Chapter Song: Guiding Light - Foy Vance

Elliot saw Olivia walk off towards the park's playground. Noah must be here as well. Elliot thought as he followed behind her. He needed to talk to her and very least apologize for his voicemails. He felt embarrassed letting his anger and hurt get the best of him. He sent a text to Angela saying he saw a friend in the park and please meet him there in a few minutes.

"Liv, can we talk?" Elliot asked as he approached Olivia. She was sitting on a park bench watching Noah as he was making his way across the monkey bar rings."Please just five minutes?" Elliot asked as he stood in front of her.

"Fine, five minutes. I'm not sure what you want Elliot. Everytime I reach out you push me away again. And your voicemails. You can't expect me answering at three am when your last call came. I have a child who gets up every day by 6:30 am so he has time to wake up before school. I am also now Captain of SVU. I go to bed early." Olivia said as she sighed looking at Elliot.

"Liv, I'm sorry. I messed up with the calls." Elliot said as he sat down next to her.

"Did you mean what you said in the voicemails?" Olivia asked as she looked ahead watching Noah.

"Yes, I need space. All I'm doing is hurting you the same way I did when I left ten years ago." Elliot said quietly.

"Well it seems like you are not pushing everyone away." Olivia said sarcastically as she turned and glared at him.

"Who, Angela?" Elliot asked as he looked at her.

"Yes, I saw her comforting you as Noah and I were walking into the park. She was rubbing your back and you gave each other a hug. Every time I've tried reaching out to comfort you." Olivia paused. "You push me away. Or physically recoil from my touch. How do you think that makes me feel?" Olivia said as she got up from the park bench.

"Liv, please wait. Give me a chance to explain." Elliot said as he got up from the park bench and walked towards her.

"Elliot, what a cute park. Order took longer than expected. I got us some nachos." Angela said as she walked up.

Elliot turned and smiled as Angela approached. "Angela, hey. I love nachos. Let me carry them for you. I like to introduce you to Olivia, my old partner from SVU."

Angela smiled as she shook Olivia's hand. "Very nice meeting you Olivia."

"Mom, can we go get nachos?" Noah asked as he ran up to Olivia. "Who are you?" Noah asked as he looked at Angela and Elliot.

"Noah, this is Elliot. We used to work together and his friend Angela." Olivia said as she looked at Noah.

"Hi, can we go now mom? Remember Jack coming over for dinner and a movie." Noah asked excitedly.

"Yes, honey of course. Jack is going to be bringing us pizza. We should stop and get some dessert. Maybe ice cream?" Olivia said as she noticed Angela slip her arm around Elliot's arm.

"Bye. Liv. Hope you have a good night" Elliot said as Olivia walked away. Elliot wanted to know who the hell Jack was. And how much he mattered to Olivia.


Olivia and Noah arrived home from the park. It was a long day. First they had gone out for breakfast with Amanda and her girls. Next was the Prospect Park Zoo. Her surprise gift really would be something they would use a lot. Noah loved learning about animals. When they were at the zoo today Olivia learned of kids programs Noah could enroll in.

"So what was your favorite animal you saw today? Mine was the otters. They always make me laugh." Olivia said as she put the ice cream in the freezer.

"I liked everything Mom. Can I do a summer camp? Looks like a lot of fun." Noah asked as he got paper plates and napkins and set them on the kitchen table.

"Yes, honey. I like you to go to summer camp and a few other programs. If you like to go you need to do a few things first. Spring semester you need to have good grades and nothing below a C. Also includes no missing or late homework. Here at home you need to do your weekly chores. Sounds like a deal?" Olivia asked as she was also excited for Noah to have this opportunity.

"Cool." Noah said as there was a knock at the door. "Jack, come on, let's have pizza and watch a movie." Noah said excitedly as his friend came inside carrying a pepperoni pizza.

"Guys you can eat your pizza in the living room. Please just clean up when you are done eating." Olivia said as she took a couple slices of pizza and walked in her bedroom. She was happy Noah had a friend over.

9:30pm - Noah had ended up going over to Jack's apartment for a sleepover around 8:30pm. Most weekends Olivia and Jack's family traded off sleepovers or occasional carpools for school. Jack lived on the same apartment floor as Noah and they were inseparable.

Olivia had spent the last twenty minutes debating if she should text Elliot. She felt she was a bit rude even if some of it was justified. Sometimes he was just so clueless and he did say he wanted distance.

Elliot, I didn't mean to be rude today. Hope you are ok. - Liv Ok, there I can relax now. Olivia thought. She hated tension. And she knew someday she and Elliot would need to talk things out. And until they did little things would irritate her or remind her of her pain. Her phone buzzed not even a minute later.

Liv, can we talk? Could I come over for a few minutes? - Elliot

Could you be here by ten? Noah went to a sleepover. I have some time now. - Liv

I'm leaving now. Be there in twenty minutes. Thank you Liv. - Elliot