Disclaimer: See chapter one

I like a crowd that rises to a challenge! Only 2 more reviews until we reach the dizzy heights of 100 and since we've now whizzed past 95, as promised, the first of (hopefully) two additional chapters today... I'll even give a special public note of thanks to the kind person who posts that 100th review, and perhaps a plate of cyber-cookies too!

Thank you as always for each and every review. I'm beyond happy to hear so many of you are being won over by Sam's involvement in the story and I thank you for sticking with it, even when original character relationships are not your thing. And so, without further ado, onwards...

Thursday February 19th 2009

18.06

Alexandra Cabot's apartment, Belmont Towers, Upper East Side

Abbie slid into the couch beside the already reclining Olivia. "So how are you holding up really? I know we don't talk all that often but I am here for you, you know that right? Anything you need, any time, just say the word and if I can do it, I will."

"Just promise me you'll nail him when the time comes," Liv pled. The prosecutor had filled her in while they were shopping on the main reason behind her visit. Olivia was glad that the woman had battled to take the case on, knowing that her tenacity would be unleashed full force to see the correct verdict returned.

"You have my word on that. I reckon Alex and I will make a pretty fearsome team, don't you?" The question was asked lightly, but the detective sensed that the Texan was fishing for something more.

"She's not on the menu, Abbie. She's straight and she's a good friend. What she needs is someone to offer her a serious, stable, mutually beneficial relationship not a frantic but short-lived fling that lasts only as long as you're in town for. She's not like I was, she doesn't do one night stands, not with men and to my knowledge, she's never considered a woman." Whilst the detective had been a willing and fully informed recipient of Abbie's indisputable skills in the bedroom, she was also aware of her reputation as a heartbreaker.

"Easy there tiger, no need to build up the barricades. Alex is a grown woman, if she's not interested all she needs do is say so and I'll back off. But I wouldn't be so sure about that assertion she wouldn't consider pursuing at least a little horizontal exercise with a woman, she seemed pretty receptive in her office earlier when she agreed to have dinner with me tomorrow night."

"Abbie…," Olivia practically growled.

"Relax, Liv, I promise I won't break her heart. If she wants something, I'll make sure she knows what she's getting herself into before it goes too far. I daren't run the risk of you kicking my ass into next week if I did anything to hurt her," the raven-haired beauty advised seriously, taking a long pull from her bottle of beer. "Now, how about we chat in the kitchen while we make preparations for dinner? You're not too culinary challenged to cut up vegetables are you?"

"I think I can just about manage that," Liv supplied, allowing the change of topic even while her brain was racing at Abbie's admission Alex had shown some sort of reciprocal interest in the Texan.

The two women set to work finding their way around Alex's pristine kitchen, hunting down utensils, Abbie laughing heartily when she found some of the items she needed still in the packaging in which they had been bought.

"So, how's Washington treating you? You met anyone there you're interested in for anything more than a quick fling?" Liv was genuinely interested to hear where her friend's life was at, not having had much chance to keep up with her news over the past few months.

"It's ok, not that much different to New York really in what's on offer. You know me, not really the settling down type." Abbie busied herself with mixing a unique combination of spices, herbs and chilli flakes together to which she would a dash of lemon juice to create a paste and then use it to coat the sumptuous steaks she had purchased.

"I used to think I was the same, before I met Sam. I'd never wanted to be tied down to one person for the rest of my life. The very idea brought on a sense of claustrophobia. I was afraid I'd lose myself, lose who I was, what made me who I am if I let someone else have that much of a hold on me. But I never felt like that with Sami. She made me want to spend every moment I could of every day with her and it never once felt restricting or overshadowing. If anything, I've felt freer to be myself these last twelve months or so simply because I knew that she loved me unconditionally, because of who I am not in spite of it."

"I'm really sorry I never got the chance to meet her in person, she sounds like she was an incredible woman," Abbie murmured, pausing in her preparations long enough to offer a gentle squeeze to the slightly shorter woman's shoulder. "I know it probably doesn't feel like it right now, but you are so lucky to have known that kind of connection with someone. I may be a serial philanderer but that doesn't mean I don't dream of the fairytale kind of romance. I've just never met anyone who made me overcome my own disinterest in changing my ways."

