DISCLAIMER: Main characters not mine, I'm just borrowing. I promise to return them intact, though Olivia and Alex may be a bit tired. I have no idea where Alex's mother is, every fic has her in a different place, and I can't remember when it was mentioned on the show, so she's wherever you like, just not in/near the City :p
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Not really a sequel, just a companion piece to A Lover's Touch, set a few days later. This one actually has a bit more plot. Can't decide if there will be a Part 3. Not sure it's long enough to be a chapter.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
A Lover's Touch 2
By SKingList
Alex stood in a small circle with Elliot, Kathy and Fin, and listened to the three of them as they talked. It was late on Friday evening, December 17th, and SVU was having their annual Christmas party. The alcohol was flowing; people were talking and generally having a good time. Alex was as well, she was just tired. Excusing herself from the group, she walked over to the bar and asked, "A glass of water, please?" Normally, she'd feel bad about doing that at a bar, but SVU had booked the place tonight. When the bartender handed her the glass, she handed him a dollar. Just as she raised the glass to her lips, she felt a familiar arm encircle her waist.
"You OK?" Olivia asked softly.
"Just tired," Alex admitted, sipping her water.
"Ready to head home?"
"I was thinking about it."
"Let me just make the rounds to say goodbye."
"You can stay," Alex said.
"I was thinking about leaving as well," Olivia said. "It's already past 11 and it's been a long week."
Alex nodded, Olivia had been sick earlier in the week and between taking care of her, and the Peterson case blowing up unexpectedly, she was ready for a weekend. Not that she minded taking care of the Detective, as it was so rare that Olivia actually let anyone take care of her. Neither one of them had to work this weekend, and she was looking forward to being able to spend two uninterrupted days together—she didn't care what they did.
Just as Alex was about to turn from the bar, a shadow fell across her and Olivia and they looked up to see Munch, with his misletoe hat, standing over them. "I thought you were Jewish," Olivia said with a smile.
"Details," Munch said. Putting an arm around each of them, he continued, "You know the rules." Olivia and Alex each planted a kiss on John's cheek, which earned them each a kiss back. "Lovely ladies need a ride home?" he asked.
"We'll be fine in a cab, but thanks," Olivia said. "I'll see you Monday."
"Indeed you will. Night Alex."
"Night," the blonde said, stifling a yawn as she followed Olivia.
When they made it back to Elliot and Kathy after saying goodbye to Cragen and Fin, Kathy said, "I'll see you both next Friday?"
"Looking forward to it," Olivia said. She usually spent Christmas Eve with Elliot and his family, and this year Alex would join them. Neither one of them had any other Christmas Day traditions, and Olivia was enjoying the idea of starting their own together. She and Alex had been dating only six months, but it felt like a lot longer. Part of Olivia wondered if this was what it felt like when you really were in love with someone.
"What can we bring?" Alex asked.
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet," Kathy said with a smile. "I'll work out menu details this weekend, and Elliot can tell you Monday."
Alex nodded as Elliot said, "What did I just get volunteered for?"
"Nothing difficult," Olivia said. "Don't worry. I'll see you Monday."
"Have a good weekend," Elliot said. "Get some sleep," he added, giving Olivia a hug.
"I will," Olivia said.
As they walked out into the brisk December air and walked to the corner to get a cab Alex said, "Christmas in New York is beautiful, but I really wouldn't mind if it were just a wee bit warmer."
"Yeah," Olivia said with a laugh. "Maybe only ten below."
"Head back to my place since we're closer?" Alex asked.
"Sure," Olivia said, as the cab pulled up. "Ahh, heat," she said with a smile. As she gave the driver Alex's address, she looked over and noticed Alex leaning her head on the window. "I think my shoulder's a little more comfortable," she said softly.
Alex looked over at Olivia and smiled before accepting her offer and leaning her head on Olivia's shoulder. Olivia put her arm around Alex's back and pulled Alex's left hand into her lap as she wrapped her own hand around Alex's.
They rode home in a comfortable silence and when they exited the cab at Alex's building and walked upstairs, Alex said, "It's good we didn't hit traffic, otherwise I'd have fallen asleep for sure."
Olivia smiled as she reached for her key, so that Alex wouldn't have to. "It's right to bed for you then," she said as they walked into Alex's apartment.
"Mmmhmm," Alex said, not much interested in anything else. "You coming?" she asked, when she noticed Olivia wasn't following her down the hall to the bedroom
"Just getting a glass of water. Do you want one?"
