Amanda—-Liv

A: Making out on your office couch…

O: Damn it Fin.

A: You had to know that he wouldn't keep it to himself.

O: Thought he'd give it at least an hour.

A: No way. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already cashing in on every bet he ever made.

O: You can't be serious. I always thought that was a joke.

A: Totally real

O: Not sure I love that…

A: Hey I didn't participate…I just know about it

O: There should be some sort of statute of limitations on that. I'm not sure he should be able to collect on bets placed twenty years ago…

A: Half the people are probably dead.

O: Or retired.

A: But seriously… I can't believe you didn't call me…how was it??

O: Oh my God. I'm at work.

A: Fair… when can you take a lunch break?

O: Not today. I was taking my lunch when Fin busted into my office…

A: Making out during your lunch break…classic.

O: I gotta go listen in on an interview

A: No you don't.

O: Fine. I have to go kill Fin, sound better?

A: Haha. At least give him a head start.

-000-

"When you told me things were going well with Elliot…I wasn't sure they were going that well…"

She instantly regretted taking Fin with her to talk to Ethan. Unfortunately, Fin had cultivated a good rapport with Ethan's parents, and they really needed to talk to the kid. Her chances of a successful interview multiplied if Fin came along. She just had to survive the ride to the hospital first.

She rolled her eyes. "What did you think was happening? He's sleeping at my apartment." He was messing with her for the sake of messing with her. It was his love language or something.

"Girl, sleeping," he made air quotes around the word sleeping, "at your apartment is much different than what was happenin in your office…"

She shot him a perturbed look. "You know most people knock before opening a closed office door," she said with some snark.

He easily returned with his own snarky comment. "Most people engaging in…those activities… lock the door." He couldn't keep the smile off his face, and she couldn't hold back her smile anymore.

"Fair." She focused on driving over her closest friend grinning at her stupidly.

"You seem happy, Liv."

She bit her lip, and almost told him not to jinx it. But then she would have to explain her theory about the universe's perverse fascination with screwing her over. She didn't want to go into that so she she just answered, "Yeah. I think I am."

-000-

Ethan's parents met them outside of his hospital room. Fin greeted them, and reintroduced Olivia. They talked for a moment before entering Ethan's room.

"He still doesn't want to see us. The psychologist tells us we just need to be patient. It's hard though," his mother sighed, "watching him hurt like this."

Olivia could tell the woman was taking ownership of the whole situation, and it wasn't her fault. She reached out for her arm. "It's not your fault. This is just a lot. His whole life has turned upside down, and it will take time to adjust."

The woman brushed back some tears. "I know. I just wish we could help more. He's my baby. And I know we don't know him or who he is now, but it doesn't change the fact that he is ours." She shook her head. "I really hate that we are part of the problem."

Olivia hated the situation for them. The whole thing was a giant disaster, and she didn't know if it would ever turn out the way these parents wanted it to. She tried an encouraging smile, "Give him time." Olivia looked over her shoulder at the closed door and turned back. "We need to talk to him, but we suspect he had less to do with the assault than we originally thought. We have heard a few accounts about what happened, but we haven't had the opportunity to talk to him about the things we've found."

The mother's eyes lifted, and shined with hope, "You mean he might not have to be brought in once he's better?"

Olivia didn't want to raise the woman's hopes too high. She tried keeping them at a manageable level. "He has some responsibility in the events of that night. There will be consequences to the choices he made, but depending on his recollection of events, he might be eligible for a more therapeutic approach instead of a punitive one."

The woman nodded and she appeared to be holding fast tk that little glimmer of hope. Hope Olivia didn't want to squash. Everything depended on what Ethan could tell them about that night.

-000-

When they entered the hospital room Olivia was struck by how pale Ethan looked. The past week had obviously taken its toll on him. He rolled his head to the side and watched both Olivia and Fin enter the room. He looked exhausted, and Olivia felt a little guilty about insisting on an interview right away. She thought I'd all the children involved in this case and her head broke. None would ever be the same. Colton, Ethan, Noah, Jace…and Clem. Young lives altered, irreversibly changed.

Olivia pulled a chair close to the edge of the bed, and spoke softly. "Hey…Lucas." She remembered he still resisted going by his legally given name. "I know you're tired, and we will try to make this fast, but it's really important that we ask you a few questions, and I really need you to tell me the truth." She held his tired eyes and reiterated, "this is really important."

He nodded, and she ached over the look in the kid's eyes. For the longest time she resented this kid. He bothered and bullied Noah for a couple years, and his name alone would make her cringe. Then this happened and she was so willing to believe the worst in this obviously unstable kid. He was a mess, and it didn't excuse his behavior, but it surely explained it.

"Who's idea was it to take Clem to the creek?" She asked softly.

His voice sounded dry and crackled. "Abby."

She turned to Fin, who nodded. Their first concern was corroborated. Now onto the rest. "Why did you let her go? Colton said you were holding her, but then you let her go. Why did you let her go?"

He suddenly looked nervous, and she wondered if telling the truth went against the reputation he cultivated. She waited, knowing with time he would give her an answer.

He swallowed. "Abby got intense. It freaked me out a little. I just wanted to let her go. I didn't want to get into more trouble and I figured we scared her enough that she wouldn't tell anyone."

