Disclaimer: Nothing's mine.
This takes place during Witness. Also, a bit AU with the timeline; pretend that Alex was back when Olivia went to Sealview. Enjoy!
Alex braced herself before knocking on the door to Olivia's apartment. She really didn't want to do this. She knew Olivia must have been feeling betrayed that she'd had to hear the news from Nardalee instead of from Alex herself, and she needed to fix things before she left. She didn't want to leave knowing Olivia was angry at her.
Olivia didn't answer. Alex knocked again, and when she still got no response, she figured the detective was being stubborn. Well, she could outlast Olivia. She pulled out her own key, unlocked the door, and went inside.
Olivia was sprawled out on the couch, reading a book. She didn't look up when Alex entered the room, although Alex knew Olivia had noticed her presence. "I'm sorry that I have to leave tomorrow," she said quietly.
Olivia finally looked up. "I don't have a problem with the fact that you're leaving, Alex. I mean, I do, but that's not the point. The thing I do have a problem with is that you didn't even give me the courtesy of telling me! I had to find out from Nardalee, for God's sake."
Alex looked at the ground. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just didn't want you to be upset."
"And you thought I'd be less upset if you didn't tell me than if you did?"
Alex sighed. "I wasn't thinking, okay? I said I'm sorry."
Olivia sighed, too, the fire draining form her chocolate eyes. She sat back down on the couch. "Come here," she said gently, pulling Alex beside her and wrapping her arms around the ADA.
"I can't stay," Alex told her hollowly. "I'm leaving tomorrow. I have some things to take care of."
"I'm sure you can spare your last evening in New York for your girlfriend,"
Alex shook her head.
"Why?"
Alex sighed again, then told her the truth. "Because if I stay tonight, I know I won't be able to leave tomorrow."
"Then why are you going at all?"
"I have to."
"But why?"
"There's a higher purpose waiting for me there. I can make a bigger difference to more people. It's what I want."
"There's so much for you here." Alex was horrified when she heard the tears in Olivia's voice. "You keep leaving me, Alex, and I don't think I can take it anymore."
Alex relented. "We have tonight."
"One night," Olivia echoed. "In a lifetime. Alex, you have no idea how much being separated from you hurts me."
"Yes, I do. It hurts me, too, Olivia. But I have to do this. For all those women who don't have someone like you to make them feel better when they're hurting."
"I need you more than they do!"
"Olivia, please. Don't make this about you. It really isn't. Don't make it your needs versus their needs. It isn't like that."
"Then what is it about?"
Alex sighed. "Remember when you went undercover at Sealview?"
Olivia hesitated before nodding slowly.
"You did that for the greater good. You did that so Ashley would get the justice she deserved. You decided that my temporary discomfort was less important than her safety. And you made the right decision. So let me do the same. I will be back this time, Liv. I promise."
Olivia shook her head and reluctantly sighed her concurrence. "You're such a lawyer. I should know better than to get into an argument with you."
Alex smiled wanly. "That's the point, isn't it?"
Olivia kissed the crown of Alex's head. "Be careful. Be safe. I want you back in one piece."
"Don't worry, Liv. I won't leave you. I'm not running away from anything. I'm running toward something. And it'll be worth it in the end."
Olivia nodded. Then she got an almost mischievous look on her face. "Any ideas on how to spend our last night together?"
Alex pulled Olivia close and whispered, "Plenty."
And off to the bedroom they went.
Review if you liked this!