AN: Still struggling with getting my chapters to flow better so any tips would be greatly appreciated. also sorry about the delay this site has been down.

Chapter 7

Olivia had taken 3 days mandatory medical leave and was now feeling very refreshed and was looking forward to going back to work. No one else knew about the baby except Rollins and that is how she wanted it to stay for now. There was so much that was uncertain about this pregnancy, she didn't want to have to tell people just to un tell them if something went wrong. Rollins was picking her up for work in an hour so she took her pre-natal vitamin with a glass of juice and ate a piece of peanut butter toast for breakfast whilst watching the news. She was trying really hard to be healthier, there was so much she had done before knowing about this baby that could have harmed it that she felt she had to try twice as hard now to make up for it.

Amanda was driving across town in a Sedan she had already collected from the precinct to collect Olivia. She had noticed that the other detective was trying really hard over the last few days to be better for the baby she was carrying. Apart from the other night where they had platonically shared a bed there had been no new developments in their romantic relationship and privately Rollins was relieved. She didn't want to hurt the brunettes feelings by rejecting her but there was so much weighing on her own mind in regards to her feelings for her colleague. Olivia's life was obviously going to change significantly in the coming months and Rollins didn't want to add any more pressure to the situation. Also she needed to protect herself from getting hurt too. Self preservation was so important. She was still re-building herself after what had happened in Atlanta and also the other secret she was holding onto tightly that she couldn't really afford to risk losing what she had worked so hard for.

When she got to Olivia's apartment she sent a quick text to let her know she was waiting outside. A few short minutes later the other woman was sliding into the seat next to hers.

"thanks for picking me up, I didn't feel up to driving yet." Olivia sighed as she relaxed into her seat and fastened her seat belt.

"No problem, glad to help." Amanda smiled as she took control of the car and pulled into traffic she kept her eyes on the road but broke the silence between them when she asked "How you gonna play this today? You gonna tell Cragen?" she turned a corner.

"Not yet , I wanna see what happens at the sonogram first but I'm also not ready to be taken out of the field yet ya know?" Olivia shrugged.

"It's dangerous out there Liv. You need to be careful. Desk duty isn't a punishment, it's for your well being and that kid you're carrying" Rollins fought the urge to roll her eyes at Olivia's stubbornness.

"I know that but I just found out, can I take a bit of time to process before everyone knows and they start treating me different?" Olivia grumbled and ran her hand through her hair.

"I guess, I'm sorry. I just worry about you." Amanda let her eyes flick over to her briefly before returning her concentration to the road in front of her.

"I know, I appreciate it but at work we just need to do our jobs. Try not to worry too much, I've been doing this a long time" Olivia reassured her.

"How long exactly?" Amanda was curious now.

"Um...14 years or there abouts" Olivia grinned "I joined SVU in 98 just after I got my shield. Why, how long have you been a detective?" She mused aloud.

"Well in 98 I was graduating high school so nowhere near as long as you." Amanda winked at the shocked expression on Olivia's face.

"Jesus you're a baby" Olivia winced at the reminder of the age gap between the two of them.

"Relax Liv, I'm an adult and have been for a while it's not like I'm some 20 year old college student." Amanda regretted bringing it up again seeing how tense it made the brunette.

"The thoughts I've had about you definitely aren't appropriate for someone so much younger than myself." Olivia chastised herself.

"Seriously relax, It's all fine everyone in this car is legal even if it wouldn't of been 15 years ago. Also we haven't actually done anything that would fall into that category even if it wasn't legal." Amanda sighed and pulled the car into the lot behind the station. She turned to Olivia and took her hands "Breathe Liv it's fine, I like you. You like me. Were both consenting adults." Amanda kissed her hands then dropped them "Now I believe you said we have to be professional at work so come on" She opened the car door and exited the vehicle.

When Olivia entered the squad room most of the team got to their feet to welcome her back.

"Baby girl glad to have you back but please don't do that to us again!" Fin scolded pulling her into a hug.

