Disclaimer: I own nothing
Olivia sat curled up with Tyler on the couch in the lounge while Alex was sitting hovering beside Tate who was having her knee checked over by the paramedics. They had already checked the bump on Wentworth and declared him fine.
Tate winced as the paramedic pushed on a sore spot on her knee and Alex grabbed her hand worried. Olivia had to smile, she'd never seen Alex look so worried, and all over a bruised knee.
"Hey Lex, why didn't you show this amount of concern for me in all the times I got hurt?" she asked and Alex turned to her with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe cause I knew you were hard headed? Maybe cause I knew you wouldn't appreciate it" Alex stated scarily accurately "Or maybe because although I love you Liv, I wasn't in love with you" she told her friend before turning back to smile at Tate, missing Olivia's and Tyler's jaws fall open comically.
"I love you too babe" Tate grinned then growled and glared at the Paramedic when the sadistic bastard pushed on her tender spot again.
"Whoa, whoa whoa" Tyler cried "When did this happen?"
Tate pulled Alex into her arms and held her in a loose embrace as the paramedic moved back and packed up his stuff, declaring that the knee was bruised but if she had continual pain to go into town and get checked over. Tate nodded before turning back to her friend.
"The gunshots brought back some bad memories for Alex so I tried to soothe her, told her that I loved her and she told me she loved me too" Tate grinned down into sparkling blues then up in surprise as Olivia bolted off the couch and hurried over to sit next to Alex.
"Shit Lex I didn't think, are you OK?" Olivia asked worriedly and then sighed when Alex turned to her and hugged her tight. Dammit she was an idiot, of course the gunshots would have caused bad memories. What type of friend was she?
"I'm fine Liv" Alex pulled back "Why wouldn't I be? Wentworth is finally behind bars, I have my best friend and sister who is happy and in love" she paused and looked back at Tate "Last but not least I've found Tate and fallen in love myself"
"I'm glad you've finally admitted it" Olivia took her hand and squeezed it. "Maybe after all this soap opera drama we'll get to settle down and lead some normal lives"
"Oh please don't jinx us Olivia" Alex sighed and Olivia had to chuckle, never knew Alex to be superstitious. They looked up as Judy walked in carrying a tray of drinks for everyone as well as some home baked cookies. Tate may be a great cook but Judy could bake.
Olivia moved to settle back with Tyler while Judy handed out the coffees and cookies
"I thought we could all have a time out, there's been enough excitement here this morning to last a lifetime" Judy told them as she handed it all out then placed the tray down and picked up her own coffee, sitting down in her favourite rocking chair. "So, now that Wentworth is out of the way what are we going to do about what's been happening at the ranch?"
Tate winced when she saw the car buried in her outdoor kitchen, that was going to take time to fix. She watched as Feds crawled all over the scene with other Lab techs that had come scurrying in in their forensic suits.
She sat on the fence to the horse paddock and watched all the activity going on. Tyler had taken some pain meds and gone for a nap at Olivia's insistence. All the excitement had niggled at her injuries from the previous night.
Alex was spending some 'girl' time with Olivia who was helping Alex move their stuff back into the cabin. At loose ends she had decided to come down to watch the clean up. Well at least she could look on the bright side, she could upgrade the outdoor kitchen. Maybe she could convince Alex to help her with that. She chuckled to herself, she wouldn't have to convince her too hard.
She took her hat off and scratched her head before plopping it back down again. She heard a noise behind her and turned to find Midnight, one of the black mares coming up behind her. She grinned as a snout gave her a gentle bump as if ordering a pat and kindly granted the wish. She scratched behind ears, down the snout and along the neck for several long minutes until the other mares called to her and with a snort she took off, tail high in the air.
"Show off" she called after the graceful animal before turning to find the forensic people finally packing up. Bob was backing his tow truck into the mess at the direction of a Fed. She smiled, Bob was gonna love scrapping that car. He hated fancy imported cars. With a smile she sat back to watch Bob do his best, as long as he didn't pull down her whole kitchen it should be a good show.
Olivia put down Alex's case with a huff and glared at her friend
"Jesus Alex, did you pack the kitchen sink?" she growled and Alex laughed before placing down the light sports bag that Tate had packed.
