Disclaimer: I own nothing

Have decided to post this as well today so you get a little bit of Alex and Tate. Computer is playing up a bit and I go back to work on Monday so updating will become a little more sporadic but never fear it will be completed. I know where I want this to end up, I have a few little hurdles for along the way, just bear with me and we will get there. Hope you enjoyed the daily updates while they lasted.

Tate sat on the porch of her cabin, a labour of love for her. It was nestled in the trees at the rear of the main house, far enough away that it was obscured from the view but from her porch she could see some of the lights at the house.

Buster, her border collie sat at her feet. She felt really guilty that she hadn't remembered him until after saying goodnight to Alex for the night, the woman had her in knots. She'd spent the last hour outside with him, the first half hour playing ball, the last half sitting resting. She'd have to remember to make something for Jimmy for looking after him while she was away.

She had to admit he was acting a little strange at the moment, every now and then sitting bolt upright and cocking his head to the side while staring towards the main house. Must be able to hear something.

With a sigh she pushed up out of the porch swing and made her way to the door, Buster behind her as she let them in. Her cabin was only small, one main room for the kitchen dining and lounge, a bathroom/laundry at the far end near steps that led up to her bedroom loft which had views out the floor to ceiling window of trees, open pastures and mountains.

She told Buster to go lay down and he trotted off to his bed near the sliding door that led out to the rear of the cabin. She walked over to her large rock fireplace, adding another log to ward off the chill and replacing the safety grate. Making use of the bathroom she stripped out of her clothes and changed into her silky men boxers with cowboy hats on it and made her way up to the bedroom. She turned off the lights as she went before crawling into bed in just her boxers. She hated wearing a shirt to bed, it was so restrictive, no matter how cold it got.

Looking at the clock she groaned upon seeing it was 11pm. She had to be up at 5 to get to the kitchen by 5.30 to get breakfast. Sighing she rolled onto her stomach, curled her arm around her pillow and tried to get some sleep.

Alex was woken out of a deep sleep the next morning by more screams coming from Tyler's room. Oh for Pete's sake. She was kept awake most of the night by their bedroom antics, Tyler must be bloody good. She was going to give Liv hell today and if she could find any, either buy a gag for Liv or earplugs for herself.

Turning to the bedside clock and seeing it was just after five she decided to give up on sleep and head downstairs. It wasn't like she begrudged Olivia some happiness it's just she wished she was getting some that good. Thinking about sex made her think about Tate and she groaned as she stepped into the bathroom to use the facility. What was it about the younger woman that had her captivated?

Amenities use over she stripped and took a five minute power shower before rubbing herself down and tying a towel around herself. Going to her bag she looked through them and shook her head. She really must have packed in a daze because this was ridiculous. What had she been thinking?

After much searching she located some jeans, a long sleeve shirt and a cardigan and hurriedly dressed. Realising she didn't have any socks to go with Olivia's boots she made the decision that Olivia was otherwise occupied and went to her room in search of some.

It took her a while to find a pair that didn't smell well used and she quickly completed her wardrobe before heading downstairs. She was rather surprised to find she was the only one up, besides the moaning pair back upstairs.

She remembered Tate telling her that she was up at 5 most mornings and down at the mess cooking breakfast for the guys. Smiling she made her way out of the house, shivering at the early morning cool.

It was still dark outside, the sun a yellow glow on the horizon as she hurried towards the welcoming lights in the mess. The cool was a bit more bearable once she came inside the relative shelter of the outside kitchen but she breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped into the main kitchen.

A radio was playing softly in the background, Alex didn't recognise the song or artist but it sounded decidedly country. Not her favourite genre by far. Tate was standing at a large hotplate whistling to the tune as she turned what appeared to be sausages. She was wearing her usual cowboy attire, Stetson firmly on head and Alex couldn't help but check out that ass in those jeans again. Damn but that was one fine fit. She smiled and continued to stare as she realised Tate hadn't heard her come in.

Alex didn't notice the large big furry dog at Tate's feet until it sat up and barked at her causing Tate to turn and upon seeing her offer a large smile

"Hey"

"Hi" she dragged her disappointed gaze from down south up into smiling green eyes

"You're up early" Tate added and waved her over so she could keep an eye on the hotplate. Alex rolled her eyes as she came forward, stopping to pat the friendly dog.

"Barely been asleep" she muttered and Tate frowned

"Everything alright?" she asked in concern

"Peachy, except for the couple of sex acrobats down the hall. Wish I could find someone to make me scream like that" she sighed without thinking then groaned silently when heat flushed her cheeks. Tate laughed

"Going at it like rabbits were they?"

"All night, think the longest the quiet lasted was 45 minutes. I'd be surprised if either of them could walk this morning" Alex chuckled

"I see" Tate looked at the sausages, unsure of what to say next. She wanted to be brave, ask Alex on a date on Friday but was scared. What if she planned to go home sooner than that? What if she wasn't interested? She thought back to last night and the look she'd caught on Alex's face. She was encouraged by it

"Alex"

"Tate" they both said each other's names at the same time. Tate being the gentlewoman indicated Alex should go first.

