A/N: So I have planned out the rest of the story and I'm hoping you'll like it. There will probably be a series of stories based off Garrett, Olivia and Alex. This story had about 4 more chapters. I am at least promising a sequel... I don't own anything from Law&Order: SVU
Shopping!
Garrett's POV
I woke up to the sun shining in through the window. I shielded my eyes and sat up. My head was pounding, a usual side affect of having a severe nightmare. I rubbed my head and kicked my legs over the bed. I grabbed some clean clothes and went into the bathroom. I took a shower and put on the clean clothes. I stashed the dirty ones in my room and then left the room. I walked downstairs and could smell eggs and sausage and pancakes. The smell was making me nauseous. I walked towards the kitchen and could hear Alex singing along to the radio. She had a decent voice. I walked in and Liv was sitting on the counter watching Alex cook.
"Good morning!" Alex said. Her voice was full of cheer and I wanted to strangle her. I held my hand up and covered my eyes from the light. Liv turned the radio off and hopped off the counter. She came and stood next to me.
"You okay?" I shook my head and walked back out of the kitchen. I ran to the half bathroom and tossed my cookies. Liv came in seconds later and help my hair back. Alex was right behind her. I sank down against the wall and Liv knelt down next to me. She felt my forehead and then looked at Alex.
"Is she warm?" Liv shook her head and then looked at me.
"Does your head hurt?" I nodded my head and leaned into the corner of the bathroom.
"I have headaches like this sometimes. Get her some aspirin. I'm gonna take her upstairs." Liv helped me stand and held me up. She led me upstairs and into Alex's room. I wasn't sure why but the room was darker and that helped. She pulled the covers down and helped me sit. I resisted laying down.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked as she walked in.
"She won't lay down." Liv was trying to force me to lay down without hurting me.
"I can't… I don't know what you guys did in here last night, bad mental image." Liv and Alex rolled their eyes.
"We slept in here. That's all… Now come on, lay down." I gave in and lay down. I covered my head with my arm. I felt like my brain was going to explode. Liv sat down behind me and rubbed my back. Alex handed me the aspirin and I took it. I took a drink of water and then reburied my head. I rolled over and rested my head on Liv's leg. Alex flipped on the ceiling fan and I cringed when the lights came on. She ran over and pulled the chord to shut them off.
"Sorry." I closed my eyes and Liv kept rubbing my back. I could hear Alex leave but then come back. Liv laid a cold washcloth on my forehead and then I felt the bed sag. I assumed Alex sat down next to Liv.
"Go eat your breakfast… I'll be fine." Liv's hand stopped rubbing my back.
"I'm not going anywhere… Try to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up." I slowly nodded my head. I reached over and felt around for Alex's hand. I held onto it and she ran her thumb across the back of my hand. Liv resumed rubbing my back and I slowly fell asleep.
I woke back up and my head felt better. Liv was still sitting there. She'd fallen asleep. She and Alex were both leaning on each other. Alex was asleep also. I sat up and Liv woke up. Her hand tightened on my arm. She smiled at me. I must have looked ten times better.
"Hey, you feelin' better?" I nodded and stared down at the bed.
"Yea, thanks for helping. I normally just deal with them… It hasn't been this bad in awhile." Liv rubbed my arm. Alex was beginning to wake up.
"It's no problem… I know what it's like." I looked at Alex and she was smiling. I rolled my eyes and looked at the clock. It was 11am.
"So… I heard something about shopping yesterday." Liv laughed and eventually Alex did too.
"Are you sure you're up to it?" I nodded my head.
"Yea, besides Liv's gonna run out of clothes if I wear all of them… Not to mention they make me look old. " Liv pulled me towards her and half hugged me. I wanted to pull back but didn't. Even though I took Liv's help this morning didn't mean she was forgiven. She then pushed me away and I fell off the bed. Liv and Alex both looked over the bed. I just lay on the floor in a fit of laughter. Liv and Alex both busted out laughing.
Liv and Alex both got ready. I lay on Alex's bed. I watched as they both ran around picking and choosing clothes. Once Liv was dressed she lay down next to me. I sat up and moved off the bed.
"I'm gonna go put my shoes on." Liv nodded. She looked slightly disappointed. I felt slightly guilty but I wasn't going to fully give in. I went into the guest room and grabbed a pair of socks and my shoes. My shoes weren't gonna make it through a day of shopping. The soles were already falling off. If shoes could talk mine would be saying, 'put us out of our misery.' Liv came over and stood by the door. I looked up and I put my shoe on. Liv just shook her head.
"Do you need something?" Liv nodded and walked over to the bed.
"Yea, what size shoe do you wear?" I looked down at my feet. I had big feet I couldn't deny it.
"Depends on the shoe, these are 10's, they fit well… Or at least they used too." Liv nodded and got up. She left and I just sat there with one shoe on. It was depressing; I'd never had shoes get this bad. My mom always got me the newest and coolest. The last year something had changed and it wasn't for the better.
"Here try these on." Liv handed me a pair of black boots. They were Uggs. I put one on and it fit relatively well. My toes were a little scrunched but not horribly. I kicked off my gym shoe and put the other one on.
