Olivia had finally made it into work today Lara had seemed to be coping well after last night's talk and had promised not to runaway again, if she let her go to school. So far she was keeping that promise.

Now began the task of explaining her new situation to her coworkers. Olivia was worried about what their reactions would be as well as what their captain would say when she faced him. She was afraid that he would look at her in a new light, even though Elliot assured her that Cragen understood and was offering her support during this difficult time.

~~i~~

"Hey Liv is everything ok you disappeared so suddenly the other day?" Munch asked concerned as he saw her enter the squad room and sit at her desk, after being MIA for two days.

"Yeah and your partner over there, was no help in telling us what's up. No matter how hard we tortured him." Fin elaborated joining the pair at their desk.

"Tortured?" Olivia questioned with a smirk.

"Ok tortured maybe a little harsh, it was more like pester but you get the idea and yet he still didn't crack." Fin corrected.

"Ok good, well I'm glad to know I can trust El to keep my secrets." Olivia replies with a smile, thankful for that, as it was one of the many things she loved about him.

"Yeah he's a regular chamber of secrets." Fin jokes.

"You've just jealous cause you're stuck with conspiracy man over there." Elliot retorts.

"Hey I resent that, anyway who says he's stuck with me. Did you stop to think that I might be the one stuck with him?" Munch retorts in mock hurt.

.

"Ok well I hate to break up this friendly banter but you asked me if anything was wrong." Liv paused. "Do you remember Lara Renold's?" "Of cause they remember it was only two days ago since we closed the case." She chastised in her head.

"Yeah that was a tough case; I could see just how hard it was affecting you. But I'm glad that things worked out and that she's safe now." Munch comments he knew just how hard cases like that affected her but this one seemed to hit her harder than normal.

Olivia flashed him a meek smile. "Yes she is safe now." Olivia paused again glancing towards Elliot for support and strength before continuing, who in turn reached out and squeezed her hand. "I don't quite know how to say this so I'll just come right out with it… Lara... Lara is my daughter."

"WHAT? HOW?" Both Fin and Munch exclaimed in shock.

"What I mean is you've never been pregnant?" Munch elaborated.

"I kept it a secret and…when I had her I was told that she had died shortly after. I always had my doubts and when I saw Lara's birth records where the same, it only heightened them. And so that night that Lara was in the hospital I… I took a hair sample and got a DNA test." Olivia confessed to them, gauging them both of their reactions.

.

They sat there in awkward silence for a moment.

.

"Oh my god Liv I'm so sorry about what happened. Does Lara know the truth?" Fin sympathy's he couldn't imagine anything more devastating then to believe for seven years that your child had died only to discover that they are alive.

"Thank you Fin. Yes Lara does know I… I accidently blurted it out to her when I went to take her home. I planned to explain it to her when she was ready, I didn't mean to." Olivia admits sadly, still not ready to forgive herself for doing that.

"We understand Liv. So how is Lara coping?" Munch asks equally concerned as his partner was.

"It's been rough but we're taking it a day at a time." Liv admits thankful for their concern, glad that they weren't mad at her.

"How can they just mistakenly swap a baby like that?" Fin wondered in shock.

"Unless it wasn't a mistake." Munch chimed in from his desk. "What was the doctor name again?" He asks as he types furiously on his computer searching for something.

"Doctor Ryan Clayton Why?" Olivia asks wondering what he was hinting at.

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Munch typed some more before he responded.

.

"It seems he had charges brought up against him four years ago. He was accused of deliberately swapping a baby, but nothing could ever be proven so the case was dismissed." Munch informs her of his discovery as he reads of his computer screen.

.

Before Olivia or anyone else could comment on his discovery the door to Cragen's office opened.

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"Olivia can I see you in my office for a moment."Cragen asks he had seen her arrive and knew that she would want to tell the others about Lara so gave her some time.

Olivia reluctantly got up from her desk and went to his office; she was hoping to avoid this conversation for a little while longer.

"How are thing going between you and Lara, is she settling in ok given the circumstances? Cragen asked as he took a seat at his desk, gestured to the seat in front of it but Olivia just shook her head opting to stand.

"It's been a little rocky so far but I think its slowly starting to get better." Olivia said relived that he wasn't disappointed in her.

"Good." Cragen nodded his head he was glad that things were slowly working out for her.

"Captain it seems that the doctor who delivered Lara had once been accused of swapping a baby. I'd like permission to investigate what happened to me and see if there is a connection between the two cases." Olivia informed him know that he needed to know about this latest discovery.

"You know I can't let u work this case you're…" Cragen began.

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"Captain you can't take me off this case. I need to know the truth about what happened to me and to see if there are other's out there in a similar situation. I know that it may seem like a conflict of interest having me work this case but I promise you that I can remain detached." Olivia promises almost pleading.

"Alright but Elliot is the lead detective on this case and you are not to interview the doctor if and when that time comes do I make myself clear?" Cragan relents knowing that she would just investigate it on her own if he said no.

"I understand sir thank you." Olivia says grateful for the opportunity to stay on the case then turns to leave.

"Olivia my offer still stands if you need any time off to be with Lara take it." Cragen stops her just as she reached the door. Letting her know he supported her.

"Thank you captain I'll keep that in mind. Right now I just want to find out if this was really an accident or something far more sinister. I promise I will remain objective." Olivia promises again, thankful for his support and hoping that it was just a case of human error.

"I know you will Liv and if not Elliot or the other's will let me know and I will have to take you off the case." Cragen promises letting her know that there was only one chance.

With that said Olivia nodded her head in understanding then swiftly exited his office.

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