I don't own SVU, but I do own a Burger King slushy, a headache from a math test earlier and the hair-tie on my wrist. Do you think Dick Wolf would like to trade me, because if he wanted to make an agreement, I'd be okay with that…

Harriet Creek Park

413 East Equestrian Boulevard

Wednesday March 28

"What's going on, what happened?" Olivia asked, sitting down on a swing, guiding Erin to do the same with the gently swaying similar object beside it, keeping Erin at arms length.

"My mother is what happened," Erin said bitterly, getting control of herself, swiping tears off her red, blushing, drowned cheeks.

"I'm sorry I don't follow, I thought you hadn't talked to her in years, why have you been thinking about her?" Olivia questioned.

"She's baaaack," Erin sing-songed as if referring to a monster in a horror-movie.

"She came back?" Olivia asked, gritting her teeth. She didn't know much about this mystery mom, but the way Erin's eyes darkened whenever her name or presence was brought up made her hate her by default.

"Back and better than ever. And when I say better I mean worse," Erin said, nodding her head.

"I'm sorry kid. What exactly was the falling out? What got your relationship to get to a point this bad?"

Erin sighed. "It's…it's complicated. I mean she was never really the ideal family woman. Never really liked being at home, she'd rather be out with her girlfriends, and, I figured out later, boyfriends."

"I'm so sorry," Olivia sympathized sincerely.

Erin waved her hand and shook her head as if to disregard the feeling of distress and apology. "It's fine, that's wasn't where the trouble started. The real drama was when she left. She tore our family apart, and I don't think she knew what she was doing but she did, she ripped up the carefully knitted and knotted threads of our family. I mean my dad…my dad was always one of those people that was strong and proper for everyone, he was the support, the foundation of our family, but after she left him," Erin shook her head "man he was lost."

"What…happened exactly?"

"Everything was just so different. My father went through some hard times, he broke, had no idea what to do without her. My father is a wonderful man, don't get me wrong, but he's not exactly a guy that was made to be a dad if you know what I mean. He's the most polite and respectful person I know, he's just very…awkward around kids, little kids especially."

"That sounds…exhausting," Olivia said, not knowing another word for the story.

"It was hard to communicate with him, frustrating at times. My siblings were just as bad. My older brothers were acting out more because they could, there was no one there to control them, their world was burning right in front of them and they jumped right into the flame. The only rational person in the house was my oldest brother, Jacob, but he went to college the next year leaving the house a circus and no ringmaster."

"What about the little ones?"

"They were kind of left up to me. My dad tried the best to support the family financially by taking on extra hours, Jacob was on the other side of the country, and my other older brothers were partying, going out with a new girl, or just going out in general. So I had the pleasure of trying to balance my own schedule with theirs too."

"Balancing homework and children's schedules, all while trying to maintain a social life…"

"You got it."

Olivia shook her head, frustrated with what she was discovering and thinking of her own pathetic excuse for a childhood. "I know you're sick of hearing this, but I really am sorry. I understand what growing up without a mother is like."

"Single father?"

"Not exactly…"

"What then?"

"My mother wasn't really…all there."

"Was she sick?"

"You could say that, she um, she drank. A lot."

"Oh…and your dad?"

"He wasn't in the picture. They weren't exactly dating."

"Was she…"

"Yeah."

"Wow. That just…that just epically blows."

Olivia took a deep breath, "It definitely wasn't ideal, but I'm still here aren't I?"

"Yeah, I guess you are. And if you survived with all that I can surely survive with my petty little problems."

"You're problems aren't petty. Your problems are just as important as anyone else's problems. But you are right about one thing."

"What's that?"

"You should be thankful for what you have, it's a lot more than other people, and I'm glad you recognize the gifts you were given."

"I do."

The pair sat in content silence for awhile, just listening to the wind blowing softly, ruffling the women's hair ever so slightly.

Erin let out a small laugh.

"What?" Olivia asked, looking over at her.

"Nothing. It's just…I can't believe my dad actually wants me to go to dinner with her tomorrow."

There was a pause.

"I think you should go."

Erin looked over at Olivia like she had grown another head. "Please tell me you're joking."

Olivia gave her an innocent look. "Think about it, if you go you'll show her you're not scared, that you're not afraid to stand up for yourself and for your family."

"And let her insult us a little more, no thank you," Erin said crossing her arms.

"Look, Erin, I get that you're hurt and you feel the need to tune everything and everyone out, to close yourself off from the world, but it's the moment of truth and you can either close to take the easy cowardly way out, or you can stand up and fight like the girl I know you are."

Erin looked at Olivia, sighed, and then rolled her eyes, "what did you get that off of your 'inspirational quotes of the day' calendar? That was so cliché it was sinful. But I suppose you do have a cheesy point. I guess I could go to dinner."

"Now that's a warrior," Olivia smiled, pleased that her advice had worked and would hopefully help repair the frayed relationship.

"On one condition," Erin added.

Olivia groaned, "of course there's a condition there's always a condition because nothing can ever be simple," she mumbled.

Erin stared at Olivia in slight amusement through Olivia's grumbling tirade. "Do you want to hear the condition or whine about my complicity a little bit longer?"

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret saying this but, what the heck, shoot."

"You have to join me," Erin said smugly.

"No. No, I mean, I couldn't, I can't, this is a family affair I wouldn't want to interfere."

"Are you scared of my relatives?"

"No, I am not afraid of your family, I just don't think I would fit in or be welcomed."

