2 days later
~**~**~**~
"So," Munch inquired, "How does it feel to be a free man again?"
"I think you of all people know the answer to that one." Elliot replied, "But, as far as the whole divorce goes, I'm just glad that it's over. That doesn't make me feel much better about it though, remember, I divorced her because she was cheating on me. I do still have feelings for her, those aren't just things you can shut on and off, albeit they have diminished greatly."
"That's understandable." Munch replied. "Don't worry, you'll be on your feet in no time."
"If you mean dating again, I doubt it. I could barley keep up a marriage on the job, what makes you think I'll be able to keep a girlfriend?"
"Depends on the girl." He said raising his eyebrows. Elliot stared at him, confused. Munch sighed, "Well, if it's not that apparent, I've got to go." He took off, leaving Elliot still in confusion. He shrugged it off and turned to Fin and Olivia.
"That was strange." Olivia pointed out. Fin didn't say anything, only chuckled.
"What?" Olivia and Elliot asked in unison.
He shook his head through his laughter, "Nothing. I've got to go too." Then he took off.
"Weird." Elliot said, "I tell you, those guys get stranger and stranger."
"As if I don't already know it." She smiled, "So Mr. Stabler, what is the first thing you're going to do, now that you are a free man?"
"Take my kids out to see a movie."
"Good choice. What movie?"
"I don't know, what movies are playing?"
She thought a moment, "Uh…not sure. Guess you'll have to call the theater, I think there's a movie called Connie and Carla out."
"You mean, the one about the girls pretending to be drag queens? I'm not sure if I want my kids to see that."
Olivia laughed, "I don't know. I think I might go and see it."
"You think it's going to be good."
She shrugged, "Why do I care? David Duchovony is in it."
Elliot just shook his head. "Women."
"What, like you've never gone to see a movie just because a certain actress is in it?"
"Now, I didn't say that. I've just never made it obvious."
"So. I'm honest. Is there something wrong with that?"
He shook his head, "Not at all."
"What time are you meeting up with the kids?"
He looked down at his watch, "2 hours."
"So, until then…you'll be doing what?"
"Cleaning my apartment."
"Ooh. Sounds like fun. I'll leave you to do that. Bye, Elliot." She started to walk off.
"Liv, wait." He called after her.
She turned around, "What?"
"You wanna come to the movies with us?" He said, looking down at his shoes, sheepishly.
She stifled a laugh, "Sure. Sounds like fun, what time should I meet you guys?"
"Just come to my apartment in about 2 hours. I could use your support," He smiled, "Kathy will be there."
She in return smiled, "Well, in that case, I really don't have a choice do I? Gotta protect you. I'll see you then." Then, she turned back around and walked off, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
~**~**~**~
1 hour later:
Olivia let out a frustrated yell. She had nothing to wear, she'd already gone through her closet twice. She ran her hands through her short hair and fought back a headache. 'You're being silly,' she told herself, 'You're acting as if this is a date! For heaven's sake, he just got divorced, AND his kids will be there! This is not a date!'
She grabbed a pillow and yelled into it, this was too frustrating, she shouldn't be this worried about what she was wearing to a movie, she hadn't been this out of it since she was in high school, about to go on a date. She was acting like a teenager.
'Just wear what you'd normally wear.' She said to herself.
She grabbed a pair of jeans and tee-shirt. But then she thought of something.
'What if he's expecting it to be like a date.' She asked herself.
'Why would he do that?' Another part of her countered.
She shrugged, 'I don't know, but still, you don't know what he's thinking.' The first voice said.
"Stop it!" She yelled into her apartment. She sat at the edge of her bed, "Good God, I'm going crazy." She grabbed the jeans and shirt and put them on. There was no way that Elliot would be thinking of this as a date. They were partners at work, and he just got divorced, dating would be the last thing on his mind, as he had told Munch earlier that day.
Which brought her to what Munch had said. She wasn't dense, although Elliot appeared to be. Munch had been talking about her, and she could slap him for it. Why would he suggest such a thing? But then again, she never did know what to expect coming from Munch. And, Fin had laughed about it. She would have to call and chew both of them out. Was it that apparent that she had those feelings for Elliot?
