Chapter 2
Olivia woke that morning in the same position she had fallen asleep in; on her couch, one arm reached out for a warm body to pull close. She got up slowly, pausing to catch her bearings. She checked the clock; it was 6:30. Olivia sighed and dragged herself off of the couch, trudging over to the coffee maker. Damn. Work today. She poured the already grinded beans into the machine and turned it on, walking slowly to her room to change.
When she came back out, she took out a mug, still half-asleep, and poured herself a cup. She took one sip and spit it out quickly. She checked the box; it was from 2 years ago. Olivia quickly dumped the box and flopped onto her couch, running her fingers through her messy hair.
"Hey Liv," someone suddenly called through her door, "you up?"
Olivia yawned and went over to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open so Fin could walk in.
"Hey Fin," she yawned. She picked up some files from her table and put them into her bag. "You ready to go?"
"Ready when you are," he replied with a smile. "You want to head to Starbucks to get some coffee first though?"
"Oh my God, yes," Olivia laughed exasperatedly. She nearly pulled him out the door. "Let's go now."
Fin laughed at met her lead him down to the parking lot, where they hopped into the car and headed to the nearest Starbucks. Fin got a table for them, while Olivia went and got in line.
"One black," the lady smiled, handing Olivia her coffee, "and one decaf, extra foam."
"Thank you!" Olivia smiled, plopping her change into the jar and turning around. Suddenly, someone crashed into her, causing her to cry out and duck to the side.
"Oh, I'm so sorr- Rachel?"
"Jim?" Olivia choked, staring at the man in front of her. She couldn't believe her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Actually, my name's Mike," he smiled charmingly, looking a little less surprised. "Sorry, 'Jim' is just my speed dating name."
"Oh," Olivia replied, still dumbfounded. He still hadn't told her what he was doing here. "Well, um, it was nice seeing you again, Ji- I mean, Mike. I'll just be go-"
"Liv, everything okay?" Fin asked coming up to meet them. Olivia widened her eyes and shook her head subtly, but it was too late.
"'Liv', huh?" Mike chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "I guess your name really isn't Rachel?"
"No," Olivia hesitated. She shot Fin a 'you just royally fucked up' look. "It's Olivia."
"Well, 'Olivia', it seems we weren't quite honest with each other," Mike smiled. He waved his hand, showing her a table. "Would you like to do it for real this time?"
"No thank you," Olivia answered quickly. She had to get out. This wasn't good. Her cover had been blown. They needed to regroup. She tried to push past him into the crowd of people. "I have to-agh!" Olivia was suddenly tripped by a chair leg and landed gracefully on her face, her coffee spilling everywhere. "Aw, shit!"
"Oh, let me help you," Mike offered, kneeling down and holding out his arms to pick her up.
But he was quickly pushed away by Fin's rough hand. Fin stared at him dangerously.
"It's okay, I got it," he announced. He then continued to bend down and help Olivia clean up the spilled coffee, grabbing some napkins from the a nearby table. "Liv, you okay? That was quite a fall."
"Other than my pride, nothing got hurt," Olivia joked, her cheeks red with embarrassment. She got up and tossed the coffee soaked napkins in the trash can. "Thanks Fin."
"Here, I got you some more coffee," Mike smiled charmingly, holding out two cups of coffee to her as they got up from cleaning their mess. "I got your favorite."
"How do you know what my favorite coffee is?" she began to ask, but Fin quickly pushed her back protectively.
"Thanks for your help," he barked sourly, backing up with Olivia, "but we're good from here. Let's go, Liv."
He quickly ushered Olivia out of the coffee shop, walking quickly back to the car.
"Bye, Olivia!" Mike called after them. "Maybe next time!"
"Like Hell," Olivia muttered as she climbed in. She barely had time to buckle before Fin hit the gas and began to speed down the New York highways. "Fin, slow down, I think you lost him. FIN!"
"Sorry," Fin muttered, slowing up as he kept his eyes dead set on the road. "I'm sorry, Liv, it's just… the way that he looked at you. It was like.. I'm sorry. I just can't stand it when people look at my little sister like that."
"I'm not your sister, Fin," Olivia smiled.
"Close enough," he replied. "And ever since Jergens-"
"Wait, is that his last name?" Olivia interrupted. Fin shut his mouth and stared at the road. "It is, isn't it? How do you know his last name?"
"Liv, you have to understand," Fin tried to tell her in the most soothing voice her could, "this is a delicate case. There have been threats-"
"What, to me?" Olivia demanded, throwing her hands up in the air in frustration. "Fin, don't you think this is something I'd like to know about?"
"Olivia," Fin tried to reason, "it's for your own good. And you're going about it the wrong way. Cragen was-"
"I don't want to hear about Cragen!" Olivia exclaimed, and she wouldn't let him get a word in for the rest of the way to the precinct.
When they finally did arrive at the precinct, Olivia stormed right up to Captain Cragen in his office. She slammed the papers in the front of his head, making it shoot up from what had been originally a peaceful sleep.
"Captain, you can't keep babying me!" she exclaimed, waving her arms around. "I'm a grown woman; a cop, for Christ's sake! Don't you think I deserve to know what's going on?"
"Olivia," Cragen said slowly, pressing his fingertips together on the table and looking up into her eyes, "what in the Hell are you talking about?"
"You're keeping information from me on the Mike Jergens case!" she accused, pointing a finger at him.
"Olivia, calm down," Cragen sighed, pushing away her finger, "I was going to give you what we had so far when you came in today." He picked up a file and handed it to her. "Here."
Olivia's cheeks burned as she took the file. "Thanks."
"Now," Cragen announced, "since this is a delicate case, I am going to tell you to be careful. He knows where you live, and by God if Fin was right he'll know where you work soon enough. So be on your guard. That," Cragen stared her in the eye, "and for God's sake, Liv, get some sleep. You are a mess."
"Thanks," she muttered, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear self-consciously. "I'll get right to work. Sorry for yelling."
"Don't worry about it," Cragen smiled warmly. "Just be careful, alright?"
"Alright," Olivia replied, forcing a smile.
She went and sat down at her desk, Elliot sitting across from her. He was typing busily on his keyboard when she sat down.
"Hey, Cragen give you the file?" he asked.
"Shut up."
Notes: Lucky for you guys, I got the chance to update again now. I know it's a little dull now, but in the next chapter, things are going to pick up action-wise. I promise. :3 Please don't forget to review, darlings! As I will not continue without them! :) Thanks!
