Chapter 22

AN: Thank you for the support. I may not update again until the weekend, or I'll update Friday night; It will depend on how much time I have with work.


April 17th 2021

Nine days have passed since Alex helped Olivia with a case and ever since Alex has been working with Andy to help prepare him for the trial that is going to take place in May. It's late afternoon on a Saturday and Alex, Olivia and Noah are at the park together. After so many months of Covid it is one of the few times the have been able to be in a public outside place together.

"Look Mom! Look Alex!" Noah yells from where he is excitedly swinging on the monkey bars.

"We're watching Bud," Olivia assures him.

"You're doing great!" Alex calls back. Once she does Alex and Olivia exchange smiles, it being clear how happy they both are. "So, I was thinking, tonight dinner and Noah picks the movie?" Alex asks.

"Sounds perfect," Olivia says, putting her arm around Alex. "But you know what he's going to pick, right?" Olivia asks, as Noah has been watching the same movie over and over lately.

"Oh, I know," Alex says with a grin.

"I cannot believe that you both love that movie as much as you do," Olivia admits, though it does amuse her.

"It's a classic!" Alex exclaims. "And really, really good," Alex defends.

"Whatever you say," Oliva says, rolling her eyes in a fond way.

"Noah and I will covert you," Alex says, sounding sure.

"Oh, are you two ganging up on me now?" Olivia asks amused.

"Definitely," Alex says, but before Olivia can respond to that they are interrupted by Alex's phone ringing. "Sorry," Alex says, pulling her phone out of her pocket, and as she does Olivia sees the name 'Tasha Orlov' on the caller Id. "Hello," Alex answers, and while Olivia can't make out what is being said she can hear enough to hear that whoever Olivia is talking to is talking incredibly fast. "Tash, slow down, are the kids with you? Okay, I'll be right there, I promise," Alex says before hanging up. "I'm really sorry, I've got to go," Alex says and from the tone voice Olivia knows whatever is going on is bad.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Olivia asks, as she can't explain why but it feels like she should.

"No, Tasha's terrified of the police," Alex reveals. "Her twin sister and I are the only people in the world she trusts," Alex admits. "I love you," Alex says.

"Love you too," Olivia responds.

"Bye Noah," Alex says, waiving at him, before hurrying off.

"Be careful!" Olivia calls after Alex, having an incredibly bad feeling about what is going on.


A while after Alex left her and Noah in the park Olivia has been called to the hospital by Rollins as they have a case, so she had to call Lucy to look after Noah.

"What have we got?" Olivia asks.

"Neighbors called 911 after hearing screams, the paramedics arrived to find that the husband had stabbed the wife then himself. The husband is gone, the wife is in surgery," Rollins explains. "The only reason she is alive is because when the paramedics arrived they found that someone had tied a scarf around her leg wound to stop the bleeding," Rollins explains. "No sign of who that was," Rollins says.

"Interesting," Olivia admits. "Names?" Olivia asks.

"Ivan and Tasha Orlov," Rollins explains, and as she does Olivia feels her blood run cold.

"What did you just say?" Olivia asks, hoping that Rollins gives another answer.

"Ivan and Tasha Orlov," Rollins explains, and she notices the look on Olivia's face. "Liv, what's wrong?" Rollins asks concerned.

"Alex and I were at the park with Noah, she got a call from a client and said she had to go. I saw the caller ID, it said Tasha Orlov," Olivia says as she quickly pulls her phone and calls Alex. "On the phone Alex asked about kids, are they okay?" Olivia asks, as she listens to the phone ring desperately hopes Alex will answer.

"There were no kids there," Rollins reveals, and as she does Olivia hears the call picked up.

"Alex? Are you there? Are you okay?" Olivia asks worried.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Alex responds, though Olivia notices that Alex's voice doesn't sound completely okay. "I'm on my way to the one six with a few people," Alex explains.

"Tasha Orlov's children?" Olivia asks, as that's what she assumes.

"And her twin sister," Alex explains. "I'll explain everything to you in person," Alex says, as she knows she has to explain to Olivia what happened and why she did what she did.

"You're gonna have to," Olivia says. "Wait in the interview room, I'll see you soon," Olivia tells her girlfriend.

"I'll see you soon," Alex responds, and once she does Olivia hangs up.

"Alex okay?" Rollins asks concerned.

