A/N: Thank you for the encouraging reviews!


Olivia followed Amanda through the deserted precinct watching as the detective maneuvered her way around the empty desks with two bags slung over her arm. Amanda had insisted on carrying Olivia's overstuffed bag claiming the strain would only make her back pain worse.

Naturally Olivia had protested, bristling at the implication that she was too weak to carry her own bag. However, Amanda had simply shouldered Olivia's bag and walked away, leaving Olivia no choice but to follow.

Olivia had to admire Amanda's brashness. Near the beginning of their relationship, the blonde never would have pressed into Olivia's private matters, much less made such a personal offer. She thought back to the days when Amanda tiptoed on eggshells around her, eager to make a good impression; those moments were short-lived.

Olivia frowned as she recalled all the headaches she received as a result of them frequently butting heads. Yet those times had passed. Although tempers still flared every now and again; thankfully, their arguments had lessened, both in frequency and intensity.

Somewhere along the way things had changed, or rather they had changed. They had lapsed into a state of tolerance that to the untrained eye could pass for a normal workplace relationship, a description that Olivia knew neither she nor Amanda believed.

A more accurate explanation would be that the two of them had formed an unspoken truce forged from the understanding that the tension between them was not evaporating anytime soon and being civil was a better arrangement than constantly being at each others throats.

As strange as she knew it seemed, Olivia found she actually missed those days. Frustrating as those moments were, they were also predictable. Fighting with Amanda had become routine, so easily integrated into her day that the absence of it was jarring.

The truth was that fighting with Amanda was easier than than the alternative, admitting that she was actually more than fond of the blonde. Although the words were only in her head, they still sounded too loud and Olivia instinctively looked up at Amanda, as though she may have somehow heard. Amanda; however, paid Olivia no heed, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

With a quiet sigh of relief Olivia slowed down, her last thoughts bringing her back to the reality of the situation. She was about to go home with a coworker, one that she had personal feelings for, for a very non-work related reason. That realization was enough to bring Olivia to a complete stop.

It was one thing to imagine spending extra time with Amanda, but to actually follow through was going too far. Doing this, Olivia thought, would be trampling across the line she had meticulously drawn between them which they occasionally neared but had never come close to crossing until now. As clarity reemerged, second thoughts began to dawn.

Olivia reached for Amanda with the intention of telling her that she changed her mind and would take a cab home. By that time they had reached the outer doors and Amanda turned to face Olivia with her back resting against the door starting to push it open for them.

"Do you want to stop for take out?" Amanda asked, while digging in her bag for her keys. "My cabinets are kind of bare, unless you want instant ramen," she remarked with a wry grin. The sentences came out so casually that if Olivia didn't know better she would think they spent time together outside of work often instead of this being their first excursion. When Olivia didn't respond, Amanda looked up at her and her smile began to falter as she saw the hesitant look on the lieutenant's face.

Amanda suppressed a sigh, doing her best to not look disappointed. She had suspected that this moment was coming. The idea that her guarded boss would even consider accepting her offer was nearly implausible so the fact that they had made it this far was astounding. Amanda tried to look on the bright side; this was progress. If she had she made that same suggestion months ago, she would currently be on the receiving end of a lecture about inappropriate behavior.

Trying to prevent Olivia from completely shutting her out and sending their relationship back to contemptuous times, she attempted to salvage what she could.

Amanda fidgeted with her keys as she spoke, nervous energy needing a release. "Of course it's getting late and you're probably tired so if you just wanted to go home I could take-"

"No," Olivia interrupted, catching Amanda off-guard. "Take out sounds great; my treat," she finished with a small smile, surprising them both.

XXX

A while later Amanda slowed to a stop in front of her apartment building. The ride had been surprisingly pleasant with conversation flowing easily as they engaged in small talk. It was only upon arriving at their destination that that they began to feel out of place.

Amanda nervously glanced at Olivia from the corner of her eye as she began to have second thoughts. Having dinner with Olivia in her home felt like such a domestic act, a far cry from what they really were. Yet a casual evening with Olivia was something Amanda had dreamed about since before she even met her so when the opportunity presented itself, she spoke without thinking; an occurrence that was becoming far too common, Amanda critiqued.

Although she had every intention of following through on her promise of a massage, inviting Olivia over just for that felt too perfunctory; she wanted Olivia to know that she truly did enjoy spending time with her. The wishful dreamer part of her resurfaced and Amanda couldn't help but think that tonight could be a turning point in their changing relationship. The fact that Olivia had even agreed to any of this was promising, perhaps she wasn't as opposed to being around Amanda as the blonde had thought.

Feeling reassured, Amanda turned toward her passenger.

"Ready when you are Liv."