"No, thanks."
Alex was so tired, she didn't want to think about pajamas. Ever since she was a little girl, car rides had lulled her to sleep, and tonight was no exception. She quickly disrobed, leaving her skirt, stockings, bra and blouse in a small pile next to the bed. Luckily, there was a long-sleeved t-shirt on the bed and Alex slipped that over her head. She lay down on her side in bed, quickly slipping beneath the blanket for warmth. She'd brush her teeth for twice as long in the morning.
A few minutes later, Olivia climbed into bed beside her. Alex mustered all her energy to turn over and move closer to Olivia. As she did so, her bare knees touched the back of Olivia's thighs. Alex wrapped her left arm around Olivia's stomach and pulled the Detective close. "Love you," Alex said, her voice muffled as she kissed the back of Olivia's neck.
"Love you too," Olivia said, taking Alex's left hand and bringing it to her mouth for a gentle kiss.
Sometime later, Olivia opened her eyes and looked at the bedside clock. 3:30 AM. She wasn't sure what had woken her as her cell phone was quiet, but then she heard retching sounds coming from the bathroom. Oh, Alex! she thought, quickly rising.
The bathroom door was open and Olivia walked in. She crouched behind Alex and used her left hand to support Alex's forehead, while gently rubbing her lower back with her right. "Do you want a cup of water?" Olivia asked several minutes later, once Alex stopped throwing up.
"Already tried," Alex said, letting go of the toilet to reveal a crushed paper cup in the palm of her left hand. Thinking there was nothing left in her stomach she flushed the toilet and then slid to the side, leaning against the tub.
Olivia reached for a washcloth on the rack next to the sink and quickly wet it with cool water. Turning back to Alex, she saw she'd pulled her knees to her chest and had her forehead resting on her knees. Putting the compress in her left hand Olivia reached around Alex with her right and gently began to massage the base of Alex's neck.
After a few moments, Alex turned her head to face Olivia. "Thank you," she said softly. "That helped."
"I'm glad," Olivia said, sliding her hand lower along Alex's back. Alex eyed the wet washcloth in Olivia's left hand and reached for it. "I got it," Olivia said, gently wiping Alex's face, neck and hands.
A few seconds later, Alex said, "I'm so sweaty, I feel like I should rinse off. I'm afraid if I move, I'll puke."
Olivia was quiet for a moment before she had an idea. "Do you think you can move a little?" she asked.
"I'll try," Alex said.
"We'll take it slowly. But sit tight for a moment," Olivia said, kissing Alex's forehead as she stood. She came back a minute later with a clean nightshirt and a large bath towel. She put them down on the counter, and crouched back down next to Alex, who'd put her head back between her knees.
"You don't have to do this," Olivia heard Alex murmur softly.
"I know," Olivia said simply. "I want to," she added. After a minute she asked, "Are you ready?"
"I think so," Alex said. Before she realised what was happening, she felt Olivia's left arm beneath her legs and her right arm on her shoulders. Olivia gently lifted Alex so that she could sit on the edge of the tub.
"Was that OK? Not too quick?" Olivia asked.
"No, it was fine," Alex said, slowly swinging her legs over the edge of the tub.
Alex shivered slightly after taking off her sweaty nightshirt. "Sorry babe," Olivia said. "We'll do this quickly." Olivia was standing next to Alex, adjusting the water temperature before detaching the showerhead.
When Olivia turned back to Alex, she saw that Alex had her head in her hands, with her elbows resting on her knees. Resting a hand on Alex's back, Olivia asked softly, "What can I do?"
"Nothing," Alex snapped, pulling forward slightly.
"OK," Olivia said, knowing when to back off.
Five minutes later, the shower was done and Olivia wrapped Alex in the towel, gently patting her dry. Olivia noticed Alex resting her hand against her stomach and asked, "You OK?"
Alex nodded slightly, "Compazine is finally kicking in."
"How long have you been up?" Olivia asked, pulling Alex's nightshirt over her head.
Alex shrugged. "Awhile."
Olivia nodded. She knew what it was like when you weren't feeling well and didn't want to talk. "Stomach settled enough to come back to bed?"
"Think so," Alex said, reaching for Olivia's outstretched hand as she slowly stood.
When they reached the bed, Olivia allowed Alex to lie down before pulling the sheet up around her. "Do you want the blanket or are you too warm?"
Alex shook her head and closed her eyes. She just wanted to go back to sleep, if she could. Just a moment later, she felt the soft touch of Olivia's lips as she kissed her forehead, nose and lips. Lousy as she was feeling physically, Alex had never felt better in her life than she had in these six months that she and Olivia had been together.
