Disclaimer: As you all know, these characters aren't mine. They belong to Dick Wolf and NBC.
.
Day 12: A continuation of Day 11
Universe: Season 15
.
The silence in the apartment is thick, heavy with confessions.
Amanda sinks into the chair closest to her, resting her elbows on her thighs and her head in her hands. She swallows hard, fighting back the tears that spring into her eyes. "How long?" she asks, her voice breaking.
Sitting on the couch, Olivia stares down at the floor, unable to keep her hands still. "A few months."
Amanda scoffs, looking across the room at Olivia. "So it wasn't a one-time thing?"
Olivia shakes her head. "No," she says, "it wasn't a one-time thing."
Amanda nods, standing. "You love her?"
Olivia nods, though she knows it's less of a question and more of a statement. "For years."
"Right," Amanda sighs, opening the door. "I think you should go, Olivia."
Olivia nods, standing and walking to the door. She steps out into the hallway, but turns around before Amanda has a chance to shut the door. "None of what I told you was a lie, Amanda," she says. "I really do love you."
Amanda nods, looking down at the floor to hide the tears that have started rolling down her cheeks. "Ya know, Olivia, if you were anyone else, I'd think you were full of shit, but you're just…you're so full of love that I know you're telling the truth."
Olivia leans forward and kisses Amanda's cheek; the finality of it all is so heavy that tears begin to prick at her eyes. "I'm sorry." She turns and walks down the hallway, leaving Amanda's apartment for the very last time. She does not look back until she hears the door click shut.
…
…
Two hours later, Olivia finds herself wrapped up in a blanket on Alex's couch with Alex sitting at the opposite end, the movie playing on the television long since abandoned.
"I always knew we'd end up together," Olivia says, "but I never thought we'd have to hurt other people to get there."
"We really fucked up, Liv."
Olivia nods. "I know."
"Do you regret it?"
"Only hurting Casey and Amanda. They didn't deserve that."
Alex nods. "No," she says, "they didn't."
"But I don't regret us."
.