Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Some of the dialogue is taken from 7x19, "Fault". Not mine either.

A/N 1: I know that I have been seriously lacking in the updating department regarding this story. Life happened in so many ways and for a while, I just didn't feel like writing this one. I'm truly sorry. However, this chapter is a little longer than the last ones. I hope that makes up for it. Thank you again for all the reviews, favorites and alerts. They really mean the world. When I first posted this I did not expect such a positive response. It is overwhelming and I feel so very honored. Thank you!

A/N 2: So, my lovely readers… to give you all a fair warning… I will completely ignore the episode Lead in this because it would not fit into my story. With chapter two I set a scene that would make Alex not contacting Liv for three years implausible; at least in my opinion. I hope the time frame is right. Alex came back in 2006 as Bureau Chief in Conviction; 2006 was the end of season 7 or the beginning of season 8 of SVU. So I chose 7x19. I hope you enjoy. On with the show!

xxxx

Chapter 4: Beginning of Forever

"You and me, we belong together just like a breath needs the air. They say everything happens for a reason. You can be flawed enough, but perfect for a person. Someone who will be there for you when you fall apart, guiding your direction when you're riding through the dark. That's you and me…"

Thursday, March 30th, 2006: the evening after the Clifford case

"I want a new partner."

You fell onto the couch, taking a large sip of your beer before leaning your head back, sighing, and closing your eyes. You never thought that there would come a day you would say these words to Cragen. Quite frankly, Elliot had been a dick while working this case, taking all of his bundled up anger and guilt out on you, but after having found seven-year-old Rebecca alive, you realized that he might have been right. The two of you had gotten too close over the years.

"Look, we both chose each other over the job. I'll never let that happen again. Otherwise, we can't be partners."

You absentmindedly let your fingers trace the wound on your neck where Gitano's knife had cut into your skin. According to the EMT, it was your lucky day because only a few centimeters would have made the difference between you being alive or dead. However, it did not feel like that. At first, you couldn't believe what Elliot had said but after having given his words some thought, you had agreed; even if it had only been internally. It hurt so much, but the rational part of your brain knew you made the right decision to go to the Captain. Elliot and you both needed a break from each other. So in that moment, you were sitting alone on your couch, a mindless movie playing in the background, and you were eyeing your Chinese take-out of sweet and sour chicken with noodles on the coffee table warily. You were not hungry. However, you had barely eaten in the last two days so you needed to at least try and eat, even though the thought alone made your stomach roll unpleasantly.

Maybe Elliot was right and it really was your fault that Ryan Clifford had died at the age of nine. Even before finishing that thought you shook your head violently, trying to shake off the images.

Get a grip, Benson. You couldn't get a clear shot because there were hundreds of civilians around and he was using the child as a shield.

However, you could not get Elliot's words out of your head. You had fought in the middle of the precinct, screaming at each other for all to hear until Cragen had threatened the both of you with suspension.

"Well, you got close and Ryan's dead. You know, I can't do this anymore. I can't keep looking over my shoulder, making sure you're okay. I need to know that you can do your job and not wait for me to come to your rescue."

You closed your eyes again, taking another swig out of the beer bottle, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. "Fuck you, Elliot Stabler. Just fuck you."

You knew he did not mean the words he had said. He was not blaming you. He was blaming himself and needed an outlet for his frustration. But Gitano's words were an entirely different story. You stood up from the couch, making your way over to the window, watching the world outside go by in a blur. You could not say if your vision was blurry because of the tears that were brimming in your eyes or because of the raindrops making their way down the window pane. It was probably both. The last two days kept replaying in your head. Huang had talked to Gitano's psychiatrist, Dr. Paula Greenfield, and she had warned him that Gitano was a man who had a talent of quickly sensing someone's weaknesses. Once he did, he exploited them shamelessly. You had gotten a taste of it that very day. The things Gitano said had cut into your heart; they were still haunting you.

He had known perfectly well that you were not going to shoot him because you wouldn't have taken the risk of hitting Elliot. So he had looked into your eyes with a wide grin, daring you; challenging you, playing with your mind. He had ridiculed you, knowing he had power over you because he had been the only one knowing where Rebecca was; knowing that you were never going to shoot him because he was using your partner as a shield. He had been there when you had not taken a shot at him at the bus station. You did not want to risk Rebecca's life and he had seen right through you. That knowledge had given him power over you.

