Disclaimer: I own nothing

Hey all, Sorry it's been a few days but i am back to work now and can't write every day. Will write and try and update when I am on days off like today. Hope you like it and following chapters.

Upstairs Alex turned on a bedside lamp and turned off the main light. Quickly stripping down to her underwear she slid Tate's shirt on and did it up. Her knees went slightly weak upon smelling Tate on the shirt, her cologne and her natural scent. Alex pulled the shirt up to cover her nose and took a deep breath. She gasped in shock as electricity raced down her spine and she became decidedly wetter than she had been seconds ago. Oh wow, all from smelling Tate's shirt.

She forewent the boxers, not exactly a boxer type, besides which Tate's shirt came down to her knees nearly. She looked at the bed and seeing a glass of water and a book on the stand closest to the stairs slipped into the other side.

Oh wow, if she thought the shirt smelt of Tate the sheets were absolutely drenched with her smell. Not in a bad way either.

She heard movement downstairs and realised Tate was out of the bathroom. She listened as Tate walked around, could hear another log being added to the fire, Tate saying goodnight to Buster and then slowly climbing the stairs.

Alex raised herself up on her left elbow and waited until Tate was standing at the top of the landing where she suddenly froze her eyes sweeping over her in her bed. Alex smiled as she watched her start to visibly shake and realised just how momentous this was for Tate.

Alex let her eyes sweep over Tate in her boxers and tight singlet. It left an extraordinary amount of skin showing. Alex's mouth suddenly became dry as she took in all that long, lean muscle and her fingers tingled to touch.

Oh boy, they were in serious trouble if she couldn't get herself under control.

Tate saw Alex's gaze become predatory and groaned, this was so not fair, she wished she had some experience at this kind of stuff. Taking a deep breath she moved towards the bed and pulling back the covers slid in, giving Alex a nervous smile before reaching over to turn out the light.

Swallowing hard she rather stiffly lay down in the bed on her back and stared straight at the ceiling. The blood pounded in her ears and she could barely hear the rain on the roof over them. She was very much aware that Alex hadn't moved and was still staring at her.

"Alex" she croaked "Please lay down"

"Tate" Alex breathed and Tate started to shake with the effort not to just roll over and kiss Alex until neither one of them could think straight. Hell why not? Wasn't like Alex was going to object and so far Alex had been the one to be aggressive. Tate decided it was time to show Alex she wore the pants in this relationship and wouldn't be submissive.

With a growl she rolled, catching Alex by surprise who had been busy battling her own desires after promising Tate earlier no funny business. She sighed in relief when Tate rolled towards her, issuing a cry of delight and immediately wrapping her arms around her shoulders to pull her closer.

Tate offered a low growl and dipped her head to take Alex's lips with her own. Of course things never go to plan with her and her lips missed the mark by a good two inches, landing on Alex's jaw. Alex seemed to be unperturbed and turned her head so their mouths connected.

This kiss wasn't like their other tender kisses, from the moment their lips met Tate went for hard and demanding. Alex readily accepted, surprised and pleased by this rather confidant side of Tate, She gripped the back of Tate's head with her right hand, the short hairs prickling her palm while the left arm wrapped tight around Tate urging her on top.

Tate understood the silent urging and rolled onto Alex, keeping herself braced on her elbows above the much smaller slender woman. She jerked when she felt Alex's tongue flicking at her lips and growled as she opened her mouth and met the inquisitive muscle forcefully with her own.

Alex's head was spinning and she realised she was losing control. No one had turned her on this fast before, not to mention to this level. She had never felt like this ever in her 36 years. That Tate was doing it now was...words failed her.

She arched up, feeling electrified as the bare skin of their tangled legs rubbed together sending shockwaves to her core and soaking her knickers. Oh God. Her lungs felt like they were about to burst with the need for oxygen and her whole body just shook. It scared the bejesus out of her.

Tate was shaking, her need for Alex was almost all consuming, she couldn't get close enough, kiss wide enough. She'd never kissed like this before, never knew it was possible, they were practically eating each other. Her lungs were burning but she didn't want to stop kissing Alex.

She tore her mouth from Alex's and latched onto her throat instead. Alex sucked in a harsh breath then cried out in pleasure as Tate sucked hard, oh yes.

"Yes..Tate..Harder" she cried and Tate bit down hard. Alex groaned and arched under her and for half a second Tate's head cleared.

Oh my God what was she doing? She'd practically attacked Alex. She's just bitten her like some rabid dog or something. Jesus!

Grunting she jerked backwards, startling Alex.

"Jesus Alex, I'm sorry"

"What?" Alex was breathing heavily and holding tight to Tate's shoulders while sanity slowly started to penetrate her brain "You're sorry"

"Not for the kiss" Tate was quick to assure and Alex relaxed a little, just as well "I was too rough, I bit you" Tate had a sinking feeling and reaching over turned on her bedside light before turning back to look at Alex. She groaned as she saw Alex's lips were red and swollen, there was a darkening bruise on her neck and teeth marks on her collar bone. Tate you idiot!

She looked back at Alex and came up short on seeing amused blue eyes sparkling up at her and one fine eyebrow arched.

"What?" she croaked and shivered as Alex raised a hand to smooth a finger over her eyebrow and the ring there

"You are fucking sexy Tatum Chandler" she growled "In case you hadn't noticed I liked that, no I loved it"

"Really?" Tate asked relaxing a bit "But I bit you"

"I'll be sure to return the favour one day" Alex drawled and Tate's stomach hollowed out at the thought. Oh God "I think right now it's just as well you stopped us, there are things we still need to discuss"

"Like what?"Tate asked as she rolled over to turn off the light again, this time Alex came with her and ended up snuggled into Tate's side, they both sighed. How was it they could go from just about devouring each other one moment to relaxing in bliss the next? Alex could only think it was due to how comfortable and relaxed Tate could make her feel.

"Like why there has been no one in your life for 23 years"

"But there has been" Tate frowned and looked down as Alex looked up in confusion "You Alex. 5 years ago there was you as Ms Carsen and I was very hooked. 2 days ago you walked back into my life as Alex Cabot and all the old feelings came rushing back. As for anyone else, well" she paused not wanting to admit the depths of her feelings just yet in case she scared Alex off.

"What?" Alex asked awed by what Tate had admitted to her and a little overwhelmed. In a good way.

"Nothing" Tate insisted and Alex growled and pushed up onto an elbow. Tate couldn't see the glare but she could feel it and sighed "Fine, no one measured up OK. They weren't you so I wasn't interested"

Alex was stunned, her eyebrows jumped up to her hairline. Tate had carried a torch for her for 5 years? What if they had never met again? She sighed, she guessed that was a mute point as they had met again and Alex had to admit, the thought of Tate caring for her so deeply had her own heart swelling. Leaning up she placed a gentle kiss on Tate's chin.

"I'm honoured. Not worth it but honoured" she sighed resting her head back on Tate's chest and feeling her relax underneath her. They lay there quietly together, both lost in their own thoughts after the revealing conversation.

Tate felt Alex drifting off to sleep first, as she relaxed around her. Smiling she finally closed her own eyes, satisfied Alex wasn't going to run and let sleep drift over her.