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Part 12

12.

They started calling each other regularly.

Olivia still had no clue he was living right across the street from her and Elliot wanted to keep it that way for now. He was grateful that she didn't ask where he was staying. They chatted about all kinds of things, went down memory lane a few times and even watched a movie together while discussing it over the phone. Long pauses in the conversation weren't uncomfortable at all, and it almost felt as if they were sitting next to each other. He wanted to suggest to her to actually do it, to watch a movie together. But being on the phone together was good for now. No need to rush. He was feeling lighter again, happier and more optimistic about the future.

They were rebuilding their friendship and Olivia felt happier too. It showed, and her co-workers commented on her changed demeanor. She just laughed and let them speculate about a new love interest in her life. Sometimes she let her mind wander. What if Elliot turned out to be just that? She looked forward to calling him at night after a long day at work, and she couldn't help smiling whenever he beat her to it and called first. They had fun together and also had more serious conversations about her work. It felt good to be able to talk to someone about her cases and she thought it might be about time to see each other in person again. Maybe go out for drinks after work. But then she remembered his problem. A bar might not be the best place to meet up after all. She didn't know how she would handle receiving him in her apartment just yet. There were still some things left unsaid.

...

Elliot had contacted Captain Cragen again and had filled him in on his renewed contact with Olivia. Cragen told him Olivia seemed a lot happier these days and encouraged him to tell her everything. It would be healing for him. Although he agreed it would be healing for him, he didn't want to burden Olivia with his troubles. He was enjoying the relaxed banter between them and wanted to build on that. No need to bother her with any more of the heavy stuff in his life.

He had called Kathy a few times, asking if he could see Eli. She had agreed to let him come over but there was no way he was going back to that house. He insisted he wanted to see his son on neutral grounds and when Kathy objected, he told her he had a right to see his son and he would make her cooperate if she wouldn't willingly. He was stronger now and more balanced and he felt she had caused enough damage. She was not taking his son away from him.

He told Olivia about it over the phone. Olivia couldn't help wondering what had transpired between the couple. They had had issues for as long as she could remember but they always seemed to find a way to keep going. What had gone so wrong that there was no fixing it anymore? His drinking? Had he perhaps become violent with his wife? She couldn't imagine it. She had seen him rough up a perp or a suspect but he would never lay a hand on a woman. Ever. And from what he had let on, he was the one that was hurt this time, not Kathy. He had told her that the job had made him kind of hard to live with and she could understand that. Perhaps Kathy just had enough of him one day.

...

Olivia agreed with Elliot that he should force Kathy to let him see his son. A few days later, on Friday afternoon, he called her at work and let her know that he was finally going to see Eli. Kathy had dropped him off at Maureen's for a sleepover and he was on his way there.

"Let me know how it went, okay?" she asked.

"Sure will, I'll call you later!"

She laughed as they ended the call. He sounded so excited and she was really happy for him. Whatever had happened between the parents, they should not let the kids suffer any more than necessary. She was actually a little nervous for him. After getting home that evening and taking a quick shower, she tried to relax with a glass of wine and a magazine. She would be waiting up to hear from him.