Well, I expected this story to come to a close in this chapter, but they have a way of writing themselves don't they? There will be one more chapter I think and then that's it.

I had hoped to get this out to you guys sooner, but on the day I had set aside to write, I got a terrible phone call saying that a family member had passed away. I will try to get the next chapter out soon, but it'll depend on my mood. Thanks for your patience and to those who I owe a PM, I'm sorry and I'll write you soon.

Now I hope that didn't damper the mood, I just wanted to explain! Enjoy :)

Ten days later

"Are you nervous?"

"Kind of," she said, pausing. "But I'm scared more than anything," she confessed.

Olivia pulled her into a hug and held her close. Today, Alex wasn't an attorney. Today, she was a woman who had been viciously attacked and was going to have to relive what had happened. It was the third and final day of Dean Alderson's trial and Alex was getting ready to take the stand.

"Are you sure I can't come in with you?"

Alex shook her head and pulled away, but grabbed Olivia's hand to maintain some contact with her.

"No. Because I know it's going to upset you to see me like that and I'm going to feel like I need to protect you. I need to not worry about what you're feeling and how you're doing while the defense is questioning me. It'll be easier on me knowing I can just be honest and know that you're not hearing all the nasty things that are going to be said. Please. It'll be easier on me if you're not there."

"Okay. If that's really how you feel."

"It is. It's comforting knowing you're just outside the courtroom waiting to take me home."

A man poked his head out and looked at Alex.

"They're ready for you."

She nodded and looked at Olivia. The brunette placed two steady hands on Alex's shoulders, trying to pour all of her strength into the other woman.

"You're one of the strongest, bravest women I know. Remember that." She gave Alex a strong hug before watching the woman walk into the courtroom.

Nearly three hours later, Alex was led out by one of the security guards. Olivia immediately jogged over and gently wrapped her arms around the blonde. She looked so drained. Her eyes were red, but they weren't swollen anymore, indicating that the tears had fallen some time ago. Olivia thanked the guard and led the way to the car, one arm wrapped around the blonde's waist. She helped her in and they drove home in silence. Alex stared out the window, watching the scenery and saying nothing.

Olivia parked her car and led the way up to her apartment, unsure of what to do once they finally got inside. She closed the door behind them and turned, only to find Alex making her way to the bedroom. She paused, unsure of what to do.

"Liv?"

The minute she heard her name, she beelined for the bedroom. Her heart broke. Alex's voice sounded so weak, broken. She walked in to find the woman had stripped down, thrown on Olivia's pyjamas, and then curled into a ball on her bed. Olivia immediately moved into bed with her, wrapping a protective arm around her. She pulled Alex close, and when the woman starting sobbing, Olivia held her tighter. Tears fell from her eyes as well, her soul breaking that the woman she loved was hurting so bad that she couldn't even talk about it. She felt like sobbing as well because she felt so helpless.

My baby, she thought. I'm so sorry.

Alex turned over so that she was facing Olivia. She buried her face in Olivia's shoulder, wrapping her arms around her back. She cried into her shoulder, but was intensely comforted by the woman's strong arms around her back. Olivia held her tight, even as she calmed started to calm down. She didn't let go, not until Alex finally pulled away.

"I'm sorry," the blonde whispered.

"Never apologise. Ever," Olivia whispered back, kissing her hand. "I'm sorry you're hurting, baby."

Alex closed her eyes and sniffed, opening her palm and placing it flat against Olivia's cheek. She opened her eyes and looked into Olivia's, holding her gaze.

"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Olivia teared up again, a small smile forming on her face.

"That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

Alex leaned forward and kissed her gently. She pulled away to look into Olivia's eyes again.

"I love you," she said softly. "Thank you for being so supportive of me through all of this."

This time, Olivia smiled widely. As soon as the woman said those words, her heart skipped a beat. Olivia pulled her into a tight hug, burying her face in the woman's hair. She held her close, turning her head so that she was right in Alex's ear.

"I love you too, Alex. So much. I love you so much."

The blonde smiled against her. It felt so good to hear those words.

"I've been wanting to tell you for a while," Alex admitted, pulling back enough to look at the other woman. "But it just never felt right. I know it might seem odd now, but, you just did everything so perfect. You know how to be there for me without my needing to say a word. You just know. Despite how bad today was, how hard it was, you were everything I needed. I couldn't have done this without you."

Olivia kissed her forehead.

"I will always do my best to be there for you when you need me. Thank you for letting me in and not hiding from me. I'm glad I was able to make you feel supported because that's all I ever want to do."

