A/N The quote today is different from the quotes I normally add. But y'all understand why I did it when ya read the chapter. It's a nice long one again, for a chance. Enjoy reading it and it's gonna be a bit of an emotional roller coaster again. Sorry...
Chapter 33
"And then I told him where to shove it."- Alex Cabot.
"Well, we haven't talked about it yet. However, if I get it my way, I want my last name to be Benson. Not Benson-Cabot or Cabot-Benson, no only Benson. As for Liv's full name hopefully soon it will be legally, it's Oliver Alexander Benson." Alex says firm and proudly.
Alexander looks surprised at Alex's announcement but with a smile on his face. He understands why his daughter wants to have the brunette's last name and he has a feeling why Oliver chose Alexander as his middle name. Caroline on the other hand isn't so pleased with the younger blonde's choice and the infamous Cabot women's temper is coming to the surface, even though she wasn't born a Cabot.
"You can't just take his last name. Alexandra, you're a Cabot. You can't just throw away the Cabot name." Caroline says sternly.
Alex slips in her prosecutor mode, knowing that the upcoming conversation won't be easy.
"Oh please mother. It's not like I'm an only child and the Cabot name will not get lost if I don't wear it. I have 2 brothers who can pass it on. And 1 sister who could choose to wear it. It's not the end of the world." Alex answers equally sternly.
"You're the only one with a status. You're an ADA for heaven's sake. One day you'll get that chair or more. You won't get it if your last name hasn't Cabot in it. It will be suicide politically. Your brothers and sister don't have that status nor will they ever have it. You're a Cabot whether you like it or not and it's time you step forwards and take your responsibilities as a Cabot. It's time to act like an adult now!" Caroline says angrily.
Caroline, you're over reacting. Alex has a point here. Ruben and Jack will pass on our name and Felicia could pass it on as well if she wants it. If Alex wants to have her husband's last name there is nothing wrong with it. Sure it will be harder to get that chair or what ever she wishes to achieve, but our Alex is a fighter and she'll be married to an already highly decorated Detective." Alexander says calmly.
"You always have chosen her side. She's your soft spot. For once it would be nice if you could back me up as far as it concerns Alexandra. If you can't do that than you should keep your mouth shut, Alexander." Caroline spats.
Alexander just shakes his head. He knows that speaking up again only will makes his wife angrier. And he made the point he wanted to make. For now he decides to stay quiet and to deal with his wife later.
"If I'm going for that chair someday or not or anything else is not your choice to make. It's Oliver's and mine. If I decide to go for that it will be with my husband's approval. And dad is right, Oliver is a highly decorated Detective and the best the NYPD has. If I'm going to be elected some day it's because of what I have achieved and what I stand for, not for what my last name is. I've been through enough in my life and for once I'm going to do what I want not what you or anyone else expects from me or wants me to do." Alex says with her courtroom voice.
"So you're going to throw away the chances you worked so hard for?" Caroline asks furiously.
"I'm not throwing anything away. I'm going to wear Oliver's last name when we're getting married if you like it or not!" Alex answers slowly.
"If you're going to do that, the consequences are yours to deal with." Caroline answers.
"Oh really? What do you want to do against it? Disown me? Go ahead. I don't need your money, we don't need it. We earn enough with our jobs." Alex counters.
Oliver decides to say something. To the Detective it's not worth it for Alex to get disowned for this.
"Alex, you can take a hyphenated name. I don't mind, really I'm fine with that." Oliver says.
"No Oliver. I don't want a hyphenated name, I want your last name. And I'm not going to let my mother stop me because of some stupid idea or her threatening me. It's not her choice to make, it's mine." Alex says.
"Lex, I don't want to be the cause of a break up between your mother and you. It's not worth it. If you don't want to back off and your mother doesn't want to do it maybe it's better not to get married." Oliver says.
Alex immediately knows what Oliver is doing. He feels unworthy to her and falls back into his old behavior and tries to run.
"Oh no you don't. I know what you're doing and that's not going to happen Oliver Alexander Benson! I won't let you do it. I don't care what I have to do to stop you but you won't succeed. And I also don't give in because of you're trying to run. If she does it, it's because of what I decide to do, it never ever will be your fault! Do I make myself clear, Detective?!" Alex asks sternly.
