A/N

Just a quick note to say thank you for the faves and follows, it means a lot after it took so long to work up the nerve to publish my work. Also a big thank you to Brels for reviewing.

Brels- it wouldn't let me respond to you earlier so I figured I'd update for you instead. I won't always update so quick or so regular so enjoy it while it lasts.

Slowly my eyes flutter open. Wh-what? There's a dead weight on top of me, a very familiar weight. That's when it all comes flooding back to me. She's back. Alex is really here. I take this time to just stare at her, relearning every dip and crease of her face and memorising the new ones. Gazing at her my heart swells with love, I'm not going to mess it up this time. We both know how short life can be and how the rug can be pulled from under you. We can't waste any more time worrying about the 'what ifs'.

I smile as I feel her breathing change, realising she's waking up and I can once again stare into the cerulean eyes I love so much. Leaning forward I kiss her cheek softly, pulling back to see her eyes flutter open.

"Morning liv"

"Good morning sleeping beauty"

"When do you have to be into work?"

"Uh.." I glance behind her and check the alarm clock. "8am so we have a couple of hours yet"

"Good, that means we can lay here a little longer before we need to start the day"

We lay there together, my arms still wrapped around for another ten minutes just staring into each other's eyes as if seeing right into the others soul. Eventually though we have to get up. I let her take the first shower while I make the coffee. Before too long she steps out of my bedroom dressed in some of her old clothes but wearing one of my court blouses. This makes me break into a wide smile.

"Damn you look even sexier in those than I remember" she blushes and walks over to me, taking her coffee and having a sip

"You remembered"

"Of course I still remember how you take your coffee.. I started having mine like that too after you left. It made me think of you."

I quickly jump in the shower and get dressed. We're soon out of the apartment and en route to the squad room.

"Alex I'm only going in to inform the captain that I'll be needing a few personal days. Lord knows I have enough holidays days."

"You don't have to do that liv"

"Yeah I do, I want to. I've missed you so much, I can't bear to be away from you too much just yet" I tear comes to my eye

"..I feel the same liv. I just didn't know how to say it without coming off as clingy" she places her hand on my thigh and squeezes it gently in reassurance.

Just then I pull up at the station.

"How do you wanna do this? It's your return so we'll do it however you want. Do you want us to remain 'just good friends' like before or.."

"If it's ok with you, I don't ever want to go back to the way things were.. You've always been more than just a friend. I love you liv, We were fools to hide it from everyone. I mean Elliott took it well so why wouldn't the others."

"Of course it's ok with me, all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you."

"That's all I want too.. Just follow my lead"

A quick, yet affectionate kiss later and walking inside, getting in the elevator on our way to the 1-6. The whole way we didn't hold hands, just stood closer together than ex colleagues would. However as I hold the door open for Alex to walk in, she takes hold of my hand and interlaces our fingers, hiding them behind her back. I smile, happy to play along.

No one even glances up as we walk in despite the loud clicking of Alex's signature heels on the floor.

"Now is this anyway to greet your old ADA.." She says, a sculpted eyebrow raised with practiced ease.

Everyone stares completely stunned, but why wouldn't they be coming face to face with a woman they believed had died over a year ago.

"Seems she still has the power to shut you all up" I smirk

"Guys relax, I'm not some ghost come back to haunt you I swear. After velez' attempt on my life I was put in WPP."

Slowly everyone gets over the shock and finally notices our interlocked hands, out of the corner of my eye I see El's smug smirk.

Fin, being the daring one, is the first to acknowledge it. "What's with the hand holding? You guys finally get your shit together? I suppose being apart for 18 months can do that to ya"

"Actually Fin we had been together 6 months before I went into witsec.. We were just keeping it secret. We realise now how stupid we were to hide our love. No more hiding." She looks at me. "Ever."

Hearing her declare our love for each other makes me love her even more, if such a thing is even possible. Without further delay and whilst Alex and the guys are catching up I head into Cragen's office.

He smiles at me as I walk in, a special twinkle in his eye clearly showing that he heard everything that was just said

"Yes liv, you can take as many days as you like. Just inform me of when you plan to return to work. Now go back to your girl."

I smile gratefully. "Thanks cap'n"

Like a shot, I'm out of his office and back at Alex's side, my arm instinctively wrapping around her waist. This makes her smile at me and gently kiss the side of my head. Soon enough the guys are called to a case and me and Alex are walking back to the car, hand in hand.

"So where to next, my love?"

"Let's just go home.. Honestly everything else can wait, I just want to be alone with you, maybe talk some more"

"Anything you want, I'll even cook for you."

"Aww your the sweetest liv. Oh and will you be able to take me to the DA's office tomorrow? I don't get my car and apartment back till next week and I have a meeting with Branch."

"Of course, I'm at your complete disposal for as long as you need, or want me"

I open the car door for her, her commenting on me still retaining my chivalry. Before long we're back at my apartment, sharing a home cooked meal and talking the night away, finally collapsing into bed at 2am, cuddling together almost instinctively but definitely lovingly. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, especially with Alex's impending meeting with Branch.