Time
Disclaimer: I still do not own anything but the story and the random characters I made up.
Summary: A/O. Alex continues to help with the investigation and reveals a buried secret
Author's Notes: I left out the time span of Alex living in Texas purposely since I don't have time to see if they have ever said anything about her whereabouts in the past, maybe later. I hope you like it nonetheless! Thank you for all the great comments so far!!!
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“Olivia, Alex,” Cragen started as the women walked through the precinct doors. He met them before they had a chance to walk very far. He handed them two printed pieces of paper and looked between the two expectantly.
“Uh?” Olivia read the paper carefully.
“We’re going to Texas?” Alex looked at him, confused.
“Yep. We decided to send you along Alex since you seem to be more in tune with this case than my detectives.” He looked pointedly at Olivia who averted her eyes.
“Oh.” Alex replied softly before folding the electronic boarding pass.
“So our flight leaves in two hours, how exactly is this going to work out?” Olivia shoved her free hand into her pocket, waiting for Cragen to explain.
“Well the plan is that the two of you fly out tonight and get a feel for the area. Then tomorrow have Alex go check out schools, see which one Abrianna is in. Local law enforcement will meet you to pick up Clark once the girl is safe with Alex. Pull her out as soon as you find her. Any questions?” He looked from Alex to Olivia.
“Um, as far as our detectives go, am I going alone?” Olivia turned to Alex, giving an apologetic smile.
“No, Elliot will be joining you, it’s his case too.” Cragen straightened his shirt.
“What about my job?” Alex asked in a small voice.
“Don’t worry, Branch gave the authority. You’re going as a guardian ad litem for Abrianna. Anything else?” He looked at Alex expectantly.
She shook her head. “Go in, pick up the girl, keep her safe.” Alex confirmed.
Cragen gave the women a small smile and nodded. “Good luck, call me daily to give me updates.”
Cragen started walking back towards his office. Olivia turned to Alex, expecting the lawyer to say something. Instead, Alex turned and started back out of the precinct. Olivia followed, walking a step behind her until they reached the curb.
“Hey, you okay?” Olivia asked, wondering what was wrong with Alex since this morning in the Jacoby apartment.
Alex nodded. “I’m fine Olivia. Just going home to pack, we have a plane to catch in two hours.” Her arm reached out to catch a cab.
“Can I go with you? Then we can go back to my place and I’ll call Elliot to pick us up on his way to the airport?” Olivia grasped at straws, something was definitely bothering Alex.
“If you would like to.” She turned, looking into Olivia’s pleading eyes and sighed. “I guess it would make more sense.”
Olivia grinned and Alex gave her a small smile as they climbed into the cab. Alex gave the cab driver her address as Olivia closed the door. Alex watched out the window the whole ride as Olivia watched her.
And you’ll begin to wonder why you came
----
“You girls ready?” Elliot asked as Olivia opened the door to her apartment.
“Yep!” She moved back to let him enter.
Alex was sitting on the couch, clutching her bag on her lap. Elliot caught Olivia’s eyes and nodded towards Alex. Olivia shrugged at his obvious question and walked over to where Alex was sitting. Elliot picked up Olivia’s bag but stayed back from the pair.
“You ready?” Olivia asked, standing over Alex.
Alex nodded and let Elliot grab her bag. Elliot escorted Alex out door as Olivia grabbed their boarding passes off of the counter and locked her apartment. He threw their bags into the trunk once they got to the car. Olivia and Alex were already seated by the time Elliot settled down into his seat. He looked to make sure they had their seatbelts on before moving out into traffic, heading towards the airport. They sat quietly for a while until Olivia turned in her seat to face Alex in the back.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Olivia eyed Alex.
Alex kept looking out the window. “It’ll be hot in Texas.”
Olivia nodded. “Yeah.” She turned back around, acknowledging the fact that Alex didn’t seem to want to make conversation.
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Once seated in the plane, Olivia turned to Alex who was by the window.
“I’ve never been to Texas.” She watched Alex nod.
“Me either.” Elliot chimed in, trying to get Alex to talk. When she didn’t he sighed, looking at Olivia who just shrugged.
“So, El, how are things with Kathy?” Olivia turned to face Elliot.
“They’re great. We haven’t fought in a week at least! Actually, we’re going to try to have a barbeque in a few weeks, you’re coming right?” Elliot smiled at her attempt to make conversation.
“Of course, I miss your crazy kids.” Olivia laughed.
“They miss you too, they were just asking about you the other day. Kathy suggested that you come over next weekend for dinner.” He pulled the in-flight magazine out of the back of the seat in front of him.
“I’ll see what I can do. That would be nice.” Olivia smiled and pulled her magazine out as well. She glanced at Alex out of the corner of her eye; she was still staring out of the window.
When they reached maximum altitude, Olivia pulled some cards out of her bag. She turned to Alex.
“Wanna play?” Olivia held the cards out to Alex.
“No, it’s okay, you and Elliot play. I am kind of tired.” Alex leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. Olivia, trying not to be frustrated, turned towards Elliot.
“Play cards with me?” She pouted.
“Sure.” He smiled at her and shook his head.
-----
It was 11 p.m. when they finally got to the hotel. Elliot carried their bags in as Olivia and Alex followed behind him. He walked up to the counter, putting the bags down and pulling out his I.D.
“Stabler.” The police department had booked the room under his name just in case.
The receptionist smiled. “Here you go.”
