Olivia brought Noah back to the apartment, but could only stay for a couple minutes. Elliot had gone for a run while they went to breakfast, and he was a sweaty mess when she and Noah made it home. She had time for a quick kiss and a whispered I love you before rushing out the door.

When she entered the precinct, she felt lighter than the day before. She wasn't sure if it was a full night's sleep, great sex or finally admitting feelings she'd held back for decades, but she felt…happy. She hesitated to admit it. Life seemed to sense when she was happy and slapped that happiness away at the first opportunity, but she could admit she felt lighter. More hopeful.

She entered the squad room, and it was a little quieter than normal. Everyone was preparing for the various interviews and assignments for the afternoon. She waved Fin down, and he followed her to her office.

He immediately dove in. "We're bringin Abby in this afternoon. Someone from the DAs office with juvenile experience is comin down here. She'll want more details on the case and brief us on protocol before going in. They obviously want to bring this to a juvenile court."

"Obviously," Olivia agreed. "Are we ready? Do we have enough for her to file a juvenile petition?"

"Yeah. I had Churlish knock out the paperwork earlier." Fin took a seat on Olivia's couch. She made herself comfortable in her office chair while he continued. "I told Velasco to take Churlish to the hospital to talk to Ethan. I checked in and they said he'd be ready by four or somethin."

Olivia nodded. "Can he be discharged? What are we looking at there?"

"Docs say he needs a couple days for them to keep an eye on his head. Worried about TBI I think. They want to keep a close eye on him to be sure he won't try to hurt himself again."

"Good. We are still nailing down his involvement anyway." She leaned back in her chair slightly. That reminded her, "What did you get from Colton's statement?"

He sighed and leaned forward. "I don't know. I think we need 'em here again for some added questions, but I know you didn't wanna do that."

Olivia really didn't want to do that. Colton was so fragile right now and she didn't want to tip the scales of his already tenuous grip on life. Still, another kid's life was hanging in the balance. So much of Ethan's future depended on what Colton had to say.

She sighed. "I'll talk to his parents, but after yesterday…I don't think they want to drag him through any more of this."

"Could Stabler talk to him?" Fin said the words carefully, and she knew his eyes were studying her face when he asked the question.

She wasn't exactly sure what reaction he was looking for, but she kept her face neutral when she answered. The last thing she needed was for Fin to call her out on an errant smile. "I'll talk to him after I check in with the Kellys. I need to see if they want us talking to Colton at all."

"Cool." Fin still kept an eye on her. It was like he knew something changed. Sometimes it was annoying how well he knew her. She couldn't have any damn secrets. He must of found what he was looking for because he asked, "Things goin good with Stabler?"

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his intrusion. "Yeah," she couldn't stop the full smile. "They are going really well."

-000-

After Noah and Olivia returned from breakfast, and Olivia rushed to the precinct, he sat down to make some calls, and review some case files. Ayanna expected him in the office on Monday and he needed to get up to speed on the case the team was currently working.

Noah settled on the couch to do his obligatory reading. Elliot's eyes flicked over to where Noah laid several times. He felt like something was bothering him, but it wasn't outwardly obvious. He hesitated to ask.

He tried to focus on his work, and give Noah some space to work through stuff on his own. He sent out a few emails, and pulled up a rap sheet for their primary suspect. He was about halfway through the report when Noah pulled up the chair next to him.

Elliot marked his spot and pushed the laptop away. To his surprise, Noah spoke on his own. "Tomorrow's Clem's funeral. Mom probably has to work…" he hesitated. "Can you come with me?"

He thought his attendance would be obvious, but Noah obviously worried about it. "Of course. I wanted to go anyway."

Noah didn't move, he just sat in the chair and quietly stared at the surface of the table.

"Something else?" Elliot wondered aloud.

"I've never been to a funeral before." He traced the wood grain on the table nervously.

Elliot shut his laptop so Noah had his full attention. "What do you feel most nervous about?"

Noah slouched in his chair. "Everything," he sighed.

"Okay." Elliot leaned back in his chair a bit. "Do you know what's going to happen?" He wondered if his nervousness was due to not knowing what to expect.

"Kinda. I know they'll have her in a casket thing and people will talk about her."

"Yeah. That's usually how it goes."

"I want to go. She was my friend, but I know it's going to just make me sad."

"That's understandable. It's hard. It's sad." Elliot sighed. "There isn't really a way around those feelings. We just have to work through them." He felt a little hypocritical. He knew what to say, but saying and doing were two very different things. He was hanging in there. He knew he should schedule some time with his therapist, but he felt like he was needed here. There would be time for that once things settled. If they ever settled.

"What if I don't know how to work through them?"

Good question. He answered in the only way he knew how, "I'll help you."

His phone started to buzz and he had to find it under some strewn about paper. "It's your mom," he told Noah before he answered.

