It's only been a week since they last saw each other but It feels like a whole lot more. It almost feels like they are separated all over again especially since it's so hard to get together. With the cases they are both catching it is almost impossible. Every time they attempt to plan something together they are interrupted but it comes with the jobs they have. That's why they are meeting for lunch tomorrow. If they both can manage to get out of their precincts.

He has practically been living at work. Day and night, it's a bit strange because it seems a bit compulsive to her. As if she is one to talk. She doesn't know anything about this 'case' he is working but she can tell it has him on edge. The few phone calls they have managed to slip in, whatever he is dealing with is sometimes evident in his voice, the way he talks. She doesn't want them to pull apart again but he's sometimes distracted when they talk over the phone. It's almost the way he acted after his wife died. He's erratic, disengaged in some way. Surely it has nothing to do with their relationship, he's assured her it's not. However, it has put a strain on their relationship. They are still finding their way and it just seems to be pushing them steps further back.

The last time she has seen him with a peace of mind was at his Christmas get together. Her hand clutches at the necklace he gave her at the remembrance. It's going to take time. She knows that. So when she's sees him she hopes she can get him to tell her what is going on. They are together now so neither of them has to deal with anything alone. But when it comes to this she knows she can be more stubborn than him. She is use to dealing with, well everything alone. Sharing her problems with someone else does bring a foreign feeling. A burden not being one of them. She's use to that one. That he can help her change. She doesn't need to feel like she's being a burden to him, which is why she is willing to do the same. No matter the situation they are there for each other and it's going to work. They are going to make it work.

She's sits in the diner waiting patiently for him. They're out for lunch but she just orders coffee for the both of them for the time being, not sure if she has an appetite right now. Worry has her tapping her finger on to the marble table and her stomach in a knot. Within less than five minutes she spots him. It's enough time for him to arrive to a still hot cup of coffee. He walks in and greets the waitress he passes then makes way to her. She slides over in the booth she's in when he indicates he wants to sit next to her instead of in front.

"Hey" His arms moves around her briefly pulling her to him as he places a kiss on her forehead. Something he has grown accustom of doing and what she now loves. Olivia who has never been one for the public affection doesn't even flinch, protest or back away from his movements.

"Hi, I hope the coffee is good enough for you they don't make it like they do in Italy."

He hooks the bands of his mask from his ear removing it and placing it aside as he grabs the mug that's a lot smaller than his hands.

"It's fine, can't be against where you started and came from. Thank you."

He looks like he has gotten some kind of rest but still not him.

"I thought this was supposed to be lunch."

"It is…." She is fiddling with the napkin in her hand. "…but suddenly I'm not hungry you can still order something if you want."

"Hmm I'm good."

She nods her head then checks the time on her phone. They have enough time. Their silence is uncomfortable even though it only last a few seconds. There is never an easy way to have these conversations the sooner they can be addressed the better. Really soon. She doesn't even think he notices her staring at him. His eyes are fixated on the wide window. His eyes ogling every movement on the street. Every car and person that passes. He squints earnestly studying the busy street completely consumed.

"What's the new case you're working on?" She ask him turning her head to face him. Pulling him from his distraction. Their eyes meeting grounds him in some way. She has this way of bring him back down to earth, calming him and with in it brings him tranquility. Knowing that adds to his worry because she is his peace along with the quietude she brings, if he, Wheatley comes close enough again he just might lose it. He can't, he can't lose her.

He exhales deeply, scans the interior of where they are before casting his eyes down. Protocols are still being followed so everyone that is inside are separated by two booths a little more than six feet apart. There is some privacy to have with this conversation. Nor are there wandering eyes. It's as exclusive they can get right now. He looks at her as if she just spoken to him in a language he's never heard. His demeanor switches to one that has her worried. He shakes his head in the negative rather quickly before he says "There is no case."

No case?

"What do you mean there is no case you've been working all hours all week." She ask frowning her eyebrows.

He flicks his thumbs together nervously before deciding to tell her the truth rather than shutting her down.

"Wheatley"

At the mere mention of his name clears everything up. She'd thought organized crime was done with him specifically.

"We're no longer working a case with him exactly but I know he's up to something Liv."

"What do you mean Elliot?"

