"Alex." I saw blue eyes staring into mine; a soft smile tugging at her lips. Carefully, I reached forward and tucked blonde hair behind her left ear. Her smile grew when I cupped her cheek.
"Olivia, we can't." Alex placed her hand over mine and drew it away. Holding my hand, Alex gently stroked my knuckles with her thumb.
"But why?" A lump was forming in my throat. Alex's eyes were full of love and tenderness.
"Because you have to wake up." Alex's face started to fade away.
"OLIVIA!"
I shot up; almost falling off the small bed and looked around. I was in the break room at the station. The sympathetic look on Elliot's face told me everything. "Again?"
"Again." I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. "Maybe you should tell her."
"Are you insane? Tell Alex that…"
"Tell Alex what?" Blood drained from my face as I looked over Elliot's shoulder. There she was. Alex leaned casually against the doorframe with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.
"Nothing. What's up?" I stood to stretch, praying Alex would let my slip go.
The blonde eyed me a moment before answering. "Don wants us in his office." Glancing once more at Elliot, I followed Alex into Cragen's office.
The captain looked up from a desk full of paperwork as we walked in. "Close the door please."
I knew that look. He was worried about something. "What's this about captain?"
"I need you to go undercover and find out what you can about Isabella Martinez. She's under investigation for prostitution."
"Okay. Why do you seem so worried?" My brow creased when Cragen glanced towards Alex and back to me.
"Because you have to go undercover with Alex. You'll be posing as a couple who wants to do business with her." I fought the blush that rose from my neck to my face. Go undercover as the lover of a woman I have been dreaming about for the past month? This was going to be fun.
"Olivia?" Alex turned towards me more. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. When do we head out?" Both Alex and Cragen watched me. They knew something was wrong.
"The two of you will go to Manhattan tomorrow and sign into the Wellington Hotel. I'll give you more information in the morning. It's late and you both need to sleep and pack."
"Okay." I finally turned towards Alex. "I'll pick you up in the morning then?"
Xxx
The next morning, I showered and finished packing. I had dreamt about Alex again. Hopefully I wouldn't call out for her in my sleep while we were on this job. Knocking on her apartment door lightly, I waited. "Hey Liv, come in." Alex wore a simple pair of black slacks and a light blue, V-neck, long sleeved shirt. For some reason, I found it amusing to see her barefoot.
"Morning." I stepped over the threshold and was hit with the smell of fresh coffee. "I don't think I've ever seen you without high heels on."
Alex glanced back as she poured herself another cup of coffee. "Well I mostly live in them but on occasion I like to live on the wild side." I chuckled and leaned against the counter. "Would you like a cup?"
"That'd be great." I watched as the dark, steamy liquid filled the mug.
"I'm almost finished packing so make yourself at home."
"Thanks." Taking a seat on the small leather couch, I realized Alex's apartment was decorated like mine; lightly. It was clear neither of us spent much time at home. The apartment was a small one bed one bath and had a decent view of the city. The couch and chair were a black leather set. The coffee table was iron with a glass top. Like mine, the kitchen table was covered with paperwork.
"It's not much but I call it home."
My attention was drawn to Alex who watched from the bedroom door. "It's nice." I stood, "Ready to start our new lives?"
A half grin played at the blonde's lips as she pulled her suitcase behind her. "Why of course darling." This week was going to kill me.
Xxx
The hotel was very nice. It had an open living room and a single bedroom connected to it. "This is nicer than my apartment." I smiled inwardly when I saw the complimentary basket of coffee in the small kitchen. Making my way into the bedroom, I placed my bag on the queen sized bed. "Where would you like to unpack?"
"Besides my dress, everything else can fit in a drawer. We have today and tomorrow to be seen as a happy couple. Then tomorrow is the dinner party Isabella will be throwing."
"Cragen already got us on the guest list." I started to unpack as Alex hung her dress. It was a gorgeous; dark red and fitted. The neck was a deep V and it was strappy in the back. Alex would look stunning.
"Something on your mind Liv?" Alex studied my reflection in the mirror.
"Have you ever been undercover before?" It was a stupid question since she was an A.D.A. and not a cop but I didn't want to brush her off again.
"No, but I have been in a few lesbian relationships."
My brow creased and Alex noticed. "What?"
Alex placed her clothes in the second drawer. "I am a lesbian Olivia." I felt blue eyes on me.
