Chapter Seventeen

"You've been quiet today," Elliot commented taking a dish to the sink. They were in his apartment today, so they could have dinner, maybe watch a movie, and let him grab a few things before heading back to her apartment.

"Any reason?" he asked and she didn't answer. Elliot walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Wha-?"

"Olivia, What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" she continued to insist.

"What- is- wrong?"

"I don't know! I don't think anything's wrong…"

"I have an idea; let's curl up together on the couch and watch an old movie. That'll cheer you up."

"No."

"Okay, so what do you want to do?"

"What's with all the questions? Leave me alone!"

"I'm worried about you. I just want you to be happy, I hate seeing you sad…"

"Well maybe… maybe I don't want to be happy. Maybe I don't want you interrogating me and then convince me that you're just trying to cheer me up. I don't want to be happy!"

"I- I don't- I, Liv, I-" he was speechless. He didn't know where this was coming from. She had been okay for the past week and now all of a sudden… he couldn't explain it.

"Will you just- I don't know. Just let me be miserable."

"Liv, please, tell me what's wrong."

"I don't even know. Can you just take me back to my apartment," Olivia asked sadly.

"Okay," Elliot gave into her watering eyes.

No one talked the whole way down. Fortunately it wasn't a very long ride. When Kathy kicked him out he got a place closer to work, and closer to Olivia. Olivia continued to stare outside when Elliot had parked. She could feel his eyes on the back of her heard, but she just watched the now falling rain. She watched drop after drop hit the window and slide down in a squiggled path.

"Come on, Liv, I'll get the umbrella-" Elliot said starting to get out, but Olivia had already gotten out of the car and walked up the couple of stares to her apartment building. Elliot jogged up to her. She stayed a step ahead of him the whole way and never said a word. Olivia walked into her apartment, almost shutting the door on Elliot. He followed down the hall confused. Olivia was looking for something, and she found it. Elliot's suitcase. She threw what she could into it and then went into the bedroom to put the rest in a pillow case. She set it outside the bedroom door, turned out the bedroom lights, and before shutting herself in the pitch-black room she looked at Elliot.

"I want you to go. For a while. I want to be alone for a few days."

"A few days… but Liv…"

"Please just go," she said. She's stubborn, but when she decides something, it's going to happen. She closed the door. He heard her lean her back against the door and slide down to the floor.

Elliot remained momentarily glued to the spot. He eventually picked up his suitcase and left her apartment. When she heard the front door close, she burst into tears.

Elliot left her apartment, but didn't leave her. She still needed protection, whether she wanted it or not. And he wouldn't trust anyone other than himself. He stayed in his car watching the building for anyone suspicious, but he needed someone to check on her. He called Casey and filled her in. Fortunately, Casey was just leaving work. If she had to come all the way from her apartment, it would've taken so much longer; she doesn't live close.

Elliot saw Casey nod in his direction before she went up to the door to be buzzed in. Olivia never answered. She stood outside waiting for someone to come down and let her in. Eventually someone did and she went up to Olivia's apartment.

"Olivia! It's Casey. Let me in, Liv" there was no answer. She had the new key, but she was putting off using it. Casey pulled out her cell phone and called Olivia. Casey could hear Olivia's phone ringing, but it remained unanswered. Olivia was self-destructing. Casey pulled out the key and opened the door. She walked down the hall cautiously and walked up to the door. Casey knocked. Olivia didn't answer or open the door.

"Fine I'll talk to you from out here. Liv, what's wrong? What happened?"

"I made Elliot leave," at least she was talking.

"Why what'd he do?"

"He tried to cheer me up."

"And that's bad?"

"I don't deserve it."

"Olivia, this is ridiculous. You deserve it more than anyone I know. He loves you. Of course he's going to want to cheer you up."

"Yeah, well he shouldn't have to pick up the pieces every time I fall apart!"

"But what if he wants to?" Elliot asked quietly walking into the apartment.

They heard movement behind the door. Olivia wasn't opening it, but she was moving out of the way so they could. Both of them walked in, but Casey was the first one to be hugged. It was harder to face Elliot. He decided to break the ice for her.

"Liv, I'm sorry. I love you."'

"El, I'm so sorry- I never meant to- I love you too, I-" Elliot pulled her into a kiss.

"Well, I guess my job here is done," Casey said before letting herself out and leaving them behind.

short?

oh well... and i had to show Liv self-destruct... she would... dont you think?... maybe i'll finish the fic today (?)