"You're not whinging are you Detective. A big strong girl like yourself?" she teased and Olivia raised an eyebrow
"You calling me fat?"
"Now when did I say anything about fat Liv" Alex rolled her eyes and stood hands on hips, a smile gracing her lips and Olivia had to chuckle. Despite their run in with Wentworth this morning Alex was looking mighty chipper. She was very glad that Wentworth was now away, she knew it wasn't totally over, there would be testifying and the likes but at least they could relax. On that side of things anyway. She still wanted to catch the ass who was out to hurt Tyler and her family.
Taking her time to look around while Alex excused herself into the bathroom she took in the simplistic, minimalistic cabin and thought it suited Tate to a t. At the moment it was a place to hang her hat and to relax while not busy cooking. Her own kitchen was simple compared to the mess hall, but Olivia doubted she cooked big meals there anyway.
Walking over to the lounge area it was dominated by the large fire, a blanket, she presumed for Buster off to one side. A couch, coffee table and rug faced a flat screen TV which she doubted was turned on much.
The bathroom door opened behind her and Alex strolled out, seeing Olivia had taken time to look around she grinned.
"What do you think of the place?" she asked her friend, her sister and Olivia shrugged
"Honestly?" she asked and Alex nodded "I think it's perfect for Tate. I have to say I am struggling to see you in a one room cabin though" she admitted and Alex nodded
"Fair enough, and deserved for Alexandra Cabot I guess but I haven't always been a pampered princess" Alex shrugged "I did it tougher than this in Witsec" she gave a cheeky grin "Beside I think I can talk Tate into adding a room or two"
"Are you kidding? You could convince the woman to build you a palace, she's that far gone on you" Olivia chuckled as she took a seat on the couch. Alex plopped down on the couch next to her, grinning like a fool
"I'm pretty gone on her too remember" she sighed "I never felt this good before"
"Good, so you're going to stick around?"
"I'll need to set up an office somewhere, will do a fair bit of travelling back East, hopefully I can convince Tate to come with me a few times. So yes, I guess I am staying" Alex smiled
"Even if I don't?" Olivia asked, noticing Alex falter startled before nodding
"Yes, I love Tate, why would I leave her?" Alex asked then hesitated "Are you considering leaving? I thought you loved Tyler and would stay"
"Al calm down it was just a question. I am not going anywhere, maybe except to pack up my apartment. Last night and today when I had those scares, thinking I had lost Tyler" she shuddered and Alex took her hand, squeezing it gently in comfort. "I think I have had my share of New York. I may try and convince Tyler to come with you a couple of times when you go back so I can see the guys, but I am staying put, as long as she will have me"
Alex looked at Olivia who had a clear sparkle in her eye and was happier than any other time she had ever seen her.
"I have never seen you this happy Liv, and I for one am very glad you are staying and giving Tyler a chance"
"Me too" Olivia looked away and suddenly looked nervous which caused Alex to frown
"What is it?"
"How do I tell her, about me I mean, who I am?" she asked and Alex sighed. She wasn't sure what to say to Olivia there. Her friend had struggled all her life with the fact that she was a product of rape, she had let it define her for so long. It had influenced her decision into her career path. It was a noble career but Alex had always wondered whether she enjoyed her job or just felt a compulsion to do it. She figured due to the recent burn out that it was the latter.
"Who you are is Olivia Benson. Once a great New York Detective, now a rancher and part time officer maybe. My best friend and sister. If Tyler loves you then that's all that is important"
"But she deserves to know the truth" Olivia insisted
"Yes she does sweetheart" Alex agreed gripping her hand firmly "But it's not all that important and I think for Tyler it won't matter. Just like for me it no longer matters that Tate was a former Gothic student who lived on the streets and did drugs"
Olivia thought about it for long moments before finally nodding. She wasn't totally convinced but she did feel better about it.
"Ok, I get it" she nodded and smiled up at her friend "I'll try not to dwell on it"
They were both startled then by a resounding crash outside. They looked at each other eyes wide before racing for the door. Olivia remembered all the accidents at the ranch at the last second and pulled Alex back. Opening the door slightly she looked out and her eyes went wide, what the hell had they done now?
