DISCLAIMER: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and its characters are the property of NBC and Dick Wolf.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Total stand alone, no links to any episode- big thanks to Em for the Beta..Any errors are mine following formatting.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

Flooding Emotions
By clairebear

 

Part 5

"Nooooo." Alex threw herself at the glass, aware of no one else in the interrogation room, only seeing the woman she had fallen in love with take an apparent bullet in the back of the head.

In slow motion, Elliot saw Olivia drop to her knees, narrowly missing hitting her chin on the table in front of her. As soon as she'd dropped below Marov's shoulders, Elliot fired his gun. One shot hit Marov's forehead, and before he'd even started his projection backwards, a second shot hit him in the chest. As Marov was thrown backwards against the wall, Olivia lay crumpled on the floor where she had stood only a few seconds ago. Elliot didn't even take time to ensure Marov was down, he was striding across the floor to Olivia. He reached out and took hold of her shoulder, "Liv?"

Olivia lay shaking on the floor, reaching out to take hold of Elliot's hand, "I'm okay."

Elliot took her by the arm and pulled her into a sitting position, wrapping his arms around her. "Did I get you?"

Olivia shook her head, "No, your shots were good." She held a hand up to the cut on her lip that was bleeding heavily.

Elliot held her out at arms length, "Next time, don't do anything so stupid."

Olivia let out a shaky laugh, "One of us had to."

Alex simply stared as she watched Elliot move Olivia to sit up, only then realising she'd been holding her breath since the shots had rang out. She watched the exchange of words between the detectives, grabbing for the ledge of the mirror to catch her balance.

She was aware of Cragen moving towards the door of the interview room, but was unable to move as she felt the world swaying around her.

Elliot led Olivia out of the interview room, and joined Alex in the viewing area.

Alex looked paler than usual, which didn't go unnoticed by Elliot, "She needs that lip cleaned up."

Alex simply nodded, as she reached out and laid a hand on Olivia's arm.

Through the glass, Cragen was speaking into a cell phone while standing over Marov.

Elliot nodded towards the open door, "I'm going to need to write this up, and we'll need reports from you both, but that can wait. Go sort yourself out."

Elliot didn't wait for a response, but walked back into the room with Cragen.

"Are you okay?" Alex at last trusted her voice.

Olivia nodded, withdrawing her arm from Alex's touch, "I'm fine." She turned and walked away, heading to the ladies room with a hand held against her burst lip.

Alex stared to follow, but was stopped by Cragen appearing in the doorway. "Are we okay here?"

Alex risked a look at the body bleeding in the next room, "He held a gun to a detective's head, after a warning he stated his intent to kill and aggravated the situation by taunting the officers in the room. I'd say it goes beyond probable cause and Detective Stabler acted in a way that saved his partner's life."

Cragen nodded. "Are you okay, you don't look so good?"

Alex nodded before turning to follow after Olivia, allowing Cragen to get on with arranging for the removal of the body.

Alex found Olivia in the women's room a few minutes later, lifting cold water from the sink to her face, trying to stem the flow of blood from her lip.

"Are you okay?" Alex moved to stand within touching distance of Olivia, lifting a hand towards her cut lip.

Olivia backed up, tilting her head away from Alex, "I'm fine."

"You don't look it."

Olivia turned to face the mirror, turning her back on Alex, "It happens, danger of the job."

Alex read the body language and stepped back from Olivia, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"

As Olivia shook her head, a loud knock on the bathroom door interrupted them. The door opened, and Cragen's head appeared around the door, "Can I come in?"

Olivia spoke over her shoulder, "I'm fine."

Cragen entered the room, coming to stand with Alex. He looked at the now darkening bruise that was appearing on Olivia's jaw. "You don't look fine."

"I am. Tell Elliot I'll clean up here then we can go over our report."

Cragen shook his head, "That can wait. Go home."

Alex spoke up, "I can take you home."

Olivia started to shake her head, but Cragen spoke up, "Go Liv, and I don't want to see you tomorrow either. That's an order."

Olivia reluctantly nodded, which seemed to be enough for Cragen. He turned and left the women alone.

Alex stood in silence as Olivia again brought water to her lip, washing away the blood that continued to flow.

Olivia withdrew the paper towel she'd been holding to her lip, "You've got a meeting with the DA in an hour."

"I'll cancel."

