Full Circle 8/?
Title: Full Circle
Pairing(s): A/O
Rating: PG-13
Summary: AU-ish. Olivia’s mother loses custody of her when she is young. She either dies or someone learns about the abuse. She is then moved around a few times before she comes to stay with the Cabot’s. Because she has grown up in the system, she doesn’t trust easily. Alex tries to befriend her, but Olivia pushes her away. They grow up together, but never really get to know each other and lose touch when Olivia is old enough to leave.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Olivia crashed through the door leading outside. She stopped long enough to determine the direction her fair haired target had gone. She listened and looked around. She heard a noise in one direction and snapped her head towards it. Seeing nothing but a shoe disappear around a corner, Olivia took off in that direction. She’d seen those shoes enough to recognize them.
Rounding the corner, Olivia saw Alex was leading them down an alley. She could see the blonde just ahead of her, but she also saw what Alex hadn’t noticed yet. At the end of the alley there was a chain link fence, blocking any further progress. She saw Alex reach it and lean her head against it, knowing she could go no further.
Catching up with the other girl, Olivia stopped, but remained a few feet away, knowing Alex would want, need space between them right now. The buildings forming the alley shielded its occupants from the sound of the night. All that could be heard was the heavy breathing of two people. Olivia waited, knowing it’s all she could do, and prayed Alex was done freaking out.
****
Alex couldn’t understand why what she had seen had affected her like that, but something inside told her she had to get out of there. She tried to control her thoughts as she ran, but have of them she didn’t understand. Was Olivia a lesbian? Or had that girl misread what tonight was? If it was the former, did Olivia have a crush on her? Why couldn’t she name the emotion she felt right now? What would Olivia’s lips feel like on hers?
It was after this last thought that Alex realized she was fast approaching the fence. Coming to a stop, she rest her forehead against the cool metal, and threaded her fingers through the links. She knew Olivia had followed her and was waiting for her to turn around, but part of her knew she wasn’t there to make her feel uncomfortable. If she had noticed anything about Olivia the last few years, she never wanted to be a bother to anyone. No, Olivia was there to make sure she was alright after what she had seen, but was she?
Why did I want to know what it would feel like if Olivia kissed me? Alex thought to herself. Does this mean I’m a lesbian too? No, I can’t be. I’ve been trying to get the quarterbacks attention for months. Alex thought about the deep, brown eyes, and the short brown hair that always looked like he had just gotten out of bed. No, I’m straight. I was only curious because…hell who wouldn’t be curious after seeing something like that.
Still warring with herself, Alex had almost forgotten she wasn’t alone in the alley, only remembering when a quiet voice brought her out of her thoughts.
****
Olivia waited as patiently as she could. The seconds felt like hours and she couldn’t stand not knowing what was going through the blondes head. Olivia wasn’t stupid. She knew that no matter how much the Cabots liked her, one word from Alex would send her packing, which is something Olivia didn’t want. She may not outwardly show it, but she liked it at the Cabots. It almost felt like home to her. She’d been there for four years, almost longer than all the other families combined. Plus she would be eighteen in six months, and going off to school in nine. What would be the point in sending her to another foster family now?
How could she have been so careless as to let that happen, let alone Alex see it? The kiss had been nice, one of the best she’d had in fact, but was the limbo she was in really worth it?
Finally Olivia couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Alex,” she said quietly, immediately regretting it seeing the other girl jump.
She watched as Alex slowly turned to face her. Neither girl made a move to close the distance between them. Alex waited to see if Olivia was going to explain her actions, while Olivia waited for Alex to start asking questions.
“Are you ok?” Olivia asked, wanting to get this over with.
Alex, slightly surprised by the question, didn’t know how to answer at first. Physically she was fine, if not a little sore from the run. Emotionally, she wasn’t sure how she felt just yet. Everything was still too jumbled. Instead of answering the question, as easy as it was, she asked one of her own. “What was that in there, Olivia?”
Olivia took a deep breath, preparing herself for the conversation they were about to have. “That was me kissing my date,” she explained.
“Your date,” Alex repeated. She had been expecting it, she just wanted to repeat it to help it sink in.
“Yes, Alex, my date,” Olivia responded calmly. She waited a few moments to allow Alex to digest this information. She was wondering why Alex was taking so long to ask the one question Olivia knew was on her mind. However she had a feeling she wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
“Are you a lesbian, Olivia?” Alex asked quietly. She already knew the answer, but she needed to hear Olivia say it. Olivia saying it would mean that this all wasn’t some bad dream.
“I don’t like labels, Alex,” Olivia explained. “If what you’re asking is if I am attracted to, and date women exclusively, then my answer is yes.”
“Do my parents know?”
“Not yet, but I’m telling them this week.”
“Ok,” Alex said.
“Ok?” Olivia responded, although it sounded like a question. Now she was the confused one.
“We may not get along Olivia, and I may not fully understand the aspects of your personal life, but I’m not going to judge you for who you want to spend your time with. You have a right to be happy just as much as the next person,” Alex explained.
Olivia was surprised with how calm Alex was taking this, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you, Alex,” Olivia said.
In response Alex just nodded. “Come on, we should get back inside before your date starts to wonder where you are.”
Alex started towards the beginning of the alley, Olivia joining her. Neither spoke, and there was enough room between them to drive a car, but somehow, Olivia felt like things had just started to thaw between them. But she wondered how long this temporary cease fire would last. Alex surprised her seconds later with an answer.
The blonde spun on her heels, and shot Olivia a glare. “This still doesn’t mean we’re friends or anything, Benson. So don’t go getting any ideas.” With that, Alex turned back around and continued out of the alley.
Olivia just smirked to herself, and shook her head. Not long apparently.
.