Chapter 25
After Sarah went upstairs to take a rest, Elliot said to Kathy, "Why do you have to do this? I really don't know what she has ever done to you?"
Kathy looked at him and said, "You really don't, do you?"
"Kathy, what are you talking about?"
"Our life has never been the same since she became your partner. You've always loved your work but she has changed everything. I knew that one day you would leave me for her and although, I really didn't think it would take this long, she still got you in the end.
And the fact that she didn't steal you and that she was always nice to me makes it even worse. She makes it impossible for me to hate her without looking like a jackass. And that everyone loves her and thinks she is the most wonderful person, doesn't make it easier either."
"I don't know what to say."
"Then don't. I will never be able to accept her. I just can't."
"What are you saying?"
"I have realized today that I can't handle having her around. No matter how nice or courteous she is. I don't hate her as a person but I can't handle her near me or my family. She took too much from me."
"Kathy! What are you saying?"
"There is this job in DC that I am going to apply for."
"You can't take the kids from me, Kathy. I am their father!"
"And I am their mother and what's going on here right now is not healthy for them, for none of us. You can still see them weekly like now, it's only a 1h flight or a 3 to 4 hours drive."
"Are you kidding me? I don't want them to leave and I am sure they don't want to leave either. They have their friends and their school here. You can't just decide to move to DC!"
"Let's just stop for today, okay? I am exhausted. Our daughter just told us she is gay and then I had to bear with your fling, it was just a lot. I won't decide anything before we talk again, but think about it.
It'll make it easier for all of us."
"My fling? Seriously? I love her and I won't let you take my kids to DC!" With that he turned around and left the house angrily.
"Hi." Liv said while letting him in.
"Hi." he said before pulling her in a close hug.
"Damn, I've missed you." he said, still not letting go of her. Liv smiled.
"You've seen me not long ago."
"Yes, I have SEEN you, but that's all. We didn't really talk, not to speak of touching, although all I wanted was being close to you."
"I have missed you too." she whispered.
He let go of her and moved just as far away, that he was able to look at her face. He took it in both of his hands and kissed her eagerly. She returned the kiss and he lifted her up and carried her to her bedroom. They started to undress each other with a rush, both eager to feel one another.
They were lying next to each other, breathing heavily and both pretty exhausted but satisfied.
Liv couldn't stop to smile like an idiot. This was exactly what she needed, it was way too long since their last time but with the incident, her injuries and his FBI training, it just didn't really fit in.
She turned her head to look at him and when she looked at his face she found him already looking at her, she smiled and whispered,"Hi."
"Hi." he answered grinning. They stared at each other for a while until Liv said, "I am starving, you too?" He started to laugh and said, "I love you."
"That's nice but are you hungry?" she asked grinning.
He sat up and put himself on top of her, making it unable for her to move.
"That's nice! Nice! Seriously?" he said playfully enraged. Liv started to laugh.
"Well, yes it really is." She realized too late that it was a mistake to say this. He started to tickle her and she started to scream in amusement.
"Elliot stop! For real, stop it!" she said during her laughs. He stopped tickling her but he still had her pinned down under him. She started to relax again.
"You know I hate being tickled." she said breathlessly.
"You seemed pretty happy." he said grinning.
"You know damn well that no one can control this. Everyone laughs while being tickled."
"If you say so." he said amused.
She tried to get up but she couldn't even move the slightest bit. She tried to outsmart him, by starting to kiss his neck, but he reacted immediately and pushed her back down.
"Not this time. I know exactly what you're trying to do." he said with a wink.
"So, how do I get my food then? What do you want?" she asked, challenging.
He pulled her legs apart with his free hand and put one and then both legs between hers. She looked at him pleasantly surprised.
He pinned her arms down above her head with one hand and started to kiss his way down her body. She bit her lip in joyful anticipation and suddenly she felt him inside of her, she tried to free her hands but he held them tight.
He thrusted in and out, gentle at first but when he felt her sexual excitement his thrusts became faster and faster.
He let go of her hands and she put them on his back, pulling him down to her. They stared into eachothers eyes and started to kiss each other eagerly.
