One look at Olivia's face the next morning told Elliot everything he needed to know. She had made her decision and was leaving the department. He couldn't blame her and really never would. To be truthful when he discovered about her past he was truly amazed that she lasted more than a year. Her determination to right the wrong done to her mother decades ago made her one hell of an outstanding detective.

He wasn't going to lie either. Her considering retirement had begun to get him to think about his future. He loved his job and could tell he was making a difference even though on some days he often wondered. The fact of the matter was that he had never worked as well or as long with someone as he did Olivia and the last thing he wanted to do this late in the game was break in a rookie.

"Is dad in?" Olivia asked walking up and placing a hand on Elliot's shoulder letting him know without announcing it to everyone yet.

"Yeah, he got here a few minutes ago."

"Thanks" Olivia whispered as she headed for Cragen's door.

She took a deep breath before knocking on his door. Career wise this was probably the hardest thing she had ever had to do.

"Come in." Cragen called out.

"I need to talk to you sir." Olivia said as she walked in and shut the door behind her.

Cragen looked up from the folder he was going over and glanced at her. The look on her face told him it was extremely important.

"Sit" He said as he motioned to the chairs in front of his desk.

"I've been thinking sir" Olivia said as she sat and tears started to form in her eyes "I think it's time for me to retire."

Cragen leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. Hearing that she was wanting to retire was like someone sucker punching him in the gut. Over the years he had truly began to think that she would out last him and one day take his spot as Captain even though she never seemed interested in rank.

"When would you like this to go into effect?" He asked his voice raw with emotion.

"First of next month."

"Can I ask why?"

"I think I've finally hit my limit sir. The two am call outs is starting to wreak havoc on my body. I can no longer go fifty hour straight without sleeping. Hell yesterday I barely caught the perp. Like they say in the academy suspects never age but we do. My daughter turns eighteen next week and graduates in a month with a full ride to West Point Academy and my boys want to follow in her footsteps. Alex has cut her hours back at Joyful heart and is home more. We can finally slow down and enjoy our golden years together."

"I will call HR today and get you the forms to fill out. You have definitely earned and deserved this retirement." Cragen said as he stood and walked around the desk to her "You will be missed I can promise you this."

Olivia stood and Cragen pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

"I love you like you are my own daughter." He whispered trying to keep the tears at bay.

"I know and you are the father I never had. It means the world to me."

"What about them?" Cragen asked nodding toward the bullpen where the guys were throwing paper back and forth toward each other. "When and how would you like to tell them?"

"I want to do it now. Go ahead and do it so it won't be a shock to them when they discover it."

"It's your call. We'll play this how you want." Cragen said as he held the door open for her and followed her out. That was when it hit him that the next two weeks would be the last time he would see her in the bullpen as a detective.

"Listen up." Cragen voice boomed to get everyone's attention. "Olivia has something she would like to say."

Olivia looked out to the faces that had became the family she never had. All three of the guys the older brothers who looked out for her and Cragen their father. Scenes flashed through her mind of times with each guy that cemented a bond that could never and will never be broken. Fin when he saved her in the basement of the women's prison seeing her at her weakest yet never speaking a word to anyone. Munch her understanding when they had a case that dealt with his ex-wife and her schizophrenia. Most importantly let's not forget the constant entertainment with conspiracy theories he would always spin. With Elliot it was a lifetime of partnership, respect, and understanding. Theirs was a bond born in blue and never to be broken.

"This is not easy for me." Olivia said as she let the tears fall freely "I love each and every one of you as if you were my flesh and blood. In a way we are. This is probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make professionally. I have decided that it is time for me to turn in my papers. Spend more time with my wife and family. I've asked for it to be effective the first of next month."

Each face fell when the realization hit them that they were losing one of their own. Unlike the many other times in their careers this time it was on their terms and not that of the scum they fought daily. Fin was the first to step forward.

"We'll miss you." He said as he hugged her to him.

Elliot simply stood and wrapped his arms around her their eyes meeting for a moment saying everything that needed to be said without the words that would bring both of them to tears.

"Good for you." Munch said as he smacked her on the back. "It took you long enough to become a kept woman. Hell if it had been me I'd done it the second I said I do."

This brought a much needed round of laughter to an emotional charged room. They could always count on Munch to bring the smiles with his dry sense of humor.

"Alright guys let's get these case closed." Cragen said bringing attention back to the cases at hand 'We wouldn't want Olivia to spend her retirement going back and forth to trials for these cases now does we."

"No sir" Everyone said in unison as they turned to the plasma screen and began to close what will be the last case of Olivia's career as one of New York's finest.