Olivia woke up around 8:30, unusually late for her, but not surprising considering she'd been up with Alex. She was lying on her back, but turned to look at Alex, who was sleeping on her side facing her. Olivia loved watching Alex sleep. Though Alex's face was currently flushed with fever and there were traces of dried tears on her cheeks, she was still beautiful. Olivia couldn't help but wonder what she'd done to deserve this, to be so lucky to have Alex in her life.
Around 11:30, Olivia was curled up in a corner of Alex's couch, reading a magazine. She'd run out briefly to pick up a few things, since with Alex being ill there was a slight change in their weekend plans, and was now content to stay in until they had to go to work on Monday morning.
Alex walked slowly out of the bedroom, pausing when she saw Olivia on the couch. She thought she'd gone home. "Who'd have blamed her?" Alex thought, considering how she'd acted during the night. She knew she needed to apologise, profusely, but wanted to gauge Olivia's mood first.
Moving quietly, she walked over to the couch and sat next to Olivia, who immediately put down her magazine. "Morning," she said. "I was going to check on you again in a few. How do you feel?"
"Like crap," Alex said, her voice scratchy.
"I know the feeling," Olivia said. Realistically she knew Alex was bound to get sick because all of Manhattan seemed sick, but she felt bad knowing that taking care of her earlier in the week hadn't helped any. Alex was sitting sideways, facing her, with her head resting sideways on her folded arms atop the couch Olivia said, "That cannot be comfortable."
"It'll do," Alex said.
"I think I have a better idea," Olivia said, standing. "Be right back."
Olivia returned a few minutes later with a few things, most of which she set on the end table. She set Alex's pillow on the floor for the moment and sat down, angled toward Alex with her left leg on the floor and her right leg folded in to her. She reached over to Alex, who'd closed her eyes. "C'mere," Olivia said softly, gently pulling Alex toward her. As Alex slid toward her, Olivia extended her right leg along the back of the couch.
Alex was facing in toward Olivia's chest so when she mumbled something, Olivia couldn't quite make it out. "What was that?" she asked, rubbing Alex's back with her left hand.
Alex tilted her head up to look at Olivia, and Olivia couldn't help but look at those beautiful blue eyes, glazed over with fever. "You don't hate me?" Alex asked.
"What?" Olivia asked, genuinely surprised. "Why would I hate you?" she asked, smoothing Alex's hair back from her face with her right hand.
"Because I was a royal bitch to you last night?"
"You weren't," Olivia said, sincerely.
"Just a bitch then?" Alex asked. "Alex Cabot the thirty-four year old becomes Alex Cabot the four year old when she's sick. I'm so sorry I snapped at you," Alex said, taking Olivia's right hand and lacing their fingers together.
Olivia kissed Alex's forehead and said, "You were fine. No one's happy when they're sick. I know you weren't snapping at me, I was just there."
"There, taking care of me. Exactly why I shouldn't have done it."
Realising this argument could go on for ages, Olivia dipped her head for a tender kiss and when the kiss ended, she said, "Just remember I love you. I'll always be here if you need me, and snapping at me in frustration or when you're not feeling well isn't going to change that, so don't worry about pushing me away so easily."
Alex just nodded, a tear already rolling down her cheek. What did I do to deserve her? she thought. "I love you too," she said.
"Now no more tears," Olivia said, realising how warm Alex was when she reached down to wipe away the tears. "You cried enough during the night."
"You heard me?"
"No, but I could tell when I woke up." Olivia wanted to tell her that she should have woken her, but understood why she hadn't. "What can I do to make you feel better?"
Alex shook her head. "Nothing. I just had such a bad headache, and my stomach wouldn't settle so I couldn't sleep. I don't feel as bad now."
"I'm glad," Olivia said. "I bought some ginger ale, did you want to try it?"
Alex nodded, shifting slightly so she was leaning with her back against the back of the couch and her left side against Olivia and her head resting on Olivia's shoulder. Olivia snaked her right arm behind Alex's back as she reached for the glass of ginger ale on the end table with her left hand and passed it to Alex.
Alex took a few careful sips of the warm soda and said, "Thanks."
"No problem. I also picked up some saltines and chicken soup if you want to try those later."
"Did you do a full grocery run?" Alex asked with a smile.
"Nahh," Olivia said. "Just a few thing and some DVDs. I woke up around 8:30 and was restless. Didn't want to stay in bed and risk waking you."
