Cragen pulled a chair up next to Elliot, his eyes showing a mixture of anger and understanding. "What part's pisses you off more…the divorced father who wasn't happy with the custody arraignment, or the fact that you can empathize with him?"

"Cap'n…"

Cragen put a hand up to silence him. "Last year when we suspected Peter Forbes of abducting his own son on the day of a custody hearing, you admitted to Olivia and to Dr. Huang that in the same situation, you might have done something that desperate. Yes or no?"

Elliot nodded, pulling at the cuff of his sleeve. "Yeah, I probably said something that stupid."

"And in that situation you were reacting as a parent would, nine times out of ten, if they were facing the loss of a child. To be perfectly honest, I would've been concerned if something like that hadn't come out of your mouth."

The detective gave him a half-hearted grin. "So you think I might kidnap my kids if things don't work out with Kathy? Is that why you've got Liv keeping close tabs on me these days?"

Cragen stood up. "I think your partner's just worried about you, Elliot."

He followed suit, pulling his tall frame out of the chair and heading for the door. "Yeah…she's probably wondering when I'm going to get my head out of my ass."

Cragen put a hand on his shoulder to stop his exit. "Everything sorting itself out at home?"

Elliot shrugged. "For now. We're kind of living day-to-day...at least until the kids feel more comfortable with things."

Cragen's expression softened. "You need anything, just let me know."

"I will Cap...and…thanks."

Cragen nodded. "Why don't you go sit down with Benson and figure out what your next move is going to be. I'll get Novak moving on those phone records.

Elliot walked out of the Captain's office to see his partner eyeing him warily.

"We still have a case?"

Elliot nodded and waved a finger at her, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. "I'll be back shortly." …

He returned about twenty minutes later, presenting her with a toasted bagel, napkins and a fresh cup of coffee.

"What's this?"

Elliot sighed. "A peace offering?"

"For?"

He sat across from her, fidgeting with the rim on a cup of orange juice. "For being an unbearable, self-absorbed jerk the past few weeks? Look Liv…I know I haven't been easy to work lately…just…thanks for putting up with me."

Olivia leaned forward and gave him an amused expression. "Is that your idea of an apology? I was at least expecting dinner and some inexpensive wine."

Elliot gave her a lopsided grin for her efforts to diffuse the tension. Finally, she touched him lightly on the arm. "El…I'm here for you…you know that right? As your partner, as a friend, as a confidant…whatever you need."

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I know…I just…I need some time to think things through."

She glanced at him over the lid of her coffee cup. "Well if you need a sounding board, don't forget about me. Now where's your food?"

He shrugged. "I'm watching my figure."

"Wrong answer, partner." She broke the bagel in half, sliding it towards him. "You need to eat something."

He put it off to the side of his desk. "Maybe later."

Olivia glanced sharply at him.

Feigning annoyance, he picked up the bagel and took a small bite. "Satisfied?"

She smiled triumphantly. "For now. So, while you were gone…"

Author's Note: Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll try to have an update everyday, including longer chapters, but no promises (Hey, I work in the news…overtime can be a hazard ;). This one was purposely to touch on Elliot's family problems and his friendship with Olivia…which I wasn't about to ignore. But next chapter we'll get back to the missing boy…