Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is my first SVU fic, and it took me forever to finally settle on a (good) idea. I wasn't sure how old Elliot's kids were, so I made Maureen 18, Kathleen 16, and Dickie and Elizabeth 13. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The girl hesitated outside the door, shifting her weight from her left foot to her right. Her hands were burrowed deep in her pockets as she glanced around nervously, occasionally pacing back and forth a little so she didn't look completely out of place. Through the little window on the door, she could see people moving around and talking to each other, looking unconcerned. She knew the people she needed were on the other side of that door, yet she couldn't bring herself to open it.

I can't do this. Tears of shame burned her eyes. God, I'm a coward… just like he said. I can't save them. I can't even save myself.

She swallowed heavily, her throat feeling raw. In fact, her whole body still throbbed and ached. She pulled her hair closer around her face to hide herself.

As the girl fidgeted, chewing her lip, one of the detectives in the room glanced up and met her eyes.

I bolt ran through her, and she stepped backwards fearfully. The detective, who had been sitting casually on a desk, started towards her, concern and curiosity in his eyes.

Instinct kicked in. She turned and fled, pushing past people and desks in a desperate attempt to reach the elevators before the detective reached her.

She pounded the button frantically, and was about to dash for the stairs when, with a ping, the elevator arrived.

The girl basically leapt into it, frantically pressing the door close button. I can't do this, not now, not yet. Tears spilled over, burning her already raw cheeks.

She caught just a glimpse of the detective, fighting to reach the elevators before the door closed, his mouth opening in a cry of protest.

Then the doors slammed shut.

x

"Damn it." Elliot all but stormed back into the squad room, frustrated.

"What's wrong?" Olivia glanced up from her desk.

"There was a girl outside the door. She looked scared as hell, like she wanted to come in… but she took off." He sighed. "There was something wrong, I could tell."

"She'll be back," said Munch offhandedly, passing by. "Don't worry about it, Elliot."

He shrugged, knowing not to pursue it further. Olivia had returned to her paperwork, although reluctantly.

The rest of the day passed by uneventfully, full of phone calls, paperwork, and more phone calls.

Elliot went home that night, still thinking about the girl. From there, his thoughts strayed to his own children… and the one on the way. He still couldn't believe Kathy was pregnant again. He was overjoyed, of course… but a little part of him wondered how they were going to make it with five kids and a tense marriage.

"Hey, Dad!" his kids greeted him enthusiastically, while Kathy simply smiled a bit uncertainly.

"Where's Maur?"

"At university," chorused Dickie and Elizabeth. "She was home before, but she had to go back."

"She's having a rough time," grinned Kathleen. "Miss Know-It-All Maureen isn't such a smarty-pants now."

"Be nice to your sister, even if she's not here," Elliot warned, but grinned despite himself. God, I missed you guys.

"Hi, Elliot." Kathy had moved closer to him, still smiling that wavering smile. What's wrong?

"Hey." He kissed her cheek gently, aware that his kids were burning holes in the back of his head.

"Come watch TV with us, Dad." Dickie tugged at his arm. Kathleen rolled her eyes. "Act your age, Dickie. I'm off to do homework." She ran up the stairs, and Elliot heard her door close.

He collapsed on the couch, Dickie and Elizabeth snuggling beside him, but the peace didn't last long. They began to bicker over the remote, which turned into a full-fledged wresting match.

"Dickie, Lizzie, lay off," he said, too tired to really care.

"Tell him to give me the remote! I want to watch Lost!"

"Well, I wanna watch Grey's Anatomy!"

Elliot rolled his eyes. "If you guys don't stop, you'll be stuck watching The Black Screen."

They settled down, still glaring at each other.

When the kids were in bed and Kathleen was in her room watching television on full volume, Kathy sat on the couch beside him. He was half dozing, but her voice jolted him awake.

"I'm glad you came back," she said softly, her hand resting on his arm. "The kids are, too."

"Do they know you're pregnant?" His eyes rested on her belly.

"Not yet. I wanted to tell them together." She wound her hand around his and smiled. But once again, her smile was a bit too… bright.

"Kath, is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she said quickly, "Why wouldn't it be? I have my husband back, and we're having another baby. Everything is perfect." She kissed him quickly. "I'll be upstairs in bed."

He watched her go upstairs, trying to make sense of Kathy's behavior. He figured it was probably just hormones, or something.

He was happy she was pregnant, and he was back at home. Of course he was. Elliot had missed his kids like crazy, and was eager to have a close relationship with them again.

He loved Kathy. She was the mother of his children, his wife… but there was something bothering him, something he couldn't place. It was just there, like an annoying fly that wouldn't go away.

He rubbed his eyes and yawned. God, all he wanted to do was sleep.

Elliot trudged up the stairs and stripped haphazardly, climbing into bed beside Kathy. She shifted slightly, inching closer to him. He'd just closed his eyes when the phone rang.

"Damn it!" He rolled over, growling, and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"El? It's Liv. I'm sorry to wake you-"

"How did you know I was sleeping?" he mumbled, rubbing his forehead.

She laughed. "It's pretty obvious. Anyways, a teenage girl was brought into the OR about a few hours ago… found raped and beaten almost to death. They've stabilized her, but she keeps asking for the detective 'with the blue eyes.' I figured that was you."

Elliot was more awake than he'd been in a while. "I'm on my way."

"Elliot?"

"I have to go, Kath. I'm sorry." He dressed quickly beside the bed, as Kathy propped herself up on her elbow.

"But, Elliot-"

"Kathy, I'm sorry." He knew he was snapping, but he couldn't help it. "This is my job, remember?"

He stopped in the doorway and turned. Kathy was staring at him, her expression unreadable.

"Kathy-"

"Forget it. It's fine. Go." She disappeared under the covers. "Bye, Elliot."

He hesitated, taking a step towards her, but then sighed and left.

I know it's a short chapter, but it's mainly an introduction. Enjoy!