Tate stared at the mess that was her outdoor kitchen in horror, or what she could see through the dust. What the hell had happened? She slid off the fence and approached Bob who was standing outside his truck looking at the mess he had just created.
He turned when he heard her striding towards him and his eyes widened comically and he held his hands up in surrender.
"Tate I..."
"What the hell did you do to my kitchen?" she roared
"I swear I didn't know it would all coming falling down or I would have propped it up" he promised trying to placate her
"You should have thought of that before you pulled the car out" Tyler fumed "Summer's coming up and I have no outdoor kitchen, nowhere to grill or have cookouts"
"I'm sorry Tate"
"You will be when you miss out on our annual cookout" she hissed and had the pleasure of watching him blanch
"Tate!"
Tate turned upon hearing her name called and saw Alex racing towards her with Olivia, eyes wide as they took in the scene. Tate shot a final glare at Bob before turning to catch Alex, a small grin spreading across her face at having her lover in her arms. Her body hummed in pleasure, not so much sexual, just a nice sensation, one of wholeness, completeness.
"I can't leave you alone for a second, what the hell happened" Alex asked worriedly, pulling back to check her out for any signs of physical injury
"I'm fine babe, I was sitting back there on the fence when Bob and the Feds decided to wrench Wentworth's car out. I don't think any of them realised how jammed in the blasted thing was, it basically just pulled down the whole structure" Tate sighed and looked back at the mess that was her outdoor kitchen "Tyler is going to be pissed, she was proud of the kitchen she built me"
"She built it?" Olivia asked, brows raised
"No, it was her idea I guess, to make such an elaborate one and to enclose it a bit so it could be used in winter"
"We'll rebuild" Alex promised placing a gentle hand on her lovers face "We'll try and stay true to Tyler's kitchen but maybe we can build something that can be used all year round, as well as add some cover to the fire pit" Alex nodded to the open fire pit which stood unused for most of the year, too wet and cold
"We'll see what Tyler says first" Tate nodded before looking back at the mess "Come on, let's go in through the side door. I think the ranch hands deserve a big dinner after the excitement today"
"Sounds good" Alex smiled then turned to Liv who held up her hands and backed away
"I think I might go see if Tyler is still sleeping"
"Oh no you don't" Alex grabbed her and started dragging her towards Tate who was already heading off towards the mess "Let Tyler sleep without attempting to jump her bones" she teased earning a swat on her arm.
"I was going to sleep with her"
"I know"
"Alex!"
"Olivia" Alex laughed and the sound was so infectious that Olivia laughed too, allowing herself to be dragged along.
They were in the middle of looking at styles of outdoor kitchens on Alex's iphone when the side door opened and Tyler strolled in, scowl on her face
"What the hell happened to my outdoor kitchen?" she growled and she looked so pissed that Olivia had to smother a chuckle. Tate raised an eyebrow
"Who's kitchen?" she asked
"Well I helped design it" Tyler grumbled "And it was my idea to start with"
She looked so petulant that Olivia went up to her and gently caressed the side of her face.
"How are you feeling love?" she asked and earned a smile as an arm snaked around her waist, causing a shiver to snake up her spine. Olivia looked up into eyes that had turned a deep dark blue in desire. Longing instantly swept through her, oh God.
"You should have joined me in bed" Tyler whispered seductively "I could have shown you"
"I'm gonna kill Alex" Olivia hissed and Tyler did a double take "I was going to join you but she dragged me in here instead, basically told me to take time out from jumping your bones"
"But you jump them so well" Tyler chuckled before claiming her lips in a fiery kiss. Olivia groaned, grabbing Tyler around her back, aware even in her passion not to try and touch her lovers head.
Alex and Tate looked at the other couple kissing and after Tate checked the pasta and mince she had bubbling away on the stove she took Alex by the hand and led her into the walk in cupboard. Alex raised her brow at this
"What?" Tate asked as she pressed her back into the cupboard further until she bumped into a shelf "They were guarding the door, we couldn't get past and this is better than the fridge" she grinned and before Alex good argue the point lowered her head to silence her.