This is what happens when I can't sleep. Guess I will keep going until I fall out.
Chapter 13
7 months later
Olivia POV
I read the e-mail from Alex and I felt relieved. I didn't bother to apologize for what I said to her though. Sometimes, I just need to say how I feel and not apologize for it. We kept in touch through e-mail for another 7 months. She sent pictures of the countryside around the compound and I sent pictures of whatever I was saw. I sent pictures of McDonalds even though I know she doesn't eat fast food. I sent pictures of the large Christmas tree in Madison Square Garden. I sent pictures of snow. I've even sent pictures of take out boxes. I'm she will know life is the same if she sees normal stuff.
I took a picture of a Starbucks cup and Fin caught me in the act. "I'm sure she remembers that nasty coffee Liv. You probably don't need to remind her."
"I just want her to see what she's missing," I said passively.
"And here I was thinking you wanted her to come back. Maybe you should take a picture of Elliot. She will definitely stay away then," he said with a laugh.
So, I aimed my phone at him and took a picture, "Don't want her to forget all of the guys."
Munch walked in as I took the picture and said, "Maybe you should take a picture of me so she will remember how much she misses me."
"Liv, don't send her a picture of that tired old dude. She will never come back if you send one of him," Fin told me with a little smile.
Elliot was a little late and once he made it in, I managed to take pictures of the guys together. I took a few of the captain through his window. Elliot stole my phone and took two of me. I knew about the second one but found the first one later. I realized I had taken about 30 pictures and decided to give her only 5 at a time. I sent one of the guys together, the coffee cup, Munch holding his arms open for her, my desk, and the first one El had taken of me.
We all got caught up in the work day and when I finally made it home that night, I checked my e-mail while drinking a beer. One from Alex. I opened the others first and then I finally opened hers.
Olivia,
Starbucks, really? I was really jealous until I saw the picture of Munch. If he's going to hug me, I'm not coming back. Not next week, not ever. I did like the one of the guys though. I laughed at your desk. That was pretty random. The one of you took my breath away. Even more beautiful than the one I have in my locket. I keep that on most of the time. Some days, I take it off and I wear the necklace you gave me. I always have some piece of you with me.
So, about next week. If Munch can contain himself, I will be home. I wanted to spend Christmas with you and my week long vacation was approved. I thought maybe if you would like, I would spend the week at your place. I will only need to go to my place for clothes since I don't have any winter clothes with me. Just let me know what you think. I have my travel itinerary already and will arrive there at 9am Friday of next week. I know you will be working so I will make arrangements from the airport.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Alex
I noticed the attachment and opened it. She's evil, I swear. It's a picture of her naked leg with water running down it. I saw the tile floor under her foot and became convinced she was getting out of the shower.
Alex,
I look forward to you spending the week with me in my home. I will check with the captain to see how much time I can take off. I'm going to need the time so I can explore your leg and find where the tan ends. Thanks for that picture. Can't say much more, I have a cold shower calling my name.
Liv
Over the course of the week, Captain Cragen agreed to give me vacation for each day Alex would be home. I lied and told her I would have to work nearly every day. She called me last night and said she would just take a cab to her apartment and get her clothes. After that, she would be at my apartment. Her voice was exactly what I needed to hear. That was the first time I had heard it since she left my apartment that night before she left. She seems different now, maybe a little more relaxed. I can't believe that the Congo would be relaxing for anybody.
Alex POV
I always loved new places, even as a child. I just hate the plane rides. Nearly 30 hours after leaving Africa, I landed in New York. I cleared customs fairly quickly because I only had a carry-on bag with me. Once I was out of customs, I saw a sign with my last name on it. I was a little confused since I had planned on taking a cab. I wandered over to the sign bearer and realized it was Olivia, in a hat and wearing sunglasses.
When she saw me, a huge smile appeared on her face. She lowered the sign and I walked to wear she was stood. I threw my arms around her and kissed her. She seemed surprised but she didn't pull away from me. The kiss didn't last nearly long enough but we were in public. I honestly couln't even remember the last time we kissed in public. When we pulled away, she's looked surprised but was still smiling.
"Alex, I'm happy you're home. I do have bad news, though. It's only about 22 degrees outside."
"I don't have a coat," I said quietly. "I wasn't expecting you to come all the way out here for me, Liv. Thank you."
She just shook her head and said, "I couldn't wait to see you. I didn't want to wait another minute."
We made our way out of the airport and when we walked outside, I felt that first frigid blast of air and almost turned around. Liv seemed to notice me stiffen in the cold and shrugged out of her leather coat. She handed it to me and I gladly accepted it.