"Yet. Don't bet against it ever happening, Abs. After all, I'm no spring chicken and it only just happened for me." Liv gave a tiny shrug as she tried to convince her friend that there was more to life than one night stands and short lived affairs.

"Well, until it does, I'll keep sampling all the delights the menu has to offer," Abbie threw over her shoulder with a saucy wink. Liv simply shook her head with a resigned sigh.

A key in the lock signalled Alex's arrival home from the office. She wearily dropped her keys into the bowl reserved particularly for that purpose on the table in the entry lobby of her spacious apartment. Succulent scents of spices greeted her as she inhaled, reminding her of the company which awaited her once she rounded the corner. Part of her wished she could just go and sink into a hot bath before curling up with a book but she straightened her spine, slipped out of her shoes and nudged her attaché case underneath the table she had deposited her keys on. Plastering on her brightest smile, she wandered into the main part of the apartment, spying the two brunettes reclining casually on the couch, chattering away and catching up on some of Abbie's Washington exploits judging by the snippets Alex overheard.

"Hi, you're home," Liv called softly, spying Alex's approaching form from where she sat, angled towards their visitor, back to the panoramic windows.

Abbie twisted around in her own seat, throwing a warm smile in the direction of the blonde attorney, startled to see just how much more tired the younger woman looked since they had parted company earlier. Southern manners kicking into overdrive, Abbie shot out of her seat, ushering Alex into her vacated spot and ordering her to stay put. "Liv, why don't you go run Alex a bath? Dinner can be held back for another half hour or so."

"I'm fine, I'll be ok in a few minutes, I just need to sit down for a while," Alex lied smoothly, not really feeling in the mood to be centre of attention.

"And I'm the Queen of England," Abbie scoffed gently. "Let us take care of you for a change, you look like you've had a hell of a long day."

"She's right Al, you do look exhausted. Come on, let's get you into a nice hot bath, changed into some more comfortable clothes and by the time you've done that, Abbie's feast should be ready to devour." Liv rose from the couch, holding out a hand to her closest friend, her nurturing instincts driving her to try and revive the young woman's obviously flagging energy reserves. Relenting, purely because she didn't have it in her to continue arguing against two of them, Alex allowed Olivia to help her to her feet and guide her towards her bedroom and the en suite. "You pick out what you want to wear when you get out of the bath, I'll go and get the water running for you. Want me to put any oils in it?"

"No, I'll just freshen up a bit, try and wake myself up a bit and be out to join you in a few minutes," Alex stated quietly, still subdued and preoccupied.

"You sure you're ok, sweetheart?" Liv asked, reaching out a hand to rest her palm against Alex's tense shoulder.

"Yeah… course, just… y'know tired, long day." Alex didn't feel she could share that her mind her been troubled all afternoon by the instantaneous chemistry with the visiting Federal Prosecutor, unsure what it meant or what she should do about it. Having been unaware of Liv moving closer, Alex started a little as she felt strong arms wrap around her, cradling her close and soothing her with gentle strokes along the planes of her taut back. Releasing a long sigh, she sank into the embrace, sliding her own arms around Olivia's slim waist and resting her cheek against a strong shoulder. The brunette felt some of the tension flowing out of the tired body of the attorney. She was content to simply stand there holding Alex for as long as the blonde needed her to, mindful of Abbie's presence but knowing the Texan would not begrudge either woman their moment of comfort. Finally, after long moments, Alex pulled back, retracting her arms and rubbing both hands over her face in an apparent effort to wipe away the lingering fatigue but also to remove the few tears which had launched a sneak attack on her whilst in Liv's hold.

"You looked like you could use that," Liv murmured softly, tucking a stray strand of silky golden hair behind a delicate ear.

"Thanks, Liv." Alex took a deep, shaky breath as she attempted to rein in her emotions and replace her usual stoic mask. Feeling a little more composed, she looked directly at her friend and told her, "I'm going to just grab a quick shower I think now. I don't want to keep Abbie's meal waiting and I'm so tired I'm afraid if I lay in a bath I'd be asleep in no time."