Alex cupped her cheek and thanked her softly. She gave her another gentle kiss before cuddling into her side, resting her head on her shoulder. Olivia wrapped an arm around her lower back, pulling her close. They stayed like that, cuddling quietly, until Olivia finally broke the silence.

"Did you want to talk about what happened today? You had me worried for a while."

"I'm sorry. I held it all in as best I could while I was on the stand, but once we got here, I just couldn't anymore. I needed to get it out and it helped having you here to comfort me. I felt safe."

Olivia kissed her temple.

"You're always going to be safe here."

"I know."

"Did it go alright at the trial?"

Alex nodded.

"I was fine until the defense started in on me. He stayed near Alderson on purpose, so that I'd have to see him when I was being questioned. The lawyer hoped I'd be reminded of that night, which I was. I did my best to look away but…he was still there, you know? Just having him there was bad enough. But it could have been worse than it was and I knew you were waiting for me. I'm okay now, really. It was just a hard day."

Olivia pushed away the anger that boiled up, instead focusing on how she felt about Alex. The woman had been damn brave, and she deserved to hear it.

"You were so brave today, Alex. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks. Thanks for being so good to me."

"Always," Olivia said, kissing her temple again. "Will it take the judge long to deliberate?"

"I don't think so. There's no doubt he was there. There's no doubt he did what he did to those kids. He's probably just going to take the weekend to look over everything and decide how long to put him away for."

"Forever."

Alex nodded against her chest.

"I don't think he's ever going to get out."

"Good."

Olivia kissed Alex's forehead and rubbed her back, feeling very content at having the other woman in her arms. She loves me, Olivia thought happily.

"I think I might fall asleep," Alex said, yawning.

"Let's nap then. Can you fall asleep in this position?"

"Definitely."

"Perfect. Then let's sleep," Olivia said, kissing her head again.

Alex squeezed her side and sighed happily.

"Okay. Thanks for being so great today. See you when we wake up."

"Goodnight," Olivia said, squeezing back.

It had been nearly a month since they'd successfully closed the case on the pedophile ring. All the men were put away, their sentences long enough that they would all die in prison. Olivia had been present for each sentencing, and felt relieved and immense satisfaction when she heard the news. It didn't take away the harm they had inflicted, but it was some kind of retribution. At least those children never had to worry about these men ever again.

Olivia had been in touch with Emily's mother, Rose, after sentencing to let her know and the woman cried when she was told. She cried for what had happened to her baby and for the justice that had finally been served. Rose told Olivia that Emily was hardly talking in therapy, but that she was very angry and scared. The therapist had been using art therapy to try and get out of Emily what the girl felt she couldn't say.

When Olivia phoned three weeks later to see how they were doing, there was some good news. After she had been told that the men were jailed and would never be released, Emily had slowly begun speaking about what happened. Rose admitted she had had a hard time not reacting to the things being said; it was hard to remain neutral and listen to Emily when she was relating all of the horrors she had endured. However, Rose had stayed strong for the girl, and Emily was showing progress. The therapist was confident that Emily would heal and would eventually learn to feel safe again. The fact that she was talking about it was a great step in the right direction, and with time, Emily would be the happy child she once was.

"Hey, Liv, you wanna share what you're thinking with the class?"

Olivia looked over at her partner and smirked.

"Who asked you, snoop?"

Elliot chuckled.

"You looked pretty lost in your thoughts."

"Just thinking about Emily."

"Have you spoken to her mom?"

Olivia nodded.

"I just called her a few days ago. Emily started talking after she was told all the men were jailed."

"Good. I guess she needed to know they weren't going to come after her."

"I can just imagine what those bastards threatened to do to her if she told."

Elliot shook his head, disgusted.

"I'm glad she's getting it out."

"Me too, poor baby. I hope she's okay."

"She will be."

Olivia nodded.

"How are things between you and Alex anyway?"

Olivia smiled.

"Great."

"Is she still staying with you?"

Olivia chuckled.

"She kind of never left."

"Do you think she's scared of going back home?"

Olivia paused. They had had a talk about that just a couple of weeks ago. Olivia had told her that she'd help her find another place if that was the case, but Alex had insisted that it wasn't. She enjoyed being with Olivia and she liked her place. It was closer to work, it was full of happy memories, and it smelled like her (Olivia).

"No. We talked about it. She just likes it at my place."

Elliot nodded.

"Fair enough."

They stayed quiet for a moment.