"Hey, I don't fit in and I'm not welcomed in my mother's life either, so we have more in common than you think, we're all in this together."

"You just copied lyrics from a Disney movie and you accuse me of copyrighting inspirational quotations?"

"Don't try and change the subject on me, come on are you in or not? I'm not going without you." Erin said, manipulation and pleading in her irises. It wasn't only the fact that she didn't want to go alone, it was that combined with the fact that she needed Olivia there for emotional support. She was scared to go into the battle unarmed; the spat with her mother not only infuriated her but caused a ripping in her heart. Betrayal and past memories overwhelmed her, sinking her back into a dark place. She needed Olivia to be her lifeline so that she didn't fall back into the Mariana's trench of feeling again.

"Fine..." Olivia replied reluctantly.

Erin smiled triumphantly.

"But I have a couple conditions of my own up my sleeve," Olivia said, Erin's smiling soon reversing.

"Number one: you have to clear it with your father. I absolutely do not want to get on his bad side."

"Done, he'll be thrilled," Erin check-marked the air.

"Number two: you promise never ever to run away again to an unknown location because that situation is prone to give me heart-attack, mental breakdowns, and urge to strangle you thus resulting in me being put into jail and tried by some of my colleagues which be humiliating."

"No loping out of your sight, can do."

"And number three, right here right now you, me, and a game of twenty questions."

"Does that consist of me asking you questions too?"

"No."

"Well that doesn't seem fair at all."

"Would you rather be grounded for freaking me out?" Olivia arched an eyebrow.

"Make it five questions," Erin said quickly.

"Psh, Fifteen."

"Ten."

"Twelve."

"You're pushing it. I'm not going higher than eight now."

"Nine."

"Eight and a half."

Olivia laughed, "Let's just say eight."

"Deal. Question one, hit me with it."

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"Oh my God, what are we, at a fourth grade sleepover playing truth-or-dare?" Erin scoffed.

"New rule, you can't make fun of my questions, now answer."

"You can't just establish a new rule whenever you please."

"Sure I can, I have the upper hand in this situation, now stop dilly-dallying we have serious stuff to discuss, now have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"Yes, I have."

"When and who?"

"That's two questions."

"I don't disagree with that…"

"His name was Henry, we were in third grade, and he asked me out by passing a note over the crayon box that said 'want to be my girlfriend, check yes or no,' with two little boxes. I slashed the yes one and the rest was history."

Olivia put her hands on her heart, "that was possibly the cutest story I've ever heard."

"Thank you peanut gallery, can we get on with this, I'm getting cold," Erin said rubbing her hands on her arms, wrapping her coat tighter around her. It was probably going on midnight by now.

"Number four: who's your best friend?" Olivia sing-songed.

"Are you trying to bother me?" Erin said, attempting to keep a straight face.

"Come on, I'm always so serious, humor me just this once."

"Okay, my best friend is you, of course," Erin said.

"Aw, that's so sweet, suck-up," she coughed.

Erin laughed, "Maybe."

"Six, have you ever been arrested?"

"No!"

"Just checking. What's the worst thing you've ever done?"

"According to whose standards?"

"Anybody's."

"I snuck into a 'R' rated movie once."

Olivia's eyes went slightly wider, "I'm scared to ask which one, but I'm too curious not to ask…"

"It's kind of really embarrassing," Erin said, looking away.

"What is it?" Olivia asked, intrigued.

"Beware this is your last question if you chose to use it, waste it on this pointless trivia."

"Tell me!"

"The King's Speech," Erin mumbled.

There was a few seconds pause before Olivia burst out laughing, "you could've snuck into anything, some awful, scary, intense, disgusting movie, yet you snuck into The King's Speech? A historical, sophisticated movie rated 'R' for some slight language?"

"Shut up, I thought it looked interesting."

"Was it worth it?"

"Yes, actually, it was a fine film."

"A historically documented, fine film. Sounds like a party for a teenager."

"You're a bully."

"No, no, I'm sorry. I just find you very layered, Erin Row. You're tough on the outside, but have a huge heart. You're stubborn, yet you want what's best for others. You're crazy and young and fun, yet you enjoy philosophy, reading, and history. You're more complex than most of the cases I work with."

"I'm going to guess that's a compliment meaning I'm not dull."

"It is, and you aren't. There's never a boring moment with you."

An unnecessarily long author's note: Put the pitchforks down, I'm ashamed at my poor updating time too! Sorry it's been awhile! I've been a busy, busy, bee. I hope you all had a good weekend and Mother's Day! Thank you for all of your support. I'm up to 130 reviews now, that's crazy and I owe it all to you! You guys are amazing and are just as much a part of this story as me! Without you I'd have no inspiration so thanks! I hope you continue to enjoy it. Kind of a filler chapter, but the next will be more exciting. Review, por favor, you guys rock! (Sorry if there are any grammar/spelling/storytelling errors, I do my best to proofread, but please don't hesitate to politely point them out. I won't be insulted, I am writing to get better.) =)

Another Author's note (Two is better than one) : I tried to update this awhile ago, but my internet, or computer, or the website was acting up and wasn't allowing me to do so, so I am very sorry about the delay. Another side note, if you are looking for some more great fanfiction, Black Rose (and the other Rose stories) by SilvrBlade (one of the sweetest authors ever) is absolutely incredible, so read it! Kpaige26, I hope your surgery went well, you have been in my prayers! =)