Alex double checked everything on the table for a second time. She had to make sure everything was perfect. She placed the single red rose that Olivia had brought her on Friday night as a surprise in the center of the table with candles on either side. She was carefully fixing the plates when she heard knocking on her door. She quickly lit the candles before running to answer it.

"You're early" Alex stated with a smile as she opened the door and stepped back to allow Olivia to enter.

"Did you expect me to be late blondie?"

Alex blushed "No"

"Smells good in here." Olivia said changing the subject when she noticed how much Alex blushed. Something told her she was waiting on her to let her down or stand her up.

"I didn't think to ask what you like other than coffee extra strong with lots of sugar and creamer. So I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and rolls."

"Sounds wonderful." Olivia said as she spun around and grabbed Alex around the waist pulling her to her "How are you?"

Alex sighed as Olivia pulled her in close and held her tight. There was something in the way Olivia held her made her feel so safe and secure. To a point it scared her because no one had ever made her feel like that before.

"Better now that you're here." Alex said without thinking. She buried her head into Olivia's chest embarrassed when she realized she spoke her first thought out loud.

"Hey beautiful" Olivia whispered as she gently raised her head so she could look in Alex's eyes "Something wrong."

"That kinda of slipped out."

"Don't feel bad or embarrassed because you said what you felt."

Alex couldn't help but smile at Olivia. She had a natural way of making her feel at ease "Thanks. You ready to eat?"

"I am if you are."

Alex led Olivia to the table. She walked over to her seat and was shocked to see Olivia followed and pulled her chair out for her. She sat down gently and allowed Olivia to push her closer to the table.

"I hope you like everything." Alex said as she watched Olivia take her seat.

"Trust me anything is better than the cardboard I eat on a daily basis."

"Is the academy food that bad?" Alex asked as she began to eat.

"It has its days trust me." Olivia answered as she took her first bite of meatloaf and thought she had died and gone to heaven. "My god this has to be the best meatloaf I've ever had."

"I'm glad you like it. It's a family recipe."

The rest of dinner was spent discussing what had happened during the week with each other and what they needed to do the rest of the week.

"Would you like some more?" Alex asked as she stood and carried her plate to the sink.

"If you wouldn't mind blondie I would love to have some more meatloaf."

"Olivia there is more than enough here." Alex said as she carried the pan back toward the table. "Please take what you would like."

Olivia raised her eyebrows at Olivia "Take what I like?"

Alex blushed when she realized what she said and how it sounded. .

"I umm" she started to say stumbling over her words.

Olivia started laughing which earned a smack from Alex.

When Alex turned to place the pan back on the counter Olivia quickly scooted her chair back and pulled Alex into her lap. She took the pan from Alex's hands and set it on the table before turning her full attention to Alex.

"You are absolutely stunning you realize that?" Olivia whispered as she caressed Alex's check.

"You better finish dinner before it gets cold." Alex answered not use to receiving compliments like Olivia gave her.

"Dinner can wait. Besides I'm use to eating cold meals now. Right now it's about you."

"Liv" Alex whispered as she raised her lips to Olivia's.

The kiss is slow, intense, and full of passion. They broke away only when the need for air became too great. Alex ran her fingers through Olivia's hair before kissing her again this time with more intensity and need than she had ever experienced before. Somewhere in the back of her mind an alarm sounded reminding her to stop. She did her best to push it away but was fighting a losing battle.

Olivia instantly noticed the change in Alex. She could tell Alex was fighting a demon within herself. Lord knew she fought plenty of her own. She broke the kiss but held Alex tight. After a few minutes when she had somehow calmed her raging libido and had found her voice she whispered "Why don't I finish dinner and help you with the dishes?"

"Thank you but you finish eating and I will start the dishes." Alex said as she stood and walked toward the sink.

The way Alex stood made it plain to Olivia that there was no point in arguing with her. Instead Olivia quickly finished her meal her eyes never leaving Alex's body or movements. When she finished she quietly walked up behind Alex and placed her plate in the dish water. She wrapped her arm around Alex's trim waist pulling her to her. She smiled when she felt Alex relax against her and sigh.

"Thank you for dinner." Olivia whispered in Alex's ear "Let me finish the dishes."

Alex closed her eyes and breathed deep. "Tell you what I'll let you wash your plate and I go find a movie for us to watch."

"Deal."

Olivia quickly washed her plate and silverware placing it in the dish drainer. She wiped down all the counters and table before tossing the rag in the sink and joining Alex on the couch.

"So what's your poison?" Olivia asked as she settled herself behind Alex.

"The proposal." Alex said as she laid back against Olivia and covered them both with the blanket she had on the back of the couch.

"Oh god don't tell me you're one of those hopeless romantic movie types."

"I am officer is that a problem." Alex asked as she started to sit back up.

Olivia quickly pulled her back against her body.

"Not at all, beautiful." She whispered before laying a kiss on top of Alex's head. "Hit play."

About twenty minutes into the movie Alex could feel the slow steady rise of Olivia's chest and the light snore coming from her. She was thankful that she finally relaxed enough to fall asleep. She could see the exhaustion written all over Olivia's face when she opened the door this evening. She also could see how she tried her best to mask it along with everything else she tried to mask with her. It was almost as if she didn't want to share or at least felt as if it would be too much of a burden to share whatever she was going through.

As the movie ended Alex quietly slipped out of Olivia's arms and covered her with the blanket she was using. She laid a gently kiss on her head laughing slightly when she saw the twitches of a smile form on her lips. Alex set her alarm for five am to make sure that Olivia would make it to class on time before slipping into bed. With a sigh of content knowing that Olivia was right outside her door Alex rolled over and quickly fell into a deep peaceful sleep.

A/N: I was at my old post last night and was able to write this chapter. Hope everyone likes it. As always reviews and suggestions are welcomed