Alex came around the table and looked at Olivia. "Why?" She looked between Elliot and Olivia. "What's going on?"

Olivia's brow creased. "I just told you I kissed your girlfriend and all you say is 'why?'"

Frustrated, Alex shook her head. "Morgan wouldn't cheat and you're not a home wrecker, so there must be some other reason you kissed her and I'm betting it has to do with Velez." She considered what she'd just said and frowned. "And that means either you or Morgan are being targeted by him." She looked up into Olivia's eyes and took a step closer. "And you would never leave her if she were the target, so that means…it's you."

"It's under control Alex."

"How? How do you know you're being targeted?"

Olivia looked uncomfortable and glanced at Elliot for help. He bowed his head, leaving her on her own.

Olivia motioned for her to sit down and took a seat at the table. Elliot eased out of the kitchen so the two women could talk. He went to Mason's office and holed up, hoping there wouldn't be any fireworks.

"I don't. Not exactly."

Alex looked pissed. "Tell me."

Olivia told Alex about meeting Julia at the Albany Motor Court, the border video and parking tickets and the plan Hammond had nixed.

Alex thought about what she'd just been told and was furious with Hammond for nixing the plan, Olivia for even considering the plan and Elliot for just being Elliot.

"Putting all of this aside Olivia, it still doesn't explain why you kissed Morgan."

"Velez is interested in you. Either he knows we have history or he doesn't but he knows he has to go through me to get to you. He may think it's too hard to get through me so he'll start looking around. Do you want him to find Morgan?"

Alex shook her head.

"So it's better if he thinks she's with me."

Alex gave her a tight smile. "Thank you." She stood and pushed her chair back in. "We have a busy day tomorrow and the next. Unless that's changed?"

Olivia shook her head. "It's easier to guard you in the smaller towns than the city. High powered rifles tend to stick out on Main Street ."

Both women smiled at her comment.

XXXXXXXXXX

Olivia was exhausted and she had to admire Alex's stamina. The woman had been going since before dawn and still looked fresh. They'd done a tour of the Catskills and Olivia hadn't known there were so many country fairs in one area. Alex had been gracious to a fault and posed with many little old ladies.

The only time Olivia had seen her falter was when a woman had wanted to take her photo holding her newborn. Alex had visibly flinched and then realizing how that might appear, she feigned a leg cramp.

In the end she'd held the baby as if it were her own and she'd even hesitated in handing it back to the woman. Olivia thought Alex's eyes were a little more watery than they should be, and she'd offered her a warm smile.

They were spending the night at a lodge in the famed resort town and Olivia couldn't wait to take a hot shower and go to bed. Her relief at finally getting to their lodging was short lived as she was informed she'd have to share a room with Alex. The blonde hadn't seemed bothered by the revelation, but Olivia cursed the gods for doing this to her. She even thought she saw Mason faintly smile.

While Alex had a final debriefing with her staff, Olivia took her shower and called Elliot who'd followed them all day. He'd only whistled when she told him she had to share a room with Alex.

She found Alex already dressed for bed and reading the local paper when she emerged from the bathroom.

"You must have some sort of stamina Alex."

The blonde smiled. "Lots of practice. And hot showers first thing in the morning." She looked at Olivia. "How's your back?" Olivia shrugged. "I brought some ointment. Let me take a look."

Reluctantly, Olivia sat down with her back to Alex and raised her shirt. Alex began doctoring her scratches and Olivia decided to bring up the topic of babies. Namely, Alex's baby.

"I saw you with that baby today Alex." The blonde's hands faltered. Olivia looked over her shoulder. "I…I'm sorry about your baby Alex." Alex stilled her movements and Olivia turned to face her, pulling her shirt down. "I'm sorry you went through…"

Before Olivia could say any more, Alex pulled away from her. "Thank you but that is not a topic for discussion." She reached over to cut out the light, but Olivia unable to resist any longer, kissed her. Alex felt the brunette's lips on her own and stiffened. She pulled away and glared at Olivia. "Stop it. I don't cheat Olivia. Not then and not now." Olivia opened her mouth to say something but before she could, Alex reached over and cut out the light. "Good night Olivia."

Stunned, the brunette finally got off the edge of the bed and made her way to her own bed. She was unsettled by Alex's attitude but sleep finally won out.

Midway through the night she was awakened by Alex's crying. She called to the blonde and when it became apparent she was still asleep, she went over and tried to awaken her. She tried gently shaking her and then harder, finally getting a slight response. She sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over the blonde, taking her by the wrists.

"Alex…Alex…come on baby…"

Hearing Olivia, Alex jerked awake and tried to move her arms, meeting resistance. Becoming panicked at not being able to move, she started fighting Olivia and struggling against her.

"Alex, calm down! Stop fighting me!"

"Stop it!" She struggled harder and growled, "Take your hands off me and don't ever touch me again!" She became more agitated and started kicking at Olivia who was now standing, but still holding Alex's hands.

