A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with this story. This really is a labor of love, and I hope it shows through. I was on vacation for a few weeks and was able to spend some time reading on the beach, and thinking about where I want to take this story with Olivia and Alex. I want to put an advisory warning out there-there is smut ahead (exploring fantasy/bedroom accessories/etc). Please let me know what you guys think. I'm back, refreshed, and ready to dive back into this story and my two favorite people!

Chapter 23
Conversation Pt. 1

Alex looked at the clock on the mantle and dexterously rolled out of the bed, careful not to wake Olivia. She felt like she had a permanent smile on her face: she was over the moon that she could call the beautiful woman sleeping in her bed her girlfriend, but more than that, she was just happy to be out of the city with Olivia. Alex knew that Olivia would let her guard down even more than she already had once she was comfortable, and the attorney knew that Olivia would love this place. On top of all of this, Alex was eager for Olivia to recover and get back to her normal, adventurous self. She knew that Olivia was upset about her shoulder and just wanted her to relax and heal.

She quietly carried the suitcase back into the bedroom and unpacked all of their clothes, placing them in the empty drawers in the dresser. She changed out of her purple silk pants and into a pair of jeans. She put a bra on and put back on the shirt she fell asleep in—it was the one Olivia had worn on the drive here, and she loved how it smelled and fit on her. After enjoying the sight of herself in the mirror in Olivia's shirt, she put her hair in a ponytail and grabbed a Red Sox hat, pulling her hair through the back.

Silently, she exited the bedroom and sat at the kitchen table. She took a few minutes to write a note and tore it from the notebook, folding it on the table before she grabbed her keys and exited the house without a sound.

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Olivia blinked open her eyes when the sun shone through the large bay window. She turned her head towards the warmth and smiled, reaching over to the other side of the bed. Her smile faded a bit when she felt cold, empty sheets. She turned and looked for Alex, calling out for her when she wasn't anywhere to be found.

"Alex?" She waited a few seconds for a reply and called again. "Babe?" Nothing.

She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching out her feet and legs. She loosened her brace enough to be able to slide her arm out of it, and placed it on the bed, starting towards the kitchen for some breakfast. Upon entering the threshold and not finding Alex, she noticed a piece of notebook paper folded on the large table. She picked it up and read:

Olivia,

I'm sorry to leave you so soon, but I forgot to get some groceries before we came up here. There is absolutely nothing to eat in this house, so I'm sorry if you wake up looking for something to eat—I know that appetite. If you want anything in particular, just text me and let me know baby.

Olivia smiled for a second when she thought about that suggestion—'text me and let me know if you want anything in particular.' The detective could think of something very particular that she wanted from Alex, but knew she couldn't get it at a grocery store. She located her phone on the table, knowing she must have dropped it there last night when they arrived. Cleverly, she began to type a message to Alex.

Got your note. Missing you. I thought of something I wanted…

She smiled and put her phone in her pocket. Turning her attention back to the note, she resumed reading Alex's flowing handwriting.

Try to relax and don't do anything too strenuous until I get back. I will call on my way and schedule your therapy for the next week or so. I shouldn't be any later than 9:30.

I love you Olivia. Thank you for coming here with me—I think it's just what you need and, if I say so myself, it's been wonderful so far.

Alex

P.S. I haven't taken a shower yet…

Olivia smiled as she read the last sentence. She knew it was a flat-out invitation for, at the least, a joint shower and, at the most, a sexual adventure. She folded the note back up and placed it in the pocket of her sweatpants as she walked towards the large family room. Olivia was still shocked by the sheer magnitude of the house: there were at least 3 bedrooms that Olivia had walked by on the way to the kitchen, an office, a reading room, a formal living room, and three additional bathrooms. She knew that there were other wings to the house, but she didn't venture out into the unknown. Instead, she took her book out of her tote and curled up in the corner of a large sectional, tucking her feet under her body. Her phone buzzed and a grin swept over her face as she unlocked her phone to read Alex's message.

