That afternoon Olivia is sitting in her office attempting to write performance evaluations when Amanda appears in her doorway.

"I don't know what you need, but I am eternally grateful for whatever it is."

Amanda furrows her brow, as she surveys the scene. Olivia has files, and papers spread over the entirety of her desk, "Did your desk explode?"

"I'm trying to do performance evaluations. Quite frankly it is my least favorite administrative task."

"Oh," Amanda turns to close the door.

Olivia casts her glasses onto the surface of the desk atop her paperwork as Amanda approaches.

"What's on your mind?" She questions as Amanda takes a seat.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Why?"

"It's just that you are leaving every night by five, and you keep skipping out for appointments. Did they find something when they did the CT of your head that you aren't telling us about?"

"They found something, but not on the CT of my head."

"I knew it! You're dying, aren't you?"

Olivia laughs, "If I were dying I wouldn't be here."

Amanda squints, "So you're living with a terminal illness?"

"They found a mass of sorts, but it is unlikely to be deadly."

"So it's benign?"

"It's not cancerous if that is what you're asking."

"Are you planning on keeping us in the dark forever? Liv if it's serious you should just tell us now. You don't have to be stoic, and face it alone."

"I appreciate you concern, but it is not as concerning as you've convinced yourself that it is."

Amanda chews on her thumbnail as she offers a look of suspicion. She shakes her head.

"I want to believe that, but Fin has been treating you with kid gloves. Every time one of us looks at your door he asks what could be important enough to disturb you. Yesterday I caught him muttering something about getting your blood pressure up. He made you wear your vest when the two of you volunteered to go get lunch last week. I don't understand what is happening. We're all worried about you."

"I assure you that the problem is self-limiting."

"So it's a ticking time bomb?" Amanda voices her paranoia.

"I suppose that you could call it that, but it seems a bit dramatic."

"I promise that if you tell me I will keep it to myself."

Olivia reaches into her work bag, and pulls out her planner. Amanda furrows her brow trying to connect the dots.

"Do you have something more important on your busy schedule?"

Olivia rolls her eyes, and pulls a rectangular piece of paper out of the planner. She pauses before she offers it to Amanda.

"I would like for you to take the Sargent's exam."

"Why? You have Fin."

"I do, and he just received word that he passed his lieutenant's exam."

"Why would he take his lieutenant's exam? He has no career aspirations beyond SVU."

"Because sometimes we have to do things by the book."

Amanda furrows her brow, "Now you're really worrying me. What are you talking about?"

"He will be in charge while I'm out on leave."

"Leave? Why are you going on leave?"

"Did you hear me say that I want you to take the Sargent's exam? I want you to be Fin's number two while I'm out."

"I care nothing about being in any pecking order. I am in here because I am worried about my friend."

"Please."

"Liv none of this makes sense to me."

Olivia sighs, and hands Amanda the piece of paper. She gesticulates towards the picture.

"I'm not dying. I am not even sick. I will have to take leave in the coming months, though."

Amanda stares blankly at the picture Olivia has given her.

"Maternity leave," Olivia clarifies.

Amanda's head slowly shifts upwards as the initial shock begins to fade. She rises from her seat, and she offers a toothy grin.

"Wow! That is…"

Olivia cuts her off, "Unexpected."

"I was going to say great news. Congratulations!"

"Shh! I'm not ready to tell the entire world just yet."

"Wait this has your name on it. You're physically going to be having a baby?"

"That is my understanding of how the mechanics of it work."

Amanda eyes the picture suspiciously, "Captain, how far along are you?"

"At this morning's appointment they insisted that I'm twenty four week's gestation."

"So that's why you've been wearing your blazer in this heat?"

Olivia nods, "It's amazing what a blazer, and a well-positioned button can hide."

"I have a lot of questions, but I'm not sure any of them are appropriate."

"You might as well ask them so I can be prepared when I tell the others."

"How did you come to the decision to have a baby?"

Olivia laughs hysterically, "I think this is an instance where fact is actually more compelling than fiction."

Amanda furrows her brow, "What do you mean? Was the process more complicated than you anticipated? I'm really thrown off by that answer."

"I didn't reach a decision."

"I'm not really sure I understand," Amanda admits.

"It was not a deliberate choice."

"What do you mean it wasn't a deliberate choice? Didn't you have to go and have…"

Olivia vehemently shakes her head, "Amanda I did not deliberately, or intentionally get pregnant."

"Whoa! Hold on a second. What are you saying?"

"It was completely unplanned."

"So you just did the deed, and wound up pregnant?"

"Yes. That is exactly what I am saying."

"Listen there is no shame in using ART if…"

Olivia cuts her off, "There is no shame because it happened the old fashioned way. At my age I was certain it was a ship that had sailed. Apparently there was this one egg who didn't quite get the memo. Which is why I only found out a few weeks ago. I really didn't have any reason to believe I was pregnant. I felt slightly nauseated one time, but that was after eating take out from the twenty four hour diner around the corner that is questionable at best."

"Damn! Talk about a horror story."

"It was a much scarier plot than some of the things Hollywood has offered lately."

"I am typically the last person to give unsolicited advice, but I feel compelled. Two kids on your own is a whole different ballgame. I know that you are solid. It's obvious how much work you've put into yourself, and how much love you have poured into Noah. At the end of the day being alone with two kids can be completely overwhelming. Do not shut the world out, and try to play the hero. Even if the stakeholders are physically, or emotionally unavailable do not go it alone. We're your family. Please lean on us. Also I am saying this somewhat selfishly, because I am a sucker for baby snuggles. Plus with my typical insomnia I'm usually up."

Olivia begins to tear up, "It means a lot to me to know that I have such rock solid love, and support from the best crew of people."

Amanda smiles, "The vest for take-out thing totally makes sense now."

"He is like a super annoying, completely overprotective brother," Olivia grins. "And I love him for it."