A/N: So there I was. Sitting in World History, listening to Coach Tabor discuss World War I when suddenly … BAM! This idea just hit me. And no, it had absolutely nothing to do with imperialism. Or Franz Ferdinand.

But Elliot and Olivia were involved.

You see, right now, I should be working on my I-Search paper for language arts, or starting my math homework. But the pull of my characters is just too strong.

Dangerously Close was supposed to be a one-shot. A single little E/O moment; my opinion about what should have happened in Paternity. But I have had many requests to continue. I think I might … well, obviously I am. I mean, seriously. : - )

Elliot and Olivia … are they really together? Or was that kiss just a way for Elliot to show his relief that Liv was okay? How will his kids react when they find out what happened?

I have no idea how long I intend to make this story, but I'm definitely going to continue. A lot of my teachers will be angry with me … ha ha. Well, actually it'd probably only be Ms. Davis who's angry, but oh well.

Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy chapter 2.

Disclaimer: Dick Wolf is one lucky man. And as much as I would love to own this show and do with it as I please, Dick has yet to get back to me about my offer. sigh Until then, it's not mine.

"Elliot. I hate it here," I complained again for the millionth time. "Why won't they let me go?"

"Liv… you've only been here for about 30 minutes." He attempted a small smile, but I could see through his mask. He was in far worse pain than I was.

"30 minutes too long," I grumbled, laying my head back against the pillow and looking at my partner, my best friend. "Elliot …" I whispered.

He looked up at me with tears forming in his eyes. I swallowed a lump in my throat. If there was one thing in this world I couldn't stand, it was seeing this man in pain.

I didn't know what to say. How could I comfort him? His wife and son had just died in a car wreck that I had caused. I'm surprised he didn't hate me.

"I'm so sorry," I choked out.

"Hey," he soothed, reaching over from the chair and placing his hand on mine. "It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you for this."

"But I do," I said softly.

"Well, don't." As if it were that easy.

"Elliot, if I had paid more attention. I - there was something I could've done. There had to have been."

"No there wasn't," he argued. "That guy came out of no where. Please don't blame yourself for this."

"Dammit El. I'm a murderer."

"Liv, please." Now I could see the tears flowing freely from under his eyelashes. Slowly, I reached my hand up and wiped them away. He gave me a weak smile and placed his warm hand over mine.

"Dad!" I glanced up from the horrible crisp, white, linen sheets of the bed. Running through the doors, were all of Elliot's kids: Maureen, Kathleen, Dickie and Lizzie. Seeing their faces so full of anguish was enough to make me feel even guiltier.

Kathleen walked over to me while the other three hugged their dad. "Hey Olivia," she whispered, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Kathleen, I - I'm so sorry. I tried - I wanted - It was -"

"Liv. It wasn't your fault. Millions of people get into car accidents every day. That other guy was drunk."

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Here I was; the murderer of their mother and unborn brother, and she was trying to make me feel better.

"Come here sweetheart," I uttered softly, pulling into a hug. Her tears feel onto my gown. She buried her head into my shoulders and let her sobs continue freely.

Suddenly, I found myself being swamped by 5 other bodies. Elliot and the others had pulled me into a group hug.

"See Liv," Elliot said sadly in my ear. He was the closest to me. "You see? It wasn't your fault."

……………………….

It was a little over an hour later when the 5 of us finally left the hospital. Maureen was going to drive Kathleen to Elliot's house, and I was going to ride with El and the twins.

Speaking of Elliot … my heart crumbled every time I looked into his baby blue eyes, which had once always sparkled whenever he was around me. God, seeing his face just pulled me right back into my guilt trip, though he continually tried to tell me that it wasn't my fault. Of course, every time he'd say that, I'd feel even worse.

Could this day get any worse? I sighed. As my body slid easily into the passenger seat of Elliot's car, my mind wandered back to earlier today, after I had found out Kathy wasn't going to make it.

I remember climbing into the ambulance and collapsing into Elliot. So scared that he would hate me for what I had done. He had surprised me though.

My partner for 9 years held me tight in his arms while we watched the paramedics run around. But then, he had kissed me. Kissed me! On the lips.

I know I shouldn't be thinking about that. His wife had just died at my hands. But I couldn't help it …

That was the most amazing sensation I had ever felt in my life. I had waited for it for … years. And then it finally happened. Of course, it was at the most inconvenient of times…

Which is why it has my brain twisting up in thought. Why had he kissed me? I mean, sure, over the years we had flirted many times. So much so that I was afraid he'd found out the full extent of my feelings, finally realizing that I was absolutely, positively, in love with him.