She took me straight to my apartment. It looked just like it did when I left it. I left all of the dustcovers on the furniture and went to my bedroom. Olivia followed me in there and I began pulling sweaters and jeans out of my closet. I pulled a bag out of second closet and she helped me pack everything. Before we left my bedroom, I pulled her to me. It started as a hug until I pulled my head back from her.
She kissed me with so much force. I felt my lips parting for her and there was no way we were stopping to go to her house. She pushed me onto my bed and pulled at the hem on my shirt. I held my arms up and she pulled my shirt over my head. She unbuttoned my pants while she kissed me. She pushed me back on the bed and I lifted my hips so I could shimmy out of the jeans. She threw out off her shirt and crawled up my body, kissing all of my exposed skin along the way.
After she reminded me of all of her amazing bedroom skills, we laid together on my bed. She played in my hair and I was just content to have my head on her shoulder. I listened to her heartbeat for some time and dozed for a few moments. Before I dropped into a deep sleep, she suggested we go to her apartment. I slowly dressed myself after we started moving.
Olivia POV
Alex and I made love before we ever made it to my apartment. I was thrilled to touch her beautiful skin and she seemed very happy to let me. Once we made it to my place, she was barely awake. I suggested a nap to help her get past her jet lag. Alex slept in my bed for about two hours. I spent that time making dinner. I knew it was a little early but I thought she would want to go to bed at an early time.
Alex woke but seemed fairly groggy. She walked into the living room with sleep tousled hair. I could only smile despite the glare she gave me.
"Hey, Sleepyhead, you feeling better?"
"Liv," she said, "you are entirely too happy and I am entirely to exhausted to reciprocate."
"Ok, do you think you're ready for dinner? I made a lasagna and it's ready. We can go to bed after we eat, if you would like."
"You're amazing. Thank you for everything today."
"I'm just happy you're here."
She smiled and said, "Me too."
After we ate, Alex and I went to bed. I fell asleep with her laying her head on my chest. I woke several times during the night due to being used to sleeping alone. Each time I woke, Alex was as close to me as she could get. My sleep was fairly restless. I gave up on sleep around 3am and went into the living room. I turned on the tv and watched some holiday movie until I dozed off on the couch.
I woke again later to the smell of coffee. I sat up quickly and relaxed when I saw Alex fixing her cup. I stretched slowly and pulled myself off the couch. Alex turned and gave me a small smile and muttered, "G'morning."
"Good morning to you," I say with a smile. Alex gave me an odd look and pulled a second coffee cup out of the cabinet.
"Liv, I woke up alone and thought you had gotten called into work. I was disappointed when I saw you sleeping on the couch."
"Sorry, I was just a little too wound up and was having trouble staying asleep."
She gives me a devilish smile and said, "I was going to wake you up for morning sex but I guess it's your loss, Benson."
I joined her in the kitchen and accepted the cup of coffee from her. I held the cup in one hand and pulled her to me with the other. I kissed her cheek and said, "Definitely my loss, Counselor. Rain check?"
"We'll see."
We spent the remainder of the morning talking and laughing. I had forgotten how easy it was to be with her. She told me about her work over the past months and I told her about some of my cases. I caught her up on things in the squadroom. I told her about some of Munch's crazy theories. She filled me in on the few friends she made.
After we talked the morning away, she asked if I would mind stopping by the precinct. I didn't mind so we dressed and headed out. She insisted on stopping by a donut shop and ordered a dozen donuts. It seemed like an odd thing to do in the afternoon but she insisted. As we left the shop, I realized Alex had never brought donuts in at a reasonable time. She brought them in from time to time but always in the afternoon.
"Why would you buy donuts when it isn't breakfast time?"
"I've always heard cops like donuts. I consider this research. When I buy them in the afternoon, they disappear so quickly. I've seen donuts at the precinct in the morning and they seem to sit for hours."
"So, you're trying to figure out a time frame about donut consumption?"
"Yes, Detective. I want to know when cops are most likely to consume them. Have you ever noticed the other detectives never complain when a box of donuts appear?"
I laughed and replied, "We're civil servants, Alex. We accept any free food donations. I'm not sure why the rates would change during the day. Maybe some of us don't care for sweets so early."
She nodded and said, "makes sense. I don't usually want anything sweet before 9am."
When we arrived, she managed to put the box down on my desk before Munch opened the lid. "Teflon, thanks for thinking of us lowly servants of the city." Alex smirked at me and I couldn't help but laugh. The rest of the team joined us and Alex seemed happy to be around her former co-workers.
After the precinct, Alex took a cab to go shopping. She said she hadn't bought a gift for me yet. I returned to my apartment and straightened up the living room. I poured a glass of wine and started dinner before she made it home. I had no clue why she wanted to buy me a gift, I was just happy she came all of the way here to spend Christmas with me.