Olivia nodded. It made sense. Elliot had already intimidated the kid earlier in the day. It made sense that he wanted to avoid more trouble.

"What happened after you let her go?" Olivia kept her voice careful and soft, wanting to provide the safest space possible.

"Abby grabbed her ponytail. Hard. It all happened so fast after that. I don't know if Clem lost her balance because of the slippery creek or because Abby yanked her back so hard, but she fell and I could tell she hit her head really hard. I got really freaked out when she didn't move. Like it really freaked me out." He blinked slowly. "Then I saw Colton and I just reacted. I couldn't let him tell on us. We were screwed. I would be in trouble for just being there and I knew Abby would make it seem like I did everything."

Accurate assessment really.

"I couldn't find Colton so I went back to find my…" he hesitated at the word, "uh my dad. He made me stay out and I don't really know what happened after that. I just did what I was told and tried to pretend that nothing happened."

This statement sounded much more honest than his original account. Olivia hated it, but at the same time the trauma forced an honest confession from a kid who was normally manipulative and cruel.

She leaned over and dropped a comforting hand on Ethan's shoulder. "You did great." He seemed pleased by her praise, and she began to suspect that many of this kids behavioral problems were due to his totally screwed up life. There were going to be consequences for his behavior, but maybe with enough supports he might be able to pull himself from the hole he'd been thrown into.

-000-

Olivia sighed before plunging her key into her apartment lock. It had been another heavy day, but at least she made it home at a reasonable hour. She could spend some time with her son, and mentally prepare for the coming day. Clem's funeral. She knew Elliot planned to go, and it would be nice to have him there with her, and with Noah.

She heard the TV on and the sound of the dryer door being slammed shut. She assumed Noah was watching TV and Elliot was being amazing and keeping everyone's clothes clean.

She wandered over to the couch and poked her head over the top. A head of bouncing curls tilted back and she was met with the most perfect pair of blue eyes. "Hi," he said with a goofy grin.

She couldn't help but plant a kiss on his adorable forehead. "Watcha watching," she asked lightly as she came around the side of the couch.

He shrugged. "Nothin really. I was just figuring out something for me and Elliot to watch." He said it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world to have Elliot with them.

She slid her arms around him. "Are you okay? You know," she hesitated, "with all of this?" She hoped he understood she meant things with Elliot.

His eyes focused forward in the light of the TV. "Yeah." His eyes drifted back to her. "It's good. I like having him here."

She sensed a "but". However, he stayed silent. She prodded a little, "I'm glad he's been able to be here."

He kept his focus on her, and bit his lip nervously. "But I miss you."

She pulled him tighter, her heart breaking. "I miss you too. When this is over I'm going to take a break. We are going to go somewhere, just me and you."

"And Elliot?" He asked.

"Only if you want," she treaded carefully.

He nodded. "I want him to come too."

She pushed away the ever present nerves that assaulted her when she considered the long term. He promised he'd be there. He proved he would be there. She hated that sometimes she still second guessed him. Sometimes she hated her distrustful heart.

"Then he'll be there."

There was a lull in the conversation, but she could sense something else was bothering him. "Something else you need to talk about?" She asked.

"Do you have to work tomorrow…" he hesitated, "Elliot said he'd go to the funeral with me, but…" his large sad eyes watched her carefully, "I want you to come with us."!

"Oh baby," she cooed, "I was always planning to come. I wouldn't make you go without me."

His eyes teared a little, "I thought you had to work."

She closed her eyes and pushed away her working mom guilt. She hated that he thought work would be more important than him…and a funeral of a friend. "This is more important," she said firmly. She hoped he understood that even though her job was important, he was the most important. "Uncle Fin can take care of things for a while. I might have to go after but I'm staying the entire time with you." She added, "and Elliot." She kissed his head, "Noh, I'm always here for you. I want you to know that, okay."

"Kay," he said softly.

She sensed Elliot behind them for half the conversation, and she knew he was waiting for it to run its course before butting in. With the opportune lull, he stepped in.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "There's a plate for you in the kitchen. Want me to bring it in here?"

She lifted a hand to his cheek. Grateful that he saw her need to stay right next to her boy. "Thank you," she mouthed.

He grinned and kissed her cheek once more before he retreated into the kitchen. She snuggled Noah tighter, feeling grateful for the presence of this boy in her life.

-000-

Later that night Noah slept soundly on her side of the bed. She had all but taken over the other side, but Elliot didn't seem to mind her close proximity. His strong arms wrapped her tightly into his chest and for the moment she felt safe.

His lips moved against her ear, "You're worrying." He observed.

"I'm okay," she tried, but she knew he didn't believe her. He waited, and she knew he wasn't going to let it go. She pulled on his arms, insisting he hold her even tighter. She kept her eyes straight ahead, focused on Noah's back. "Tell me you're staying," she whispered.

He tightened his hold even more and placed a soft kiss behind her ear. "I'm never leaving Liv. I'm here," his rumbly voice sent shivers all over, "I love you. I'm here forever. You and me Liv." He left another lingering kiss on the back of her neck, "it will always be you and me."