You turned the beer bottle in your hands, the condensation wetting them, while you were staring at the busy New York streets without really seeing, the events of the day still replaying in your head. Somewhere in the back of your head you heard a dull repetitive sound but you chose to ignore it for the time being. However, when it became too persistent to ignore, a gentle rapping against wood, you turned around, placing the bottle on the coffee table before making your way to the door. Too emotionally exhausted to even look through the peephole, you opened it for whoever had a death wish and decided to disturb your peace for the evening. Your eyes widened and you immediately slammed the door shut again.

"Liv?" A tentative voice could be heard on the other side, followed by another knock, and you shook your head to clear your mind.

Taking a deep breath, you slowly turned the handle, pulling it open again, your eyes still widened disbelievingly, "A-Alex?"

She smiled sweetly at you, "Yes, it's me, Liv."

You just stood there in shock. Everything that had happened between you two invaded your mind instantly, the painful memories tugging at your heartstrings in a very unpleasant way. You remember too well how she was ripped away from you a second time, just one and a half years prior. She had come back for the Connors trial only to disappear into WitSec once again after it was over. You stepped aside to let her in, closing and locking the door behind you.

After standing awkwardly in the hallway for a few moments just staring at each other, you tentatively lifted your hand to reach for her face, letting your forefinger trace her jaw before cupping her cheek, watching her close her eyes and lean into your touch. Tears gathered in your eyes, your thumb stroking her face.

"Al…"

Cerulean blue orbs opened and looked into your own brown ones, her hand taking yours, and she turned her head to press a tiny kiss to your palm, your eyes never leaving each other. She pulled you into her, wrapping her arms around your neck and taking you into a tight hug, your arms going to her slim waist. The scent of her almond body lotion hit your nostrils and you breathed deeply, glad that she had not changed it over the time you were apart, bringing a whiff of familiarity with her on this day that had been an emotional rollercoaster. You tightened your hold on her and let the tears fall freely, every emotion of the day coursing through you and coming out in a sob, your shoulders shaking, your hands holding on to her coat as if your life depended on it. From the wet spot forming on your shirt you could tell that she was crying as well, so you started stroking up and down her back, the two of you just rocking gently. A few moments of you just relishing in the newfound closeness passed before you pulled away, helping her out of her coat and leading her into your living room.

The two of you sat down on the couch, eyes locked, just staring, taking the other in.

"Would you, uuuh –" you cleared your throat awkwardly, "Would you like something to drink? Water? Wine?"

A smile played at her lips, "Wine sounds amazing."

"Red or white?"

"Red."

You nodded dumbly, standing up and making your way to the kitchen. You reached for a wine glass and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, quickly uncorking it before returning to your vacated spot on the couch. You poured Alex a glass and set the bottle down next to it.

"Sorry it didn't have time to breathe. I wasn't expecting company."

"It's okay, Liv. I can wait." Her eyes darted across your face before she let them roam across the room, as if memorizing every detail. They zeroed in on your cold dinner, left untouched on the coffee table. Blue orbs locked back onto yours and she cocked her head to the side, raising a questioning eyebrow at you, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Why do you think something happened?"

She chuckled softly, "Oh come on, Liv! Really? Sweet and sour chicken with noodles? You'd have inhaled it by now because it's your favorite."

You smiled softly, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall once again. At this point you didn't know what had you this emotional anymore. The fact that she knew you so well, this one question lingering in the air between you two, waiting to be asked, or Elliot fucking Stabler and his cocky asshat attitude.

She must have sensed your inner turmoil because she covered your hand with hers, soothingly stroking it with her thumb, whispering, "Talk to me, Baby."

Her using this oh-so-familiar pet name for you caused you to perk up, deciding you would address the elephant dancing hip hop in the middle of the living room first, "Al… Is this forever? Are you back for good?"

There! The question was asked and the giant grin that formed on her face was answer enough, making your heart leap into your throat and butterflies erupt in your belly, fluttering around furiously.

She squeezed your hand with hers, biting her lip, "Velez died in prison and Connors was extradited to Ireland, so I was able to leave Witness Protection. I just brought my things to my new apartment, showered, and came right to you. Monday is my first day back at the DA's office. Branch offered me the job as the Homicide Bureau Chief after Agent Hammond informed him that I'd come back to New York."

You were not able to form words, so you just kept staring at her. You felt joy and pain, elation and desperation, all at once. Overwhelmed by everything you were feeling you just kept staring at her without saying a word.

"Liv? Would you please say something?"

