Author's Note: Sorry again for the long delay in updating this one. Turns out writing multiple stories at once leaves me a little scatterbrained. If you aren't checking out my other story "After the Rain" please. Shameless plug aside thanks to all of you for giving me your thoughts on Elliot and Olivia's argument. It was a very mixed response. In terms of the issues between them well...they won't magically disappear.

{-}

Elliot sits at his small dining room table holding his "#1 Dad" coffee mug in one hand and grasping his phone in the other. It isn't ringing. No text message notifications, no type of alert whatsoever. He blows out a deep breath, frustrated at himself for even behaving this way. They were at a standoff, neither willing to make the first move.

He spent half the night tossing and turning, picking up his phone to dial her number and then setting it back down again. It was stubborn and immature but he felt like she owed him an apology. It was also a stalling tactic. Olivia didn't do well when she was backed into a corner and if they talked about it before she was ready there was a risk she would say something that he wasn't ready to here. Still, it hurt him any second they spent mad at one another. He could've had the woman he loved next to him in bed and felt her smooth skin, the dips and curves of her luscious body. Instead he spent the night alone staring at the ceiling dozing off for no more than an hour at a time replaying the argument in his mind.

I'm sorry for trying to help you.

I do fine handling things on my own.

Under the table his knee bounces nervously, the breakfast on his plate moves around uneaten. The feeling of uncertainty rests at the pit of his belly and even though it hasn't been 24 hours, he misses her. He misses her so damn much. It seems like such a silly argument in hindsight but an issue he feels would mar the course of their relationship, her overwhelming independence and his tendency to insert himself to help her.

Elliot jerks the phone off the counter, nearly dropping the travel itinerary from work he received last night that is also in the back of his mind. He will deal with that later.

"Fuck this," he mumbles to himself and half heartedly to the airplane ticket to Denver staring back at him.

Instead of calling and risking waking up Noah he types a text message instead. Good Morning.

No that's lame. He deletes and then starts again.

Can you talk?

It's generic but maybe that will work although he still doesn't know what they will talk about. He's standing firm on what he believes….well somewhat firm. She's got to let him in and let the other shit go. They've come too far to be right back at square one. He hadn't been back in her life long but he thought when they made the decision to start their relationship they were finally done with the past. Even saying it to himself it sounded naive but he didn't expect such a fierce reaction from her regarding the situation with Noah.

Dragging his hand down his face, he sighs loudly rolling his head back and forth to release some of the tension in his neck. Nothing with them had ever been easy. He's not sure why he expected any different but he always felt prepared for Olivia's anger. As partners, he braced himself every time they were on opposite sides of a case usually involving kids or religion. In those instances he was ready for how far he would take it and sometimes anticipate her responses. He was only thrown off by her when she returned from Oregon and the tension with them had been at its height. Now he is completely blindsided. It wasn't about a case or something they could attempt to leave behind them when the verdict was in and the paperwork was completed. This could go on and on and he needs them on the same page. He needs her, more than he ever realized. Ending his marriage was one thing because he saw that coming after years of trying and failing but Olivia. He wants...no he needs this to work.

As he pushes the button to send the message his phone rings and Kathleen's name crosses the screen.

"Hey honey," he answers gruffly, pouring the rest of his cold coffee down the sink.

"Hey I know it's a little early but I have to meet a friend to hang out on the other side of town so I was going to drop off Eli."

Elliot racks his brain trying to remember something he's clearly forgotten.

Kathleen sighs. "Don't tell me you forgot."

"No, no not at all," he lies squeezing his forehead willing himself to remember. His mind has been all over the place the last 24 hours thanks to work and Olivia.

"Dad!"

"Okay I give. I forgot."

Kathleen's annoyed groan reflects exactly how he feels. "You and Eli were supposed to go and see the monster truck show later today since he got out of school early. He's been looking forward to this."

Shit.

"Did something happen with work and you have to cancel?" He's already shaking his head no even though she can't see him. Despite the changes over the past few years, it's evident that his kids sometimes forget they are his number one priority now.

"Not at all," he grimaces once again eyeing the itinerary in front of him. "Bring him on up. He and I can go grab a bite to eat or something before we go. You know I hate to buy food inside these things it costs a fortune."

That comment earns him a sarcastic chuckle from his daughter and he begins to relax a little bit. "You're such a cheapskate Dad."

"$9.50 for a hot dog," he laughs while looking around in his closet for something to put on to replace the t-shirt and sweatpants he's currently wearing. "Five bucks for a coke. I could get us both meals for that somewhere."

