( Time skip)

Emma stood outside her Lieutenants apartment, trying to build up the courage to knock. Olivia had invited her over for dinner and to see Noah. It had been 5 weeks since they had been found and although she had offered before, Emma didn't want to see him until all her bruises had disappeared. She was aware that she would be a reminder to Noah at what had happened but she wanted to make it as easy as possible. She raised her hand but the door opened as she did. Olivia opened it wide.

' Emma? Why are you standing outside? come on i...'

'Emma'! Emma braced herself as she caught a hyperactive Noah in her arms.

'Hey Noah, how are you?'

' I'm good. We're having pasta for dinner. Do you like pasta? i love pasta, it's one of my favourites. Do you like animals? I love animals. Do you want to see my room?' Olivia chuckled as she followed them into the lounge.

' Give her a chance to breathe No.'

' Its okay, I like pasta. I love animals and i'd love to see your room as long as your mum says that's okay. ' Olivia waved them off smiling. Laughing slightly as she listened to Noah badger Emma on the way she says 'mum not mom.' She entered the kitchen to finish dishing up the meal. She knew Emma was nervous, but with Noah being so sweet she felt it would go smoothly.

'Look see, here's my bed, this is Jeff, he's my night time toy.'

' You know Noah, i still have my night time toy from when i was about your age. Do you know postman pat?'

'Yeah! he's the one with the black and white cat!'

' That right, her name is Jess. It's my birthday next month, and I'm going to be 31. That means I've had him over 25 years!'

' Woah! that's ages! I hope i keep Jeff that long!'

' I'm sure you will, just don't become ashamed of him when you become a teenager. You don't always have to cuddle him, keep him on a shelf or the end of your bed. Just be you and you'll be okay.'

There was a knock at the door and Olivia poked her head in.

' Dinners ready, Noah go and wash your hands please.'

Noah grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her towards the bathroom.

' Come on Emma, I'll show you where we wash our hands.'

Dinner went smoothly, Emma spent most of the time chatting with Noah about his likes and dislikes. Olivia just sat quietly listening. Emma was really good with Noah and if she hadn't already been working for her she would have asked Emma if she wanted to be his new nanny. In fact..

'Emma, have you always wanted to be a police officer?' Emma looked startled but then put on a smile, Olivia thought it looked fake.

I've always had an interest. Though I've always previously worked with children. I was actually going to ask you, What do i need to do in order to become a detective?' Olivia thought for a moment.

' Well, technically, according to your papers you are already on your way to one, but if you would feel more comfortable and stable actually being a detective then there is something you could do.' Emma looked away, Olivia remembered Barba mentioning potential Witness Protection.

' Anyway i thought about maybe you having 6 months on the job, helping us with cases, slowly working up to interrogation and more and then taking Your exam

just before Christmas so you can start the new year officially?'

'Oh! wow, yes that would be great please.'

' I was thinking, rather than you being there every single day, when we haven't got a case, Would you like to stay with Noah?' Emma stared at her, She'd just assumed that this would be a one time thing. Thinking carefully and watching the small boy who was engrossed in the tv cartoon she smiled and nodded.

'I'd love that Olivia, thank you. Would that be okay with you Noah?' He grinned and bounced up and down.

'That's awesome! thanks Mommy!'

Emma spent the rest of the evening playing with Noah and chatting to Olivia. It was relaxing and peaceful. Around 7pm there was a knock at the door.

'Noah, time to get ready for bed sweet boy.'

'Can Emma put me to bed tonight Mommy?' Emma looked up.

' Oh, um, wouldn't you want your mum to? I.. I'm not trying to but in or anything.' Waving a hand, Olivia said.

' Of course she can, would you mind Emma?'

'No..no of course not, Come on then Noah, tell me what to do.'

While Emma went to help Noah, Olivia opened the door.

'Raf? What are you doing here?'

' I've got paperwork i need you to sign.'

' And you couldn't resist seeing Emma right?' Olivia smirked and let him in. She had been the first to notice her best friend had a soft spot for her newbie. She thought it was nice but hoped he didn't rush things. She wanted Emma to stick around and didn't want anything to be awkward within the team.

' How are they? Did she open up at all?' The friends had talked about Emma frequently, Both were convinced she was in Witness Protection but they worried she had nobody to offload on, they'd been trying to get her to open up but she always managed to direct the conversation onto somebody else.

'Not really, She's only ever worked with children, which we know, but she says she's always been interested in police work. Noah practically begged for her to put him to bed tonight. Where are these papers then?' He handed them to her and they got to work. A little while later they heard Emma singing to Noah. Rafael went to use the bathroom but stopped to listen on his return, he watched as she stroked Noah's hair, his eyes growing heavier and heavier as she sang. It was innocent, and sweet. As she sang the last few notes she happened to glance up at the door, seeing Barba just outside. Blushing she tucked Noah in with his elephant, stroked his hair once more and walked out of the room. Barba smirked at her. She rolled her eyes and whispered.

