A/N I would like to thank y'all for all the reviews, fav's and followers I already have after the first chapter. It means a lot to me. I wrote the time line in the first chapter fast to come to the point where for me the story actually starts. To give some background information on how the current situation was created. From now on it will go as it normally goes in my stories, not skipping a lot in the time line.
Keep R+R please.
Chapter 2
Olivia wasn't herself since they had left the courtroom. She could hide for Dakota and the others, but not for Alex. They went home to have a celebration party. Nothing big, just the guys, Amanda, Cragen, Abby, Casey, Alex, Olivia and Dakota. Olivia was in the kitchen preparing some snacks when Alex came inside.
"Are you gonna tell me what's bothering you or are you keep pretending everything is alright and keep it to yourself?" Alex asks.
Olivia turns around to look at Alex.
"What are you talking about?" Olivia asks.
"I'm talking about you not being yourself since we left the courtroom and act like nothing is wrong. Now you may fool everyone else, but you're not fooling me, Liv. The smile you put on your face doesn't reach your eyes. Don't worry, nobody else noticed it. So I'm gonna ask you again. Are you gonna tell me what's bothering you or are you keep pretending everything is alright and keep it to yourself?" Alex asks.
"So apparently my smile doesn't reaches my eyes. And it's visible for everyone to see?" Olivia asks.
"To me it is. To everyone else it isn't. Now are we gonna talk about it or not?" Alex asks.
"No we are not. We are having a celebration party for Dakota. Now is not the time nor the place to talk about what ever it is you think is wrong." Olivia answers.
"Fine, keep pretending everything is alright it is then. Just know that when you want to talk about what's bothering you, I'm here for you, Liv." Alex answers.
"I know. Now go back to the others or help me preparing these snacks." Olivia says.
"Ok. I'm going to let it rest for now. But this conversation isn't over yet, Detective." Alex says.
"What ever, Cabot." Olivia says, turning around and continues preparing the snacks.
Alex shakes her head and helps Olivia with the snacks. She knows by Olivia's reaction that something is definitely bothering the Detective. Something is a burden on her shoulders. But she knows Olivia long enough to know that the brunette will open up to her when she's ready for it and that it's useless to push it. So she let it rest for now. Even though they don't notice it the both relax with each others presence. And after a minute they work sync next to each other. Both with a small smile on their face. By the time they are done and go back to the living room, Olivia is relaxed. She smiles when she see the guys are joking around. Dakota looks up and sees Alex and Olivia coming into the living room and smiles to herself. In the time that she is with Olivia she start knowing Alex and the blonde has been a great friend for the woman she sees as her mother. She can see that they deeply care for each other. She knows that Alex had pulled some strings for her case and she is happy that she can stay with Olivia. When everyone is sitting around the large dinner table Dakota stands up.
"May I have everyone's attention please." Dakota says.
They all turn around and look at the young teenager.
"I would like to make a toast to Olivia and to Alex. I'm so happy that I can stay here with Olivia. And I know that Alex has done a lot to make sure she and I had a chance in court." Dakota says as she looks at both women, sitting next to each other.
"My life has been pretty hard, but slowly things are starting to change. Since I've been here I learned that I have chance to be happy. That life isn't always bad. Liv has been there for me from the moment I came here. And although I have a long road in front of me, I know that I'm alone anymore. I have Liv at my side no matter what. And Alex has been nothing more than supporting for the both of us. She has been there when one of us, or both, needed her. So here's to Olivia and to Alex." Dakota finishes, raising her glass.
"To Olivia and to Alex." Everyone repeats.
Dakota walks around the table to hug both women. She holds Olivia when she turns her head to Alex.
"Come here, Alex." Dakota says, holding out her arm.
Alex stands up and walks to Olivia and Dakota. And the three of them hug each tightly for a few moment. Then they let go.
"Ok. Enough cheesy stuff. Let's get this party started." Dakota says.
