Post by JrBenson on Mar 4, 2009 12:05:28 GMT -5
Title: Best Friend
Author: JrBenson
Email: SVUbenson@hotmail.com
Website: Fan Fiction
Permission to archive: Go right ahead
Fandom(s): SVU
Genre (general, hetero or slash): FEMSLASH
Pairing/Characters: Olivia/other
Rating: T for future chapters
Summary: Kekoa and Olivia have been best friends since high school. Kekoa loves Olivia; Olivia loves Kekoa as a friend...right?
Warnings: No spoilers. Femslash...you’ve been already warned.
Notes: I’m not Hawaiian but I love the culture. Sorry if I have made any mistakes. I do apologize.
Rough translation:
Kekoa (keh koh' (w)ah) - Hawaiian – “brave, courageous”
Keko – Hawaiian – “Monkey”
Makana (Gift)
Mana'olanakeiki (ma NA oh LA na KEH-EE kee): Hawaiian – “child of hope”
Makamae (mah-kah-mae) – “Precious/Cherished”
Keiki - Child
Acknowledgments: All things SVU belong to Dick Wolfe
Please review
“Ok, that was the last one. I’ve gotta go. Kathy will kill me,” Elliot said as he drowned the last of his beer. Liv looked up at him with sad eyes but she had a smile on her face.
“Aw, come one El. I just broke up with Kurt. You’re supposed to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart.” She said it in a way that had Elliot pausing for a moment. He didn’t get a chance to reply when a familiar face slid next to Olivia.
“Well, if it isn’t Batman and Robin.” The new arrival gave a smile and a nod to Elliot who returned the gesture. She then turned to Olivia and winked. Liv chuckled and turned back to her beer.
“Hey Man! How’s it hanging?” Elliot said a little too loudly. The room quieted for a split second then resumed its normal chatter.
“You know what? You’re an ass Stabler!” the stranger said as she laughed. She turned to Olivia and gave her a quick squeeze. “How are you doing?” She asked gently. Elliot had filled her in on what happened as she drove to the bar.
Olivia shrugged and took a swig of her beer. She waved over the bartender who came strolling over. She looked at her friend and asked, “Want one?” The stranger nodded and she watched as the bartender went to get their drinks.
“Ok ladies, I’ve really got to go. Kath is really pissed at me." Elliot grabbed his coat and gave his partner’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. He then gave his friend a slap on the back and a wink.
“Good luck,” Elliot playfully said as he jerked his head in Olivia’s direction. Both women laughed and watched him leave.
Liv turned back to the bar and took a long sip of her beer.
“How many have you had already?”
“Not enough," Liv said roughly. She was about to take another sip when her friend placed a gentle hand on top of hers.
“Why don’t you call it a day?” she suggested quietly.
“And why don’t you stick with being an arrogant SWAT team leader or whatever the hell you call yourself,” Liv retorted. She brushed off her friend’s hand and placed the beer to her lips. Her friend sat quietly and took a swig of her beer.
Olivia closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “Keko…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
Nodding, Kekoa remained quiet. They sat and watched the small TV set located by the bar. They had finished their beers and neither was anxious to go home.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.” Keko had already slipped off of the stool and was holding out a hand to Olivia. She had no other choice but to take the offered hand. She slipped off her stool and grabbed her jacket and followed Keko out.
“PUT IT ON MY TAB!”
Kekoa hollered to the big bartender. He nodded and continued to dole out drinks to his customers.
Outside, it had gotten a bit cool. Keko zipped up her jacket and climbed the short steps. She turned in time to see Olivia lose her footing on the top step. Quickly reaching out, Keko caught Olivia before she could do serious damage.
They both were out of breath and their faces were inches apart. Keko’s hands held Olivia’s waist and Liv’s were on Keko’s shoulders.
“Are you alright?” Keko asked softly. Olivia nodded slowly then felt her self being gently placed on the ground.
They stood quietly; Keko still had her hands on Liv’s waist. Olivia rested her head against Keko’s chest.
“You ok?” Keko asked as she rested her chin on top of Olivia’s head. She felt her nod then inhaled loudly. Olivia stepped back and Keko reluctantly let her go.
“Come on Makamae. Let’s get you home,” Keko wrapped an arm around Olivia’s shoulder as Liv slipped her own arm around her friend’s waist.
“You know, after all these years of you calling me that, I still don’t know what that means.” Liv said as they walked.
Uh-oh. "Uh…I’m not sure.” Keko hesitated. Olivia raised her head and gave her a look.
“You’re not sure? That makes me feel so much better,” Liv said with a hint of a smile.
“Well, I heard my grandmother use it. She used to call me that all the time so I’m not exactly sure what it means,” It wasn’t the complete truth. Yes, her grandmother used to call her that when she was a kid, but she did know its meaning.
“Ah…that explains it.” They continued to walk in comfortable silence. They looked like the perfect gay couple but in reality, Olivia had a thing for the guys…preferably reporters. And Keko had a thing for…well, Olivia.