You still sat there in shock, faintly seeing the waving of her hand in front of your eyes, trying to get a reaction out of you. Only when she gave up and stood, saying something about something not being a good idea, you snapped out of your haze, grabbing her wrist, and preventing her from going anywhere. You pulled her back down into a sitting position and you kneeled on the couch, swinging your left leg over her thighs, carefully straddling her. Her hands automatically went to your hips, clenching gently, her eyes not leaving yours. You pressed your foreheads together, tangling your hands in her hair, tears burning behind your eyes again, but this time you let them fall freely. She stroked your back in a soothing manner, whispering, "Shh, Baby. It's okay. I'm here now. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

A strangled sob left your mouth and you buried your nose in her neck, taking a shaky breath at the feeling your former lover pressed against you once again.

Languidly stroking up and down your back, she kept whispering into your ear, "It's okay, Baby. Shh…"

You breathed deeply once again, taking in her scent and letting it wash over you. It relaxed you, taking away all the pain and confusion of the last few days. However, it did not wash away the pain you felt when she left you a second time. So you had to ask, mumbling into her neck, feeling her shudder as your breath hit her skin, "Why didn't you say goodbye? We were all waiting for you in Casey's office and then Hammond came in alone, informing us that you were being relocated. I felt like I was dying inside after everything that happened between us the night before."

She pushed your shoulders gently to get you to look at her and you could see tears in her eyes as well, "I couldn't. If I had come to see you I would have broken down and I figured it would be easier for you, too. Easier to let me go because I didn't know when or if ever I would be able to come back. Especially after the night we shared. I just couldn't. It would have killed both of us. Think about it."

You started playing with her hair and let the scene unfold in your head once again. Maybe she was right. It would have hurt either way, but it would have hurt more if she actually had come to say goodbye.

"I understand. It would have hurt worse had you been there with Hammond. I wouldn't have been able to let you go. I would have begged him to let me go with you. Not that I didn't anyway…"

She perked up at these words and you blushed, looking down embarrassedly. She tilted your head back up, "I figured. But what if I hadn't been able to return to New York? I couldn't have you resent me later on. I know how devoted you are to your job, to the victims. I know because I feel the same way about mine. I couldn't have lived with you hating me one day. So I prayed and prayed, wishing that I would be able to return one day because living without you was hell on earth."

"I felt the same, Baby. I cried every night for a year. I just kept going on numbly. Working harder and harder, longer hours with every week you were gone, at one point only sleeping in the cribs for a couple of hours, living mostly on caffeine. I have only gotten better in the last couple of months, thanks to Huang. He helped me so much and I'm really thankful he never gave up on me. He tried talking to me relentlessly, even if I bit his head off for it. I even told him that if he tried to shrink me again, I would shoot him. But he never gave up on me until I finally cracked and broke down."

You could see the pain in her eyes at your words, feeling horrible for having put it there as soon as you saw it. You cupped her face in your hands, stroking her cheeks with your thumbs. You both simultaneously leaned in and brushed your lips together, the old fire between you igniting again at the first touch. You whimpered and so did she, your lips moving against each other in perfect sync. You let your tongue swipe her lower lip and she granted you access, both of you moaning as your tongues tangled, dancing together as if you had never been apart.

Breaking the kiss, you breathed deeply, trying to calm your already raging libido, because your need for her had only become stronger over the last 18 months.

"I missed you so much," you heard her whisper and it made you smile, opening your eyes, cerulean blue orbs longingly looking back into yours.

"I missed you too, Baby," you breathed before reconnecting your lips, chastely this time, knowing that now was not the time to take things further, no matter how much you had missed each other. "Wanna snuggle and restart this awesome, mindless movie?" you asked hopefully, pointing at the TV, Cheaper by the Dozen still playing from earlier.

"No!" she answered, unfazed, and you felt your stomach drop, "I want you to eat something and then snuggle with you on this unbelievably comfy loveseat and restart that awesome, mindless movie. So now, I will reheat your sweet and sour chicken and you will eat it, otherwise I will have to shove this chopstick up your nose. Understood?" she added, making you snort and then burst out into loud cackles.

She grinned and you felt butterflies erupt in your stomach, "Did Casey tell you?"

Her grin turned into a confused frown, "No. How could she have told me anything? You're the first person I ran to after having come back."

You slapped your hand against your forehead, "Of course! Okay, tell you what. Let's reheat dinner and share, because I'm sure you haven't had anything to eat either, and I will tell you the whole glorious story."

She nodded and helped you stand, getting up herself and the two of you made your way into the kitchen where Alex got a pan and spatula, filling the pan with a bit of water.