Everyone laughs about the teenager's words.
"Oh I know a few things to start a party." Abby drawled.
"No, Carmichael! You are not going to ruin a 14-year-old teenager. Not gonna happen, gal." Olivia says.
"Oh I ain't that bad. I know how to behave myself." Abby pouts.
"Yes you are." Alex and Olivia say at the same time.
Alex and Olivia look at each other before they burst out in laughter. They guys and Casey shake their heads and laugh with them. Abby looks at Dakota and makes a 'they are crazy' sign against her head. Dakota nods and points to the stereo. Abby nods and they are both walking to the stereo. Putting their heads together. Olivia looks up and sees them talking and softly elbows Alex and nods in their direction.
"Oh, oh." Alex whispers.
"Yeah, oh, oh. I'm wondering what those two are up too. Can't be that good judging by the looks on their faces." Olivia whispers back.
Abby and Dakota are looking through some Cd's for some music when Dakota turns her head and sees Alex and Olivia leaning in to each other and whispering something. She turns her head to Abby.
"Hey Abby once we have everyone dancing and the party is going on, you think we could sneak out for a moment? There is something I would like to talk about with you. Nothing bad don't worry." Dakota asks.
"Yeah sure, no problem. What do want to talk about, gal?" Abby asks.
"I tell you then. We just go stand somewhere we can see everyone but they can't see us. And before we do I put on a specific song. I will tell you why when we are talking." Dakota answers.
Abby knows Dakota is up to something and smiles mischievous. Dakota sees Abby's smile and plasters one on her own face. She knows Abby is game. Alex sees the looks too.
"You're right. Trouble is coming when those two have that specific smile on their faces. I don't think I wanna know it. On second hand, I do. Just so I can be prepare to what ever they come up with." Alex whispers in Olivia's ear.
"That makes two of us, Counselor. That makes two of us." Olivia whispers back in Alex's ear.
Dakota and Abby mix the songs, some are an up tempo beat, some are slow and some are hip hop or R&B. And soon everyone is laughing, making fun or jokes and dancing. They guys ask all the women to dance and since they are out numbered the women dance with each other too. Dakota stands next to the stereo and looks around for Abby, when she sees the lanky brunette she waits until Abby looks her way and motions discretely for her to come. Abby nods almost invisible and walks over to Dakota.
"Alright know is a good time I think. Don't you?" Dakota asks.
Abby looks around the room and nods.
"Yeah I think you are right." Abby answers.
"Good. We go to kitchen to talk there, but watch Liv and Alex while walking to the kitchen as I'll put on the next CD and choose a number to play first. I'll follow you after that. Than they won't know that we are going to talk." Dakota explains.
"Ok, I don't know why, but I do what ya want." Abby answers.
Abby walks to the kitchen slowly and glances at Alex and Olivia a few times. And stops when she is about to enter the kitchen to look at them and the rest of the gang. Dakota sees from out the corner of her eye that Abby is there and hits the play button and slowly walks to Abby. She doesn't look at Alex and Olivia when she walks to the Texan, but turns around when she is standing next to her and looks at the blonde ADA and the Detective for a moment before she walks into the kitchen. She only needed a moment to get confirmed what she thought. Abby looks at them for a few moments more before she follows Dakota into the kitchen.
"Ok Kiddo, what's on your mind?" Abby asks.
"Look at them, Abby." Dakota says, pointing at Alex and Olivia.
"Did you see the way they looked at each other for a moment, before they composed themselves? They look at each other that way, when they think the other doesn't see it or I don't see it. And sometimes they look at each other that way when they think I'm not in the same room. Now I may be young, but I'm not blind or stupid. I know they like each other and not only as friends. Tell me that I see it wrong. Tell me that I'm not right." Dakota says.
"I don't think you are blind or stupid, Dakota. I think you are a very smart young woman, teenager. And you are right, for as briefly as I could see it. But what are you trying to say? Do you not like it, do you not approve it, in general or with them?" Abby asks.