'Of course it is!' The first voice said.
'Well, Elliot hasn't noticed it yet.' The second voice supplied. 'It can't be that obvious.'
'Why would Elliot be paying attention?' The first voice questioned, 'He was married up until a couple of hours ago.'
"Shut-up!" Olivia said. She needed to talk with Hung, she was definitely going crazy. She had voices arguing in her mind!
She glanced at her clock and figured she'd better finish getting ready. She applied some light make-up, about the same as she wore everyday, and did her hair as per norm, slipped on some shoes and grabbed her purse. She was on her way to Elliot's apartment at 6:34.
~**~**~**~
It was 10 minutes until 7 when a knock came at Elliot's apartment door. He breathed deeply, hoping it wasn't Kathy and the kids. Kathy was the last person he had wanted to deal with at the moment. He would rather have Olivia shown up first. He opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when it was, in fact, Olivia at the door.
"Am I early?" She inquired.
"No, the kids should be here soon. I'm glad you're here…early…I mean. So…I won't have to…deal with Kathy alone." He stumbled over his words, then looked around his apartment sheepishly.
It took all Olivia had not to laugh, she just smiled sweetly. What was he so nervous about? "So, what movie are we going to see?"
"Well, I called the kids and asked them. Dickey informed me that they'd all seen 'The Whole 9 Yards', and wanted to see the sequel, 'The Whole 10 Yards.' So I guess we're going to see that. Have you seen the first?"
"Yeah. It was OK I guess. I wouldn't mind seeing the second."
"Sorry to inform you, David Duchovony isn't in this one."
"Damn." She smiled, "That's ok, Matthew Perry's not too bad."
"What? You don't like Bruce Willis?"
"He's a bit old."
Elliot just shook his head.
10 minutes later the kids arrived, Kathy with them. She stared at Olivia coldly, but didn't address her. The only words she said to Elliot were, "I'll be here tomorrow morning at 10 to pick them up." Then she left.
Kathleen smiled at Olivia, "You're coming with us?" She asked.
"Yeah, your daddy asked me."
"Can I sit by you?"
Olivia smiled, taken aback. "Sure."
A few minutes later they took off. Two and a half hours later they were on their way back to Elliot's apartment discussing the movie.
"I liked the first better." Dickey said.
"Me too." Olivia agreed.
"Yeah, so did I." Kathleen added, smiling at Olivia.
~**~**~**~
After Elliot had gotten the kids situated in their beds he and Olivia sat in his living room, watching TV.
"So, I think you might have an admirer."
"Who?"
"Kathleen."
"You think?" Olivia questioned.
He nodded. "I'm glad that they don't share the same feelings as their mother do."
"Yeah, I kind of noticed that. She doesn't like me much does she?"
"She still thinks that we were having an affair."
Olivia shook her head. "I hope that's not one of the reasons you two got divorced."
"Of course not, she made her decision without any help from me, she's just upset she got caught, is all." He looked down at his hands, "Truth be told, I'm glad it's over."
"What? The marriage?"
He nodded, "It's not as if we got married because we were so in love, she got pregnant. I did love her, do still. But, I guess it got to the point where the job took up most of my time, and the kids took up the rest. Towards the end it was more like we were roommates instead of husband and wife. I talked to you more than I did to her."
"Yeah, but we were together most of the time anyway, because of work."
He shrugged, "Still, she was my wife then."
Olivia nodded, "I understand." She yawned and looked towards the clock, "It's past midnight, El. I should really get home."
"Ok. I'll see you on Monday."
"Right. Bye."
"Bye." He said as he walked her to the door. She walked into the hallway and turned around.
"I had fun tonight."
"Yeah, so did I." He smiled, "We should do it again sometime."
She nodded. "Night."
"Goodnight, Liv." With that he closed the door. He was about to shut the TV off and go to bed when Kathleen came out of her room.
"Daddy."
"Yeah."
"Are you and Olivia dating?"
He looked at her for a moment, confused. "No honey. Why?"