"Yeah," Olivia says, and she sounds glad. "She's the children and Tasha's sister with her, they're on their way to the precinct," Olivia explains.

"Okay, I'll handle things here," Rollins says.

"Thanks," Olivia says, before heading out of the hospital.


Not long after she left the hospital Olivia arrives at the precinct as soon as she walks into the bullpen Kat walks towards her.

"Captain, your friend, Alex is here with two kids and a women," Kat explains.

"I know," Olivia says. "Are they in the interview room?" Olivia asks.

"The kids and the other women are, Alex is in your office," Kat explains.

"Okay, thanks," Olivia says, heading straight to her office as she knows it is good if she talks to Alex first so that she can find out what the hell is going on.

Waking into her office Olivia sees Alex leaning against her desk and as she sees her Olivia can't help but look Alex up and down, looking for signs of injuries.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Olivia asks, as she closes the door.

"I'm not hurt," Alex responds, though she isn't completely okay, pushing herself up from the desk so that she is standing up.

"Good," Olivia says relieved. "What the hell happened?" Olivia asks.

"How's Tasha doing?" Alex asks, as she hasn't been able to check in, and she is worried for her friend.

"Rollins said she's in surgery, that she's lucky because someone stopped the bleeding," Olivia explains. "I'm assuming that was you," Oliva says.

"Yeah," Alex confirms, walking over and sitting on the couch. "When I go to Tasha's house, I heard the kids crying, I hurried in," Alex reveals. "Tasha and her husband were both in the living room, bleeding out," Alex explains. "I pulled the scarf off the coatrack and ran over, tied it around Tasha's wound, did what I could," Alex explains as Olivia walks over and sits next to her.

"Why weren't you there when the paramedics arrived?" Olivia asks.

"Tasha's kids are terrified of anyone in uniform," Alex reveals. "So, I knew that if they were there when the paramedics and police arrived then it would have been extremely traumatic for them," Alex explains. "Liv, I picked up their aunt and came straight here so that they could talk to you. I told them that they can trust you; and that got them to agree," Alex admits.

"Alex, your word is good enough for me, but if other people question, it might not be enough for them," Olivia says, feeling concerned about what that is going to do.

"It won't have to be, Tasha's son moved the nanny cam to the living room, it recorded everything," Alex explains.

"Really?" Olivia asks surprised.

"He's been watching his mother be abused for years, he wanted to do whatever he could to help it stop," Alex explains.

"Okay, lets talk to the kids and sister," Olivia says, before she and Alex head into the interview room, and Olivia gets all the information she needs to assure anyone who questions that Alex is telling the truth.


Hours later Alex and Olivia have had their dinner and Movie night with Noah, but through the entire night Alex has noticed that there is tension between her and Olivia. Now that Noah is in bed Alex knows that it is time, they talk about everything.

"Liv, I can't tell you everything I do. I don't want to put you in the position you'll be in if I do," Alex tells Olivia as the two of them clean up the snacks from the movie.

"I know that," Olivia says. "I know why you do what you do, and I'm so proud of you… but it also terrifies me," Olivia admits.

"Liv…" Alex starts to say.

"Ally, I know the lengths you will go to get justice, we've been down that road before, and that's why I'm afraid," Olivia admits. "I know you will do whatever you have to do, it's one of the things I love about you, but I also know that it could cause me to lose you again," Olivia explains. "So, I when I heard Rollins say the name, I saw on your caller ID I though that was exactly what was going to happen," Olivia admits.

"I get that Liv, I was terrified when you were in that diner and I worry every day that you're not going to come home to Noah and I," Alex admits. "We're afraid of losing each other and I know that we can't make promises that we won't, but what we can do is do everything we can to make it home safety," Alex tells her girlfriend, hearing Alex's words Olivia puts down what she is holding and walks over to her.

"I love you," Olivia says. "And every day when I leave this apartment I'm fighting to come home to Noah, and you," Olivia assures Alex.

"I love you too," Alex says, and the two of them kiss.


April 24th 2021

A week has passed since Alex and Olivia admitted how afraid of losing one another they are, and ever since they have both been attempting to stay in contact more while at work. It's Saturday evening and both Alex and Olivia are preparing for a dinner that is very important to them both, that means a lot to them.

"And you're sure Antonio is going to like this?" Olivia asks from where she is cooking while Alex is sitting at the bench.

