Chapter 5

This time when she wakes up it's to a loud ringing sound. She reaches for the alarm then falls back into bed. She feels sluggish like she drank a gallon of whisky. She shouldn't have a hangover; she didn't drink last night. Then it all comes back to her. She opens her eyes wide looking around. Did they really do that or was it a dream? The soreness between her legs answered that question. They had sex. She and Elliot had sex! It's not the time to panic. She needs to get up and think. When she turns around he isn't in bed. This is the second time this morning she has woken up with him gone. He probably was in the living room again. She gets up and heads to the bathroom.

When she finishes, she walks in the living room. There is on sign of him. Where could he be? Did he leave without waking her to say goodbye? That doesn't seem like him at all. She decides not over think this; so she makes herself some coffee. She looks over at the clock; she has to be at work in an hour.

When she is getting dressed she thinks about calling him. Then she thinks that's not a good idea, too needy. This is going to drive her mad, there is not doubt. They made love this morning. At least that's what it was to her. Please, he can't regret what they did. That will kill her. She sits on the end of the bed sighing, she knew they should have waited.

She finally arrives at work 30 minutes late. Cragen is not happy when he calls out to her. She walks into his office. He looks at her with a strange look, asks what is going on. Oh shit does he already know? Did El already tell him? She has to keep her cool. She impassively shrugs. He informs her Elliot called in sick today. She tells him she hasn't talked to El. That she doesn't know what is going on. She was just running late this morning. He nods and says well get to work. She lets out a long breath and goes to work.

After a long ass day at work she finally gets home. He is still on her mind. She has worried about him all day. He never called her to explain his disappearing act this morning.

While cooking dinner she remembers the phone call he received this morning. Maybe he went to talks things over with Kathy. The urge to call him is takes over her. She picks up the cell and dials his number; it goes straight to voice mail. Her head is going to explode, she needs a Tylenol. This man is going to be the death of her.

After dinner she decides to take a bubble bath to try to relax. While she is in the tub she hears a knock at the door. Just great she thinks. She gets out of the tub, wraps up in her robe, and heads to the door.

She knows it's him before she opens the door. He is still wearing the clothes from last night. She reaches for him right away. He goes to her and hugs her. She looks into his eyes and she gives him a quick kiss. When she begins pulling him in the apartment, he stops her. She looks at him with a puzzling look. Then he turns around and bends down to pick up something. She hadn't noticed Eli standing behind him. When El turns, Eli's has tears running down his face. She takes him from El and holds him tightly to her. Moving to the couch she notices El is right behind her. They all sit down holding each other in a hug. Something's happened and she's not sure she is ready to know about it. El pulls away and just looks at her for a moment, then takes Eli. He walks into her bedroom.

She just sits there wondering what is going on. A little bit later, he returns without Eli. He must have laid him down to sleep. He walks over to her as she stands up. He grabs her up, grasping at her hair, begins kissing her roughly. She pulls back from him and gives them some space. What is going through his mind right now? Eli is in the other room. She steps back from him; he just looks at her with hurt in his eyes. She asks him what happened today. He steps toward reaching for her again. She lets him this time. He pulls her into him while he grabs her neck and kisses her deep. He finally stops and sighs deeply. She reaches up and cups his cheeks wanting him to tell her. It had to have something to do with Kathy. He moves back to the couch. She just waits patiently.

Before he can say anything; Eli whimpers from her bedroom. They both start toward the room; she tells him to stay. When she gets in the room; the little guy is in the middle of her bed. He is sitting up with his thumb in his mouth. She goes over to the bed and sits beside him. He reaches for her immediately. She hugs him and tells him everything is okay. He looks up at her and he shakes his head no. He begins to sob. With tears in her eyes she pulls him into her lap. She rocks him back and forth trying to sooth him. There is so much going through her mind, she doesn't know what has happened. Eli being this upset, she knows something is wrong.

While she consoles Eli, she notices El standing at the end of the bed. She turns to looks at him with questioning eyes. She needs to know what is going on. El walks over to her and put his hand on Eli's back. He looks in her eyes and whispers the lawyer called today. The custody hearing is next Friday. Kathy told Eli this afternoon what she's planning. Eli cried and didn't want to go to Utah with her. He begged his daddy to keep him and not let her take him away. El told Kathy he would take Eli out tonight for dinner to calm him. After they ate they came over. They sigh and she hugs Eli a little tighter while El sits down behind her. He wraps his arms around her, looking down at Eli drifting off to sleep.

This precious little boy she has truly loved since the day he was born; sleeps soundly with his little hand on his chest. She puts her hand over his, feelings his chest rise and fall. She looks across the bed at El; who is finally asleep as well. She regrets not calling him earlier in the day. If she had known, she would have been there for them. She looks at them sleeping in her bed. The feeling of warmth and home flows through her.

She wishes Kathy would have just stayed away. She knows it's selfish; but Eli being torn away from all of them isn't fair. What bothers her most is the fact that Eli is probably so confused by all of this. It breaks her heart.

TBC

Will Kathy get custody? What will happen between them?

Thanks for reading.