DISCLAIMER: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and its characters are the property of NBC and Dick Wolf.
THANKS: To Leslie for the awesome sketch of Alex & Olivia that sorta inspired this story and to all of you for reading and especially everyone on the Yahoo Group, vivalab – you guys rock!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Part of the story range, Undercover.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
Undercover III: Charades
By VivalaB
Part 4
Alex stood in the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror as she brushed her teeth. Her mind mulling over the 'driving lesson' she had just received and smiled as she remembered how natural it felt to have Olivia's arms around her. She stopped the, up and down, movement of her arm and blinked slowly.
"Are you nearly done?" Olivia shouted loudly from the other side of the door.
Alex smiled as she ignored the brunette and finished her nightly routine. After a few more minutes, she opened the bathroom door and placed her hands on her hips, "What's your hurry?" she asked, looking at the reclining figure on the large bed.
Olivia turned her head and nearly choked as Alex stood in the doorway, her slender frame back lit by the glow from the bathroom, "I…wanted…to put the lights out," she replied with an unsteady tone as she admired the sleepwear Alex was wearing. "Nice shorts," she added, smiling at the short, silky material.
Alex snapped off the bathroom light and moved over to the bed shaking her head, "I might have known you'd sleep in a police issue t-shirt," she replied dryly.
"Hey, I've had this shirt for almost twenty years," she said defensively, looking down at the faded blue, thread bare material.
Alex snorted, "And it shows," she retorted, slipping under the duvet. She removed her glasses and placed them on the nightstand before lying flat on her back.
"Do you snore?" Olivia asked, studying the blonde haired woman's choice of sleeping position.
Alex shook her head, "Not on the first date," she quipped, shifting her head to the right and smiling at Olivia. "What time did you set the alarm for?" she asked.
"6am, thought we could go for a run around the neighborhood, make ourselves visible," the brunette replied, running her fingers through her short hair.
Alex smiled, "Sounds good," she answered, covering a yawn with the back of her hand.
Olivia nodded, "Get some rest, you'll need your strength for the morning," she said, waggling her eyebrows.
"In your dreams Benson," Alex replied, turning away and closing her eyes.
Olivia smiled reflexively, "G'night Alex," she said quietly.
"Goodnight Liv," she responded wearily.
Olivia awoke before the alarm, her inner clock always reliable and never late. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, clearing away the last remnants of sleep and stopped breathing.
They were inches away, both on their side and facing each other, with the duvet around their waist. Olivia looked down her own body, relived to see her t-shirt only slightly higher than it should be, but Alex's silk, pale blue vest was pulled tight against her body, leaving little to the imagination.
Olivia swallowed as her eyes wandered along Alex's slender upper body, returning to fasten on the hardened nipples, straining against the thin material. She gazed at the protruding buds and licked her lower lip as forbidden thoughts sprang to mind. She blew out a frustrated breath and turned away just as the alarm began to buzz. She stretched out her arm and slapped the snooze button with her hand.
"6am?" Alex asked with a sleep riddled voice, rolling on to her back and stretching out her limbs, letting out a muted mewling sound.
Olivia turned to face her and smiled, "Yep, ready to get your ass whipped?" she teased, easing out of bed and stretching her arms high above her head.
Alex tilted her head and admired the toned stomach on display before looking down at the firm, shapely legs she rarely saw. She looked at the boy shorts Olivia was wearing and smiled, "Cute shorts Liv," she said.
Olivia looked down and shrugged, "Better than see through silk," she quipped, waggling her eyebrows.
Alex looked down and blushed, instantly realizing why Olivia was grinning, "Pervert," she retorted, pulling the duvet up to her neck.
Olivia shook her head with laughter as she headed for the bathroom.
Once the door was closed, Alex lowered the cover and looked at her chest, smiling as her nipples jutted proudly against their silken confines, "Nicely done," she whispered, smoothing a hand across both peaks.
"How many more times are we going to lap the neighborhood?" Alex asked, panting lightly.
Olivia turned her head, "Until I'm convinced we've been noticed," she replied, smiling at a neighbor as he collected his newspaper from his front lawn.
Alex turned her head and smiled in his direction before muttering under her breath, "I think we've been spotted by every male in the neighborhood, can we go home now?" she pleaded, feeling her legs begin to burn.