"It's just, the guy mom's dating normally comes places with us. I don't like him though. But, I like Olivia. You're really not dating?"
"No, does it seem like we're dating?"
"I don't know, maybe. But, mom said that you two were before you got a divorce."
"And you believed her?"
"Not really." She ran a hand through her hair. "I think she was just trying to take the blame off of herself. Daddy, who are we going to live with?"
"Sit down." He said, pointing to the couch. She obeyed.
Elliot sat down on the couch next to his daughter. "I'd love it if you lived with me, but because of my job that doesn't seem likely. Most likely, your mother and I will share custody."
"It sounds as if we're property." She sighed, "I want to live with you."
"Well, Kathleen. That might be possible, if it's just you. But, your brother and sister aren't considered old enough to make that decision. And since you'll be 16 soon you can get a car, that way you can go wherever you need to. But, your brother and sister are too young to drive."
She nodded, "I don't like mom's boyfriend."
"Why not?"
"He acts as if the twins and I are a burden to him, like we're in the way." She looked down at her hands, "Olivia doesn't."
"Kathleen, Olivia and I aren't dating."
"I know. But, I still like her. So, I could live with you, but not the twins. Where would they live?"
"Between both your mother and I."
"Can I tell the judge I want to live with you?"
"You'd be alone a lot."
"I know, but I'd rather be alone that with mom and her boyfriend."
"Does he live at the house?"
"Yeah. I think they're getting married."
"I thought he was married."
"He and his wife got a divorce, after you told her what was going on."
He nodded, "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh is right. You think they'd let me live with you? I mean, my birthday is in a month. Will the custody battle be over by then?"
"I don't know."
She nodded, then yawned.
"You should get to bed young lady."
"Yes daddy." She hugged him, "No matter what, I love you."
"I love you too, honey. Now, get some sleep. You've got to wake up around 9 in the morning."
She got up from the couch and ran off to her bedroom. Elliot clicked off the TV and sat in the darkness for a while before getting up and going to bed himself.
He didn't sleep much that night.
~**~**~**~
a/n: so, long chapter. Please review! I hope I'm not doing to bad.
~**~**~**~
"So," Munch inquired, "How does it feel to be a free man again?"
"I think you of all people know the answer to that one." Elliot replied, "But, as far as the whole divorce goes, I'm just glad that it's over. That doesn't make me feel much better about it though, remember, I divorced her because she was cheating on me. I do still have feelings for her, those aren't just things you can shut on and off, albeit they have diminished greatly."
"That's understandable." Munch replied. "Don't worry, you'll be on your feet in no time."
"If you mean dating again, I doubt it. I could barley keep up a marriage on the job, what makes you think I'll be able to keep a girlfriend?"
"Depends on the girl." He said raising his eyebrows. Elliot stared at him, confused. Munch sighed, "Well, if it's not that apparent, I've got to go." He took off, leaving Elliot still in confusion. He shrugged it off and turned to Fin and Olivia.
"That was strange." Olivia pointed out. Fin didn't say anything, only chuckled.
"What?" Olivia and Elliot asked in unison.
He shook his head through his laughter, "Nothing. I've got to go too." Then he took off.
"Weird." Elliot said, "I tell you, those guys get stranger and stranger."
"As if I don't already know it." She smiled, "So Mr. Stabler, what is the first thing you're going to do, now that you are a free man?"
"Take my kids out to see a movie."
"Good choice. What movie?"
"I don't know, what movies are playing?"
She thought a moment, "Uh…not sure. Guess you'll have to call the theater, I think there's a movie called Connie and Carla out."
"You mean, the one about the girls pretending to be drag queens? I'm not sure if I want my kids to see that."
Olivia laughed, "I don't know. I think I might go and see it."
"You think it's going to be good."
She shrugged, "Why do I care? David Duchovony is in it."
Elliot just shook his head. "Women."
"What, like you've never gone to see a movie just because a certain actress is in it?"
"Now, I didn't say that. I've just never made it obvious."
"So. I'm honest. Is there something wrong with that?"
He shook his head, "Not at all."
"What time are you meeting up with the kids?"
He looked down at his watch, "2 hours."
