"Doctor Huang thinks it'd be a good idea if I visited my mom."

"How long has it been since you've seen her?"

Cammie and Liv were sitting in Starbucks sipping lattes and munching on a plate of snacks. Liv had gone back to work two days prior, Cammie was back to school and doing far better than she had perhaps in her entire life, or at least before her grandmothers death.

They'd just come from an appointment Cammie'd had with George.

"A while, four months maybe," Cammie took a sip of her mocha latte and looked out the window.

There was uncertainty written across the teenagers face; her eyes had become expressive, since she'd stopped plugging everything inside. Now they told Liv that Cammie was scared and unsure and, perhaps, angry.

"How do you feel about her? About going to see her?" Liv wondered, hoping that Cammie would give her an honest answer.

One thing Liv positively knew was that it didn't matter if you let someone in, if you stopped being closed off and numb, you still went on instinct and that instinct said to trust only yourself and no one else.

'Old habits die hard' Liv thought knowledgeably.

Cammie scratched her neck and shrugged, "I don't really know. I mean I was so angry at her for so long and so hurt and everything. I just don't know now. Every time I've been with her she's done something to cause me harm. Having faith that she won't this time is hard."

Pausing Cam took another sip, clearing her throat after the swallow she appeared to want to say more but instead fell quiet.

"What is it Cammie?" Liv murmured.

Averting her gaze Cammie spoke softly, "If I decide to go will you come with me? Will you stay with me and take me out if it starts to go south?"

Liv was slightly taken aback, hadn't Cammie realized that she could trust Olivia, that Liv would do her damnedest to protect her, "Of course, if you want me there I'll be there. I promise."

Wordlessly Liv reached across the table and took both of Cam's hands in her own and gave them a reassuring squeeze accompanied by a grin.

"Hi"

Liv didn't expect an answer because she knew it would never come.

All around her the trees swayed in the warm early summer breeze, the sky a brilliant blue, the sun beaming down optimistically. Every headstone in place adorned with roses, lilacs, or carnations.

"I haven't visited in awhile I know. My life's been crazy, then again what else is new?" Liv chuckled sarcastically.

Tentatively peering around to be sure she was alone Liv sat down in the grass Indian style and placed the single white carnation she'd brought with her. Sadly smiling Liv ran her fingertips over the rough stone, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"You probably know, but I've take a young teenager under my wing. Her name's Cammie, she's fifteen... and a great deal like myself. Her mother is like you were. Except she poisoned herself and her daughter with drugs rather than vodka or bourbon."

Liv stopped, her anger was welling and preparing to expell itself.

"I'm not sure if you were ever conscious of what you were doing to us, to me and to yourself. Did you love me? Even though I was a daily reminder of your rape and the rapist did you love me? I was so desperate for your love, for your care and affection. I hid it well thought because I knew you weren't capable of those things. I knew that I was the adult, you worked but I took care of us! It hurt so badly to see you destroy yourself and it hurt so badly to not be loved, but to be criticized. The countless times your hand, or a bottle met some flesh of skin I was terrified but I somehow managed to love you. After everything I found it in me to love you! But did you love me?"

Now she was sobbing and shouting unable to harness the torrent of emotion that flowed from every part of Liv's heart and mind.

"I don't know if it matters or if you can hear me, but if you do love me then..." Liv gulped, "... then let me go, please."

Her voice had reduced to a whisper only heard if you stood right in front of Liv.

Exhausted Liv stood from the ground abruptly, she stared at the grave and slowly a breeze kicked up stray flower petals and blew them around Liv. It was a sign.

"Thank you, mom."

Liv took a deep soothing breath and walked away...and walked to her car preparing to take Cammie to face her own mother, to gain true closer, and to be released from her binds.

Driving Liv recalled the previous weekend, herself in Elliot's comforting arms, his grip tight around her weakened body.

That night had marked a new point in their long relationship, Liv breathed deeply and smiled contentedly.

Fifteen minutes later Cammie was in the car, her face a mix of every emotion imaginable but determination prevailing.

"Ready?"

"No."

Liv nodded understandingly and began the drive to Rikers.

That noise of the car being geared in to park brought both from their imaginations, silently they exited the car and silently they headed for Rikers Island.

Cammie appeared calm and collected, however, under that fosade it was as if she was caught in a violent storm. Security searched Cammie and Liv taking her gun and badge then waived them through the heavy doors. Cammie reached for Liv's hand who grasped the teens and offered another reassuring grin.

"Cammie!"

CJ's loud voice erupted in their ears like an oncoming train.

Openning her arms CJ proceeded to sweep her child in to a hug, Cammie baulked and stepped towards Olivia.

"Well who are you?" she sneered coldly.

"Detective Olivia Benson" was all Liv would utter.

They took seats at the table, "I'm so glad to see you doll. I've missed you so much!" CJ beamed as if she should recieve an award for caring about her kid.

"Yea well. Look Mom I came here for one reason and one reason only. I came because I need to take care of me. You get to listen now and then you get to talk and then I'm leaving."

Cammie jumped right in, tossing a glance Liv's way before beginning:

"You hurt me in a way that no kid should ever be hurt. You damaged me physically and emotionally yet I still managed to find it in me to love you despite the cruelty. I took all my feelings for you and buried them but I can't anymore because it hurts too much and I won't let you burden me anymore. Do you love me? Did you even though you were harming me? Harming yourself? Well you know what I loved you. Now I'm tired of fighting all the bad stuff I feel and my love for you has waned to almost nothingness."

She stopped to take a breath then dove back in before CJ could.

"If you love me then let me go... if you love me you'll stop hurting me by giving me the only present I'll except now and that you can offer..." This time Cam was done. Her mouth was dry and she was tired.

"I...I..."

Cammie was prepared for a fight, she was prepared for anything at this point.

"I...I do love you Cammie... I... and I want you to be happy and I know I did a shitty job but you're turning out pretty damn well despite my screw-ups... it's OK, you can go now."

CJ really was letting go, she was relinquishing the suffocating grip she had on her daughter.

She was showing Cammie that she did love her.

Motioning to the gaurd CJ spoke these final words, "I love you, take care of yourself, and if you find you do want to see me or need me ever then you know how to get a hold of me. Bye Doll."

Surprised Cammie watches her mother for the last time and then allows Liv to lead her gently away.

In the car the two sit for a few minutes in silence, "She let me go", Cam whispered. A single tear trickled from the brim of her eye.

Olivia gathered her in to her arms.

They were free...