Before Oliver can answer Caroline speaks up.
"Are you serious, Oliver? Alex, does he really mean it?" Caroline asks, the tone of her voice completely different.
"Yes he really means it. Because you make such a big problem of wearing Oliver's last name he thinks he's not worthy to me. He couldn't be more wrong but that's what he thinks and believes. And now he wants to keep us together by sacrificing himself and walk away from me, from our relationship and take a run. All the years I spent to get him more confident about himself, to make him see he's equal to me, you throw it away by demanding from me to have a hyphenated name." Alex answers angrily.
"I'm sorry Alexandra. This is not what I want to happen." Caroline says.
"Don't apologize to me, you owe Oliver an apology. A big one." Alex says.
"Save yourself the energy Mrs. Cabot. You made it very clear what would happen if Alex refuses to hyphenate her last name. It was up to her to deal the consequences, your words not mine. So don't say you're sorry and that this isn't what you want." Oliver says firmly.
"Yes I said that. And I meant it but only for her career, Oliver. Not for the two of you breaking up. That was never my intention. Alexander is right, you are the perfect match for Alex. I completely agree with him that you are the best for my daughter. I know you don't want to hear it but I truly am sorry. So please, tell me how I can make this right." Caroline says softly.
"First, apologize to Alex, not only saying you're sorry, that's not good enough. You've hurt my fiancé and that is something I don't accept from anyone not even you, her mother.
Secondly, I know Alex can achieve everything she wants, she is a fighter and believes in what she does. No last name can change it for her when it comes to that. And she is right, it's up to her what she wants, with me supporting the choices she makes.
That being said, you want to make it right? Prove it. Prove to me that you truly believe I'm the perfect match for Alexandra Cabot. Prove that and you make a good start, for making me to trust you again and believe you meant what you just said to me and the last thing you said to Alex, which is more important to me.." Oliver says.
Alexander nods approvingly. Oliver proved that he could handle the two Cabot women when they were arguing. His wife was told politely where to shove it and Oliver showed once again how selfless he is and how important his daughter is to him.
"Well he's certainly protective towards you no matter what, Alex." Caroline mumbles, looking at the younger blonde.
Alex looks at Oliver and smiles at him before answering her mother.
"That's not being protective that is Oliver taking care of me and looking out for me. I know you didn't see him when he really was protecting me or being protective, like dad did, but trust me you'll know it when he is doing that or defending me." Alex says.
Alexander snickers before he laughs.
"What could possibly be so funny at this moment, Alexander?" Caroline asks.
"Just thinking back of one of those moments where Oliver was protective or better was protecting Alex. " Alexander smiles.
Oliver looks at Alexander and raises one eyebrow. The Detective doesn't know what situation Alex and her dad are talking about. Alexander just smiles knowingly at Oliver before both men are looking back at Caroline. Who did exactly what Oliver had asked her to do. She apologizes to Alex and surprises them all by telling Alex that she agrees with what Alex wants to do with her last name when the ADA and Detective are going to get married. She still doesn't think it's the best thing to do but Caroline realizes how important it is to Alex and the gesture the ADA makes to Oliver with this. Oliver still doesn't trust Caroline completely like he did before but like the Detective said it's a start. They talked a bit further about it when Alexander remembers that Alex had told them Oliver's full name but not the reason why he chose his middle name.
"Detective may I ask a personal question?" Alexander asks.
"Yes of course, if I don't want to answer it I'll tell you that." Oliver answers.
"Alex told us w hat your full name is but we never got an explanation for your middle name. Do you mind telling us why you chose Alexander as your middle name?" Alexander asks.
Oliver nods at the man before she looks at Alex, the love the Detective feels for the blonde clearly in his eyes. At that point Alexander and Caroline know the reason behind his choice without having it said out loud. After a few moment Oliver takes his eyes off the beautiful blonde and looks back at Alexander and answers his question.
"I chose it for two reasons. You welcomed me warmly all those years ago and made me feel like I was a part of your family as far as you concerned. Being the father figure I never had. The most important reason is Alex. Before I knew what we all know now I thought that it was more likely that my last name wouldn't change and Alex's last name would change in a hyphenated name. I wanted to have the same name, somehow, so that we are connected with our names too. Have something of her name in my own. That's why I chose for Alexander. Now we will always be connected by our hearts, souls and names." Oliver explains.
