The sun was up and a breeze blew in through the open window catching a bare patch of shoulder skin peeking through the comforter.

He mumbled groggily and moved deeper down in to the bed for warmth.

A smell of some kind had traveled up and in to his bedroom, but it was indecipherable.

And there were voices.

Yawning widely he opened his eyes ever so much, just enough to comprehend where he was.

'Oh no'

His mind registered the bedroom and his smelly body and the grime that covered him.

Another yawn and that smell of food opened his eyes further. He sat up in bed and gave his head a shake, what had happened? How had he gotten here?

Because the last thing Elliot remembered was stumbling from his front door and in to the night.

And who was downstairs?

Slowly Elliot slid out of bed, his feet unsteady but still willing to hold him so that he could walk out to the banister and listen below:

"What now?"

"I don't know. Maybe rehab, it's what he needs I think."

"Me too, but how're we gonna get him there, he's not gonna wanna go willingly and I know it."

"Uh-huh, but we've gotta be firm. And I think if Elliot realizes that Kathy and now all the kids know he'll clean his act up."

Then there was silence for a minute.

And another voice that next minute.

"He's not up yet?"

"Sorry honey, your dad's still out cold."

"I'm gonna go sit outside for awhile."

"OK, honey."

Footsteps followed, Elliot crept back in to the hallway so Maureen wouldn't see him. Just as he was about to resume his position Liv walked out too and Elliot had to quickly shrink back into the shadows.

Sitting up against the wall he blinked several times as bits and pieces of the past few days slipped in to his memory.

There was the mess and Maureen finding him, then her leaving and his drinking some more. Then Liv showed up and left with his daughter. Next came the car and the Grey Goose and the beach. Someone called his name hours later and his body ached with the jerky move to the car. Captain Cragen had helped him in to bed...

Kathy had shown up ... and that was all he could recall.

They werecoarse details, but enough to make him want to die with every foul emotion.

Closing his eyes Elliot rested his head against the wall, exhaustion taunting him some more.

Maureen sat outside on the porch swing and breathed in the morning air.

She wanted to melt in to the past if it was at all possible, perhaps inhaling great gulps of a world she'd once known would make her wish come true.

But everytime she closed her eyes the look in Andre's eyes during ... during what? What could it be called that had gone on? It wasn't just sex because that was a mutual decision, but Maureen didn't think it was rape either ... she didn't know...

Then that look the next day and his apology and that look when he turned and walked away.

And again, when Maureen had told him she was pregnant.

It was a look of pure emptiness, his tone hollow and unfeeling.

Did that make Andre a perp? Someone Liv and the squad arrested and someone Ms. Novak prosecuted?

No, no it couldn't...

Her stomach flopped then, nerves Maureen told herself; she blinked several times and turned her face to the expanse of neighborhood.

A breeze blew at her face drying the stray tears that had fallen unconsciously.

New thoughts invaded ... about her father...

What would happen? Where would he go? Would he get help?

So many questions still turned spirals in Maureen's mind that she didn't see Liv join her until the older woman sat down on the swing next to her.

"What are you thinking about?"

This was the most direct question Liv had asked her yet.

"Everything and nothing. Andre, the baby, daddy," Maureen turned to look at Liv but couldn't bring herself to meet Liv's gaze and again turned her eyes to her hands.

"What can I do for you?" Liv wondered quietly.

Shrugging Maureen also shook her head, but supplied a worded answer, "I don't really know, I mean I'm still so confused about what happened with Andre and what to do about the baby. Then there's everything concerning Dad and what comes next."

"Would you like the squad's help in pressing charges? Or simply my help with navigating through this and beyond?"

Maureen looked up this time, in to her father's partners' eyes ... her friend's eyes and held the eye contact for a moment while procuring an answer from her mind.

"I don't want to press charges because it is too late and there is no evidence besides the child I have growing inside me. I want your help, Liv. I don't know what's coming next with anything and I'm scared. I'm angry at Dad now too and sad. Mom and I probably won't speak for awhile because that's how she's become. And the kids don't need this, they need Dad to get his act together. And me, I need you."

It was the most Maureen had said and the most thought and feeling she'd put in to any monologue yet.

Liv nodded, "OK, I am here for you. We will get through this, you're not alone."

Maureen leaned over and wrapped her arms around Liv's neck, her head laying on the older woman's shoulder and Liv wrapped her own arms around Maureen and hugged her close, as a mother does.

"I know..."

"Welcome to the land of the living, Elliot."

Cragen stood in the doorway of his detective's bedroom and watched Elliot glare out the window.

"Hi Cap," his voice was stony and cold with numbness.

Walking farther in Captain Cragen sat down on the bed and stared at Elliot's back, "Are you with me right now?"

A nod.

"I have a good feeling you've gotten a hand around what's happened these past few days so I'm just going to jump right in, you need help. Liv and I both know it and I think you do too. You need rehab and counseling. This will be kept between you, me, and Liv workwise. Personally, this is gonna take everyone. Right now it's all about you."

Cragen took a breath, this was tiring to say the least.

"Fine" came Elliot's small voice, the tone unchanging.

He'd expected, almost hoped for a fight or some sort of staredown, but all the same Cragen was thankful for no argument and no shouting matches.

"Are Liv and my daughter here?"

"Yes, they're outside talking ... they've grown very close ... and they're both worried as hell about you. I think I know who the two most important women are for you."

To this Elliot gave no response.

During their lull in speech Maureen and Liv walked up and in together, it was as if they had a keen sense ... they probably did.

"I need help..."

It was all any of the three of them needed to hear from the one.

What are you thinking now? I'd love to hear :) Well I do apologize again for not updating quicker but my life academically and personally is off balance so... Anyway I love reviews so keep them fresh :). Later Dayz...