Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing, sadly. Well Melanie came from my own head as do any Cabots who appear going forward.

Rated: M

Who doesn't want to be a rebel every once in a while?

Summary: Alex heads out to a bar at the behest of her best friend. Her life will never be the same.

Alex's POV

"Whatdya say Cabot? Wanna be a rebel?" Olivia's hand is stretched out waiting for me to decide if I want to do something I've never done ever; leave an event before it's appropriate to do so. I'd like to say it was a difficult choice for me. I'd like to say that everything that has been taught to me to this moment guided me in the proper social etiquette direction but I can't. I look from her hand to her eyes which are sparkling with joy and have a glint of mischievousness and I can't say no. I grab her hand and uncharacteristically let her lead me through the room by my hand. Following behind us are Elliot and his wife and we are all following Melanie and the original server who I'm sure will be upset she snuck out of this event tomorrow. We weave our way through the room and I cringe when I make eye contact with my parents. To my surprise they shoot me a smile and my father winks before turning his attention back to the couple speaking to him. For the first time in a long time I don't hear my parent's voices in the back of my mind telling me not to behave this way. For the first time I hear them telling me to have fun; to enjoy myself and so I relax, fully planning on doing what they say like I always do.

Melanie leads our human train out of the building, down the red carpeted stairs and into the park across the street. We walk past a sign indicating a musical event in the park tonight. Melanie takes us to the center of the park where she drops down onto the grass with her date following suit. Olivia and Elliot exchange a look between the grass and each other before Olivia shrugs and takes off her jacket. She sits down on the grass next to her jacket and pats the makeshift blanket she has created for me. I gawk at her for a moment teetering between the desire to swoon at her very romantic gesture and shock at the idea that I could sit on her jacket and potentially ruin it. She must read my mind because before I refuse she stops me.

"It can be cleaned Alex. Sit down before Elliot copies me and I lose bragging rights about how gallant I am." She smiles that smile at me, the one that would probably get me to rob a bank with her if she asked. Elliot, taking his cue, is dramatically wrestling his jacket off making a big show of it and playing right along with Olivia's verbal cue. I laugh and quickly sit down on Olivia's jacket, well as quickly as one can in a floor length dress without giving an entire park of people a show. The moment I'm seated Elliot tosses his jacket on the ground.

"Damn," he says, "I lose most romantic to Olivia!"

"Don't worry El, I'll teach you everything I know that way Kathy won't leave you for me," she teases back. I lightly smack Olivia on the arm, Kathy taps her on the back of the head with her clutch and Elliot reaches over me and punches her in the arm. Kathy sits down on Elliot's jacket and kisses him on the cheek,

"Don't worry Elliot, I would never leave you for Olivia," she says before smiling in my direction, "she's clearly already taken. Melanie's cute too though." Elliot jokingly glares at Olivia then at Melanie.

"Relax dude, I'm no one's sloppy seconds," Melanie says smugly.

"You couldn't be even if you tried," Olivia reassures Melanie.

"I like this one Al, keep her, she thinks I'm cool."

"Kathy clearly hit her harder on her head than it appeared. She's obviously got a concussion."

"You are hilarious Alex. Really, you should quit your job and do a traveling stand up show. Why don't you start now?" Melanie, being the very tall toddler that she is, sticks her tongue out at me before laughing and smiling. Her date who has been sitting next to her looks between the group before deciding she didn't care enough and begins digging through her backpack. She pulls out what must be a change of clothes and another pair of shoes and finally she pulls out a large bottle of champagne which was clearly liberated from the ball.

"Ah ha!" She triumphantly lifts the bottle above her head like a trophy before pulling off the foil and cage and popping the bottle of champagne open. I look around quickly.

"Relax Al," Melanie says. "You can bring alcohol to these outdoor music things." As if to prove her point she lifts the bottle to her mouth and takes a generous drink before handing it back to her date who also takes a big sip before handing it to Olivia.

"In uniform, thanks but no thanks," Olivia says before handing the bottle to me. Having already had 2 glasses at the event I decline as well before seeing if Kathy wants any. She declines also and so I pass it back to Melanie's date.

"Lame," Melanie says with a smile.