"You really love her." Alexander says.
"More then life itself. There is nothing I won't do for her" Oliver says softly.
Caroline think of what Alexander had said about Oliver being protective of Alex.
"Alex, what was your father talking about when he said he thought about one of those moments where Oliver was protecting you?" Caroline asks.
"Yes Lex, what was he talking about?" Olivia asks.
"Do you remember the Logan case?" Alex asks Oliver.
"Ow.. Yes I do remember that case." Oliver answers shyly.
Alex looks at her mother.
"Dad and I would go out for dinner years ago, I think you were away for some charity event in Boston and he didn't join you that time. Anyway, Dad came to the precinct since we had a suspect in custody about an hour before we should leave, and because they would interrogate the guy my presence was requested. When I was there Oliver and I would do the interrogation. We went inside and questioned the guy. Dad why don't you tell what happened next?" Alex asks.
Alexander nods and takes over.
"I was talking with Don Cragen when Detective Munch, I think, came to his office and told us that Alex and Oliver just started with the interrogation. Don asked if I wanted to see the two of them in action together, but he said to keep my mouth shut about it. Of course I wanted to see the two of them. So we went a space between his office and the interrogation room and he switched the sound on so we could see and hear what was said. It didn't take long before those two were working together on a tag team." Alexander says, pointing at Alex and Oliver.
"Let me tell you this, Caroline. I'm not easily impressed but I can honestly say I never saw two people so in sync and working together as them. They didn't need words to know what the other would say or do. Within two minutes after we started looking they had this guy pissed off. Alex was pushing him into a corner with the questions she asked and something snapped inside the guy. He jumped up from his chair ready to jump over the table to attack Alex. Oliver her saw it coming and the moment he jumped up she pushed Alex away and behind her. He jumped over table with his fist lingering at Alex who was just pushed away, so he almost hit Oliver. Before he knew what was happening he had Oliver's fist in his stomach and was wrestled against the floor. Within 20 seconds he had the guy against the floor and cuffed. Alex wasn't hurt thanks to our Badass Detective here. That's when I knew Oliver would always protect Alex the best he could and would do anything to prevent our Alex getting hurt." Alexander finishes.
"I only did my job." Oliver says modestly.
"That's bull and you know it, Liv. You saved me from getting attacked and hurt. Like you did so many times." Alex says.
"I agree with Alex, Detective. What I saw there wasn't a Detective doing his job and protecting his ADA, it was a Detective protecting and save the woman he loved and always would do. I knew it already all those years back." Alexander says.
"How many times did he saved you or protected you from something happening to you, Alexandra?" Caroline asks impressed.
"More times than I can count. I even know stories about him defending me when I was in Witsec and in the Congo. He may be healed for part now physically, I know he would fight for me if needed right now." Alex answers.
"You're damn right I would. I don't care how injured I am or not, I will always fight for you." Oliver says, almost growling as he thinks of Alex getting hurt.
Before anyone can react there is a knock on the door and Jane walks inside with a Teflon vest. At the look on her face Oliver immediately knows there is something wrong and to prevent that Alex's parent are going to greet her thinking she is Abby, Oliver reacts.
"This is Detective Jane Rizzoli. These are Alex's parents. What's wrong, Jane?" Oliver asks and introduces them quickly.
Alexander and Caroline thought that it was Abby but after Oliver introduced them to Jane and seeing both Detectives faces they stay quiet. Alex sees it too and instinctively she grabs Oliver's hand. Jane looks briefly at Alex's parents and then back at Oliver.
"Speak up, Rizzoli." Oliver says.
Jane lays down the vest on the table next to her and looks at Oliver.
"Short version. They got to the guard and he wasn't the one who would take care of 'the things'. There is a message sent to th precinct in your name." Jane says.
Jane makes a motion of a cut off hand discretely on her ride side so that Alex's parents can't see it.
"We don't know who it is but the message was clear." Jane finishes.
"How much time do we have?" Oliver asks pointing at the vest.
"Not enough to get you guys out of here. I was already on my way to the hospital when I got called. Back up is on their way but we can't wait for them. Security is told to clear the hospital as fast as they can, but we have to act now. I'm sorry, Oli." Jane answers.
