Song: Love Me Anyway - Pink (Liv's pov)

Song: Fire Away - Chris Stapleton(Elliot's pov)


Olivia was nervous. Unsure what to expect. She needed a glass of wine to relax and calm her nerves. He would be here any minute and she had no idea what would happen. Olivia placed her glass of wine on the kitchen counter and walked into her bedroom. She switched into a pretty black top with her jeans and threw her hair in a low hanging messy bun. Next she put on some lip gloss with a pink tint. She looked good. Damn good she laughed which helped her relax again.

Just then there was a knock at the door. Olivia took a deep breath as she left her bedroom and walked to her apartment door. As Olivia opened her door she could see Elliot standing there. He looked really nervous. "I like your new hair choice." Olivia laughed as she remarked on Elliot still having a completely shaved bald head.

"Yeah, I needed a change and I did it on impulse. Liv, thanks for letting me come over tonight." Elliot said as he followed Olivia into her apartment.

"Would you like a beer or something to drink? I also have diet coke, water or red wine." Olivia said as she walked in the kitchen.

"A beer is fine. Elliot said as he took the beer from Olivia. "I was surprised to see you today. Do you and Noah normally go to that park? Seems like a long drive for you."

"No, Noah and I had gone to the zoo first. We had just received a gift of annual membership for the zoos and were taking advantage of it." Olivia said as she walked into the living room and sat on the couch.

Elliot smiled. "Good, happy for you. Sounds like a great gift." Elliot said as he sat on the other end of the couch. "My kids loved going there when they were Noah's age."

"Elliot, why did you want to come over? I really don't feel like doing small talk." Olivia said as she turned towards him.

"I.." Elliot paused. "I wanted to apologize for my voicemails. I was drunk, angry and hurt. I should have never taken it out on you. I know you and my kids are only worried."

"I appreciate your apology and thank you." Olivia said as she sipped her wine. "So, you never answered my question earlier. What do you want from me?"

"You are not going to make it easy on me are you?" Elliot sighed and looked around the room avoiding looking at Olivia.

"Why should I Elliot? You reappear in my life after dead silence for ten years" Olivia said angrily.

"I want you in my life." Elliot said as he turned towards her.

"Why? And why now?" Olivia asked.

"What do you mean?" Elliot said as he rubbed his neck.

"Elliot, why do you want me in your life now after leaving with no words for ten years?" Olivia said more forcefully.

"Liv, I've always wanted you in my life. I just wasn't good for you anymore. We were too close. I always chose you over everyone. Even my own family." Elliot said as he looked down.

"How unfair. I would have taken anything from you even if you moved away. A christmas card or a yearly call. Anything so I wasn't completely shut out of your life." Olivia said as she got up from the couch to refill her wine glass.

"Liv, I meant what I said at the intervention. I always have." Elliot said as he followed her into the kitchen. He reached out trying to rub her shoulder.

"Don't." Olivia said as she pulled away and stood looking at him.

"Liv, please." Elliot said as he stepped closer to her.

"I'm tired, Elliot. Maybe you should go." Olivia said as she walked back in the living room towards the apartment door.

"What? No. We need to talk." Elliot pleaded as he walked after her.


"Elliot, you are obviously still not ready to talk." Olivia said as she turned around looking at him.

"Yes, I am ready." Elliot said as he walked to the couch and sat down. "I'm ready to hear you."

"Ok, I'm here." Olivia said coldly as she sat down on the couch.

"I never reached out because I didn't think you wanted to hear from me." Elliot said as he took a drink of his beer.

"Seriously, Elliot. I don't believe that is the reason you never reached out to me. Olivia said as she looked at him. "Answer this. How many times have you visited New York since you left?"

"Five. I've been back five times in ten years." Elliot said quietly.

"Nice. Really nice Elliot. And in those five times you could never ask me to meet for thirty minutes for coffee. So you could explain why you left with no goodbye?" Olivia said as she teared up.

"I should have. However as more time passed I became more scared to reach out. I was a coward." Elliot said.

"Well you were wrong. I would have always met you. Anytime you would have reached out. I would have been there." Olivia said as she began crying.


Both sat in silence unsure of what to say next. Olivia took a deep breath and finally said "Elliot, I'm not sure where we go from here. You broke my trust. And since you came back all you keep doing is pushing me away. You obviously still don't want me in your life. I appreciate you coming tonight so we can have closure." Olivia said as she looked at Elliot.

"What? Liv, you can't mean this.." Elliot said as his voice cracked.

"What do you mean by I love you? Olivia asked. Your friend? Your partner? Your…" Olivia looked away.

"I.. I don't know." Elliot said as he looked away.

"How can you say those words and not know the meaning? You are being selfish." Olivia screamed.

"Olivia." Elliot whispered as his eyes began tearing up.

"And would you ever reach out to me if Kathy hadn't pushed you to come to my award ceremony? Olivia asked more forcefully.

Elliot looked away unable to answer.

"Would you ever say those words if Kathy were alive? Answer to everything is no. You are only here now because Kathy is gone and you are scared of being alone." Olivia said as she cried.

"Liv, I can't lose you. Please." Elliot said as began crying.

"Your words don't match your actions. You left without saying goodbye. You never reached out. You keep pushing me away. I will not be anyone's rebound or consolation prize. I deserve someone who will love and respect me. Someone who is there when things are hard." Olivia said as stood in front of Elliot.

"Please, I will do anything. I promise." Elliot sobbed uncontrollably.

"Counseling. If you want to be in my life you need to be in counseling." Olivia said as she walked in her bedroom and shut her door. A few minutes later Olivia heard her apartment door open and close. She knew Elliot had left. However she was unsure if it was for good.