A few minutes later five men in matching suits walk onto the stage. They step in front of each of the 5 standing microphones on the stage. Olivia leans into my space turning her head so her lips are just close enough that it looks friendly but just close enough that I can feel her breath on my ear. "I've never actually seen one of the live musical events here. I always read about them and want to go but never have gone to one before," she says.

I suppress the urge to close my eyes but I can't control the goosebumps that raise on my skin or the shuddering breath I take in. There's someone talking on from the stage but I can't concentrate on anything but the feeling of having Olivia's mouth so close to my skin. I know I could turn my head and catch her lips with mine but then she'd win. So I let her have this moment.

"Neither have I," I say back. She turns her head back to the stage and I take the chance to lean into her space. I lean in closer to her ear than she was to mine, much closer and purposefully husk into her ear letting my lips just barely graze the shell of her ear. "I suppose there's something to be said about a first time with someone you like." I see her take her lower lip into her mouth, biting lightly on it as she closes her eyes. Next to me I hear Elliot clear his throat and I lean back as if nothing important just happened. Olivia opens her eyes and glares the direction of Elliot and I. I'm not sure who specifically she's glaring at but she's glaring nonetheless.

"You're gonna give her blue balls," I hear Melanie say and now Olivia is glaring at Melanie as I feel Elliot shift, when I turn to look at him he's turned a shade of red that I've never actually seen on a person without face paint. He looks absurd and I can't help the laugh that comes freely out of my mouth. Kathy begins laughing next to me followed by Melanie. Olivia is trying to pretend she's mad at someone and Elliot looks as though he'll ever be able to make eye contact with me or Olivia ever again. It's not long before Olivia gives up her charade and begins laughing a long with us and while Elliot has moved onto muttering something about if he had a sister and he doesn't want to know about Olivia's blue anything. The men on stage begin singing, "Walk Like A Man".

"This must be an oldies song thing," Melanie states. "This is right up your alley Alex, man I'm good."

"Into the oldies are you?" Olivia asks.

"They remind me of my grandmother," I tell her. "She was a child of the 30s but she really loved the music from the 50s. She used to tell me it reminded her of her carefree years before full adult responsibly kicked in. We would sit in her living room and listen to records she kept from the 50s. If it was popular then, I probably know it. And the songs they wrote, the songs they wrote about heartbreak could break you heart. And the love songs. Amazing."

"Alex used to listen to oldies when we were trying to study. She might strike you as the kind of gal who listens to boring classical when she's studying because she read a study where they say it helps you learn or whatever, but not Alex. I used to make her put on headphones because she would blast the oldies and no one could concentrate on our floor. The problem with making her wear headphones was that she would sing along and let me tell you…"

"They get it Melanie, I like oldies."

"I'm just saying that if they had to listen to you sing they'd…"

"I swear to God Melanie I will tell them about the night in New Orleans," I threaten.

"They'd fall to their knees and profess marriage cause you're that good," she finishes her sentence.

"Good, now stuff it!"

"Wait. Wait, what about a night in New Orleans?" Elliot asks.

"Nothing! It was nothing right Al?" Melanie answers.

"Oh I love this song," I say changing the subject. It seems to have worked as no one is talking and we're all listening as the men on stage sing their rendition of "You've Really Got A Hold On Me."

Oivia's POV

I'm sitting next to Alex listen to the men on stage sing about being madly in love with someone. I can't help but think that's it's perfect, she really does have a hold on me. I do need her. She's right about the love songs. People have begun to casually dance with each other; mimicking the dances from the time period when the songs speed up and pulling each other close when the songs slow down. When they begin singing "Can't Help Falling In Love" I lean into Alex and sit with my shoulder touching hers. I feel as she leans into me allowing a little of her weight to meet my own. We sit there listening to the words of the song touching only at out shoulders. This feels important. Not just for me or for her but for us. When the song ends I turn and without thinking press a soft chaste kiss to her cheek. The moment I do it I realize what I've done and begin to apologize.

"I'm sorry Alex, I wasn't even thinking."