Shit. I'm about 5 mins out. What did you want? I can get it for you baby.

She smiled and began to reply.

Oh, you can't get it at the store. Thanks for your enthusiasm though—it's very sexy.

Immediately Alex responded with a smiley face, and then another one with heart eyes—she got the point. Olivia smiled and relaxed back into the couch as she thought of Alex driving back to the house. There was something intriguing about Alex driving an SUV carrying groceries in the back. It was almost a maternal image, and, although Olivia had changed her mind about wanting kids, suddenly thinking of Alex as the mother of her children was something she was fantasizing about. She pictured Alex driving a carful of kids to and fro to soccer practice and their school concerts.

She shook that thought from her mind, placed her glasses on her face, and began to read. She noticed that the windows were slightly ajar and she could feel the breeze, smell the ocean air, and hear the waves washing on the beach. Running her hand through her hair, she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder—she cursed and winced in pain as she repositioned herself on the couch. She knew she couldn't put her hair in a ponytail with one hand and it made her extremely frustrated. Olivia wasn't one to wear her hair down a lot, and honestly, she preferred her short hair to her long locks.

She tried to relax, as she opened the book and began reading. She had reached her favorite part when she heard the front door open. She stood, although with some difficulty, and walked towards where Alex was standing, her hands full of brown paper grocery bags.

"Hey baby!" Alex greeted Olivia over the bags with a thousand watt smile, and the detective couldn't help but return one back. "I'm sorry I had to go, but I knew you'd be hungry."

"It's ok." Olivia's shoulder still stung and Alex could tell something was up. She quickly placed the bags on the long, black marble kitchen counter and put her hand on Olivia's arm.

"Liv what's wrong? Are you ok?" The concern in her eyes was evident as she pulled Olivia back to the couch, sitting next to her, urging her to talk. "What's wrong baby?" She placed her hand on Olivia's knee, looking into her golden eyes.

"I'm ok. But, I've been thinking…I want to get my hair cut. Is there a place here?"

Alex was confused and Olivia could tell from her questioning look. "Ok…? Yeah…there's a place."

"No, it's not that Alex, I just was sitting over here a few minutes ago and I wanted to put my hair up and I reached up to do it and it really hurt my shoulder…I just think it would make my life a little easier right now." Her face was twisted into a frown as she rubbed her shoulder, trying to make the pain go away. Alex reached for her hand, pulling it away as she started to gently rub the detective's shoulder herself.

"I'm sorry baby. I should have been here. If you want to get your hair cut, we can go do that now if you want. I'll make a call." Olivia was surprised at how easily Alex stood up from the couch and sprung to her wish, whipping out her phone, conversationally speaking with the woman on the other end. "Hey JoAnn! It's Alex Cabot…I'm good thanks, how are you? Good…Hey I have a question. Do you have any walk-in times today? My girlfriend is here with me and she wanted to come in…Yes, that sounds great…Thank you so much, see you then." She hung up the phone and smiled at Olivia as she pushed her hair back behind her ear. "They can get you in at 10:30. Is that ok with you sweetie?"

Olivia nodded and smiled at the affectionate names Alex always called her, before the attorney started speaking. "So what were you thinking? Way short or medium or what?"

"Well, I don't really know yet, but I don't think I'll go super short again. I'm thinking like how it was when you went away to WITSEC—not butchy short, but not long either."

"Sounds good. You know," Alex moved closer to Olivia, helping her off the couch. They both stood as Alex wrapped one arm around her back and one through her hair. "I always liked you with shorter hair. I'm not saying I don't like it long, but there's just something so sexy about you with short hair." She smiled and kissed Olivia on the cheek before walking towards the kitchen to put away the groceries. "Why don't you just sit down and I'll put the food away. Then, we can get you changed and head to the salon." Alex guided Olivia to the breakfast nook area and sat her down in a barstool.

"What the hell is that?" Olivia asked accusingly, pointing to Alex's Red Sox hat.

