She hadn't told Dr. Huang this, but one way Olivia fought against the relentless turmoil was sex. Lots of it. Cumming was the only time her brain didn't hurl insults at herself, so angry and fearful that after everything else she would lose the only thing she had. Her partner.

The therapy (at least in her eyes) wasn't helpful. She was no less angry and Elliot still could barely look at her. Until now it had been voluntary, and as she had her loins vicously tossed she was thinking about just refusing. Everything else had gone wrong, she might as well face the music.

She cried out and tossed her head back, in so much pleasure she was almost in pain. Years ago she promised herself (after working a case with her fed ex Andy Eckerson) that she would never date him again. But this wasn't dating. And besides, after the few weeks she'd had even risk taking behavior sounded nice.

They'd been going at it in her bed for almost an hour and a half, dead to the world. That is, until their metaphorical banging transformed to literal banging. At the door. "Are we being that loud?" Olivia huffed to herself. This caught a look from Andy because he was certain that they were.

An animalistic sneer on her face, she rolled out the bed and slipped into a short robe. Andy watched as she grabbed her weapon and headed towards the door. Not one to be outdone he slipped into his boxer briefs and followed her, his gun behind his back.

"Who's there?!" Olivia screamed, preparing to open her door. She opened it quickly and dropped her weapon to see it was only Elliot, standing red-faced at her door. She lowered Andy's gun, who turned and retreated back into Olivia's room.

"Elliot?" He stood, breaths tumbling out heavily, and stared at her.

"You," he breathed, pointing. "You didn't..." He came in without invitation, Olivia placing her hands haughtily on her hips. "You didn't answer, Liv. You didn't answer..." Olivia's shoulders sagged tiredly when she realized how scared he had been when he couldn't contact her. Thinking of the last time that happened and truly how many enemies they both had.

"Elliot..." Andy appeared in her hallway fully dressed, somehow feeling like he was third wheeling.

"Hey, Livvie. I'm gonna go..." He called quickly, neither of them really noticing. He slipped out, grateful to be gone

Olivia felt so guilty, not meaning to ignore Elliot because she knew this would be his response. "I'm sorry I didn't hear my phone." She said, her voice gentler than it'd been in days. Elliot just breathed his eyes darting everywhere but Olivia.

"I thought you were..." He trailed off, realizing it was pointless now to continue the thought. " He stole a glance at her. "Andy? Really? Really, Olivia." She winced instinctually, knowing he was gonna acknowledge that.

"We have different ways of dealing, Elliot. You've been working out. Non-stop." She chased his stare until she caught it. He stared at her for a moment, wondering how she could even tell.

"How-"

"I know everything about you, Elliot." She said, her voice pained. "Every time we had to go on stakeouts in motels. You worked out the entire time." Her eyes slide down his physique. "You're about to bust out of your button-ups. Just working out, hoping next time you'll be able to rip free of rope or metal chains." Her gaze dropped as he took a shaky seat.

"I work out constantly. Kathy, the kids. They're gone." Olivia leapt to her feet.

"What?! Right now? When you need them, Elliot. Really?" He shook his head, his eyes spacing out.

"I told them. I told them to go." Olivia took a few steps back, so confused by the person who had replaced her partner.

"I'm sorry, Elliot, but what the fuck?" He jumped up suddenly, causing her heart to slam in her throat.

"I-" He reached out to grab her but dropped his arms. "The things I did to you..." Olivia shook her head in protest.

"Elliot, stop-"

"I don't want them near me." He stared brokenly at her, his body sagging. He was so tired of being tired. He wasn't sure how much longer he could take it.

"You didn't do anything to me, Elliot." Their eyes finally met. She went closer to him. "You could never do anything to hurt me. And I couldn't do anything to hurt you. We both know that." Elliot suddenly began to panic as she became closer to him. It was like in his worry he forgot how damn uncomfortable he was around her now.

He backed off, stumbling. "You're okay. I just came to make sure..." Olivia started to follow but she stopped herself. As awful as it felt she was Elliot's trigger, and pursuing wouldn't help either of them.

"Just tell me what I have to do." She called out as he opened the door. He froze, guilt filling his stomach.

"You didn't- It's not your fault." He sighed a heavy sigh, looking back at her. "Give therapy a chance. It's our only real chance to get through this." Like a ghost he disappeared through the cracked door, leaving Olivia alone.