"Hey Liv," he greeted. He stuffed down the worry that automatically arose with her call. She usually texted. She didn't have time to call during the day.

"Hey," she replied. "You got a second?"

Considering he was just hanging out at her place…he had time. "Yeah whatcha need?" Noah's eyes were on him, and he knew he was trying to discern the content of the call.

"How would you feel about making a visit to the Kelly's place? We need to ask Colton a few questions, and Fin and I thought maybe you would be a better person to talk with him." Her voice sounded hesitant, like she was asking a big favor.

"How do Jack and Ellie feel about us talking to Colton again?" He knew if it was his kid who was traumatized, he would tell the police to f-ck off and figure out a different way to get what they needed.

"They're hesitant. They really just want to let him work through this without being dragged through the situation over and over." She continued, "I talked to them a few minutes ago. They said they would allow it if the interview was done in their apartment, with you as the interviewer."

"I can do that," he affirmed.

"Thank you," the gratitude and relief was evident in her voice.

"Can I bring Noah with me or…" he hoped he didn't have to leave him behind. Noah was clingy this morning and he doubted he'd be any happier with his absence now.

"Ellie said they'd prefer if it's just you. They are trying to get a routine and things normal again." She sounded as frustrated as he felt.

He could understand that, but Noah was struggling too. It didn't seem fair to leave him.

"He can stay with our regular babysitter if he wants or he can go over to Amanda's. He can choose, but let me know if he wants to stay home so I can schedule the sitter."

"I'll check with him," Elliot watched Noah and he knew that Noah knew they were discussing him. "Call you back in a minute?"

"That works."

There was an awkward pause for a moment. She seemed to know what he wanted to say, but couldn't with an audience.

"I know." She could hear the smile in her voice.

"I know too," he returned.

He ended the call and sighed before turning his attention back to Noah. He already had his arms folded, and Elliot knew he was primed to stubbornly fight whatever was coming.

"I need to talk to Colton again," Elliot explained.

"Fine. I'll come with you." He said it like there was no other choice available.

"I have to go by myself, bud. Believe me, I want to take you with me."

"Then do it," he said stubbornly.

He tried not to smile at what looked like a mini version of Olivia. He had the same expression she did when she stubbornly fought for what she wanted. "I can't Noh. Your mom says you can have the sitter come here or I can take you to your Aunt Amanda's."

"I don't want to go and I don't want the babysitter." Funny how this normally compliant kid could dig his heels in…

Elliot had another thought. Maybe Noah would go for it. "What if I can get Kathleen or Lizzie to come over? Would that make it a little better? I'll be back as soon as I can, but I need to help your mom out with this."

Noah looked intrigued by the idea of one of Elliot's girls coming over. "Only if Kathleen or Lizzie come over. Otherwise I'm coming with you."

"Okay," he breathed, "uh, let me see if one of them can swing over for a bit."

Noah nodded, and Elliot saw a slight twinkle in Noah's eye. Noah really liked the girls, and he hoped one of them could make it work. He felt bad yanking them from work, but what else could he do? It wasn't like he was going to forcibly remove a twelve year old from the building.

Elliot texted the girls first. He didn't want to interrupt anything.

E: What are you guys up to today?

K: Work?

L: Same.

E: I need a favor again.

K: With Noah?

E: I need to interview a kid for Olivia's case. I can't take Noah with me. He didn't want any of his normal sitters. He asked for one of you girls.

K: Awww

L: Serious? That's just the best.

E: I know you're both working. Can one of you sneak out? I hate to ask, but this kid has been through enough and this is what he wants.

L: I have a meeting in an hour with the other teachers and administrative staff. I could see if I can duck out for a family emergency maybe?

K: I'm coming. The other social worker on call said she'd come in for me. No biggie.

E: You sure?

K: Yeah. I don't have anything that can't be postponed for a while and Megan can take care of any sort of emergency that comes up.

E: Thank you

L: I'm a little jealous.

E: Haha maybe next time.

K: Be there in 10

-000-

Olivia hung up with Elliot just as Fin popped his head back into her office. "Assistant DA is here."

Olivia took a deep breath and slid her office chair back. This case felt never ending. It seemed like there was always something else to do or someone else to brief. She put a smile on her face as she left her office. She reached a hand out to greet the lawyer standing in the middle of the squad room. The girl looked young, but smart. "Jane." The girl quickly introduced.

"Olivia." She returned. "Let's find a room." She turned to Fin. "Grab the file?"

"Yep," he said as he retreated to his desk.

Olivia motioned for Jane to follow. "This one is complicated and has a lot of moving pieces. I hope you're prepared for a challenge."

The younger woman kept step behind her, "I love a good challenge."

"This will be right up your alley," Olivia said as she opened the interview room door, allowing the young lawyer to enter first. They sat at the small table, and Fin came in right after. Once he took a seat, Olivia took a breath. "Let's get to it."