Chapter 11
A week had gone by since Olivia's return to work. They had a hit off the rape kit but the woman refused to testify and the suspect refused to speak so they case was at a standstill. Olivia had been determined to not let this guy go and was digging up anything she could to nail him. The previous week had been hard, but she managed to pull through fine. She'd often be forced into having tea with Elliot, Kathy and the kids. It was the highlight of her week playing with the little ones who she adored so much. Kathy had been a greater friend than usual and they'd spent time together on the weekend going out for lunch and just talking.
Saturday (weekend just gone)
"So, you heard off Alex over the week?" Kathy never beat about the bush and was never afraid to approach a subject with Olivia. For a small woman she could be quite intimidating, but you'd expect nothing less being married to Elliot for so long, someone had to keep him in line.
"Hmm, no not really." Olivia kept the answer short, not really wanting to talk about herself and Alex whilst out enjoying lunch. She knew Kathy wouldn't drop the subject though.
"Not really?" yeah, Kathy was anything but subtle.
"She sent me flowers Monday which I binned. She invited me out for lunch too but I told her no. She rang a few times during the week but I've not heard from her since Thursday so maybe's she finally getting that I don't want anything to do with her."
"And that's what you want?" Kathy took a sip of her coffee but kept her eyes on Olivia, waiting for her friend to respond. Olivia sighed before continuing.
"It's just the way it is. Before the last few weeks, yeah we were friends, good friends even though I wanted more. I was ok with us being friends. But now, after what happened, I don't think I can forgive her and what hurts just as much is that I've lost a friend. I mean it's not like we were together long..."
"No, you weren't, but you'd both been dancing around each other so long, I'm sure everyone suspected there was something going on, even if they didn't think that, they knew you both cared deeply for each other."
"Oh god really? Were we that obvious?" Olivia looked slightly mortified that people knew more about her private life than she was willing to share.
"Yeah really, everyone thought if you weren't already together you would be soon, even if they didn't know you were both gay. Why don't you talk to her?"
"Because, I, I'm just not ready to forgive her yet. I don't think I can let her back in."
"I'm not saying let her back in Liv, I'm saying talk to her, tell her how you feel. If you know you can't trust her again in that sense, tell her. Or just tell her you'll accept her apology but you'll never be anything more than friends, and even then it will take some time."
Olivia sat and listened to Kathy's opinions. She did miss Alex, both romantically and platonically. They had been friends. But the betrayal was still raw. Maybe she should talk to Alex, just to get it all off her chest so she could at least move on.
The woman switched topics after that, Kathy being satisfied that she'd made her point. Sunday was a quiet affair for Olivia, she went into work for a few hours, just to do some paperwork and get her out of the apartment. She'd had a call on Sunday afternoon from Emily and didn't know what to say so let it go to voicemail. When she listened to it back after, she listened as Emily had told her that she hoped she was doing ok, and that they in no way condoned Alex's actions. She was sorry about how her week away turned out and she'd hoped Olivia would still be willing to talk to her now and then, she really had come to respect and admire the woman and would miss their talks but would understand if Olivia didn't want to talk with the family any more. Olivia had wiped the few tears away from her face after the call and promised herself she'd call Emily on Monday.
So hear she was on Monday, back at work after even though she was only just there yesterday she felt like she'd actually had a good weekend off, surprisingly. She was sat at her desk, again going through the previous case. She just couldn't let it drop. When she spoke to the suspect she could tell he was a creep, he'd let slip that he used to date the victim but that was all. He'd been high all the weekend of the attack and on the Monday morning of the attack so couldn't remember if he saw her, and if he did the sex would have been consensual. Olivia could see right through him. It irritated her to no end.
Alex had avoided the squad room after Monday but had still tried calling Olivia up until Thursday. She was at a loss, Olivia wouldn't let her explain or apologise and she felt deflated. She'd spoken to her mum and sister most days and they didn't know what to tell her. On Sunday she'd spoken to her mum, and her mum had told her about the message she's left with Olivia and Alex broke down, realising the strong bond the family had formed with her in such a short time. Her mum had explained that maybe Olivia needed time, but also said that Alex may have to accept that their relationship may be over. Alex said she couldn't think like that, she wasn't willing to give up yet. They'd said their goodbyes and Alex spent the rest of her Sunday in her sweats, contemplating a possible future without Olivia, even as a friend, it seemed grim.