A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. Now that the holidays are over, I'll be back to posting regularly again. I hope you enjoy the newest chapter :) Happy New Year!

After making you wait so long, I decided to put this up right away. If you find any errors/confusing parts, please let me know and I'll correct them ASAP.

Olivia chuckled as she followed her outside. They walked to the SUV, Olivia opening Alex's door and helping her in before making her way to the driver's side. She turned on the GPS, finding the part of the menu that would give her a list of nearby restaurants. She found something that was 15 miles away, chose the fastest route, and then drove off.

"We should ask about a phone store while we're there. I don't like not having a cellphone on me."

Alex nodded.

"Okay."

Olivia reached over and grabbed the woman's hand, holding it as they drove to the restaurant. When they arrived, she parked the car and followed Alex into a quaint (clearly family run) diner. She looked around and noticed there were only a few other patrons.

At least it's not completely empty…

A plump woman came out from behind the counter and greeted them warmly. Olivia nodded when the woman asked if it was only for two, and they followed her to a booth near the back of the diner.

Their waitress, Jean, was pleasant. Olivia warmed up to her right away, but Alex was more reserved. It was the brunette who did most of the talking, telling her their "names" (and nearly slipping up by calling herself O-Cameron), that they had recently moved here ("Oh I thought you girls were just passing through. Hopefully we'll see more of you then."), and asking Jean about what their new city was like.

"I don't know what it was like back in Maine, but here, it's fairly quiet. But you can find things to do if you know where to look. There's a country music festival here every year, there's tons of places to go mudding and four wheeling, but if you prefer the city life, Cheyenne is about three hours away. There's shopping and tourist-y things there, seeing as it's the capital and all."

Alex seemed to perk up slightly at the mention of the city.

"Do you have any shopping nearby?" Olivia asked. "We were hoping to stay close to home for now."

Jean nodded.

"There are a few places out in Little Current. You could start there."

"Is there a phone store in that area?"

"Sure is."

"Thanks, Jean. You've been a great help."

"Any time," she said, smiling.

They had a great meal and Olivia tipped her generously for all of her help. They promised they'd be back, and Olivia meant it. The food was great and Jean had been very kind.

"I think we've made our first friend," Olivia commented.

"It's going to be a lot easier with you around. Making friends with people comes easily to you."

Olivia smiled at her and got in the vehicle.

"You just have to talk to them. You're very easy to get along with, you know. People will love you if you open up.."

"The only reason anyone liked me at work was because you liked me. You were nice to me."

"They liked you because you're a good person, Alex," Olivia paused. She wondered momentarily if she should start calling her Valerie. She quickly decided that she didn't. They weren't around other people and besides, she had missed saying the woman's name out loud. It had been over a year since she had been able to say it.

"You tend to be quiet around new people and that can come off like you're unfriendly," she said gently. "But you're not. You just have to open up a little. You're easy to get along with, Alex."

The woman didn't respond. Instead, she looked out the window. She never tried to be unfriendly, it just didn't come as naturally as her to "just be open" as Olivia told her to be. The only reason she and Olivia had become friends at all was because, at first, the brunette had carried their conversations and wouldn't leave her alone until Alex responded. It was that darn smile and that laugh that finally broke through Alex's resolve.

"Why you smiling over there?"

Alex smiled wider.

"Because I was thinking about how you snuck your way into my life. You weaseled your way into my bubble with your charm."

Olivia smiled. Alex had not been easy to befriend, but it had been worth all the effort.

"There was just something about you. I was drawn to it."

"You didn't leave me alone, as I recall."

"Nope. I was gonna make you like me even if it took me the rest of my life. And look at that, my perseverance paid off. Now you're stuck with me."

"How do I get rid of you?"

"You can't," Olivia answered, giving an evil laugh.

Alex chuckled, shaking her head.

"I've really missed you. Have I told you that yet? I miss how you used to make me laugh."

"I missed you too. And I like making you laugh. I've missed the sound of it."

"Don't worry, you didn't really miss much of it. I haven't laughed in a long time."

Olivia quieted. It made her sad knowing that Alex had been so unhappy. She couldn't believe the blonde hadn't managed to make even one friend. Well, she could, since she knew Alex had a hard time opening up, but it hurt to know she had been truly alone.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring the mood down."

"You didn't. I'm just thinking. I can't imagine how lonely it was for you, Alex. How hard it must have been."