'Not a word Barba.' Making her way into the lounge area she started to pack away the toys.

'Oh no, Emma leave that, i can do it later. Come sit down and have a drink.'

' Are you sure? I know this is really cheeky to ask but I don't suppose you have any teabags do you? I've been dying for a decent cup of tea since i got to America.'

'Ah I'm sorry i don't,' Emma laughed and shook her head.

' No worries, though i really don't understand how you guys cannot have a cuppa every now and then!' Rafael smirked.

' I could say the same thing about you, I don't think I've seen you drink a cup of coffee since we met.'

' Ew, gross no, Coffee is horrendous.'

'We can no longer be friends Emma.' Rafael said solemnly. Emma was so shocked by the change in demeanour she actually thought he was serious. When he winked at her she laughed.

' Oh haha very funny.'

' I live to please.' Olivia watched the banter between the two, She liked Emma, she was spunky and quick-witted. She just wished she knew more about her.

' So Emma, you've been here a month and we still hardly know anything about you. Tell us something.'

Emma bit her lip.

' I.. I need you to understand that there are some things i can't tell you right now. ( Rafael and Olivia glance at each other) not that i don't want to, it's just, i..i can't at the moment, maybe at some point but not right now...' Olivia leant forward and grasped her hand.

'Just tell us what your comfortable with Emma.'

'Alright um, I lived in a city called Southampton in the south of England. My mother and biological father were together until i was about 8. My sister was 13. They broke up and my mum got back together with her childhood sweetheart. In all intents and purposes he is my dad, i wasn't close with my father before he died when i was 15 from Dementia. I love animals, love children. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter and love Disney. Um.. what else do you want to know?'

' Do you enjoy any sports? I think I've only seen you do running.'

'My favourite thing to do is horse-riding. I had a horse back in England. His name was Chancellor and he was one of my best friends as sad as that is. Unfortunately i haven't really seen any horses here, I assume it isn't that common? '

' You don't see many in the city but i think there are a few stables somewhere.'

They continued talking, finding out minor details like favourite food and things. Both Rafael and Olivia noticed that she didn't mention any friends or anything else about her family so they steered clear of those topics. Come 10pm Emma was ready to leave. Rafael offered to drive her home so she got her things together.

' Thank you so much for this evening Olivia, I'm looking forward to getting to know both you and Noah more.'

'Thanks for coming over, I'm sure he's excited to see you again too! We'll talk more at work tomorrow about which days you should come to the station and which you should be with Noah.' Rafael looked at Olivia quizzically but let it go, Giving a nod, they left the apartment and made their way to his car.

' You know Emma, maybe I should start charging you for gas!' Emma laughed.

'Nah, your ride would be boring if you didn't have me in the car with you.'

'What did Liv mean about you not being at the station?'

'Oh, i asked her what i needed to do to become a Detective. She said if i work at the station for 6 months i can take the exam at Christmas but on days that its really slow she asked if I'd look after Noah. I told her I'd love to, he's adorable.'

Rafael didn't know how to feel exactly. He was shocked that Olivia would willingly let her son be with somebody she hadn't known for long, But then again after seeing the two of them he could hardly blame her. He was also a little shocked that he felt slight sadness at the thought of her not being at work all the time when he pops in there.

'Ah okay, come on, I've got court tomorrow for the three officers. Are you going to be sitting in the gallery?'

' Of course, i told you i was looking forward to seeing you in action. ' Emma grinned at him.

' Hey Rafael, can i ask you something?'

'Sure, go ahead.'

'Do people like, hug much over here?'

' What do you mean?'

' Hugging is a common thing back home, or at the very least it is for me! I'm a very huggable person, I like being informal and usually I'd give a hug when i see somebody and one when we part ways. It's been really difficult the last few weeks to not do it!' ' Rafael looked at her as if she had grown an extra head.

' I suppose it isn't common here no. We shake hands, or clap people on the back, but we rarely hug hello or goodbye. Is that a normal thing in England or is that just you?' Emma could tell her was teasing her.

' Ah okay, how annoying. And yeah it is more common than you think, but i have been told I'm extra tactile!' Rafael chuckled and the rest of the car ride lapsed into silence. He'd learnt more about this woman this evening, but he also knew that until she was ready, shed remain a mystery overall. They rode the elevator together, it stopping at her floor first.

'Well, thanks for the Ride Rafael, see you in the morning?' He nodded. Just as she was about to leave he said.

'Emma.' Turning back towards him, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her in for a hug.

' You don't have to hold back a hug from me.' Emma grinned and pulled him towards her slightly.

'Thanks Rafa!' Turning she walked down the hall, giving a backwards wave as she did so. Rafael stood there a moment. Nobody calls him Rafa, Raf yes or his full name but not Rafa. Though thinking about it he didn't mind it much.