They never really talked about it, about those days following the ordeal. Just like they never talked about her coming to pick her up to go talk to Katie. They had this understanding. So it took her by surprise when she unconsciously gave them away. She was waiting for this day, the more Bernie's memories became confused. But she was having a good day, and it came out of a normal conversation.

She had just gotten home, well, Elliot's. Noah ran inside not even bothering to say hi to the adults before going to find the kids. It was cold outside, she took her coat off, hanging it.

"It wasn't supposed to be this cold anymore" she complained.

"Mama was just making some tea" Elliot informed.

"Olivia, dear, you still like your tea with honey instead of sugar?" Bernie asked from the kitchen. No one really took notice about the question, but Elliot raised a brow at her, silently asking how his mother knew that.

It was after the second time, she was still dazed from the ordeal, still trying to hold into any kind of stability. By that time, Brian was long gone after the pregnancy scare, and she sat staring at a wall, still feeling Lewis blood splattered across her face. IAB was still deciding about her job, and nothing really seemed right. Perhaps Lewis was right, and he did change her. Sitting alone on the couch after Fin and Nick left, spiraling down the rabbit hole, she jumped when suddenly there was a knock on the door. She felt her heart beating faster and her hands turning cold. Her fight or flight instincts still in full force. She slowly pulled herself out of the couch and moved to the door. She picked a lamp, just to be safe, her gun still evidence.

Looking into the peephole she felt her heart drop for a whole different reason. The white hair she hadn't seen in a while. Taking a deep breath she pulled the door open, only to be immediately embraced by the loving arms of Bernadette Stabler. Tensing for a full minute before slowly relaxing into the hug. Bernie didn't say anything, just held her. And finally, the dam broke. The tears rolled from her eyes and she felt the first sob coming from her mouth. All she could do was keep repeating I'm sorry over and over, embarrassed about the overly emotional reaction to the older woman's presence.

"Shhh, dear, none of that" Bernie said gently, running her hand up and down Olivia's back. "Let's get inside"

Olivia moved to let her in, locking the door behind her.

"How-" her voice came out broken, so she cleared her throat "How did you find me?"

"Oh, I gave Don a call. He knew my husband, you know?" She looked at Olivia's figure, not really recognizing the overly confident detective she met "I figured you needed some mothering" she saw the younger woman eyes fill with tears.

"Yeah, I don't really know what that is" she revealed softly.

They sat on the couch facing each other. Olivia trembled, she was always cold these days. Bernie took the abandoned blanket, putting it around her shoulder "I'll make you some tea"

She got up and started exploring the cabinets looking for tea "There's no food here!" She exclaimed "I'll have to go grocery shopping" she mumbled to herself before finding the tea in the last cabinet. Olivia could help but flashback to another Stabler who said the same words. Bernie's voice took her out of her memories.

"How do you like it, dear?" She asked, already putting the kettle in the oven.

"Just plain, with a bit of honey" Liv said from the couch, making herself comfortable.

When Bernie sat back beside her, she took the cup from her hands, taking in the warm before asking "Does he know?"

Bernie sighed "I don't think so, he is working somewhere, I can't get in touch with him. He doesn't really make his whereabouts know to me"

"I think it's for the better, he'd only blame himself. Please, don't tell him. Let this be between us" she begged.

"Settle down, dear. Of course, I asked you the same thing not long ago, I owe you the same courtesy" she reassured. "Now you lay down" she took the half drank tea just as Olivia started protesting.

"Olivia, you look exhausted, lay down" she commanded.

Olivia moved, lying with her head resting on Bernie's lap. The older woman started running her fingers through her hair, and she felt tears in her eyes, not having flashbacks from Lewis for the first time when having her hair touched. She started to fall asleep, thinking perhaps she would get through this.

Bernie spent the whole week with her, no one knew. They called each other from time to time, but never met personally again.

"So…" his voice brought her back to the present "Why does it seem like my mother knows you better than she should?"

"You know, that is between us, El. But it is good to know I still have some secrets from you, it keeps things interesting" she smirked at him, giving him a kiss in his slightly pouted lips.

"Yeah, we really don't need to watch this, there are children in the room" Dickie's voice took them out of their bubble. The other children gave a loud laugh.

"You're just jealous, Dickie" Kathleen said somewhere deeper in the kitchen.

"With that I'm going to change out of these clothes" Olivia said moving to the bedroom.

Elliot made his way towards his mother, watching her making the tea "Thank you, ma"

She looked up at him "For what, dear?"

"For taking care of her while I couldn't" he said sincerely.

"I have no idea what you are talking about" she didn't give anything away, but he just knew.

"Of course you don't" he got up, also heading to the bedroom.

"Elliot?" He looked back at her.

"Yeah?"

"It was my pleasure" she gave him a smile.