It was such an old cliché – straight girl has lesbian best friend. Lesbian friend falls madly in love with straight girl. Friendship is then blown to bits.
Keko wasn’t going to let that happen. There is no way in this millennium that Olivia was ever going to find out how she really feels about her. Their friendship means too much to let that happen.
“You’re quiet.” Keko looked down at the upturned face of her friend and smiled. She enjoyed these quiet moments with Olivia. They were rare these days, both jobs taking a chunk out of that precious time.
“I could say the same about you,” she said gently. They were a few blocks away from Olivia’s apartment. Liv felt a bit disappointed that they were nearing her place.
“So…who is this Kurt guy anyways?” Keko knew that Olivia was seeing some guy and from what Elliot had told her, he was, of course, a reporter.
“Oh…uh…he was…just a guy…,” Olivia said softly. Something about the way she had said it made Keko stop and look at Liv, concern etched on her face.
“He didn’t hurt you did he?” Olivia looked up into soft hazel eyes. She saw fury there and it warmed her to know that she didn’t always have to be the protector, the strong one.
Reaching out, Olivia rested a soft hand against Keko’s cheek. “No. He didn’t. He was an absolute gentleman,” Liv smiled sadly. He was perfect, but something was missing between the two of them. A spark…or whatever it is you feel for someone.
“And that’s a problem because?” Keko playfully winced as Olivia swatted her arm.
Olivia shrugged. “Guess he wasn’t the ‘right one’…” I doubt I’ll find ‘the one’ Liv thought. Her line of work seemed to bring out all the creeps and freaks in New York and she didn’t think there was a decent human being left out there. Except for the guys she worked with.
But there was always Kekoa. She and Olivia had met when the two were in their sophomore year of high school. Since then the two have been inseparable. They knew each other inside and out without saying a word. They were a perfect fit…as friends.
“How can you know if the guy is the ‘right one’ if you don’t give ‘em half a chance? Seriously, how long have you two been dating? A week…a day?”
Olivia wasn’t sure if she should say. Normally, Keko would have been the first person she would have told about Kurt. But this time around, she kept it quiet. Even from Elliot.
“Liv?” Keko was eyeing her suspiciously.
Sighing, Olivia new she had to face it one way or the other. She played with the collar of Keko’s jacket. “A few months ,” she mumbled quietly.
Keko had grown quiet. She’d turned away and stared at nothing in particular. Olivia closed her eyes at the hurt she saw flash in Keko’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she heard Olivia say. Shaking her head Keko shrugged off the apology.
“It’s ok. It’s not like we’re married or anything,” she resumed walking and left Olivia to catch up.
“Kekoa, I’m sorry. Please will you just stop?” Olivia begged. Keko stopped but didn’t turn around. Liv placed a gentle hand on Keko’s arm and turned her around. She winced as she saw the sadness in her friends face.
“It’s ok Liv. Let’s just get you home, ok?” Keko said roughly. They shared everything with each other – the highs and lows of work, relationships and life in general. It was how they’d done things as teenagers.
But Keko understood that there’d come a time in their lives when Olivia wouldn't want to share a part of her life with her anymore. It was selfish, Keko knew, but if she couldn’t be with Olivia the way she wanted to be, then this was as close as she got. She didn’t want it to end.
Olivia didn’t have a choice; she followed silently as they made their way to her apartment. They were quiet as they walked, each in there own world.
“I didn’t feel right about Kurt and me,” Olivia blurted out. It was there all along but Liv didn’t want to see it. She’d push it out of her mind until it couldn’t be ignored anymore.
Startled by her admission, Keko stopped and stared at Liv. She patiently waited for her friend to elaborate.
Sighing, Olivia threw her hands up in frustration. “I don’t know why. He was perfect. He wasn’t like the others.” Olivia closed her eyes. She was getting a headache.
“So what was the problem?” Keko wanted to understand.
“It felt wrong. I’d get this feeling as if I were cheating.”
“Cheating? On who? He wasn’t married, was he?” Keko was more confused then ever.
Running a hand through her long hair, Liv tried desperately to find the right words to say.
“He wasn’t married. I checked.” Kekoa smirked. Firgured she'd check him.
“And?”
“Honestly, I don’t know why. All I know is that whenever I was with him and when we made…ummm,” Olivia paused. She knew it made Keko squeamish when she spoke about her sex life.
Rolling her eyes, she motioned for Olivia to continue. “Moving along, please.”
Smiling briefly, Olivia took a breath. “I just felt like I was…the other woman. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Nodding, Keko understood…a bit. “Are you sure he wasn’t married? Another girlfriend?”
Shaking her head, Olivia knew that Kurt wasn’t like that.
“Then maybe you’re right. He wasn’t the one you’re supposed to be with.” Keko offered a lame excuse.
Olivia knew what she was doing and smiled. “Thanks. Sorta makes me feel a little better.”
“Maybe next time, huh?” Keko smiled. She opened her arms for a hug. Olivia was happy to comply. Keko turned her head and kissed Liv on the cheek then stepped out of the embrace.
“Goodnight Makamae,” Keko smiled tenderly as she watched Olivia open the door to her building. Olivia turned and smiled softly.
