"Kathy, can we please talk about this another time?"

"No, Elliot! This needs to be taken care of, now!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but I'm at work. Its going to have to wait."

"I want a divorce."

Elliot hung up the phone. Olivia saw the look of hurt on his face as he tried to hide it. She knew better than to say anything right away.

Back at the station, Olivia, Elliot, Munch and Fin went over the current case with Cragen, trying to put together the pieces of evidence.

"We're at a standstill until we hear back from the M.E., and that could take a while. Benson, Stabler, why don't you catch up on sleep. I'll call you in when we hear something. Munch, Fin, catch up on the paper work, then head home." Everyone happily complied to the Captain's orders.

"Hey, Liv, you hungry?" Elliot asked, hoping, praying for a yes.

"Kinda. Shouldn't you get home to your family?"

"I need to talk to you. I'm buying."

"Can't say no to a free meal." Olivia knew something was up from that phone call. It had slipped her mind until now because of the case, but she was glad he wanted to talk. She wasn't nosy by any means, just curious.

"So, what's up? You alright?" Olivia asked when the waitress walked off after filling up their mugs with coffee. She watches his put four packs of sugar into his cup at once, then looks up at his bowed head. His eyes no longer seem to be that breathtaking blue she was used to. Instead, they were replaced with a depressed gray that she was determined to change. If not for his sake, at least for her's.

"Kathy.." he paused to make sure his coffee tasted right. Satisfied, he placed it down at finally looked Olivia in the eyes. "She wants a divorce."

"El, I'm so sorry. Did she say why?"

"No, I haven't talked to her about it. But I think I already know."

The way he answered made her think he wasn't ready to tell her. She wanted to know so she could help him, but she didn't want to push. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't know how. I don't even know what to think of it yet."

"Take your time, you know I'm here whenever you need me. Are you going home tonight?"

"I was gonna get a room---"

Olivia cut him off. "Don't be ridiculous! You know you're welcome to stay at my place."

"Thanks for the offer. I don't think it's a good idea, if Kathy finds out..."

"El, what's the deal? You've stayed there plenty of times."

"Thats the problem. See, Kathy thinks I'm having an affair... With you."

Olivia almost laughed. If it weren't for the fact that Elliot was so upset, she would have. An affair? With Elliot? As much as she wanted to, she never would, never could. "I don't know what to say."

"It's not your fault, it's mine. She has every right to believe so."

"Elliot, we're partners. She should know how much you love her, and know that you wouldn't hurt her like that."

Elliot didn't say anything else. He was too embarrassed to admit anything else to his partner. Although he wanted to, he couldn't risk it. They ate their meals in silence, while Elliot thought about going home. Sure he'd wanted to see the kids, but he couldn't face Kathy. Not tonight. He just wasn't in the mood. He wanted to be with Olivia, he wanted so badly to pour his heart to her and tell her everything.

Olivia finally broke the silence. "So what are you gonna do?"

"Give her the divorce. What can I do?"

"I mean about tonight. Are you gonna go home? I know you don't want to."

"Doesyour offer still stand?" He asked, sheepishly.

She smiled at him and nodded gently. Shecouldn't make any words come out of her mouth. She knew if she did, they either wouldn't make sense, or she'd say something she'd regret. Despite all the times he'd stayed on her couch, she was especially excited that he'd wanted to stay tonight.

Olivia's Apartment, 2:45am.

"Oookaaaay. Here's your pajamas, blanket, sheets, some pillows. If you want you can take the bed, and I'll sleep here."

"Don't be silly, Liv. You've done so much for me already."

"Yeah, went to dinner, gave you a place to stay... oh, and ruined your marriage. Anything else for you, Mr. Stabler?"

"Liv, it's not your fault. Really. It's mine."

"I just don't see why she thinks you had an affair with me. I'm your work partner, not you're sex partner. I wouldn't do that to your family." She plopped onto the couch, Elliot sat facing her.

"I was too embarrassed to tell you this, but..."

"What?" She asked a little too curiously, she thought, but it was too late. She turned and faced him.

"Well, one night, a few nights ago, Kathy and I were... in bed.. and I... I .. God, I can't believe I'm saying this... I said your name."

Olivia's jaw dropped. She didn't know if she was mad at him for doing that to his wife, or if she was happy that, well, that he was thinking of her like that.

"I shouldn't have said anything." Elliot whispered.

"No, no. I'm just... Well, I now I can see why she thought we were... she wants a divorce because of that?"

"Well, no. We've fallen out of love. We both knew it. I mean, it's been a while. Ihaven't been cominghome right after work lately, and when I said that, I think it was the final straw."

"I'm sorry, El."

"It's better this way, you know? For the kids. It wouldn't be good for them to see our relationship like that. It's not healthy for them." He paused to look at her, trying to be strong. Sure he was sad about the divorce, but only because he knew he'd see his kids less. "You should go to bed. Thanks for the bedding stuff."

"You gonna be ok?" She asked, worried about him. She knew when it came to his kids, he would fly to the moon and back for them. And now he'd see less of them. Olivia knew that got to him.

"Yeah. I'm fine." He forced a smile. "Goodnight, 'Livia.

"'Night, Elliot."