Olivia shook her head, "You can't do that, we both know you can't."

"Then I'll ask for it to be put back an hour so I can take you home."

Olivia reached for a fresh paper towel, pressing it against her lip, "I think I can make my own way back to the apartment."

Alex tried not to let her words sting, realising she'd replaced 'home' for 'apartment'. "I'd rather-"

Olivia brushed past her on her way out the bathroom, "Let it go Alex, I'm fine."

Back at Olivia's desk, Alex couldn't argue. Finn and Munch were crowded around, watching as Olivia lifted her jacket.

Elliot came back to his desk, followed closely by Cragen.

"You got a ride?" Elliot looked between Alex and Olivia, noting the stony look on Alex's face.

"I'll take the subway."

Elliot took his own jacket from his chair, "Come on, I'll drop you off." He looked over at Cragen, "I've been ordered to take the rest of the day."

Alex offered Elliot a small smile of gratitude as she watched Olivia nod a resigned agreement.

Outside the station house, Olivia followed Elliot to his car.

"You in any rush to get home?"

Elliot shrugged, "Not particularly. What did you have in mind?"

"Thought I'd cash the rain check I had on drinks."

He stuck his keys back in his pocket and reached for his cell phone, "I'll let Cathy know. You can pay for the cab ride home."


O'Malley's at this time of the day was relatively quiet. With cops coming off shifts at all times of the day it was never empty, but it peaked at certain times, and this was not one of them.

Elliot paid for the first pitcher of beer, noting the bar tenders smile as he asked for only two glasses.

Olivia was seated in a booth near the back wall. Elliot slid into the seat opposite her, and handed her a glass.

"How you doing?"

Olivia shrugged, waiting until Elliot poured beer into her glass and taking a deep drink, "I'm not sure to be honest."

"Your mouth hurt?"

She shook her head, "Not really." She put her glass down, and held out her still shaking hand, "If that would stop I'd be fine."

"It's not every day someone holds your own gun to your head."

Olivia dropped her head, focusing her attention on her beer.

"You didn't do anything wrong Liv. You done the same thing I would've. I had my gun in that room with the asshole. It was just unlucky I walked out."

"He wouldn't have tried that if it had been you."

Elliot shook his head, "You don't know what he would've done."

Olivia's phone beeped. She welcomed the distraction until she saw Alex's name on the text message she'd received. Opening the message, it simply read, "Are you okay?"

Elliot nodded towards the phone, "If you need to make a call I can go to the men's room."

Olivia offered him a wry smile as she typed out a response to Alex, "Come to O'Malley's when you get off."

Putting the phone away, Olivia lifted her beer. "I think we need to talk."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

Olivia topped up both their drinks, before sitting back in her bench, "Okay, you win. I've been seeing someone."

"I knew it."

"So will you stop bugging me now?"

Elliot shook his head, "I need more than that. Who is he?"

Olivia shifted uncomfortably in seat, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Elliot.

"Ah, it's someone I know."

Olivia focused on her drink, "It's Alex."

He appeared confused, shaking his head, "I don't know anyone called-" And then he made the connection. His eyebrows shot up and his jaw dropped. "Alex?"

Olivia nodded.

"Cabot?"

Again Olivia could only nod.

"Alex Cabot."

"It doesn't matter how many times you say it El, it's still yes."

"But, she's….and you're….Cabot?"

"Jesus Elliot."

He seemed to snap back to attention, "Sorry, I just did not see that coming." He took a deep breath, and sat back in his chair. "How long?"

"Few weeks. When I moved in to her apartment, it started just after that."

"And this whole time, you didn't tell me?"

She shrugged, "Oh, 'cause your reaction right now is so good."

He smiled, "Yeah, okay."

"I didn't know what it meant, I didn't know where it was going and I'm scared El."

"Of?"

Olivia lifted both hands, "Everything."

"She clearly makes you happy. You passed up drinks and you've been keen to get home most nights. That doesn't sound like you're scared to me."

"I don't do relationships. I know we don't talk about it, but this is a first for me. I mean, I've been with people obviously, but not someone that I thought I'd then want to actually spend more than a few weeks with."

"How does she feel?"

Olivia couldn't help but laugh, "She's asked me to stay with her permanently."

"And that's not good?"

Olivia sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I don't know. I thought it was just a bit of fun, then I thought maybe it was more than that."

