**I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS FROM LAW & ORDER: SVU. THEY BELONG TO DICK WOLF.**

They arrived at the apartment shortly after one. Olivia turned the car off, got out and waited for Emma to get out. The two of them walked into the building and rode the elevator in silence. The closer they got to the door, the more Olivia regretted bringing Emma; her apartment was still a mess and first impressions make a lasting one. They walked the hallway until they stopped at a door and Emma waited patiently as Olivia put the key in the lock.

Olivia sighed and pushed the door opened, stepping aside allowing Emma in first. Emma gave Olivia a small smile before walking through the door frame. When she stepped in she noted the paper work scattered all about and a few clothes on the couch. Emma didn't mind though. She knew her mom's job was hectic and not to mention she was used to the mess when it came to William. Emma walked further into the apartment and looked around at the few trinkets lining the shelves.

There weren't many pictures so it was easy to look at them all in just a few glances. There was one of her mom and a lady that looked similar to the both of them; she concluded that must be her grandmother. There was also another picture of her and a guy that looked familiar. She walked over to the picture and noticed it was the same guy from the precinct. Olivia walked into the kitchen laying her keys down on the counter. She took her jacket off and watched as Emma picked up a picture of her and Elliot.

"You two close?" Emma asked as she continued to study the picture.

"Very," Olivia said walking into the living room beside Emma "he's my best friend."

Emma let out a small chuckle before placing the picture back down on the shelf.

"What?" Olivia asked.

"Oh nothing," Emma winked.

Olivia wanted to ask what she meant by that but she knew now was a good time to talk about what happened a few years back.

"So?" Emma asked breaking the silence that was creeping in the air.

"Let me just pick up a bit and then we can talk ok," Olivia said as she began picking up her clothes.

"Would you like any help?" Emma asked walking over to Olivia.

"That's ok," Olivia smiled "you don't have to."

Emma smiled back as she picked up a red shirt.

"I know; I want to."

Olivia smiled before picking up a few more clothes and walking to her bedroom with Emma behind her. Not sure which were clean and which were dirty, Olivia went ahead and put all the clothes in the hamper. Emma put the clothes she was carrying in the hamper as well and walked back out into the living room. Emma plopped herself onto the tan couch and Olivia sat down as well. There was a moment of silence, again, considering both of them didn't know where to start.

"So?" Emma questioned as she nibbled on her lower lip.

Olivia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose shortly before fully turning her attention to Emma.

"I guess I should start from the beginning," she said.

Emma didn't say anything. Instead, she went into the purse and pulled out her cell.

"Let me put in on vibrate real quick," she said sliding it opened.

"That's fine," Olivia said thankful for the short distraction.

She needed as much time as she could get to think about how she was going to explain everything. Emma finished with her cell and placed it back in her purse. Not wanting to be rude, Emma sat at the edge of the couch and looked at Olivia.

Olivia noted the position Emma was in and indicated that Emma was more than welcome to make herself at home. Emma still decided to sit in a proper position instead of curling her knees up to her chest like she would do if she were home with William.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Olivia asked not only to be nice but to try and stall the conversation.

"No thank you," Emma replied sweetly.

Olivia sighed one last time and ran her fingers quickly through her hair.

"I guess now's a better time than never," she said more to herself than to her daughter.

Emma didn't say anything. Instead she stared at Olivia with wonder in her eyes.

"When I was eighteen I fell in love with this one guy," Olivia explained "at least I thought I was in love. I had problems with my mother growing up so when I found someone who cared for me, I fell head over heels."

Olivia paused for a moment as the memories began to play back in her mind.

"We don't have to do this now if you don't want to," Emma said kindly.

She knew this was probably hard for her mom and though she wanted to talk about it, she didn't want to if her mom didn't. Emma wasn't the type of person to pressure someone into doing something they didn't want to. Well expect William but that's a different matter. Olivia smiled at Emma's kindness and explained she wanted to talk about it, though that was partially true. She wanted to talk about it mainly for Emma's sake; after all she had the right to know.

"Long story short I got pregnant. Not long after I found out, the guy I was with dumped me," Olivia sighed.

She knew now was not the time to cry so she blinked back the tears threatening to arise. Emma watched Olivia and could practically hear her heart break. She wanted to comfort her mother but they still haven't established that mother daughter relationship.

"I knew I couldn't depend on my mother to help me so I stayed with a friend and got a job so I could help with the rent. A few months later I went into labor early and that's when I had you," Olivia said looking at Emma.

Emma gave a faint smile to which Olivia returned.

"Emma listen to me," Olivia said sliding closer to the teenager "giving you up was the hardest thing I ever had to do but it was for your best interest I did it."

Emma began to feel tears in her eyes and quickly tried wiping them away. They didn't go unnoticed by Olivia who swiped her thumb gently across Emma's cheek.

"Did you ever try looking for me?" Emma asked so quietly that Olivia had to strain her ears to hear.

Olivia tucked some of Emma's hair behind her ear and cupped tilted her chin so they were facing each other.

"No," Olivia replied honestly.