"Relax Alex!"

Olivia leaned in to try and calm the blonde, and she took the opportunity to head butt Olivia, landing a blow to her nose.

"Owe! Fuck Alex! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Don't you ever touch me again! This is not happening again! You're not doing this again!"

Olivia was holding her nose, which was bleeding and trying to get away from Alex. There was banging on the door and Olivia could hear both mason and Elliot shouting. She crawled over to the door and opened it and Elliot knelt beside her and Mason was tending to Alex.

"What the hell happened Liv?"

He'd handed Olivia his handkerchief and she was trying to get her nose to quit bleeding.

"She was having a bad dream and I tried to wake her up. Next thing I know she's head butting me!"

Mason had gotten Alex calmed down and the blonde looked terrified.

"Olivia? Oh God, I'm sorry. I was having a nightmare."

"Obviously. About what?"

Mason stepped in and answered for Alex. "Her shooting. She has night terrors about it from time to time."

Alex looked grateful and finally nodded. "Velez." She shrugged.

Elliot took the entire scene in and finally nodded. Olivia had gotten her nose to quit bleeding and didn't think it was broken, just sore.

"Governor Cabot, will you be ok the rest of the night?"

Alex nodded. "Yes." She looked at Olivia. "Liv?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

After the men had left, Alex dug around in her bag, producing both a bottle of aspirin and a nightlight. Without a word she handed Olivia the bottle and plugged the nightlight in.

As she turned the light off once again she said, "I'm sorry Olivia."

XXXXXXXX

The Next Day

Olivia's nose bore a distinct bruise and it was dark beneath her eyes, causing her to have to wear sunglasses. Elliot had examined her and grimaced when he saw her nose.

"Damn Liv. That looks painful."

"It is." She shook her head. "I think I screwed up last night."

"What did you do?" He was looking at her with those ice blue eyes and she fought the urge to squirm.

"I kissed her."

"And then she hit you?"

"No! I kissed her she pulled away, told me she wasn't a cheater, which I know to be a lie, and then cut out the light." Olivia considered what she said. "Hmm. Maybe that's what caused her dream?"

Elliot chuckled. "You got some nerve Liv. You're accusing her of cheating because she got pregnant by her husband. Her husband! She was married to him when you two hooked back up so technically…."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I cheated with her, blah, blah, blah. You sound exactly like her, but she lied to me! And even if it was her husband, she was still doing the naked pretzel with me so ergo, she's a cheater! She can't say she's not a cheater because she cheated with me." She scratched her head. "Does that make sense?"

"Oddly, yes it does. But I still say there's something more to it and you didn't give her the benefit of the doubt."

They were interrupted by Alex herself. She had an ice pack in her hand and shyly handed it to Olivia. She cut her eyes at Elliot who took his cue and left them alone.

"I thought you might need this." She grimaced as she examined Olivia's nose. "I really am sorry Liv. I just…I was having a bad dream and then when I woke up and couldn't move freely…" Catching herself, Alex turned her head away from Olivia.

"I'm sorry too Alex. I shouldn't have kissed you. I…it's just been a very long time since somebody even tried to take care of me and…this whole thing has just…." She shrugged.

"I know." She gave Olivia a warm smile. "I need to get back out there. There are donations to be had!"

The rest of the day passed by fairly quickly and they arrived back in Albany by 7 that night. Olivia watched as Mason pulled Alex aside and handed her a note. Alex's face became concerned and finally she nodded. She looked up and locked eyes with Olivia. She gave a slight tilt of her head and the brunette nodded. She followed Alex upstairs to her room.

"What is it Alex?" Alex handed Olivia the paper and she read it. "Oh. What do you want to do?"

Alex crossed her arms. "It would probably be best to meet with him."

Olivia nodded. "Ok. Why?"

Alex looked surprised. "What why?"

"Uh, how about this is your ex-husband, he embarrassed you by going to a hooker and then getting caught right after you were elected and…he caused you to miscarry." She looked away as she said the last part.

Alex's eyes went wide. "You don't know what you are talking about Olivia. Now, I need to see him and you need to not be here when I do."

Olivia was pissed at Alex. "You need to see him? Classic! Fine, you can see him, but I'm going to make my presence known Alex. It's my job!"

Alex now looked terrified. "No Olivia. You can't be here when he comes."

"I'm your security detail Alex and for all we know he could be involved with this." It sounded good. And for all she knew it could be the truth, though she doubted it.

Alex stepped closer to Olivia. "Liv, please. Don't be here or at least don't be visible when he is. Please."

"Why? Tell me Alex." Realization dawned on her. "Oh God, you still have feelings for him! What the hell is going on with you?" Olivia smirked. "Are you going to bed with him?"

Alex slapped her, catching the brunette off guard. "For your information he knows about us." She waved her hand, "Or what used to be us."