"Don't think about it. I'm used to being on my own and, honestly, the loneliness wasn't the worst part. I don't mind being alone, but I couldn't stand the fear of not knowing when they were going to find me. That was the worst: the fear, the unknown. And I couldn't protect myself either. I didn't even know who to look for. It was a constant guessing game of, is that him? What about him? I never knew."

"Do you still worry about that?"

"Yes and no. I know the program has never failed anyone before and it's a huge relief knowing that you're here. I always feel safer around you. But then I think of Velez and how powerful he is, of how many people he knows and of how many resources he has, and I can't help but worry a little."

Olivia nodded.

"Are you worried?" Alex asked.

"Not really. When Thomas calls tomorrow, I'm going to ask about getting a weapon and once I have that, I'll feel much better. I trust that the program will keep you safe. And if something happens, I'll be here."

Alex smiled at her.

"I'm very relieved you're here."

Olivia pulled into the parking lot of what she assumed was Little Current's mall.

"Good. You don't have to worry anymore, Alex. I'll take care of you."

Alex squeezed her hand affectionately.

"I know."

"Good. I think we're here."

Alex looked out at the building in front of her. There was a small strip mall with about six small stores before them.

"Wow," Alex said, unimpressed.

"I know. I wonder if we'll get to see every store tonight…"

Alex chuckled as she got out of the SUV.

"Ready to go, Cam?"

Olivia fought the frown that tugged at her lips. She wanted Alex to call her "Liv", not "Cam". She had missed the sound of her name on the woman's lips. She quickly forced a smile and placed her hand at the small of Alex's back. What mattered was that Alex was here with her, and that caused a genuine grin.

"Yes. I'm always ready."

"Good. Why don't we check out the phone store first?"

"Okay."

Olivia led the way in and, once again, did most of the talking. She got herself a new smartphone and helped Alex pick out a similar one. The blonde had decided that she didn't need all the gadgets Olivia "had to have" and went for a simpler phone. She wasn't that tech savvy anyway. As they left the store, Alex turned to the other woman.

"Seriously. Why did you have to have the waterproof phone? You have never gone swimming with your phone in your pocket."

"Yes, but now I have the option of doing so."

Alex rolled her eyes. They put their bags in the trunk, Olivia keeping her cellphone in her pocket, before turning to look at the other shops.

"Grocery store, clothes store, kids store. I think that's a shoe store," Alex stated, pausing on the last shop. "Kelly's unisex hair salon. Want to get your hair cut?"

"I don't know if I trust this place with my hair."

Alex laughed.

"Come on. You need a cut anyway."

"Are you going to get one?"

"I guess I could. Emily never got her hair cut. I think it's time to change that."

"I agree. Things are going to be different for you now, so it's time for a new look."

"How short should I go?"

"Not very. I like your hair long. You could get a trim? Enough that you feel separate from Emily, but not so much that you lose all that beautiful hair," she said, running her fingers through it.

"Okay," Alex agreed.

They opened the door to the hair salon and were immediately greeted by the woman behind the counter. The first thing the brunette noticed was the size of the woman's hair. Olivia wasn't sure how many cans of hairspray the woman would have needed to keep her hair that big, but it was probably more than the brunette would use in a lifetime.

"Never mind. No," she said, moving to back out of the building.

Alex grabbed Olivia by the forearm and dragged her inside.

"Hello, ladies. What can I do ya for?"

"My friend, Cam, here is in need of a cut. And I'm looking for a trim."

This time, it was Olivia who stayed silent. She did not trust this woman to cut her hair, not in the least. She did not want to end up with hair as big as hers. Olivia was fussy about very few things, but her hair was definitely one of them. She didn't let just anyone touch it.

"Sure, no problem. Why don't we start with you, Cam, since that won't take me long."

Olivia hesitated, so Alex pushed her towards the seat.

"She's a bit nervous. She hates haircuts."

"Oh, no need to be nervous, darlin'. Nobody ever leaves here unhappy."

Olivia remained quiet. She wasn't buying it.

"Now, what are we doing?"

Alex waited to see if Olivia would finally speak, but when she didn't, Alex forced herself to speak for her.

"It's too long. She has let it grow out and it doesn't suit her like her other cut."

"What did the other cut look like?"

"Short all over. She had a bit of a bang here like this," Alex explained, running her fingers through Olivia's hair and placing it the way it used to be. "And it was only about this long. Her hair fell around her ears like this and at the back, it stopped around here."

