Serena and James seen the whole event play out from their vantage point and could only stare at each other in amazement. "I wonder what she said to Cassie." They had a good chuckle with the speculation.
The kiss sent electrifying waves down Olivia's spine and she slightly shuddered. Olivia slipped a hand up to the back of Alex's neck and into her silky golden hair. She deepened the kiss and poured all her feelings for Alex into that slow passionate kiss. They reluctantly broke the kiss when the need for oxygen let itself be known.
"Wow that was incredible." Olivia was the first to speak. "I've wanted to do that for so long." She looked shyly away from Alex.
"Really?" She was surprised with the new information. "Then I guess you'd be happy to know that I have also wanted to kiss you for quite some time." They spent the next few minutes looking into each other's eyes. "Perhaps we should get back to the other two before they think we are missing in action."
"Yeah maybe we should. How about that stop at the bar?" Alex nodded and they made their way to the bar, ordered their drinks and weaved back to their friends.
"Well well, about time you two. I could have died of thirst before you brought back something to drink."James jibed and as expected Olivia and Alex both flushed.
"Yeah, well, we got a little caught up back there." Olivia pointed behind her with her thumb with a lopsided grin on her face.
Serena had a cheeky look on his face. "Yeah, I know." She motioned herself and James. "We saw it."
The lovely ladies across the way looked at each other with giddy grins. "Alex, I would like to know what you said to Cassie. I couldn't believe it when she walked away."
Alex recounted her introduction which brought a round of laughter and congratulations from James. "Good for you Doll, way to give her the proverbial slap. She definitely deserved it."
After a short time, Alex excused herself from the group saying she had to use the little ladies room. When she got back, she situated herself beside her detective with a Cheshire cat grin and a wink. They talked for a while longer, Serena telling all sorts of stories about Alex and what party days they had in college. Then a familiar song began to play over the speakers:
When you're standing on the edge of nowhere
There's only one way up
So your hearts got to go there
"Alright guys. Up and at 'em let's dance." Alex said pulling Olivia out of the booth with her. James and Serena right on their heels.
"You requested this song, didn't you Alex?" Olivia smirked and started dancing. Alex winked in response inciting a chuckle and head shake from the brunette. Alex wrapped a hand around Olivia's waist and pulled her close, her heart speeding up at the close proximity. She then sang along to her not being able to break eye contact.
So let it find you
Wherever you may go
I'm right beside you
You don't have to look no more
You don't have to look no more, oh no
Olivia's heart fluttered at the younger woman's gesture and realized that they were motionless, people dancing and moving all around them. She threaded her hand in silky blonde hair and caressed a smooth cheek desperately trying to hold back the tears that now filled her eyes. Without a word, Olivia broke from the embrace and turned to leave.
"Olivia?" Alex's voice was laced with concern and confusion as she felt her presence slipping away. The detective was quickly swallowed by the sea of party goers. Just then she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything okay Alex?" It was James' turn to worry.
"Y-Yes...um, no...I don't know..."
"Ah okay, I'll go find our Cinderella before she turns into a pumpkin." His attempt at humor brought a small smile that tugged at Alex's lips. He left the two blonde ADA's in their own capable hands.
Serena soothingly rubbed Alex's arm. "It'll be okay Lex." She was shocked when the slightly taller blonde gave her a hug and squeezed.
"I know it probably will be, but I'm still worried about Liv. I hope it wasn't something I did." Even as she said it, she already had her answer.
"I'm thirsty, you want another drink?" Serena asked in hopes to occupy her friend's mind for a short time.
"Sure, but only water no more alcohol." Once they had drinks in tow, they tried to go back to the dance floor. Alex was finding herself searching the crowd for any sight of Olivia and was disappointed when she came up empty.
Alex's restlessness did not go unnoticed and Serena could only shake her head. "I've just noticed something about you Cabot."
She raised a perfect eyebrow and decided to bite. "Oh, and what might that be oh observant Serena?"
"You are so mushy when you're in love." She could barely contain her chuckle with the comment and braced herself for Alex's sharp wit.
"Yeah well I'm not the only one, am I?" She wagged her eyebrows with a grin on her face. She still looked around apprehensively.
"Yeah yeah Lex, whatever. Go, they've been gone a while." Serena motioned with her head and Alex looked at her with thankful eyes.
The tall ADA walked around the club, checked the bathrooms before finally deciding to look outside hoping Liv didn't leave yet. Once through the door she made her way through a small gathering of club goers. She was ready to turn around and go back into the loud music defeated when she heard the detective's voice. She found that Olivia and James were talking just around the corner in the alley.
"I don't know James I can't explain it. I froze and panicked, and I hurt Alex." Her voice cracked with the last revelation.
"Just go back in there and explain what happened I'm sure she'll understand."
"She deserves better than me James. I'm not the best person for her or anyone for that matter."
Alex's heart broke at hearing Olivia talk about herself like that.
"Do you love her?" Alex found herself straining to hear what the reply would be, holding her breath.
Without a thought, "You know I do."
"Then I think you should let her decide what she deserves."
"I know you're right. I just...I'm scared Jay. What if I fuck it up like I did last time?" The pieces of Alex's heart shattered. I can't believe she's blaming herself for what went on.
"Olivia Serena Benson, I do not want to ever hear you talk like that again." His tone immediately turned stern. "You did nothing wrong. Cassie is the one who is incapable of loving anyone, Cassie is the one who broke up with you and asked you not to move out. Cassie is the one who had numerous women over while you were still living with her. She used you Olivia, and no offense, but if she loved you at all she would not have done those things to you."
Alex gasped at the information she just heard. Guilt crept upon her conscience and she decided on a course of action. Gathering her wits about her she strode passed the corner into the alley where Olivia and James were hugging.
"There you two are," she started. "I was getting worr-...I'm interrupting. I'm sorry I'll just go find Serena."
"No no it's ok." Olivia straightened and wiped a few stray tears off her cheeks.
"How about I go find Serena?" James offered and left the two alone.
"Alex, I am so sorry." Olivia was the first one to break the silence. Not able to make eye contact she ran her hand through her short hair. "I guess I just..."
Olivia was cut off by the feel of soft lips against hers. She felt a hand cup her face and the other gently held the back of her neck. She couldn't help but wrap her arms around the blonde's neck. Alex slowly pulled back from the kiss to look into dark floating orbs. Olivia stared right back into deep blue eyes that carried her away on their waves. What she seen and felt in her eyes was love and compassion and made her heart soar to new heights.
"There's no need for you to apologize to me Olivia," Alex stated quietly. "I should be the one sorry for my forward actions on the dance floor." She looked away shyly.
A brunette head shook vehemently. "No Alex. What you did was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me and I won't have you apologizing for it. I'm sorry for walking away from you, I was stunned and scared and reacted with my head instead of listening to my heart."
"Well I meant every word of it Liv." She cupped the olive colored face with both hands and spoke with all her heart.
"I'm an all or nothing kind of girl Alex, in it for the long haul." Brown eyes searched azure pools for a reaction.
She lightly tapped the nose in front of her and brought her head close enough to touch foreheads. "I'm glad, I was counting on it Liv."
Olivia let out the breath she was unaware that she was holding and relaxed into a smile. Closing the gap she leaned in and kissed Alex. Deepening the kiss, she poured all her passion and emotions for the ADA into the kiss and the blonde returned the kiss with even tenure.