"They fit… I can just wear my old shoes. I don't want to take someone's shoes." Liv sat down and laid her hand on my shoulder.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. They are just to borrow… If you want a pair we can get some while we're shopping." I looked down at the Uggs. I had always wanted a pair but I had no money.
"I don't have any money… I can't afford to buy anything." Liv lifted my chin and made me look at her. I was embarrassed to take Liv's money from her. She had worked hard for it and shouldn't have to waste it on me.
"Alex and I do… Besides a certain 16 year old has a birthday coming up. Garrett we are going to buy you some new clothes and new shoes. Don't worry about it… we want to spend our money on you… We both care about you and we want you to be happy." I nodded my head. I knew Liv would be paying for my new stuff. It made me feel bad but I couldn't deny that I came back here for her help. So I guess her spending money on clothes for me was part of helping me.
"Thanks, my mom was always really good about getting me new clothes and shoes… But this last year was hard on her. I don't know what was wrong but something was." Liv nodded her head. She messed with my hair and then stood up. She held out her hand and I took it. She pulled me off the bed and pulled me to Alex's room. Alex was still getting ready.
"Come on Alex. We're ready to go!" Liv seemed overly excited about shopping. I don't know if it was because we were shopping or the people she was shopping with.
"I'm coming… Let me get my purse and we can go." We all went downstairs and Liv and Alex grabbed their jackets. Liv handed me an NYPD zip up hoodie. I took it and tied it around my waist.
We left Alex's apartment and headed down to Liv's car. We all loaded up and I watched as Liv pulled away from the curb and headed towards the interstate. I thought we were going to be shopping downtown but we were headed out of the city.
"Where are we going?" Alex looked back at me.
"Upstate… There are some great malls up there." I nodded my head and shrugged. I'd have to take their word. I stared out the window and watched as New York passed by. About an hour later we pulled off the interstate and into a parking lot. The mall was big and the names I could read seemed like nice stores. I could tell we were in Alex's world. She seemed to be beaming. We all got out of the car and I followed Liv and Alex towards the shops.
Liv, Alex and I shopped for awhile before I even picked anything out. All the stores were top end and I didn't feel comfortable buying clothes from there. Liv and Alex were walking ahead of me but Liv slowed down so she was walking next to me.
"So, I know you don't want to spend our money but if you don't start picking out clothes I'm going to have to do it for you… And remember my style makes you look old." I shook my head and smiled.
"These stores are too expensive… I'm thinking we need to go to American Eagle or something." Liv nodded her head.
"We can take care of that." I nodded my head and we caught up with Alex.
Once we reached the stores I liked to shop at, I picked out some clothes. Liv seemed pleased that my style didn't match the one of the clothes that I had brought with me… My mom had picked out most of those and I really didn't like them. I didn't have much of a choice though. It was either wear them or go naked.
We headed to a shoe store and I was in heaven. Like every female I was into shoes. I picked out three pairs. I picked out a pair of Nike Shox, a pair of Jordans and the other was Converse. I also got a few pairs of basketball shorts and a couple of hoodies. Last we headed to Abercrombie and Fitch. I got a few pairs of jeans from there and a couple of shirts. By dinner time I had enough clothes to last me a while.
Liv and Alex got some new clothes also. Liv decided to make a trip to Target also. Liv and I were looking at clothes while Alex wondered off to look at other stuff. Liv and I had been shopping for awhile when Liv stopped me.
"Hey Garrett, I know things have been tough between us lately but I really want to help you." I looked over my shoulder at her and then back at the shirt I was holding.
"Okay, I don't need another detective on my side. I need a 'mom'." Liv laid her hand on my shoulder and I looked over at her again.
"I know; it's hard though… I want to put those guys away so badly. I want you to have the justice you deserve." I nodded my head and turned so I was facing her.
"I do too… The thing is, I'm trying to forget my past… I want to move on with you and… Alex. My past was awful and my favorite times to remember are the ones I remember from when I was really little and you lived with my mom and me… The detectives from LA are trying to press charges against Jonathan… I'm scared that if the jury acquits him. I'll have to stay with him." Liv pulled me to her and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her and dropped the clothes I was holding.
"I promise you… he will never hurt you again… I'm gonna protect you this time Garrett. I failed you last time but this time I have you with me and I'll keep you safe… Forever and always." I pulled back and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes. I gave her a weak smile and she smiled back. She ran her fingers through my ponytail. I pulled away and picked up the clothes I had dropped.
"I'm really glad I came back here… to you." Liv ran her hand over my face as Alex walked up.
"Okay, so I'm hungry and I think we've maxed out three of my credit cards… Are we ready to go?" Liv and I nodded our heads. We walked towards the checkouts. Liv paid for all the stuff I had picked out and we left. I was wiped out after shopping but had a good day. We went to a pizza joint on the way back to Alex's. We decided to just get take out because no one was in the mood to sit in a busy restaurant. Alex ran in and picked up the pizza that Liv had called in while Alex was putting gas in the car.
