Olivia jumped at the shrill ringing of the phone in her ear. She groaned and squinted through half-lidded eyes at the incessant object and the annoying ringtone that came from it. She snaked her hand out and flipped it open. She held it to her ear, the phone resting on the bed as she spoke. The sobbing on the other end woke her instantly. She sat up in bed and pushed back the errant strands of hair that kept getting in the way of the receiver.

"Olivia?" The sobbing grew worse.

"Kathleen?" Olivia glanced at the clock. Two fifteen. She'd just gotten to sleep a couple hours before and her frazzled mind tried to grasp what the phone call could possibly mean.

"I woke you. I'm sorry. I thought you might be working late. I'm sorry." With that, the young Stabler hung up the phone.

"N…Jesus!" Olivia swore, panicking. She flung the covers off and turned on the overhead light. She clamped her eyes shut and blinked several times until they adjusted to the brightness of the room. She stared down at the phone numbly. Frantically, she flipped through the call log and found the right one. Three minutes ago. Had it been that long? She hit the send button and waited.

"He…Olivia?" The voice sounded confused and upset.

"Don't hang up, sweetie. Tell me what's wrong. Are you hurt?" Kathleen was sniffling and Olivia's heart went out to her.

"I…my dad is going to kill me. I went to a party and a bunch of other people were drinking and he…he was weaving all over the road. I was so scared I…I yelled at him to let me out. I don't know where I am! I'm in so much trouble!" Kathleen's sobbing had transformed into loud wails of anguish.

"Kathleen, calm down and listen to me. One thing at a time. Do you see any street signs? Any landmarks you might have seen before?" Olivia forced her feet into her tennis shoes. She didn't have time to untie them to get them on. She did a once over at her appearance. It would have to do. She grabbed Elliot's keys and tore out of the apartment.

"I…I can't tell. Um…we went over the bridge. I don't remember the street. Oh, God, graffiti. I'm going to get killed!" Kathleen lowered her voice to a whisper, obviously distraught over her well-being.

"Honey, you need to calm down. Do you remember what bridge you went over? There are a few of them." Olivia started the car and drove. She wasn't sure where to go just yet, but she didn't want to waste any time.

"The Williamsburg Bridge. My friend Jenny lives in Brooklyn but I don't know the streets. I just know the way to get there. Oh wait. Um…it says Driggs. Oh! There's a subway station here." Kathleen let out a sigh of relief at having found some clue to give to Olivia as to where she was.

"Okay, hang on . Your dad has a subway map in here somewhere." Olivia pulled over and rifled through the glove box before turning her attention to the floorboard behind her. She spotted the glossy pamphlet stuck under the seat and grabbed it.

"Oh, God, you told dad. He's going to kill me!" Kathleen turned frantic once again.

"No! Your dad and I had to work late. He and John paired up today and he told me to take the car home. He'd want to know you're okay, though. Especially if you're this upset." Olivia turned on the dome light and scanned the subway map until she spotted the subway station Kathleen was talking about.

"He'll be mad at me, though. I didn't mean to. I shouldn't have gone to the party. He'll be so disappointed." Kathleen sat on the subway steps and glanced over her shoulder.

"Alright, let's forget about your dad for now, okay? Go down into the subway station and wait for me. I'll hurry. Just wait for me by where you put your Metro Card in, okay? I'll be there before you know it." Olivia turned the light off and pulled back onto the road. Destination in mind, she sped up to a comfortable speed. She had the dash light if she needed it.

"Okay, but won't my phone cut out?" Kathleen timidly walked down the steps and stared at the little bars. One went away and she stopped immediately.

"Not until you get further down on the platform. Just go down the steps and wait for me. I know you're scared but I'm hurrying. I won't let anything happen to you." Olivia was making good time. She wasn't sure what the normal time was to get to Brooklyn at this time.

"'Kay." Kathleen wiped her face with the sleeve of her hand and leaned up against the wall. Her eyes darted from left to right, scanning the subway station.