“Goodnight Kekoa.” As she slipped inside she gave one more glance at her friend. Keko held a hand to her ear and mouthed ‘call me’. Liv nodded and headed up to her apartment.
Once in her apartment, Liv made sure everything was in place. It was an old habit that was hard to break. When she was done, she fell on the couch and picked up the phone.
Keko answered on the second ring.
“Getting sloppy Officer Makana,” Liv said with a smile.
“That’s Sergeant Makana to you, smartass!” Keko said with a smile. After saying their goodbyes, Olivia shut the phone off and placed it on the coffee table.
She sat there thinking about why it hadn’t worked out with any of the men she had dated in the past.
You gotta stop dating reporters for a start. Olivia smiled as Keko’s words rang in her head. Good or bad, Kekoa was there to celebrate with her or lend a shoulder to cry on. She couldn’t have made it through the toughest parts of her life with out her best friend.
When they first met, Olivia was wary of her beach loving friend. Kekoa was always relaxed…chilled. She had the loudest family on this planet. Well that’s what you get for mixing a Scottish woman with a Hawaiian man. You get pure chaos…Liv thought with a smile. And they all were so very close and still are.
Keako was the only person on this earth that knew what it was really like living with Serena Benson. Kekoa, just as her name implies, was a brave warrior standing up against Serena’s drunken binges.
Although Olivia was embarrassed that Kekoa had to witness that first hand, she was also grateful for Kekoa’s protective presence. There were times when Olivia would run away from home in the middle of the night after her mother’s drunken tirades, to find solace in Kekoa’s warm bedroom.
She would climb up the huge tree right outside of Kekoa’s room and her friend would quickly let her in. Kekoa would hold her all night as she slept, keeping out the dangers that lurked everywhere. And every morning, Liv would quietly sneak back out so her friend wouldn’t get into trouble.
She was sure, now that she thought about it, that Keko’s parents knew. It didn’t surprise her - they always seemed to be just one step ahead of their children. Mr. and Mrs. Makana trusted their children.
After one particular night fighting with her mother, Olivia remembered shoving her mother away from her. Liv wanted to hurt her mother like she had hurt Olivia. She had been so frightened that she ran as fast as she could to Kekoa’s. It was pouring rain that night but Olivia hadn’t noticed.
She just needed to feel Kekoa’s arms around her. As she climbed into the room, Kekoa gently wrapped her arms around her and held her shivering body close and let her cry. She didn’t judge Liv for what she had done. She just held on to her and soothed away her fears.
Keko went to get dry clothes for Liv and quickly turned away as Olivia stripped down. Liv always found it cute and endearing, when Keko did the whole chivalry thing with her. Made her feel cherished in a way no one else could.
They had climbed into bed and cuddled through out the night. Olivia had been so exhausted both emotionally and physically that she didn’t wake up in time to sneak out. Keko had woken up quietly and let her sleep in. She made her way quietly downstairs to have some breakfast and to take some up to Olivia.
When Keko got to the kitchen she found her parents there. And neither was too happy with their daughter. Her mother had been leaning against the kitchen counter drinking her orange juice while her dad was sitting at the table reading the Saturday morning paper.
“Good morning Keiki, did you sleep well?” Her father asked without looking up from his paper. He was a big man but he was a gentle soul. Kekoa’s parents always knew what was going on in their children’s lives without having to pry. They were the kind of parents you’d want to have if things weren’t going right.
Kekoa fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt. “Uh…yeah…”
“Did Olivia sleep well, Keiki?” Her mother asked with her think Scottish accent. Kekoa swallowed hard and turned a bright red.
“Uh…I…um…”
“We’ve known she’s been sneaking into your room lately.”
“Kinda figured you knew,” Kekoa said dejectedly.
“So why haven’t you told us, Keiki?” Her father asked a bit disappointed in his daughter.
“I made her promise not to,” All heads snapped around. Olivia was standing in the doorway of the kitchen wearing her damp clothing from last night. She was slightly shivering.
Kekoa’s mother quickly went to her. “Sweetie! You’re soaking wet. Come now, let’s get you into something dry and warm.” She ushered Olivia back upstairs to change. Kekoa’s father sighed and folded up his paper. He glanced at his youngest daughter and motioned for her to sit down.
“So exactly how long has this been going on?” He asked gently. He and his wife knew of their daughter’s preference and they were fine with it. But they were worried that she and Olivia were spending too much time together.
It wasn’t that they didn’t like Olivia; they treated her as if she were their own. They knew of their daughter’s crush and were afraid that if Olivia found out or if their friendship ended, it would destroy Kekoa.
Kekoa lowered her head. She didn’t want to say, she knew she should but she just didn’t want to.
“Kekoa,” her father said warningly. Sighing, Keko closed her eyes.
“Almost a year,” she said quietly. Her father was silent. She hated when her father got quiet like that. “I’m sorry dad.”
“I’m disappointed in you Keko. Why didn’t you just come to us? We would have taken her in regardless.”