"I still can't believe you landed her. I mean, does she know there are other women out there? Has she tried?"

Olivia laughed at threw a balled up piece of paper at him.

"You're such an asshole."

He laughed, ducking away from the shot.

"Alright, alright. I'd better get going. Kathy'll have my head if I'm late again."

"Yeah you better get out of here or else one of us will end up killing you."

He laughed again.

"Goodnight, Liv."

"Yeah, yeah. Goodnight."

She watched him leave and shook her head. He was such an idiot, she thought, a smile on her lips. She loved him though.

She sighed and turned back to the paperwork before her. She still had a few more things to fill out before she could head home to Alex. She worked quickly, wanting to finish as soon as possible. She knew Alex was home waiting for her, probably sprawled out on the couch, and there was nothing better than seeing the gorgeous woman in her home after a long day.

She was just in the middle of filing the last of the paperwork when her phone went off. She swiped at the screen and saw she had a message from Alex. She opened the text.

You have received a picture message.

Olivia clicked on the picture, waited for it to download, and groaned loudly when the image loaded.

Alex had taken a shot of her lower body, legs apart, wearing nothing but a thong. Under the image, she had written: Guess what else I'm wearing?

Olivia bit her lip and slammed the filing cabinet shut. She quickly typed back: You're such a tease. I'm coming home now. You look so good.

She yanked her coat from her chair, said goodbye to the rest of the guys, and headed for the door. Her phone buzzed again as she made her way to the subway station.

-I miss you, baby. I'm lying here, touching myself. I wish it were you.

Olivia bit back her groan as she swiped her pass, pushing through the gates to the subway. It would take her another thirty minutes before she got home and she wasn't so sure she would last. Her phone buzzed again.

-Remember how sweet and gentle you were the first time you touched me? No one has ever made me feel that way. You're so good with your mouth.

Olivia held her breath, memories flooding her brain. She definitely remembered the first time they had made love. It was several days after Alex had gone to trial for Dean Alderson. They were on the couch, cuddling, when Alex had grabbed Olivia's hand and started pressed it against her breast. She had guided Olivia's hand, massaging her breast with it, moaning when Olivia started to take over. They had made love several times that night, and Olivia had not been able to keep her hands off the blonde ever since. She had never found anyone to be as beautiful, as sensual, or as desirable as Alex. Alex's body was perfect. No one compared to her.

She was ripped from her thoughts by another picture message. She wasn't so sure she should open it, given that she was now riding the subway, but she was in a corner by herself so she decided to risk it. As if she could resist checking it…

She hit "download" and when a picture of a naked Alex grabbing her breast loaded itself on the screen, Olivia bit hard on her lip to suppress the groan in her throat.

She quickly closed the picture and texted Alex back.

-You look so, so good but you can't keep teasing me like this. I'm on the subway!

-I'm so wet, Liv, waiting for you here. I can't wait till you get home. I can't wait to feel your mouth on me.

Olivia dropped her head backwards against the wall. Clearly Alex wasn't going to listen to her. She loved the delicious torture, but it really was killing her. Thank God she had her leather jacket on to hide her now hard nipples. They were straining against her shirt, but that was nothing compared to what was happening in her jeans.

Alex sent another picture, this time of herself with her head thrown back, eyes closed, teeth biting her lower lip, while her back was arched and her hand was between her legs.

Olivia closed her eyes, willing her breathing to remain normal. Why did this damn subway keep stopping! Didn't they know she had a beautiful woman waiting for her?!

-Are you almost home, baby? I'm so close, but I want you to be the one to make me come.

Olivia cleared her throat. She still had at least another ten minutes.

-You had better stop touching yourself now because if you come before I get there, you're going to be in serious trouble.

Olivia dug her nails into her palm. Still another 8 minutes. Several more minutes went by, with no more texts from Alex.

-Honey?

Olivia waited, concerned. She immediately swiped at her phone when it buzzed.

-I couldn't wait any longer. I had to come.

Olivia smiled, biting her lip. That was so sexy, but she wasn't going to tell Alex how hot it was. Instead, she wanted to play.

They had finally arrived at her stop. She immediately got out and walked quickly to her apartment building.

-I told you to wait for me. I warned you…

-I know. I couldn't wait, baby. I had to come.

-I hope it was worth it. I'm just arriving in the building now. I hope you're ready to face the consequences of your actions. I'm not going to stop until you're truly sorry for not waiting for me…

Alex, naked and resting on Olivia's bed, shivered in anticipation as she read the brunette's text.