"Wherever that place is I don't want to eat there. By the way we're already pulling up so buzz us in."

Twenty minutes later, the three of them are gathered around the table trading barbs about Elliot being cheap and Kathleen nurses a cup of coffee, watching him intently.

"So which one are you looking forward most to seeing?" Kathleen prompts an over excited Eli.

"I just want to see them all fly through the air and smush up a bunch of cars."

His son's excitement lessens the dull ache in his chest even if for just a few moments. However, his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes and he looks up from a fresh cup of coffee to see the mirror image of his blue eyes staring back at him intently. Quickly diverting his gaze back to Eli, he continues to ask his youngest son questions and laugh at his animated gestures but he can already sense that he isn't doing much to deter his inquisitive offspring.

Kathleen stands up from the table, collecting their empty mugs on her way to the kitchen. Elliot sneaks a peek at his phone and sees that he still has no messages from her, just an email from his boss probably confirming the inevitable. His short fingernails tap the table impatiently while he shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"Hey Eli, why don't you go in your room and watch TV for a bit while me and Dad talk?"

He looks like he wants to protest but listens to his big sister anyway and walks away with his shoulders slumped.

"What's that abo-"

He stops mid-sentence at the piece of paper she places in front of him. "When were you going to tell us? Are you about to leave is that why you're being so weird?"

Elliot sighs and stands up to stretch his legs needing to create a little distance. "I was going to tell you when it was set in stone and I'm not being weird. There may be someone who can go in my place. They are only pushing this Denver thing because McMahon is really sick and can't go. He has to have surgery in a week," he explains pleading with her to understand. "You know I wouldn't just up and leave without telling you guys as soon as I could."

Kathleen's lips curl up a tiny bit and he can tell he's gotten through. "Okay well you know I have to pack for you so let me know when it's official."

"I will," he pulls her into a side hug placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm serious Dad. Or I'll send Lizzie over here and that's much worse."

He chuckles and releases her from his hold. "You get no argument from me there."

"So if it isn't work then what's going on?"

Damn. He really can't get anything past his girls.

"Don't even think about it," she holds up her hand to cut him off before he opens his mouth to give her an excuse. "Just tell me. Is it Liv?"

Elliot shrugs with a defeated stance.

"What did you do?"

Well shit, but he guesses he can't expect anything different. He doesn't have the best track record with women. He walks over to the sofa and Kathleen joins him on the other end, her arms folded and legs tucked underneath her making it clear that she's not going anywhere.

"I thought you had plans to meet your friend?" he asks hoping to remind her that she's running late for something.

"I already texted her and as luck would have it she's running behind too. So spill it."

Despite feeling a bit sheepish he relays the night's events to his daughter and thankfully she has a really good ability to listen and not interrupt which causes him to talk more. Omitting the sex on the couch of course, he talks about the mixup over Noah and how she is hell bent on doing everything herself even when he's there to help. When he's done he feels like he's made a pretty good case for himself but once he meets Kathleen's stare he realizes he may not have won her over after all.

"So?"

"You want my honest opinion?" Her tone is soft, her pink converse hitting the floor as she sits up to square her shoulders with his. He braces himself for it. It amazes him that after living in a house full of women for years he still doesn't understand them.

"You've been gone awhile. You can't expect everything to change overnight."

Steadying himself to speak again, she places her hand on his knee to stop him. "It takes time. Liv has been on her own for awhile. Even before you left y'know? Look at how it is with us kids. It's still hard for us to adjust to how everything is now that we can talk to you and that work isn't consuming your life and it's been years. Saying I'm sorry doesn't make everything just go away."

Logically what she's saying makes perfect sense but he's just trying to do the right thing for everyone and he seems to still be messing up.

"I think it's more than that. When it comes to family she just shuts me out. When everything happened with her brother, she dealt with it on her own. I had to follow her to see what was going on and we almost both got ripped. Now with Noah I just tried to watch him-"

"Ok so what do you think the reason is that she keeps you out of her family matters?"

Elliot shrugs, the tension building in his shoulders. "You know, she didn't even ask me when she helped you. She just went out there," he flails his arms, "talked to my mom and you and got all involved and didn't even ask me."

"Like you did with her brother," she reminds him and he sighs rolling his eyes. She's right.

"But why did she have to do that?" Kathleen asks.

"What?"

"Why did she have to go behind your back? She had just found out about her brother and was trying to put the pieces together but-"

Elliot stands and begins to pace while she talks. "Dad you said it yourself that she didn't even know Grandma was alive. That's pretty shitty don't you think?"