You watched her, not really understanding what the hell she was doing, "What are you doing, Baby? I have a microwave."

She turned around and smirked, "If you reheat food in a pan with water it will get a nice taste to it. Trust me, it's delicious. It's this particular taste of fried food that makes it special."

"Oooookay…"

xxxx

Ten minutes later, you sat back down on the loveseat facing each other with one leg tucked underneath you, both holding a plate of deliciously smelling food.

"So, Detective… What's the story?"

Leaning back against the armrest, you began, "Well, Casey asked me to accompany her to one of Branch's charity events–"

"She did what? I will kill her! Kill. Her. And you… you went with her?" Alex shrieked.

"As friends, Baby," you interjected soothingly, smiling softly, "Now… may I continue?"

She looked like a ten-year-old who had just been caught with her hands in the cookie jar, "Oh… sorry… Of course."

You laughed heartily and continued your story, "It was Branch's annual Domestic Violence charity event and were already quite tipsy when we arrived, all dressed up and in killer heels. All of New York's most important people were attending and there was delicious food and drinks. So Casey and I got drinks and sushi, eating at a bar table when she spotted someone behind me. She told me to give her my chopsticks. I was eating with cutlery because I was so tipsy I would have poked my eye out had I eaten with chopsticks. So I gave mine to Casey and she placed them right next to her on the table, waiting. I still didn't have any idea what exactly she was waiting for. She was just standing there, pressing her lips together. Then suddenly, he walks by. Donald Trump himself, slowly making his way through the crowd, socializing here and there, not a hair out of place."

You winked at her and she started giggling wildly. You thought it was the most angelic sound on the face of this planet.

"Anyway, he made his way past us at snail pace because there were so many people wanting to talk to him and his wife and Casey gave me that impish grin. You know, the Casey grin when she is about to get goofy?" Alex nodded. "Yeah, that grin. She took the chopsticks, put one into her clutch and started to leave the table. On her way, she quickly leaned over and stuck the second chopstick in Trump's hair and then, as if nothing ever happened, made her way to the bathroom. In that moment, Trump turned around because apparently he thought someone had brushed past him and there was little me, having to pretend to be eating sushi, fork and knife firmly in my hands, instead of being just shy of a giggling fit."

By that point, Alex was shaking with laughter, covering her mouth with one hand, clutching her stomach with the other, "Oh my God. That is so Casey!"

You joined in with tiny giggles at the picture of Casey in your head, "I know, right? Best thing was, when she came back from the bathroom, still unfazed, I was like, 'What the hell, Novak?' and she looked at me with that bored expression, and said, 'What? I have always been fascinated with his hair and wanted to see if it was a wig…'"

Gasping for air, Alex wiped the tears of laughter away, "I wish I had been there. I bet it was priceless."

"Yeah, it really was. You would have had a blast," you snickered, but suddenly your mood was dampened by the thought why Alex had not been able to join Casey and you for this event.

She immediately noticed the change in your behavior, "What is it, Liv?"

Looking up at her through your eyelashes, you tentatively asked, "So… where did they relocate you to?" When you saw her swallow hard, you quickly added, "If you don't mind me asking."

"Liv, you can ask me anything," she smiled softly before taking a deep breath, "It's just hard to talk about it. Being an ADA from New York in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin, pretending to be from Tulsa, pretending to be a claims adjustor, coming back to be the ADA from New York for two days, only to be taken away once again to fucking Alaska, where I had to pretend to be an English teacher from Orlando."

You got whiplash just from trying to follow so you could only imagine what was going on in Alex's head, "Alaska? Jeez!"

"I know, right? It was so lonely, Liv. So, so lonely. There were squirrels, moose, and bears in my garden. But could we not talk about this now? I want to talk about happy things. How are Elliot, Kathy, and the kids?"

A giant lump formed in your throat once more and you could feel your shoulders slump with disappointment, so Alex backtracked, "Okay, maybe that's not really a happy thing to talk about, either?"

"No, Baby. It's okay. Long story short, it's just been a rough couple of days. We had a case where two siblings were kidnapped. The nine-year-old boy was murdered, I nearly got myself killed as well, but we were able to find the little seven-year-old sister. The perp attacked me with a knife and Elliot came to see if I was okay instead of going after the perp. That was when he slit the little boy's throat and Elliot blamed me afterwards. We screamed at each other in the precinct hallway before we ended up in a warehouse while we were searching for the girl and the perp held a shotgun to Elliot's head. I wouldn't have taken the shot. He has four children and a fifth on the way. I couldn't. That's when I realized that he was right and we had gotten too close. I asked Cragen for a new partner tonight and he told me that there was a vacant spot with Computer Crimes. I'll start on Monday. Elliot doesn't know yet."

