Starting over with you.

 
"Kathy, I do not want to get into this again with you. I have told you, nothing is going on with me and Olivia for years. You are constantly using her to place blame because our relationship isn't the same!"

 

Elliot Stabler, a man of few words was very verbal this evening, another argument between him and his wife had resulted in sending the children into hiding, and Elliot trying to remember that his marriage was worth fighting for, but of this point; he was running out of excuses.

 

'And whose to blame for that? I am her taking care of our kids, cooking, cleaning, and your always gone and if your phone rings, no matter what time it is your gone again, no questions. Your my husband!' Kathy was hysterical and venting her anger at being alone on him, it was the same story every time.

 

"I know that I am your husband" Elliot was losing his composure and his responses were becoming cold and clipped. ' Then start acting like it!' Kathy's words were like venom from a snake and made him feel wounded. He stood up, and stared her down, His height, deep blue eyes and square jaw had finally set her silent, after two hours.

 

He got closer as if to hug her, and promise to make it better, she smiled inside a smug grin and the thought that she had won the argument, instead though he grabbed her shoulders and whispered, 'I will, when you stop fucking around." he seethed.

 

Her face was beet red with pain and shock. "How...?" He moved away from her to the dresser to grab his keys, gun, badge, and wallet. 'You think the kids don't know, they do. And your a horrible lair. If your going to have an affair, don't choose someone who lives right down the street. Have a little more respect for yourself and me, Kathy.'

 

He slammed their bedroom door and walked down the stairs only to be cut off by his daughter, Kathleen, who was shaking and crying at the outcome of the fight. "Dad, I'm...." she sobbed out and he embraced her and kissed her head. 'I know honey, it's not your fault. I can't be mad at you or any of you guys.'

 

"We didn't want to believe it, but when I saw Mom and Max in the kitchen embraced like that, I knew she was a lying bitch." Kathleen almost never swore, and hearing it made Elliot not feel so bad about his choice of words for Kathy. 'Watch your language. I'll be okay, but I need you to be strong and keep an eye on your brother and sisters. I'll be home in the morning. I love you.' "I love you too, daddy. I promise I will." Kathleen hugged her father tight, no matter the fights they had, she would always have a spot for her dad in her heart.

 

A minute later and he was out the door and into his car. Letting it warm up in the cold November night, he thought and knew his marriage of 17 years was over. A single tear escaped and he drove off into the night for an escape from his broken heart and memories.