Kekoa just shrugged. In all honesty, she wasn’t 100 percent certain her parents would have said yes.
“I know dad. But I promised her I wouldn’t say anything.”
Her father nodded. “We taught you to honour your promises. But not at the expense of yours or another’s safety.”
“I know,” Kekoa said weakly
“Kekoa, What if something happened to her on her way here? She’s running out on the streets at night.”
Kekoa winced at the thought of something bad happening to Olivia. “I get it dad. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Your mother and I have been talking-”
Kekoa groaned. She didn’t like the sound of that. Apparently neither did her father because he gave his youngest daughter a stern look.
“You mother and I have been talking and we’ve come to a decision. From this point on, if Olivia wants to stay here, then we pick her up from her place or from school and drive her here. No more sneaking in and out of this house.
“I never allowed it with you or your brother’s and sisters and I will not allow it from Olivia. Is that clear young lady?”
Nodding, Kekoa listened intently to what her father was saying.
“I don’t know the reasons she thinks she has to run away from home in the middle of the night or why she has to sneak in and out of here, but she has and always will be welcome here.”
Relief flooded Kekoa’s entire body. “Go on…go tell Liv. Both of you come back down here and have breakfast before the stamped wakes up.” Kekoa jumped up and hugged her father tight.
“Love you daddy,” she kissed the top of his head and took off for the stairs. He just laughed and shook his head in amusement.
Meanwhile, Kekoa’s mother and Olivia were in Kekoa’s room.
“Honey, can I ask you a question?” Mrs. Makana asked softly. She had always been fond of Olivia ever since her daughter brought her home a year ago.
“Uh…sure,” Liv said slowly. She knew what was coming.
“I know that it’s none of my business, but I do consider you one of my own. So to see you running in the middle of the night…it just terrifies me.”
“You want to know why I have to run, don’t you?”
“You don’t have to answer, sweetie. I just want you to know that whatever it is, you can always come to us…for anything.” She engulfed Olivia in a hug. Olivia shut her eyes tight to stop the tears that wanted to fall.
“I’m sorry for getting your daughter into trouble. This was the only safe place I could go to,” Liv said softly. Pulling back, Mrs. Makana examined Olivia closely.
“Are you in any kind of danger?”
Olivia hung her head in shame. “My…my mom drinks…a lot. She…she says things that hurt. And last night…we…we got in a fight,” tears fell of their own accord. Mrs. Makana held onto Olivia as she cried.
“It’s alright wee one. It’s going to be alright.”
“I…I…pushed my mom against a wall. She was coming at me with a broken bottle,” Olivia cried harder. She never knew she could be so violent towards her mother. And it terrified her. Her mother told her so many times that she was like her father. Olivia hated the fact that she was being compared to a monster; it crippled her when her mother spat those words out.
Mrs. Makana closed her eyes. She couldn’t imagine the kind of hell Olivia had to live with. She squeezed Olivia and spoke softly.
“Olivia, you need to listen to me carefully. Ok?” She felt Olivia nod. “Although I don’t agree with the course of action you took, I can understand why you felt the need to protect yourself.
“Mr. Makana and I have decided that you should stay here with us. It’s safer and you won’t need to be running out at night-”
“I can’t! Mrs. Makana, thank you, but I can’t,” Olivia stammered. She would love nothing more then to stay here forever. But she knew the kind of hell her mother would put this family through.
“Shhh…ok, sweetie. Ok. Then how about we pick you up every night and bring you here. But I don’t want you out at night. No more sneaking in and out of here.”
“What about my mom?”
“Don’t you worry about that, honey. We’ll take care of that.”
“MOM!”
Rolling her eyes, Mrs. Makana just shook her head. Olivia giggled.
“Keiki, how many times do I have to tell you, no yelling!”
Kekoa was out of breath but smiling. Ignoring her mother, Kekoa looked at Olivia and smiled gently.
“You can stay here at if you want.”
Olivia looked from Mrs. Makana to Kekoa then smiled. “I know…”
Olivia smiled at the memory. Although Mr. and Mrs. Makana put a spare bed in Kekoa’s room, she would end up in bed with her friend. She always felt like she was safe and treasured when they snuggled up together.
She had never experienced a family like the Makana’s. The love they had for one another overflowed. Liv was just thankful that she got a chance to share that.
But she couldn’t help but feel sadness for the relationship she had with her own mother. After that night, it was different between them. Very distant and strained. The complete opposite of Mrs. Makana.
Kekoa had often tried to get the two on speaking terms at least, but her efforts would fall flat. She loved Kekoa for that. She was a good friend. That’s why she can’t stop thinking about her…she was felling nostalgic. Yeah…that’s right. That’s all it is…
Rubbing her eyes, Olivia ran a hand through her hair. “She’s my friend…that’s all it is,” Liv said unconvincingly. Sighing, she got up and made her way to her room. She went through her nightly routine then crawled into bed.
She shut her tired eyes and her mind went to Kekoa and how wonderful it felt to wake up with her arms wrapped around her. Liv smiled and sighed as she drifted off to sleep as images of Kekoa slipped into her dreams.