Her eyes were soft and she placed her empty plate onto the coffee table before leaning back and opening her arms for you to snuggle into her. She did not have to ask you twice and you set your plate down as well and climbed into her comforting embrace. You cuddled into her side, placing your head onto her chest, your arm wrapped around her middle, her left hand playing with your hair. You let her scent wash over you, relishing in the calming effect she still had on you, easing the turmoil raging deep within.

She reached for the remote and restarted the movie, Bonnie Hunt talking about the number twelve being an important part of her life. You buried your nose into her hair, inhaling deeply, and closing your eyes, not bothering to follow the movie. After a while of just enjoying the closeness, you whispered, "Stay the night?"

She tightened her hold on you, whispering back, "I would love to."

With that, you buried yourself deeper into her embrace and let yourself really relax for the first time that night, for the first time in a long time really, listening to her heartbeat, and feeling her breathing evening out as you both succumbed to sleep.

xxxx

You were woken up by a gentle shaking of your shoulders, a familiar husky voice breathing your name into the darkness, "Liv… Olivia… Wake up."

"Don't wanna. Five more minutes."

"Baby, I need you to wake up, just for a few moments so we can go to bed."

You blinked sleepily, not wanting to let your wonderful dream go. Alex had been standing at your front door, back from WitSec, and told you that she was back for good. It was too good to be true and too good to be woken up from.

You grumbled, blindly reaching for the remote, before turning off the TV, and you were sure that somewhere in your fuzzy mind you heard a soft chuckle. You got up from the couch, your eyes still closed and made your way to your bedroom, shedding your clothes on the way, falling face first into bed, snuggling into the covers. Neither did you feel the dip of the mattress, nor the warm body pressing into you just seconds later, strong arms holding you close.

xxxx

You were standing in the doorway to your bedroom, leaning against the doorframe with your left shoulder while sipping the coffee you had just brewed with your right hand, staring at the blonde angel in your bed, watching the soft rise and fall of her chest with every breath she took.

Having woken up that morning to soft breaths against your neck, you had jumped at first, slowly realizing that it was Alex who was cuddled into your side. It had not been a dream. She was really there with you, and she indeed was out of WitSec and back for good.

You languidly brought the steaming mug to your lips and sipped, watching Alex turning onto her back and throwing her arm over her eyes, mumbling in her sleep, "Timon, leave Pumbaa alone. Simba's party is in Soho and we'll have to be there by nine."

You snorted, but quickly pulled yourself together and left the room, closing the door behind you so as not to wake her. Padding over to the loveseat, you could not stop smiling at Alex's cuteness. You sat down and tucked your legs underneath you, coffee still in your right hand, picking up the book you had started six months prior with your left to continue reading it.

"Magrat was entranced, as usual. The theatre was no more than some lengths of painted sacking, a plank stage laid over a few barrels, and half a dozen benches set out in the village square…"

You got so lost in the Discworld that you had not heard Alex get up or in the shower. You only returned to the real world when the bedroom door opened and a damp-haired Alex stepped out, a pair of your sweatpants and one of your tanks on, glasses perched on her nose, and you smiled at the old familiarity, the blonde obviously still feeling comfortable enough at your place that she took a shower without asking you first.

"Hey Beautiful," you breathed, placing your book onto the coffee table and getting up from the couch. You walked over to her, wrapping your free arm around her waist, and pulled her closer to press your lips to hers in a gentle kiss. "Coffee?"

She smiled, brushing your noses together, "Yes, please."

You made your way over to the coffee pot and got another mug from the cabinet. You poured Alex her coffee, leaving space for creamer and stevia, "I don't have the hazelnut creamer you like, Baby. I'm sorry."

You felt strong arms wrap around you and her breath hit your ear, making you close your eyes and your body shudder, "That's okay, my sweet. Don't apologize. I didn't exactly call before showing up at your doorstep." She kissed the spot below your ear gently, letting her tongue dart out. You jumped, turning around in her arms.

"Your coffee," you stuttered out and her hearty chuckle let you know that she was amusing herself about your awkwardness. She took her coffee and pulled you close by the waist this time, stopping just shy of your lips. Your eyes kept darting down to her mouth and you had to force yourself to stay focused on her eyes. Blue orbs sparkled, telling you that she knew what she was doing to you. She leaned further in, your lips brushing, and she breathed, "Thank you."