"I'm sure," Alex says. "Liv, relax, Antonio loves you, and he spent months trying to get me to admit my feelings," Alex explains. "He's going to be happy," Alex assures her.

"Is he? You're his mom, and he knows all about our history, he might not be as happy as you think," Olivia admits as she is afraid of that.

"Liv, you told me that I make you happy and that will be enough for Noah, well it's the same for Antonio," Alex assures her girlfriend as she stands up.

"You really think so?" Olivia asks.

"I know so," Alex assures her girlfriend and the two of them kiss. As Alex and Olivia kiss there is a knock on the door and so they break apart.

"I'll let Antonio in," Alex says.

"And I'll go get Noah," Olivia says as Noah is playing in his room and she goes to get Noah while Alex goes to let in Antonio.

"Hey sweetheart, come in," Alex says, letting her son into Olivia's apartment.

"Hi Mami," Antoni greats, and he kisses his mother's cheek.

"ANTONIO!" Noah yells excited s he runs out of his bedroom.

"Hey Kid," Antonio greats, as Alex closes the door and the two of them engage in a complicated, but clearly memorized, handshake which causes Olivia and Alex to exchange amused looks as both are more than happy that their sons get along so well.

"Mom, can I show Antonio my new game?" Noah asks curious.

"Not right now, Buddy, Alex and I have to talk to you both," Olivia explains.

"Is everything okay?" Antonio asks, as while he had a theory about why his mother and Olivia wanted to have dinner he isn't sure now.

"Everything's good," Alex says as Antonio and Noah sit down on the couch, and both Alex and Olivia pull over the chairs so that they can sit in front of their sons.

"Alex and I have some news we want to share with the two of you," Olivia explains. "Antonio, I know that you've noticed that I have been spending more time around Vita Nova lately," Olivia says.

"And Noah, I know that you've noticed that I have been staying over a lot," Alex explains. "Well, there is a reason for both those things, and other things I know you both have noticed," Alex explains.

"Like how happy you've been Mom?" Noah asks, looking at his mother.

"Exactly," Olivia confirms. "Antonio, Noah, Alex and I are together, we're dating and very much in love," Olivia explains, feeling nervous about how they are going to react, but beyond thrilled to say the words.

"Is that something you're going to be okay with?" Alex asks, looking between the boys.

"Are you kidding? I've been wanting you two to get together since I was eight!" Antonio exclaims excited, resisting the urge to say 'about damn time,'. "I'm really happy for you both," Antonio says, as he looks between his mother and Olivia.

"Thank you, Antonio," Olivia says.

"Noah? How do you feel?" Alex asks, feeling incredibly nervous as while she was the one to reassure Olivia earlier that doesn't change the fact that she is feeling completely terrified about how Noah is going to react.

"I'm really glad. I like how happy you make Mom," Noah admits. "And I like you being around," Noah reveals.

"I like being around too," Alex admits.

"Does this mean Antonio is my brother now?" Noah asks, and as neither were expecting the question Oliva and Alex exchange looks.

"Kind of, yeah," Olivia confirms.

"Awesome! I really want a big brother!" Noah says excitedly.

"And I really want a brother as awesome as you," Antonio says. While his age tells him things might not be as simple as Noah believes, he's going to choose to be just as excited.

"Can I show Antonio my game now?" Noah asks curious.

"Sure," Olivia answers, feeling a little shocked, and both the boys get up and head to Noah's room.

"So that went well," Alex says, sounding shocked.

"Beyond well," Oliva smiling at Alex, and feeling beyond happy that her son, and Alex's son are both as excited about her and Alex being together as they are.


A while after Alex and Olivia shared their news with their sons Alex is reading a story to Noah, who insisted as he really likes it when Alex reads him stories, leaving Olivia and Antonio alone in the main part of Olivia's apartment.

As Antonio is sitting on the couch Olivia walks over to him as she knows that the right thing to do to, what will make her feel more comfortable is for them to have a bit more of a talk.

"Antonio, I thought we could talk, if that's okay," Olivia says to him.

"Of course," Antonio responds, and Olivia sits down across from him. "Liv, I am really happy about you and Mami, I've meant everything I've said," Antonio assures her.

"That means a lot, really," Olivia admits. "But I also know that you know the history your Mami, and I share, the good and the bad, and you must have some feelings about that so I thought we could talk about it," Olivia admits.

"Do you remember how we left after the Trial? How we didn't say goodbye?" Antonio asks.