"So, until then…you'll be doing what?"
"Cleaning my apartment."
"Ooh. Sounds like fun. I'll leave you to do that. Bye, Elliot." She started to walk off.
"Liv, wait." He called after her.
She turned around, "What?"
"You wanna come to the movies with us?" He said, looking down at his shoes, sheepishly.
She stifled a laugh, "Sure. Sounds like fun, what time should I meet you guys?"
"Just come to my apartment in about 2 hours. I could use your support," He smiled, "Kathy will be there."
She in return smiled, "Well, in that case, I really don't have a choice do I? Gotta protect you. I'll see you then." Then, she turned back around and walked off, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
~**~**~**~
1 hour later:
Olivia let out a frustrated yell. She had nothing to wear, she'd already gone through her closet twice. She ran her hands through her short hair and fought back a headache. 'You're being silly,' she told herself, 'You're acting as if this is a date! For heaven's sake, he just got divorced, AND his kids will be there! This is not a date!'
She grabbed a pillow and yelled into it, this was too frustrating, she shouldn't be this worried about what she was wearing to a movie, she hadn't been this out of it since she was in high school, about to go on a date. She was acting like a teenager.
'Just wear what you'd normally wear.' She said to herself.
She grabbed a pair of jeans and tee-shirt. But then she thought of something.
'What if he's expecting it to be like a date.' She asked herself.
'Why would he do that?' Another part of her countered.
She shrugged, 'I don't know, but still, you don't know what he's thinking.' The first voice said.
"Stop it!" She yelled into her apartment. She sat at the edge of her bed, "Good God, I'm going crazy." She grabbed the jeans and shirt and put them on. There was no way that Elliot would be thinking of this as a date. They were partners at work, and he just got divorced, dating would be the last thing on his mind, as he had told Munch earlier that day.
Which brought her to what Munch had said. She wasn't dense, although Elliot appeared to be. Munch had been talking about her, and she could slap him for it. Why would he suggest such a thing? But then again, she never did know what to expect coming from Munch. And, Fin had laughed about it. She would have to call and chew both of them out. Was it that apparent that she had those feelings for Elliot?
'Of course it is!' The first voice said.
'Well, Elliot hasn't noticed it yet.' The second voice supplied. 'It can't be that obvious.'
'Why would Elliot be paying attention?' The first voice questioned, 'He was married up until a couple of hours ago.'
"Shut-up!" Olivia said. She needed to talk with Hung, she was definitely going crazy. She had voices arguing in her mind!
She glanced at her clock and figured she'd better finish getting ready. She applied some light make-up, about the same as she wore everyday, and did her hair as per norm, slipped on some shoes and grabbed her purse. She was on her way to Elliot's apartment at 6:34.
~**~**~**~
It was 10 minutes until 7 when a knock came at Elliot's apartment door. He breathed deeply, hoping it wasn't Kathy and the kids. Kathy was the last person he had wanted to deal with at the moment. He would rather have Olivia shown up first. He opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when it was, in fact, Olivia at the door.
"Am I early?" She inquired.
"No, the kids should be here soon. I'm glad you're here…early…I mean. So…I won't have to…deal with Kathy alone." He stumbled over his words, then looked around his apartment sheepishly.
It took all Olivia had not to laugh, she just smiled sweetly. What was he so nervous about? "So, what movie are we going to see?"
"Well, I called the kids and asked them. Dickey informed me that they'd all seen 'The Whole 9 Yards', and wanted to see the sequel, 'The Whole 10 Yards.' So I guess we're going to see that. Have you seen the first?"
"Yeah. It was OK I guess. I wouldn't mind seeing the second."
"Sorry to inform you, David Duchovony isn't in this one."
"Damn." She smiled, "That's ok, Matthew Perry's not too bad."
"What? You don't like Bruce Willis?"
"He's a bit old."
Elliot just shook his head.
10 minutes later the kids arrived, Kathy with them. She stared at Olivia coldly, but didn't address her. The only words she said to Elliot were, "I'll be here tomorrow morning at 10 to pick them up." Then she left.
Kathleen smiled at Olivia, "You're coming with us?" She asked.