"What? No! That's not what I meant. I don't care if someone is gay or bisexual or something like that. What I mean, or better what I want, is for them to be together. As a couple. I love Liv and I love Alex. I don't mean that we need to do it now, at this moment, but we need to find a way to get them together some time. Not too long from now. Will you help me to find a way to start getting them together?" Dakota asks.
"Well I hate to break your bubble, gal, but I've known them both for a long time. They are both straight." Abby answers.
"Well they may be straight if it comes to others, but not when it's about them. I'm telling you, they are liking each other, really like each other. I've lived here for about 8 months and I can you tell you this, you need sunglasses when one of them comes home and the other is here, because they light up like firework on the 4th of July. If Liv is having a nightmare Alex goes to her bedroom and she stays there till the next morning. Some times they sleep together without Liv having a nightmare. When Alex stays for the night. Now are you gonna help me finding a way or not? Not now but in a month or two or something like that." Dakota asks.
"I probably are signing my death sentence now, but yes. Yes I will help you. And I'll talk to Casey too, maybe she wants to help us figuring something out. Let me know when you want to start thinking about getting them together, make a plan to start getting them in that direction." Abby answers.
"Great. Thank you, Abby. You're the best. I hope Casey wants to help too. Now lets get back before they are gonna start missing us." Dakota says smiling.
"Fine. Ya are one special girl, Dakota. And lets get back before they start looking for us." Abby says.
Abby walks out of the kitchen and Dakota gets something to drink from the fridge first before she walks back. Nobody has missed them. Two hours later they guys, Amanda and Cragen leave. Casey and Abby stay to help Olivia, Alex and Dakota to clean up before they are leaving too.
"Hey Cabot, I'm here with my car. Do ya need a ride home?" Abby asks.
"No thanks, Abs. I'm staying for the night." Alex answers.
"Ok. How about you, Casey?" Abby asks.
"Yes I want a ride home. Thank you." Casey answers.
"Alright. Lets go then and get out of their hair." Abby says.
"Sounds like a good plan to me. Lets go." Casey answers.
The five women exchanged hugs and Abby and Casey left.
"I'm going to bed, Liv. If that's ok." Dakota says.
"Sure, honey. Goodnight." Olivia says.
"Goodnight. Goodnight, Alex." Dakota says.
"Goodnight, sweetie." Alex answers.
Dakota walks down the hall to her bedroom and closes the door behind her. Alex looks at Olivia.
"How about you, Detective. Wanna hit hay too?" Alex asks.
"Nah, I'm gonna stay up a bit longer. But you can go if you wanna hit the hay. You can stay in the guest room or take my bed. Your choice." Olivia answers.
"I think I'm gonna read a few chapters of my book before I'm gonna sleep. How about I'm going to your bed and when you wanna go to sleep you come too?" Alex asks.
"Ok. That would work for me. But you don't have stay up. If you want to sleep just do it." Olivia answers.
"Alright, I will. But don't stay on the couch or take the bed in the guest room if you're late. Come to your own bed." Alex says.
"Ok, I will. Goodnight, Lex" Olivia says.
"Goodnight, Liv." Alex answers.
It's two hours later when Alex looks up from her book and looks at the alarm on Olivia's nightstand. She was lost in her book and didn't noticed that time went that fast. Olivia is still not aside her and Alex decides to go looking for the strong brunette. She first looks in the guest room to see if Olivia didn't go there despite their agreement. But the guest room is empty. So she peddles down the hall to the living room. The lights are still on in the living room and Alex silently opens the door. Not wanting to wake Olivia up if the Detective fell asleep. What she sees breaks her heart. Olivia is sitting on the couch with her knees against her chest crying softly. Holding something in her hand. But Alex can't see what it is from the door opening. She walks inside and softly closes the door behind her.
"Liv? Honey, what's wrong?" Alex asks softly as she walks to the Detective.