Ch 9

Disclaimer: They aren't mine.

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It only had taken them about an hour to get the kids settled and into bed. Elliot walked out into the living room where Olivia was stretched out across the couch. Her shirt revealed just the tiniest sliver of her tan stomach. Elliot began to think about running his hands over her flat stomach. His thoughts traveled to kissing her stomach and running his tongue across her body. He knew he shouldn't be thinking about this.

'Okay Elliot, time to get serious. You have to talk to her about Kathy.'

"Liv, can I talk to you for a minute? It's important." Elliot knew that it would not be an easy task to convince Olivia to stay away from the trial.

"Sure, El. What is it? Is something wrong?" Olivia asked him. She was worried. She had never seen Elliot look so concerned.

"I want you and the kids to stay away from the trial. I don't want any of you alone either." He could see Olivia's expression darken.

"Elliot Stabler, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself damn it. I have been a fucking cop for half of my life." She couldn't believe the nerve of him. How could he not trust her? They had been partners for six years. He trusted her enough to watch his back but not her own.

"Liv, it is not that I think you aren't able to handle yourself. There are five people I am scared to death that the bitch of an ex-wife I have is going to kill. We already know she will stop at nothing to get her way. I mean, look at what she did to Katie. He knew it would take a lot to convince her to listen to him.

"Damn it, Elliot. I love your kids and I would never let anything happen to them or me. What are we supposed to do? Hide out in the apartment until the whole trial is done? I don't want to live my life in fear of that psycho bitch."

"All I want is you to stay away from the courthouse, and have Fin, Munch, or even Cragen stay with you while I'm gone. Please?"

Olivia couldn't say no to him. She knew he was just keeping people he loved out of danger. She loved the way he was so protective. Actually, she loved damn near everything about this man. "Fine El, but no one except those three or you. I don't want a uniform standing outside my door.

Elliot hadn't thought it'd be that easy. "Thanks, Liv, I appreciate it. I know this isn't easy for you."

"Well I am only doing it for the kids." She told him.

"Thanks Liv. I'm going to go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning to go looking at apartments with me."

"Night, El. See you tomorrow." She replied to him.

The next morning

Olivia and Elliot had gone apartment hunting and the twins were at a birthday party so Maureen and Kathleen had the apartment to themselves.

"I know they both love each other Maur, but they are both afraid to admit it. I think all they need is some alone time." Katie was telling her sister.

"I have an idea." Maureen said. "After the trial we can all go celebrate then me, you and the twins will go back to my dorm. I will meet you guys at the resturant, and once everyone is gone from here I will set up the apartment for them. You know roses, music, everything. What do you say?"

"You are brilliant Maur." Katie hugged her sister.

"I know." Maureen said smiling. Just then her phone rang. It was one of her friends. She hung up. "I have to go, Katie, I'll see you later."

First Day of Trial

Elliot was sitting behind the ADA prosecuting the case. Kathy had pled not guilty. It went off without anything major happening. They just had opening statements for today. As Elliot exited the courthouse he checked his messages on his cell phone.

"Elliot. It's Cragen. There's been a shooting outside of Olivia's building. She was shot. She's at St. Francis Hospital right now. You need to get there as soon as you get this. The kids are there and they are all safe."

He hung up the phone and raced to the hospital.