1-2-3 Years...
Chapter Eight
Chris always wanted to be a police officer. Even when they were little Chris� only aim was to be a cop just like her daddy. And she would have become one too, if it weren�t for Gina. Gina knew that. And she had lived with that regret all her life. Every time she saw the Academy picture on their living room, Gina had wished that there was some way she could make up for that one mistake. And now she had found a perfect way. Olivia was already digging her own grave and Gina would make sure Alex would give her the last push needed to jump in it.
�And you actually believe they hate each other?� Gina asked prying into Alex�s love life once again.
�I don�t believe, but I know. You didn�t see them at the hospital lobby. If it weren�t a public place I am telling you they both would have thrown some punch at each other. Even Elliot thought so. We were both ready to pry them away so that they would hurt each other.� Alex recounted in a little upbeat tone. �All I can tell you is that I am relieved. For a little while there I was getting a little scared that Olivia still had feelings for her. What I didn�t realize was the feelings she had for her wasn�t really something that I should feel insecure about.�
�Don�t be so sure of that Alex.� Gina warned.
�Like I said you were not there. Regardless of what happened, the fact is Jena is one person Olivia doesn�t want in her life.� Alex said.
�Well, I am glad that the little speed bump in your relationship has passed by and everything is good and well in paradise.� Gina said almost sounding happy. �But Alex, don�t forget love and hate comes from the same place.�
Doubt slowly entered Alex�s heart as she let Gina�s sentence sink in. Over a week had passed since the scene at the hospital, and now her life with Olivia was almost going back to normal. She had no place for doubt.
�Look, I appreciate your concern G.� Alex said unwilling to let the doubt take any presiding. �But right now she wants nothing to do with her. She is even out of the case. She is making sure that their paths are not crossed again.�
�I just don�t want you to get hurt.� Gina said with fake concern.
�Olivia won�t hurt me. She doesn�t want to see Jena.� Alex once again repeated, in part to convince her self as much to convince her friend.
�I thought you never wanted to see her.� Elliot said walking along side Olivia.
�I don�t but this is work. For the past ten days Fin and you have been trying to get through her but she didn�t even let you in. She can hate me but she will at least let us up.� Olivia said turning on the corner.
Olivia did not need to go to Ray�s funeral. Olivia did not need to apologize to Jena�s for falsely accusing Ray. But there was one thing Olivia needed to do to amend for her mistake. She needed to get Davis for murder. But like always Novak had insisted that until they had Eve�s testimony she was not going to up the charges, because any trial lawyer would throw both Alex�s and Jena�s testimony as hear say. So, now Olivia was determined to talk to Eve as she raced towards Jena�s building.
�Why does she hate you so much anyway? Did you and Ray have something?� Elliot who was holding on to the very meek possibility that it was Ray who was the �lover� asked.
�No.� Olivia retorted.
�Then what is the reason?�
�None of your business.� Olivia rudely shut her partner before she hit the intercom.
�Who is it?� Jena�s voice asked from the machine.
�This is the NYPD, Detective Stabler. We were wondering if we could��
�I already told you that I do not want to talk to any cops.� Jena slammed the phone.
Olivia pressed the button again.
�Jen you know I have the key and I am coming up.� Olivia said as soon as she heard the phone being picked up.
�You come up and I�ll call the cops.� Jena warned but Olivia let go of the intercom button making the warning unheard.
�Listen Elliot, there is a chance that she might call the cops. If we go up there with warrant it is trespassing. So, let me go up there alone and you can meet me back in the precinct.� Olivia said trying to remember the particular key from the bunch she was shuffling through.
�Liv� there are some speculation going around because of your past with her.� Elliot had dreaded to talk about it, but now there was no choice. �Fin looked into Jena�s background and we know that she is gay.�
Olivia�s head was facing the door away from Elliot. She let her head fall and press against the glass of the door as she hoped that Elliot, her partner of almost five years would not ask her any direct question that she did not want to answer.
�We have always had this relationship where we have maintained a safe distance. Not being too close or too distant.� Elliot said changing the way he approached what he needed to say. �I don�t want to get too close and put you on a spot here. But from what I can see from the distance I am at. Going up there is a mistake.�
Olivia turned to her partner. She had completely misjudged Elliot�s concern. He didn�t care that she was straight or gay. He was concerned about what she was doing.
