Chapter 14

A/N: As always, thank you for your love, feedback and support! Here's another chapter for all of you.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Law and Order SVU or any of its characters. Any situations or additional characters I have created are figments of my own imagination, not intended to bear resemblance to any real persons. Any actual similarity is purely coincidental.

"Good morning."

His voice was thick with sleep, his hair dishevelled as she looked over at him, propped up on one elbow next to her.

"How long have you been watching me like that?"

"Long enough to know you talk in your sleep."

Running her hand over her face, she groaned inwardly. "Christ. What'd I say?"

"A whole lot of nonsensical gibberish."

"Lovely."

..."And something about how good last night was."

"Oh fuck you! I didn't did I?"

"Scout's honor, you did."

They were wrapped up in each other, heat of the moment turning them into the likes of voracious animals. She couldn't remember feeling this much for any man before, and she didn't know if she could again.

"I love you."

It took her mind a moment to register his words, before she unlocked her lips from his and breathlessly responded.

"Don't say something like that when you don't mean it."

He moved his lips down her torso, leaving a path of light kisses, before trailing back up to her neck until she could feel his breath hot against hear ear.

"I do mean it. Never ever think I don't."

As she closed her eyes and felt him move down once more to settle between her legs, his mouth being the chosen instrument that would accommodate her need for release, she wondered if he really did mean what he said, and if she could ever say it back.

The blonde startled out of the same recurring dream for what seemed like the millionth time. Only this wasn't really a dream. It was a vivid recollection of something that had been very real.

Hauling herself out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom, still trying to make sense of the muddled mess that was her mind.

Even though the events of that night had happened some time ago, she still saw and thought about them in sleep. They hadn't seen each other since then, but did keep in contact. Things with Olivia were not stellar, but not quite as bad as they had been. She wasn't sure where her feelings were at and was all over the place emotionally.

As she knelt down and hung her head over the toilet, she wondered if she'd ever be able to gain control of the mess that had become her existence.

Olivia stirred on the couch, awakened by what she thought to be the sound of retching. Coming to and rubbing her eyes, she stood up and made her way to the bathroom, standing outside the door.

"Al, you okay?"

Hearing no response, she let herself in to find her girlfriend crouched over the toilet, vomiting profusely, with tears streaming down her face.

"Aw baby. Are you okay?" Silently taking her place behind the blonde she held her hair back, offering comforting words until the ordeal was over.

Weakly, Alex sat up, trying to regain equilibrium.

"How long have you been sick like that?"

She couldn't think straight, everything having just been drained out of her, but she knew it wasn't the first time.

"I don't know. Off and on for a while. I must've picked up a bug at work."

"You should call in today. I could too, to stay here with you."

"No no, you go to work. You don't need to miss it because of me. I'm a big girl. I'll call in though."

"Good. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"I'm fine."

"Alright. Well I'm gonna get ready, but if you need anything you can call my cell."

"Thank you."

He stood waiting for her outside of his bathroom door. When she had texted him mid to late afternoon, he'd never expected anything like this, even though maybe he should have.

She stood in the pharmacy, feeling like everyone's eyes were on her and their hearts knew the sins she had partaken in. Finding the aisle she was looking for, she stood in the middle of it, tears burning the back of her eyes, threatening to fall. Opening her phone, she quickly typed the message she knew needed to be sent, and couldn't be avoided.

"We need to talk. Can I come over?"

"Now?"

"In a few minutes, yes."

"Sure."

She was surprised she was able to make the drive to his house, her head spinning the way that it was. He was there at the door to greet her as soon as she walked in, but seeing the look on her face, his smile had turned to a look of concern.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going to tell you this... but please, please don't freak out..."

Alex rose from her position on the toilet, closing her eyes momentarily, then again willed herself to open them as she moved closer to the sink. What came into focus made her crumple to the floor in slow motion and sob. The simple symbol of a plus sign, tinted in a no-nonsense shade of pink, had made her world come crashing down around her feet in a mere matter of seconds.

"Al, what is it?"

"I think...I think I might be pregnant."

His stomach flipped as the sentence registered. Pregnant. The last word stuck out like a sore thumb.

"What? You can't be."

"We did have sex, if you don't recall. And I didn't say I was, I said I think I might be."

"Yes, I know we had sex, Alex. Jesus. What makes you think you are?"

"I've been incredibly sick for the last while, and nothing seems to help. Foods I used to eat make me nauseous, I'm sensitive to smells."

"You could have a flu."

"I thought so too. But I'm also late."

"Fuck."

"That's all you have to say is fuck? What happened to I love you, I mean it, don't ever think I don't?!"

"Look, I'm just a little shocked right now, alright?!" Despite the tension he was feeling, she could see his eyes soften. "I didn't say I didn't love you. I didn't mean to snap at you. This has to be hard for you too. If you are pregnant, we'll figure out what to do... together. Okay?"

Having his support made her feel a little better, but she still didn't feel he understood that no matter what decision they made, someone was going to be hurt, and everything would be forever changed, if not fucked up.

Composing herself as best she could, she stood up from the contorted position she had taken on the tile floor, and opened the door to come face to face with Benjamin Callaghan.

"I'm pregnant."