Chapter 14: Temptation

Olivia debated in her head whether it'd be worth the risk. Alex was right in front of her. "Alex, are you going to tell Casey that I might spend the night?"

Alex paused, "I'm not sure. Are you actually going to stay?"

"I'd like to," Olivia replied.

Alex smiled. "Good, just as long as we get up for work."

"True. Time to sleep? It's after 1 now. We have to be up at 6."

"Okay, we'll talk in the morning," Alex said, hugging Olivia. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too. Well I'll be on the couch," Olivia yawned.

Alex's face had that sudden downtrodden look but it passed. "Okay, goodnight, see you in a few hours."

Alex went into the hall closet and pulled out a pillow and blanket. "If you're still cold, there's another blanket in there." Or you could join me, she thought.

Olivia nodded and laid down on the couch, pulling the blanket over her body. "Okay, goodnight."

"Night," Alex said, turning off the lights as she went into her bedroom. She grabbed her phone and text Casey, just to let her know.

To: Casey Novak

Message: Hey, just letting you know that Olivia is spending the night. See you tomorrow babe.

From: Casey Novak

Message: Okay, see you then. Behave.

About 3 AM, Olivia woke up, covered in sweat. She had another nightmare. Alex came out of her room, groggy.

"What's wrong?"

"Sorry, did I wake you? I had another nightmare. Guess I screamed in my sleep."

"Yeah, but don't worry, I don't mind."

Alex sat on the edge of the couch and put her arm around Olivia. "I'm sorry you have nightmares. Is this reoccurring?"

"Yeah, I get it a few times a week, wake up in a sweat. This is the first time since Abbie left that someone's been there for me when I woke up."

"I'm glad I was here Liv," Alex quietly told her. She paused. "Do you want to come to my room?"

Olivia sat up to look at Alex. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I mean, I want you to sleep better. Maybe having me next to you will help?"

Olivia smiled at the offer. "Okay."

Together this time they walked back into Alex's bedroom. As soon as the lights were off, Alex rolled over to Olivia. "Liv?"

"Yeah, Lex?"

"I'm glad you don't hate me."

"What are you talking about? You should hate me for what I said."

"And you should hate me for the way I've been acting!"

They burst into laughter. "Well, I don't hate you," Olivia remarked.

"Me either… Goodnight."

"Night."

Olivia reached under the blankets to find Alex's hand. "Je t'aime," she whispered.

"I love you too," Alex said back. She rolled over to be face to face with Olivia. Both women smiled, gazing into each other's eyes. After a few moments, Olivia leaned in to kiss Alex.

"I've missed that," Olivia said.

"Me too."

Alex curled into Olivia's side and soon they were both asleep.

6 AM, the alarm blaring, they woke up, arms and legs tangled together, smiles all around. It was just like nothing had ever went wrong. Regretfully, both women got dressed, ate breakfast and walked out the door.

"Liv, do you still want me off SVU?"

She sighed. "They were going to have to transfer one of us eventually, even before I requested it. You and Casey are going to face the same problem if you ever come out, officially."

Alex just stared at her incredulous. "Did last night mean nothing to you?!"

Olivia shook her head furiously. "Of course it did, but if you're still with Casey…"

The blonde just rolled her eyes. "Liv, Liv, Liv… Come over after work, we'll sort it all out."

"Okay," she agreed. "See you later."

With another hug, Alex left Olivia in front of the precinct and headed to her own office building.

"Hey Liv," Elliot hollered, "I came by your apartment late last night but you weren't there. Where'd you go?"

"Out," she replied with a smile.

"Uh huh, sure. And I thought after being partners for so many years you'd be telling me these things! I mean, you called FIN?"

"Hey!" Fin yelled. "It's not my fault you're all the way in Queens. Why were you in Manhattan late anyway?"

Elliot sighed. "Kathy and I got into an argument, so I came down to the station. I stopped at your place but there was no answer."

She walked a few feet from Elliot's ear and whispered, "I was at Alex's, just don't ask, okay?"

"Okay, okay. I'm still going to tell you to be careful." Elliot raised his eyebrow at her. "Don't get mixed into a triangle."

"I will be careful, don't worry. But thanks." Olivia smiled at him.

Casey walked into Alex's office that afternoon, smiling at the woman behind the desk. "Hey, how did it go last night?"

Alex had a vivid flashback but quickly replied, "Oh, fine, we talked and she slept on the couch."

Casey couldn't tell anything was wrong, she just walked over to Alex and wrapped her arms around the woman. "Lunch?" Casey asked.

"Deli down the street?"

"Sure."

Just give a second okay? I'll meet you in the lobby."

Casey nodded, smiled at Alex again, kissing her cheek before leaving.

Alex grabbed her phone and sent a quick text.

To: Olivia Benson

Message: I'm going to lunch with Casey. I'm not sure what to tell her.

From: Olivia Benson

Message: It's up to you, I back you up either way.

To: Olivia Benson

Message: Thanks, love you, see you tonight.

Olivia read that last text, over and over, she loved Alex, but her reasoning for saying 'no' still stood. She literally felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Meanwhile, Alex walked out of her office, heart heavy, and met a waiting Casey.

"Ready?" The redhead inquired.

"Yeah," Alex said, leading the way to Piper's Deli.

Sitting in a corner booth, Alex set her sandwich down and looked at Casey.

Alex's confession, "I think we should break up," came at the same time as Casey piped in, "I think we should move in together."

"Wait, what?"

"Case, it's nothing personal, I just don't…I jumped into this…"

Casey just stared at Alex.