Olivia walked back in the café and looked around. Alex was nowhere to be found so she walked over to where her mother was taking a customer's order.

"Excuse me Mrs. Cabot could you tell me where Alex is?"

Crystal turned and faced Olivia.

"She took off out of here when you left with Robert. Saying she needed a few minutes alone."

"Do you know where I could find her?"

"The roof. Take the stairs like you would to her apartment. That third door that's not labeled is the stairs to the roof."

"Thank you" Olivia said as she sprinted out the door and around the side of the building. She took the stairs two at a time determined to reach Alex quickly. She pushed the door to the roof opened and looked around. She found Alex standing over to the side just staring out into space. Olivia quietly walked up behind Alex and wrapped her arms around her waist pulling her back against her.

Alex heard the door open behind and knew it was Olivia. She could hear her making her way to her. She exhaled the breath she had been holding when Olivia wrapped her arms around her and pulled her to her. She knew it was stupid to be worried about Olivia in there with her father but old habits die hard.

"You ok?" Olivia asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah just worried that's all."

"Babe I train to deal with people who want to kill me every day, your father was a cake walk."

"I know its just that I haven't had a good history with the women I've dated when they talk to my dad that's all."

"I can tell." Olivia whispered as she kissed Alex on the neck "You mind explaining why your father offered me money to walk away."

Alex moved out of Olivia's arms and away from her. She knew someday she would have to explain her history. There was a small part of her that prayed she never would when it came to Olivia.

"It started with my ex." Alex said as she wrapped her arms around her as if she was trying to protect herself from some unseen danger "Her name was Vicci. I fell and fell hard when it came to her. As soon as she discovered I come from a family with money and power that was all she cared about. She always needed money for one thing or another. If it wasn't money it was her throwing my family's name around so she could get what she wanted."

Olivia cringed seeing where the discussion was going.

"When my father had enough he called her in and asked her how much did she want to walk away and never look back. Apparently I was worth a whole twenty thousand dollars. That was all it took for her to leave."

Olivia walked up behind Alex and slowly turned her around so she was facing her. Placing a finger under Alex's chin she raised her head until she was looking her in the eyes. Upon seeing the silent tears and the pain Vicci had caused Olivia thank god she was no where near. There was nothing she wanted more than to rip her head off her shoulders at that moment.

"Listen to me beautiful" Olivia said as she wiped the tears from Alex's eyes making a silent vow to never leave her with doubt "There is no amount of money that will make me walk away from you. I love you. I want to be with you for you. Not for the money or power your family name carries."

Alex's breath caught in her throat. Olivia loved her for her. Not her money or name but for her. She placed her hands on either side of Olivia's face and slowly brought their lips together.

The kiss was slow. Slower than any others they had ever shared. There was also a difference in the kiss. It was full of love. Neither one holding back on how they felt about each other.

"I love you too." Alex whispered as she pulled away from Olivia.

Olivia sighed as she pulled Alex back to her.

"Come on let's go back down stairs"

"Not yet" Alex said as she pulled from Olivia "I need you to level with me now."

Olivia shoved her hands in her pocket and turned away from Alex. She knew she had to do this but she was afraid of what Alex would think of her afterwards. Looking up to the sky she silently asked if there was a god please let her understand and not cringe from her when she was done.

"Remember how I told you my mother was a victim?"

"I do" Alex said wrapping her arms around Olivia and fought the urge to pull away when she felt Olivia tense at her touch. Maybe she was asking too much too soon.

"Well my mother was raped one night on the way home from college. About two months later she discovered she was pregnant. Unfortunately abortions were illegal back then. So nine months later I was born and for some unknown reason she refused to place me for adoption."

"It wasn't your fault." Alex whispered.

"Tell my mother that. After she had me I was a constant reminder of the worse day of her life. She was unable to handle it so she started drinking. Most days I wasn't the brunt of my mother's anger but there were some days I was. Those were the days I was told that I was the biggest mistake ever."

Alex felt her heart shatter hearing the pain in Olivia's voice. How could someone who was suppose to love their child unconditionally ever be so cruel.

"Did she ever physically hurt you?" Alex asked almost scared of Olivia's answer.

"When I was sixteen. She was so drunk that she kept coming after me no matter what I did. I kicked her so hard that I sent her into the wall and knocked her out. I was terrified that I had killed her. That's when I called Symone Bryce. She is an advocate for children. She was able to help me leave the situation and helped me sign on with the force. She's the reason I live on campus now."

"How so?"

"Campus is only for out of state cadets until they find a place to live. She fixed it with the commander that I could live there up until six months after my graduation."

"Please turn around.:" Alex pleaded with Olivia.

Olivia turned slowly terrified of what Alex may say. She knew she loved her but who would want a half breed police officer as their partner when they come from such a well known family.

"You have no control over how you were conceived or how your mother raised you. It is not your fault that she was raped. I am positive that somewhere deep inside your mother loves you deeply. Which is why she refused to give you up for adoption. She probably didn't understand how hard it would be to raise you though. I for one am thankful she did not give you up. Because if she had whose to say we would have ever met or fallen in love."

Olivia stared at Alex with a confused look on her face.

"Something wrong their stud." Alex asked.

Olivia smiled hearing her pet name that Alex had given her.

"You're not terrified or scared?"

"Should I be?"

"Half my genes are alcoholic and the other half is violent. Who's to say I won't snap one day and attack you or someone else?"

"I have never been scared to be around you and I never will. Olivia being in the same room with you gives me the feeling of security I've never had and will never have with anyone else."

"Look at the profession I chose. One where violence is required. What does that say about me?"

"That you are trying to give the other victims of the world the closure your mother never received. Nothing else."

Olivia finally gathered enough courage and looked into Alex's eyes. She knew the eyes were the window to the soul. So many she had dated in the past had said the same thing but when she looked into their eyes she could see the fear. This time it was different. When she looked into Alex's eyes she saw nothing but love and trust.

Olivia felt as if the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She pulled Alex to her and allowed herself to do the one thing she never had. Cry.

Alex held onto Olivia tightly as Olivia let years of pain go.

After a few minutes Olivia was to gain control of her emotions and pulled back.

"Sorry about that didn't mean to break down on you."

"Never be sorry. Just know I'm here now and you don't have to always be the strong one."

Unable to find her voice Olivia simply nodded before claiming Alex's lips with her own.