A/N: Thanks again for all of the fic love and adds to fave stories and story alerts. I'm kind of sad that we've already approached the halfway mark in this story. This chapter is a little shorter than the others, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

"I've these dreams of walking home, home where it used to be. And everything is as it was, frozen in front of me."

Alex had spent nearly every waking moment of the past few days by Olivia's side. She had wanted to ask what had come over Olivia, but she feared that would jinx everything. Instead, she decided to enjoy Olivia's company for as long as she could. They had yet to actually make out with each other, but their kisses were becoming more frequent and increasing in intensity. Sometimes she had no idea what to say to Olivia. She wanted to tell her that she loved her, but she knew it was too soon. "I like you" wasn't enough, so she wondered if love really was the next step.

Alex had gone to one of Olivia's games and, when Alex insisted on going out to celebrate, Olivia took her to the same abandoned court that she always went to. It wasn't what Alex had in mind, but she was thrilled when Olivia passed the ball to her and told her to shoot a free throw. The ball dropped a few feet in front of the hoop and instead of laughing Olivia held her close. She told Alex that she was going to teach her how to shoot and even though she'd rather spend that time kissing Olivia she was glad that Olivia was letting her even more into her world. After two hours of failed attempts, Alex was finally able to sink a free throw. The kiss she earned for her accomplishment gave her an idea. For every shot that was nothing but net, Alex would give Olivia a single kiss. By the end of the night Olivia had received nearly 50 kisses from Alex. She had wanted 50 more, but Alex had to be home by a certain time and she knew if she would break curfew her parents wouldn't let her go out anymore. So Olivia walked her home and made sure that Alex made it to her door on time. If she was late, Olivia was already preparing how she would explain everything to Mr. and Mrs. Cabot. Before Alex went inside, Olivia stole one more kiss. Alex could have sworn she felt that kiss for the rest of the night. She went to bed with the taste of Olivia's chapstick on her lips.

She had stayed up late last night fantasizing about Olivia. She fantasized about Olivia asking her to be her girlfriend, Olivia asking her to move in with her when they were in their 20s and then Olivia asking her to be her wife. She started imagining their monogram towels and sending out Christmas cards signed Mrs. Alexandra and Olivia Benson. When she woke up the next morning, it dawned on her that her fantasy life would most likely not come true, so she got out of bed and prepared to face a new day.

By seven in the morning, she had already showered and put her make-up on. Her parents were still asleep so she scribbled a note for them on a piece of paper and prepared to see Olivia. Olivia usually woke up early to play basketball, so Alex knew exactly where to find her. She tucked her apartment key in the pocket of her tote bag and put Olivia's beanie on, but as she was about to leave she saw Olivia standing by the door to her building.

"Do you trust me?" Olivia asked without even giving Alex a chance to greet her.

"Yes,"Alex said nervously.

"Don't ask any questions," Olivia instructed. She pulled out a bandana from her back pocket and used it as a blindfold for Alex.

"Olivia, why are you blindfolding me?"

"Alex," Olivia groaned. "You're already asking questions. Just trust me, okay, sweetheart?"

"Okay," Alex said. She was too caught up in the fact that Olivia had called her 'sweetheart' to even care about what was going to happen next.

Olivia started leading Alex around the city. Alex heard the usual hustle and bustle of New York and she knew she must look foolish with a bandana covering her eyes. People were staring, but Olivia kept leading her to an unknown destination.

"There's a reason I'm doing this, babe," Olivia told her.

There it was: two terms of endearment in less than half an hour. Alex was a goner.

"I'm going to take your blindfold off now," Olivia warned. When it was removed, Alex adjusted to the light and saw that they were now at Penn Station.

"Olivia!" Alex gasped.

"I bought us two tickets to Boston," Olivia informed her. "I figured we could spend some time there and then take the commuter rail to Farmingtown."

"Framingham," Alex corrected even though there was no need to. Olivia knew the name of Alex's hometown and she loved making fun of it.

"So, you'll go with me?" Olivia asked.

"Yes!" Alex said excitedly. "Of course I'll go with you!"

"That's my girl," Olivia said proudly. "Or–not my girl yet. You know what I mean."

To save her the embarrassment of being tongue-tied, Alex kissed Olivia in front of everyone.

"As much as I love kissing you, we have to stop," Olivia said after prying her lips from Alex's.

"Why?" Alex asked.

"There's a minor detail," Olivia said hesitantly. "I forgot to tell you our train leaves in five minutes."

Without wasting another second, Alex and Olivia hurried to find their train and they weren't relaxed until they were safely sitting inside. Alex took a seat next to Olivia and rested her head on her shoulder. They had a long trip ahead of them and Alex wanted to spend the whole time cuddling with Olivia.

"Let me pay for my half," Alex insisted once they were situated. "I know those tickets must have been expensive."

"It's okay," Olivia told her. "I used my birthday money."

"Olivia," Alex said softly. "You didn't."

"I did and I know it'll be worth it," Olivia began. "I'm 17-years-old and this is the first time I'm leaving the city. I had to get out and I know you want to go to Boston and Framingham, so I figured there's no better and cuter tour guide than you."

"What if I had said no?" Alex asked.

"I knew you wouldn't," Olivia admitted. "And I know you're feeling something just as intense as what I'm feeling. I just don't know what to call it."

"Neither do I," Alex said and laced her fingers with Olivia's. "But I know it's real."

"It has to be," Olivia told her. "I've let you into my world and I want you to let me into yours. I want to see the city that built Alex Cabot. I want to see the tree house in your backyard, the places you'd hang out at with your friends, everything."

"I love you–your...your shirt," Alex stammered and immediately started to blush. She knew her last couple of words were a horrible cover-up, but the sound of Olivia laughing put her ease.

"I love your shirt, too," Olivia responded. "I love your shirt very much."