Olivia instantly felt the change in Alex. She took her by the hand and guided her to the couch. Olivia sat on the couch and gently pulled Alex to her.

"What is it Alex?"

"You're bruised."

"Yeah that tends to happen during defense tactics training." Olivia said as she ran her fingers through Alex's golden blonde hair "There's more to it though. Tell me what else is bothering you?"

Unable to express her fears and concerns Alex buried her head in Olivia's shoulder and let the tears fall freely.

Olivia held Alex tightly against her and rubbed her back while whispering I'm right her into Alex's ear.

After a few minutes Alex pulled back and spoke so softly that Olivia almost didn't hear her.

"What if you don't make it home one day?"

Olivia swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She had never once thought of the pressures her job would put on Alex. At that moment she felt like the biggest ass that ever walked the earth.

"Oh god Alex I'm sorry I didn't think."

Olivia made sure Alex was positioned so she wouldn't fall off her lap before releasing her hold on her. She gently cupped Alex's face and raised it so she was looking her in the eyes.

"Not coming home one night is something I live with every day. This job is hard. Its hard physically, mentally and emotionally. We pay a price that no one else ever pays except for our brother and sisters." Olivia carefully wiped the tears from Alex's cheeks that was beginning to fall "The one who pays the greatest price is the one who waits at home for us. They have to sit for the eight hours or more wondering if they are going to get the call. If when they kissed us goodbye before we left for our tour was it the last time they would ever get to kiss us. It's the hardest job there is."

Alex chuckled and lightly smacked on Olivia on the shoulder "I'm realizing that."

"Alex if you can't handle it its ok. I will understand. Sometimes I'm more stress and trouble than what I'm worth believe me."

"You think your more stress and trouble than what your worth." Alex asked with concern in her voice "Why the hell do you think that Olivia. Where did that come from?"

Olivia looked away "It doesn't matter. Just know I will understand if you choose to walk away."

Alex pulled Olivia's face back so that she was looking at her and so she would know that she was listening to what she said.

"It does matter and whoever has told you different certainly didn't deserve you."

"Alex" Olivia started to say but was cut short when Alex silenced her with a kiss. The kiss was slow, complete and through. She broke the kiss slowly and caressed Olivia's cheek.

"Come on let me fix you a hot bath to relax in so you want be so sore in the morning."

Olivia stared at Alex as she slid off her lap and started walking toward the bedroom. The woman constantly amazed her. She was right there and Olivia could tell she wanted to push the issue but knew not to.

"you coming?" Alex called back over her shoulder when she realized Olivia wasn't following her.

"Right behind you blondie." Olivia answered as she carefully stood up from the couch and started to follow Alex. She grimaced in pain when she took her first step but quickly masked her face. She had already worried Alex enough she wasn't about to add more to the plate.

Alex was checking the temperature of the water when Olivia walked in.

"Really blondie." Olivia said as she looked around the bathroom "You live off your wages and tips. There is no way you could afford this on your wages."

Alex looked at Olivia and smiled.

"True but a nice size loan using my BMW as collateral did afford this. Believe me in about thirty minutes you will be thanking god that I wanted a garden size tub with Jacuzzi jets."

"I feel sorry for whoever lives in apartment 1 because I know you had to cut into their space to fit this tub in here with everything else."

"Lets say dad wasn't too happy about giving up some of his office space and gym area but when I bat my eyes like this and smile my little innocent smile. Dad gives in."

Olivia groaned when Alex demonstrated her way of getting what she wanted from her father. She realized then and there that she would give in to her with the same look.

"I have set extra towels on the toilet along with a change of clothes that should fit you. If you press this button here it turns the jets on and twisting this knob will control the speed of the jets. Any questions?"

"Join me?" Olivia asked as she stepped closer reaching out and pulling Alex to her.

There was no mistaking the desire and want that Olivia had for Alex. It was written all over her face and a blind person could read it in her eyes. It would be so easy for Alex to give in but she couldn't. She had promised herself this time would be different. She wasn't going to make the same mistakes with Olivia that she did with Vicci.

"I would love to" Alex whispered as she closed her eyes and exhaled "I cant I'm sorry."

"Never be sorry beautiful" Olivia said as she hugged her and kissed the top of her head "You're worth the wait."

"I'll leave you alone so you can hop in the tub. I'm going to run downstairs and order some dinner. Is there anything in particular you would like?"

"You choose" Olivia said as she pulled her wallet out of her back pocket and tossed it toward Alex "There's my wallet. I have twenty in there and my credit card if that's not enough."

"Liv my parents own the cafe. I don't pay for my meals if I order from there."

"I understand that but I don't work at the café and I will not have your parents thinking I'm with you for a free ride either. Take my wallet and pay for my meal."

Alex walked out of the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She was determined when Olivia asked her out not to fall for her. There was something about Olivia that lead her to think she was the dangerous type. The type that just wanted to add another notch on her bed post and be gone. Instead Olivia had proved her wrong on every occasion which only led to one thing. Alex was falling for Olivia and falling hard.