XXX

Amanda had barely shut the door behind them when cheerful barking filled the apartment. Frannie trotted over to Amanda, briefly nuzzling her owner's leg before honing in on her real target. Frannie eagerly sniffed at the brown paper bag in Olivia's hand, taking more interest in the food than the company.

"Easy Frannie," Amanda gently scolded, tugging her pet back so Olivia, who had insisted on at least being allowed to carry the food, could set the bag on the counter.

"Not every meal is for you," Amanda reminded Frannie, who cocked her head as if to disagree. Olivia observed the scene, a smile tugging at her lips as she watched; she had the sense that they had this conversation on more than one occasion.

"Sorry about that," Amanda apologized, but Olivia waved it off.

"It's sweet; she missed you," Olivia commented. "It's nice to have someone greet you when you come home," she added with a touch of wistfulness as she thought about her own empty apartment.

XXX

Moments later they settled on the couch with glasses of water, each balancing a full plate of food on their lap. Amanda had insisted that the cushions would be better for Olivia, and Olivia, internally relieved to avoid the straight-backed dining chairs, didn't object. Frannie nudged her own full bowl closer to them, not wanting to be left out and hopeful that her owner or her new friend would drop something.

They sat together on the couch and polite conversation naturally faded away as they ate. However, the quiet was beginning to get to Amanda. Staying silent around the brunette had never been one of her strong points and she could feel herself about to break the silence. Amanda fought to suppress the urge. The moment was peaceful and she knew from experience that talking usually led to rambling; a habit she was trying to curb.

"Do you want to watch something?" Amanda blurted out in an attempt to stop herself from saying something she might regret.

"Okay, sure," Olivia replied, mildly startled by Amanda's outburst.

Amanda reached for the remote and switched on the TV which came on in the middle of her favorite reality tv show. Amanda hastily flipped past it, doubting that Olivia had the same taste in entertainment as her. She finally settled on Forrest Gump and glanced at Olivia who nodded her approval, even though the movie was more than halfway over. Having circumvented her propensity to converse, Amanda settled back against the couch feeling much more relaxed and they finished their meal in peace.

When the credits began to roll Amanda reluctantly rose. Olivia started to reach for her empty place but Amanda intercepted, collecting both plates and disposing of them in the sink.

"You're the guest, it wouldn't be right to make you do work," Amanda quipped. She turned back to face Olivia who was looking at her, silently asking what came next. Amanda felt a tiny jolt of nervousness as she was reminded of the reason Olivia was in her apartment, but she pushed it aside after reminding herself that this had been her idea.

"We should probably wait a little bit since we just ate," Amanda hesitantly informed Olivia, uncertain if the brunette would be willing to stay longer. To Amanda's delight, Olivia leaned back on the couch and smiled.

"I don't have anywhere to be," she announced, seemingly content in her new position.

Feeling relieved, Amanda started to head back to the living room. She figured they could just watch another movie to pass the time, but when her gaze landed on the hall closet a different idea popped into her head.

"How do you feel about a board game?" Amanda ventured, already heading to the closet as she willed Olivia to say yes.

"Which game?" Olivia queried, sounding intrigued.

Amanda opened the closet and grimaced at the sight. Staring at the crowded collection of clothes, shoes, and boxes reminded her that she was long overdue for spring cleaning. On the top shelf she spied her meager assortment of games haphazardly shoved to the back. Reaching up, Amanda's fingertips grazed the corner of a box and she seized it, not caring what it was.

"Really Amanda? Clue?" Olivia remarked, unable to hide her amusement at the juvenile game the blonde was holding.

"It's a classic," Amanda defended as she set the box on the coffee table. "Of course there's always Scrabble if you don't think you can solve this case, Lieutenant," Amanda teased, daring Olivia to back down.

"You're on, Detective," Olivia challenged, a devious grin crossing her face as her competitive streak rose to the surface.

XXX

"My accusation is Professor Plum in the conservatory with the candlestick." Olivia confidently announced, reaching for the thin envelope holding the answer. She smiled triumphantly as she showed the cards to Amanda.

"Wait, what, how?" Amanda stammered, looking perplexed as she tried to make sense of the brunette's victory. "But you kept asking about Mr. Green," she pointed out in a questioning tone.

"I just wanted you to think I didn't have him," Olivia explained, holding up the card from her own pile. "You never learned that trick?" she asked, tipping her head at Amanda.

"I haven't played since I was a kid," Amanda disclosed in her defense. "Kim and I used to play games a lot when we were little, but since then-" Amanda shrugged, feeling a burst of nostalgia for the days when she and her sister were close. Knowing that her sister was a sensitive topic, Olivia chose to let the matter drop.

The playful mood was beginning to dissipate and Olivia racked her mind for something to say to cheer up the blonde. Fortunately, Frannie unwittingly came to the rescue instead. Letting out a series of impatient barks, Frannie stared at her owner from the door, which she had been standing by for several minutes.

