A/N: We would like to thank all who reviewed. Really, guys, we really really really appreciate it. So we dedicate this next chapter to our reviewers. We heart you!
The chain of events may seem bizarre, but we think if you really think about it, it makes sense what happens and why, and how the characters respond.
Enjoy!
"So, Liv, you want to tell me what's up?" Elliot said from his place behind the wheel.
"Really, I don't know. I've just been—off."
Elliot cast her a skeptical look.
"I'm sure it's nothing. You've got enough to worry about—I'll be fine. I'll be back in a few days," Olivia assured him.
Back at her apartment, Olivia sat on the couch and wondered what was wrong with her. She was exhausted nearly all of the time, but now she had this overwhelming and constant fatigue. She'd worked cases for three days straight without sleep before, but she hadn't done that recently. And she never felt this bad afterwards. Maybe Elliot was right. Something was up. The memory she'd been blocking was back along with a terrifying revelation. Oh my God. It's not possible. I'm always careful. Always. Oh God, careful's not always enough.
Olivia stared, expressionless, at the pregnancy test. The phone rang, thrusting her back into reality, the last place she wanted to be at the moment. She ignored it: if it was anyone from work, they would have called her cell. It would go away eventually.
Eventually came, and it didn't go away. The phone kept ringing until Olivia felt that even if it stopped, she would still hear it in her head. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Olivia?"
Olivia froze. It was the guy. The forgettable guy who wouldn't, and now couldn't, be forgotten. What could she say to him? A thought came into her mind.
"Uh, hi. Listen, I know this is gonna sound a little weird, but…that night, do you remember…did we use anything?"
"Oh, you mean…" he sounded surprised. "Of course."
Olivia was momentarily relieved. At least she had remembered that, so she could be a victim of a small statistic. The precaution that didn't work. At least it wasn't on her.
She shuddered with the realization that it didn't matter. It was without a doubt 'on her,' because no excuse could make this go away. It was on her because she had to deal with it.
"Olivia, are you alright?" She slammed the phone down. No. She was not alright. She knew what she had to do. She called the clinic.
As soon as Olivia hung up the phone, it rang. Tired in every sense of the word, and sick not only to her stomach, but of the damn phone ringing, she answered.
"Yeah?"
"Look, have I done something? I'd really like to see you again." His concern seemed genuine, but she didn't even know his name. Wait…John? Joe? Jerry? No…Jim. That was it. Jim…Orwell? Olsen? Orbach? Owens! Jim Owens. "Do you want to get together sometime?" he was saying. "For coffee, maybe?"
Of course not. This was over; it was being taken care of. She wouldn't let anything this guy felt get in the way of her decision. She barely knew him; she certainly felt no obligation to keep from damaging his feelings.
"Look, Olivia," Jim Owens was saying, "I know you're probably busy, but I'm flexible. We can meet whenever you want—if you do want to meet, that is."
Did she? Of course she didn't. But could she really do this without his even knowing what had happened? She would just meet him once, find out that he was just like the rest of them, and then she would have no regrets and a clear conscience.
"Sure."
"Olivia? What are you doing here?" Elliot eyed her suspiciously.
"Oh, it turns out I didn't need a few days. I'm better." Olivia smiled brightly. Her reassuring smile did little to reassure her partner. He raised his eyebrows.
"Okay, well we found something out about our perp—"
"I'll be right back. Hang on." Elliot watched as his partner made a dash in the direction of the bathroom.
Everyone else had left. Elliot had no one to go home to, and Olivia didn't want to go home. They sat at their desks, silently finishing paperwork. Finally, Olivia sighed as she stood up to go. Elliot rose and walked over to her. Gently, he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Do you wanna talk?" He watched her face closely. She looked away.
"Really, I'm fine. Everything's taken care of."
Elliot paused. "Who's the father, Liv?"
Olivia's stomach dropped two floors.
"What?" she said. Elliot looked her in the eye. "Do you think everyone knows?"
He simply looked at her. She sighed heavily, wearily. "I thought I was protected, but…"
He gave a small, ironic smile. "Trust me, I know. So what are you gonna do?"
"I called the clinic."
He nodded. "Have you talked to the father?"
She hesitated. "Well…he called me. He wants to go out for coffee."
"Did you tell him?"
"No."
"Are you planning to?"
"No. I just want this to be over. I barely know the guy…" she stopped, realizing how this sounded.
"Are you gonna meet him?"
His partner looked at the ground. He knew he was asking too many questions. Poor Olivia. He knew she just wanted to get on with her life. She wanted the problem not to be there. But it was, and Elliot knew all too well how that felt. Olivia was pregnant. Elliot sensed her need for comfort, despite how hard she was fighting it. He put out his arms and she stepped into a hug.
Final note: Hope you enjoyed the latest installment. We'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as we can! All our love! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
-Ella and Jill