Alex who had decided to bite the bullet and see where these strange feelings for Tate could lead had been about to ask if she wanted to do dinner but was now chickening out. What if Tate wasn't interested? She'd never been this indecisive or scared before

"It was nothing, what were you going to ask?" she enquired and watched as heat rushed up Tate's face and she closed her eyes "Tate?"

Ok, Tate thought, here goes nothing

"?" she asked so fast she wasn't sure Alex caught on. Looking at the blonde she could see her blinking in confusion and decided to keep it simple so she could get it out

"Dinner?" she asked and Alex cocked her head to the side "You and me" she paused and blushed "Friday? Maybe. If you want, or Saturday if that suits, I have to work through the week and" she paused as Alex stepped close and shut her up by placing a finger against her lips. No way she could stop the groan that was rumbling in her chest from escaping. Her lips tingled and forgetting Alex's finger was still there she attempted to lick her lips.

This time it was Alex who drew a sharp breath, feeling Tate's tongue flick her fingertip caused an electric shockwave to shoot straight to her clit. Oh boy.

Hungry blue met startled green as their gazes locked and held. Tate's heart pounded in her chest and she froze to the spot unsure what to do. She knew what she wanted to do but should she do it? Hell was she any good at it? She became aware that Alex's face was getting closer to hers. Oh God, oh yes, dreams do come true she thought and closed her eyes and bent forward. She could feel Alex's warm minty breath against her face, felt the finger being removed from her lips, a hand go to the back of her head and guide her down as the finger was replaced by something soft and warm and wet. Oh God she was kissing Alex Cabot!

Alex hadn't been able to hold back, she had seen the need in Tate's eyes, seen the hesitation and taken the matter into her own hands. Stepping forward she had replaced her finger with her lips and felt like she's stuck her finger in a socket. Her whole body came alive. She felt Tate's lips quiver, heard her whimper and the predator in her recognised the innocent lamb and with a delighted growl she stepped even closer, pressing firmer against Tate's body feeling it shivering.

Neither of them heard the door open or the two shocked ranch hands step in but they sure heard Callum come in behind them

"Hey Tate what's for break... well I'll be damned boys, Tate's finally gone and got herself a filly"

Tate growled and caught Alex to her when she went to move away. She shot the three men such a look they froze on the spot. Their innocent little Tate wasn't so innocent anymore.

"Get out" she growled at them in a tone that meant business "And stay out for 5 minutes if you want to eat for the rest of the week" she warned them and surprisingly enough they left.

She turned back to Alex who was staring at her in shock. She groaned. It wasn't often her temper got off the leash but when it did it was phenomenal and she had been furious at the interruption. Sighing she let Alex go and stepped back.

"Before I stupidly lost my temper I would have taken that kiss as a yes, have I lost that chance?"

"Yes" Alex croaked, still stunned at the change in Tate when she was angry and rather confused as to why she found that so sexy. She realised as Tate's face fell she had answered all wrong "I mean no, you haven't lost your chance, yes to dinner, Friday sounds great" Alex smiled while inside she groaned. Very eloquent Alexandra.

The smile that lit Tate's face took her breath away and they stared at each other before Tate managed to pull her gaze away and turn back to the task at hand, the boys would kill her if she burnt breakfast. She shot Alex a smile as she turned the sausages and waved her closer.

"I should teach you how to cook" she told the beautiful blonde and smiled again when Alex laughed

"Only if you want me to burn the place down. I can burn water" Alex told her

"Never" Tate informed. "Can you do me a favour and go into the cool room and bring out the bacon and eggs. They should be on the second shelf on your right as you go in"

Alex was a little confused but a little pleased that Tate was acting normally. She didn't know whether to acknowledge the kiss or just go with the flow. Tate seemed busy making sure the food was ready so she let it go for now.

Walking over to the cool room she paused when Tate called her name

"Just so you know ma'am that was one hell of a kiss and I can't wait until Friday" Tate told her and she smiled

"Me too" she said and was very surprised she actually meant it. The date may be Friday but she fully intended to show Tate what a hell of a kiss was a lot sooner than that. She paused as the door to the room shut behind her and she shivered as she searched for the items she needed. Her mind was occupied though with the kiss. Just how experienced was Tate if she thought that was a great kiss? It had barely been a peck. Did it really matter? She didn't think so, she was too intrigued by the enigma that was Tate to be chased away.

Realising she was dallying in her thoughts she found the large packet of bacon and the eggs and headed back out to the kitchen. She found Tate at the oven checking on something and realised they were hash browns. Hash browns in an oven? Tate saw her look and grinned

"It's healthier than dipping them in the fryer" she shrugged "I refuse to always cook unhealthy and have struck a deal with the guys. Every second day they eat something healthy and the other day I'll satisfy their greasy tastebuds"

Alex thought about it for a second and nodded, sounded fair. She took the eggs and bacon and placed them on the counter near the chopping block Tate indicated.

