Feb. 15
-It's 3:15 a.m. and Olivia get's a call from Elliot.-
Olivia: Detective Benson
Elliot: Kathy and I are fighting, she put me out. Is your invitation still open?
Olivia: Get your ass over here Stabler, we have work in the morning.
-4:30 a.m. Elliott arrives at Olivia's apartment-
*Elliot knocks on Olivia's door, Olivia welcomes him inside.*
Olivia: Took you long enough.
*Elliot stumbles through the door reaking of whiskey*
Olivia: You sorry son of a bitch! Did you drive here drunk?!
Elliot: I drank in my car in the parking lot, I have morals Liv.
*Olivia clenches her robe with the other hand pulling Elliot inside*
Olivia: You better find a way to sober up before work tomorrow, Cragen isn't going to be happy seeing you hungover on the job.
Elliot: Cragen is the last of my worries. It seems you have forgotten my wife put me out. I don't know if I will ever see her or my son again.
*Elliot fights back tears, Olivia can hear the sadness in his voice*
Olivia: She just needs a minute to think El, don't worry things will be back to normal in no time.
*Elliot cracks, he begins to cry. Olivia can see that he is ashamed for letting his emotions show, she sits next to him on the couch in her living room. She wraps her arm around his shoulder to comfort him. Elliot burrows his face into her shoulder/neck while sobbing.*
Elliot: You don't understand Liv, this time was different. She didn't yell when we were fighting she just sat there in silence. And when she told me to leave not a tear one was in her eyes.
Olivia: What was going on? How did it get so bad?
Elliot: She said she's tired of work coming first. That I put my crew before my wife and children. I snapped and said that we are all putting our lives on the line with these sick mother fuckers, just so I can put food on our god damn table!
Olivia: Elliot life is hard for her too. She never knows if you are going to come home. She doesn't get any warning when you are going undercover. You are very good at your job, and I could not ask for a better partner, but you have to put some of your passion for work into your home life.
*Elliot looks at Olivia and breaks away from her hold.*
Elliot: Liv, you are the only person I can turn to. I have no one else.
Olivia:Stay as long as you need. But don't give up on Kathy, she needs you, Eli needs you. You've never been one to give up on anyone, don't do it now. Drink some water and eat some toast, work in a couple of hours.
Elliot: What do you know about being drunk and hangovers?
Olivia: I've had my share of hurt and lonely nights. I'm going to take a shower and I plan on using all of the hot water so you have to take a cold shower.
*Olivia laughed and Elliot shook his head with a smirk*
Elliot: Thanks Liv.
Elliot stayed with Olivia for about a week and a half. After working things out with Kathy he returned home. As much as people joked at work, nothing happened between Benson and Stabler during his stay. Several months had passed. Cragen had organized a Christmas party for the unit. No better way to relax than a nice get together sharing laughs and bonding for both the work family and their personal families.