"You sure know your friend's hairstyle. Makes my job a heck of a lot easier when I know what you want."

"I do. I liked it that way, that's why. I never forgot it," she said, meeting Olivia's gaze through the mirror.

The woman nodded and grabbed her scissors.

"Then I'll be sure to get your opinion as I cut. So did y'all just move here or you just passin' through? I've never seen you before and I know everyone 'round here."

Alex looked down at Olivia, biting her lip to stifle her laugh. The woman was staring, petrified, as the scissors approached her hair. She forced herself to look back at the hair dresser.

"We just moved here."

"Where y'all from?"

"Maine. We moved here for work."

The woman nodded.

"Not too many people willing to move here so there's a few jobs around. My name's Kelly, by the way. Kelly-Ann. But everyone calls me Kelly."

Alex nodded.

"I'm Val and this is my friend Cam."

Kelly nodded, snipping at Liv's hair.

"Y'all are friends or friends?" she said, raising her eyebrow at Alex.

"Um," Alex faltered.

"Okay," Kelly nodded. "Just wondering. Then you'll know best of anyone if I'm getting it right." She said, indicating Olivia's hair.

Alex smiled, a small blush rising in her cheeks.

"I was married once, to a man named Brock. He was nice, till he run off with the neighbour girl. Cliché, ain't it? Then I moved here and haven't looked back since. It's nice here. People don't judge you. They're real friendly if you're nice to 'em and that's all that matters to 'em. Might be small here, but people are accepting."

Kelly gave Alex a smile, a warm one, and Alex smiled back. The blonde was starting to like this woman. She seemed genuine.

"So what do y'all do?" Kelly asked, turning a bit to cut at a different angle.

"I'll be working as a librarian for the Little Current library and Li- uh, Cam will be working for the Youth Centre."

"Oh, Reg'll be so happy. He's been looking for a good librarian for a long time. He's been havin' one of the high school girls work for him for a few months but she ain't good. Too young."

Olivia, who finally seemed to find her voice, joined the conversation.

"Well, Val here is getting up in age so she's got a lot of experience. He'll be happy with her."

Alex smacked Olivia's side.

"You best be nice to your woman or she might nudge my arm mid-snip," Kelly teased. "And I won't stop her," she added.

Olivia stayed quiet.

"That's what I thought," Kelly said with a laugh. She gave one final look over before taking a step back. "What do you think?" she asked Alex.

Alex turned Olivia's chair and smiled wide. It was perfect. She fixed the woman's bangs and continued smiling.

"I love it."

"And what do you think, Cam?"

"If she's happy, I'm happy."

"Now you're learning!" Kelly said.

She removed the black barber cape and shook it slightly.

"You're all done. Now it's your turn, honey."

Alex smiled at her and sat, looking into the mirror as Kelly stepped behind her.

"So, what are we doing?"

"I think I'll just get a trim. I like my long hair so I'm not sure that I want to go much shorter."

"You don't want to go shorter," Liv said decisively.

Kelly chuckled.

"She's a woman of few words but she lets her opinion be known. Alright, darlin', we won't go any shorter."

Kelly began cutting Alex's hair, and the two women chatting away easily. Olivia wondered what sparked Alex's sudden ease at speaking, and asked her, gently, when they were alone in the SUV.

"I really don't know. She was just easy to talk to. Maybe it's because I knew I had to since you were obviously not going to, chicken." She added, earning a tickle to the side from Olivia. "Okay! Okay!" she squealed, pressing against the door. The brunette grinned at her, laughing.

Alex shook her head at her and continued. "It's easier with you around. I'm less tense when you're near me; I'm just more relaxed. And she did a lot of the talking, so I didn't feel so much pressure to speak."

Olivia nodded.

"I'm proud of you. You'll be the most popular girl in Little Current in no time."

Alex chuckled.

"Yeah, right."

It was ironic that a woman whose entire career had been based on her ability to speak, to dialogue, to argue, could have so much trouble communicating with people when it was about personal matters. But, it was easy for Alex to argue a case, to fight in a courtroom. She detached completely from those situations, focusing on her one goal: put the offender behind bars. Those situations had nothing to do with her. It was safe. There was no chance she could be hurt. But when she had to talk to people outside of work, she suddenly felt exposed, vulnerable. So, she did everything in her power to remain safe, and that meant keeping people at a very far distance. And she had been successful. People were unwilling to try, to persist. Eventually, they gave up.

