A/N – Thanks so much for all the well wishes and reviews, I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter. I'm not sure how many more there are going to be. Like I said a few chapters ago I've actually written the last one, now I'm just filling the spaces in between, I guess I'll keep going until people stop wanting to read or until I run out of ideas!

As always, reviews welcomed, I love to hear what you think

Same disclaimers apply ….

Olivia arrived in work the following day eighteen minutes late. She'd never been late a day in her life and more often than not she was at least an hour or two early. It didn't go unnoticed, though none of her male colleagues milling about the bullpen would have dared to utter a word.

It could have had something to do with leaving a naked Amanda Rollins, asleep in her bed, with strict instructions to rest, recuperate and enjoy the fact she had another day off. Much to her surprise Olivia hadn't actually had to work that hard to convince the sleeping blonde to stay, she'd left her spread diagonally across the bed, her hair fanned out across the pillows and a serene smile upon her face. The image stayed with Olivia during the ride to work and was still present as Cragen called her into his office upon arrival.

"Detective …?"

She followed him in and closed the door behind her. "Cap?"

He gestured that she should sit, but the idea unnerved her so she chose to pace in front of his desk instead. He smiled at her; she always was his best detective, in part because she knew what was coming often before the one delivering the blow.

"I'm just checking in with you Liv …" He said, reassuringly. "How's Amanda doing?"

"She's good." Liv replied, stopping her pacing to stand in front of him, her hands on the back of the empty chair. "Back to her normal self I guess, itching to get back here …" She added, lying.

He smiled, "Good, work's piling up and we need her …" He paused, "And on that note, how are things between you two?" He looked her over, trying to read her response. "A few days ago you were barely speaking …"

Liv bowed her head, hoping that he wouldn't push her to disclose their carnal activities from the last couple of days. "We're fine …" She said softly. "You know how it gets sometimes, women rub each other up the wrong way."

"In that case I'd like you to stay partnered with Amaro." Cragen requested, drawing the conversation to a close. "You and Rollins work well together but I can't afford to keep playing swap the detectives … I trust you'll relay that to Rollins as well." He added, dismissing her with a fatherly smile.

She returned it warmly. "Yes Cap."

The rest of the day went rather slowly, catching up on the new case they'd caught whilst she was off looking after Amanda. She and Amaro were doing an interview in Washington Heights late in the afternoon when her phone buzzed several times inside her pocket. She checked it as they walked back to the car, their interrogation of the suspect's ex-girlfriend hadn't really brought any new leads and they were about ready to call it for the day.

She laughed to herself as she read the series of texts from a clearly bored Rollins. Accompanied by various pictures of baked goods, painted toenails and the blonde playing dead out of boredom.

"Something funny?" Amaro asked, as she tossed him the keys.

Liv looked up at him and smiled. "It's Amanda," She replied, showing him the picture of the blonde pretending to tie a noose out of Liv's dressing gown tie with the words 'I'm so bored' in capitals screaming out beneath. "I think she's bored."

He laughed, but also wondered what he'd missed? Just over a week ago at the bar he'd been worried they might kill each other.

"Ready to call it a day?" He asked, knowing it was a little earlier than Liv usually liked to head off.

She barely heard him, busy sending an amused reply. "Yeah sure … if you are."

Amaro stared at her as he started the engine, something was definitely up.

By the time Liv made it back to her apartment, in heavy snow and rush hour traffic, the point of leaving early had almost become moot. She let herself in with her key, pausing in the doorway as she tried to put her finger on what was seemingly out of place.

It felt warm, and rather than smelling musty with a faint linger of greasy takeout, there were soft scents of vanilla and spices and something that smelt a lot like chicken roasting in the oven. The kitchen was absolutely spotless save for a few pots and pans on the stovetop, and the lounge had been tidied too. In the distance she heard the sound of water running and, as if acting on instinct, her feet took her there.

"Hey …" Amanda looked up at her from the edge of the bathtub. "I ran you a bath, it's cold out."

Liv walked towards her and immediately took her face between gloved hands, kissing her hard. Rollins was taken aback, but pleased – her body sinking into the warmth of the brunette's lips against her own. As Liv pulled away, she followed, almost losing her balance on the edge of the bath.

"Wow …"

"Hi …" Liv said softly, realising she'd not yet spoken. "Bored were you?"

Amanda chuckled and nodded, shutting off the faucet. "I found plenty to do round here …" She teased, grasping the brunette's hand as she stood up. They faced each other, silently appraising what had changed in the hours they'd been apart. "You had dust bunnies under your couch the size of rats Liv …"

Liv kissed her again, laughing, "The bath's really for me?"

