A/N: Loving your all reviews, thanks! I'm going to try and keep you entertained with this.
Picks up a few days later ... where do the ladies go from here? (I'm also going to give you a warning now ... I'm going to stick canon in terms of upcoming storylines, so you'll see "disappearing acts," "angels" and yes, eventually, "loss" - but I can also tell you - have faith).
Timeline: few days after last chapter, so still summer-ish between S3 & S4.
Word Count: ~1,100 Rating: PG
TRY
"El?"
Elliot was reading a report from a patrol officer. He heard Olivia say his name, but he also recognized the tone and he just wasn't ready to make-up just yet. He continued reading.
"So, we're never going to talk about this or what?" she asked.
Elliot took a breath and looked up. "So, talk."
"Here?" she said, looking around. Fin and Munch were still there and a handful of other people wandering through.
"Look, Liv, you are a big girl, can make your own decisions," he said, lowering his voice. "I've said my peace and I'd rather just move on from it."
Olivia was annoyed he wasn't talking to her. Of course, if she'd opened up to him, perhaps they wouldn't be here. Work was fine; they had no problem focusing on their cases. What they were doing right now – not talking about the elephant in the room – was what they did.
"Ok, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry," Olivia said. "Will we be ok?"
Elliot gave her a half smile. "Yeah, we'll be ok, but I just need some time."
Olivia nodded and the two of them went back to their work, not speaking to each other for the rest of the afternoon except for work topics.
#
"So, he's just ignoring you?" Alex asked. They decided to go out to dinner and hadn't really made any decisions of their own, but they knew they needed to stick together, at least to support each other, until things blew over with Elliot. Alex could tell Olivia was hurt by him.
Olivia shrugged. "Aside from work – yeah," she said. "I mean, this afternoon he just told me he needed time."
"Yeah, he wouldn't even look at me today when came to the squad room," Alex said. She was more irritated by Elliot's response than Olivia.
"Just give him some time," Olivia said. "He'll come around."
"You're far more forgiving than I would be," Alex said. "I mean, where does he get off –"
"Alex, let me handle this," Olivia said. "I know Elliot. It's how he handles things – by not talking about them."
"Sounds like someone else I know," Alex said. It was a casual comment, not meant to be accusatory.
Olivia shrugged, only mildly annoyed by the shot at her. "Well, I guess it's what makes us good partners," she said. "We just need to give him some time."
"So … what about us?" Alex finally got brave enough to ask.
"Ah, well … I …" Olivia was at a loss for words. She had hoped Alex wouldn't bring it up … not yet. A few days ago, she knew what she wanted. But after everything with Elliot, and having him point out what a risk it was, she was uncertain again.
"It's fine, Liv," Alex said. "I don't want you to feel pressured. I just thought I'd ask. It seemed like … I don't know."
"What about you?"
"What?" Alex replied.
"What do you think about us?" Olivia said.
"I … honestly don't know either," Alex said. "I thought I did. Liv, I was certain I wanted this, us, but as annoying as Elliot is, he said some accurate things."
"And nothing's changed," Olivia said.
"Well … not yet," Alex said. Olivia cocked her head, curious as to what Alex meant.
"I have to go away for a 6-week training," Alex said. "I just found out last week."
"Oh," Olivia said, suddenly realizing how tough 6 weeks without Alex could be.
"Well, it's a federal training," Alex said. "Meaning I could apply for a job as a U.S. attorney."
"That … would be great, Alex," Olivia said. "I mean, if it's what you want."
"Well, the even better part is there will be an opening in the city – specifically dealing with sex crimes," Alex said.
"Alex, that would be perfect," Olivia said. "I mean, you'd be fantastic at it, as much as we'd hate to lose you, but also … maybe we could try to figure out what we are."
Alex nodded, but had a solemn look on her face.
"I feel like there is a 'but' attached to this," Olivia said.
Alex nodded. "It wouldn't be open for about a year, maybe a little longer," Alex said. "I mean, to be honest, it would take that long for me to be fully ready, but yeah, it's not immediate."
"Oh," Olivia said. "A year, huh?"
"Maybe a little longer," Alex said. "The training is 6 weeks. Then there are some courses/modules I'd have to do here. The additional position is supposed to open up next fall."
Olivia let out a deep breath. "Ok, so what now?"
"Well, I think we have to deal with Elliot first," Alex said. "And then figure out how to do this … for the next year or so."
Olivia sighed and nodded.
"What do you think, Liv? Can we?" Alex said. "I can't let my job before I at least try. And I wouldn't let you leave yours."
"And we don't even know if we'd work as a couple," Olivia said.
Alex nodded. "So, it's a risk."
#
Olivia laid in bed next to a sleeping Alex the following morning. She had been considering everything Alex said all night. It was a risk. It was far down the road for something they hadn't even tried to do yet. She wasn't sure they could keep up what they were doing – at least without not getting caught – without risking both their careers.
Then there was the fact that another point Elliot brought up is that their personal and professional boundaries had begun to cross more than they hoped – that was obvious by their work fights, and some of their bickering when not at work. The only thing she knew for sure is that Alex was a good friend – and was great in bed.
Alex woke up and knew immediately Olivia was awake. She wrapped her arm around the brunette and put her head on Olivia's shoulder.
"What's on your mind?" Alex said, even though she knew.
"Us," Olivia said.
"And?"
"I want to do this," Olivia said. "I want to try."
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