He shakes his head in denial. "That's beside the point."

"You were at her mom's funeral. You know everything about her whether she lets you in or not but you keep everything to yourself. She worked along side you everyday but how much does she know about the stuff that happened with Grandpa or about Aunt Ju-"

"Okay Okay," he interrupts waving her off.

"Dad, you just can't expect to get everything when you don't give everything. That's all I'm saying. You keep a lot bottled up. I'm sure Liv is feeling pretty vulnerable with….everything."

Elliot chuckles bitterly, hand on his hip as he looks over to the pictures of his kids on his mantlepiece. "I can't believe I'm getting romantic advice from my kids. I must be a real sorry SOB."

Kathleen smiles, grabbing her purse preparing to leave. "It's ok Dad. Just call her and work this out. Don't let this fester too long ok?"

"I won't as long as you promise not to tell your sisters. I don't want to worry them over nothing."

Staring at him knowingly, she lifts her eyebrow while putting the phone in his hand for him to call Olivia. "You just don't want to be lectured again but I hear you. I'll keep it to myself," she says grabbing the door handle, "for now."

Elliot places a quick kiss on her forehead as she yells goodbye to Eli and promises to be back later if he needs her to pack for his trip.

The sound of the door slamming echoes through the living room giving him just a few moments to think through Kathleen's advice. Eli is playing around in his room so he knows the peace is short lived. He pads over to the table with his hand gripping the phone and suddenly he's tired. With Olivia, even when he didn't want to admit it he prided himself on being her everything and pushing the doors down to let himself in when she didn't open them willingly. Never once did he think about or feel guilty for not letting her in the same way.

Their relationship had been a balanced imbalance for years. She's been vulnerable more than he's been vulnerable. He's pushed more than he was pushed. But they both protected each other fiercely and without hesitation.

He has to fix this and he's dialing her number before he even realizes.

"Hello."

The relief at hearing her voice renders him speechless for a split second before he recovers. "Hey."

"Hey." Her voice is soft, void of anger and it puts him more at ease.

"I'm so sorry Liv." For everything. For things I can't begin to explain to you.

"Me too."

His shoulders immediately relax, a weight off his shoulders. "I didn't mean-to," he stutters, scratching his eyebrows willing the right words to form.

"I know. I know I didn't mean to either." Her words come out in a desperate rush and he feels solace in the fact that the argument between them was bothering her just as much. They haven't ironed out the details of what the other is sorry for but at least the apology is out there.

"I've been meaning to call," she adds and he waves his hand as if she can see him. "No no I needed to apologize. I didn't mean to push I just-I just wanted-"

"Dad dad is it time to go yet?" Eli interrupts. His blonde curls bounce freely with his exaggerated head movements.

Elliot turns back to him, his temporary annoyance at being interrupted overpowered by the adoration of his son and his feisty attitude that he no doubt inherited from him. "Hey baby-I gotta..."

She cuts him off with an amused chuckle. "I understand. Believe me."

And she does. He's made some asshole remarks to her over the years about not being able to understand certain things because she wasn't a parent but he's happy they have this solid ground.

"I'll call you later?" He asks still a little unsure of himself.

"Yes," he can hear the smile in her voice. "You better call me later."

As he hangs up the phone he turns to an impatient Eli urging him to change shirts while he sends Olivia a quick text message.

{-}

I love you.

Olivia is glancing at the text, tracing the words on the screen when she hears a knock at the door. "Pippa? I didn't know you were coming by."

She quickly texts him back. I love you too.

"Oh trust me I won't be long because I have somewhere to be," she announces proudly. Olivia doesn't have to guess why based on how she's glowing. Her red hair is perfectly in tact and she's dressed much nicer than normal, which for Pippa is no easy feat. She's usually dressed to the nines on any given day. But today her usual skirt and blazer ensemble is replaced with a simple but form flattering black wrap dress instead.

They sit and go over case details for about a half hour when Pippa's cell rings.

Olivia lifts the lid to her laptop and begins to answer emails while she takes the call. She smirks at the noticeable change in the Pippa's body language and demeanor as she speaks low into the phone.

"Sorry."

"No explanations necessary," Olivia holds her hand up in understanding. "I think we are good for now anyway. You have everything you need and just email me if something else comes up."

Pippa blushes. "Based on the smile that was on your face when I walked in I figured you might understand."

Olivia nods and smiles not confirming one way or another. The whole situation is still a bit weird considering Pippa's short romantic tenure with Elliot.

