longtime friend well he suspected it wouldn't be that easy

"He um, he said something else to me when I saw him a couple of week ago." She paused, "He said I mean the world to him and to back off."

"Liv, I know better than anyone the history with you and Stabler. But, like you said, you got your job and Noah. Do you really need this in your headspace right now? And I don't have to remind you of your lawsuit."

She nodded knowingly, "I'm worried for him, Fin. And for the kids. If something happens to him." She shook her head again, "I finally got to a place, a long time ago really, where I got over him leaving like he did. The fact is if Kathy hadn't been killed he would've come to my award ceremony and probably tried to absolve himself then went on his way back to Rome."

"Did you really get over it or was out of sight out of mind?" He asked, "I wish I'd never mentioned that award."

Sighing heavily, she leaned back in her chair, "Fin, award or not I was called to the scene when the car was bombed. He was here for work too. I don't blame you. But a heads up would've been nice."

"I thought he was gonna do that but he said he chickened out."

Fin thought he caught an eye roll and then her cellphone went off and he got up

"Fin." She said as he made it to the door and he turned around, "Thank you."

"Always." He said and made his exit

She brought the phone to ear, "Benson."

"Olivia." A female voice came over the line, "It's Maureen."

/

She walked into the little diner and looked around finally catching the young woman's attention and she waved her over.

"Hi." Maureen said with a small smile, "Thank you for meeting me."

"Of course." Olivia reassured her

"I wasn't sure if I should…call you…I mean after…" She stammered

"Maureen, it's okay." Olivia said, "I um, I saw your dad today at the hospital."

"He sent Eli to stay with me and Carl." Maureen replied

Just as Olivia was about to response a waitress approached and they ordered coffee.

"I'm…we're so worried about him. He won't talk about what's going on and gave us a bunch of crap about getting beat up because of a parking space. And right after the funeral he got some call and went off God knows where. When he finally came to my house I could tell something was wrong."

"Maureen, he's just trying to protect you all." Olivia said as the waitress approached with their coffee

"And get himself killed in the process!" She replied raising her voice garnering the attention of a few people around them

Olivia placed a hand on the table, "Sweetie, it's okay."

"No it's not." Maureen replied intensely but quietly, "It's never going to be okay."

Olivia looked at her and all at once it struck her. Maureen wasn't the kid she knew. She was a grown woman now but the fear in her eyes made her seem so much younger.

"You've got to talk to him." She insisted, "He'll listen to you."

"Honey, he already told me to back off." Olivia said, "I doubt he'd appreciate my interference."

"You could always talk to him." She said basically pleading

"That…that was a long time ago." Olivia reminded her

"You told Dickie and Kathleen you were here for whatever we needed." Maureen threw her own words back at her

"Maureen-"

"And we need you."

Keep your distance. I don't wanna lose you.

"We're all having dinner Saturday night. Please come and talk to him."

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Honey."

"I don't know what else to do, Olivia."

And with that Maureen got up and left leaving Olivia feeling damned if she did and damned if she didn't.

/

Saturday night rolled around and fortunately Noah had a sleep over with his bestie, Daniel. He was growing up so much and sometimes spending time with his friends was more fun than his old mom. She was grateful it worked out that way as she didn't want to have to ask Lucy to watch him.

She had texted Maureen that she would come and the young woman texted back her gratitude along with her address in Glen Oaks. She sighed as she got out of the car and walked up the steps and rang the bell. Maureen came to the door.

"Hi, Olivia." She greeted and stepped back allowing her entry

"Hi, Maureen." She replied as she stepped through the door and handed Maureen her coat who deposited it on the rack nearby

"Liv." Elliot said as she stepped into the living room, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Not the greeting she hoped but not unexpected, "Maureen invited me."

Elliot looked around the room and all the kids had that look like they'd been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Maureen's husband Carl looked as uncomfortable as you could imagine watching this play out with his father in law.

"Ah, you invited her here for what some kind of intervention?" he asked loudly

"We're worried, Dad." Rick told them

"And I told you all that everything was fine." He insisted

"Yeah, we saw how fine your face was." Liz replied

"And I told you to back off." He looked at Olivia his blue eyes boring holes into her

"Maureen, you didn't tell him I was coming?" Olivia asked

"Do you think he would've showed up if I had told him about this?"

"Well, you wasted your time." He said moving toward the door, "I'm outta here."

"That's right, Elliot." Olivia said, "Just leave. You're really good at that."

"Stay out of this, Liv."

"I can't." She replied, "Your daughter came to me. They are scared to death, Elliot. You want them to lose you, too?"

He got in her face, "Don't you dare pull that crap. You know I love them."

"Then why are you doing this?" Kathleen asked, "It won't bring Mom back."

"Because they have to pay." He replied

"Elliot, do you really think that's going to happen?" Olivia asked

The room got still and Elliot sat down with his head in his hands

"Guys, would you mind if I had a minute alone with your dad?"

"Yeah, guys, let's go into the kitchen." Kathleen suggested and they all quietly exited

Olivia took a seat next to him, "Elliot you've got to get help. You are not okay. Therapy doesn't mean you're weak. It means you've been through something traumatic and you need help dealing with it."

"I don't have time for that." He replied

"Make the time." She said, "For your sake and there's."

"I can't let go of this until I get the bastards who killed my wife."

"If you don't your kids won't have you either."