"Cap'n." Donald Cragen looked up from his paperwork, his expression softening. Olivia Benson was standing in front of him, exhaustion etched on her face. "Does anybody know what sleep is these days," he thought ruefully.

He moved to his office couch and opened up his arms. "Come here. I wanna try something." She surprised herself by complying, laying her head on his chest.

"Is this what having a dad feels like?" The question escaped her mouth before she thought about it, and she pulled away, horrified. He placed his hand on the back of her neck, gently massaging the tense muscles.

"Will you allow me to show you what having a parent should be like?" He moved his hands to her cheeks, softly caressing as she turned to face him. Liv's eyes filled with tears as she held out her arms. "Hol' me. Sleepy," she slurred, her voice thick with exhaustion.

Don placed her head in his lap and ran his fingers through her hair. "When you close your eyes, I will watch over you and be there when you wake up. You are not alone anymore. When it gets to be too much, you can lean on me."

His words echoed in Olivia's mind as she slowly gave in to the exhaustion. "Lean on me, and let me carry you home."