Fall To Pieces

Chapter Four

Disclaimer: They're not mine? That's news to me. But, hey...if you say so.

Olivia woke to a pair of chocolate brown eyes staring down at her, she jumped slightly, then smiled at her youngest daughter. "Becca...how long have you been awake?"

Becca backed away from her face, sat on top of her legs, and shrugged. "Dunno...Cas snoring."

Olivia turned her head toward Cassandra, Becca was right, she was snoring ever so lightly. She smiled to herself and turned towards the alarm clock. It was only 5:36 in the morning, Cassie wouldn't have to be up for more than an hour. She sighed and rolled away from her first born and climbed out of bed. Becca followed her as she made her way into the kitchen and started up a pot of coffee. She looked around the room, not even Elliot was up yet. She'd have to get Becca out of this bad habit.

"Momma..." Becca wined at her legs, "I hungry."

"Well. Just let me see if I can find you something, all right?" She began searching through fridge and found nothing suited for a 3 year old, there was milk but it had long since gone sour. There was a box of lucky charms that had already gone stale, and she wasn't sure her daughter would appreciate a bag of sunflower seeds for breakfast. "Well, if this isn't a bachelor pad I don't know what it is," she sighed to herself.

"That's because I'm a bachelor." Elliot said as a matter-of-factly, causing her to jump slightly and hit her head on the top of the fridge.

She pulled out of the fridge, "God, Elliot. Give me a heart attack why don't 'cha."

"You figured me out."

"How do you live? There's nothing in the fridge except beer and sunflower seeds."

"Well...I drink beer and eat sunflower seeds."

"Very funny."

"Get the kids ready, I'll take you guys out for breakfast."

"It's only 10 till six."

"So, they're young, Becca's already awake."

"Cassie barely got any sleep last night, El. Bec sleeps like a log, never once wakes up during the middle of the night, but Cassie...she's such a light sleeper."

He shrugged, "she'll be fine."

"Boy, you can tell you don't have any kids. Fine, I'll wake her up...but, if she's grouchy then I'll blame it on you." Olivia went back into the guest room and gently woke up Cassandra, who looked at her sleepily, but smiled anyway. "Hey, honey, you wanna go out and get some breakfast?"

She nodded and rubbed her eyes with her fists, "what time is it?"

"Almost 6 o'clock. Ellie is going to take us out for breakfast, then I'm going to take you to school. Is that all right with you? I mean, will you be able to focus on school being a little bit sleepy?"

"Yes, mommy."

"Ok, let's get you into some school clothes, then. What'cha think?"

Olivia got Cassie dressed and while Elliot watched her Becca and Olivia dressed. When they were all ready to go they piled into Elliot's car and they drove to a small mom and pop diner called "Nick's". While the two children ate pancakes Olivia had scrambled eggs and toast, and Elliot got the same as the children, except instead of chocolate chip pancakes his were buttermilk.

When they were dropping Cassie off at school Olivia noticed Heather's van pull in front of them. She told Elliot to wait for a second and got out, running up to where the Green van was parked. Heather was wishing Maia a good day at school when Olivia came up to the side of the van.

"Heather...can we talk?"

The blonde looked to her confused, "Olivia? Hi. Sure. What do you need?"

"I was hoping you could do me a huge, huge favor."

"What is it?"

"Could you watch Rebecca while I'm at work. Normally, Chris' mother would watch her, but, um...something has come up."

Heather seemed to understand, maybe it was the giant bluish-purple bruise on her jaw, "I would love to, Becca is such a sweet girl, Robbie hardly ever has anybody his age to play with, I'm sure he'd love the company. Do you need somebody to watch Cassie while you're working as well? I could pick her up after school, if that's alright with you."

"That would be wonderful. I've already sent a note with Cassie saying that neither Chris nor I will be picking her up today...and if Chris is to come, not to sign her out to him. I don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to, it's my pleasure."

"I guess I'll just follow you to your home then."

"Ok."

Olivia ran back to the car and told Elliot to follow Heather to her home and told Becca that she would be spending the day with Robbie, whom she had met once before. Becca didn't seem too thrilled at spending the day with a boy (who according to her had cooties), but didn't protest much. It seemed that she would have a much better time with a yucky boy than a mean old grandma. Olivia understood.

After dropping her off at Heather's Elliot and Olivia took off for work.

"You said you slapped him first?"

Olivia grimaced, "I know. Guess that was a wrong move, huh?"

"Well...if he's been prone to violent outburst before, even without the physical aspect, an order of protect could still be issued, if you fear for your life and that of your children. I'm sure we know plenty of judges who would love to help out."

"But no arresting. I know. I wish I could though."

"You and me both."

She looked over at him and smiled sadly, "thanks for letting us stay last night, El. I didn't know where else to go, I really don't have much of a family, and what I do have are in-laws that I could care less about. I would have gone to Alex's apartment if she didn't live so much farther away."

"Don't worry about it, I'm happy to have you. As long as you need to stay, I've got a room for you."

She placed her hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze, "you're such a great friend."

He smiled smugly, "I know."

She laughed at his attempt of humor, "don't let your ego swell too much, your head might not be able to contain it."

"Ha ha. Very funny," he said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I thought so," she said with a grin.

He stuck his tongue out at her.

"Oh, that's mature," she chided.

"I know."

They pulled in front of the station house just as Olivia's phone rang, she looked down at the caller ID and instantly pressed ignore when she saw who was on the other end.

"Chris?"

"Who else."

Elliot shrugged and took the keys out of the ignition. "Can't really tell you what to do about that except either ignore him or talk to him. If you choose the former, he'll keep calling, the latter, maybe not. Depends on how mean you are."

"Like that'll make any difference."

"You never know."

Her phone rang again and after checking the caller ID she pressed ignore. "Maybe I'll talk to him later, right now, it's time to work."

a/n: I promise the next chapter there will be some conflict between Chris, Elliot, and Olivia. Who knows, I might even through Fin and Munch into the mix...and Mary (for that review that requested some Mary & Munch conflict...good idea...) anyway...let me know what'cha think.