Amanda nodded, her forehead against the brunette's.

"Thank you." Liv whispered.

Amanda smiled. "You want company?"

After warming up in the bath, Amanda forced Liv to stay and relax whilst she got out to attend to dinner. Once she'd turned down the oven and put on the veggies she came back with a glass of wine to find the brunette stretched out with her toes peeking up the end of the tub, her head resting on a towel and her eyes closed.

"So beautiful …" Rollins mumbled, under her breath.

Liv caught the sound and opened her eyes. "Huh?"

"Nothing." Amanda passed her the glass of wine. "Here …"

Liv took it from her and sat up, gesturing that she should stay, talk to her.

"Dinner's almost ready." Amanda said softly, her fingertips easing back the wet strands of hair against Olivia's face.

Liv sipped her wine and sighed contentedly. "You really didn't have to do all this, you know? I'm the one who's supposed to be taking care of you!"

"I wanted to …" Amanda assured fondly. "It's okay Liv …" She added, "to let someone take care of 'you' every once in a while."

Olivia blushed and nodded. "I'm just not very used to it, that's all …"

On the dining table she was greeted by the delicious roast chicken she'd smelled as she first walked in, complete with potatoes, greens, biscuits and gravy.

"Real food what puts meat on 'yer bones, as my Mama would say …" Amanda drawled, mimicking her mother's strong accent.

"I find it really sexy when you talk like that …" Liv noted, wrapping her arms around the blonde's lithe waist.

"Liv …" Rollins was quick to scold her moves. "Sit … eat …" She set down the bowl of greens. "There'll be plenty of time for 'that' later!"

Olivia made to protest but secretly she was starving, the donut she ate at 11am was long gone. She sat opposite as Amanda served her a plate of food, once again struggling to quell the internal monologue keen to draw her attention to the easy domesticity of the two of them together.

She kept expecting the familiar unease of feeling someone grow too close to her for her usual comfort level to allow, and was surprised it hadn't happened yet.

"Liv?" Amanda looked across at her questioningly. "You gonna eat? Or just stare at it …?"

The brunette chuckled, shaking it off. "Thanks, looks yummy."

By the time dinner was finished her unease hadn't lessened, and as the two of them ate the conversation had slowly fallen by the wayside as Amanda tried to carry it along and Liv struggled to keep up. Eventually the blonde gave up, reverting to the assumption that she'd overstayed her welcome and preparing a home cooked meal on her detective's return home from work was akin to making herself into a 1960's housewife – she should just collect her belongings and leave now.

She began clearing the plates from the table, leaving the older detective to her half finished glass of wine and her thoughts, whatever they may be. She was just about to pick up the bowl of leftover potatoes when Liv's hand shot out, firmly encircling her wrist and drawing Amanda towards her.

"Leave it …" She instructed.

Avoiding looking the blonde directly in the eye she pulled her towards her and pushed back her chair, forcing the other woman into her lap. Amanda tried to pull away, fearing that here was where Olivia would break it to her, the it's-been-great-but-I-think-we-should-stop-now-speech.

"Just … give me a minute …" Liv asked, breathing deeply.

Amanda looked at her, frown lines disrupting her handsome face. "What is it Liv?"

Liv ran her hands up and down the smaller woman's back, pulling her towards her, needing to feel the closeness she'd felt when they made love the night before. "I'm scared I'll fuck this up …" She admitted, trying to hide herself in the younger woman's chest.

Amanda pushed against strong shoulders, forcing Olivia to look at her. "What makes you think you'll fuck this up?"

Olivia shrugged. "Have you ever dated someone you work with where it 'hasn't' ended badly?"

Rollins sighed, her shoulders slumping as the reality of the world that existed outside of the bubble of Olivia's apartment hit her with full force. "What are we going to do?" She asked, worried.

Liv pulled her close again and kissed her, letting it grow heated, all their anxiety and concern began to meld with the attraction and heat that was palpable any time they came together. "I don't want to stop …" She forced out through tender kisses.

Rollins head shook, "Then we won't …"

"But …"

Amanda didn't let her finish, sliding her tongue deep into the brunette's mouth as she felt her moan at the intrusion. She began tugging at the bottom of her shirt and sweater, making her intentions known.

At some point they'd have to talk about it, discuss whether risking screwing up one or both of their careers was worth it. But until then, they could bury their feelings in sex and pretend.

For tonight anyway.

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