Author: JrBenson
Email: SVUbenson@hotmail.com
Website: Fan Fiction
Permission to archive: Go right ahead
Fandom(s): SVU
Genre (general, hetero or slash): FEMSLASH
Pairing/Characters: Olivia/other
Rating: T for future chapters
Summary: Kekoa and Olivia have been best friends since high school. Kekoa loves Olivia; Olivia loves Kekoa as a friend...right?
Warnings: No spoilers. Femslash...you’ve been already warned.
Notes: I’m not Hawaiian but I love the culture. Sorry if I have made any mistakes. I do apologize.
Rough translation:
Kekoa (keh koh' (w)ah) - Hawaiian – “brave, courageous”
Keko – Hawaiian – “Monkey”
Makana (Gift)
Mana'olanakeiki (ma NA oh LA na KEH-EE kee): Hawaiian – “child of hope”
Makamae (mah-kah-mae) – “Precious/Cherished”
Keiki - Child
Acknowledgments: All things SVU belong to Dick Wolfe
Please review
***************************
Secret Love
“Ok, that was the last one. I’ve gotta go. Kathy will kill me,” Elliot said as he drowned the last of his beer. Liv looked up at him with sad eyes but she had a smile on her face.
“Aw, come one El. I just broke up with Kurt. You’re supposed to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart.” She said it in a way that had Elliot pausing for a moment. He didn’t get a chance to reply when a familiar face slid next to Olivia.
“Well, if it isn’t Batman and Robin.” The new arrival gave a smile and a nod to Elliot who returned the gesture. She then turned to Olivia and winked. Liv chuckled and turned back to her beer.
“Hey Man! How’s it hanging?” Elliot said a little too loudly. The room quieted for a split second then resumed its normal chatter.
“You know what? You’re an ass Stabler!” the stranger said as she laughed. She turned to Olivia and gave her a quick squeeze. “How are you doing?” She asked gently. Elliot had filled her in on what happened as she drove to the bar.
Olivia shrugged and took a swig of her beer. She waved over the bartender who came strolling over. She looked at her friend and asked, “Want one?” The stranger nodded and she watched as the bartender went to get their drinks.
“Ok ladies, I’ve really got to go. Kath is really pissed at me." Elliot grabbed his coat and gave his partner’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. He then gave his friend a slap on the back and a wink.
“Good luck,” Elliot playfully said as he jerked his head in Olivia’s direction. Both women laughed and watched him leave.
Liv turned back to the bar and took a long sip of her beer.
“How many have you had already?”
“Not enough," Liv said roughly. She was about to take another sip when her friend placed a gentle hand on top of hers.
“Why don’t you call it a day?” she suggested quietly.
“And why don’t you stick with being an arrogant SWAT team leader or whatever the hell you call yourself,” Liv retorted. She brushed off her friend’s hand and placed the beer to her lips. Her friend sat quietly and took a swig of her beer.
Olivia closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “Keko…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
Nodding, Kekoa remained quiet. They sat and watched the small TV set located by the bar. They had finished their beers and neither was anxious to go home.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.” Keko had already slipped off of the stool and was holding out a hand to Olivia. She had no other choice but to take the offered hand. She slipped off her stool and grabbed her jacket and followed Keko out.
“PUT IT ON MY TAB!”
Kekoa hollered to the big bartender. He nodded and continued to dole out drinks to his customers.
Outside, it had gotten a bit cool. Keko zipped up her jacket and climbed the short steps. She turned in time to see Olivia lose her footing on the top step. Quickly reaching out, Keko caught Olivia before she could do serious damage.
They both were out of breath and their faces were inches apart. Keko’s hands held Olivia’s waist and Liv’s were on Keko’s shoulders.
“Are you alright?” Keko asked softly. Olivia nodded slowly then felt her self being gently placed on the ground.
They stood quietly; Keko still had her hands on Liv’s waist. Olivia rested her head against Keko’s chest.
“You ok?” Keko asked as she rested her chin on top of Olivia’s head. She felt her nod then inhaled loudly. Olivia stepped back and Keko reluctantly let her go.
“Come on Makamae. Let’s get you home,” Keko wrapped an arm around Olivia’s shoulder as Liv slipped her own arm around her friend’s waist.
“You know, after all these years of you calling me that, I still don’t know what that means.” Liv said as they walked.
Uh-oh. "Uh…I’m not sure.” Keko hesitated. Olivia raised her head and gave her a look.
“You’re not sure? That makes me feel so much better,” Liv said with a hint of a smile.
“Well, I heard my grandmother use it. She used to call me that all the time so I’m not exactly sure what it means,” It wasn’t the complete truth. Yes, her grandmother used to call her that when she was a kid, but she did know its meaning.
“Ah…that explains it.” They continued to walk in comfortable silence. They looked like the perfect gay couple but in reality, Olivia had a thing for the guys…preferably reporters. And Keko had a thing for…well, Olivia.
It was such an old cliché – straight girl has lesbian best friend. Lesbian friend falls madly in love with straight girl. Friendship is then blown to bits.
