I know this one's another short one, but I wanted to leave you with an evil cliffie. Mwahahahahahaha!

Her words take my breath away for a moment and I have to second guess whether or not I heard her right. If she loves me too, then why is she crying?

She looks so piteous and sad that it's breaking my heart. I scoot over so I'm right beside her and wrap my arms around her again, gently kissing away her tears. There are about a million things I want to say to her, but I know that it's not the time or the place. So I just wait in silence. And finally, she says in a soft voice, hoarse with tears, "It's hard for me."

"I know," I say, kissing the crown of her head. "But we're going to be okay. I love you, Alex, and that's all that matters."

She lets out a shuddering breath, her sobs gradually turning to whimpers and then subsiding. "I love you, too. More than anything."

That makes me smile and I plant a chaste kiss on her cheek. "No one's going to hurt you."

She buries her face in my neck and nods. "I'll be okay."

"You will be," I echo, as if my saying it will make it so. Because what I've learned throughout the course of this job is that there are no guarantees. Especially when it comes to safety.

Alex and I cuddle on the couch for a little bit, then we get up, shower, and get ready for work. When we arrive together at the precinct, John turns to Fin, holding out his hand. "Pay up."

"Wait, what?" I ask, half in incredulity and half in amusement.

John and Fin exchange glances, then look at Elliot, who explains, "They bet twenty bucks that you'd bring Cabot home with you."

"Glad I've earned you some money, then," I tell John dryly, who has the good grace to blush. Alex just shakes her head.

Suddenly her phone rings again and Alex jumps. Her hands are trembling as she rummages in her purse and answers her phone with a curt, "Cabot." Her face turns completely white and she hangs up, then turns to us. "I have to go. I'll meet you back at your place after work, Liv."

I nod, and bite back the, "Be careful," that's bubbling in my throat. I'm her girlfriend – I think – not her mother.


The day goes by at a snail's pace and by 2:00, I'm ready to go home. All I want is to be with my Alex again, to be cuddling on my couch like we were this morning, when all that exists is each other, content in the knowledge of our mutual love.

But I have to stick out the day, and it's an hour drive home in rush hour even though I don't live that far from the precinct. I have to stop myself from running into my apartment, because I know that although I've given Alex the key, she might not be there, and if she is, I don't want to appear too eager. Turning the key in the doorknob, I go inside, calling, "Alex?"

There's no answer. I'm a bit disappointed that she's not here yet, but settle in the living room with a book, figuring she'll be here soon.

But she isn't. With every hour that creeps by, my heart sinks a little farther. By 8:00, I'm starting to worry. Did I do something wrong? Did I say something? Am I taking this too quickly? Doesn't she love me after all?

I try calling her cell phone six times, but she doesn't answer. My heart is breaking with each time the phone goes into voicemail. I leave three messages, but she doesn't call back.

Finally, at two in the morning, I give up. Changing into my pajamas, I climb into bed and pull a pillow into my arms, pressing my cheek to it as tears streak down my face. Hugging the pillow to my chest, I pretend that it's Alex.

Hmm . . . so why didn't Alex show up? Is she really in love with Olivia? Or is completely unrelated? Hmm . . . Review to find out!