"Sure, I'll leave you to it. Give me a shout if there's anything you need, ok?" Liv stepped out of the bedroom pulling the door closed behind her and wandered back through to the lounge in search of their chef for the evening.

"She ok?" Abbie asked quietly as she strolled out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a cloth.

"She will be, I think she's just had a long, hard day," Liv advised, thinking that perhaps Alex could use some TLC to lift her flagging spirits, so long as she didn't expect Abbie to offer her a long term exclusive relationship.

The three women each groaned as they sat back in their chairs around the dining table, all reaching for their stomachs and rubbing them contentedly.

"Wow, Abbie, that was amazing. Thank you. I don't think I've eaten that much since Liv and I were at Fausto's and Gina tried to feed me an entire year's worth of food in a single sitting!" Alex quipped, the food, wine and company having rejuvenated her somewhat. There were still shadows of fatigue beneath her eyes and she had seemed more content to listen to the tales Abbie and Olivia were freely sharing rather than adding her own input so much but she seemed a little less likely to keel over at least.

"It certainly was, those steaks were divine. Dare I ask you to share the recipe or would there be murder involved?" Liv added her own praise to the cook.

"I'm afraid I would have to kill you, it's a secret family recipe handed down through generations of Carmichaels. My Gramma would come back to haunt me if I let it slip outside the blood line!" Abbie joked with a cheeky grin, moving to gather up the empty plates only to have her hand physically slapped away by the other brunette.

"You cooked, I'll clear up," Liv informed her determinedly.

"You just want to snoop through the trash to find the secrets to the recipe," Abbie teased but allowed her plate to be removed and stacked by the detective.

"Of course I do," Liv replied nonchalantly, as though that was patently obvious. "Why don't you and Alex make yourselves comfortable? I'll be through as soon as I've got this lot in the dishwasher."

"I'll help you clear up, Liv." Alex went to rise from the table but a hand on her shoulder stalled her movement.

"No, you'll go and relax with a glass of wine. Don't make Tex toss you over her shoulder!" At Olivia's instruction, Abbie flexed her bicep as though proving she could and would do just that if needs be.

"Fine," the blonde attorney groused, knowing when she was beaten. "But do just load up the dishwasher, Liv, don't go washing anything by hand."

"Yes boss," the brunette detective agreed with a wink, shooing the pair of them out of the dining room promising to bring more drinks with her when she joined them.

Alex sunk into the luxurious leather of her sofa, tucking her feet underneath her and huddling into the far corner, allowing plenty of room for Abbie to join her if she chose to. Abbie did indeed opt to take a seat on the couch rather than distance herself in one of the armchairs, wanting to be close to the enigmatic blonde.

"Thanks for the tip about Grikes vs Dobbins, I've brought it home with me like you suggested, along with my notes about the case I'm hoping to apply it to, if you'd still be interested in looking over it with me?"

Abbie took a moment to observe the woman beside her, taking in the vulnerable body language, the nervous fiddling with the stem of her wine glass before carefully formulating her response. "When do you need it by? When's your appeal being heard?"

"Monday afternoon," Alex replied, unfurling herself and placing her wine glass on the end table beside the arm of the sofa she was leaning against. Abbie moved swiftly to prevent her from getting up from the couch, scooting closer, placing a hand on Alex's slender knee and squeezing it gently.

"Well I think Liv might have my head if she comes in and finds me encouraging you in bad habits such as working this late at night when you're obviously in need of rest and relaxation. How about we look over it tomorrow after this breakfast meeting with Jack McCoy, if you can spare the time?" Alex looked at the striking brunette who was leaning over towards her, offering a glimpse of the minimal cleavage hidden beneath her crisp, pale blue shirt if she allowed her eyes to drift just beneath the attractive face peering at her.

"That sounds good, I'm not sure I could take much of anything in tonight anyway," the attorney confessed, attempting to suppress a wide yawn.