"Wash your hands" Tate instructed and Alex looked at her dumbfounded. What? "Wash your hands and when they're clean open the bacon and cut the pieces into three and throw them on the hotplate"

All the bacon? Alex looked at the size of the bacon packet, eyes wide then turned back to Tate

"You'll be fine Al, it's easy, now wash your hands"

Alex did as instructed, washing her hands thoroughly before drying them on a towel that hung nearby and moving to the chopping block. She used the big knife Tate had out to open the packet, careful not to cut herself and dumped the bacon on the cutting board. Peeling the slices open so they lay flat she quickly calculated each third and having to use a bit of muscle chopped them into three in one hit.

She picked up one of the piles and turned to find Tate watching her approvingly. For some reason that made her smile and her heart did a little flip in her chest which had her blinking in surprise. No time to analyse right now as under Tate's watchful gaze she carefully laid each piece on the large hotplate.

"Good" Tate nodded "Just a little quicker, don't worry about placement" she held up her tongs and snapped them a couple of times "That's what these are for"

Alex nodded and the next few pieces went on in half the time and she was rewarded with a smile and Tate reaching out and gently squeezing her shoulder. Pride burst out of her and she felt like a 4 year old who just spelt her name correctly and earned a gold star.

Next Tate taught her how to crack eggs and break them open. After making a mess of the first one she got the hang of it, it wasn't so hard as Tate patiently showed her how to tell when to turn the sausages and bacon. She was given a spare pair of tongs and she enjoyed standing side by side helping turn until Tate sent her over to the toaster.

Two loaves of bread sat next to it, it was a large machine that had racks that rotated through it instead of the more mainstream pop ups. You could put 4 slices per rack as she laid them out quickly, careful not to burn fingers on the hot metal.

As she was starting the third rack, the first having disappeared from sight into the machine, the door opened and Alex realised it was nearly dead on 6. A group of people, including Hank and Judy walked in. Olivia and Tyler were still conspicuous in their absence. Callum was in the group and decidedly quiet, his wife right behind him keeping him in line. Not to mention the threat of no food.

She quickly turned back to the task at hand as the first lot of cooked toast slid out into the capture tray and she placed them in toast racks nearby. It was something out of boarding school or maybe an all you can eat restaurant as everyone came forward and picked up a plate nearby.

She was their first port of call as they took two slices of toast then moved to where Tate had placed the sausages, bacon, eggs and hash browns in a warmer. Tate served them with 2 sausages, six pieces of bacon, two eggs and a hash brown each. They could then go on and pour themself a juice or a coffee from the carafe nearby.

Everyone who went by thanked her for the toast and Alex was rather overcome with emotion. Who knew being thanked for something as simple as toast could make you feel so good? The door opened to the mess again and the loved up couple stepped in and were greeted by cheers and cat calls. Alex couldn't help but laugh watching Olivia walk. She looked a little sore.

Olivia saw her helping out in the kitchen and her eyes went wide and she pointed her out to Tyler. They hurried over and grabbed a plate each

"Well who would have thought it, Alex in the kitchen" Olivia chuckled and Alex glared at her

"Don't start with me, I'm lacking sleep thanks to your sex fest all night, never knew you were a screamer Liv" Alex shot right back and watched Olivia blush while Tyler laughed

"Yes well, compliments given where compliments are due. Just letting Tyler know" Olivia husked then grabbed her toast. "What time are you and Tate heading into town? Tyler has to work today and I need to see the mechanic"

Alex shrugged and looked over at Tate who seemed to be listening

"About 11, once we've made up lunch for the guys" she told them and Alex felt proud that she was included

"Sounds good, I'll hitch a lift" Olivia nodded then paused "if you don't mind me tagging along"

"Of course not, I came here to spend time with you" Alex smiled then shot a shy look at Tate that had Olivia's brows jumping towards her hat "I seemed to have found a bonus though" she added watching Tate smile before turning back to Olivia "Tate asked me to dinner Friday"

Olivia's mouth hung open and she stared between the two in surprise before she regained her composure and reached out to squeeze Alex's hand in support, watching as Tyler moved over towards Tate

"I seem to have missed something" she surmised and Alex chuckled

"You were otherwise occupied"

"Well?"

"As I said, she asked me out" Alex shrugged and Olivia continued to stare at her "I may or may not have given my answer by kissing Tate" she advised and saw Olivia's mouth fall open again and laughed

"It was good, well until Callum came in" she admitted and Tyler hearing this turned to glare at her brother who gulped. Again Alex laughed "It's fine, we'll make up for it later" she advised which was answered by Tate dropping her tongs and flushing.