"Yeah…I knew you probably wouldn't approve, but my dad loves the Red Sox, and it's the only hat he leaves here for when he visits. I was feeling like my hair would probably look better under a hat this morning than out in full force—it just wasn't cooperating." Alex smiled and took off the hat, hooking it on the key holder in the kitchen. "Better?"

"Yeah. Much!"

Olivia watched as Alex placed all of the food in the fridge or in the cupboard, eyeing her tight runner's body. The jeans she wore were almost painted on, hugging her legs from her thighs down to her ankles. Olivia recognized the t-shirt and smiled—she liked seeing Alex in her shirt. There was something sexy about Alex wearing her clothes, almost as if she wanted everyone to know who she belonged to. Olivia always felt guilty thinking these thoughts. After all, she routinely had to inform perps and suspects that people were not property, and could do whatever they wished—but something about Alex made Olivia want her to belong to the detective. She didn't ever remember feeling so possessive, but she knew that she had fallen hard for Alex, and didn't ever want anyone to take her away.

"Liv? You ok?" Alex noticed Olivia eyeing her from the breakfast nook, leering at her hips and backside. Olivia smiled and looked up to see Alex grinning at her. She had finished with the groceries and it was about 9:30. The warmth in her core told her she was in trouble. After eyeing Alex in the kitchen, Olivia knew that the shower would be an adventure.

She cleared her throat and fought the urge to smile. "Oh yeah. I'm good." She eyed Alex as she spoke to her, cleverly lingering on her breasts. Alex noticed this and leaned over the bar, whispering in Olivia's ear.

"Like what you see, detective?" Olivia's head fell and she sighed—Alex knew her weakness. "Because, if so…you can have…" she stepped away and put her arms out to her side, with her body on display, "whatever you want." Alex smiled and walked down the hall towards the bedroom, beckoning Olivia with a curl of her finger. The pain in Olivia's shoulder had subsided and she jogged down the hallway behind the blonde, putting her arms around her waist when she caught up with her. They laughed as they entered the bedroom, Olivia pushing Alex back towards the bed until she fell hard onto the mattress.

Olivia immediately seized Alex's button and zipper, peeling the tight pants and shoes off of her before she had even settled fully on the bed. When Olivia turned her gaze back towards Alex, she sighed into a smile when she saw that Alex hadn't been wearing any underwear. The attorney smiled seductively and pulled her shirt up over her head, revealing her nude-colored push up bra. Olivia seized Alex's body ravenously, rubbing her hands up the blonde's abs, under her bra and back down onto her legs. She was still standing on the side of the bed, pulling Alex forward so she should unclasp her bra. She did so and Alex laid back down on the bed, urging Olivia to continue. It was no secret that Olivia liked being in control in the bedroom, but she wanted to give Alex exactly what she wanted. She leaned down next to Alex's ear and spoke hungrily. "Tell me what you want."

Alex wasted no time with her response. Olivia had never seen her so flushed and breathless. Alex reached up and grabbed Olivia's face, forcing her mouth open in a heated kiss. She put her hand behind Olivia's neck and pulled her down so that she could whisper in the detective's ear. "I want you to—" Suddenly, Olivia's phone rang and caused them both to stop. In the midst of passion, Olivia looked toward it, saw that it was Mark, and with a quick swipe of her finger, ignored the call.

"What were you saying?" Olivia kissed Alex feverishly, breathlessly urging her to continue.

Alex kissed Olivia's mouth and neck, moaning and looking into the detective's eyes. She abruptly stopped all movement until Olivia looked towards her. Alex had her undivided attention and that's just what she wanted. "Fuck me," she said as she looked into the detective's brown eyes. Olivia leaned back and looked into Alex's and saw pure desire. She could feel her eyes widen in arousal and began to lean over and spread Alex's legs when her phone rang again.

"Mother fucker!" Olivia yelled as she saw Mark calling again.