Olivia snorted, "Thought you ran five miles every morning?"
Alex tilted her head, "I do…just not recently," she replied.
"How long is, 'not recently?'" Olivia asked.
"A few weeks, maybe a month," she admitted, smiling as they passed a woman power walking, carrying hand weights.
Olivia snorted, "Last lap, loser makes breakfast?" she suggested playfully.
Alex nodded, "You're on," she said, suddenly sprinting ahead of the shorter woman.
"No fair!" Olivia shouted after the departing blonde as she picked up her pace.
Alex pushed on harder, determined to win and not have to cook. As she turned a corner, near the cover house, she glanced over her shoulder to see how close Olivia was and missed the dog that ran straight into her path.
Olivia watched in horror as Alex tumbled head first on to the concrete and raced towards her, ignoring the strain in her muscles as fear gripped her chest. She reached the fallen woman and dropped to the ground, shaking Alex's shoulder gently, "Alex, Alex," she said urgently, panic evident in her voice.
Alex rolled over, holding her head and groaning, "Did you get the number of that bus?" she asked shakily.
"Toto!"
Olivia turned her head and met the concerned face of an elderly woman who was reaching for her small terrier.
"I'm so sorry dear, he just ran out the door, are you alright?" she asked Alex as she tucked her small dog into her side.
Alex moved to a sitting position and nodded slowly, "I'm fine," she replied absently as the pain in her right wrist grew stronger and more persistent. She lifted her left hand to her forehead, relieved to find no blood.
"Are you sure you're okay? Do you know who I am?" Olivia asked, her voice full of concern as she stroked Alex's shoulder lightly.
Alex tilted her head and looked at her, "Yes Ellen, I know who you are," she drolled.
The small black dog growled at Olivia as she turned and glared at him. His owner held out her hand and smiled, "I'm Dotty," she said warmly.
Olivia shook her hand and smiled, "I'm Olivia…and this is my partner, Alex"
Alex smiled up at her as she took a calming breath before shaking the old woman's hand, "Cam we go home, I think I need to lie down," she said, swallowing a wave of nausea.
Olivia nodded and helped her to her feet, "I could carry you," she suggested seriously.
Alex snorted, "I'll take my chances on the yellow brick road, thanks," she said quietly.
"Take care dears, welcome to the neighborhood," Dotty said, turning and heading up her garden path.
Olivia smiled at her before placing an arm securely around Alex's waist, "C'mon, let's get you home"
Alex wrapped her left arm around Olivia's shoulders and nodded her head, "Did you see her feet?" she whispered, even though they were a safe distance away.
Olivia shook her head, "I was too busy looking at you," she admitted, pulling the taller woman closer.
Alex smiled at Olivia's genuine concern, "She had on red slippers…and her name is Dotty…obviously Dorothy…I wouldn't be surprised if her surname was Gale," she said laughing.
Olivia groaned, "Oh well, at least one good thing came out of this morning…we're now officially friends of Dorothy," she quipped.
Alex sat at the kitchen table with a bag of ice covering her wrist, pushing the pancakes slowly around her plate.
"I know they're not great, it's the only thing I can cook," Olivia said, smiling shyly at the blonde.
Alex shook her head, "It's not that, my wrist really hurts…I think we might need to go see a doctor," she admitted quietly.
Olivia dropped her fork and leapt from her chair, "Why didn't you say?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she helped Alex out of her seat.
"I didn't want to make a fuss"
Olivia looked into blue eyes and shook her head, "You're worth fussing about," she whispered.
Two hours later, Olivia pulled the Mustang into the garage and switched off the engine. She turned her head sideways and smiled, "I'll get your door," she offered, not waiting for a response as she exited the car.
Alex smiled as Olivia held the door open for her and took the offered hand, "Thanks," she said quietly.
Olivia closed the door and led her into the house, never releasing her left hand.
Once inside, Alex headed straight for the bedroom where she sat down heavily on the edge of the bed. Olivia followed her, kicking off her sneakers and longing for a shower. She looked at the clock and was shocked to find it wasn't even 11am, "I'm going to to grab a quick shower, you be okay?" she asked, eying the support sling warily.
Alex nodded, "Yeah, I need a shower too…that's going to be interesting," she said, realizing how awkward it would be with the lightweight cast on her wrist.