She doesn't respond. Instead she leans into me and pressing her lips to my cheek quickly before pulling back and looking me in the eyes. "It's okay," she tells me before turning her head back to the stage. Elliot catches my eye and instead of being embarrassed or acting shy he simply smiles at me; the kind of smile you smile when you see an adorable puppy being cute. I want to punch him. I want to hug him. He's been so supportive and best friend sort of way. He's also been a bit of an older brother about it but mostly it's been the best friend type of supportive, I give him a smile before turning my focus back to the stage.

I've lost track of how long we've been sitting listening to the singers on stage. I don't really care to be honest. I'm simply enjoying the time surrounded by Alex and our friends. It feels so easy and carefree. It feels right. On the stage the lead singer is introducing a new female singer. She will be singing a song called Misty originally sung by Johnny Mathis. I hear Alex say she loves this song before feeling her stand up. I watch as she stands in front of me looking down where I'm sitting before holding her hand out to me.

"Will you dance with me Olivia?"

I must have hesitated for just a moment too long because she begins apologizing and pulls her hand back. I didn't hesitate for any other reason than I was surprised, happily surprised. Before she can fully pull her hand away I grasp it. I feel like a man who has been adrift in the ocean for far too long, I reach for her like she's my lifeline. After grasping her hand pull myself up so I am directly in front of her.

"Wild horses couldn't keep me from dancing with you Alex," I tell her before leading her a few feet in front of our group. I know we aren't alone but I certainly don't want to feel like they're a part of this moment either, I love them but this is for Alex and I only.

When we reach a spot just far enough away I pull her into me and wrap my free arm around her waist pulling her even closer into me. My hand is wrapped around her hand and I pull it to my chest, letting it rest there right over my heart. My other arm is wrapped around her back, my hand splayed open at the place where her skin ends and her dress begins. I let half of my hand rest on her soft skin and the other rest on her dress. I feel her nestle even closer into me and can't help but smile when I feel her nose press against the skin on my neck. We stand together slowly swaying to the music. I take the chance to listen to the lyrics being sung from the stage.

"Look at me,
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree;
And I feel like I'm clingin' to a cloud,
I can' t understand
I get misty, just holding your hand.
Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play,
Or it might be the sound of your hello,
That music I hear,
I get misty, the moment you're near.
Can't you see that you're leading me on?
And it's just what I want you to do,
Don't you notice how hopelessly
I'm lost
That's why I'm following you.
On my own,
When I wander through this wonderland alone,
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty, and too much in love.
Too misty,
And too much
In love"

It feels like a fitting song for us to dance to as an official couple. I am too much in love with her. As the song ends I feel as though I should say something. I'm not sure what though. I know what I want to say to her but I know this is not the time for it, she wouldn't be ready for it yet.

"Alex I," I begin, not knowing how to answer. It turns out I don't have to answer. She pulls me in and captures my lips with her own. I am very effectively silenced as I can only focus on one thing now; her lips on mine. Everything else disappears but Alex and I and the feeling of her in my arms; the feeling of her on my lips. It's a simple kiss, nothing risqué but it speaks volumes and though it doesn't last long, it feels like it is never ending. She pulls back and waits for me to open my eyes. When I open them the only thing I see is Alex and the smile that's gracing her face.

"Thank you," she says and I'm not sure if she means for the dance, the kiss, or for something even bigger that we haven't exactly spoken about yet.

"Always," I tell her. And I mean it; I will always dance with her, I will always kiss her, I will always be there to love her. She takes my hand and leads me back to the group. It's not long before the show is over and we are standing up getting ready to leave.

"Okay gang, where to next?" Melanie asks clearly ready to hit up whatever open bar or club she can find.

"I think we're done," Elliot says. "The babysitter has class tomorrow, we told her we wouldn't be late."

"Adult responsibilities," Melanie responds with a sneer. "I'm never growing up."

"I'd be shocked if you did," Alex retorts.

"Yeah yeah Cabot, so where are we going?" Melanie looks at Alex hopeful that she will keep the evening going.

"WE," Alex begins gesturing between she and I, "are not going out with you, so wherever you two are going, I'm sure will be great and full of other tall children out past their bedtime."

"Oh it's past your bedtime is it Al? Need the babysitter to tuck you in?" Melanie is laughing as she wiggles her eyebrows teasing Alex.