"But?"

"You saw her today."

"I don't think that was just Alex, we all felt scared today Liv."

"I'm not used to having someone question where I go at the end of the day. I'm not used to having someone care about me."

"Gee thanks."

Olivia laughed, "You know what I mean."

"Well, I think you need to start deciding what you want."

"Easier said than done."

Elliot nodded towards the door behind Olivia, "I'd say you have about five seconds."

Olivia turned to see Alex stride towards them, her heavy overcoat draped over her arm.

Alex offered a "Hi," before sliding into the booth beside Olivia. "I was sitting outside the 16th when you sent your message."

Olivia smiled, and reached out to take Alex's hand, "I'm glad you came."

Alex looked from the hand, to Elliot, and immediately noted his smile. "Ah, so have we solved the mystery of Olivia's secret man?"

Elliot rubbed at his chin, trying to hide his embarrassment, "Would you two like me to leave, or can I go get another round?"

Alex reached for Olivia's glass, taking a drink of the beer, "You get this round, I'll get the next."

Elliot slid out of the booth, "I could get to like you Cabot."

Alone, Olivia reclaimed her glass, "I didn't know if you'd come."

Alex reached for Olivia's hand, entwining their fingers, and dropping the clasped hand to sit on her knee, not wanting to embarrass Elliot on his return, "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm okay for now."

"And you told Elliot."

Olivia nodded, "He can be subtle when he wants to be, so don't worry."

"I'm not worried."

Elliot returned with another pitcher and a clean glass for Alex, "Looks like I drew the short straw, happy hour starts in half an hour, so looks like your round will be half price."

Alex shrugged, "In that case, I'd say the next two are mine."

Elliot laughed deeply, "If you're out to impress, you're going the right way about it."


They arrived back at Alex's apartment at just after midnight. Olivia was drunk, but Alex had allowed the two detectives to drink more than their share of the pitchers, ensuring she remained sensible.

Olivia led Alex to the sofa, waiting for Alex to sit before snuggling up beside her, "Did you have fun?"

"As much fun as I could have after today."

Olivia lifted her head to look at Alex, "I'm fine."

"I'm not sure I am." She stroked Olivia's hair. "I've never been so scared in my life as I was watching him hold that gun-"

"Don't."

"How can you be okay?"

Olivia sat up, moving away from Alex, "Because I have to be."

"You don't Liv. You have every right to be upset."

"And what does that achieve?"

Alex's eye's widened, "It relieves tension. It cleanses you, it makes you feel better."

"And then what? I go back to work and run the risk of the same thing happening again? It's not like it prevents anything."

"So, you just lock it away?"

"I've been doing it for long enough, trust me, it works just fine."

Alex reached over and took hold of Olivia's chin, turning her head to meet Alex's eye, "Tell me what you feel in here?" She held a hand to Olivia's chest, noting the thundering heart beneath her touch.

Olivia twisted her head away, "Don't Alex."

Alex reached out and again took hold of Olivia's chin, this time not letting go as she looked into her eyes, "Tell me."

Olivia swallowed hard, trying to fight back the tears Alex saw build in her eyes, "Alex please."

Alex's voice was so soft Olivia would have thought she'd imagined it had she not seen her lips move, "Tell me."

Olivia was battling with the tears, and Alex was shocked to see she appeared to win, again twisting out of Alex's grasp but this time standing and moving away from the sofa before Alex had time to react.

"Liv."

Olivia walked towards her bedroom, ignoring Alex.


Alex was sitting on her bed, soft Chopin playing from a stereo in the corner, as she hugged her knees to her.

The door was pushed open, and she raised her head to see Olivia standing in the doorway.

"Can I come in?"

"I thought you'd be packing your bags to leave."

Olivia walked towards the bed, wrapping her arms around herself, "Is that what you want?"

Alex sighed, shaking her head.

Olivia sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that Alex could touch her if she wanted, but far enough away that she didn't invade Alex's space. "I've been building walls around myself for so long I don't even know I'm doing it."

Alex dropped her arms, raising herself up to lean against the headboard.

"I know that it started with my mother, and I know that's not an excuse, but the thought of breaking down even the smallest of those walls terrifies me Alex. It scares me because I'm afraid that when I start, I won't be able to stop. And if that happens, no one is going to want to be near me."

"You can't know that."

"I do know that."