You shuddered and swallowed hard, her grip on your waist loosening as she sauntered back over to the loveseat, your eyes zeroing in on the sway in her hips and her backside. Taking in a shaky breath and praying for strength, you followed her, sitting down next to her, and you both sipped your coffees, eyes finding each other over and over again. You were just not able to look away.

"How did you sleep?" you asked and watched her closing her eyes, humming.

"Mmmm, I haven't slept that well in years. The last time I slept that well was the night before the Connors trial."

You grinned widely, "Must be the company."

She snorted, luckily when she did not have coffee in her mouth, "Yes, it was definitely the company. What are you reading?" she asked, pointing the battered copy of your book which was now resting on the coffee table. Your hands found each other on top of the backrest, brushing casually.

"Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. It's the sixth book of his Discworld series. Lizzie recommended that I read his stuff. It's quite amazing to get into. It gave me an escape from the job and missing you."

Her eyes softened and she intertwined her fingers with yours, "Lizzie as in Lizzie Stabler?"

Nodding, you took another sip of your coffee before answering, "Yes. I swear, this child doesn't read books, she eats them. She has read the whole series so far and I borrow her copies."

Your gaze drifted off into the distance and she immediately noticed, she always noticed, squeezing your hand with hers, "Are you okay, Liv? Do you want to talk about it some more?"

Shaking your head, you answered, "No, Baby. It's okay. Really. It's just a thought I have to get used to. Elliot and I have been partners for almost eight years. He once said that he spends more time with me than he does with his own family. You get used to each other and Elliot and I have gotten too close over the years. So close that we were being unprofessional. We just need the distance. It's okay."

Concerned eyes bore into you, "Promise?"

"I promise you, Baby."

Her hand came up to your face and cupped your cheek, her thumb stroking along your cheekbone delicately and you closed your eyes, relishing in the feeling of closeness, fighting back the tears.

Her voice was like honey, "Baby?"

"You're back," you croaked out, sounding all snotty and you felt like you just had to be the least appealing human being on the face of this planet at that moment. She pressed her lips together and you knew that she was trying not to laugh, "Don't laugh at me," you whined, pushing your lower lip out. At that she started giggling, trying to keep it together for your sake, but to no avail.

"Yes, Baby. I'm back. I won't leave you ever again."

Alex took your coffee mug and placed it on the coffee table along with her own before she leaned over and softly pressed your lips together, making you gasp. She sat up and straddled you on the couch, wrapping her arms around your neck and burying her hands in your hair to pull you closer.

You clutched her hips and let yourself fall deeper into the kiss, letting your tongue swipe her lower lip, pressing for entrance she instantly granted you. Both of you moaned simultaneously at the first touch of your tongues, taking the time to reconnect, letting them get reacquainted once again. You leisurely let your thumbs stroke along the hem of the tank she was wearing, feeling her milky skin beneath your fingertips. You felt her breath hitch and you knew that she wanted this, too. The sheer gentleness of the kiss and of your tentative touches made your body melt and at the same time ignited a fire in the pit of your stomach, a slowly burning flame for the woman you loved warming your insides.

Your hands grew bolder and completely slipped under her shirt and stroked up her back, both of your breathing intensifying at the touch. Breaking the kiss, you pulled her shirt over her head, flinging it across the room carelessly before locking eyes with her. You forced yourself to look into her eyes and not down to her breasts. This was about so much more than sexual gratification. This was about reconnecting and emotional bonding.

Her eyes were a darker shade of blue, her pupils dilated, and her kiss-swollen lips were slightly parted. Finally breaking the eye-contact and looking down, you could not hold back the strangled sound ripping from your throat at the sight of her perfect, creamy breasts, perky, nipples already hardened. If it was from the chill in your apartment or from arousal, you could not tell. You brushed your lips against hers once more before kissing your way down her neck, letting your tongue dart out here and there, feeling her pulse thump beneath your lips. Her grip on your hair tightened as you neared her breasts, pressing hot kisses to her upper chest, before wandering further down. You worshipped the skin around her nipple, her squirming indicating that she wanted more. Encouraging her to lean back into your arms, you leaned down and took a nipple into your mouth. You moaned at the same time she took in a sharp breath, throwing her head back and arching her back, pressing her breast further into your mouth.

"Oh God, Liv," she breathed and you could feel the slow thrusting of her hips against, your abdomen. You let your lips brush the stiff peak before letting it go, pulling her back into a heated kiss. You parted and darkened blue pools looked back at you as she whispered, "Not here, Baby. Take me to bed."