She handed him three key cards as he put his I.D away. He took them and handed them over to Olivia before picking their luggage back up. They rode the elevator in silence to the third floor. When they made it to their room, Olivia used the key card to open the door, letting Alex and Elliot in before entering. Elliot put their bags on one of the beds and moved over to the other.
“Looks like you two are sharing a bed.” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood.
Olivia looked over at Alex before responding. Alex blushed and moved over to her bag, opening it. Olivia looked at Elliot who shuffled uncomfortably and nodded.
“I can sleep with Elliot if you aren’t okay with that Alex.” Olivia said softly.
“Don’t be silly, we’ve slept in the same bed before, I am okay with it.” Alex looked at her briefly before taking her pajamas into the bathroom and locking the door.
Olivia sat down on the edge of the bed and put her head in her hands. Elliot walked across the room and sat next to her, placing his hand on her back.
“You okay?” He asked quietly.
Olivia nodded. “I just wish…she would tell me what is wrong.”
“I know.” He rubbed her back.
They heard a sob coming from the bathroom. Olivia sat up, looking at Elliot. He just stared back, waiting for her to move. Olivia got up and moved to the bathroom door. She knocked softly.
“You okay Al?” Olivia leaned up against the door.
The sobbing got louder. Olivia looked back to Elliot who motioned towards the room door before getting up and heading outside.
“Can I come in?” Olivia tested the handle, it was locked. She spoke again, softly. “Unlock the door, please Al.”
When she heard the click, Olivia slowly opened the bathroom door. Once inside she saw Alex, sitting on the floor against the wall, clad in only her underwear. Olivia was reminded of the first night they slept in the same bed together. She quietly closed the door and knelt down to Alex who had her body drawn up into a ball. She began to rub the blonde’s back.
“Shhh, it’s okay Al.” Olivia kissed her head, letting her lips linger in her hair for a few moments.
“It’s not okay.” Alex sobbed.
“You wanna talk to me about it sweetie?” Olivia brushed her hands through Alex’s hair.
“You won’t like me anymore.” Alex whispered into her folded arms.
“Nothing you tell me will make me like you any less Alex. I promise.” The confession almost broke Olivia’s heart.
Alex looked up, tears stained her cheeks. “You promise?”
Olivia gave Alex a smile and nodded. “I promise.”
Alex looked back down. “I never wanted to come back here.”
“Why?” Olivia rubbed the blondes’ back again.
“I was raped here.” Her voice came out, barely audible.
Olivia, shocked at the revelation, pulled Alex into her arms. Olivia held her tight, burying her face into Alex’s shoulder.
“And when I got pregnant, he beat me until I lost the baby.” Alex started sobbing again.
Olivia held onto her, letting her cry. When the sobbing stopped, Olivia pulled back to look at Alex. She brushed the hair from her face, exposing Alex’s red, teary eyes. Olivia wiped a tear from Alex’s cheek that spilled over. When she sniffled, Olivia moved to get some toilet paper, handing it to Alex for her to blow her nose.
“Hey Al?” Olivia moved back to face Alex, trying to look into her eyes.
“Yeah?” Alex looked back at Olivia, fear present in her eyes.
“I still like you.” Olivia smiled, biting her lip.
Alex let a small laugh erupt. “I’m glad, even though this is the second time you’ve found me on the floor of a bathroom half naked.” She wiped her tears.
Olivia laughed. “So many things to say to that…”
Alex swatted her arm before attempting to stand up. Her legs cramped and Olivia put her hand under Alex’s elbow, helping her.
“How about you get dressed and I will change and go find Elliot.” Olivia nodded towards the room.
“You kicked Elliot out?” Alex laughed, wiping her nose again.
“No! He just left on his own.” Olivia shook her head before exiting the bathroom.
----
Ten minutes later, Olivia entered the room with Elliot in tow. Alex was sitting in the bed, under the covers, watching the news.
“Hey, feeling better?” Elliot asked, walking past her bed to get to his.
Alex nodded, looking at Olivia, who shook her head, letting Alex know that she didn’t tell him anything. “Much better thanks to Liv.”
He smiled at her. “Well, I’m going to take a shower before I go to bed.” He grabbed his stuff before entering the bathroom.
Olivia moved over to the bed as Alex turned the t.v. off. She slipped under the covers and rested her head on the pillow, facing Alex. Alex watched her, then clicked the light down until there was just enough for Elliot to be able to get into bed. Alex turned back around to face Olivia and slid back under the covers. Once Alex rested her head on the pillow, Olivia opened her eyes. Alex reached for Olivia’s hand, pulling it out of the covers and entwining their fingers.
“Thank you.” Alex kissed Olivia’s knuckles.
“For what?” Olivia questioned.
“For talking to me tonight, for still liking me.” Alex scooted a little closer.
“You don’t need to thank me for that but you are welcome.” Olivia whispered.
Olivia closed the distance and kissed her, softly on the lips. When they pulled back, Alex smiled pulling Olivia’s hand closer to her.
“Night, Livia.” Alex whispered.
“Night Lex.” Olivia watched as Alex closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep before letting sleep consume her as well.
I would have stayed up with you all night, had I known how to save a life
Elliot turned off the shower and dried himself before throwing on a pair of pants and walking out of the bathroom. As he entered the room he looked at the pair on the bed and smiled. They’ll be okay once they get past all their buried secrets, he thought as he slipped into his own bed and clicked off the remaining light.