Olivia was sitting at her desk, nibbling on crackers while she tried to finalize a report to send to the D. A.'s office. She knew Elliot would be coming to get her for lunch, and she wanted to get as much work finished as possible before he showed up. She wasn't sure how much she'd feel like working afterward. This lunch could make or break their relationship once and for all and she was scared to death.

"Liv…" Nick opened the door and she looked up at him. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," she nodded, saving her work and then motioning for him to sit down. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to check on you," he said with uncertainty. "I mean, I know you told Fin to tell Amanda and me you were pregnant…before you announced it to the squad, but I kind of wondered why you didn't tell me yourself. We've been partners a long time…"

"Nick…I wasn't trying to keep it from you," she tried to explain. "But I didn't really know how to deal with it, and I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while."

"But you told Fin?" he sighed.

"Fin told me," she rolled her eyes. "I had no idea…he's the one who made me go to the damn doctor…"

"Seriously?" Nick asked. "You didn't know…and Fin did…"

"Maybe I was in denial," she sighed, taking another bite of the saltines she had on her desk.

Nick looked at the crackers, "Are you feeling nauseous?" he asked. "Maria was miserable with Zara…I'd never seen someone throw up so much."

"Please don't mention throwing up," she closed her eyes, trying to settle her stomach. "I haven't actually been sick today…I'd like to keep it that way. It would be the first time in weeks."

"Really?" he asked. "Well maybe the morning sickness is letting up some then. That'd be good."

"Yeah…really good," she agreed. "Nick…I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner. You deserved to know before the rest of the squad. I just didn't want to face it all…"

"I understand," he nodded. "Can I ask you something though?"

"Sure," she agreed. "What?"

"You told us you were pregnant…that the baby's a girl…but you didn't say anything about her father," he looked seriously. "Is he…in the picture? Is it Cassidy? Is that why you didn't tell me? Because I can try to put my feelings aside…"

"It's not Brian," she insisted. "I know you saw him kiss me at Noah's party, but we're not together anymore. We haven't been…for a long time. I swear…"

"So who is it?" he asked. "It's not Fin is it? Is that why he knew first?"

"God no," Olivia was surprised by the suggestion. "Nick, you know Fin…I'm not exactly his type. Besides, he's like my protective older brother." She took a deep breath, biting off a little more of her cracker and wishing it was working better to control her nausea. "I've been seeing someone. My old partner…Elliot Stabler…"

"Really?" Nick asked with surprise. "I've never even met him."

"He's going to be here in about an hour," she told him. "You can meet him then…if you want."

"Meet the guy that made you treat me my like hell for the first three months I was on the job?" he laughed. "Yeah…I need to meet this guy."

"He didn't make me treat you like that," she admitted. "I missed him…more than I wanted to admit…and I chose to take it out on you. I'm sorry…"

"You don't have to apologize," he smiled. "You've proven you're a loyal partner over and over. We're good…right?"

"Yeah," she sighed, closing her eyes and trying unsuccessfully to suppress the churning in her stomach. She wanted to run to the bathroom, but she knew she'd never make it in time and she didn't feel like her legs would move anyway. She felt dizzy and weak. "Nick…" she put her hand to her mouth and he recognized the signs from her pale face and sickly demeanor. He grabbed the trash can and put it in front of her while she leaned over and retched into it. When she was finished, she looked up at him and sighed, "Stupid crackers…they were supposed to keep that from happening."

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Do you need anything?"

She shook her head, "I'm fine…I swear, I used to be a private person and in the last few weeks I've managed to throw up in front of half the people I know. It's kind of humbling…"

He laughed, "It's okay…sorry you didn't make it through the day without getting sick."

"I'm afraid I'm going to be throwing up for the next six months," she admitted. "There are times I don't know how I'm going to survive this."

"You'll survive it," he promised her. "And it will be worth it…you'll see. I'm excited for you. I can't wait to meet your little girl."

"Nick…I want to tell you something," she put her hand to her stomach. "Because you deserve to know before everyone else finds out."

"What?" he asked nervously. "Is something wrong?"

Her eyes were tearful, "My little girl…" she smiled a weak smile. "She's going to be such a blessing in my life. I know that…and I love her…she's going to be beautiful, and sweet…"

"Liv," he took her hand and squeezed in gently. "I know that…and I can't wait to meet her…"

"She has Down syndrome," Olivia realized it was the first time she had said the words to anyone other than Elliot and it felt strangely freeing to have it out in the open.

He reached out and hugged her, knowing it had been hard for her to tell him. "She's a lucky little girl, Liv," he smiled. "She's going to need a mother who is strong and can stand up for her…and there's no one better for that job than you. You are the most passionate and caring person I know. I agree this baby is a blessing…but you're a blessing to her as well. Remember that…"

"Thanks for saying that," she wiped away a few tears that were staining her cheeks.

"It's the truth," he smiled. Then he stood up and grabbed the trash can. "I'll go empty this," he offered.

She shook her head, "Just leave it," she cringed. "I think I might still need it."

"You want me to stay?" he asked with concern.

"I'll be fine," she answered. "I've gotten pretty good at throwing up and then going about business as usual."

He smiled, "It's just her way of reminding you that you're not alone. She wants to make her presence known."

She laughed, "Believe me…I know she's here." She put her hand on her stomach and exhaled slowly.

Nick opened the door, "Remember…I want to meet this Stabler guy." She nodded and watched as he closed the door and walked back to the squad room. Then she put her head down on her desk and tried to keep from getting sick again. Elliot would be there in less than an hour, and she didn't want to feel miserable all through lunch. Before she knew what hit her, she was sound asleep.

I know some of you are waiting for Liv and Elliot to talk. That will be next, I promise. :) Thanks again for all of the reviews.