Keko wasn’t going to let that happen. There is no way in this millennium that Olivia was ever going to find out how she really feels about her. Their friendship means too much to let that happen.
“You’re quiet.” Keko looked down at the upturned face of her friend and smiled. She enjoyed these quiet moments with Olivia. They were rare these days, both jobs taking a chunk out of that precious time.
“I could say the same about you,” she said gently. They were a few blocks away from Olivia’s apartment. Liv felt a bit disappointed that they were nearing her place.
“So…who is this Kurt guy anyways?” Keko knew that Olivia was seeing some guy and from what Elliot had told her, he was, of course, a reporter.
“Oh…uh…he was…just a guy…,” Olivia said softly. Something about the way she had said it made Keko stop and look at Liv, concern etched on her face.
“He didn’t hurt you did he?” Olivia looked up into soft hazel eyes. She saw fury there and it warmed her to know that she didn’t always have to be the protector, the strong one.
Reaching out, Olivia rested a soft hand against Keko’s cheek. “No. He didn’t. He was an absolute gentleman,” Liv smiled sadly. He was perfect, but something was missing between the two of them. A spark…or whatever it is you feel for someone.
“And that’s a problem because?” Keko playfully winced as Olivia swatted her arm.
Olivia shrugged. “Guess he wasn’t the ‘right one’…” I doubt I’ll find ‘the one’ Liv thought. Her line of work seemed to bring out all the creeps and freaks in New York and she didn’t think there was a decent human being left out there. Except for the guys she worked with.
But there was always Kekoa. She and Olivia had met when the two were in their sophomore year of high school. Since then the two have been inseparable. They knew each other inside and out without saying a word. They were a perfect fit…as friends.
“How can you know if the guy is the ‘right one’ if you don’t give ‘em half a chance? Seriously, how long have you two been dating? A week…a day?”
Olivia wasn’t sure if she should say. Normally, Keko would have been the first person she would have told about Kurt. But this time around, she kept it quiet. Even from Elliot.
“Liv?” Keko was eyeing her suspiciously.
Sighing, Olivia new she had to face it one way or the other. She played with the collar of Keko’s jacket. “A few months ,” she mumbled quietly.
Keko had grown quiet. She’d turned away and stared at nothing in particular. Olivia closed her eyes at the hurt she saw flash in Keko’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she heard Olivia say. Shaking her head Keko shrugged off the apology.
“It’s ok. It’s not like we’re married or anything,” she resumed walking and left Olivia to catch up.
“Kekoa, I’m sorry. Please will you just stop?” Olivia begged. Keko stopped but didn’t turn around. Liv placed a gentle hand on Keko’s arm and turned her around. She winced as she saw the sadness in her friends face.
“It’s ok Liv. Let’s just get you home, ok?” Keko said roughly. They shared everything with each other – the highs and lows of work, relationships and life in general. It was how they’d done things as teenagers.
But Keko understood that there’d come a time in their lives when Olivia wouldn't want to share a part of her life with her anymore. It was selfish, Keko knew, but if she couldn’t be with Olivia the way she wanted to be, then this was as close as she got. She didn’t want it to end.
Olivia didn’t have a choice; she followed silently as they made their way to her apartment. They were quiet as they walked, each in there own world.
“I didn’t feel right about Kurt and me,” Olivia blurted out. It was there all along but Liv didn’t want to see it. She’d push it out of her mind until it couldn’t be ignored anymore.
Startled by her admission, Keko stopped and stared at Liv. She patiently waited for her friend to elaborate.
Sighing, Olivia threw her hands up in frustration. “I don’t know why. He was perfect. He wasn’t like the others.” Olivia closed her eyes. She was getting a headache.
“So what was the problem?” Keko wanted to understand.
“It felt wrong. I’d get this feeling as if I were cheating.”
“Cheating? On who? He wasn’t married, was he?” Keko was more confused then ever.
Running a hand through her long hair, Liv tried desperately to find the right words to say.
“He wasn’t married. I checked.” Kekoa smirked. Firgured she'd check him.
“And?”
“Honestly, I don’t know why. All I know is that whenever I was with him and when we made…ummm,” Olivia paused. She knew it made Keko squeamish when she spoke about her sex life.
Rolling her eyes, she motioned for Olivia to continue. “Moving along, please.”
Smiling briefly, Olivia took a breath. “I just felt like I was…the other woman. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Nodding, Keko understood…a bit. “Are you sure he wasn’t married? Another girlfriend?”
Shaking her head, Olivia knew that Kurt wasn’t like that.
“Then maybe you’re right. He wasn’t the one you’re supposed to be with.” Keko offered a lame excuse.
Olivia knew what she was doing and smiled. “Thanks. Sorta makes me feel a little better.”
“Maybe next time, huh?” Keko smiled. She opened her arms for a hug. Olivia was happy to comply. Keko turned her head and kissed Liv on the cheek then stepped out of the embrace.
“Goodnight Makamae,” Keko smiled tenderly as she watched Olivia open the door to her building. Olivia turned and smiled softly.