"Let me take you out tomorrow for dinner. We'll go to a show or something afterward. What do you say?" Olivia couldn't help but treat Kathleen like one of her own kids. She loved Elliot's children with all her heart and she was so happy when Elliot asked her to move in with them. If he'd have asked her six months ago she would have told him he was out of his mind. A lot changed between the two, though, and she couldn't imagine going a day without seeing him or the kids. She was looking forward to when she'd see them next. She'd made plans to take them to the park for a picnic before it got too cold. They were excited and she'd been informed their overnight bags were already packed.

"Really? Just the two of us?" Kathleen's mind eased a little at the distraction. She'd been spending more time with Olivia and had found her to be a decent person. Over time, she'd started to see her in a different light. She respected her and trusted her. That's why she'd pulled out the business card Olivia had given her for emergencies; for a time like that.

"Just you and me. I'm on the bridge now, sweetie. I'll be there in a few minutes. Tell me what else you want to do." Olivia stopped at a stop sign and used the street lamp outside to see where she needed to turn. The small lettering on the map made it hard to for her to make out the streets. She drove around a bit and spotted the station. She'd let Kathleen rattle on about what she wanted to see and where she wanted to shop.

"…H &M but we can go somewhere else if you want." Kathleen's low voice echoed through the station and tensed when she saw someone coming.

"It's just me. I'm hanging up now, okay?" Olivia closed her phone and stuck it in her pocket. She ran down the steps and embraced Kathleen.

"Oh thank God! Thank you so much!" Kathleen hugged Olivia with all the strength she had. She was tired but the relief she felt washed over her.

"Let's get out of here." Olivia put an arm around Kathleen and led her to Elliot's car. She made sure Kathleen was in and safely buckled up before she did the same.

"I feel so stupid. What am I doing going to a party in Brooklyn? I thought it would be fun. I never go out." Kathleen locked the door and laid her head against the window.

"It's not your fault. You did the right thing by getting out of the car. Does your mom know where you are?" Olivia saw the younger girl hesitate and nod slightly.

"Kind of. My friend Jenny lives down the hall from Matt. That's where I met him. We went to a theater camp last summer and we rehearsed at her house and came over. I told my mom I was staying over at Jenny's house. We were just going to go to the party and hang out for a while. We were going to come right back but then everyone started drinking. I just wanted to leave." Kathleen had turned her attention to Olivia, trying to convey what the whole story was.

"I'm glad you got out of the car. I have the bedding in the wash but I"ll make up the couch bed for you. I think your dad has a sheet that will fit it. First, I think you need to call your dad, though, and let him know what happened." Olivia put a hand on Kathleen's and squeezed gently.

"Can't it wait 'til he gets home? He'll be so angry with me. I'll tell him, I promise." Kathleen saw Olivia hesitate a moment before sighing.

"Okay, but as soon as you wake up you're calling your mom and telling her, too. Isn't your friend Jenny worried about you?" Olivia could already hear Elliot's angry voice in her head. She thought it could wait, though. Kathleen needed a friend and a good night's rest.

"I told her I was going to call my dad's girlfriend to pick me up." Kathleen liked the sound of Olivia being her dad's girlfriend. Secretly she'd wished they'd be together. Her dad was so happy when he was with Olivia. The two were taking it slow but it thrilled the kids to no end when Olivia moved in with their dad. She'd practically been living there, anyway.

"Okay. Maybe your mom can drop you off to get your stuff on Monday." Olivia saw Kathleen nod and turn back to the window. The two rode in silence the whole way back. It wasn't until Olivia killed the engine that Kathleen spoke again.

"Thanks for not being mad. And for not telling my dad. I'm sorry if he gets angry with you." She had a feeling her dad would take it out on Olivia. She didn't want to put Olivia in that position but she was too tired to deal with an overbearing, cop dad.

