A/N: The talk of the "get away" is here! Things come together in this chapter and we see that the women truly are in love and meant for the other. The "trip" is in the net chapter.

Side Note: I am a teacher and we started back this past week. I am only able to write in the evenings, so I will try very hard to get at least a chapter out a week until this story concludes.

Patricia

12

AAA

The sound of a lone cricket somewhere in the apartment, the swish of cars passing by in the rain on the wet street below, and the faint snores coming from the sleeping brunette to her left were all that could be heard as Alex lay in bed, the moonlight casting a glow leading from the floor up onto the bed. It was 12:15 and Olivia had been sleeping fitfully for the past hour after sobbing herself to sleep in Alex's arms.

After Elliot had left, Olivia admitted that she had way too much to drink and was already regretting it. The next few hours were spent with Olivia's arms either wrapped around the base of the toilet, Alex holding her hair away from her face and rubbing her back, or the two women sitting on the sofa watching a Three's Company marathon, Olivia's arms wrapped around Alex's waist as she sat with her head on Alex's lap, the attorney holding a cold washcloth to the detective's forehead.

Olivia had apologized repeatedly in the midst of her misery, tears and snot running profusely, half a box of Kleenex© used. Alex felt for Olivia. The brunette knew drinking had been a mistake and she knew she was paying for it in a big way. Once her body had expelled all consumed items from the afternoon and evening—both liquid and solid—and then, when there was nothing else to expel, Olivia still continued to run to the bathroom many more times throughout the course of those six hours, nothing left in her stomach but bile.

Finally, she was sleeping. It seemed her body had finally slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep. Alex had given her a packet of Emergen-C™ and two Advil before Olivia finally decided to pull the covers over herself at 11:00 and try to rest. The past hour, Alex watched Olivia as she repeatedly turned left, right, rolled on her back, flipped on her stomach—her body and constantly running mind fighting the sleep she so desperately needed.

Now she was still, her breathing heavy and deep, but steady. She was so exhausted. Alex reached over to her back and traced her finger along her shoulder blade, eliciting a contented moan from her overly fatigued girlfriend.

Alex knew what she wanted to do and hoped Olivia was up for her plan. Her parents' beach house in South Hampton was empty at present, her parents in their villa in Mallorca for the winter. Alex wanted to take Olivia there and help her relax, recoup, and just spend some time thinking. Fresh sea air, fresh seafood, a good book, and each others' arms were the only things they needed. Alex had the vacation time coming and needed a break as well. It was the perfect plan. She would bring it up at breakfast the following morning. The attorney only hoped Olivia would be open to it.

… … … … … …

OOO

Olivia trudged down the narrow hallway as she squinted, her hand holding her forehead, feeling every tortuous step. The pounding in her head was only exacerbated by the light from the living room windows, the blaring radio, and Alex clanging whatever she was clanging in the kitchen.

"Hey, babe…" Alex said softly as she noticed Olivia enter, smiling and walking up to her, placing her hands on the detective's cheeks. Alex then felt her forehead with the back of her hand before placing a tender kiss on her lips. "Feeling any better, Liv?"

Olivia's face looked pale, almost sallow. She had had a rough night last night and the substantial dark circles underneath her eyes and her reddened corneas gave her away. She was undoubtedly hung over.

"How about something really simple for breakfast, Liv? Maybe some French toast? Or something even simpler like plain old dry toast?"

Olivia sat at the kitchen table and grunted. Her half smile showed her attempt at being positive. "Make whatever you'll like, too…" Olivia said quietly. "I probably won't have much, although my stomach is growling like crazy, I don't have an appetite. The whole idea makes me feel sick again."

"OK…I looked through your cabinets and you still only have one frying pan, a small pot, and the one colander?"

"Yep," Olivia stated. "The past five years, I just haven't been home, Alex. Literally. The first two years, I worked nonstop and mostly slept in the cribs because I couldn't come back to the part-time home we had made. I wanted to wait until…I guess I was just…I was waiting until I…" Olivia stopped herself from floundering further, playing with the corner of the table runner.

"Until you what, Liv?" Alex questioned, sitting next to the detective.

Olivia looked into her eyes, her immense grief still apparent. She shook her head and looked down at her thumbnail, fidgeting.

"Olivia," Alex took her busy hands in her own. "Wait until you what?"

Olivia took a deep breath, no tears, just a straight-forward admission, "Until

I lived again…loved again…" Olivia tried a half smile.

Once again, Alex's heart broke a little more from Olivia's admission. In those five years, Alex's heart had broken as well. She had suffered the two years in WitSec in a job she hated, in a relationship she couldn't stand, and even with a hair coloring and a wardrobe that she felt no connection to. Then, back in New York she struggled to find the Alexandra Cabot that she had once been, knowing that Olivia had, for certain, moved on without her, and then trying to get over that. Alex knew pain. She knew suffering. She understood exactly what Olivia meant.

