Prompt #8: What if Elliot is the one who finds Noah?
A Place for Noah
Chapter 1
~oOo~
Detective Elliot Stabler was a mess for weeks after shooting Jenna Fox. He just couldn't get past his guilt over shooting a teenage girl the same age as his youngest daughter and he couldn't get past his guilt over the main reason he had shot the girl. He had put his partner, Detective Olivia Benson above his sworn duty to serve and protect the public. Again. He spent the next few weeks at home mainly on the couch in front of the TV. He didn't answer calls or texts from anyone, especially not Olivia.
His wife, Kathy figured the truth Elliot refused to admit even to himself.
"Elliot, you need to talk to her."
Elliot decided to play dumb.
"Who?"
"You know who," Kathy said, rolling her eyes.
"Kathy, I…" Elliot began.
Kathy's expression softened.
"Elliot, I know you and she never crossed that line. You're too loyal and devout for that. And she's too good of a person. She'd never allow herself to be the other woman. She wouldn't allow our marriage to be destroyed because of her. She wouldn't want to hurt our kids that way. But, Elliot, you and I both know we haven't been happy in this marriage for a long time. Our problems are about way more than your feelings for Olivia you've been trying to suppress. We got married for all the wrong reasons. We've really been living a lie for all these years. We've just never had anything to test that before. I know you only came back because of Eli. You returned to me because I was safe. You had the opportunity to take the leap with Olivia after we finalized the divorce, but you were scared. I let you come back for the same reason. I was scared of being alone. It's time for us both to let go and take the leap. I don't know what that is for me yet, but you and I both know who that is for you."
"Kathy, I'm all in this marriage. I promised you for better or worse," Elliot protested.
"We both promised to love each other for eternity. I think I can show that love best by letting you go. Letting you find true happiness. And you can do the same for me," Kathy replied gently.
Elliot still looked uncertain, so Kathy encouraged him, "We'll get joint custody of Eli. You are his father. I won't keep him from you."
Elliot and Kathy had five children together. Eli's four older siblings were grown. The twins, Richard and Elizabeth were eighteen and had just graduated high school while their older sister, Kathleen had almost finished college and their oldest sister, Maureen was recently engaged.
Elliot looked at his wife.
"Kathy, are you sure about this?"
Kathy knelt in front of him and placed a hand on his leg.
"It's the best choice for all of us. We just need to sign the papers again. I can refile tomorrow."
Finally, Elliot accepted that Kathy was right. He signed the papers that very night. The next day, he moved into a hotel until he could find a place.
It took him a couple of days to get up the courage, but by the weekend he had made a decision. It was finally time for him to come clean. He drove to Olivia's apartment.
She answered his knock immediately.
"Elliot. Is everything ok?"
"Liv, can we talk?"