"You're going to what?" Elliot sputtered in disbelief.

"I'm going to keep her. This kid needs someone to love her. El, I can't let her go. I talked to her for hours. She's been through hell, and she needs help. I can give it to her." Olivia's voice was calm and coherent.

"Are you serious, Liv? You know what kind of hours we work. You know exactly how little money we make. Don't you think Maria would be better off with someone who has more resources?"

Olivia looked as if she'd been slapped. Elliot froze and mentally replayed his last statement.

"No, no. Liv. I just meant that you work way too hard as it is. I don't want you or Maria to get hurt. I know that you would love her more than any little girl could be loved, but please, just think about what this will do to your life." Elliot was backtracking quickly, trying to find a way to pull himself out of the hole he dug.

"I am perfectly capable of figuring out my schedule and my finances, thank you. Maybe I'll just find another job." The words came out harsh and biting.

"You've got to be freaking kidding me, Liv. You can't do that to me. Not now. You know everything else in my life has gone up in flames. Hell, I got divorced last month! I need you."

"Maybe. But Maria needs me more." With that, Olivia turned back to the bed.

"No, no, no. This is not going to end this way, Liv. We mean way too much to each other for this to be it." Elliot was pleading, eyes burning holes in the back of Olivia's head.

She kept her back to him and scoffed quietly.

"Right. Elliot, we have made it very clear that we are just partners. Nothing more."

"Livvie, you know that isn't true." Elliot crossed the room and stood just behind Olivia. He was so close that her shoulders tensed at his proximity.

"You and I have never just been partners. You're my best friend in the whole world. You mean everything to me." Elliot's voice was soft and soothing.

"Kathy and the kids mean everything to you. I'm just here so you don't get yourself shot." Olivia's voice shook slightly.

"Well, there is that. But you do so much more than protect me from the perps. Liv, you keep me sane. You can't leave me. If I lose you, I'll lose everything. I'll go insane."

He sighed heavily before reaching out and spinning her around to face him.

"Look, Liv. If this is really what you want, I will be there to help you. It's hard enough to raise a kid with two sets of adult hands. I'm not going to let you do this alone. But you have to look me in the eye and tell me this is what you want. For the long haul. Don't let your emotional state and your stress from yesterday decide this. Is. This. What. You. Want?" he spoke slowly and deliberately, searching his partner's eyes.

She boldly met his gaze.

"El, this is what I've wanted my whole life. She needs love, and I can give it to her. I need this, El. I need her. Forever."

Elliot nodded and squeezed her hands.

"Okay. Let me call Casey. I'll see what we can make happen. But Liv, you have to remember that they don't just let people adopt kids. We have to prove to a judge that we can handle this. They may not be all that excited about giving an emotionally traumatized little girl to two busy police detectives."

The light in Olivia's eyes dimmed, just slightly.

"I'm not saying this to hurt you or freak you out," Elliot swiftly added. "I just don't want you to get your hopes too high up and end up hurt from this."

Olivia grinned.

"I won't get hurt. Casey will just have to find us an amazing attorney."

God help us all, Elliot thought.

He sent Olivia back into Maria's hospital room and walked towards the lobby to call Casey, shaking his head in disbelief.

I can't believe this is happening, he thought. Only for Liv would I do something this crazy.

And with that, he pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial for one Casey Novak.