"Of course," Olivia answers, as she could have never forgot that, and she can't help but think how it is a strange place for Antonio to start what he needs to say.

"Mami actually argued with the Marshals, basically begged to let us say goodbye," Antonio reveals. "But they told us that Mami already got to say goodbye once, they couldn't risk it a second time," Antonio explains. "I think they were concerned that if Mami were to say goodbye they wouldn't have gotten her to go," Antonio admits. "I didn't understand back then, but I know now that she didn't want to leave you a second time," Antonio admits.

"She did though, and I'm not talking about when you both went into WITSEC," Olivia tells Antonio.

"I know," Antonio responds. "Olivia, what do you know about when we first came out of the program?" Antonio asks curious.

"Not a lot," Olivia admits, feeling concern grow. "I know Alex didn't tell Rafa she was back for months, and how she hurt her hand, but not much more than that," Olivia admits.

"I'll never forget seeing that knife sticking out of Mami's hand," Antonio admits, fighting to hold back a shiver, and as she can tell that the young man is pained Olivia reaches out and puts a comforting hand on Antonio's leg. "When we got back Mami wasn't doing very well. She encouraged me to spend time with my aunt…. Which I'm so thankful for, that time we had together means so much to me, but I know that part of the reason she did that was so that I wouldn't worry about her. Don't get me wrong Mami knew that it was important and wanted me to have a relationship with my aunt, but she also didn't want me to worry," Antonio explains, wanting to make it clear that he knows Alex's reasons weren't selfish.

"But you still did," Olivia realizes.

"I couldn't help it," Antonio admits. "I've always known Mami to have insomnia, but this was different, I think she went days without sleep," Antonio admits. "One night I got up during the night and Mami was pacing back and forth, muttering to herself," Antonio explains, and Olivia can't help but frown. "I went to the precinct the next day after school," Antonio reveals.

"You did?" Olivia asks surprised.

"The Desk Sergeant told me you were on a case, and I lost my nerve before I could speak to anyone else," Antonio admits, and Olivia can't help but wonder how different things would have been if she had been at the precinct when Antonio came by. "My point is I knew back then what I know now that you are the love of Mami's life. I know things haven't always been easy for you two, that things are complicated because of what Mami does, and that your relationship has had its ups and downs," Antonio admits. "Liv, you love Mami, you make her happy, and make her feel safe. You're everything I want for her," Antonio admits. "But I also know that you have the ability to hurt her more than anyone, so I'm asking you not to, please," Antonio says, as he doesn't want to see his mother hurt.

"Antonio, I promise you, I will do everything I can to make sure I never hurt your Mami," Olivia says, leaning forward.

"Good," Antonio says, leaning forward a little too and once he is close enough Antonio hugs Olivia.


While Antonio and Olivia are talking out in the main area of the apartment Alex and Noah are in Noah's bedroom. While Noah is laying in bed Alex is sitting on the edge of his bed.

"The end," Alex says, closing the book she is reading. Honestly, it amuses her, and she is glad, that Olivia still has hardcover books for Noah.

"I like that story," Noah tells Alex.

"I like it too," Alex responds. "Are you comfortable?" Alex asks and Noah nods. "Warm?" Alex asks, and Noah once more nods. "Good, then it's time for sleep," Alex informs Noah.

"Alex, Mom said that you used to work together, and then you went away, are you going to go away again?' Noah asks curious.

"No," Alex says as long as she has any say in the matter she won't. "Noah, I love being with your mom, and you, and Tonio," Alex reveals. "I'll let you in on a secret, when I left before I was searching for something," Alex reveals, knowing witness protection doesn't count I that explanation but that's not a subject she wants to get into with Noah right now, especially not without Olivia's permission. "But I've realized everything I want is right here," Alex reveals. "You, your mom, Tonio, Rafa, Liz, and her siblings, Uncle Fin, and his family, are all my family. I help people, and I am happy," Alex says, knowing that as a child Noah won't understand how big of a deal that is. "Your Mom is my love, my partner, and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with; I'm never going away again," Alex assures Noah as she wants to make it clear that she is in this for the long hall.

"Good," Noah says relieved. "I love you Alex," Noah says, sitting up and hugging him.

"Oh I love you too, Sweetheart," Alex responds as she hugs Noah and kisses the top of his head, feeling overwhelming love and happiness.