How Does it Feel:

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: Same as in chapter one, not much changes, eh?

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Only after Elliot did a thorough search of Olivia's apartment would he let her in. He said he was "taking every precaution", Olivia knew he was just trying to further her annoyance.

It was working.

"You checked under my bed for monsters, right? The closet too? They like to hang out there, talk a lot. Gossip mostly, it's very annoying. Keeps me up at night."

"Ha, that's funny. Really," he said sarcastically.

"Well, I try."

She put on a pot of coffee and sat down on the couch motioning for Elliot to sit down too.

"When did she leave?"

"Last week."

"How come you didn't tell me 'bout it?"

"You've got your own problems to deal with, I didn't want to burden you with my screwed up life."

"Have you talked with her about it?"

"Once or twice, we always end up fighting. Her favorite excuse is my job, how it's so dangerous and she shouldn't have to live in fear of me getting hurt. But, like I said, I think she just wanted to take the easy way out. What better way than blaming work?"

"What about the kids? How are they reacting?"

"I talked with Kathleen, she hates it at her grandmothers. Liz and Dickey too, they just want to come home."

"I imagine I would too. Why don't they? Kathy can't keep them from you."

"With work they'd just be home alone. I'd rather them be with their mother than by themselves."

"I guess that's right, but that doesn't mean you should be cut off from them completely. You have a right to see your children."

"I was going to go see them tonight."

"Elliot, you know that you didn't have to come here, right? I'd have been fine by myself, you know. You should've gone to see your kids, try and work things out between you and Kathy. You've been married for so long."

"I really don't think that's going to happen."

"Never say never."

"I don't know, Liv. Whenever we talk we argue, even before she left. This was a long time coming, frankly I'm surprised we lasted as long as we did. I think towards the end we were just sticking together for the kids, no matter how cliché that sounds."

"You should have told me. Maybe I could've talked with Kathy, helped to figure out some things."

"I don't think that would have worked, Kathy isn't really your biggest fan."

"Well, why the hell not? I've not been anything but nice to her. Haven't I?"

"It's not your fault, she doesn't like anybody that I work with. Least of all you, 'cos you're my partner, and a woman. She's even gone as far as accusing me of having a relationship with you before."

"Surely she knows you'd never cheat on her. And, we're nothing but friends, and work-partners."

"You give her too much credit. Kathy's an insanely jealous person, always has been. You know what, I'd rather not talk about Kathy. She's gone, our marriage is over, lets talk about something a little bit more…what's the words…positive?"

"Ok, like what?"

"I don't know. Something that doesn't have to do with my depressing life?"

"Well, it's not as if my life is anymore glamorous. I've not had a date in God knows how long. So, I guess talking 'bout my life is out of the picture. You know, there's always the weather."

Elliot chuckled, "well, the weather hasn't exactly been wonderful either, has it? There's not been a dry day in almost a week."

"You're right. Since our miserable lives and the weather are out of the picture, what do we talk about?"

"Wanna talk about Albertson?"

"I was wondering how long it would take you to bring him up. But, since you already brought up the subject, why not? Let's talk about Albertson. But, which one? The one that I killed, or the one who wants to kill me?"

"Don't be so hard on yourself. If you didn't shoot him he would've shot me, probably you as well."

"Too bad his brother didn't think so."

"George Albertson wasn't a very smart criminal, like his brother was. He probably thought we'd find out about him, and anybody will be upset after a family member dies. He needed somebody to blame."

She cocked her head to one side, "and who better than the bitch who pulled the trigger?"

"Come on, Liv."

"No, Elliot. That's how he sees me. But, be realistic, we wouldn't have found out 'bout him if he hadn't broken into my apartment. You know that as well as I do."

"But, he didn't. That's where the dumb criminal thing comes in."

Olivia felt a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, when Elliot gave her one of his cheesy grins she couldn't help but let her own smile grow. She looked at her wristwatch to see that it was nearing midnight and though she tried not to she yawned, "well, I think it's time I hit the hay. I'll get you some sheets for the guest-bed." She got up off of the sofa and grabbed a set of dark blue sheets from the linen closet and handed them to Elliot.

"What, you're not going to make my bed for me? You're not a good hostess."

"I don't believe I ever said I was. And, you're the one who wanted to 'protect' me, I didn't ask you to come."

"So? What's your point?"

She rolled her eyes, "goodnight, Elliot."

"G'night."

Olivia went into her room and Elliot went to the guestroom. Olivia fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

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a/n: so, this chapter is a bit shorter than the other, but most of them will only be around 1,000-1,300 words anyway, the former was just that long because it was the pilot. It'll start getting better soon. Anyway, let me know what you think.

Nothinglittlegirl: I have no idea what store it is you're talking about, so, no. Didn't get his name from the store...which guy though?