Abby fidgeted as Eliot knocked on the door, Olivia, on the other hand, was surprisingly calm. It was late now, well into the night, so it was a few moments before the door was answered with a surprising look from Maggie.

"Eliot?" she questioned in astonishment, wrapping up the thin summer robe she was wearing tighter around her body. Her tired eyes and messed her were an indication that she had clearly just woken up. "Olivia? Abby?" she looked down at each in turn, the bags in their hands then back up at Eliot. "What's going on? Is James okay?"

Eliot nodded. "As far as we know," he told her and Olivia squirmed slightly.

"Come in, come in," she beckoned after a moment of silent panic and staring into space. The girls were ushered in first by Eliot who followed after wiping his feet politely on the welcome mat.

"Are they okay to stay here for a few days?" Eliot asked in a hushed tone after they were shepherded into the living room.

"Why?" she asked, sincere concern in her voice. Eliot took a few moments to explain the situation to her and, after rubbing her hands nervously up and down her lap she agreed without hesitation. "Of course," she declared, then looked at the girls. "Of course. We'll have a fun girl weekend. I'm sure they're both desperate for that."

"Thankyou," Eliot smiled then stood up off the couch and looked at Abigail. Taking the hint, Maggie also stood up, gesturing Olivia away.

"I'll take you to the guest room," she said politely, leading Olivia down the hall.

"I remember where it is Maggie," the teenager replied.

"I know," she whispered, ushering her along and Abby and Eliot were left in the living room.

"I don't really want you to go to Iran," she admitted quietly.

"I know, but that's not really a choice for you to make."

"I know, just promise you'll stay safe?" she looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"I promise," he agreed. "I got Vance watching my back, Agent Cassidy over here doin' her thing. Everything's gonna be fine."

"Yeah," she said, still trying to reassure herself. Then, unexpectedly, she leapt in for a hug.

Eliot, taken slightly by surprise, stumbled backwards for a moment before he regained his balance and wrapped his arms around her.

Still, after 16 and a half years of the same thing, she didn't react any differently towards him going away on a job.

"Will you bring me back something cool from Iran?" she asked as he released his grip and kissed her on the forehead.

"Only if you promise to stay out of trouble and take care of Olivia."

"Deal," she smiled as Maggie walked back into the room. Eliot granted her a nod of thanks and made his way to the door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

At four am Olivia crawled into the study where Abby was sleeping on a fold out couch. It was unbearably hot and the curtains were flowing in the breeze of the open window. Without moving, or giving any indication that she had even awoken at Olivia's quiet entrance, Abby spoke softly.

"Don't you sleep?" she asked, then continued to lay still for a moment before she rolled over and sat up against the back cushion. Olivia walked over and plonked herself on the end of the bed.

"Couldn't," Olivia replied simply and Abby nodded, understanding completely. She used to be like that herself. The restless, sleepless nights when Eliot was away had grown uncomfortably familiar but, over time, she'd learnt that not sleeping wasn't helping anyone and had gradually been able to fall back into her normal sleep pattern. It had been a long road there though, and she didn't envy Olivia's current state of mind. Looking at her, Abby could see she was uneasy and wanted something, but that she was also too uneasy to ask so, after several moments of silence, Abby spoke first.

"Do you come here a lot?" Sweat was beading down her neck so she pulled her thick hair up off her back and into a looping bun. Olivia looked at her quizzically. "Come on, you know where the spare room is, got towels out for me earlier. You've been here a couple of times before at least."

Her friend looked at her with playful anger. "Damn you're good. And yes, I come here a lot, when Dad's away and then, sometimes when he's not."

"Oh yeah?" Abby replied playfully.

"Yes," Olivia rolled her eyes. "They've been seeing each other for a while now and it's good, 'cause I like Maggie." She was silent again after that, only shifting her weight and giving Abby a look that indicated she wanted to talk, but couldn't quite form the words to.

"What?" Abby asked, pushing her friend.

"Do you think we could," she began meekly then paused. "Do you think we could go down to the Club? Watch everything going down? It's just…" she trailed off, not knowing exactly how to explain why it would comfort her. She was sure it would, but she couldn't find the words to articulate it.

"No, it's okay, I get it," Abby quickly interjected, reassuring her that she understood completely. "We can but, I don't, uh, wanna just take Maggie's car. I mean, she's nice and I don't want to just leave her in the dark."

Olivia looked sheepishly down at the sheets. "Right, of course," she agreed, her shrugging shoulder's emphasising her disappointment.

"Well, you know her better than I, why don't you go ask her," Abby suggested, shifting her legs as one grew numb and tingly.

"No," Olivia said, almost shamefully. "It's okay, I'll just hop back to bed." She swung her legs out from underneath her and begun to get up.

"Olivia," Maggie said softly from door. She was wrapped, once again, in her nightgown and leaning against the door frame. "I'd be happy to take to down," she offered with a sincere smile. "If you promise to stay out of trouble." Maggie looked straight at Abigail. The decree was clearly intended only for her.

Olivia nodded eagerly and jumped onto floor. "I'll go get dressed," she announced then bounded enthusiastically out of the room, smiling gleefully at Maggie as she did.

Abby flicked the sheet off of her legs and nodded at Maggie. "I'll see you both downstairs in five minutes!" she yelled out, then stepped out into the hall and closed the door for her to change.

XXXXXXXX

Ann Ryce, -Of COURSE they're going to get into trouble! (spoilers, sorry)

Crisdin- Aww! Your comments made me smile so much! description is something that I struggle with so thankyou so much for your comments. And comment about Cassidy noted =)

More to come,

Love always, ALD xx