Liv was almost there and he could see it in her eyes. And when she climaxed she dug her nails in his back.
A few seconds later he came too.
He rolled off of her and lay down next to her, breathing heavily while grabbing her hand. She squeezed his hand and they lay there like this until their breathing became normal again.
"You still hungry?" he asked.
"Starving." she said. He sat up and looked for his clothes.
"Well, let's see what you have in your fridge." he said while leaving the room. Liv got dressed too and followed him into the kitchen.
"There should be leftovers from yesterday's take out." she said.
"Yep, already putting them on plates."
She sat down at the kitchen table and watched him reheat their food.
"Thank you." she said when he handed her the plate.
"You're very welcome." he said smiling.
They both started to eat greedily and when they realized how they gulped down their food, they started to laugh.
"Seems like we were both pretty hungry." El said grinning.
After they had finished their food they lay down on the sofa.
"What did Kathy say to you outside?"
"Nothing special. Don't worry. I can handle her." He shook his head.
"If you had an Ex like her I would have a problem with it. No one deserves to be treated like this. I just hope you will talk to me before it gets too much for you. I don't wanna lose you because of her."
She grabbed his hand and kissed it.
"You won't lose me because she is talking to me in a not so friendly way. And I will talk to you if something's really bothering me."
"In a not so friendly way- well I wouldn't say it in these words. She talks to you more like in a fucking condescending and unfair way. I just don't want you to bottle it up because you don't want to cause problems."
"I mean, sure, I would react differently if the kids weren't involved but that doesn't mean that I am bottling it up. I just try to handle things more diplomatically because of them."
"Just don't let her think you don't know how to fight back." Liv started to laugh.
"I'm a cop. I am sure she knows that I am nobody who can be pushed around. Don't worry." He smiled.
"If you say so, badass cop lady." she punched him playfully on the arm. He just laughed and pulled her closer.
"I'm just fooling around. You know that I know best what you're capable of. I wouldn't want to be someone you chase."
"Then you better behave." she said laughing.
Liv's phone rang.
"It's Sarah." she said to Elliot.
"Hey sweetie, everything alright?"
"Liv! Lauren just called! Her mom and her brother talked her dad out of it. She will stay in our school and her mom also allowed her to see me!"
"Sweetie, that's amazing. I am so happy for the two of you. I am glad her mom stood up for her."
"Me too. Thank you for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you. Oh my god. I am so happy. I just can't."
"You're so very welcome. I told you, that you can always count on me."
"I know. You are the best! I have to go now, mom wants me to help her with something but I needed to call you immediately after Lauren and I hung up."
"That's really sweet, thank you. You better get going."
"Can you tell dad? I mean he is with you, right?"
"Yes to both."
"Great. Thank you again. Bye."
"Bye."
She turned around to look at Elliot.
"Your daughters love life seems to be fine again. Lauren's mom stood up for her.
God, I am so glad she did. It's so good for Lauren to be supported by her mom. She is such a sweet girl."
"How can you say that, if you don't even know her? And 'your daughter's love life' is something I won't get used to. She is still my little baby girl."
"I do know her. I met her when I visited Sarah at school. You remember?"
"You did? Wow. My girlfriend stole my daughter. I am glad I did even hear about the girl and you already met her a while ago!"
"El, I am sorry if I've gone too far. It's just that she came to me and.."
"Liv, relax. I am glad that she trusts you. I couldn't wish for a better person for her to look up to." She looked him in the eyes and said, "Thank you. You're way too good to me."
"I am just being honest." he said while pulling her closer.
It was sunday, El's day with the kids, so Liv wanted to be gone before Kathy arrived with them. They should be here at 8.30am, so around 8 Liv left the apartment but right at this moment the elevator opened and Kathy stepped out of it with the kids. Liv's only thought was Shit!
"Olivia!" Lola screamed and ran over to Liv, hugging her tightly.
"I've missed you!" the girl said.
"Hey sweetheart. I've missed you too. It's so good to see you." she turned her head to look at Elliot, who was still standing in the doorway and mouthed a "I'm sorry." but he just smiled and shook his head, to tell her everything was fine.