"But, you had dinner with David…and you were…"
Alex turned and leaned against the dresser. "It was a business dinner. You know the dress code for that place; men in suits and women in dresses." Alex paused a moment. "I didn't know you kept up with who I have dinner with."
I had to think of something quickly. "It was just because Elliot and I brought you that paperwork." I was relieved when Alex accepted the excuse. I wasn't surprised at Alex's orientation. I was surprised at how I felt about it.
That day we stayed in but outside the hotel, I was Mariska and Alex was Stephanie. We had been together seven years and were happy together. We lived in a cute studio apartment right outside the city. Isabella's file said that she only does business with stable-looking couples who wouldn't draw suspicion. Therefore, we needed to be seen as a happy couple on Isabella's turf.
Xxx
We ordered our food at the nearby Italian restaurant and waited for our drinks. "You seem more at ease now that you know." Alex folded her arms on the small table.
"Why wouldn't I be? We've been friends for years. Nothing would change the way I feel about you." Alex's brow rose at my choice of words. "I mean," my voice trailed off as the waiter came with our drinks. "Thank you." I had never been so happy to have a glass of wine in my life.
"She's here." Alex lowered her voice. "Time to put on that charm of yours." Alex placed a hand on mine and spoke as a red headed woman walked by. "Thank you for this. What a great way to celebrate our anniversary then come to New York and stay awhile."
"You're welcome. Anything for you." It was hard not getting lost in Alex's eyes.
"I couldn't help but overhear, the two of you are celebrating?" Isabella studied us a moment.
"Yes we are." Alex squeezed my hand gently. "Seven years today."
"That's fantastic. How did you two meet? If you don't mind me asking."
"At work. Stephanie walked into the room and every head turned. When she looked at me I dropped my coffee and it went everywhere. After a few weeks, I finally asked her on a date. Lucky for me, she said yes." While I spoke, I laced our fingers together. I could tell Alex was curious as to why I did so. Isabella was buying our story already.
"What a lovely story." The petite woman smiled. "Well, I'll let you get back to your date. Have a wonderful night." With that, she walked off. I quickly retracted my hand and grabbed my glass.
Alex watched me while she ate. "Mixing in a bit of us I see."
"It helps make it believable."
Xxx
It was nearly ten before we got back to the hotel. Isabella caught us at the door and the three of us and the three of us got coffee. Isabella told us about the town since she believed we were from Boston. "It seems we made a good first impression." I walked in and fell into the couch. It felt nice to lean my head back and close my eyes.
"Mhm." Alex joined me on the couch. She may have been sitting on the other end, but I could feel blue eyes watching me. "She seems to believe us."
I knew there had to be something behind Alex's statement. I just wasn't sure I wanted to know what it was. "Which side of the bed do you want?" When Alex didn't reply, I turned my head to look at her. She had a questioning look. "What? We're two grown adults."
"You seem very at ease for someone who just found out I'm a lesbian is all." I didn't know what to say so I just shrugged. Alex if only you knew how completely screwed up my emotions about you are right now you'd probably understand. "I'll take the right side. I'll join you once I brush my teeth and wash my face." After doing my own nightly routine, I got in bed. I wasn't sure what all Alex was doing because she was in the bathroom a good fifteen minutes. When she finally walked out, breath caught in my throat. I never imagine the strong willed lawyer in anything but business attire and there she was in a pair of night shorts and a t-shirt. Alex looked beautiful. I turned to the wall as Alex turned down the covers. "Goodnight Olivia."
"Goodnight Alex." The last thing I remember is the smell of Alex's shampoo.
Xxx
When I rolled over, there was emptiness beside me. Opening my eyes, I groaned at the brightness of the room. The smell of coffee and the absentness of Alex forced me to get up. Yawning, I walked out of the room and into the small kitchen. I didn't even notice Alex sitting on the couch. Thankfully she waited until I set the coffee pot down before she spoke. "Well it seems you have an autopilot."
"Yeah it kicks in when I smell coffee." A playful smirk tugged at Alex's lips as I came to sit. "Sleep well?"
"Yes until someone started tossing in her sleep. I had to hold you for about ten minutes before you would finally calm down."
The blood drained from my face. God, I hope I didn't say anything. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"It's okay. Once I slept near you, you seemed to sleep peacefully." Alex noticed my blush as she sipped her coffee. Thankfully she didn't ask about it. "What's the plan for today?"