"Yeah, your daddy asked me."
"Can I sit by you?"
Olivia smiled, taken aback. "Sure."
A few minutes later they took off. Two and a half hours later they were on their way back to Elliot's apartment discussing the movie.
"I liked the first better." Dickey said.
"Me too." Olivia agreed.
"Yeah, so did I." Kathleen added, smiling at Olivia.
~**~**~**~
After Elliot had gotten the kids situated in their beds he and Olivia sat in his living room, watching TV.
"So, I think you might have an admirer."
"Who?"
"Kathleen."
"You think?" Olivia questioned.
He nodded. "I'm glad that they don't share the same feelings as their mother do."
"Yeah, I kind of noticed that. She doesn't like me much does she?"
"She still thinks that we were having an affair."
Olivia shook her head. "I hope that's not one of the reasons you two got divorced."
"Of course not, she made her decision without any help from me, she's just upset she got caught, is all." He looked down at his hands, "Truth be told, I'm glad it's over."
"What? The marriage?"
He nodded, "It's not as if we got married because we were so in love, she got pregnant. I did love her, do still. But, I guess it got to the point where the job took up most of my time, and the kids took up the rest. Towards the end it was more like we were roommates instead of husband and wife. I talked to you more than I did to her."
"Yeah, but we were together most of the time anyway, because of work."
He shrugged, "Still, she was my wife then."
Olivia nodded, "I understand." She yawned and looked towards the clock, "It's past midnight, El. I should really get home."
"Ok. I'll see you on Monday."
"Right. Bye."
"Bye." He said as he walked her to the door. She walked into the hallway and turned around.
"I had fun tonight."
"Yeah, so did I." He smiled, "We should do it again sometime."
She nodded. "Night."
"Goodnight, Liv." With that he closed the door. He was about to shut the TV off and go to bed when Kathleen came out of her room.
"Daddy."
"Yeah."
"Are you and Olivia dating?"
He looked at her for a moment, confused. "No honey. Why?"
"It's just, the guy mom's dating normally comes places with us. I don't like him though. But, I like Olivia. You're really not dating?"
"No, does it seem like we're dating?"
"I don't know, maybe. But, mom said that you two were before you got a divorce."
"And you believed her?"
"Not really." She ran a hand through her hair. "I think she was just trying to take the blame off of herself. Daddy, who are we going to live with?"
"Sit down." He said, pointing to the couch. She obeyed.
Elliot sat down on the couch next to his daughter. "I'd love it if you lived with me, but because of my job that doesn't seem likely. Most likely, your mother and I will share custody."
"It sounds as if we're property." She sighed, "I want to live with you."
"Well, Kathleen. That might be possible, if it's just you. But, your brother and sister aren't considered old enough to make that decision. And since you'll be 16 soon you can get a car, that way you can go wherever you need to. But, your brother and sister are too young to drive."
She nodded, "I don't like mom's boyfriend."
"Why not?"
"He acts as if the twins and I are a burden to him, like we're in the way." She looked down at her hands, "Olivia doesn't."
"Kathleen, Olivia and I aren't dating."
"I know. But, I still like her. So, I could live with you, but not the twins. Where would they live?"
"Between both your mother and I."
"Can I tell the judge I want to live with you?"
"You'd be alone a lot."
"I know, but I'd rather be alone that with mom and her boyfriend."
"Does he live at the house?"
"Yeah. I think they're getting married."
"I thought he was married."
"He and his wife got a divorce, after you told her what was going on."
He nodded, "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh is right. You think they'd let me live with you? I mean, my birthday is in a month. Will the custody battle be over by then?"
"I don't know."
She nodded, then yawned.
"You should get to bed young lady."
"Yes daddy." She hugged him, "No matter what, I love you."
"I love you too, honey. Now, get some sleep. You've got to wake up around 9 in the morning."
She got up from the couch and ran off to her bedroom. Elliot clicked off the TV and sat in the darkness for a while before getting up and going to bed himself.
He didn't sleep much that night.
~**~**~**~
a/n: so, long chapter. Please review! I hope I'm not doing to bad.