“Goodnight Kekoa.” As she slipped inside she gave one more glance at her friend. Keko held a hand to her ear and mouthed ‘call me’. Liv nodded and headed up to her apartment.
Once in her apartment, Liv made sure everything was in place. It was an old habit that was hard to break. When she was done, she fell on the couch and picked up the phone.
Keko answered on the second ring.
“Getting sloppy Officer Makana,” Liv said with a smile.
“That’s Sergeant Makana to you, smartass!” Keko said with a smile. After saying their goodbyes, Olivia shut the phone off and placed it on the coffee table.
She sat there thinking about why it hadn’t worked out with any of the men she had dated in the past.
You gotta stop dating reporters for a start. Olivia smiled as Keko’s words rang in her head. Good or bad, Kekoa was there to celebrate with her or lend a shoulder to cry on. She couldn’t have made it through the toughest parts of her life with out her best friend.
When they first met, Olivia was wary of her beach loving friend. Kekoa was always relaxed…chilled. She had the loudest family on this planet. Well that’s what you get for mixing a Scottish woman with a Hawaiian man. You get pure chaos…Liv thought with a smile. And they all were so very close and still are.
Keako was the only person on this earth that knew what it was really like living with Serena Benson. Kekoa, just as her name implies, was a brave warrior standing up against Serena’s drunken binges.
Although Olivia was embarrassed that Kekoa had to witness that first hand, she was also grateful for Kekoa’s protective presence. There were times when Olivia would run away from home in the middle of the night after her mother’s drunken tirades, to find solace in Kekoa’s warm bedroom.
She would climb up the huge tree right outside of Kekoa’s room and her friend would quickly let her in. Kekoa would hold her all night as she slept, keeping out the dangers that lurked everywhere. And every morning, Liv would quietly sneak back out so her friend wouldn’t get into trouble.
She was sure, now that she thought about it, that Keko’s parents knew. It didn’t surprise her - they always seemed to be just one step ahead of their children. Mr. and Mrs. Makana trusted their children.
After one particular night fighting with her mother, Olivia remembered shoving her mother away from her. Liv wanted to hurt her mother like she had hurt Olivia. She had been so frightened that she ran as fast as she could to Kekoa’s. It was pouring rain that night but Olivia hadn’t noticed.
She just needed to feel Kekoa’s arms around her. As she climbed into the room, Kekoa gently wrapped her arms around her and held her shivering body close and let her cry. She didn’t judge Liv for what she had done. She just held on to her and soothed away her fears.
Keko went to get dry clothes for Liv and quickly turned away as Olivia stripped down. Liv always found it cute and endearing, when Keko did the whole chivalry thing with her. Made her feel cherished in a way no one else could.
They had climbed into bed and cuddled through out the night. Olivia had been so exhausted both emotionally and physically that she didn’t wake up in time to sneak out. Keko had woken up quietly and let her sleep in. She made her way quietly downstairs to have some breakfast and to take some up to Olivia.
When Keko got to the kitchen she found her parents there. And neither was too happy with their daughter. Her mother had been leaning against the kitchen counter drinking her orange juice while her dad was sitting at the table reading the Saturday morning paper.
“Good morning Keiki, did you sleep well?” Her father asked without looking up from his paper. He was a big man but he was a gentle soul. Kekoa’s parents always knew what was going on in their children’s lives without having to pry. They were the kind of parents you’d want to have if things weren’t going right.
Kekoa fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt. “Uh…yeah…”
“Did Olivia sleep well, Keiki?” Her mother asked with her think Scottish accent. Kekoa swallowed hard and turned a bright red.
“Uh…I…um…”
“We’ve known she’s been sneaking into your room lately.”
“Kinda figured you knew,” Kekoa said dejectedly.
“So why haven’t you told us, Keiki?” Her father asked a bit disappointed in his daughter.
“I made her promise not to,” All heads snapped around. Olivia was standing in the doorway of the kitchen wearing her damp clothing from last night. She was slightly shivering.
Kekoa’s mother quickly went to her. “Sweetie! You’re soaking wet. Come now, let’s get you into something dry and warm.” She ushered Olivia back upstairs to change. Kekoa’s father sighed and folded up his paper. He glanced at his youngest daughter and motioned for her to sit down.
“So exactly how long has this been going on?” He asked gently. He and his wife knew of their daughter’s preference and they were fine with it. But they were worried that she and Olivia were spending too much time together.
It wasn’t that they didn’t like Olivia; they treated her as if she were their own. They knew of their daughter’s crush and were afraid that if Olivia found out or if their friendship ended, it would destroy Kekoa.
Kekoa lowered her head. She didn’t want to say, she knew she should but she just didn’t want to.
“Kekoa,” her father said warningly. Sighing, Keko closed her eyes.
“Almost a year,” she said quietly. Her father was silent. She hated when her father got quiet like that. “I’m sorry dad.”
“I’m disappointed in you Keko. Why didn’t you just come to us? We would have taken her in regardless.”
Kekoa just shrugged. In all honesty, she wasn’t 100 percent certain her parents would have said yes.