The sound of her pet was enough to rouse Amanda and she looked at the clock, wincing when she saw the time. "Sorry girl, I lost track of time," Amanda apologized, jumping to her feet.

"I need to take Frannie out. I shouldn't be too long," Amanda promised, feeling bad about having to leave Olivia alone, but knowing that the brunette was in no state to go with her.

"Take your time," Olivia said earnestly. She had found a particularly comfortable spot on the couch and wasn't in any hurry to vacate the seat. However, Amanda's next words made her sit up straight.

"Hot water can help soothe your muscles," Amanda began. Olivia gave her a bewildered look and Amanda tried to backtrack, recognizing that she hadn't made sense. She tried to summon the confidence she had earlier, but it seemed to have abandoned her. "I mean, a shower might help you feel more relaxed. For the massage I mean," Amanda fumbled through her explanation and watched as Olivia put the pieces together.

XXX

Olivia surveyed the bathroom, admiring the way Amanda had decorated. Reaching into the linen closet, she puled out a fluffy blue towel and appreciatively ran her hands over the soft fabric. Olivia draped the towel over the curtain rod and adjusted the taps making warm water flow before letting the shower spray. Despite her varying success with getting comfortable on the couch, flashes of pain still plagued her; so when Amanda suggested a hot shower, the idea sounded marvelous and she readily took her up on the offer.

Olivia straightened up with a grunt and instinctively placed a hand on her lower back. She rested against the counter and caught sight of herself in the mirror. Fatigue and discomfort stared back at her and she scowled at her reflection. She hated displaying weakness, years of trying to prove herself as capable on the job had hardwired the need to always put up a strong front to everyone; however Amanda was proving to be the exception.

While she waited for the water to heat up Olivia let her thoughts stray to the blonde and she idly she pondered how she even came to be in Amanda's apartment.

Although she had initially accepted Amanda's offer, before they left the precinct she was fully prepared to put a stop to their evening before it even began. She had been seconds away from calling the whole thing off when something made her pause.

Olivia recalled the look on Amanda's face as they neared the exit. She had seemed so hopeful about their impromptu rendezvous until she looked up. Olivia surmised that Amanda must have sensed that she had changed her mind because for a moment the blonde's expression was crestfallen. She tried to hide it, but Olivia had seen anyway and immediately felt bad.

She knew Amanda was just trying to do something nice for her, but what she couldn't figure out was why the young detective cared so much. After giving her a less than jovial welcome upon her first joining the squad and rebuffing every other attempt Amanda had made to get to know her, Olivia thought Amanda would have given up on her, but she hadn't.

Instead Amanda had gone out of her way to help her and the blonde seemed like she would have been genuinely saddened if she declined. Olivia didn't want to say no, and despite the voice in her head warning her to refuse, she couldn't bring herself to disappoint Amanda again.

Olivia started to shift her position, beginning to ache from standing still, when she caught sight of the thin layer of steam that was beginning to cloud the mirror. The sight brought her back to the present and for a moment Olivia worried that Amanda had returned and was waiting on her. However, the silence that permeated over the sound of the shower assuaged Olivia's concerns.

Not wanting to delay any longer, Olivia shed her clothes. She had no trouble with her button-down and bra, neatly folding them on the counter. She had the same fortune with her socks, having opted for no-shows so she could slip them off hands-free. It wasn't until after she let her pants and underwear fall to the floor that she realized a flaw in her method. She had started to pick them up when a twinge reminded her that bending over wasn't an option right now. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Olivia kicked the garments into a neat pile before nudging them against the wall. She would have to deal with them later.

Pulling back the curtain Olivia stepped into the shower, exhaling in satisfaction as the heated water washed over her. As she lathered herself, the scent of warm vanilla wafting in the air, Olivia tried to center herself. Being in Amanda's apartment and having had a surprisingly nice evening with her was distracting enough. The knowledge that she was about to be even closer to the blonde was really taking a toll on her focus.

This was the reason her brain had urged her to refuse, Olivia thought. The more time she spent around Amanda, the more she let her guard down. The detective had a way of disarming her defenses which is why Olivia tried to keep her at a distance. Olivia knew Amanda had been hoping for a friendship with her since before they even met, but the problem wasn't being friendly with Amanda; rather it was being able to draw the line at only being friends. Olivia rested her head against the tiles letting the water cascade over her. She regretted the situation she had gotten herself into as she doubted her own ability to keep her real feelings for Amanda concealed.

All Amanda is seeking is friendship, Olivia reminded herself as she rinsed off the remaining suds. The last thing she needed was for Amanda to find out that her own desires ran deeper. As she reached to turn off the water, Olivia forced herself to push aside her feelings and accept Amanda's offer for what it was, a friendly gesture. Tonight, she reasoned, would be a true test of her resolve.