Olivia held her hand to her face. "What? How…we were always careful Alex. And why does it matter? You said you had an open marriage or whatever, so why does it matter? And that was three years ago."

Alex wrapped her arms more securely around herself. "No we weren't Olivia. The night I was elected we were careless. Robert saw us." She looked down. "He 'saw' us Olivia. He watched us making love that night." Alex's face flamed. "I'm sorry."

Olivia rocked back on her heels. "Oh." Her anger flared at the thought of Robert watching her and Alex doing something so intimate. "As…tacky as that was Alex, again, why did it matter?"

Alex turned her back on Olivia. "Apparently he never considered that our arrangement or whatever you want to call it, might include my lesbianism." She looked over her shoulder. "Robert and I have an agreement. Now, please be scarce when he's here." She went in for the kill shot. "It's an election year."

Olivia shook her head. "I should have known." She stalked out of the room and went down to speak with Mason and Elliot.

XXXXXXXXXX

Alex had changed into comfortable clothing in anticipation of Robert's visit. Mason had let her know the details of Robert's arrival. Olivia hadn't been around and Alex didn't know where she was, she just hoped she'd stay hidden.

Mason escorted Robert up to Alex's room. He hesitated when Alex asked him to leave, but assured him she would be ok.

"What do you want Robert?"

"Is that any way to greet me?" He stepped forward and took her hand.

Alex yanked it back and narrowed her eyes. "What do you want Robert. I'm busy."

He smiled. "Yes, it is an election year." He glanced around the room. "I'm surprised you moved into this room, after I…left. We had such good memories in the other room." Again he smiled at her. "We made a baby in that room."

Alex brought her hand forward in an attempt to slap him. Robert caught her hand and pulled her to him. He pushed his hand into her hair and brought his lips down on hers. She struggled against him.

"Stop it! NO!" She brought her knee up into his groin. He'd managed to turn his body so that his hip took the brunt of the blow.

"You bitch!" He grabbed her by the upper arms and was trying to force her over to the bed. Alex struggled against him and continued to say 'no' and 'stop' over and over. Robert brought his hand up and as Alex watched him, her eyes grew wide and she flinched, preparing for the blow that didn't come.

Olivia had been in her room eavesdropping and as soon as she heard the scuffle, she came into Alex's room. Seeing Robert's hand in the air, she rushed him and grabbed it, wrenching it back and causing him to howl in pain. She wrestled him to the ground and put her knee in the middle of his back.

"Get off me you damn dyke!"

Olivia looked up at Alex. "Alex? What do you want me to do?"

Alex was now standing. "Let him up Olivia. I need to hear what he has to say."

Olivia yanked him up so that he was facing the blonde.

"It figures she'd be here. Didn't you learn anything the last time?"

Alex was shaking with anger. "What do you want Robert?"

He glanced behind over his shoulder at Olivia. "Seeing as she's here, I'll forgo asking you for some pussy…" He gasped as Olivia tightened her grip on his arm. "Ouch! This is police brutality! Fine. I need aother political favor."

"No."

He raised an eyebrow. "Lesbian governor in an election year."

Alex never broke her stare. "Dead boy in Harlem."

From behind Robert, Olivia spoke up. "Blackmail of an elected official."

"Call your dyke off Alex. I have some info about Emiliano Velez. Or at least I assume that's who it was."

Olivia dropped her hold on Robert and turned him to face her.

"What is it?"

Robert proceeded to tell them about the young Columbian man who appeared at his office asking questions about Alex. He pretended to be a reporter from a rag looking for dirt on Alex. Robert had refused to speak with him, but had been smart enough to pull the security tape, which showed Velez getting into a Mercedes. He'd printed out the photo and had the tape in his car.

After conferring with Elliot and Hammond and showing them the photo, Olivia went looking for Alex. She had agreed to meet with Robert in her office, as long as Mason was present. She arrived at the office just as Robert was leaving and she glared at him. Mason escorted him out of the mansion.

"Alex?"

The blonde glanced at her and then back down at her paperwork.

"I'm tired Olivia and I just want to go to bed. Can this please wait until tomorrow?"

"No. I want to know what all that was about Alex."

Alex looked at her with weary eyes. "I'm tired Olivia. Please, just let me go to bed. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Olivia didn't want to let it go, but something about the way Alex sounded gave her pause and she finally gave in. She walked up the steps behind Alex and stopped her at her door.

"If you need anything…."

Alex nodded. "Thank you. And thank you for what you did tonight."
Olivia watched the blonde disappear into her room as the door shut behind her. Remembering something Robert had said, she went down the hall and slipped into what she realized was the master bedroom. She took a quick look around and saw a door that she knew wasn't a closet or the bathroom. She had her hand on the doorknob when she heard muffled sobs. She started to open the door, but the vibrating of her phone stopped her. She stepped out of the room to take the call. It was Elliot debriefing her on Robert's information.