Alex shrugged, "So what now? You walk away because you're afraid I can't handle the real you?"

Olivia took a few seconds before she turned to Alex. "You asked me today how I was. When I got out that room, you asked how I was."

"And you said you were fine."

"I wasn't fine Alex." Olivia took a deep breath, but it didn't stop the tears sliding down her cheeks, "I was terrified." She used the back of her sleeve to wipe her face. "I was terrified that you were going to have to watch me die. I was terrified that I was going to die in that room before I got a chance to tell you how I really felt. I was terrified that I'd never see you again."

Alex reached out to place a hand on Olivia's arm.

Olivia didn't turn to look at her as she continued, "I thought about everything I've been through in my life, and how many times I thought I couldn't go on. And then I thought of the last few weeks with you, and how you'd made it all okay without even knowing what you'd done." Olivia placed a hand on Alex's, lifting it from her arm and placing it back on the bed, "I can't give you what you want Alex. I'm not going to just settle down into a relationship and allow myself to be happy. What happened today doesn't even come into it, because even after all that, I still can't tell you what you want to hear."

Alex replaced her hand back on Olivia's arm, "You're wrong."

Olivia started to shake her head, preparing to argue, but Alex cut her off, "You've already given me more than what I wanted. You've made me realise that I love you Olivia, and I'm not willing to just let you walk away from that. And as for not telling me what I want to hear, the fact you were thinking of me at all in that room today tells me that although you can't say the words, you still feel the emotion. I don't need to hear you say it to know you feel it."

Olivia's tears came harder as she shook her head, "You don't want me."

Alex smiled as she shifted her position on the bed, forcing Olivia to look at her as she dropped her head to look into her eye, "I've never wanted anyone more." Alex lifted a hand and gently wiped the tears from Olivia's cheek, at the same time turning Olivia's face to her own. "I love you Olivia."

Olivia started to shake her head, but Alex's mouth on hers stopped the movement. As Alex sat back, she said it again, "I love you. And I know that you can't say that back, but I'm not going to stop saying it. I love you."

Olivia made to stand, but Alex's arms around her pulled her down before she had a chance to move. She found herself enveloped in Alex's embrace, and she simply gave in. Her tears flowed, and her body became limp beneath her as she allowed Alex to cradle her.

Alex sat stroking Olivia's hair until her sobbing subsided. Olivia had moved from being a limp body beneath Alex's touch, to being able to reach around Alex to hold her close.

"I'm sorry."

Alex bent to kiss Olivia's head, "Don't ever say that. You never need to apologise for opening up to me."

Olivia took a deep breath, and moved back from Alex's embrace, "I need to pee."

Alex offered her a small smile, "There is such a thing as too much sharing."

Olivia leaned over and kissed Alex softly on the head before leaving to go to the bathroom.

Alex took the opportunity to change out of her work clothes, into some soft cotton pyjamas. By the time Olivia came back into the room, she was turning down the bed.

"Stay with me tonight."

Olivia, having washed her face but still sporting red eyes simply nodded.

Alex moved to her, and placed her hands on Olivia's hips, meaning to pull her close. The wince that escaped Olivia made her take a step back. "What?"

Olivia appeared reluctant as she reached down to lower the waist band of her pants with one hand, while lifting her shirt with the other. Underneath, a vivid purple bruise was visible on her hip bone, covering the area equivalent to her own hand span.

"Jesus." Alex made to reach out to touch the bruise, but pulled her hand at the last minute. "You said he didn't do anything else."

"I caught it on the table as he pulled me, and then again when he bent me over."

Alex swallowed back her own tears at this fresh evidence of just what Olivia had gone through only hours before. "Is there anything else?"

Olivia seemed to consider her answer before turning to pull down the neck of her shirt at the back of her neck. What appeared to be bruising in the shape of fingers were evident on the nape of her neck, just below her hair line.

"Bastard."

Olivia turned back to face Alex. Alex stood and gently pulled the shirt up and over Olivia's head. Alex sat back on the bed and reached to open Olivia's pants, helping her out of them. Alex leaned over and softly kissed the bruise on Olivia's hip. "Does that hurt?"

Olivia shook her head, running a hand through Alex's hair.

Alex reached up to take Olivia's hand, pulling her onto the bed beside her.

"Can we just lie here tonight? I'm not sure anything else-"

Olivia leaned over and captured Alex's mouth with her own. "Sleep."

