She thought she knew Olivia; they'd been dating for almost 7 months after having worked together for more than 2 years. She felt loved and sexy and needed and she thought she made Olivia feel the same.

Lately it seemed like Olivia had been pulling away and there was nothing she could do about it. Olivia still rocked her world in the bedroom…or the shower or on the dining room table…or the…

Lately, after particularly emotional interludes Olivia would hold her from behind and sigh like there was something on her mind but she'd never say a word past, 'I love you.'

In the kitchen she'd pulled away from Olivia, and then fearing she'd turn around and see discontentment and disinterest she'd just closed her eyes and given her a small kiss. As she'd walked away she could hear Olivia sigh, and turned to see if Olivia was at least watching her, but no, she didn't even turn to watch Alex go like she usual did or give her a devilish wink. Something was terribly wrong.

Why did Casey call? Was something going on between the two? No, she couldn't start doubting Olivia. She had no proof. Maybe Casey just called her for the case next week. That had to be it.

THE OFFICE

Alex slumped in her chair and rubbed her sore temples; she couldn't help but think about Olivia's emotional distance.

She looked across the hall at Casey's door.

Standing, she moved across the hall towards it and knocked softly.

"Hey Alex, what's up?"

"Nothing, really…Umm, when was the last time you talked to Liv?"

"Um, this morning, why?"

"She's taking the stand in the Logan case right?"

"Yeah, I have Elliot too, and this morning I prepped her about her testimony over coffee before coming in." Casey looked up, somewhat curiously at her colleague's line of questioning.

Alex's face fell a little but she didn't give away her feelings. Olivia had rushed out the door this morning, without even kissing her good-bye, she'd just called out a distant 'bye Lex' and then she was gone. She had been rushing to meet Casey.

"You called her last night for prep didn't you?" Alex asked a little harshly.

"No, I mean, yes, I called to prep her but we didn't get to finish."

"I'm sure you didn't." Alex said sharply with venom practically dripping from her lips.

She'd waited almost 20 minutes after Olivia had disappeared into the room with the phone when she decided to tell her she was going to spend the night at her own apartment. She walked in and Olivia had stopped talking, looking up at her slightly wide eyed for a moment. She had mumbled a quick 'I gotta go, see you tomorrow' and hung up.

Alex had planned to leave, under the guise of not having anything to wear for work, but Olivia volunteered to drive her to pick up something and return. She'd excepted because she was too weak to give up on Liv. She couldn't let herself think about what Olivia was talking to Casey about. She wouldn't let Casey take her love away without a fight.

Casey was slightly taken aback by Alex's tone and underlying insinuations but she couldn't help but be slightly amused. She knew she couldn't say what she and the extremely smitten Detective were talking about. She was glad Olivia had confused what was really going on with her. She'd hoped they could be honest with each other about things. She knew Elliot had been covering for Liv, 'appointment' yeah right, but to find out why had been a complete surprise.

Then again it wasn't so surprising but Olivia's doubt and fear had almost broken her heart. Olivia had been so worked up when she'd confessed to her what was going on in her head and heart that she had come around the desk and embraced her for her being so sweet. Olivia had even let a tear slip out of her eye as she looked into Casey's equally as moist eyes.

Stealing herself she refused to share anything with Alex and vowed to keep this secret between her and Olivia until Olivia was ready to talk to Alex, no matter how worked up the other ADA was getting or how many questions she asked.

She had to let Olivia talk to Alex, it wouldn't be right for her to tell Alex something like that. Plus, Olivia had sworn her to secrecy. They'd have to sneak around until Olivia got the courage she needed. At least Elliot was in on it, and Munch and Fin, even Cragen knew now. They were all supportive.

Alex's sigh brought her back to reality.

"I'm sorry; I'm being an idiot. I've just been under a lot of stress. I…I think Olivia is pulling away from me, Casey. I think there might be someone else." Alex looked at her questioningly. "If…if you knew something you'd tell me wouldn't you?" Alex looked into Casey's eyes almost pleadingly, a complete 180 degree turn from her attitude earlier.

"Alex, I think we're friends, I support your relationship with Liv and if I thought Olivia was seeing someone else, like you suspect, I'd let you know, even if that someone was me. She loves you."

Alex nodded slightly but she held Casey's gaze and called on her years of prosecuting to try and confirm the words with visual cues.

There was no reason to doubt her, even though her instinct told her something was going on, she just couldn't put her finger on it.

"I just need to talk to her, I guess. I shouldn't doubt her or your friendship Case….I'm sorry, I feel so vulnerable with Olivia sometimes, she gets to me." Alex plopped down in guest chair across from Casey's desk and looked at the pictures behind Casey's desk ideally.

"I think talking to her will be a good idea, if…if I did know what was going on, Alex, if she asked me not to say anything, aside from something like cheating, I couldn't betray her trust." Casey smiled thinking she was doing a wonderful job of making Alex feel reassured and less suspicious.

Alex's doubt crept back in like a thief in the night. Her eyes trained on ADA Novak and her calm continence with renewed suspicion.

"Alex, don't look at me like that, come on…you don't have anything to worry about, I'm just saying…" Casey noticed the look and tried to back track, only managing to put her foot further into her mouth. 'Oh Shit.'

"I think I'm going to go back to my office and have a talk with her. I can see I'm being played for a foul here." Standing abruptly Alex walked out and across the hall. She closed her office door behind her and leaned back against it as a hot tear slid down her cheek. Burning feelings of hurt and betrayal, stung in her chest and she brought her hand up to clutch her chest as a strangled sob escaped her throat.

Casey fumbled with her phone to call Olivia before Alex could.

SQUAD ROOM

"Benson."

"I fucked up seriously. I think I really upset Alex, she might have the wrong idea about…"

"What!? Case, I though you were gonna be cool, what the hell happened? Did you tell her, did you tell her Casey?"

"NO! No, I just didn't do a good job of reassuring, I—"

"Shit, hold on, I have another call-"

"That's her, I'll call back later."

"Ok, I'll try to fix this and I'll meet you tonight, as planned. Bye."

"I'm sorry Liv."

"It's okay, later."

Taking a quick breath she switched to the other line.

"Benson."

"I just talked to Casey. We need to talk. Can you meet me at my office?"

"Alex, look-"

"Can you meet me Olivia?" Alex asked sternly.

Swallowing, Olivia agreed. "Yeah, I'll be there in five."

The line went dead.

Standing, she met Elliot's concerned eyes.

Her life could very well be over. Alex could walk away right now and it would all be over.

She would have to find the courage she needed to confess the truth or she'd have to let Alex walk away. Either way, she might lose her.

TO BE CONTINUED…