"And that's my cue to take my wife home and stay out of whatever Alex and Olivia plan on doing at bedtime." Elliot smiles at me as I turn what must certainly be a shade of eggplant purple.

"Jesus El," I mutter. "Goodnight Kathy," I say before hugging Kathy. "Go away," I say to Elliot as I playfully shove him away from the group.

"Night Liv! Have a wonderful evening," he taunts even as he retreats from me. "Night Alex!"

"So babysitter," Melanie directs to me, "gonna make sure the kid gets home safe?"

"I'm right here," says Alex. "And I'm older than you."

"Sure, in THAT sense Al, but."

"Finish that sentence and Olivia will have to open a case on your death."

"Kay, night ladies! Hey don't let the bedbugs bite, unless ya know, you're into that sort of thing," Melanie says as she dodges Alex's hand. "Which... gross," Melanie continues. "I just imagined Alex in bed and now it's weird." She laughed before quickly sauntering off laughing leaving a red-faced Alex.

"I'm gonna kill her, it's like having the worst kid sister ever."

"So can I walk you home counselor?" I ask changing the subject.

"Only if you'll make sure my house is safe detective."

"Of course, what kind of a protector of the people would I be if I just dumped you off at your front door?" I put my arm out for her to grab. She chuckles before sliding her arm in mine and we head toward the street to find a cab.

Despite the majority of the crowd leaving the park at the same time, it doesn't take long to find a cab. Everyone must be doing what Melanie is doing; looking for the next place open for them to settle in until the night is officially over. Alex slides into the cab and I slide in after her. She gives her address to the driver and we settle in as she drives us through the streets of New York.

The way Alex is sitting makes the fabric of her dress fall off her leg showing off the expanse of her skin. The red dress contrasted against her light skin makes my heart jump and pick up its pace. I lean into her resting the weight on my arm closest to her and maneuver my lips so they are just barely touching the shell of her ear.

"Did I mention how much I really enjoy your dress this evening Alexandra?" My voice has dropped to a breathless husk and I see her breathing speed up at the sound of my voice. "Did you know how much I would love it?" Her breathing gets heavier and her eyes close slowly. "Do you know how much I wanted to reach out and touch that skin every time you moved and your leg would peek out at me?"

She opens her eyes and turns her head, looking me directly into my eyes with a challenge in hers. "What's stopping you?"

That's the permission I've been waiting for. I reach my right arm out to her and gently let my fingers feather over her exposed knee before slowly and lightly dragging them up her leg to where the meets her skin. I lift my hand off her leg and bring it up to her face before pulling her to me and claiming her lips with my own. The kiss starts out as soft and gentle but before I let her get the rhythm I swipe my tongue across her lower lip and seek entrance into her mouth. She allows me access and I slide my tongue against hers swallowing the soft moan that comes from her. She turns her body toward me and pushes both her hands into my hair and pulling me closer. She slides her tongue in rhythm with mine. My right hand moves from her head to her back and slides down until I reach her waist. I settle my hand on her waist squeezing and massaging it before moving it down to her thigh. I wrap my hand around the inside of her thigh and spread my fingers out reaching and touching as much of her has my hand can touch. I begin a slow massage of her skin. I slowly slide my hand up her inner thigh with each movement of my hand. I nearly reach the junction of her thigh when I hear the cab driver clear her throat. We pull ourselves a part and look out the window finding ourselves outside Alex's apartment. I reach for my wallet but the driver stops me.

"I'm not taking money from one of New York's finest," she tells me.

We argue about being on duty and not being on duty and eventually I give up, she's not going to take any money from me tonight. I sigh, thank her and open the door. Alex refuses to let her get off easy and pushes some money into her hand through the small hole in the partition and fixing her with the stare. That seems to suffice and the driver takes the money and the extremely large tip before saying goodnight and driving off.

Alex and I stand on the sidewalk for a moment looking at each other. We both know what will happen if I go upstairs, I need to know she's ready.

"Alex, I don't have to come up. It would be okay if I didn't," I tell her sincerely.

A/N

If you're curious about the song, here's a link to it. /xk8c17HuWOo