“I know dad. But I promised her I wouldn’t say anything.”
Her father nodded. “We taught you to honour your promises. But not at the expense of yours or another’s safety.”
“I know,” Kekoa said weakly
“Kekoa, What if something happened to her on her way here? She’s running out on the streets at night.”
Kekoa winced at the thought of something bad happening to Olivia. “I get it dad. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Your mother and I have been talking-”
Kekoa groaned. She didn’t like the sound of that. Apparently neither did her father because he gave his youngest daughter a stern look.
“You mother and I have been talking and we’ve come to a decision. From this point on, if Olivia wants to stay here, then we pick her up from her place or from school and drive her here. No more sneaking in and out of this house.
“I never allowed it with you or your brother’s and sisters and I will not allow it from Olivia. Is that clear young lady?”
Nodding, Kekoa listened intently to what her father was saying.
“I don’t know the reasons she thinks she has to run away from home in the middle of the night or why she has to sneak in and out of here, but she has and always will be welcome here.”
Relief flooded Kekoa’s entire body. “Go on…go tell Liv. Both of you come back down here and have breakfast before the stamped wakes up.” Kekoa jumped up and hugged her father tight.
“Love you daddy,” she kissed the top of his head and took off for the stairs. He just laughed and shook his head in amusement.
Meanwhile, Kekoa’s mother and Olivia were in Kekoa’s room.
“Honey, can I ask you a question?” Mrs. Makana asked softly. She had always been fond of Olivia ever since her daughter brought her home a year ago.
“Uh…sure,” Liv said slowly. She knew what was coming.
“I know that it’s none of my business, but I do consider you one of my own. So to see you running in the middle of the night…it just terrifies me.”
“You want to know why I have to run, don’t you?”
“You don’t have to answer, sweetie. I just want you to know that whatever it is, you can always come to us…for anything.” She engulfed Olivia in a hug. Olivia shut her eyes tight to stop the tears that wanted to fall.
“I’m sorry for getting your daughter into trouble. This was the only safe place I could go to,” Liv said softly. Pulling back, Mrs. Makana examined Olivia closely.
“Are you in any kind of danger?”
Olivia hung her head in shame. “My…my mom drinks…a lot. She…she says things that hurt. And last night…we…we got in a fight,” tears fell of their own accord. Mrs. Makana held onto Olivia as she cried.
“It’s alright wee one. It’s going to be alright.”
“I…I…pushed my mom against a wall. She was coming at me with a broken bottle,” Olivia cried harder. She never knew she could be so violent towards her mother. And it terrified her. Her mother told her so many times that she was like her father. Olivia hated the fact that she was being compared to a monster; it crippled her when her mother spat those words out.
Mrs. Makana closed her eyes. She couldn’t imagine the kind of hell Olivia had to live with. She squeezed Olivia and spoke softly.
“Olivia, you need to listen to me carefully. Ok?” She felt Olivia nod. “Although I don’t agree with the course of action you took, I can understand why you felt the need to protect yourself.
“Mr. Makana and I have decided that you should stay here with us. It’s safer and you won’t need to be running out at night-”
“I can’t! Mrs. Makana, thank you, but I can’t,” Olivia stammered. She would love nothing more then to stay here forever. But she knew the kind of hell her mother would put this family through.
“Shhh…ok, sweetie. Ok. Then how about we pick you up every night and bring you here. But I don’t want you out at night. No more sneaking in and out of here.”
“What about my mom?”
“Don’t you worry about that, honey. We’ll take care of that.”
“MOM!”
Rolling her eyes, Mrs. Makana just shook her head. Olivia giggled.
“Keiki, how many times do I have to tell you, no yelling!”
Kekoa was out of breath but smiling. Ignoring her mother, Kekoa looked at Olivia and smiled gently.
“You can stay here at if you want.”
Olivia looked from Mrs. Makana to Kekoa then smiled. “I know…”
Olivia smiled at the memory. Although Mr. and Mrs. Makana put a spare bed in Kekoa’s room, she would end up in bed with her friend. She always felt like she was safe and treasured when they snuggled up together.
She had never experienced a family like the Makana’s. The love they had for one another overflowed. Liv was just thankful that she got a chance to share that.
But she couldn’t help but feel sadness for the relationship she had with her own mother. After that night, it was different between them. Very distant and strained. The complete opposite of Mrs. Makana.
Kekoa had often tried to get the two on speaking terms at least, but her efforts would fall flat. She loved Kekoa for that. She was a good friend. That’s why she can’t stop thinking about her…she was felling nostalgic. Yeah…that’s right. That’s all it is…
Rubbing her eyes, Olivia ran a hand through her hair. “She’s my friend…that’s all it is,” Liv said unconvincingly. Sighing, she got up and made her way to her room. She went through her nightly routine then crawled into bed.
She shut her tired eyes and her mind went to Kekoa and how wonderful it felt to wake up with her arms wrapped around her. Liv smiled and sighed as she drifted off to sleep as images of Kekoa slipped into her dreams.