Chapter 10
Once Alex is convinced Olivia is sound asleep, she gets up to fix herself something to eat. She hasn't eaten anything yet except the coffee she had over 3 hours ago because of Olivia's sudden outburst. She'd known it was coming. Ever since Olivia had seen that box yesterday, Alex understood that she would soon be learning a lot more about Olivia's past, but she wasn't sure exactly what. What came out of Olivia's mouth 2 hours ago was not what she was expecting. She sighs and leans against the kitchen counter mulling over all that Olivia told her. She now understands Olivia's need to fight for the victim, her passion when it came to her job. The fights they often get into over the job make a lot more sense now. Olivia was right. Alex does want to exhume Serena Benson's body, but she doesn't want to kill her, she wants to kick her ass and then say how sorry she is for everything that happened to her. She wonders how she was never able to see it before, Olivia's knack with victims, her tendency to go beyond her call of duty, often keeping in touch with victims long after their trials ended. "I guess I was never really looking for it," she says to herself. She decides to go back to the bedroom to check on Olivia. When she gets there, the bed is empty, but she does hear the water running in the bathroom. Olivia emerges and is a little startled to see Alex standing there.
"I went through the rest of the items in the box. There were some old pictures, a couple of items from when she was teaching at Columbia and some other things I haven't seen in years. Nothing really important other than the pictures and the letter. Honestly, when I found the box, I didn't really want to open it. I was jaded enough that I thought it might be another hideaway for more of her booze. I found 32 bottles hidden away in various places all over the house. By the time I found the box, I was kind of numb and didn't really care anymore. If I had opened it then, I probably would have thrown it out immediately. I'm glad I didn't." Olivia's voice is hoarse. She hasn't talked this much in a long, long time.
Alex isn't really sure what to say to that, so she just stands there, not knowing if Olivia wants more comfort or to be alone or what. This is the trouble with just moving in with someone, no matter how well you know them. You don't know their personal space boundaries and since this is formerly Olivia's apartment, Alex doesn't want to step on Olivia's toes. But, Olivia solves the problem for her. She goes over to Alex, takes her hand and asks if she wants to go for a run. Alex nods in agreement and they set off 10 minutes later.
Running is Olivia's outlet. When she can't figure something out, she goes for a run. Usually she runs down her street and back, but today she wants a change of scenery, so she and Alex run through Central Park. By the time they reach their apartment again, it is about 2 in the afternoon. Olivia feels much better and she can tell that Alex does, too.
"Liv?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Alex asks tentatively.
"Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better now actually. I wasn't really sure how I was feeling before, but my head is much clearer now. Thanks."
"For what?"
"You know, for still loving me even after learning how I came into the world."
"Olivia, I don't care how you came into this world. What matters is that you're here now and I love you no matter what happens."
Olivia grins and pulls Alex into a tight embrace. "Let's go out to dinner tonight. Whaddya say? Our first official date as a cohabitating couple."
"Sounds great," Alex responds with a smile.