A/N: Not ban, eh? 2 updates in just as many days. i had a lot down time between last night and this morning. The next update might not be ready until next week though. I've got a wonky work schedule the next few days, but I will write when i get the chance. I'll be working on Gambling With Love as well. I've got quite a few stories to knock into the "completed" pile.
The characters don't belong to me, and comments make me happy :)
The following week passed faster than either girl anticipated. Not only were they free from their grounding as of Saturday Morning, but they would also be free from school for two weeks. They each expected the week to drag on. It helped that the teachers kept them busy at school, and they tried to avoid each other at home.
It wasn't that they didn't want to spend time together. In fact that was one thing that concerned them, wanting to spend time with the other. After Sunday night, they didn't know how to act around each other anymore. Alex no longer wanted to act disinterested in her foster sibling. She actually felt like that would seem ungrateful, and Olivia deserved more than her bad attitude.
Olivia, on the other hand, was unsure whether or not she'd be able to keep a hold on her attraction to the young blonde. Since she'd felt what it was like to hold her, in such a compromising position as well, she wasn't sure she'd be able to control herself. She tried to tell her that it was just because she was missing Andy, that the two weeks apart had been harder than she'd realized, but deep down, she knew that wasn't the truth. She spent a lot of that week lost in her head, trying to decide if she should continue to see Andy when she knew the red head would always feel more for her than she could return, or if she should continue the relationship, hoping it would one day help her overcome her feelings for Alex.
Before either girl knew it, it was Friday afternoon. Alex said good-bye to her friends, Olivia met up with her coach to get the holiday practice schedule, and, after a silent car ride, they were home. Each girl went to her respective bedroom to get a start on any homework they had for over the break. Each justifying the action with the thought the sooner it gets done, the more time they can spend doing other things.
Sophie came to check on them a little while later. She was concerned with how quiet the house was when both of the girls were home. She found Olivia taking notes on a book she'd been reading for a book report, and Alex working on a math assignment. She let each girl know that dinner would be ready soon. As she walked down the stairs, she couldn't figure out what exactly was going on between the two teenagers, but she knew that something in the house had definitely shifted. Gone was the, for lack of a better word, anger that Alex projected towards the brunette. It was decidedly awkward. She decided she had better keep an eye on things. Maybe Alex is going to realize it sooner than I thought Sophie thought to herself as she walked into the kitchen to finish the dinner preparations.
About thirty minutes later, Olivia heard the door down the hall open and close. She assumed it was Alex heading downstairs to help put the finishing touches to dinner. She waited about five minutes, believing she'd avoid the blonde in the hallway, and then decided to do the same. It was just her luck that the bathroom door opened just as she was walking past. She looked back and realized that she'd forgotten Alex rarely shuts her bedroom door if she's not inside. She tried not to look like a deer in the head lights when she came face to face with her foster sister.
"Geeze, Olivia," Alex exclaimed as she jumped in shock. "You scared me."
Olivia couldn't help but smile. "Sorry, Alex. I really didn't mean to this time."
Blue eyes narrowed at brown. "You mean before you've actually tried to sneak up on me?" She accused. The fact she was trying to fight a smile was the only thing giving away her amusement.
"What can I say," Olivia shrugged, "it let me practice stealth, and gave me something entertaining to do." Olivia would have marked it in on the calendar if it was possible, but her statement elicited the first real laugh she'd even caused from the blonde beauty. She smiled a little at the sound and decided she wouldn't mind be the cause more often. She mentally shook her head and was about to continue her way down the stairs when an unsure voice stopped her.
"Um…Olivia?" Alex said.
"Yeah?" Olivia responded. She turned so she could look at the other girl. She decided it was different having to look up at Alex.
"How would you feel about going to a movie or something tonight?" She asked Olivia nervously.
Olivia almost forgot to hide her shock. Alex was asking her to hang out with her? "Uh…not that I don't appreciate the invitation, but did you forget that we're still grounded?"
With that response, Alex smiled mischievously. "Technically we're only grounded for about three more hours," She replied as she checked her watch.
Olivia laughed at the younger girl's logic. "Alright, Lex. If you can talk your parents into it, I'm in." When Olivia realized what she'd called the other girl, she momentarily froze, waiting for girl to react.
Alex wouldn't have been able to explain it if she tried, but she genuinely liked the fact that Olivia had called her Lex. No one had ever dared shortened her name further than 'Alex,' not that she wanted them to, of course. "Let's go Benson. We've got parental units to persuade."
Olivia shook her head as the blonde passed her on the stairs. She wondered if this truce would actually last this time.
Dinner was seemingly normal. Alex readily volunteered information about her school day, while Olivia supplied the bare minimum information that told the Cabot's her day went well, she didn't get into trouble, and there were several practices in the next two weeks. As they were clearing their plates, putting the food away, and cleaning the kitchen, Alex broached the subject of the impending end of punishment.
"Mom. Dad," she started in her best professional voice, "Would it be possible for Olivia and me to go to a movie this evening?"
At first her parents didn't know how to respond. They looked to each other and held a silent conversation. On one hand, their punishment didn't officially end until tomorrow. On the other, they both knew the logic Alex would throw back at them. They'd been grounded on a Friday night, therefore it should end on a Friday night. Add that to the fact that in the four years Olivia had been living with them, this was the first time Alex had ever asked if they could do something together. By silent agreement, they decided that just this once, they'd give in without the anticipated argument. It was worth it to see the teens getting along.