Alex took hold of the sheet and pulled it up over them, clasping Olivia close to her and stroking her hair. "I love you."

Olivia closed her eyes and settled against Alex, closing her eyes and allowing sleep to overcome her.


Next morning, Alex was dressed and packing her briefcase as Olivia came to sit at the dining table, still in her robe and carrying a newspaper as well as a coffee cup.

"I'll be calling the squad room later, to check that you're not there."

Olivia lifted the newspaper, "I've got a full day ahead of me."

"I know the Times is a good read, but you can't make that last you all day."

"I'm going to call about some apartments."

Alex stopped packing, and looked towards Olivia, "Already?"

Olivia shrugged, "Why not?"

"Well," Alex walked towards the table, "I thought maybe you'd want to stay here."

"I do, but we discussed this and it's still only a temporary thing."

Alex moved to stand behind Olivia, reaching her arms around Olivia's neck, and dropping her chin onto the top of Olivia's head, "It doesn't have to be."

Olivia took Alex's hands in her own, "We've been through this."

"I'm just saying, what's the rush?"

"The rush is this has been great, but it's going way to fast. This isn't normal Alex. Most people date for months, have a few arguments, and then decide that they want to live together. We've done all that in three weeks. It's not practical."

Alex stood up, and moved back towards her briefcase, "I'm in court all day so I'm not sure when I'll be home."

Olivia turned her attention to Alex, watching as she shrugged on her woollen overcoat and lifted her bags, "Don't go to work mad at me. I'm being honest, and trying to be sensible about this."

Alex nodded, "I know. I'll see you when I get home."

"I could meet you for lunch?"

"I don't know when Foster will call a break for lunch."

Olivia tried to sound upbeat, "Okay, I'll just have dinner ready for you coming home then."

Olivia watched as Alex left before turning her attention to the apartments for rent.


Three apartments in the morning, and Olivia was disheartened by what was on offer.

On the other end of the phone, Elliot laughed as she explained the size of the apartments, "What did you expect? You're not going to get a palace on your budget Benson."

Olivia was standing outside a sandstone apartment building, "I need to go."

"A lunch date?"

"No, the landlord for my next viewing just showed up."

"Good luck."

A man in a trench coat holding a folder was approaching Olivia. "Ms Benson?"

Olivia nodded.

"Come on in. It's on the second floor, but the building has an elevator if you don't want to walk."

Olivia shook her head, following him through the main door, "Stairs are fine."

The apartment was bigger than anything she'd seen so far, and she was pleased to see that the only room without a window was the bathroom. An open plan kitchen – living space made the apartment seem bigger than it was, and Olivia couldn't help but smile as she stood looking around her.

"I've got a copy of the lease here," The landlord rifled through his folder, pulling out a two page document and handing it to Olivia. "I have four other viewings this afternoon, so if you're interested I'd say give me a call as soon as you can. My cell will be on till seven tonight."

Olivia nodded, "Thank you. I'll take a read over this and I'll let you know."

With one final look around, Olivia followed him back outside.


Olivia was putting the final touches to the dinning table when Alex arrived home. Candles, a vase with fresh flowers and two place settings sat atop the table, the lights dimmed enough to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Alex dropped her briefcase at the front door, and kicked off her shoes.

"You're home earlier than I thought you'd be."

Alex sighed as she walked towards Olivia, noting the effort Olivia had clearly gone to. "Judge Foster threw out the case before we finished opening statements."

"Oh, that's not good."

Alex kissed her softly on the cheek, "You've been busy."

"Dinner will be another fifteen minutes. Go take a bath and relax, and I'll shout when it's ready."

Alex smiled, "I could get used to this."

Olivia walked away from Alex, moving to the coffee table and lifting the lease she'd been given, "Well, please don't, not just yet."

Alex took the offered papers, looking puzzled, "What's this?"

"A lease on one of the apartments I saw today. I was hoping you'd look over it, and let me know what you think."

Alex stiffened, "Why does it matter what I think?"

Olivia sighed, "Because I'd rather not get ripped off. And I was hoping you'd be staying there a few nights a week and wanted to make sure you approve."

Alex moved past Olivia, "I'll read it in the bath."

Olivia watched Alex retreat, before heading to the kitchen to finish dinner.

