Down the rabbit hole she goes, farther, and farther with each passing day. The self-loathing only grows stronger with each passing day. The darkness iss closing in on her. The truth will come to the surface eventually. She can't hide the truth forever. She is so close to the edge. Soon she will break. The drinking, and the lying, they are taking her deeper, and deeper into her own head. She knows she can only hide behind the badge for so long. She knows soon the bough will break.

He looks over at his partner, who sits in the passenger's seat of the car. It seems as if she's been relinquishing the driver's seat a lot lately. She stares out the window, walled up in silence. He's given he lots of space, but he knows the things she isn't telling him could fill a book. She grows more distant from him each day. He feels as if any connection they had in the past as partners has been completely severed. He makes the decision that today is the day. The barrier between them has to come down, before it's too late for his partner.

"Olivia," he glances in her direction, speaking her name softly.

She continues to stare out the window in silence, too wrapped up in her own thoughts to even register that he is speaking to her.

"Olivia," he says a little louder, unable to look away from her.

She turns, and meets his glance. Her dark eyes seem darker, and more troubled than usual.

"What?" She answers.

"We've been sitting here for hours I don't think this guy is coming. Do you want to call it a night."

"Not yet," she answers, looking away.

"Olivia," he says firmly, but quietly.

"What?"

"It's time."

"Just a few more minutes," she argues.

"For you to tell me the truth," he answers.

She doesn't look at him, but she stiffens in her seat.

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't been yourself lately. I am your partner. I need you to be honest with me."

"About what?" She plays coy.

"Olivia every day I watch you sink deeper, and deeper into a hole that I'm not entirely sure that you can climb out of on your own. It's okay to need help."

"Nick, you don't understand."

"Than make me understand," he insists.

"It's not what you think."

"How can I know that if you won't talk to me? You won't talk to anyone. I don't even think you tell your therapist everything."

"Some things are private."

"The things that are eating at you? Why do you want to keep them all to yourself? It's bigger than you."

"Nick you can't help me."

"Let me try."

"It will change everything."

"Tell me anyway," he argues.

She looks away once again. The silence surrounds them once again. He thinks she's shutdown, and their conversation is over. Several moments pass in silence, and she doesn't offer to make eye contact, or even turn in his direction. Just as he looks away she begins to speak, in a soft tone.

"I have a son."

His eyes widen, and once again he turns in her direction. She doesn't look at him. She watches the sidewalk outside the car. She stares into the darkness. His heart skips a beat, but his brain keeps pace.

"Excuse me?"

"I have a son," she repeats, flatly, with no emotion.

"You never told me that," he points out.

"I never told anyone," she reveals.

"You're being serious right now?" He cocks an eyebrow.

She exhales, and turns towards him. The look on her face says it all. Her lips remain frozen.

"Why haven't you ever mentioned him?"

"I don't like to think about it."

"You said have..."

"Yes," she nods in confirmation.

"How old is she?"

"Seven."

Nick swallows hard, "Where is he?"

"Not here," is all she'll reveal.

"That is a pretty big secret to keep."

"It's only the tip of the iceberg."

"Does Brian know?"

"No one knows."

"Why are you telling me?"

"I can't take it anymore. For the past eight years has been a lie. I am not a liar. I hate lying, but..." she trails off.

"But what?"

"I couldn't face it."

"And now?"

"I don't think I have a choice. I can't hide from it anymore. I feel like my life is spinning out of control. One more thread, and it will all unravel."

"Why isn't he here, with you?"

"I made a mistake."

"Why now?"

"Because he's free."

Nick furrows his brow, "I don't understand. What do you mean, he's free? Your son?"

"No."

"Olivia I am having trouble connecting the dots here."

She looks away from him. She peers out the windshield as they sit in their squad car.

"The shortest distance between two points is a straight line," she tells him.

"I was never very good at geometry."

She makes brief eye contact, and then returns to her window gazing. She sees a figure in a dark hoodie coming up the street.

"There's our guy," she points, abruptly ending their conversation.