Olivia frowned, "You can't get that wet," she commented, pointing at Alex's right arm.
"But I can take it off," Alex replied, having been advised by the doctor to keep her wrist supported for at least forty eight hours.
Olivia shook her head, "You're not taking that off, you're lucky it's only a bad sprain and not a fracture," she said, looking down at the blonde as her mind tried to resolve their dilemma. After a few minutes she smiled, "I'll wash you," she mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Alex asked as both eyebrows shot into her hairline.
Olivia smiled, "I'll run you a bath with lots of bubbles and…" she paused as she realized what she was suggesting, "…wash your hair," she finished quietly, unable to contain her blush.
Alex noticed the darkening skin on Olivia's face and considered her options. She dipped her head and looked at her feet, "Lots of bubbles," she said, lifting her eyes.
Alex stood in the steamy bathroom, looking at the large bubble bath that Olivia had drawn and smiled. She sat on the closed toilet seat and reached down to untie her laces, unprepared for how awkward the simple task would be. She sighed in frustration as she opted to kick the sneakers off instead. She removed the sling and placed it on top of the laundry hamper before tugging at her shorts with one hand, managing to slide her shorts and underwear off at the same time. She reached for the collar of her tight t-shirt and pulled it over her head and then stopped as she realized the impossibility of unhooking her rear fastening bra.
"Shit," she muttered quietly, reaching down and removing her socks.
Olivia tapped n the door, "You okay?" she asked softly.
"No," Alex replied honestly, realizing she needed Olivia's help.
Olivia stood on the other side of the door and sighed, "D'you need some help?"
Alex blushed furiously at the prospect of Olivia coming in and seeing her state of undress, "I can't unhook my bra," she replied.
"Come to the door and face away from it," Olivia instructed.
Alex smiled at the dark haired woman's thoughtfulness, "I'm not a prude Liv," she answered.
"No, you're an incredibly attractive woman," Olivia replied.
The smile on Alex's face grew wider as she heard the honesty in her reply. She moved towards the door and turned around, "Okay, I'm at the door," she advised.
Olivia blew out a shaky breath and flexed both hands as she reached for the door handle. She opened the door and sucked in a breath at the amount of smooth, naked flesh on display. She reached for the hooks on Alex's bra and released them before slowly sliding the straps down the beautiful woman's toned arms. Her fingers grazed along delicate skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. She leaned forward and reached around Alex, removing the bra completely, unaware her hot breath was tickling Alex's shoulder.
"There," Olivia croaked as she stepped back, ready to close the door.
Alex took a steadying breath and blew it out silently, feeling her nipples harden and her cheeks flush, "Thanks," she replied hoarsely.
"Will you manage into the bath alright?" Olivia asked.
Alex looked at the large claw tub and nodded, "I think so," she answered.
Olivia nodded, "Just give me a shout once you're in," she said.
Alex nodded as Olivia closed the door. The dark haired woman let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes as she tried to ignore her racing heart. She fanned her face, trying to ease her blush and had almost succeeded when a loud shriek, followed by an ominous thump sounded from behind the door. She burst into the bathroom, running over to the tub and the fallen woman, lying on the floor.
"Alex?" she asked, gently picking the younger woman up and cradling her in her arms, "What happened?" she asked, smoothing blonde hair away from Alex's face, revealing streaks of wetness trailing down her cheeks.
Alex shook her head, "I tried to get in the tub…I used my right hand…I slipped," she said as fresh tears began to fall.
Olivia rubbed her naked back tenderly, "Sshh, it's okay," she whispered soothingly as she felt Alex's hand cling to her as her right hand hung limply in the air. She decided there was only one thing to do and guided them both to their feet, "C'mon, I'll help you in," she said, moving in behind Alex and taking her left hand. She dismissed the naked images from her mind as she concentrated on helping her friend. Once Alex was settled in the bubble bath with her right hand resting on the side, Olivia stepped away.
Alex felt the hot water instantly ease her tension and closed her eyes, inhaling the fragrant smell coming from the water. Her eyes flew open as she heard the unmistakable sounds of clothes being removed and swallowed, "What are you doing?" she asked.
"What I should have done in the first place," Olivia replied as she approached the seated figure, "Scoot forward," she said quietly.