"Liv, just answer it. He's not going to go away." The beginning of a smile crept over Alex's face as she saw Olivia sigh sadly and answer the phone, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead, knowing exactly what she was missing.

"Mark. Hey. What's up? No…Yes…Alex called earlier and scheduled the visits…Yes, three times a week…Got it….Thanks."

She hung up the phone and was obviously disappointed. Alex stood up and smiled as the cupped the detective's face. "God. I know I've said this before, but you are so fucking cute when you pout." Olivia huffed and kissed Alex before she started speaking again. "Well, it's almost 9:45—we've gotta be leaving here by about 10:20 if we want to get there on time. Here's what I'm thinking: I need a shower, and if you go with your hair wet, they won't have to wash it and that might be better for your shoulder so you don't have to lean back…We can get a shower together and then resume," she pointed to the bed, "this…when we get back."

Olivia smiled and conceded, allowing Alex to pull her gently behind her. She led her into the bathroom and started the shower. Turning towards Olivia, the blonde knelt down and pulled Olivia's sweatpants and cotton panties off and helped her step out of them. She delicately pulled off her t-shirt, knowing that her shoulder had hurt earlier when she strained it.

"Damn. I know I've told you this before, but all of this…" she ran her hands down Olivia's abs, feeling the muscles ripple under her graceful fingers, "is so much better than I remembered. You are so sexy." Olivia smiled and blushed a little as they stepped into the shower. Over the next few minutes Alex lovingly washed Olivia, helping the detective lather her hair and body. They stepped out shortly after 10:00 and helped one another dress, paying attention to every inch of the other's body, before they left for the salon.

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Olivia had been back with the hairstylist for almost an hour when Alex glanced at her watch, wondering when she would be back. She had barely reopened the magazine she was reading when she saw her approaching from the back of the salon.

There was something about Olivia with short hair that made Alex instantly speechless. She couldn't help but think back to when she first met Olivia—the badass, hard-nosed detective, unaffected by other people's prejudices, but still so loving and understanding with victims. In that instant, so many memories returned to the attorney, but none were strong enough to override the pure animal magnetism that was settling in her body.

Olivia's brown hair fell just above her shoulders, the ends of her hair framing her neck. Her bangs were swept to one side and Alex immediately recognized the haircut. After all, it was the exact same one that Olivia had when she saved her life outside of O'Malley's all those years ago.

"Do you like it?" Olivia asked with a small smile and some hesitation in her voice. She walked towards Alex, studying her face, where she saw nothing but pure happiness. Alex rose from her chair and walked towards Olivia, grasping the back of her head and placing a kiss on her lips.

"You look so beautiful, Liv. It looks great…are you happy with it?" Olivia nodded and smiled into Alex's open arms. She cradled her head into the crook of Alex's neck and smiled as the attorney rubbed the back of her head. She released Olivia gently, tracing her hands from her biceps down to her hands, and gave them a quick squeeze. "You ready?"

Olivia nodded and Alex paid for the haircut, even though Olivia told her she could handle it. "I'll pay for lunch then. Wanna grab something?"

"Sure!" Suddenly, Alex couldn't stop touching Olivia's hair. She lovingly touched the back of Olivia's head, twirling her hair in her fingers. They walked outside and got into Alex's car, heading towards a small café.

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"Liv?" The detective had been staring out the window for almost the entire 10-minute ride, and Alex was starting to worry that she regretted cutting her hair. She turned towards Alex and smiled, raising her eyebrows, urging her to continue. "You ok?" Alex reached her right hand over and placed it on Olivia's leg. The detective took it in her hand instantly laced her fingers between Alex's, holding it tightly.

"I'm good. Thanks. Just happy to be with you. Really…really happy." Olivia turned her head and smiled at Alex. In her she saw her happiness reflected back at her. They sat in silence and held hands until they reached the café. Alex pulled in the parking lot and placed the car in park before turning to face Olivia.

