AN: Hi folks, sorry for the delay in posting the chapter. I've been drowning in marking and somehow I couldn't find the right inspiration for this particular chapter. It's still not perfect and there are things about it that I may change, for some reason I have really struggled with keeping a consistent tense throughout it, I guess it's a side effect of writing more than one story in different tenses. Hopefully you like what I've come up with. Things are going to start moving along plot wise from here on in once I get my muse to cooperate. This chapter is unbeta'd so mistakes are my own. I hope they don't detract from the overall flow of the story. Once again thank you so much to those of you who have read/followed/glanced over and especially reviewed my story - it means a lot to me that people are enjoying what I've written so thank you :)

Jaxx

Aim Higher Chapter 8:

The visit to the hospital, and more importantly seeing Abbie in such high spirits had been the grounding force that Jo needed and she was in much better spirits when they all left their friend as the end of visiting bell had rung. Serena, who had taken her own car lingered in the room longer than the others and they realised that waiting for her would be a pointless exercise. Instead they left with Jo promising to pick up Abbie the following afternoon.

Soon after Jo took off on her bike, heading over to Buzz' place in order to borrow the car in question leaving Liv and Alex to drive home alone. It was a nice feeling Liv reflected, nice didn't even begin to describe how good it felt actually, being able to drive home with Alex and knowing that their own little piece of Heaven was waiting for them, away from the very real dangers of their real lives. She reflected that once they were home Alex was going to want her to do some explaining about the situation that they now found themselves in – it is only right that she know all of the details after all since she may well be in danger once again. Liv briefly cast her mind back to Alex' older brother's warnings to her that day, a day which seemed an eternity ago, and wondered if perhaps his concerns were on the money. Alex was in more danger as a part of her life than she would ever be otherwise, even with her job as an ADA. It was the only regret that Liv had regarding their life together – she had felt it acutely ever since White and Cassidy had re-entered their lives. This new thing with Russo and Foley wasn't making it sit any easier. She was so lost in thought it took her a few minutes to realise that they had arrived home, that Alex was in fact parking the car.

'Liv…I know that look…'

'Hmm?'

'I know exactly what you're thinking…'

'I didn't know you'd added 'psychic' to your résumé Counsellor.'

Liv's response was playful, deliberately evasive because she knew Alex' opinion of the thoughts that were currently rushing through her mind. Just as she knew that denying those thoughts to someone who knew her so well was an exercise in futility. They had had this discussion on more occasions than either would like to admit to and Alex had made it unquestionably clear what her position on the subject was. Liv was everlastingly grateful that she had such an understanding girlfriend; Alex was going to stand by her no matter what happened. It was something that Liv had never had before, not in her personal life that was, on the force she had people who would willingly lay down their life for her and vice versa, but in her personal life she had rarely allowed anyone close. Her upbringing did not allow her to trust easily when it came to matters of the heart. Alex had penetrated that armour the first moment she had walked into the 1.6 and remained a true constant first as a friend and now as a lover. As more than a lover if Liv really thought about it she was more of a soul mate, not that Liv had ever truly believed in all of that stuff – that was more Abbie's thing. Yet with Alex she was willing to believe that such a thing existed.

'I've told you before; I entered into this relationship with open eyes. You have nothing to worry about sweetheart.'

Alex punctuated her words with a sweet kiss which was readily accepted by Liv before the two of them headed up to their apartment, away from the noise of the city. It had been a long day, but the two lovers knew that with the night all of the hardships of the days and weeks to come will fade for a short time. Taking Alex' hand Liv lead her into their apartment, stopping only to lock the door tightly before leading her into their bedroom, their blissful sanctuary from the madness of the world.

…

The next morning is spent trying to once again to find a single lead on Cassidy, Russo and Foley. Liv balances her time between paperwork from current SVU cases and research into the criminal activities of the Irish/Italian crew. It's frustrating work, even with Eliot helping wherever he can. Unfortunately the 1.6 is once again the hive of activity that it normally is and so Liv finds that much of the time she is left to her own devices. Trawling through file after file she realises just how good this cartel has been at evading the cops. Nothing seems to stick; every avenue seems to be closed.

Jo arrives later in the morning looking like Hell but bringing with her more case files on the crime family and notes from Cassidy's time undercover from Narcotics. It is a rainforest's worth of files and paperwork which each knows will take weeks, at a conservative estimate, to wade through. Weeks they don't have to spare. Liv chooses not to acknowledge the fact that her friend looks like she hasn't slept in a year and instead offers her a cup of coffee, they seem to be drinking more and more of this stuff recently. It can't be good for either of them but there's no way she's switching to decaf.

'You think White'll know anything?'

Liv shuddered at the mention of the name but gives it serious thought. It occurred to her before but she had wanted to avoid that avenue, the memories of their last encounter still raw.

'It's worth a try. I doubt he'll give us anything though. He's a pretty sore loser.'