"That's settled then, no work talk tonight, at all," Abbie stated confidently, leaning back into the sofa's cushions and draping her arm along the back so that her hand rested just behind Alex's head. She couldn't prevent herself from toying gently with a few of the baby soft strands as they began to exchange small talk about their experiences at law school, comparing horror stories of late nights and chauvinistic tutors and students. They had migrated closer to the centre of the sofa, their bodies moving of their own accord without conscious effort, so that by the time Olivia joined them, they had their heads bent together laughing heartily at a particularly descriptive story Abbie had shared.

"Now that looks like trouble; two lawyers with their heads together, cackling evilly. Please tell me I'm not the one who's about to be on the receiving end of whatever you're plotting?"

"Oh no, don't worry, I've long since exacted revenge on the person responsible for causing this particular bout of laughter!"Abbie assured her friend, turning to watch Liv lower herself, still a little gingerly, into one of the nearby arm chairs. "I was just sharing my Schillick encounter with Alex and explaining to her how I got my own back." Liv nodded, an expression of realisation settling over her features, almost but not quite masking her grimace. "You ok there, Liv?" Alex's attention focused sharply on her friend at Abbie's gentle question.

"Yeah, just taken my last lot of pain meds for the night so you might have to excuse me before very long. The day time ones are ok but the night ones are still that little bit stronger, tend to make me drowsy," Liv confessed with a wry smile. Alex offered her a proud smile in return, glad to see the older woman listening to her body and taking action without prompting this time.

"That's ok then. I was just about to whip your butt if you hadn't already taken something to help you with the obvious pain you're still feeling. Is that normal? To still be in noticeable pain this long after the surgery?" Abbie asked, genuinely interested, never having had to undergo an operation of any kind fortunately.

"It might have something to do with the fact that she insisted on running five miles on the treadmill yesterday at the gym," Alex informed the Texan, her tone still admonishing her friend for pushing herself too hard so soon after her hospital stay.

"If I want to get off desk duty any time soon, I need to push myself some. I won't do more than I feel able to do, I'm not about to jeopardise my career." Liv had made a similar promise to Alex the day before when she had arrived back from the gym cradling her stomach with one arm, obviously in a significant amount of discomfort. She knew that both women were only taking her to task over it because they cared about her long term welfare.

"I trust you won't or you'll not only have Alex to answer to but me too," Abbie assured the older woman sternly.

"And Gina and Fausto as well, I've no doubt," Alex added. Liv felt the familiar clouds of fog beginning to smooth off the edges of her consciousness and opted to make a move to bed while she was still able to make it under her own steam, not willing to let Abbie see her so weak she needed that much assistance.

"Thanks for dinner tonight Abs, it was wonderful and I've really appreciated your company too. I wish we could have got together under better circumstances and that you could have got to meet Sam in person, you'd have liked her and she'd have kept you on your toes, wouldn't she Alex?" The blonde grinned at the notion.

"Oh absolutely, she ate lawyers for dinner – I should know, she got the better of me on more than one occasion!" Abbie released a hoarse bark of laughter at the notion, suddenly even more sorry she hadn't made the time to come and visit sooner. That would have been a sight for sore eyes, she was sure.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and let these tablets knock me out in bed." Liv kissed both women on the cheek as she made her way out of the lounge and into her bedroom, leaving the door ajar just in case she had a need for Alex during the night. Once she was gone, Abbie turned back to the younger woman seated beside her, glad to see she hadn't moved away too far.

"I should probably be heading back to my hotel too, let you get some rest. I'll need you firing on all cylinders in the morning if we're to persuade Jack McCoy to release you for the duration of a trial when an arrest is made." Abbie softened her words with a genuine smile and a squeeze of the nearest porcelain-skinned hand.

"You're welcome to stay… if you like… I mean I can only offer you the couch with Liv staying in the spare room but it's late and I've plenty of blankets and pillows…" Further rambling was prevented by soft fingers over her lips.