"thanks Fin and I don't have any plans to do that any time soon. I just need to take better care of myself and not get so into chasing perps that I forget to eat and drink again" Liv shrugged off the concern good naturedly. Munch shook her hand and then patted her on the shoulder before he went back to his desk. Olivia made her way to Cragen's office and she tapped on the door.

"Ah Detective Benson come in" he answered when he saw her head peak around the door. Olivia came in and closed the door behind her and stood in front of his desk waiting for further instruction.

"Glad to have you back Olivia, this place isn't the same without you. Now all I know is that you were over worked and crashed hard when the adrenaline wore off. So to avoid that happening again were gonna ease you back in. light duties for the next week and we will see how you go after that. That means no chasing perps, no stake outs, no situations that will lead to you having to get physical with anyone." He stated firmly knowing that Benson wouldn't like it "It's for your own good Benson so don't fight me on this. You can interview victims and even perps in the interrogation room but I don't want you doing too much too soon." He nodded his head at her and stared her down a little "Those are my orders detective" He motioned to the door for her to leave and she did so.

"I've been benched for the week" Olivia grunted in annoyance when she took a seat at her desk.

"For the best baby girl, you gotta take it a little easier. Life doesn't revolve around this place" Fin tried to ease her frustration.

They all got to work and Olivia tried not to sulk when they all went about the business of reigning in perps and getting witness statements. She was almost grateful when she was told there was a vic at the hospital so she would have something to do.

"22 year old white female, unconscious with obvious defensive wounds to her upper body , rape kit was negative but when the surgeons were fixing her internal bleeding they found something in her abdomen that makes them think that rape was intended." The nurse explained uneasily.

"What did they find?" Olivia was stunned a bit.

"Um...well she bit it off" The nurse waited for the information to sink in but the confusion didn't fade from Olivia's face she added "His penis, she bit off his penis".

"Oh!" Olivia stated in shock "Do you have the um...specimen?" She asked.

"Yeah, our intern has it, hasn't left her sight and all that since it was collected" She motioned to the young female with blonde hair in scrubs who came over holding a small red cooler.

"Great, well sooner or later this guy is gonna seek medical attention so I'll put out an alert to all other medical facilities in the area but if he comes here can you give us a call?" Olivia passed her card over and took the form for custody of medical material with the cooler. She was curious but decided against opening the box. She didn't need to lose her breakfast ,she suddenly felt queasy.

She got into the squad car with Munch who drove them straight to Warner's office so the sample could be checked for DNA.

"Jesus, talk about taking a bite out of crime" Melinda winced when she opened the cooler to look at the sample.

Olivia clasped a hand over her mouth and ran outside just making it to the gutter in time before her toast made a reappearance.

"You alright there Benson?" Munch said offering her a bottle of water and a handkerchief from his inside pocket of his suit.

"Yeah just a little sick still obviously" Olivia took a long swig of the water and swished it around her mouth before spitting it into the gutter. She wiped her mouth with the handkerchief "I'll wash this and return it you, thanks" she added smiling weakly.

"you know you should tell the cap" Munch told his younger colleague "How far long are you?" He added to inform her that he knew.

Olivia raised an eyebrow before saying "No one knows yet, except Amanda and she found out by accident too, about 8 weeks and I'm not ready to tell anyone so please keep this to yourself." She knew she wouldn't have to tell Munch twice, he could keep a secret.

"Sure thing and Liv?" he looked into her eyes and when she raised her eyebrow again questioningly he added "mazel tov you'll be a great mother" Munch smiled at her.

"Thanks John, you're the best you know that" She bumped her hip against his playfully "So lets get back in there" She made her way back into the medical examiners office.

It was actually the next day by the time their rapist stumbled into Mercy hospital bleeding profusely from his missing appendage. He was stitched up minus his family jewels and sent to the prison ward to heal until he would be fit for interrogation and trial. Seeing as they had his DNA in abundance they weren't worried he would get off. It was a further two days before the victim awoke from her coma much to the surprise of everyone who had been working around the clock to save her, They hadn't expected her to make it and were glad to see her recover and survive.

