The next day, in the 1-6...

I am seriously on the verge of screaming at all these guys, fin, munch and Elliot. How dare they sit here discussing how much of a bitch 'Cabot the ice princess' is? I know they don't know that Alex and I are close friends now, but that's no excuse, I'm seriously about to scream at them all...

SHIT!

I've been so caught up in my mental dialogue and plotting revenge on the guys that I didn't hear Alex approaching the squad room, and apparently neither did the guys since they're still trash talking her. She's stood there, trying to hold in the tears I know are close to spilling. No sooner has she appeared than she is gone again, not that I can blame her.

"Damn it, I hope you guys are happy. You're all total jackasses. I should've stopped you all while I had the chance. You have a lot of apologising to do. Never say anything about her again in my presence or else.."

They're all stunned silent, not that I care as I chase after Alex, finally catching her getting in the elevator. I quickly jump in it with her, hitting the stop button so we have plenty of time to talk uninterrupted, rules be damned.

"Oh Alex I'm so sorry, you of all people didn't deserve that. I swear I'm gunna make them pay. Your nothing like they described you."

She sniffles, wiping the remnants of tears. "It's fine liv, I know how they perceive me, I guess it's just hard hearing it so brashly. It isn't your fault."

"I still should've stopped them. I was so close to exploding before you entered, when you left I most certainly did.."

"You didn't have to do that, you have to work with them, I understand your position, don't worry about me."

"Of course I worry about you, lex you my best friend." I take her hand in mine, deciding that for better or worse she needs to know the truth "and I could hardly sit by and watch them make the woman I love cry.."

"Liv.. Y-you love me?"

"For so so long. I was attracted to you since that first meeting, in love with you since that first time in your office. I'm not expecting anything in return, I just thought you needed to know"

She smiles happily at the memory. "No I'm glad you told me.. I love you too liv, since that first time in my office, when you took the time to see past my emotional walls to get to the real, vulnerable me."

"Well what do you suggest we do about this counsellor?"

Instead of responding with her usual witty remark, she leans forward and kisses me softly, lovingly. My arms instinctively wrap around her, pulling her close. Eventually the need for air becomes too great and we reluctantly pull away.

"You busy tonight? I'd love to take you on a date, if your up to it after today."

"Nothing would make me happier, pick me up at 7?"

"Absolutely, now I better get back up there, I can't wait for tonight gorgeous."

With that I give her a chaste, yet passionate kiss before exiting the elevator and walking back into the precinct.

"Have fun chasing the ice princess liv? Bet that was a barrel of laughs with her" Elliot remarks, all of them barely holding in their laughter.

Without a second thought, I floor him with a single punch.

"Never, ever talk about her like that again, Alex is an amazing woman.. The woman I love. That goes for the rest of you assholes, back off or your ass is mine."

I give them all a death glare, not too dissimilar to Alex's court glares reserved only for the most reprehensible defence attorneys. With that I grab my jacket and make a swift exit, intent of giving Alex the best date of her life.