Jo acknowledged the answer for the truth that it was. They could go and interview White, he'd probably string them along for an age but it's unlikely that he'd give them anything much of concrete value, certainly not without some sort of deal. With the trial date now set he would want something in return for any so called cooperation.

'I'll go. He won't make things easy on ya.'

'He won't talk to you Polniaczek. He'll want me there.'

'That's exactly why you shouldn't go.'

'No, it's exactly why I should.'

Picking up the phone Liv effectively ends the conversation as she makes the call. The warden is the same man she and Eliot encountered before and his talk hasn't improved any. He evidently remembers Liv however as his voice wavers slightly upon repeating her name. Within minutes they have set up an appointment to speak to White, but unfortunately red tape is once more in the way, they'll have to wait until the morning before being able to speak to him properly. Nothing Liv tried would allow things to move faster, what's worse is that she won't be allowed to talk to him herself – she's too close to the court case and therefore someone else will have to do the talking. He reminds her that he's pulling strings to even allow her to sit in on an interview, one which will be conducted with White's lawyer present at all times. Liv slams the phone down in frustration, earning her a withering look from Cragen who has just stepped out of his office to talk to one of the other detectives.

'Liv, my office. Now.' His tone is non-negotiable and she reluctantly obeys.

Jo could hear the muffled voices as Cragen gave her friend silent hell for her show of temper, unwilling to cut her any slack on the matter and within minutes Liv was storming out of his office having been suitably chastised.

'Let's go get Carmichael…'

'I thought…'

'Cap says I need to get outta here and get some 'perspective'. I've got time.'

Jo knows better than to ask and so she follows her former partner out of the 1.6 to the car park where Buzz' 1982 Pontiac Trans AM waits for them. Even in her current mood Liv has to smile when she sees the car.

...

Upon seeing the car for the first time Abbie also had to grin, it felt like returning to her childhood as they sped out of the hospital car park and onto the main road. She was suddenly reminded of days spent at College and nights spent in the student union, past loves and dreams. The fact that the stereo blasted out some classic rock tune completed the picture. It has always been Jo's custom to have the stereo loud as she's driving. They'd been friends too long for any of them to truly be bothered by it, finding it oddly therapeutic. Besides, secretly both Liv and Abbie enjoyed it as much as Jo – particularly Liv since Alex isn't someone who's going to put up with it in either of their cars. Liv acknowledges that she doesn't mind at all, though she would never admit it to anyone else. For the time that it took to get to Abbie's apartment none of them spoke, content merely to sing along to the music or lose themselves in their own thoughts.

Abbie stubbornly refused to allow either of her friends to help her up to the apartment or carry her bag. Instead both walked casually on either side of her, close enough to help if needed but distant enough to give her space. Liv in particular understands her need to show that she is independent, that she doesn't need to rely on anyone else; it is something she herself has been dealing with since her own release from hospital. Wordlessly they entered the apartment and as Abbie removed her jacket and paused instantly taking in the familiar surroundings noting how different they look from the last time she was here. Her apartment looks more like a home to her than it ever has, there are enough of Serena's belongings around to reveal that the blonde has made good on her promise to treat it as her own. Just seeing another jacket hanging up, knowing it belongs to Serena makes Abbie's heart soar just a little higher. Then she notices it, the scent of baking. A scent unknown to her apartment in all of the years that she's lived there. Suddenly she realises what that means and she can barely contain her excitement, much to Jo and Liv's amusement. It's a surprise that they had been keeping quiet since arriving at the hospital earlier. Liv takes Abbie's bag from her hand while Jo holds out an arm to accept the Texan's jacket. The two hang back slightly, not wanting to spoil the reunion of the soon to be lovers. Abbie is drawn to the kitchen by the scents and the realisation that that's where her heart is. Just as she was all those months before Serena is busying herself in the kitchen humming a tune, only this time she's engrossed in the task of baking bread. Upon seeing Abbie she smiles brilliantly, wipes her flour covered hands on her apron, and moves towards the other woman. Her excitement at seeing Abbie is mirrored in the brunette's eyes as they meet and share a meaningful hug. Abbie pulls back slightly and found she was unable to resist placing a sincere kiss to the blonde's inviting lips. Despite the weeks, months of hospital visits and time shared it was their 'first kiss' and somehow s perfect. The moment was so perfect in fact that Jo and Liv were at a loss as to what to do. Hurriedly Jo hung Abbie's coat up while Liv placed the bag next to the couch, then the two friends share a knowing smile before beating a hasty retreat, unnoticed as they close the front door behind them.

'Ya reckon they even noticed we left?'

'Doubtful…'

The Detectives smile warmly in acknowledgement of the truth of this, and their approval of their best friend's new found happiness. Getting into the car and speeding off in the direction of the 1.6 neither realises that this will be the last real moment of peace they will have before hell is unleashed once more.