�You should let your past be. Especially when you have someone waiting for you at home.� Elliot put both his hands in the pocket and looked away, almost in pretence that he hadn�t just said what he said. Olivia�s eyes watered a little touched by Elliot�s concern and in appreciation of his support.
�I know what you are trying to say. But I owe this to Ray. The only reason why Casey is scared of charging Davis with homicide is because she knows that his attorney is going to use my own words to throw away Jena�s and Alex�s statements as hearsay. Ray�s murderer is going to walk because of my mistake. I cannot let that happen. I need to convince Jena that Eve�s testimony is required.�
�Then let me come up with you.� Elliot stood his ground too.
Olivia made a lot of sense but Elliot knew that ever since Alex came back, Olivia had been extraordinarily happy. He wasn�t about to let her ruin that.
�I don�t want you to get burnt in my cause. Let me do this alone.� Olivia insisted, instead. �Please Elliot.�
�Okay.� Elliot took a step back against his better judgment. �But I am not going back to the precinct. I�ll wait for you here. Don�t take long.�
The scene that had taken place in hospital easily could be interpreted otherwise by anyone. But to Elliot�s trained eyes, especially after the revelation of new facts, Elliot knew one thing for sure. And that was both Jena and Olivia were holding on to their past too strong. And whatever intention Olivia had in wanting to see Jena, he hoped that his presence downstairs would prevent her from crossing any point of no return.
He turned and walked away without giving Olivia time to tell him otherwise. And Olivia did want to tell him otherwise. Tell him to go back to the precinct. Tell him to not wait for her. But now that she had no say, she opened the door knowing she had to come back, soon.
When Olivia reached Jena�s floor and her apartment, which was previously Jaq�s when Jena lived with her, the door was open. She walked in without even knocking. The place looked completely different. The entire interior had changed, even the wall color, which looked like they were freshly painted, was different. Jena was in the middle of lighting up a cigarette as Olivia looked around. The phone was on the coffee table next to the ashtray that was overflowing with smoke buts and ashes. The whole room stunk of smoke and paint. Jena sat lounged back flipping the channels of the TV. The room might have changed but Jena hadn�t.
�Eve is not here is she?� Olivia asked once she was standing in between the TV set and her ex-girlfriend�s view.
�You stay away from my daughter.� Jena said ignoring the fact that her view was obstructed. She continued changing the channel.
Olivia walked away from the middle and sat on the lazy boy on the side.
�Did you just paint?� Olivia asked knowing that Jena like making drastic changes in her surrounding when her heart was feeling pain and turmoil.
�Yeah just finished.� Jena replied.
�Looks good.� Olivia said once again looking at the slight yellow walls.
Jena remained silent.
Olivia remained silent.
Jena finished her cigarette. She put it out. Took two out of the pack and lighted them both. She let one remain between her lips and offered another to Olivia. Olivia took the little stick that she hadn�t puffed since the day Jena had left. She put it in her lips and took a long drag before letting the smoke out.
�Why are you here?� Jena said breaking their silence.
�For work.� Olivia reminded herself as well as answered Jena�s question. �Jen you have to understand that Davis is going to walk if Eve doesn�t testify. You might hate me but you don�t want the man who killed Ray to walk.�
�I am not stupid Liv. I know the only reason he is going to walk is because you screwed up the case.� Jena was right she wasn�t stupid not to see what was happening.
�I know I made a mistake.� Olivia conceded taking relief that she had the smoke she could use to keep her self from fidgeting.
�You tend to do that a lot don�t you? Make mistakes. And you actually expect to be forgiven too.� Jena chuckled and shook her head at the same time.
�I have stopped expecting forgiveness from you. This is not about you and me. This is about Ray, and the man who killed him.�
�How come it is never about you and me? Before it was about Eve� you kept saying it is about Eve. And now it is about Ray.� Jena switched off the TV and was now looking at Olivia. �You fabricate accusation against an innocent man, because he tells you to stay away from me. And now his murderer is going to walk because he dared to tell you to stay away from me. And it is still not about you and me. It is about every fucking thing in the world but of course it is not about you and me. You tell me to get out of our home; it is not about you and me. What the fuck is about you and me, tell me Liv, cause I sure would like to talk about you and me here?�
�With the information I had regarding Ray, anyone would have made the same mistake. It was an on going investigation and everyone is a suspect, till proven otherwise.� Olivia repeated Cargen�s words for her own defense, ignoring Jena�s direct question.