She did not have to tell you twice. You pushed yourself and her up from the couch, letting her wrap her legs around your waist, and you carried her to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind you. Slowly lowering her down onto the bed, you had to close your eyes at the feeling of her body sliding down yours, all your senses heightened, your desire for this beautiful blonde angel just as fierce as the day you met her. She looked up at you with hooded eyes, tugging at the strings of your yoga pants to peel it off of you. You took the hint, pulling your own tank over your head before stepping out of the pants. You were not wearing any underwear and you smirked at seeing her breath catch in her throat. She placed butterfly kisses on your abdomen, her hands reaching up to cup both your breasts gently, making you whimper with pleasure. You watched her every move, but you had to slow her down. You took her hands in yours and kissed her palms before reconnecting your eyes.

Confused blue orbs were looking back at you, "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"

You cupped both her cheeks and kissed her softly, "No, Baby. I just need to feel you."

Kneeling down in front of her, you never broke eye-contact. You hooked your index fingers in the waistband of her sweatpants and panties and pulled them down at the same time and she helped you by lifting her hips from the bed. After having added them to the pile of clothes on the floor, you pushed yourself back up and she simultaneously scooted up to the headboard. You crawled toward her and lay down next to her, turning onto your side so you could face her.

Inching closer to the blonde, you put your hand on her hip and pulled her closer, your thighs touching. You wanted to crawl into her, feel her warm skin against yours. The love you saw in her blue orbs was overwhelming and your hand traveled along her spine, up between her shoulders. Alex's eyes fluttered shut and you could see goose bumps forming on her skin. She pulled off her glasses and carefully placed them on the bedside table, before leaning in to kiss you once again.

Continuing to caress her smooth back, your hands wandered upwards into thick blonde locks, holding on to her head when Alex deepened the kiss. Your tongues met, making you both groan once again, followed by a desperate whimper that ripped from your throat when you felt light fingertips against your breast, her thumb brushing your already stiff nipple making you pull away and arch into her hand, "Oh, Alex…"

She used your position to her advantage and kissed your neck, tongue lingering here and there while slowly rolling you over so she was on top. Feeling that silky tongue against your skin, you tightened your hold on her hair, tilting your head back, but feeling a pull in your neck where Gitano had struck you with his knife made you flinch. Alex pulled back to look at you and saw your pained expression. She softly stroked the patched up wound on your neck and you saw tears gather in her eyes, her lower lip trembling, "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you, Liv."

Her words tugged at your heartstrings and you pulled her down for a chaste kiss, letting her put her head onto your shoulder. You felt her take a deep breath, inhaling your scent and you did the same, the fingertips of both your hands languidly stroking up and down her spine, "I'm not going anywhere, Baby."

You turned your head and kissed her ear, waiting for her to come back to you, just relishing in the closeness, her naked body pressed against yours. After a while of just being, you heard her whisper softly, "I missed you so much. Every day I was away I longed even more for you. I felt like I couldn't breathe."

Closing your eyes to fight back your own tears, you tightened your hold on her, "Shhh, Baby. It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay. I'm here. We're together now. Nothing is ever going to change that again."

You started drawing tiny circles on her lower back, knowing that it would have a calming effect on her. Leaning down, you fumbled to get a hold of the sheets and pulled them up and tightly around the two of you, forming a cocoon of warmth against the chill of the room.

You had already let the thought of getting hot and sweaty go when you felt soft lips and her warm, wet tongue against your neck once more, making you shudder and gasp lightly, leaning your head back again to give her better access. She held her weight on her left forearm and cupped your breast with her right, gently massaging it, brushing her thumb over your nipple every now and then, making you arch your back.

Her mouth wandered lower to you're the valley between your breasts, letting her tongue brush against the smooth flesh there before trailing to the side to envelop your other breast, the movement of her hand never ceasing. She let her tongue swirl before closing her lips around your stiff peak, suckling softly.

Throwing your head back, you could not hold back the groan forming in your throat and buried your hands into silken blonde locks.

"God, Al," you breathed, feeling wetness pooling between your legs, your body primed already.

Blonde hair tickled your upper chest, as she made her way further down your body, your abs twitching when her lips and tongue trailed your abdomen. She settled between your legs and looked up at you and you could not help but bite your lip at that sight. Your fingers tangled in her hair and you pulled gently, making her smile and lean down.