By the time Friday rolled around Olivia was so ready for the weekend. If it hadn't been for the rape case she would have been bored out of her mind this past week.

"Hey Amanda want to get Chinese at my place?" She called over to the blonde who was typing her last few lines on her DD5.

"sounds good. I could murder some lo mein." She rubbed her stomach enthusiastically.

"Naw you two ain't coming drinking?" Fin whined almost comically.

"Not tonight Fin, I've sworn off drinking for the next little while. I did it too much the last few months" Olivia told him without wavering. She wasn't lying exactly she was actually worried about how much whiskey this baby had been bathing in for the first 6 weeks of it's life.

"I guess you did almost die so I'll let it slide for now" He grinned at her to let her know it was fine "Well Munch is on call so maybe I'll just grab some beer on my way home, I'm outta here anyway. See you all Monday." Fin exited the squad room.

When Amanda and Olivia made it into her apartment carrying the bag of take out they were chatting and laughing and the conversation was light and playful. The second they were away from the precinct the easy domesticity returned. Olivia gathered plates, chopsticks and a fork (for Amanda who hadn't figured out how to use them yet.) she sat them down on the coffee table as Amada started pulling containers out of the bag. They'd ordered an extra serving of spring rolls as Olivia was craving them and told Amanda no way was she gonna share them. Olivia pounced upon them as soon as they came into view and at the first bite she moaned aloud with satisfaction.

"Oh my god, I've wanted these for days" She put the last bite into her mouth and sighed with contentment. Amanda just laughed at her.

When the food was gone the two were sat in opposite corners of the sofa watching some dumb movie that was playing on tv that night.

"What days the ultrasound again?" Amanda asked absent mindedly.

"Tuesday, I've already cleared it with Cragen and he said I can take you with me so long as were not gone all day" Olivia stood to grab a glass of juice from the fridge "You want some?" She asked holding up the OJ bottle.

"Uh sure and how come the cap is just letting me go with you?" Amanda asked suspiciously.

"I told him I have a check up at the hospital after what happened and he knows were friends and I don't have anyone else so he said it's fine" Olivia shrugged and picked up the OJ glasses and sat down on her side of the ouch before giving one to the young blonde.

"Um okay, I guess that works" Amanda took a look at Olivia's face before she asked a question "how you feeling now, about everything?" She nodded her head towards Olivia's abdomen.

"Still good about keeping it, a little scared I may of hurt it with all my drinking the last few months" She admitted shyly "My Mom used to drink and I don't want that around my kid. I swear I'll never drink another drop so long as this little one is okay" She pledged to herself aloud and placed her hand on her still flat belly.

"try not to worry unless you're given cause to do so." Amanda held her hand for support "It's not good for either of you" She looked into the brown anxious eyes and pulled the tall brunette into a hug sensing her need for comfort before she had said anything.

Olivia let herself feel comforted in the other woman's arms before glancing up at her face and locking her brown eyes on the blue ones gazing down at her she leaned up cupping the young detective face she whispered "I'm not drunk now" Before letting her lips touch the plump pink ones now within reach.

Amanda was stunned but let herself savour the moment. Her lips moved of their own accord kissing her back hesitantly before becoming more instinctual and sensual. The kiss was soft and sweet and only lasted a few seconds before Olivia pulled back and smiled at her shyly.

"was that worth waiting for Rollins?" She asked quietly suddenly feeling nervous.

"More than anything" Amanda captured her lips again taking control of the kiss and letting herself feel whole for the first time in years. Forget everything she had told herself about waiting until Olivia was more settled , they both needed this. They kissed again and again, Olivia ran her tongue over Amanda's bottom lip gently asking for entrance and the blonde groaned and opened her mouth granting permission. Tongues battled for dominance and Olivia whimpered a little when Amanda's tongue touched hers for the first time. They pulled back breathing heavily foreheads touching.

Amanda spoke first, breaking the spell she whispered "So what does this mean?" She needed to know the answer desperately.