Viral Invasion Part 3

How Long?

Chattering echoed through swollen ears and blocked sinuses. The motion of spinning, rocking from side to side. Alex opened her eyes - it's night time. She was in a car. A shooting pain sliced through her senses as she attempted to move her right arm. She looked down, it was bound tight to her body in a sling. Where was she? This seemed all too familiar. Alex looked out of the window at the passing lights of New York City. A beautiful skyscape nestled under a warm blanket of stars and clouds in the night sky. Now she remembered - 2003 her shooting and being thrown into witness protection. How could she forget? An agonising night of loss and fear. Was this a replay? Would she be able to get the ending she wanted so very badly - for Olivia to come with her. She wanted to, so badly, to pull her into the SUV with her, but she knew she couldn't - maybe this time she could change her fate?

The convoy pulled up to a deserted road outside of the city. Minutes seemed like hours - was she going to show up? Alex needed this replay, she needed to write that moment with Olivia. Her mind is lost in past thoughts and memories of drinks, laughing, and putting away the bad guys - all too consumed in a love once lost while she was in Pennsylvania, and then - when she returned, she was too far gone into Emily to attempt a relationship. She needed time, but as the years went on - she felt she slowly lost Olivia. Now, she could rewrite that moment and plant the seed in the detective's mind.

Alex casted her gaze over her shoulder to the headlights that approached. They were here, it was time. She could hear the marshal speaking to Elliot and Olivia, this was all too real for the attorney. Alex was practically frozen to the spot, her heart raced in her chest. This was it, this was the moment. They stopped by the car and then… the door opened. Alex stepped out and looked straight at Olivia. Much younger than she is now, she forgot that early-2000s hairstyle. Those tears spilled from the beautiful brown eyes of the detective. Her voice shook as she spoke.

"Your funeral is tomorrow…"

"I-I know…" Alex stepped forward to the detective.

"We expect you to play your part tomorrow." The marshal injected. "We need everyone to believe Miss Cabot is dead."

She was barely listening, her focus solely remained on Olivia. She stepped forward,the fingers of her able hand lightly touched Olivia's skin. Olivia stepped closer as she leaned into the touch. Her heart pounded in her ears, a rhythmic display of her ever growing anxiety, thump, thump, thump. Alex wiped away a falling tear and rested her forehead against the detective's. Their eyes fluttered closed and the world around them seemed to melt away, yet - a mumble sound of Elliot talking to the US Marshals. She cannot help but feel her heart break all over again and somehow, this is worse. This hurt more than the first time she left. Maybe it was the final admittance of feelings.

"How long…?" A gentle soft whisper of a longing heart.

Alex didn't know how to reply. Her mind raced with news of the future that she simply couldn't say. She simply pressed her lips to the detective's forehead as her own tears spilled. She felt Olivia shiver as she sobbed and all she could do was pull her into a loving embrace. Oh how guilty she felt, how it coursed through her like a painful wave of emotion. She hated this the first time. Alex pulled back slightly and tilted Olivia's chin upward. She hated seeing her cry. Slowly she leaned down, their lips brushing over one another until finally Alex sealed the moment with a gentle kiss. An explosion of mental fireworks, this very moment, Alex allowed herself to melt into a loving kiss that made her heart flutter. She felt Olivia pull her closer as the detective's arms wrapped around her waist locking her in place. This was the moment she longed for all that time waiting for witness protection to end, she could finally taste the lips of the woman who held such a place in her heart. She didn't want to pull away, she didn't want this to stop. She could taste the mint of Olivia's lip balm, she could feel her body pressed against her own and her heart melted.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching engines forced the marshal to pull the two women apart. Reluctantly, Alex pulled away from Olivia, though a party of her wanted to pull her into the SUV, however, she knew that it would change too much of their journey. She took one last look at the detective as the car started to drive off. She watched out the rearview mirror as several large cars drove up on the detectives. It was like a blink.

Bang.

Alex's screams were muted as she watched Olivia's body fall to the ground in a heap. She gripped the seats as she sobbed and shook with rage. Why couldn't she just be happy? Her cries were evident as she was driven away.