Oliver let Alex go and they both climb off the bed.
"Do you have my gun and badge with you?" Oliver asks.
Jane nods and pulls Oliver's gun and badge out of her jacket and hands them over to Oliver. Oliver turns to look at Alexander and Caroline. Hoping that they will do what he tells them to do. And Caroline is about to see it herself how protective Oliver is and how far he will go to keep Alex safe and unharmed. Although if she had the choice she would have asked for a less dangerous situation.
"Alexander, Caroline take Alex with you and go into the bathroom. Don't leave it till either Jane or I say it's safe." Oliver orders.
Then Oliver takes the vest of the table and hands it's over to Alexander.
"Alexander, can I trust you to make sure Alex puts this vest on?" Oliver asks firmly.
"Liv, I don't want the vest, you need it!" Alex protests.
"Alexander?" Oliver asks.
"Yes, Detective. Don't worry about that. I make sure she wears it, even if I have to put it on her myself." Alexander answers.
"Good. Now go into the bathroom." Oliver says.
"I won't go into the bathroom, Oliver. Not if you're staying here!" Alex says stubbornly.
"Yes you are, Alex. I need you to be as safe as you can be and that's in there." Oliver says, pointing at the bathroom.
"NO. I won't go!" Alex says sternly.
"Alexander, Caroline go into the bathroom. Alexander hold the door open for me please." Oliver says.
Alexander and Caroline nod and they walk to the bathroom. Caroline walks inside and Alexander stays at this side of the door to hold it open. Oliver gives a look at Jane who nods back and then he picks up Alex and somehow he manages to pull the blonde over his shoulder. To prevent that Alex is going to struggle, Jane takes a hold of the blonde's legs. Together the two Detectives walk the ADA into the bathroom and Alexander walks inside after Jane and Oliver walk out of the bathroom closing the door behind him. Inside the bathroom Alex slips into her prosecutor mode, knowing that when Oliver carried her into the bathroom she needed to calm down and keep herself together. She puts on the vest and waits. She hopes and prays that her fiancé won't get hurt or worse killed. She softly tell her parents that no matter what happens they need to stay quiet to stay as safe as they can be. That who ever will show up can't know they are inside the bathroom if they don't make a sound. Both Alexander and Caroline sees the fear in their daughter's eyes even though she is calm on the outside. They both nod and the three of them try to prepare themselves for what may happen or happens.
Meanwhile inside Oliver's room Jane and Oliver step behind the Detective's bed, it's a lousy cover but the best they can have at this moment. Both Detective's check their weapons and left the safety off.
"What can we expect?" Oliver whispers.
"Oli, they cut of his hand when he was still alive, the box with his hand was drowned in blood. There's no way he was dead when they did it. So I think it's safe to assume that who ever comes here is armed and dangerous." Jane whispers back.
"Alright, as soon as they want to fire, shoot. I don't care how many shots we fire off. I don't want them to get a chance to get to the bathroom and get to Alex." Oliver whispers back.
"Deal." Jane softly answers.
"We both know it's gonna be dangerous, if I get hurt or worse promise me you'll take care of Alex, please Jane?" Oliver whispering pleads.
"We gonna make it through this like we always have done separately. Now we are gonna do it together, Oli. But I promise I'll take care of your fiancé and my friend." Jane whispers.
Jane thinks for a moment before she looks back at Oliver.
"Oli, if I get hurt will you take care of A..." Jane starts.
Jane doesn't get the chance to finish her sentence. While she is speaking the door opens slowly and silently. Both Oliver and Jane close their eyes for a split second then Detectives look at each other and take a deep breath, preparing themselves to get into action. They know they are on their own, back up is not there. Both Oliver's and Jane's heart beats fast, they both had a nagging feeling the moment Jane got inside and told what was going on. Like the good Detectives they are they managed to hit it for Alex and her parents. But they saw it in each others eyes when they looked at each other. When the door opens further Oliver and Jane have their weapons raised and pointing at the door. They agreed to take a shot when they thought the perp would fire. They never get that chance. As soon as the door is open a man starts firing with an automatic weapon before Oliver or Jane gets a chance to shoot first. For a couple of seconds a deafening sound of gunshots is heard inside the bathroom before it's get awfully quiet...