A/N: This chapter is short, but it's 3 a.m., and…yeah. But…we like it. So enjoy! And please, review review review!


Elliot kept his eyes on the road as he said, "So?"

"What?" she replied, knowing perfectly well what he meant.

He said nothing, merely grunted.

At the next red light he looked over, and they made eye contact for an instant. Olivia looked at her feet. She could feel his eyes on her.

"He's a nice guy," she said, in answer to his silent question.

He said nothing. She knew what he was doing, forcing her to talk, leaving silences that she would need to fill.

"I told him. I couldn't help it. He…I thought he needed to know. Now I'm worried he might interfere." Elliot nodded. Olivia found herself annoyed. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing," she said, trying to stop herself. "I mean, it's not like I haven't seen these same interrogation tactics a hundred times. I'm not dumb, Elliot."

Elliot glanced over at her, half smiling. "Liv…"

"I'm not one of your kids!" She was yelling by now. "I mean, have I ever once patronized you? Just because I'm--" She finally managed to shut herself up, as she massaged her forehead.

He watched her with concern in his eyes. "Hey."

She looked up and over. Their eyes met, and they needed no spoken words. Sometimes it gets that way when you've worked together for seven years.

As he watched her, Elliot sensed Olivia's customary independence and defiance of anyone who tried to control her. But he also read anxiety, indecision, worry about the future. He knew she feared the situation would get out of her control.

In return, Olivia saw his concern for her. She could tell that even though he was deeply troubled by his own personal life, he still cared about hers. She knew she could trust him, and count on his support. But she also saw that she owed him hers as well.

"How're things with you?" she asked.

He smiled, and the smile was bittersweet. The bitterness came from the true state of his personal life. But he was touched by her concern for him, even now. Elliot felt no need to reply; she already knew.

They drove on in silence.


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Love and Kisses,

Ella and Jill