" I don't know what he wants from me. My family Liv, it's driving me crazy and I can't find anything-"

He stops immediately and looks her directly in the eye when she placed her hand above his shaking one. Only she can calm his nerves by simple touch and the calling of his name.

"Elliot don't. Please don't let him do this to you, don't let him get to you like this."

Her thumbs strokes over his hands as she speaks. She can't see him spiral like this again. It's unsettling when she thinks about it. One part wants to tell him don't let Wheatley get into his head again, don't let him get to you. While still thinking he has every single right to continue his displayed behavior. The panic and stress he has come from a reasonable cost. The man is responsible for the death of his wife. He takes a firm hold on her thumb between his palm.

"He hurt my family Liv , got away with it and there's nothing I can do about it."

"How's Eli"

She has to ask. The youngest and the only child living with him, he has to be effected in some way.

"He doesn't want it to go on any longer… the case."

Which is understandable.

Without calling in she knows he probably had been recused from any case regarding Richard Wheatley. As far as she knows organized crime is off his tail, at least until further notice or investigations. It kills her that there is nothing she can really do to help him, the way he wants to be helped. What he really wants to do is kick Wheatley's ass and put him in jail for the rest of his life. And if he didn't have this job, his family, Olivia. He would've killed Wheatley himself and wouldn't have put up a fight with the consequences.

She maneuvers her body until her left knee is on the seat and both of her hands come up to hold his face. Her gesture to turn his face to her is gentle. He faces her with a look that's mixed with frustration, anger and hurt.

Her thumbs strokes and the stubble growing evenly across his face. He hasn't even given himself time to shave. A man who is stern in the way he presents himself for work.

"I can't lose you, Liv. Especially not to him." The last sentence he says low enough that she hears in a mumble but doesn't ask him to repeat it. He falls into her touch placing a hand on her knee because he needs to touch her. He needs to know that she is here with him through everything in this time and moment. She is and he thinks what has he done to deserve her.

" I know how much this may hurt Elliot and I can only imagine what this is doing to you but sometimes we have to turn a blind eye." It's not what he wants to hear but it is what he needs. He understands every single words she is saying to him. We can't catch them all. He has told her before when there was a perp they were unable to collar no matter how much they fought or the amount of evidence they scraped together. Nights she felt tore and cried for the victims that didn't get justice. Much like he has yet to receive. Not everything gets the turnout it should have. "I'm here to help with whatever you need, okay."

She tells him in a soft whisper candidly.

"And if you need.." She hesitates to finish because it's not exactly the truth. "…if you need time it's okay." The very last thing she wants is time away from him. Since they have become officially together she doesn't thing she can be without him anymore. He stops her swiftly. Blindly he has let his hunt for Wheatley distance the time they spend together. Time he could have stopped the Inevitable from happening, this. She would've been able to talk him through this soon and get his head together.

"No Liv that's not necessary, I'll stay away from Wheatley. The last thing I want is to be away from you."

Her hands had dropped from his face long ago and it's his that graze along her neck and his thumb that caresses her smooth cheek.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to see each other these past few days, I don't want you to think that I abandon- "

Suddenly it's her turn to cut him off.

"El please, don't worry about it, it's fine."

Just the mention of abandonment, the word alone she thinks she may have to add to her triggers, triggers what they have yet to talk about. They will get there.

"No it's not Liv, we both know it's not."

She nods in acceptance. They surely do still have a lot to work on. With the communication they need and will have in the future they will be just fine.

He watches the way she breaks eye contact briefly. His hand traces its way to her chin tilting her face towards his redirecting her attention to him.

Public affection he does know better than to try with Olivia but she hasn't shown any protest to it in his greeting and surely doesn't show any now. Her beautiful brown eyes staring into his bright blues waiting for him to do what he so desperately wants to.

With his hand still under her chin he draws himself in and lets their lips touch. Neither of them cares who sees them. The kiss doesn't last as long as he wanted it to but it's reassuring. They separate and when she looks at him she finds it a bit harder to believe how in love she is. Love she hasn't felt so strong for anyone else.

"Everything's going to be fine."

She squeezes at the hand resting on her knee.

They are. They know they are.

Hope you enjoyed and don't forget to review. Thank you

Oh and follow my twitter I finally decided to make Marsha_meloni (xAutumnx) thx again :)