"We can get some groceries for the kitchen. And take turns cooking? We'll need to check in with Cragen soon." I could feel the coffee livening up my muscles. Oh the issues of caffeine addicts.
"I already filled him in. He called about nine. I didn't want to wake you. "I just blinked at the blonde. "He said to be careful tonight."
Xxx
It was time to get ready for Isabella's party. Alex looked stunning in the red dress. It hugged her in all the right places. Alex curled her hair and made sure each strand stayed in place with hair spray. My black dress looked simple and plain next to hers. "Ready to go?" Alex grabbed her black Coach clutch.
"You look fantastic." I couldn't help it. The words came out before I could stop them.
A half grin tugged at the corner of Alex's dark pink lips. "Thank you. You look very nice as well." No one could keep their eyes off Alex when we walked in. I had a sense of joy when people thought we were together.
"Stephanie, Mariska, I didn't realize you would be here." We turned and were met by Isabella and a taller woman who had jet black hair. Her name was Nancy. She was Isabella's girlfriend and partner in their prostitution business.
"Yes we got a last minute invitation a few days ago." I smiled at the two women. "You're the one who put all of this together, correct?"
"Yes, I am." Isabella gave Alex a once over. "You're very lucky Mariska. Stephanie is a gorgeous woman."
I didn't realize I took a protective step towards Alex until it was too late. "I am. She's smart, beautiful, and can make an amazing cup of coffee." As I spoke, I slipped my arm around Alex's waist.
Isabella gave us a slight nod. "This is Nancy. She and I have been together for five years. Please, enjoy yourselves and we'll talk later."
Once we found a place that was away from the other guests, Alex spoke. "Protective are we?" I didn't reply. What could I say? Alex glanced around quickly and leaned in so she could whisper. "It's okay. We're believable." The feeling of Alex's warm breath on my ear and neck made me shudder. Sadly, she noticed.
The night went on and we mingled with the other guests. We seemed to fit in quite well. There had been a band playing in the background and once they started to play "Love Is Where You Are" by Diana Krall, each couple started to slow dance. I was nervous being this close to Alex in such an intimate way. The lyrics seemed to mimic how I felt about Alex. "Breathe Olivia." Alex whispered in my ear again and I tried not to breathe. This was ridiculous. I'm a grown woman who's acting like a teenager. "Are you going to be okay? Because your hands need to be on my hips."
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Sliding my hands down slightly, they came to rest on the blonde's curves.
"There you go." The next song was, "The Look Of Love." "I'm sorry." Alex's voice was light.
I panicked. "For what?"
"You're uncomfortable dancing with me like this." Alex's voice was sympathetic. Much like Elliot's was when he would wake me up in the station when I mumbled Alex's name in my sleep.
I was quiet a moment and looked down to her shoulder. I couldn't bare look into her eyes. I would spill everything if I did. "I-I'm not…"
"Then what is it?" Alex was worried. It was clear in her voice. Before I could reply, Isabella appeared.
"Nancy, have you ever seen a couple more in love than these two?" Alex and I stopped dancing. Her hands slid down my arms while mine stayed firmly on her hips.
"I'm really not sure." The taller woman didn't speak much.
"What are you two love birds doing tomorrow?" Isabella looked between us.
"We're not sure. Why?" Alex spoke up before I could.
"Why don't the four of us have a late lunch together? I would say breakfast but I'm sure the two of you don't want to get out of bed before noon." Isabella's implication made my cheeks grow warm. The thought of making love to Alex…
"We would love to." Alex and Isabella set up plans while I fought away the idea of Alex and I. "Well, I want to get my girlfriend back to our room. I don't want to share her any longer." With that, we said our goodbyes and left. Neither of us spoke until we got back to the hotel. "Okay Olivia, what's wrong? And don't you dare say "nothing." You've been acting strange all day." Alex stood with a hand on her hip.
"I can't lie to her anymore. We were friends and I hated lying to her. "Alex, I…" My voice trailed off as I looked into worried blue eyes. "I think I've…" I sighed. "I think I'm falling in love with you."
Alex stood there silently. She just stared at me dumbfounded. "That would explain a few things." Ice blue eyes softened as Alex walked over and cupped my cheek. "When did this start?"
"I don't know." My voice was light. "It just happened."
"I know." Alex leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. Each kiss became more passionate. I pulled the blonde against me as she placed one hand on my hip and the other in my hair. When we finally broke for air, I let my forehead rest against hers. "We have a lot to talk about, but not tonight. For now, let's go to bed."