Author's Note: There are no words to express how sorry I am for the lack of an update on this fic. My family and I moved and it's getting precariously close to the Dreaded Finals with a capital F so most of my energies have been directed towards studying. But I managed to make some short and sweet progress on this one. Once the school year ends in 13 days, I'll do better.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

The alarm clock went off and Olivia gently turned it off, returning her head to his chest afterwards.

She was not used to being so comfortable with a man. Usually she kept to a side of the bed but Elliot made her feel different. She wanted to be draped over him, underneath him, and to be warmed by him during the night. He always spooned up behind her or rested his head on her shoulder. It was nice. Years of being in a cold and too damned big bed were over.

"What're you thinkin' about?"

When he first woke up, he had the husky Queens accented voice of sex.

"Nothing really. Shouldn't we get up? It's a school day."

"No. The twins walk to school and they're fine with getting their stuff together. Lizzie usually comes to tell me that they're leaving so unless you'd like for her to know that you've got a mole on your left ass cheek, you might want to pull the blankets up."

"Prick.", she grumbled fondly.

"Love you too, Liv."

/

Of all people she had expected to visit her, she hadn't been expecting Olivia.

Kathleen had been sober for nearly 2 months and now could look back on her behavior with deep shame. She had been a hellion. Drinking, smoking, snorting…she had been on the wrong path. Deep down she had known it but Stabler pride kept her from admitting it. And the (in)famous Stabler temper had caused her to lash out at everyone but not as badly as she had at the woman across from her.

All Olivia had done was fall in love with her dad. She had nothing to do with the breakup of her dad and her mom's marriage. No, it was all Kathy. The letters from Lizzie and Maureen (Dickie was still too mad to communicate) proved that, as did the few interactions she had with her before the Bust. Their mother was self destructive and vindictive…just like she had been.

Unlike her mother, she knew that she needed help and was getting it. That had to count for something.

"I brought you some Dove chocolates. Mo said that they were your favorite." Olivia greeted as she handed her the box.

Kathleen accepted them gratefully. The food at the facility was good but always so healthy. She had been craving junk for ages.

"Thanks. How…how are you and Dad?"

"We're okay." she replied simply but honestly.

Awkward silence fell and Kathleen could feel tears prick her eyes.

She had to apologize for real. That was the first step to fixing things.

"Olivia…I said some bad shit to you, shit that can't all be blamed on the drugs and I just want to say that I'm really sorry. I was mad and scared and everything kept changing, kept closing in on me and I didn't want to make you into a…scapegoat?"

"Yeah. It's okay, Kathleen. I understand what you're going through. My childhood wasn't exactly an episode of Leave it to Beaver. It's all in the past, now. Clean slate."

This woman should be nominated for sainthood. Seriously.

"Cool. Now, come on. I can't eat these by myself. I'll look like a fat ass."

It had been a long time since she had laughed for real.

It was nice.