Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews. Cate.

They are still sitting on the sofa; Alex clinging to Olivia, as if to let go would ensure drowning. She keeps her head turned away, however.

"Alex, you've got to get some help for this. Please?"

"Liv, I can handle this. I'm fine."

"Do you know what it feels like to watch you struggle? Do you know what it feels like to know most of what you do won't make a damn bit of difference?"

"Liv-"

"It feels like I'm dying with you. That's what it feels like."

"Really? It hurts you?" Alex asks, her face crumpling.

"Yes, Al. I care about you. More than I've ever cared about anyone."

"Ok."

"About what?"

"I'll do what you want, alright?" Alex's voice soft, breaking in parts, yet there is still a small amount of anger.

"Thank you Al. I'll be here every step of the way."

Today was Alex's first appointment with a psychologist, and she was really testy.

"Liv, I told you to pick my shirt up from drycleaners, where the fuck is it?"

"Al, it wasn't ready."

"Why the hell not?"

"Al-" Olivia sighed.

"Don't you dare say I'm just tried, leave me alone," Alex says as she slams the door. Olivia wonders if this is what Alex was like as a teenager. Her image of a really pissed 17 year old Alex is cut short by a shrill scream from Alex:

"DAMN IT."

"What?"

"I can't find my damn shoes."

"They are by the front door Al," Olivia says, resisting the urge to add "where you left them".

Alex storms out, grabs them and slams the bedroom door again. 10 minutes later she appears, fully dressed, but no calmer.

"Let's go," she orders, "Now."

They sit in the doctor's office, Alex flipping through the magazines at a breakneck speed. Olivia surveys the room, while always keeping an eye on Alex.

"Alex Cabot?" a nurse calls out.

"That's us," Olivia says, trying to put on a brief smile. She practically has to pull Alex with her. The nurse leads them down to corridor. The therapist's room is rather bare. Degrees hang on the wall, the shelves are filled with books, but the room still feels empty. The walls are plain white and sky is gray and cloudy though the window. The chairs look comfy enough, which Olivia is sure wouldn't be her impression after the next half hour. The therapist herself is tall, with wiry gray black hair, and steel blue eyes that seem to pierce.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Deidre Malaci. Nice to meet you Alex," she says as she shakes Alex's hand, "And you must be Olivia."

"Yes. Nice to meet you," Olivia replies.

"Have a seat wherever you like," She says, indicating the two chairs and sofa. Olivia sits in the middle of the sofa, expecting Alex to join her. Instead, Alex perches on a chair. She tilts her body to the wall, her body closely enfolded, as if to be as inconspicuous as possible.

"Olivia, said you might need some help keeping a healthy weight?" she asks Alex.

"Something like that."

"And how about exactly?"

"Liv thinks I'm too skinny."

"What do you think?"

There is silence for two minutes at least.

"I could stand to lose more weight."

"And how much do you weight?"

"A lady doesn't…"

"Alex-"

"I don't know."

"Don't you weight yourself constantly?"

More silence. "Maybe."

"Alex-"

"I think 120."

"Alex-"

"104.5"

"Thank you… You know that's too low, right?"

Silence.

"Ok, Alex. Tell you what… I want you to keep track of what you eat this week, and next week we'll look at it, ok? In the mean time, I want you to try to eat at least three meals a day."

Silence.

"Damn it Al, answer her," Olivia says, her annoyance covering up her shock at Alex's weight.

"Fine, alright. Fine."

"Is that a yes Alex?" asks Dr. Malaci.

"Yes, happy?"

"We'll have to see about that Alex. Time's up. See you next week."

"Bye," Alex says shortly as she quickly exits.

"Thanks, Doctor. I hope you can help her."

"I hope so too, Olivia. Take care."

"Thanks, bye."

Olivia finds Alex waiting impatiently waiting for her near the car. As they drive home, neither of them thinks it would be a wise idea to talk.