"It isn't anything I haven't heard before, Kathleen. You know your father. He's a good man, though, and he loves you. I'll make sure he lets you sleep." Olivia walked with Kathleen through the door and shut it behind her.

"Thanks, Olivia." Kathleen yawned and went to the couch while Olivia retrieved her some clothes to wear and some bedding.

"Go change before you fall asleep." Olivia pointed to the couch and laid a pillow and blanket down.

"I'm so tired. I'm going to sleep forever." Kathleen patted to the bathroom, clothes in hand.

"I'm glad someone's going to sleep." Olivia mumbled under her breath, shaking her head. She heard the key in the lock and cringed.

Elliot kicked the door open and pulled the key out. He took one look at the scene before him and stood by the door.

"Hey, El. Kathleen's staying the night; whatever's left of it. She was staying at her friend Jenny's but decided to crash here instead." Olivia waited for Elliot to gather that she didn't want to talk about it when Kathleen was present, nor did she want him to badger his daughter just yet.

"Okay. Hey, sweetie." Elliot embraced his daughter and ruffled her hair.

"Dad! I just brushed my hair. I used your brush, Olivia." Kathleen spread the blanket out on the couch and laid down, indicating it was time for them to leave.

"You know I don't mind. Sleep well. We'll try and be quiet tomorrow." Olivia let Elliot kiss his daughter goodnight before ushering him out of the room.

"Alright, something's up. What's going on?" Elliot shed his work clothes and slid under the covers with only his undershirt and boxers on.

"First of all, she's fine. She just got a little scared. She went out with some friends and they were drinking and she asked to get out of the car. She called me to pick her up and I did." Olivia slipped off her shoes and slid in next to Elliot, keeping her distance. He didn't appear to be welcoming her to his side of the bed.

"Why didn't she call me? Why didn't you call me?" Elliot stared at her in disbelief.

"Because she knew you would react this way, that's why. Besides, she asked me not to tell you. Elliot, she was exhausted. I thought it could wait." Olivia pulled the covers over her lap and sighed. She could feel the heat of his angry glare.

"Well, you thought wrong, Olivia. Would you have waited to call me if she'd gotten mugged or raped or worse? Then would it have been pertinent enough to call me? I'm her father, damnit! Why'd she call you in the first place?" Elliot yanked the covers, pulling them off of her.

"Keep your voice down! She's fine. I gave her my card a while back. I told her to call me if she ever needed me to help her out of a bind. That's why she called my cell phone, Elliot. And if you're waiting for an apology, then you're going to be waiting a hell of a long time because you're not getting one. I won't apologize for honoring your daughter's wishes." She hissed at him and tugged the blanket before ultimately throwing it off.

"You're right, she's my daughter. Not yours, mine." Elliot watched her turn her back to him, not even caring that she'd put her shoes back on. When she turned back around, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"You know, all I wanted was for your kids to like me. All I wanted was for their approval. I never though I'd have to gain yours. Tell Kathleen to call me when she gets up tomorrow. The sheets are in the wash for the…for your kids' beds. Tell them I said hi." She shook her head and walked from the room. Quietly, she snuck out, careful not to wake Kathleen. It wasn't until she was outside in the cool, chilly air that it hit her. She was in a spaghetti top and pajamas and no place to go. She didn't even have her cell phone. She wasn't about to go back, though. She started off down the street in a daze. She wiped a tear from her eye as she looked over her shoulder. The light to his bedroom was off and the curtains were drawn. His voice rang out in her head, reminding her of that night. The first date night they'd had and he'd called her on her cell and told her to look up. He'd waved and told her that he couldn't let her go off without making sure she left in one piece. He called her again that night and made sure she got home safely. He'd said then that he'd always worried about her and that she'd better get used to him checking up. She shivered and stared down at her empty hands, turning red from the cool air on her unprotected skin. It didn't matter if she had her phone or not. He wouldn't call her. Guess he was just kidding.