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Alex watched Tate sleep, exhausted after her fear of the take off and then admittedly some extra strong turbulence an hour into their flight. She would never forget quite literally watching the blood drain from Tate's face as the Captains voice came on warning them of strong turbulence and asking the hostesses to prepare seconds before they jolted.

Alex had automatically reached for Tate's hand, wincing slightly as it was squeezed in a tight grip. She had started speaking without making a conscience decision to do so and seemed to have Tate captivated from the first moment. She explained from the moment she started at the Unit, the people she worked with, especially Elliot and Olivia, her friendship with Liv and how her failure to listen to Liv had wound up with her being shot and her stint in Witsec.

Tate hadn't said a word, just watched her with those piercing eyes and she found herself telling her things she hadn't told her therapist. She had talked long past the Captain announcing they had made it through the turbulence. They had continued to hold hands and she even ended up explaining her decision to go to Africa. Once she finished she was truly stunned by how much she had revealed.

Tate had simply smiled and told her she obviously needed to get that off her chest. Then Tate had started in on her story...

"After you left the school I got into a really bad crowd, my home life was nonexistent and I was pretty much living on the street. I was living day to day hit to hit" Tate explained "I was in and out of Jail for the night, all the judges wanting to give me that one last chance before putting me inside" she sighed and looked away, offering a rueful grin when Alex squeezed her hand in encouragement

"I stole from family, friends anyone just to score. Then I started stealing from shops but I was pretty bad at it, one night I got it in my head I just had to rob someone" Alex had been stunned by the admission and Tate laughed "Best decision of my life. I picked a Sheriff who was off duty. Turned out Lucky for me Sheriff Tyler Gates came from Montana and had no jurisdiction in Wyoming." Alex had been a little stunned at hearing the name she had wanted to hear. The name of the woman Olivia was seeing in Montana but had kept quiet as Tate continued

"Tyler overpowered me and instead of reporting me dragged me to a cheap hotel that paid by the hour. I was a skinny little runt by then who was also a mess, only got to shower when the cops picked me up or I could sneak into public toilets late at night to wash" Tate shrugged "She got me a room and ordered me to shower, told me not to go anywhere and she would be back. Of course I was going to show her, I had a quick shower using the complimentary soap and shampoo then hurried to dry off" she laughed

"I planned to get dressed and take off which of course she had planned against, she had taken all my belongings and hid them, I only had the towel I was wrapped in. When she came back I was plenty pissed so imagine my surprise when she threw a sports bag at me packed with clothes from the local Wal-Mart. I asked her what the catch was and she told me she would tell me all in good time and to go to sleep. She sat up and watched me all night, maybe dozed, I don't know as I slept about ten hours straight"

Alex had to admit right then that she was really starting to like the sound of this Tyler person and if Olivia was serious then she could only give her approval based on what she knew so far. Tate had continued with her story, nowhere near finished

"When I woke up she sent me for another shower and had my clothes all ready for me when I came out. I liked the new look and let her take me to a nearby diner where she brought me a big breakfast and a coffee. Next thing I know I am on a bus to Montana, $50 in hand for the trip and a promise of a job on her ranch if I was still on the bus when she met me in Helena. I was, she was waiting and despite a rough start I have been clean for four years, never considered doing it again, don't even smoke and rarely drink"

Alex really liked the sound of Tyler and for the first time since learning of her existence really started to relax.

"You know it's funny you mentioned Sheriff Gates and her ranch" she had told Tate and Tate had asked

"Why's that?"

"Because my friend appears enamoured with your Sheriff and is currently staying on her ranch" she informed and wasn't at all surprised when Tate's face had lit into a broad grin.

She was startled out of her thoughts by the Captain announcing their approach into Helena and turned to wake Tate only to find her awake and watching her. She offered up an encouraging smile and squeezed with the hand Tate had refused to give up even in her sleep

"I'm right here OK, just you know, try not to break my whole hand" she teased and Tate grinned

"Yes ma'am"

As they slowly started to descend she watched Tate become more and more nervous. Although Tate wasn't squeezing her hand the armrest on the other side of her was being put through its paces

"So, how are you getting from Helena to Calling?" she asked in order to distract Tate. The younger woman shot her a look before sighing

"I plan on taking the bus most of the way and then get one of the guys to come pick me up. Why?"

"Well I was planning to rent a car and drive, I don't really know the way and was hoping for a navigator"

Tate grinned and Alex couldn't help but smile herself as she confirmed she would navigate. She shot her a glare though when Tate told her there was no way they were renting a fancy sports car. They continued to banter until a light thump indicated they had landed and Tate shot her a surprised look.

"Not so bad after all huh?" Alex asked and Tate grinned

'No ma'am, I don't believe it is" she paused before adding "not with you around at any rate"

An hour later Alex was sitting in the passenger seat of a SUV as music blared on the radio while Tate whistled along as she drove. She wondered how Tate had been able to talk her into hiring this instead of the BMW, let alone why she wasn't annoyed with her whistling, rather poorly, to the tunes playing.

She shot Tate a look who returned it with a smile. Alex looked into her green eyes and felt a sense of ease and peace wash over her just by being in Tate's presence. She was serious flummoxed by it, this morning she had been typical stoic Ice Queen Alexandra Cabot. Now? She didn't know who she was but she couldn't say she didn't like her.