But not Olivia. The woman had slowly chipped away at her and in doing so, had won her trust. Once she had it, she encouraged the blonde to open up to others, to let herself become vulnerable to them so that she could stop hiding in fear from the rest of the world.

"Hey, you okay over there?"

"Hmm? Yes, sorry," Alex responded, pulling herself from her thoughts. "I'm used to spending my time in my head, not talking to someone else, sorry."

Olivia reached over and squeezed her hand.

"It's okay. I just don't want you to spend too much time in there."

"I won't. Are we nearly home?"

Olivia nodded.

"Are you tired?"

"A little but probably not enough to sleep."

"Me either."

When they finally pulled into the driveway, it was nearly ten o'clock.

"Do you want to go lay down or stay up for a little?" Olivia asked.

"I'd like to stay up if you're up to it."

"I'm definitely up for it. I have a new phone to check out," she said excitedly. "I wonder what new apps are available on this thing."

Alex rolled her eyes as Olivia plopped down on the couch, phone in hand. The brunette glanced up when she saw the woman shaking her head.

"Don't tell me you weren't just as excited when you were checking out your phone in the store. 'Oh, hey, look! They have that four pictures one word! Oh, cool, bowling! Hey, they have hangman!' Sound familiar?"

Alex chuckled and sat down.

"Yeah, yeah."

She sat against the arm of the couch, curling up in the fetal position against it. She loved curling up like this on the couch; she found it very comfortable. She grabbed the remote and turned on the tv, flipping through the channels until she found something she liked.

"You've turned into a bit of a tv junkie."

Alex smiled, embarrassed.

"Yeah. I didn't really do anything else in Wisconsin. I learnt to crochet though. I like that a lot."

"You can crochet?"

"Yes. I made myself a hat. A beanie."

"Really? That's fantastic. What colour was it?"

"Navy blue. I was working on a scarf to match but…" she trailed off. She had had to stop when she came back to New York, and then everything in Wisconsin had been thrown out.

Olivia understood without her needing to explain.

"I'm sorry, Alex. Maybe we can get some needles and wool tomorrow."

Alex smiled.

"I need a crochet hook actually, but yes, that would be nice."

"You can make me a phone carrier case for my cool new phone."

Alex laughed.

"If I do, you have to use it."

"Oh I will. Don't you worry. Are you going to make a Velcro attachment so I can attach it to my jeans? I'll be the coolest lesbian around."

"I will not be an accessory to that fashion faux pas."

"I'll look so tough though!"

"No. It will be embarrassing for the both of us," she said with a grin.

Olivia caught her eye and smiled back. She held her gaze for a minute before putting her phone down on the coffee table and reaching out to Alex.

"Come here."

The blonde pushed herself up without hesitating and went into the brunette's arms. Olivia hugged her tight.

"I'm so glad to be here," the brunette whispered against her ear.

"I'm happy you're here too."

Olivia kissed her forehead and patted her lap.

"Put your head here."

Alex smiled. She wiggled down and rested her head on Olivia's thigh, just as she used to when they were dating. The brunette ran her fingers through her hair, smiling to herself. She loved Alex's hair. It was so soft. And she loved the way Alex closed her eyes and started purring against her whenever her hair was played with.

This was the first step in Olivia's routine to putting Alex to sleep. She would run her fingers through Alex's hair, massaging her scalp as she went. She'd watch as the blonde's breathing slowed down, her eyes slowly drooping, until they closed. Then, Olivia would turn the volume of the tv down until you could barely hear it. Finally, she would wait until Alex's breathing evened out completely before throwing a blanket over her sleeping body. When Alex had a rough night, Olivia would turn on her side in bed and pull the blonde into her arms and do the same thing, until the woman was passed out in her arms.

"You're gonna put me to sleep," Alex murmured.

Olivia smiled down when Alex glanced up at her. The blonde gave a soft chuckle when she saw the look on Olivia's face.

"You already know that, of course."

She turned and snuggled into Olivia's leg again, yawning softly.

"I missed your fingers in my hair. I used to think about it when I was in bed. Especially when I couldn't sleep."

"You don't have to pretend anymore. I'll be here whenever you want me to."

Alex smiled against her jeans.

"You don't know how happy that makes me."

"Yes, I do. Because the feeling is mutual."

Alex smiled wider and turned back to the television. It felt so good to have her detective back.