�But anyone didn�t make that mistake YOU did.� Jena said being aware that once again Olivia sidetracked from the real question she had asked.
�We can still get Davis. If only Eve testifies. We have an eye witness, why are you not letting us talk to her?�
�Eve has completely shut out the entire incident after Ray�s death. She refuses to talk about even Ray forget about what happened. Now, at this fragile state, I am not going to let any cop or psychiatrist probe and question my daughter.� Jena answered as a matter of fact and switched on the TV once again.
�I understand your concern but she is the only one who could save this case, if only she talks to...�
�Officer�I am sorry. Detective Benson.� Jena said cutting Olivia. �You are not a mother but I am.� Jena said glaring at her ex girlfriend. �My only concern is my daughter. And she has already gone through worse I am not going to force her to go through more. So if you don�t mind now that I have answered your �work� related question. I would like you to get out of MY home.�
�Jen all I am trying��
�Get out Liv.� Jena picked up the phone to make good of her threat of calling the cops.
Olivia got up and walked out with the smoke stick still between her fingers.
1:33 pm a snap was shot. Olivia got out of the door of Jena�s building. She walked to the near by push cart vendor and bought a pack f cigarette. 1:34pm snap was shot. Olivia took out a cigarette and lighted it. 1:34 pm snap was shot. Elliot saw Olivia and approached her. 1:35 pm a snap was shot. The two detectives talked as Olivia smoked. 1:37 pm a snap was shot.
�I didn�t know you smoked, Liv.� Gina said to her self as she clicked another picture.
She zoomed the camera on the pack of cigarette and snapped another picture.
�That is interesting.� Gina said.
1:40pm she snapped the picture again. Elliot and Olivia walked away.
�Now I hope you�ll be telling your girlfriend about your little visit with ex.� Gina said as she put the camera in the case. �But knowing you, I know you won�t. But don't worry, I'll make sure she knows."
�Entered 12:39 am �.. Exited 1:33pm�
Gina jotted down.
�Weren�t you supposed to have lunch with Alex at 1pm� Now I wonder what Alex did without you.� Gina thought aloud.
�So where is Agent Ramsey?� Abbie asked surprised at her lunch companion.
�I don�t know. Why are you complaining that I crashed in on your lunch?� Alex asked hoping that Abbie didn�t mind.
Since she was unable to reach both Olivia and Gina she had decided to have a quite lunch on the side street caf�, just a block from her office. When she reach the caf�, Abbie was there having lunch too, so she decided to join her instead of taking another table.
�No not at all. I am actually glad you joined. I was hoping to talk to you other than just work.� Abbie said closing the file she had got for her lunch read.
�That is good. So, tell me how do you like to be back in the city? Did you miss it?� Alex asked.
�Yes, more than I could tell you. As much as I loved the promotion, political opportunities there, but I hated the politics and too many political power houses to answer to.�
�So, why don�t you come back? I am sure you could easily get your job back or even get promoted.�
�I don�t know that depends.� Abbie replied.
�Depends on what?�
�On the turns my life takes.� Abbie took a second to look at Alex before she changed spotlight from her to Alex. �Forget about me� the bigger question is what you plan to do? After this case you want to join the DA�s office again?�
�I hadn�t really thought that far. Why you have some suggestions?�
�There is always Washington.�
Alex laughed. �You just told me that you don�t like it. How can you woo me about a job there if you don�t like it yourself?�
�Well, I don�t like it but politically it is a big step. You know that. If you want to run for an office, and I know you do. Because you always told me. Now if you are interested, let me just let you know that Washington is interested too.� Abbie made an offer without any pressure.
�Thanks but my life is here.� Alex said declining a very ambitious career boast.
Abbie put her hand on Alex�s and squeezed it to emphasize her next sentence.
�Life changes all the time. So, keep Washington in mind.