"I don't see why not," Nathan replied. "In fact, consider it on us." He walked over to the counter and pulled two twenty dollar bills from his wallet and handed them to Olivia.
"What? Seriously?" Alex asked. Part of her was disappointed. She was fully prepared to argue the case as to why they should be allowed to go. The other part was just too excited she'd be getting out of the house to really care.
Olivia accepted the money with an equally shocked look. She'd honestly never thought they'd give in. She wasn't upset she'd be spending the evening out with Alex, she was just scared she was going to do something stupid or embarrassing.
"The two of you have behaved exemplary during your punishment," Sophie said. "There were no attempts to sneak out, no breaking any curfew we gave you, no matter how early it was. You didn't try to sneak anyone in, and you didn't even use the phone unless it was absolutely necessary. Consider this time off for good behavior."
Olivia and Alex shared a look while Sophie spoke, but the adults missed it. Technically Alex hadn't snuck out. She was told she could go out, just not to see the person she was with. They both decided they would keep that to themselves. The night itself was punishment enough.
"Wow, thanks guys," Olivia responded. She tucked the money into her pocket and finished drying the dishes. She hung the towel on the stove when she was done.
"What are you planning to see?" Sophie asked.
"We have no idea," Alex replied with a laugh. "To be honest I was expecting more of a fight."
Her parents both chuckled at that. "Well, in any case, have a good time tonight girls. And Olivia, in case you decided to head over to Amy's early tomorrow morning, have a nice weekend, dear."
Olivia nodded and watched the adults walk out of the kitchen. She turned to her companion. "Meet me at the car in five minutes?" Alex nodded and they both went upstairs to get ready to go.
Almost exactly five minutes later, Olivia and Alex were in Olivia's car on their way to the theater. It was, by mutual consent, a silent ride. But it wasn't altogether uncomfortable. Once inside, they looked at the movies playing. Immediately, Alex wanted to watch the new romantic comedy that had just opened. Olivia on the other hand was more interested in the thriller that had been out for a few weeks. After arguing for a short time, they agreed on a compromise. While neither had been expecting to go see a little kid's movie, they had to admit it looked interesting. They'd both seen the first two, and watched the cartoon as kids. They paid for the tickets, bought some popcorn, a drink and a few snacks courtesy of Nathan, and made their way to their theater.
It was an enjoyable experience for both of them. The movie, while slightly mind numbing, was entertaining with enough adult humor to make it interesting for them, even if it was lost on the majority of the children viewing it.
Walking back to the car, Olivia checked her watch and realized it was still early. "Do you wanna stop and get some Ice Cream, or did you want to just go home?" she asked.
Alex thought about it. She wasn't too thrilled about going home already, but she also knew that eventually the silence between them would become too much. If she decided to stop on the way home, they'd have to make conversation. "Why don't we stop? It's too early to call it a night."
Olivia nodded, surprised by the response. Without really even thinking about it, she walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the blonde's door for her. It didn't really register what she had done until she had taken her seat behind the wheel. Why was she treating this so much like a date?
The ride to the ice cream parlor was filled with thoughts, comments, and opinions on the movie, both bringing up parts they found humorous, or that they didn't like. They arrived and placed their orders. By unspoken agreement, they chose a table, not wanting to spill any of the dairy treat in Olivia's car.
As conversation of the movie died down, both momentarily feared an awkward silence would ensue. Alex decided now was as good a time as any. "I'm not sure if I said it the other night, but thank you for what you did."
At first Olivia thought she was talking about the bad dream. It took her a moment to realize she was talking about the night that triggered that dream. "You don't have to thank me, Alex. While I'm glad I got there before anything happened, I was just lucky to get home when I did."
"I know, but I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't stopped him," Alex said, with down cast blue eyes.
Olivia gave her s sympathetic smile. "Next time, just knee him in the balls."
That got the laugh Olivia had been looking for. "Can I ask you something, Olivia?"
"Sure, but only on the understanding that I don't have to answer," Olivia responded.
Alex nodded her understanding. "Do you remember what you said to me when we were walking inside that night?" With Olivia's hesitant nod, she continued. "Can I ask why you said it with so much conviction?"
Olivia looked down. She had a feeling this was going to be the question Alex wanted to ask, she just didn't know if she wanted to reveal the answer yet. "Um," she started. "I'm not sure I can tell you that answer yet, Alex. One day I will, but not yet."
Alex nodded her acceptance of the answer. Before the silence became too heavy, Olivia asked Alex about her childhood, at least the eleven years she was not present for. This conversation led them back the car, and filled the ride home, with Olivia adding a few of her own stories from the first few families she lived with.
They walked in the house laughing, but quietly so as not to wake Sophie and Nathan.
"Thanks for the invite tonight, Alex. I had a good time," Olivia said.
"Me too, Liv. Let's try not to make it four more years before we hang out again."
"Deal," Olivia responded.
They said goodnight, and made their way to their rooms. Each girl went to bed with a lot of things to think about, many of which had to do with the other girl just down the hall.