Time.

To some it is meaning less.

Just like that line from that television show that no one's ever seen, but that everyone can't help but know.

"Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives."

To the above-normal, above-average, non-everyday person who is fortunate enough to have the free time in the middle of the day to watch the show – it is means nothing more that "show's on.' But to the normal, average, everyday person whose only free time is spent sleeping, it means so much more.

To the single mother who is working two jobs to make enough money to be considered bankrupt – time is something that there just never seems to be enough of.

To the parents of six who never graduated from high school and never had a job that paid $6.00 and hour – time is something that they wasted on foolish childhood rebellion.

To the man who just lost his wife and newborn sons – time is something he forfeited to alcohol, cigars, cards and cheap women.

To the detective whose lover was shot and placed in the witness protection program – time is something they thought they would always share.

And to Olivia and Mackenzie – time is something that has just been stolen from their grasp.

Two weeks. That was the amount of time left in the trial. That was the amount of time Olivia had left with Mackenzie.

For the past two days, Olivia had been sitting alone in the middle of her apartment replaying her conversation with agent Hammond.

Hammond stepped away from the car.

"What the hell." Olivia cursed, getting out of the car once again.

"I'm telling you detective, take some time off and spend it with your daughter."

Olivia shook her head. "No…I can't…take that much…time off." Hammond's previous statement was just now hitting her. Her tone softened. "Wait…she's coming back?"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you. Ms. Cabot is coming back to testify in relation to your latest case. We told her that it is dangerous, but she insisted."

Olivia nodded and blinked a few times while looking around. "W…when?'

"Two weeks."

"Oh my God." Olivia gasped.

"She'll be here for two days and then she and Mackenzie will be leaving after the verdicts."

Olivia's head whipped around. "No..no no no no no. You said that I had six weeks with her…W…Wha…Her trial's not even going to be over by then."

"Yes it will be. Both verdicts are due back the day they leave…" He looked over as the strong detective rapidly lost control. He had to remind himself that he needed to stay detached. He was looking out for the safety and well-being of Alex and Mackenzie, not Olivia. He cleared his throat and his mind with one swift motion, then returned his gaze to the crumbling detective. "Until then, officers will be posted around the clock at the Cabot estate." And with that, her got in his car and drove away.

Olivia shook her head. Hammond was right, she should take some time off. She stifled a laugh as she pictured the Cabot estate. So much security for one little girl and her grand-. "Shit." In all the chaos, Olivia had forgotten that since Mrs. Cabot's death, Mackenzie was the only occupant of the Upper East Side mansion.

"Shit shit shit. How could I be so stupid?" She ran around her apartment until she found her shoes, coat, gun, badge and keys. Then she was out the door.

Cabot Estate

Olivia pulled up to the driveway and was seemingly unsurprised to see that the FBI had already posted a few agents. She got out of her car and walked up to the first agent. She handed him her badge and waited while he checked and compared information. After a few seconds, Olivia grew impatient.

"Look, I'm sure that you both know who I am, so can I please just go in for a minute to check on my daughter and then I'll come right back out and let…" She waved her hands around. "…this whole thing continue?"

The first agent ignored her completely and walked away, leaving only Olivia and the other agent.

"Wait-" Olivia pleaded to the agent's departing back, then she turned to the second. "Just let me go check on Mackenzie and then I'll come right back out." When neither agent responded, she decided to go in anyway.

The door was already halfway open by the time one of the agents finally spoke. "Your daughter's not in there detective."