Alex came back with the pizzas. I leaned forward as she handed the pizza to Liv. I inhaled deeply and smiled. Dinner was gonna be good. Liv laughed as I tried to pop open the top of one of the boxes and pick off some toppings.
"Not till we get back… Sit back and buckle your belt." I sat back and crossed my arms. I put my best pouting face on. Liv looked in the rearview mirror and rolled her eyes.
"Mean," I mumbled under my breath.
"It didn't work when you were three and it's not going to work now." I stuck my tongue out at her and Alex was laughing.
"Super mean," I mumbled again. Alex and Liv were both laughing.
"Are you five?" I shook my head and stared out the window. I had to fight not to bust out laughing.
We got back to Alex's and eveyone grabbed something. Liv had decided while we were at American Eagle that a fashion show was in order. Alex and I had both rolled our eyes but were kind of excited to see what all the clothes would look like. Liv carried the pizza in and set them on the counter Alex and I piled all the shopping bags by the couch. I sat down on the couch and liv came in with two plates. She handed me one and in took it.
"Thanks!" Liv sat down next to me and we both folded our pizza before taking a bite. Alex laughed from the doorway of the kitchen.
"I see things see okay between the two of you." Liv and I both nodded our heads.
"Things are very good between us." Alex say down in the chair. After we ate our pizza and cleaned up the mess and leftovers the fashion show began. We all went upstairs and turned Alex's closet into a dressing room. Liv made me try on all my clothes first.
I had tried on all my clothes but some jeans. Liv had gone into mother mode and would do the shake test on all my pants. I didn't understand why but she did. Alex was rolling on the floor the first time she did it. I just rolled my eyes but let her check everything.
Next was Alex's turn. She didn't have very much. Liv was anoutn to take her turn when her phone rang. She came back out of the closet in half old clothes half new. She looked angry.
"Cragen?" Liv nodded and sat down at the foot of the bed. She pulled her boots on and then stood up.
"I will call if I'll be gone all night. I love you both." Liv kissed Alex and then kissed my forehead. Liv took off out the door and I looked up at Alex from my place on the bed. she smiled at me and I sat up. I pulled my new phone out of my pocket and text Liv.
I text her, 'Be safe and catch the bad guy.' I wanted to say that I loved her but didn't feel comfortable saying it yet.
"So now what?" I curled up at the head of the bed.
"We can either go downstairs and watch a movie or watch one up here... We could do laundry. All the new clothes need to be washed." I rested my chin on my hand.
"Laundry can wait. Let's watch a movie up here." Alex nodded in agreement and then got off the bed. She put a movie in and then sat back down. I didn't really care what we were watching I was tired and would probably fall asleep. Alex held her arm up and I curled up next to her resting my head on her stomach. She pulled the covers up over us… The movie had been playing for about 10 minutes when I rolled over and looked up at Alex.
"Liv and I made up…" I knew Alex probably already knew but I wanted to tell her. "She said she wanted to help and I told her that I didn't care but that I didn't need another detective… That I needed a mom. She agreed and she explained that she just wanted the bad guys to be put away soo bad… That me to get justice… I also told her that the detectives were bringing up charges again Jonathan and that… I was scared that if he gets acquitted that I'll have to live with him. Liv said that she would protect me forever and always…" Alex brushed some stray hair off my forehead and stared down at me.
"How do you feel about all that?" I looked away and thought about it for a minute before rolling back over.
"I like that she wants to be there for me… I knew where she was coming from before but it was hard to let her in… I didn't want to get hurt again. As for her protecting me, it lets me know that she loves me and that I can count on her… I also told her that I wanted to put my past behind me and start over with her… and you." Alex looked down at me and had tears in her eyes.
"I will always be here for you Garrett… No matter what happens between Liv and I, I will always be around to help you. I promise." I smiled at Alex and wiped away a tear that fell.
"Forever and always?" Alex nodded. I rolled back over and went back to watching the movie… I felt better than I had in a long time. Most of it had to do with the fact that I felt safe with Liv and Alex.
As I had imagined I fell asleep towards the beginning of the movie. I was sleeping soundly until I felt someone moving my feet. I bit back the urge to scream but immediately sat up and looked at who was touching me. My heart was pounding in my chest and my breathing was fast. Liv held up a finger to her lips and signaled for me to follow her. Once we were to where we wouldn't wake Alex up she began talking.
"Sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean too." Liv and I were standing in the closet. Liv was changing into pajamas
"Its okay. Its a reflex..." Liv had finished changing and pulled me into a hug.
"You shouldn't have a reflex to that." I shrugged my shoulders and pulled away.
"I always had one before anyway. I hate having my feet touched. It's just gotten worse over the years. Anyway, I'm gonna go to bed. I will see you in the morning." I went to leave the closet and Liv grabbed my hand.
"Stay with Alex. I'm gonna grab something to eat and watch TV." I nodded my head. I went back in and climbed back onto the bed. Liv covered me up and kissed my forehead. Alex and I both moved closer to eachother. She wrapped her arm around me. I flipped so my back was to her. Liv left and I could hear her walk downstairs before I fell asleep.