"Baby," Alex began, her voice cracking, "We're together now. All those ups and downs have made us stronger, not only independently, but as one. We found each other again and I will never let you go again." Alex cupped the silky tan skin of her neck and pulled her face to hers, hovering briefly, foreheads pressed, their eyes locked before Olivia closed her beautiful brown eyes and sighed the most peaceful, contented sigh Alex had ever heard-wanton, endearing, affectionate—all rolled into one. Alex took the moment to softly press her parted lips into Olivia's, tasting her lips, pressing for the entrance that the detective quickly allowed. Soon, the kiss became heated, almost frenzied, breathless and anticipating…

Olivia pulled away first, slowly, eyes still closed. Once she regained her breath, she whispered, "I am so sorry for yesterday, Alex…I—"

Alex stopped her apology with another kiss, this time it was soft and gentle. Pulling away, she put her hands on the detective's hips. "You don't need to apologize, Liv. "I get it. I get you…" Alex moved her hands to the tops of Olivia's thighs, squeezing firmly.

Olivia moaned and grinned devilishly.

Alex smiled wryly. "Liv, I have a proposition for you during breakfast…"

"Won't that be difficult during breakfast? I mean, the food…kind of messy, but the table would be perfect for it…"

Alex slapped Olivia's leg playfully. "A different proposition, detective."

"Well, what is it?" Olivia was now interested.

"You'll have to wait. How about you go take a shower and change and I'll make us something simple to eat…"

Olivia leaned in for another kiss, "Sounds good," she whispered, moaning as Alex's hands softly gripped her ass. Turning to leave, she said over her shoulder, "I'm suddenly feeling much better…"

Alex smirked and shook her head, watching Olivia's backside as she sashayed away.

… … … … … …

OOO

What Alex thought of as a simple breakfast was anything but. Crispy vanilla French toast with powdered sugar, butter and maple syrup, sliced chewy bacon on the side and lattes were waiting when Olivia emerged from her shower clean, fresh, and wearing distressed Levi's and a fitted navy, NYPD tank top. She ran her fingers through her wavy, damp locks as she entered the kitchen, slithering up behind Alex, who was plating the food to bring to the table.

Olivia managed to wrap her arms around the attorney before she picked up the plates. Alex left the lattes and turned in Olivia's arms, wrapping her own arms around the detective's neck.

"I want to make yesterday up to you," Olivia began, taking Alex's trademark frames from her face and setting them on the counter. "I want to make sure you understand how sorry I am and that I never meant to hurt you." She kissed Alex's cheekbone, then down further, planting soft kisses down her jaw line and then neck, sucking that one spot below her ear that made Alex shudder as she simultaneously sank her teeth into that very location.

"Uhhhhh," Alex moaned, trying to find her voice. "I would argue with you but…I have to say, I wouldn't mind being 'made up to'…" Alex moved her hands to Olivia's backside and pulled the brunette even closer, pressed as one.

"The past couple of days have been a whirlwind and I just want to be able to spend time with you," Olivia unbuttoned the top two buttons of Alex's fuchsia silk shirt and then moved the fabric off of her shoulder, planting kisses there.

"And I have absolutely no problem with that…"

Olivia pulled the shirt further off of Alex's shoulder, revealing her pert nipple. "Mmmmm, no bra…perfect…" She leaned in and gently tongued it, eliciting a gasp and then a low moan from her girlfriend.

"As much as I'd like you to continue…" she paused, enjoying the sensations, "…let's eat and then we can pick this up where we left off?"

Olivia stopped her ministrations and looked at Alex, a smug expression on her face. "OK, fine…"

Alex motioned for Olivia to get the coffees.

"Besides…" Alex said as Olivia took the lattes to the table and sat. Alex set the plates on the table. "We have to talk about my proposition." Alex sat.

"There's that word again…" Olivia smiled, placing her napkin in her lap as the women began eating.

Alex grinned. "I think you'll like it…it involves you making it up to me right by the ocean."

"Mmmm?" Olivia tried, eyebrows raised, chewing.

Alex wiped her mouth. "My parents are in Spain right now and will be until May. Their house is empty and we could have it all to ourselves." Alex smiled and placed her hand on Olivia's forearm, trailing light fingers along it.

Olivia shivered and smiled. "All to ourselves, huh?"

Alex nodded, "Just you, me, the ocean air…no interruptions." Alex tucked a lock of wavy hair behind Olivia's ear. "We deserve a little extravagance and relaxation, don't you think?"

Olivia put her fork down and took Alex's hand, laying a soft, lingering kiss on her knuckles. "I think it's a perfect idea."

The women watched the other for a few moments, mutual admiration amongst them, before they began eating again.

Looking down and forking some French toast, Alex asked, "Do you still have that bikini?" She looked up, absolute lust in her darkened eyes.

Olivia smiled, "Sure do…I hope it still fits."

Alex looked Olivia over, "Oh, it'll fit…"

"When do we leave?" Olivia questioned.

"Um," Alex swallowed, "I just have to make some arrangements with the office, tie up some loose ends and then we can head out tomorrow. "Too soon?"

Olivia shook her head as she sipped her coffee. "Not at all. The sooner the better."

… … … … … …

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent with Alex and Olivia making slow, lazy love without a care in the world. They lay in bed, Olivia talking about being in a bikini or naked the entire time and Alex talked about the different meals she would cook, wearing whatever Olivia wanted her to wear. They would even invite a few friends up on the weekends for dinner. It would be perfect and just what they needed to rekindle their romance and remember why they were meant to be together.