Olivia was sitting in the chair by the window. The old squishy one that was perfect for reading or thinking. And even though she held a book in her lap, it was the furthest thing from her mind. Outside it was raining and the heavy raindrops could be heard hitting the pavement so far below. The glow of the city lights dimly lit the room, not wanting to intrude on Olivia's private thoughts. And they were private thoughts. Munch, Fin, and Cragen had no idea what was going through Olivia's mind. Elliot might suspect, but would never say anything until Olivia was ready to talk. Alex would know. Alex would know just by looking at Olivia what was going through the detective's mind. And that was why Olivia had been avoiding Alex lately. No drinks after a tough case, no lunches, no coffee before work, no impromptu late night visits for wine and a friendly chat. Well, no visits to Alex's place. Alex had ventured to Olivia's apartment a few times in the past month, and each time Olivia pretended to be out. Not that the blonde attorney fell for Olivia's ploy, but she was too polite, and too scared, to confront Olivia about it. Scared that the gorgeous detective would see through Alex's Ice Princess mask to the vulnerable woman within. The vulnerable woman who was very much in love with Olivia.
As Olivia stared vacantly out the window, snapshots of Alex passed through her mind. Alex sitting at her desk, glasses falling down her nose, studying notes for her latest case. Alex leaning against Olivia's desk, glasses firmly in place, framing her piercing blue eyes, skirt slightly hitched revealing a bit more thigh than what would seem appropriate for a police station. Alex cross-examining a witness, readjusting her glasses, subconsciously reminding the witness they are under oath and Alex is watching them. And Alex sitting on Olivia's couch late at night, glass of wine in one hand, the other hand mindlessly drawing patterns on Olivia's leg, glasses perched on top of her hair, allowing Olivia a chance to peer into the depths of blue normally hidden by the glasses. It was the glasses that did it for Olivia. She had always been attracted to the smart girls, the women with a passion for their chosen fields, and blondes, but when they wore glasses Olivia didn't stand a chance. There was something about them that cut through all of Olivia's tough cop bravado and made her week in the knees.