Alex sat bolt right on the sofa, sweat poured down her face and beaded on her forehead. She panted as she looked around her living room, her anxiety at an all time high. She was home, it was just a dream. She looked over to her left where she felt someone there and suddenly she was washed with relief as her eyes settled on Olivia Benson with a look of concern. She placed her hand on Olivia's cheek, she could still feel her heart thumping in her chest over and over again. That dream - as beautiful as it was, also had an ending that would haunt Alex. She smiled through her tears.

"Oh my god, you're alive!"

Olivia chuckled. "Of course I'm alive. Not gonna kill me off so quick, Cabot." She replied with a wink.

A wash of embarrassment hit the ADA as she pulled back her hand. Olivia had no idea of the context of her dream - to Olivia, she just touched her cheek without permission, not that she would think Olivia would mind, it was still a little weird. Though before she removed her hand, she let her fingers glide over Olivia's soft skin, trailing her jawline to her lips. Their eyes locked, Alex gazed into the soft brown eyes of the detective as she traced her bottom lip and then the bow of her top lip. She fought the urge to lean up and kiss the detective. It took all of her might to stop herself from kissing those beautiful lips, instead she kept her fingers lingering for a moment as their eye contact held and Olivia's lips softly placed a kiss on Alex's fingers which caused a blush to creep up the ADA's cheeks. She felt those lips curl into that signature smile that made her knees go weak and her palms sweat. Olivia started to lean downward to Alex, the attorney's eyes fluttered closed but just before those lips touched hers.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Fuck" Alex whispered under he breath as Olivia pulled away.

As Olivia went to answer the door to, who she could only guess was, Lucy. She slumped back on the sofa looking up at the ceiling. So close. So very fucking close. Alex pushed herself up by her elbows as Olivia returned carrying a duffle bag. Alex frowned looking at the fabric bag. Olivia placed it down and lifted Alex's legs as she sat on the sofa.

"Are we just going to ignore that?" Alex asked.

"Ignore what?" Olivia smirked.

Alex leaned up and pinched her playfully making Olivia squeal and wiggle.

"Wait - no! I'm ticklish." Olivia pleaded. "Okay, okay! There was an incident…"

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"And before you freak out - it is dealt with!"

"Okay…"

"Lucy accidentally put your dishwasher tablets in your washer."

Alex face palms. "Oh my god…"

"So, Lucy took your laundry to Meloni's Laundry in the village and I fixed your washer."

"Wait, you know how to fix a washer?"

Olivia laughs softly. "It's a long story, Cabot, don't worry about it. Anyway, I'm going to get you to bed, put away your laundry, and then head out."

Alex looks around. "Where's Lucy?"

"Uh, she had to go." Olivia looked away and stood up from the couch.

"I should text her and at least thank her for coming." Alex reached over to the coffee table and grasped the product red iPhone.

Alex laid back on the sofa as Olivia heaved the duffle bag over her shoulder. She navigated to WhatsApp and opened the app as Olivia crouched down next to her and placed one hand under her legs and the other under her back. With one swift movement, Olivia lifted her off the couch much to Alex's surprise whose eyes widened and she held onto Olivia with her free hand. Even though Olivia was in her mid-fifties, she was surprisingly strong and sturdy. She continued to lift weights and work out at least three times a week, so lifting Alex was easily done, even with a duffle bag. Olivia started over to Alex's bedroom, and with a firm grasp on Alex. She wasn't going to drop her. Alex, for a moment, completely forgot about Lucy, she merely snuggled into the detective's chest feeling like a princess being carried by a prince. She looked up at Olivia, who was not even breaking a sweat and not a single sign of struggle on her face. She leaned up and pressed her lips to Olivia's cheek that seemed to take the detective by surprise, but all she did was smile as they crossed the threshold into Alex's bedroom.

She slowly lowered Alex onto the soft mattress, who started to flick through her phone. She settled back into the fluffy pillows as she opened WhatsApp, but something wasn't right. Alex frowned. Lucy's number was still there, as was her name, but her profile picture was gone. She opened the chat and started to type out a message.

"Hey, thanks for coming over to take care of me - I really appreciate it! - Alex."

The message didn't send. Alex flicked through her phone to Instagram. She opened the image sharing social media platform and once again looked for Lucy. She couldn't find her. She opened past direct messages, alas - there was no sign of her. Alex flicked open her contacts and tried to send a text instead.

"Hey, sorry to send a text text, but I can't get you anywhere else. I just wanted to say; thank you for coming to take care of me, I appreciate it - Alex"

The message bounced back. Did Lucy block her? Why? Even if Alex didn't see a romantic future with Lucy she still wanted to keep a friendship.