"Hey Kath. You're quite early." he said. Kathy looked at him for a second but then her gaze went back to Liv.
"Well, I didn't know we were interrupting something. Maybe you can make that clear next time." she said feistily.
"You're not. I was just about to leave." Liv said and then she turned to the girls,"It was nice seeing you two. Wish you a fun day with your dad. Bye."
She looked at Kathy and said goodbye to her too, then she walked past them towards the stairs.
"Do you really have to go?" Lola asked.
"Let her go, Lola." Kathy hissed.
What was she supposed to do? She didn't want another fight with Kathy or to cause more problems but she couldn't just ignore the girl.
"It's family time, Lola. Go spend the day with your dad. I know he has big plans." she said with a wink.
"But.." Lola tried to say but she couldn't finish the sentence because Kathy interrupted her again.
"Leave it alone now! Now go over to your dad, you didn't even say hi to him."
Liv wanted to go but her phone rang and it was at the bottom of her purse so she had to stop to put all her stuff down to find it.
"Benson." she said when she finally found it.
"There is what?!" she said way too loud and upset not to arouse everyone's attention.
"Are you kidding me? How can something like this even happen?... Did anyone get hurt?... Okay, good… but what about my apartment? ..That's my fucking home!" at this moment she realized that the kids were listening, she turned to them and mouthed a sorry.
Elliot looked at her worriedly and questioningly but she couldn't talk to him now, she had to take care of this first.
"So, what is the plan? When can I go back there? ... You have to be kidding me! This is just… Yeah, I guess so. Okay. Bye."
"What is going on?" Elliot said while making his way towards her. Liv just stood there looking overwhelmed.
"Apparently, there's a huge whole in the ceiling of my apartment." was all she was able to say. Elliot looked at her confused.
"There is what?" he said disbelieving.
Liv shook her head and sighed.
"I don't know. Something about old pipes and water damage and that it isn't safe to go there because no one knows if other parts will break down and I really don't know. It's a fu.. It's a joke. I can't go there before they are sure it's safe, the janitor will call me again tomorrow."
"Oh my god. This is crazy. What are you going to do now?" he asked, looking at her while she tipped something in her phone.
"I'll book myself a room where I can stay overnight. I can't even get my stuff. No work clothes, nothing."
"Don't be ridiculous, you will stay with me. Come inside." he said. Liv looked at him with disbelief.
"El, this isn't a good idea, I'll get a room, it's not a big deal." she whispered.
He knew why she didn't want to stay, it was because of Kathy, but he wouldn't let her go in a hotel and Kathy had to understand that.
"Liv, she will understand." he saw Liv's look and continued, "Well, maybe not but come on, this is different and I really want you to stay, please."
"Come on, Olivia, you have to stay here. Come on, get inside with us." Sarah said suddenly standing next to them.
Elliot smiled and took Liv's bags.
"You heard her, let's go."
He walked towards his apartment door and Olivia followed him pretty sure that this wasn't a good idea and as soon as she saw Kathy's face she knew she was right.
Inside they all sat down at the kitchen table and strangely, Kathy didn't make a move to go home.
"Are you staying here today too, mom?" Lola asked innocently.
"I just thought it would be nice to spend some time as a family but I guess this won't happen today." she said with a dismissive look at Olivia.
This was just amazing. Liv wanted to be at home so badly, right now. The fighting with Kathy was tiring and she didn't even want to fight.
"I'll go make some tea. Anyone?" Liv asked while getting up.
"Someone seems to feel pretty at home here!, Kathy said to her quietly. Olivia ignored Kathy's comment and took the orders from the others.
She needed to get away from this woman for at least a few minutes, or she would punch her in the face. This whole thing with her apartment was enough for her to worry about, she didn't need this woman to constantly pick on her, not now, not today. She could feel El's worried look on her back but she didn't want to turn around, she didn't want him to start a fight with Kathy because of her again. She knew he was on her side and that he would always fight for her but she didn't want him to do it, it wasn't worth it.