"So what are the plans for tonight?" She asks deflecting away from any talk of Elliot.

"Well he thinks we are going for dinner later but I thought I would mix it up instead," she confesses wiggling her eyebrows.

"Enough said."

"Yeah sometimes you just have to be spontaneous you know?" Pippa says.

"Umm yeah." She hasn't been spontaneous since she can remember. Between the job and now being a mother she couldn't imagine not being on a schedule for everything. "Have a good time."

It's early evening by the time she makes somewhat of a dent in her paperwork. She checks in with Lucy verifying they are just leaving a playgroup and she considers calling Elliot. It's a Friday night and she doesn't want to spend it working on paperwork. Instead of calling she considers Pippa's words and decides to drop by his house and be a little spontaneous. Her first thought is to drop by and seduce him again, this time with a less disastrous outcome but then she remembers that Eli may still be there since they would've just gotten back from their outing. Instead she decides to have Lucy meet her with Noah at the station and they go over to Elliot's place together.

Briefly she wonders if it's too much to have their children meet but she hopes it will be somewhat of an olive branch and prove to him that she's not afraid to treat this like a real relationship. She's not always the best with words but hopefully tonight will show him that she is committed to moving things forward between them. Without a doubt, she knows she has trust issues but she wants to try. If there is anyone worth trying for...it's him. It's them.

By the time she reaches his apartment building, she's smiling despite the butterflies in her stomach and racing pulse. Noah is unusually compliant, happy to go and see his friend "Elliyah". Holding his little hand she entertains his questions about where they are and if they will play with trucks tonight.

As she holds her fist up to knock on the door, it opens unexpectedly. "Maureen?"

"Oh hey Liv!" she greets her with a beaming smile, the blue eyes that look so much like her father's lighting up at the sight of Olivia and her son. "Oh my gosh. This must be Noah."

Maureen shifts the empty pizza boxes to one hand so she can shake his. "It's nice to meet you Noah."

Noah giggles and pretends to be shy but clearly enamored with the gorgeous blonde in front of him.

"Oh you just missed Dad he will be right back. Come in," she waves them inside and points to the living area. "I'm going to throw these in the trash chute down the hall and will be right back."

Maureen disappears down the hall and Olivia takes off her and Noah's jacket. She pulls out her phone to call him when she notices a suitcase opened on his dining room table. Initially, she tells herself it's for Maureen until she notices one of his dark blue shirts that she loves on him draped across the top.

As her mind tries to process what's going on, Maureen blows back into the apartment. "He shouldn't be gone long. He's meeting mom to hand off Eli."

"It's no problem," Olivia says distractedly still staring at the suitcase. Maureen follows her line of sight and sighs evenly.

"I know it's going to be weird to have him leave again when you two just reconnected but the time should go by fast."

What?

Olivia freezes, attempting to not show any emotion at Maureen's words and give away that she had no idea. He's leaving. He's leaving and hadn't even told her. When was he going to say something?

Her mind races while Noah says something to Maureen distracting her from Olivia's lack of speech.

"It really is nice that you two came by to see him off. I'm sure he will appreciate the surprise."

How could he do this? Again. How could he not say anything? The last few days had been a blur but she knows that he hadn't said anything about a work trip.

"Mommy," Noah calls out pulling her from her thoughts.

"Yes honey."

"Can I see please?"

He looks at her expectantly with those brown eyes that always melt her heart and she hates that she wasn't tuned into what they were talking about. It takes Maureen a moment before she senses that something is wrong and quickly takes the lead. "Eli has some really cool stuff in his room so I thought I could show this little guy some of it."

Olivia shakes her head yes still unable to speak. Her hand grips her cell phone, anxious to call Elliot the second Maureen and Noah cross the threshold into the bedroom. She needs an explanation and fights the urge to just take her son and leave. Her head started to throb. It was all too much. What if she hadn't come over? Their conversation earlier had been cut short but it didn't sound like he was going to bring up anything about work. No matter what happened between them he should've told her the second he knew he would be leaving. Especially considering what happened between them before.

She pinches her forehead before beginning to dial his number when she hears the doorknob turn. Her breath stops in her throat, heartbeat accelerating as she watches him enter. Elliot smiles at her instantly, his face lighting up until he notices her stoic expression. It doesn't take him long to put the pieces together. The open suitcase and the startled look on her face. His eyes close briefly, nostrils flaring. His fists open and close repeatedly before he turns around and closes the door behind him.
She needs him to start talking. Now.

"Liv, let me explain."