"Liv, I know we have spent a lot of time together recently, but before that, I'd been away from you for so long…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm so happy that things between us are as great as they are right now, but I just want you to tell me if you're feeling upset or anything. I just want us to be able to be honest with one another."

Olivia sighed and began to respond. "I'm sorry. You've just made me so happy Alex, and it's been really…" she made quick eye contact with Alex before continuing, "exciting…that we've been able to…you know, be physical with one another, but this morning when I hurt my shoulder just trying to put my hair up, I realized how far I am from being 100%. And, I guess that was just really upsetting. I'm not upset with you. I couldn't be—you've done so much for me. I love you so much Alex, and I'm sorry if you're feeling like I'm upset with you." She turned towards Alex and kissed her softly, lingering on the attorney's lips. They separated and looked into one another's eyes before Alex smiled, understanding what Olivia had said.

"You hungry?" Alex asked and touched Olivia's stomach. "I know that appetite. It will be good for you to get a normal, relaxing day in before therapy starts tomorrow."

They exited the car and entered the café, choosing a booth near the back. They sat across from one another, Alex examining Olivia's new hair. A waitress approached and began speaking to both of them, taking their orders and leaving the table.

"Liv…I wanted to talk to you about something and it sort of ties into what you were talking about in the car." She reached across the table and took Olivia's hand into hers.

The detective looked up at Alex inquisitively. "Ok. What's on your mind?"

Alex took a deep breath and looked deep into Olivia's eyes. "Well, you said that you were happy that we were able to be physical with one another…and trust me, I'm happy too. You still owe me that push up though." They both smiled as Alex continued. "I know that we probably shouldn't be doing anyt—"

Olivia interrupted. "Hey! No—Mark said we could as long as it wasn't uncomfortable or strenuous for me." She smiled at Alex as she continued, "so, don't take that away now."

Alex was softened by this response and cocked her head to the side a little, staring into her lover's eyes. "It's not that Liv. I just don't want you to worry about…" she looked around and lowered her voice significantly, "pleasing me. I know that's what you wanted to say out there in the parking lot—that you were happy that we were being physical but, because you realize now that you aren't just going to be better right away, you were afraid you wouldn't be healthy enough in bed to satisfy me." She looked at Olivia, searching in her face for any indication that she was right. The brunette leaned back in the booth as her eyes narrowed, almost questioningly, back at the attorney.

"You know…You're right. How are you always right? Even when I don't say exactly what I'm thinking you always seem to know." Olivia smiled and blushed a bit, knowing that Alex knew exactly what she was meaning when she spoke to her minutes before in the car.

"Because I know you. And, I know that you are so focused on making me happy that you may neglect yourself. And, I know that when your shoulder hurt this morning that it put some doubts in your mind about us being intimate…I'm sure you thought about other things too, but I could tell by the way you were talking about it in the car that there was something more there."

The waitress returned and delivered their food; Olivia ordered chicken salad on a whole grain bagel while Alex had a simple club sandwich with fries. Olivia dove into her food, obviously happy that the subject had been breached with Alex, however, the blonde was still looking towards Olivia, her food untouched.

"What?" Olivia mumbled with a mouth full of food.

"Oh nothing." She smiled secretly as she picked up her sandwich. Olivia stopped chewing and cocked her head a little to the side, contracting her eyebrows together. Knowing that she couldn't respond, Alex began speaking again. "I just can't wait to take this conversation home."

Olivia swallowed her food and responded. "What conversation?"

"Oh, just the conversation about us satisfying each other…in many different ways."

With this, Olivia took another bite and smiled as she chewed. She raised her eyebrows and looked away, to the other side of the restaurant, wearing a smile the whole time. When she looked back, she caught Alex eyeing her chest and neck area. Olivia caught Alex's gaze and the attorney returned a look without a smirk. Olivia didn't know whether to be excited or anxious; not knowing what Alex was thinking made her very uneasy.

Olivia knew that she trusted Alex, and was up for anything with the beautiful blonde. She couldn't wait to continue this conversation back at the attorney's beach house retreat.