Twenty minutes later Alex returned, now dressed in jeans and a sweater, her hair pulled into a loose pony-tail and her glasses sitting on her nose.

"Smells nice."

Olivia was carrying plates through to the table. "The one meal my mother taught me."

Alex sat at the table, reaching for the glass of wine set beside her plate. She waited until Olivia sat before she started eating. "Did you speak to Elliot today?"

Olivia nodded, "Called at lunch time."

"How was his head?"

Olivia laughed, taking another bite of food, "A little sore. He's glad Cragen insisted he stay home today too."

"Are you going back to work tomorrow?"

"I need to. We'll have reports to write up on Marov. The longer we leave it, the more we forget."

Alex shook her head, "I don't think I'll ever forget it."

"Did his lawyer contact you?"

Alex nodded, "A suit will be filed for wrongful death. They want a blow by blow account of our investigation as well as detailed reports of what happened at the shooting. It's routine stuff really."

"So you still think we're okay?"

"Of course. You have two witnesses to what happened with you and Elliot."

Olivia smirked, "I know lawyers, they don't back down easily."

Alex chose to ignore the remark. "I spoke to Finn today, they managed to track down Olav Lobachev."

"Marov's partner?"

Alex nodded. "He wanted a deal. A list of clients that purchased kiddy porn DVD's in exchange for a suspended sentence."

Olivia's fork hovered in front of her mouth, "Tell me you're not taking that?"

Alex shook her head, raising an eyebrow, "Of course not. The fact he admitted to a client list merits a warrant for his apartment and business premises. Finn thinks they'll uncover the list over the next few days and the case will grow ten fold."

"What else did he say?"

Alex shrugged, "Nothing new. He didn't know about the murders, had nothing to do with Marat's kidnap or death, and claimed not to know that the DVD's were filmed at apartments he had a share in."

"Where did he think they came from?"

Alex shook her head, "You know these guys, they'll say anything to shift the blame. He's hoping we'll let him go with a warning."

"What are you hoping for?"

"Maximum sentence. We pulled Judge Cunningham who is usually on our side with these types of cases. He could be looking at twenty years if we can link him to the murder."

Olivia appeared to consider the food on her plate, and had clearly lost her appetite. "He should be sent down for life."

Alex nodded, also now finished with her dinner. "Couldn't agree more."

Alex stood, and went to reach for Olivia's plate. Olivia however held up her hand, "Go sit down while I load the dishwasher. I'll bring through the rest of the wine."

Alex did as she was told and Olivia joined her on the sofa a few minutes later. Olivia topped up both their glasses before sitting back to join Alex.

"Did you read over the lease?"

Alex nodded, reaching to lift the papers that she'd left on the coffee table.

"And?"

"And it looks okay."

Olivia appeared surprised by this, "Really?"

"It's the same as what you were paying at the last place, but this has more space. He's wiling to waive the deposit if you re-decorate yourself and that means you can use all the insurance money to furnish it."

"So you think I should take it?"

Alex shrugged, "It looks too good to pass up."

Olivia took the papers from Alex, and looked disappointed.

"What? I thought that's what you wanted to hear?"

Olivia skimmed the papers again, "I was just hoping."

"What?"

She raised her eyes to Alex's as she tore the papers in half, and then in half again, "I was hoping you'd find something in there that would give me an excuse to do that."

Alex shook her head, "I don't understand."

Olivia smiled, "I have a hundred reasons for moving out of here Alex, and only one to stay." She reached out and laid a hand softly on Alex's cheek, "But that one reason seems a hundred times more important that the others."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if you still want me to, I'll stay."

Alex broke into a smile that instantly brought tears to Olivia's eyes. "Of course I want you to."

"And it still doesn't have to be permanent. If you think it's getting too much, then you need to say, and I'll find somewhere else."

"It won't, but okay."

"And I'm not promising not to freak out at least once a week."

Alex laughed, "I'm getting used to that."

Olivia suddenly became very serious, pulling her hand away from Alex, and sitting back to look her in the eye. "And one other thing."

Alex appeared nervous, "Okay."

"You have to ensure I tell you I love you at least once a day." Olivia smiled

Alex was clearly surprised by this, her eyes widening as she sat unable to speak.

"Because I do. I love you Alex."

A single tear made its way down Alex's cheek, and Olivia's fingers were there to gently wipe it away.

The End

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