The first touch of her tongue to your throbbing center caused you to moan deeply, arching your back again and tightening your hold on flaxen hair. She took a long swipe, bottom to top, before running her tongue over your clit, lightly flicking it, before sucking it softly into her mouth.

You started whimpering helplessly, your hips bucking up at the pleasure she was giving you. Opening your eyes, you saw nothing but the plain white ceiling. You needed to look at her; needed to feel her skin and body completely against yours while you made love.

"Al… Alex! I need to… Uuuuuuh… Please, Baby. Together. I wanna watch you, too."

Her tongue dipped inside you and you let out a primal, strangled sound, "Please, Alex. Together. I need to see you; feel you."

So Alex moved upward again and straddled your thigh as she sat on her knees. You moaned at the plethora of wetness she created on your skin with her own excitement, grabbing her hips, squeezing firmly, your eyes never leaving hers.

Your hands wandered up to her breasts and you cupped them, two perfect globes, teasing her nipples with your palms. Alex's hips gave an involuntary thrust at your touch, making both of you groan loudly as she smeared her wetness on your leg. She leaned down again to support her weight on her left forearm, bringing her hand to your twitching core, and you felt her fingers slip from the amount of wetness oozing from you. You were face to face, noses and lips brushing, as she pushed into you with one finger, watching your every move as you bit your lip and let out a desperate whimper, starting to roll your hips against her hand, "More, Baby. Please," you begged and you felt her lips curl up into a smile against your own.

Her smile was followed by another hot, wet kiss as she pulled out and back in with two fingers, starting to pump gently.

"Uuuuuuh, God!" you cried out, matching the movement of her fingers with your hips, letting her go deeper. "Oh, fuck… yes, Baby. Just like that."

When she curled her fingers the first time, your whole body jumped and you bore yourself down harder onto her fingers, desperate for release.

Feeling her breath against your ear, you heard her whisper, "I missed you so much, my love. So very much."

She bit down on your earlobe, suckling gently, and you could feel her starting to grind herself onto your thigh.

You pulled her head up so you could look at each other, both of your starting to pant, unable hold back your loud whimpers.

Her blue orbs boring into yours, staring straight into your soul, she curled her fingers with each thrust now, picking up her pace, brushing your clit to heighten your pleasure. You were a blubbering mess at that point, unable to form words, as you moved against each other, so close to falling over the edge.

"God, Al… I… you… I'm… Ugh… I'm… I'm gonna…"

Brushing her nose against yours, she whispered, "That's it, my Baby. Come for me."

That was all you needed to start spasming uncontrollably, crashing down and surrendering to wave after wave of pleasure rolling through your body, your loud groans of satisfaction filling the bedroom.

She continued riding your leg and you knew that she had been holding out for your sake, wanting to make you come first. Gently pulling out of you she brought her right arm next to your head to hold herself up on both arms now, giving her perfect leverage to grind herself harder onto your thigh.

Picking up her pace, she panted heavily, loud whimpers leaving her mouth with every thrust of her hips, her shaking legs indicating that her clit was being stimulated perfectly.

You brought your hands to her backside and squeezed firmly, encouraging her to move faster and harder against your leg, her lips taking yours in a sloppy kiss as she thrusted once, twice, three times, before finally letting her own body succumb to its orgasm, moaning for all your neighbors to hear.

"Oh God… Fuck… Baby… Baby!"

You took her lips in a deep kiss to muffle her sounds, letting her ride out her climax, waiting for her to come down from her intense high.

As the final jolts of her orgasm rolled through Alex, her arms gave out and she fell forward, her arms unable to hold her up any longer, her upper body colliding with yours. You pulled the sheets back up around you and rolled your own body to the side so you were face to face once again. Pulling her tightly against your body, you whispered, "I love you, Alex."

She mumbled a sleepy, "I love you too," before passing out, your bodies pressed together as one, soft breaths being emitted into the air in between you while you watched her sleep, still wrapping your head around the fact that your blonde angel was with here with you and had no intention of ever leaving again.

xxxx

A/N 3: Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think. The quote in the beginning is taken from the song You and Me by You+Me. The excerpt of the book Olivia is reading is taken from Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel Wyrd Sisters. I highly recommend reading his work. He was an amazing writer.

I hope you like it. I apologize again for the delay and for any mistakes. It's not proofread because I wanted to get it out to you guys.

Special thanks go to Diane Neal for being awesome and posting on Twitter that she stuck a chopstick in Donald Trump's hair.

Reviews are love.

Until next time, my darling readers.