How Does it Feel?

Chapter Sixteen

Disclaimer: I haven't claimed them this far, have I? So ... why would I now?

A/N: Oh, my gosh. Today is our powderpuff game! Pray for us!! Please!

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It was a little bit more hectic in the mornings, now that the kids were staying at her house as well as their father. She had to share her bathroom (not to mention, sleep on the very uncomfortable couch bed), with the a teenager and a pre-teen who was on her way to becoming just like her older sister. So, Olivia started to wake up earlier, that way she could shower, dress, and blow dry her hair by the time Kathleen got up, who would do the same routine before her younger sister, Elizabeth woke up. Meanwhile, Olivia would go back into the living room and catch about 45 minutes of extra sleep.

Elliot was still having some troubles with getting ready, but since he had his son to help out it didn't take him as long to get dressed. Dickey, who was 12 and nearly as tall as Olivia, had no problem helping his father out, although he did make it known he wasn't fond of the task.

Detective Racheal Peterson had only become more bitchy with time. Olivia did her best to ignore the woman, but seeing as she was her partner for the better part of three months, that was very hard and completely impossible. But, she had managed to only speak with her during investigations, or when Cragen called them into his office.

It had been a week after Maureen showed up with the note from Kathy and still nobody had heard from her, not even her parents. Elliot was worried, she could tell, but he said nothing to indicate it. She would just catch him from time to time, deep in thought, and when she would ask he would push her aside. She didn't blame him for wondering, she just wished that he would talk with her about it.

It was nearing noon, on a Monday, and she was getting anxious to get away for an hour, or even just half an hour, and go out with Elliot, Munch, and Fin for something to eat. As the minutes ticked by she stared down at the papers on her desk, she should probably work on them while she was waiting, but she was starting to get a headache and the letters were beginning to blur together. She had been concentrating on them for too long, she needed a break.

Finally, when she glanced at the clock again, it was 3 minutes after 12. She looked over at Elliot, he understood and slowly stood, unsuccessful in hiding the wince on his face. John and Fin noticed him standing and looked over at her, when they saw she too had stood they followed suit. Peterson just looked around, confused by the whole situation.

"Lunch time," Fin said, noticing her confusion.

She just looked back at her papers and snorted. He began to say anything but Olivia gave him a look and he let it go. They gathered their things and headed out for lunch.

"So," Munch said as soon as they sat down in a booth, "you heard from Kathy?"

Elliot shook his head; "I'd rather not talk about that right now."

He held his hands up in defense, "I understand. My ex-wives aren't really my favorite topic of discussion, either."

"That's probably because you can't remember which one is which," Fin joked.

Their waiter came by, they all ordered cokes, with Olivia being the exception, getting a sprite. While they waited for their drinks they chatted about ongoing cases, and Elliot's less-interesting desk duty. The waiter came back, with their drinks, and they ordered their lunch.

When it neared 1 they paid and left, since they had walked there they walked back. They got to work five minutes before one; Peterson was already at her desk, writing. She looked up when they entered, said nothing, and went right back to work. She didn't speak for the rest of the day.

When Olivia and Elliot were getting ready to leave Cragen called them into his office. Neither of them were sure what was going on, as far as they knew they hadn't done anything to piss him off, and there would be no reason to talk to the both of them about a case.

"What'd ya do?" Fin asked when he retreated into his office, after asking for them.

"Don't know," Elliot shrugged. They walked into his office and sat down, "What's up, Cap?" He asked.

He sighed, "It's about your ... relationship."

Olivia tensed immediately, "What about it?"

"It's nothing that major, but we do have a complaint about your behavior."

"A complaint?" Elliot asked, "How, who?"

"Don't get too worried about it, no report is going to be filed, there isn't any proof to back up this persons complaint."

"Peterson," Olivia growled. "She made the complaint, didn't she Captain?"

He sighed, but nodded. "Yes, it was Peterson."

"This is bullshit, Captain." Elliot said, "We've made sure that we've not acted any different at work than we use to, how could she possibly complain about anything?"

He shrugged, "Truth be told, Elliot, I think she's just pissed that nobody around here gives a damn about her."

"Well, off the record, Captain, but if she wasn't such a bitch to us maybe that would change." Olivia told him, "She doesn't give us any reason to respect her."

"That may be true," he said, "but, just in case, be extra careful around her."

"Right," Elliot said with a sigh, "how much longer until I can work again?"

"That's up to you, Elliot. The faster you heal, the sooner you get off of desk duty."

He dismissed them and they left the office, Munch, Fin, and Peterson had all gone by then. They drove home, Kathleen had cooked again, so the two of them ate and then they watched television with Dickey, Elizabeth, and Kathleen. It was a Monday, so 7th Heaven was on, Kathleen and Lizzie picked the show. Dickey sat through the one-hour program looking absolutely bored, and when Olivia looked over at Elliot she noticed the same look on his face. She held back a giggle and turned back to the TV.

Olivia and Elliot stayed up after Dickey and the girls went off to bed, to talk. Olivia sat on the couch, her feet pulled under her legs, an elbow resting on the couch with her head resting on her hand. "What are we going to do about this, Elliot?" She asked with a sigh.

"We haven't done anything wrong, I don't know what we can do other than what we've been doing already. Peterson is just trying to push our buttons, she knows that this is the best way to do that. Nothing more, nothing less."

She grunted, "Well, she's certainly pushed a couple of my buttons."

"Don't let her get to you, Liv." He said, pulling her closer to him, "That's what she wants."

"I'll try," she sighed, settling into his arms as carefully as she could. "How's your stomach?" She asked, slowly drifting off to sleep.

"It's fine, Liv," he reassured her, kissing her on the forehead. "You tired?"

"Mmm," she mumbled sleepily. "I'm fine."

He chuckled at her, "No, you're about to fall asleep on me. And, while I'm not complaining, I'm sure I haven't healed to the point where that wouldn't cause problems."

She smiled at him and fought to keep her eyelids open, he was right, she was exhausted. She hadn't really been sleeping that well; the couch bed was less than comfortable.

"I'll help you get the couch bed ready, then I'll let you sleep."

She yawned and, making sure not to cause him pain, pulled out of his embrace and got off of the couch. Then, she helped him off the couch and they got the bed ready, she had left the sheets on it from the night before so it didn't take long. When he turned to go to the room he and Dickey were sharing she called out to him.

"Hmm?"

"Don't go," she asked, getting into the bed. "Stay out here with me. I'll sleep better."

He smiled, "All right." He crawled into the bed with her and she scooted up close to him.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, protectively, and started to drift off to sleep. After a couple of minutes she turned around, facing him, and snuggled closer. He kissed her goodnight and she smiled. She fell asleep shortly after that, still smiling.

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A/N: Ok, so sappy ending. Yeah, I know. Couldn't help it, too much of a shipper. Anyway, let me know what'cha think.