"You're too good to me," Alex said. "I'm going to be giving a lot of IOUs for Christmas as there is no way I'm going to be up to shopping today or tomorrow."
"You said you had for Elliot, Kathy and the kids already, who else do you need to worry about right away?"
"You mainly," Alex said. She had a few things for Olivia, but there was more she wanted to get.
"You know I'm not going anywhere," Olivia said. "Plus Christmas isn't over until you get all your presents so this just means my Christmas goes longer."
"Thanks," Alex said, with a smile. She liked the idea of Olivia not going anywhere and hoped that one of her gifts would also ensure that.
Shifting slightly, Olivia asked, "Do you think you're up to watching a movie?"
"I'll try. Can't promise I'm going to stay awake though. What did you get?"
"Bruce Almighty, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bend it Like Beckham, Calendar Girls and Chicago. Mostly laughs, and I know you wanted to see the last one."
Alex nodded. "Good choices. I'm almost tempted to hook up the DVD player in the bedroom so we can sprawl, but I admit, I'm quite comfortable like this."
"I am too," Olivia said, kissing the top of Alex's head.
"Good. I was afraid I was crushing you."
"Never. You're too light to crush me, even if you wanted to." Alex leaned forward as Olivia stood to put in the DVD. "Want anything while I'm up?
Alex shook her head, she just wanted Olivia to come back to the couch quickly so she could curl back up in her lap. She had the chills and generally felt lousy, but felt somewhat better in Olivia's arms.
Olivia came back to the couch a moment later and slid behind Alex. Rather then resting her left leg on the floor, she brought it up on the couch so Alex was sitting between her legs with her back to Olivia's chest. "Comfy?" Olivia asked.
"More than comfy," Alex thought, enjoying the feeling of Olivia's jeans against her bare legs. "I'm good," she said to Olivia. "Would you be too warm if I put on a blanket though?"
"Not at all," Olivia said, reaching for the blanket off the back of the couch. It was too awkward to spread it over them from behind, so Alex did it. When she was done, she leaned back into Olivia's arms and Olivia wrapped her arms around her under the blanket, her hands resting gently on Alex 's stomach.
No more than twenty minutes later, shortly after Jim Carrey's character didn't get the promotion he wanted, Olivia heard a slight snore coming from in front of her. Alex didn't normally snore, but she was congested from the flu, and Olivia thought it was kind of cute. Much as she didn't want Alex to be sick, she was glad it had happened over the weekend so they could both stay home and Olivia could repay the favour from earlier in the week when Alex had taken such good care of her.
Olivia switched off the movie and reached for her magazine, one of the mindless entertainment tabloids, and an article talking about celebrity Christmas gifts.
For the first time in a very long time, she was really looking forward to Christmas. Sure, she'd enjoyed Christmas Eves with Elliot and his family over the years, but the holiday itself hadn't meant much to Olivia. This year it was different. She was still looking forward to Christmas Eve, but she couldn't wait for Christmas Day. Couldn't wait to wake up with Alex, either here or at her apartment, and enjoy a quiet morning, opening presents and lounging in their pajamas, or less.
Alex was by no means Olivia's first lover, but she was her first serious one in a few years and by far her best. Though they'd often butted heads over work when Alex first was assigned to SVU, they soon realised they had a lot in common. It wasn't easy to pinpoint when their relationship had gone from co-worker to friend to something more, but Olivia knew she'd never forget their first night together. Never forget the feeling of Alex's hands, lips and tongue as they roamed her body.
All Olivia knew, and all that really mattered, was that the last six months had been the six best of her life. While work had always kept her busy and on her toes, she had a good environment and a great relationship with everyone there. Fin and Munch were the brothers she never had; Cragen was a father to all of them and Elliot. Of course Elliot, he was her best friend and older brother all in one. But now, for the first time in her life, Olivia had something equally good to come home to and she loved the balance.
When she first realised she and Alex had something more than friendship, she was initially worried about the guys' reaction. Not about the fact that she was dating a woman, but that it was Alex, since there seemed to be various degrees of tension between the Detectives and the DA's Office, and especially Alex at first. But they were happy for her. As Munch had put it, "We just want to see you happy. And if Alex makes you happy, then that's great." Olivia couldn't help but smile when she thought about just how happy Alex made her.
Almost an hour later, Olivia felt Alex shift in her lap as she turned onto her left side. When Olivia saw her eyes open she said softly, "Hi."
The End