"Oh… Lucy blocked me…"

Olivia continued to fold clothes.

"Do you know anything about this?" Alex looked up from her phone.

Olivia sighed as she sorted Alex's suits. Alex could tell something was wrong but Olivia wasn't telling her. Alex stretched her leg out to Olivia's arms and softly stroked it with her foot. Olivia cannot help but crack a glowing smile, she looked at Alex as a laugh escaped her chest and she shook her head. Sigh sighed and continue to fold clothes until she was done with Alex's socks.

"Okay - I was going to leave this for you so you'd find it in the morning. You'd probably be less… drugged." Olivia reached into the duffle bag, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Alex.

Alex pushed herself up on her elbows as her eyes scanned the paper. She sighed. She knew this would happen, but she couldn't help it.

Cabot,

I'm sorry but I think I've met my match and I have to respectfully bow out of this little contest, that I think I had no chance in winning.

Thanks for all the laughs and the good times, babe - I'm sure you and Olivia will be super cute together.

Luce.

Alex placed the note on the bedside table with a sigh, that was the end of that. She knew early on that they weren't a match, but still - she thought she would try to make it work. On paper, Lucy was perfect for Alex, but in reality there was a woman waiting for Alex and she knew it wouldn't be fair on Lucy to keep learning her on. Olivia finished putting away Alex's clothes, she had managed to work out Alex's sorting system. There wasn't one. Alex just kind of placed things and hoped for the best. Olivia took the opportunity to organise a little bit. She walked back over to the bed where Alex was laying, the sun had set outside and Alex's half open eyes watched the twinkling stars from her window. Olivia walked over to Alex and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Okay - time for you to sleep." She said as she pulled the covers over Alex.

Alex sat up and held Olivia's arm. "Will you… stay with me until I fall asleep?" She asked softly.

Olivia smiled down at her. Alex could see Olivia's eyes searching for an answer. The detective closed her eyes and nodded. "Sure." She replied

Alex opened the covers on the other side of the bed as Olivia walked around. The detective removed her shoes and climbed into bed next to Alex. She felt the bed dip slightly and then a head rest next to hers. Alex opened her eyes looking into the deep brown orbs of the woman she was falling in love with. Alex tucked a few loose strands of hair behind Olivia's ear, caressing the skin of her cheek and once again tracing along her jawline. Their eyes never left each other, only lazy blinks like two cats showing affection. This was a delicate moment just like in her dream. Her fingers softly traced along Olivia's lips. The detective's eyes flutter closed under Alex's soft touch. She could feel her once again place a soft kiss on her fingers. This time, there was nothing to interrupt them - no knock at the door, nothing. Alex's hand cupped Olivia's cheek as both women leaned in and their lips finally met in a passionate gentle kiss. It was better than the dream, it was warm, comforting, and exciting, their lips glided over one another like a dance. Alex so desperately wanted to deepen the kiss, however, she would never forgive herself if Olivia fell ill to this nightmare of a flu. With every rejoining of their lips on blissful harmony, goosebumps would run up Alex's arm and neck. Her wishes had finally come true, all those years longing, idly watching, and dreaming were finally pouring into a single kiss.

They finally broke for breath. Their foreheads rested and Alex sighed contently. She smiled to herself. She felt euphoric, like she could fly through the clouds and the stars, though that might be the Nyquil. She felt Olivia's arm wrap around her and a pair of lips press against her forehead.

"Liv…"

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to make this official?"

"Do you have to ask?" Olivia chuckled.

Alex smiled and nuzzled into Olivia's chest where the detective held her against her body. Alex slowly started to drift to sleep listening to the comforting sound of Olivia's heartbeat.

After about an hour or so, Olivia reluctantly peeled herself away from Alex. She finished cleaning up Alex's apartment, putting stuff away, and making sure Alex was warm with blankets before finally leaving around eleven. She made sure the door would lock as she left and she shut it gently so as not to wake Alex. With a bright smile on her lips she walked down the hall of Alex's apartment building to the elevator. While she waited, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She unlocked it and swiped through to contacts and then placed the phone to her ear as the elevator arrived.

"Hey, Casey! I'm just leaving - she's fine…" Pause. A sheepish grin forms on her lips. "Thanks again for calling me this morning."