"I'll stay on one condition," Abbie paused, making sure she had Alex's complete attention before continuing, "if Liv needs anything during the night, I'll see to her. You're exhausted, you need a decent night's sleep so close your door, put ear plugs in, whatever you need to do to sleep through until morning without being disturbed." She could see that the attorney was preparing to offer further objections and opted to play on the chemistry she knew she wasn't imagining between them. Cupping Alex's alabaster cheek, she tenderly ran her thumb over a sculpted cheekbone. "Please, Alex, let me take the responsibility off you, just for one night."

Friday February 20th 2009

01.37

Alexandra Cabot's apartment, Belmont Towers, Upper East Side

Despite her promise to Abbie, Alex was out of bed and running towards Olivia's room as soon as she heard the detective's horrified cry. The Texan's long legs meant that she just beat the blonde through the door, scowling at Alex and shaking her head.

"I thought we had a deal," she growled softly, not breaking her stride once. The raven-haired attorney slid onto the queen-sized bed beside the thrashing detective, soothing a hand over Olivia's brow and through her hair. Seeing Alex approaching the opposite side of the bed, Abbie whispered, "is she often like this?"

"Less often than when it first happened but some days are worse than others," Alex perched on the farthest side of the bed, reaching across to place a delicate hand on her friend's shoulder. Turning her attention to the stricken woman completely, Alex begun murmuring, trying to coax Liv out of her nightmare without startling her.

"Alex?" the detective muttered groggily as she became more aware of her surroundings. As consciousness returned even further, she also realised that the hand still stroking her hair didn't belong to the blonde lawyer. Tilting her eyes towards the door side of the bed, she groaned at the realisation that Abbie was still there. Then her attention was drawn to the fact that both attorneys were in sleepwear belonging to Alex and her mind jumped to the only conclusion it was capable of in that moment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I'll be fine now, go back to bed, both of you…"

"Liv we weren't…" Alex began as Abbie too chimed in.

"I'm on the couch, Olivia." All three women blushed a little at the insinuation Abbie and Alex had been in bed together. Liv simply looked to Alex, hoping she would know what she needed without her having to vocalise it in front of their guest.

"I'll take it from here Abbie," Alex advised softly, eyes never leaving Liv's distraught face.

"No you won't, we had a deal, remember Counsellor. Why don't you go and get yourself tucked back under the covers, Liv and I will be ok, won't we?" Abbie asked, one eyebrow raised as she flicked her gaze between the two women.

"It's fine Abbie, I'm awake anyway and I won't settle again until I know Liv's ok. Please, don't make a big deal out of this." There was a pleading tone to Alex's voice, begging the Texan not to make it more difficult for Liv than she knew it already was, just from the expression on her face.

"This bed's big enough for all of us, shuffle over Liv, you're about to be the filling in a lawyer sandwich." Abbie stood and pulled the blanket up, giving neither woman further chance to object as she slid into the space that Liv hurriedly created to avoid being lain upon. With a tiny shrug and a shake of her tousled blonde head, Alex followed suit, crawling beneath the covers on the opposite side of the bemused detective.

"You ok with this?" she asked quietly as Liv rolled onto her side, Abbie moulding herself to her back and spooning her from behind.

"I…I…I guess," Liv stammered, not entirely sure she'd be able to relax and get back to sleep in Abbie's arms.

The brunette attorney soothed a hand down Liv's arm. "It's ok, Liv, I've no designs on doing anything besides holding you. I am capable of being your friend you know and I was just trying to help Alex to get some rest too. You're both worn out. If it really does make you uncomfortable though, I can go, I can head back to the couch, just say the word." Liv twisted her head around, her body still facing Alex, so she could respond to Abbie's questions.

"No, no, it's… it's fine. It's just been a while since you and I have shared a bed. Stay, you're here now, both of you. Let's just try and get some sleep and I'll try to keep the kicking to a minimum." Turning back around to face her blonde friend, Liv requested on a whisper, "could I hold you like you usually hold me?"

"Of course you can sweetheart, anything that'll help you get some rest," Alex agreed dropping a tender kiss on the older woman's brow before shuffling around until she was facing away from Liv, backing up until she felt the firm body at her back. The last thing the woman in the middle was aware of was Abbie draping her arm across both Liv's and Alex's bodies and murmuring a quiet 'goodnight'.