"Oh wow," Nick Amaro muses, peering through the window of the conference room. Even with the door closed he can still hear Alex Cabot yelling. "Novak is getting a verbal beat down from Cabot."

Amanda Rollins joins him, crossing her arms in front of her chest and watching the scene unfold.

Alex has her back to them but they can clearly see Casey Novak looking like she wants to sink into the floor and disappear.

"Ouch," Amanda says, shaking her head. "Twenty dollars says Novak cries."

Olivia Benson steps up beside them. "What are you guys - oh." She stops as soon as she sees her girlfriend giving Casey a tongue lashing. She sighs deeply. "Alex..."

One of the only things they fight about is Alex's treatment towards her colleagues, particularly Casey Novak. Casey had been re-hired at the DA's office following her license suspension against Alex's wishes and Alex wasn't shy about that being known and takes every opportunity to talk down to the other attorney. Olivia considers Casey to be a friend, and is often put in the middle of their squabbles.

"We were betting whether or not Novak starts to cry,"Amanda says. "I put twenty on it."

Olivia shakes her head. "She won't."

"I've seen it from others; more than once,"Nick tosses in. "Your girlfriend can be quite intimidating."

"So have I, unfortunately." Olivia knows a discussion will follow this scene later.

They all scatter when Alex turns around and angrily grabs her briefcase off the nearby table. She heads towards the doors and the detectives look away, not wanting her to know they had been watching.

Alex is wearing a scowl on her face and says nothing as she rushes by the detectives and heads towards the elevator. Olivia quickly goes into the conference room where Casey is recovering from her verbal attack. She's gathering paperwork off the table and glances at Olivia when she enters.

"Hey, you okay?" Olivia asks.

Casey smiles at her. "Yes, I am. I - think I pissed her off," she adds with a laugh.

"Well she was headed that way anyway. We got yelled at earlier. I'm sorry, Casey."

Casey smiles again, grabbing her folder and preparing to leave. "It's okay. Really. She doesn't trust me; I get it. Some people take longer than others to win over."

"Still, it's not okay and I apologize for her." Olivia follows her out of the conference room and apologizes once more before Casey gets into the elevator and leaves. As soon as she's gone, she goes in search of Alex. She knows she's still around and a quick text lets her know she's at the vending machine.

Olivia finds her girlfriend angrily pounding on the machine after it failed to dispense her bottle of water. She wrinkles her brow and comes up behind her, placing her hand in the small of her back, "Tough day?" she asks.

Alex rolls her eyes. "Ridiculous day."

"And it was Casey's fault?"

Alex looks at her with a frown. "What? No. She was just a casualty."

"That's not okay, Alex."

Alex puts more money in the machine and finally gets a drink. Once she does, she opens the top and takes a long drink. Olivia follows her towards the elevators.

"I don't want to have this conversation right now. You know how I feel about what she did," Alex says, stepping into an open elevator.

Olivia follows her and waits for the doors to close before speaking. "You have done a lot over the past years that you could say had questionable legality. You have gotten into trouble, Alex; bent the rules to fit what you wanted and what you had to do. The difference between you and Casey? She got caught, and didn't have the connections to get her out of it."

Alex doesn't respond; she just stares straight ahead at the elevator doors. She knows that Olivia is right, but she would never allow herself to say it. Ever.

The elevator doors open and before Alex can step out, Olivia catches her in an embrace and presses a kiss to her lips. Alex is not usually one for public displays of affection, especially at work. And Olivia knows this. But she also knows when Alex needs it, and right now she needs it. Alex allows herself to be comforted momentarily by Olivia, and then nods like she always does when she wants to communicate to Olivia that she's all right.

Olivia reluctantly lets go of Alex and watches her walk out of the precinct. Her mind is already going over what she can tonight to cheer Alex up.

.2

Michael Cutter - the current District Attorney that Alex aspires to replace - comes to see her at her office that afternoon. She's busily typing up notes for a closing argument when he interrupts her and asks her how she is doing.

Alex dislikes small talk; hates it even. She would prefer to get to the point and quickly, especially when it comes to work. And the only time Cutter comes to see her is when she's in trouble or he needs a favor. She wonders which one this is going to be.

"There's a conference in Maine I am sending you to. It's over the weekend so you would be back Monday or Tuesday. I've emailed you all the details. I would like you to speak and have sent talking points as well."

That's something she dislikes even more than small talk; traveling. And besides that, Olivia is taking her vacation from work starting tomorrow and Alex would prefer not to miss an entire weekend of it. She could probably convince her girlfriend to go with her, but is it something Olivia would enjoy? Most likely not, but Alex knows without a doubt that she would go if she asked her to.

Alex doesn't put up an argument. She's unusually agreeable, and only because she is trying to get in Cutter's good graces. "All right. Sounds like it might be a good experience. I will look over the email."

Cutter gets up, signaling this is the end of their talk. Alex immediately goes back to typing away when she is stopped by Cutter's next words. "I want you to take Casey Novak with you."

Alex stops typing and looks at him. "Casey Novak, why her?"

"I think this will be a good opportunity for her. She's expressed interest in getting different experiences and has never been to a weekend conference. You have. Show her the ropes."

"With all due respect, sir, I don't like Casey and she doesn't like me. Not a good match."

"All the more reason for it to happen. Maybe you can learn to get along. I've already made the arrangements; it's a done deal. Do one, teach one Alex. I expect there will be no issues."

Alex turns back to her computer. "No, sir. No issues."

As soon as he leaves, she sighs in frustration and opens the top drawer of her desk. She removes the small red velvet box that has resided there the past two weeks and pops it opens.

The engagement ring catches the light just right and shines, causing Alex to smile. She knows Olivia will love it. She's spent weeks planning out the perfect proposal. She wanted to do it this weekend, at the start of Olivia's vacation. But that plan has just gone out the window.

She prays that Olivia will agree to accompany her to Maine. At least then she can have something to look forward to instead of dreading spending the weekend with someone she dislikes so much.

.3

Alex is late getting home, which is nothing new to Olivia. She's come to expect it and appreciates the fact that Alex always texts her to let her know when to expect her.

She's especially thankful for that tonight. It gave her time to get everything set up just the way she wanted it.

She made Alex's favorite dinner; homemade chicken alfredo pasta and stuffed peppers. She has placed candles all around the table and changed into her blue dress, which Alex loves.

Alex has had a stressful week and Olivia wants to help her unwind by surprising her with a romantic dinner. She knows she is going to love it.

Olivia loves her job and knows how much Alex loves her. But once in awhile Olivia lets her mind wander to what it might be like if they both had normal jobs. Jobs where they did not have to deal with trauma or death and be haunted in their sleep by what they see, A job where they could leave everything behind at night and just be together. As much as they love each other, neither can really hit the off switch as soon as they are home. As much as they want to, they can't.

As soon as Olivia hears Alex's key hit the lock, she's at the door waiting to welcome her girlfriend home.

"Hey, baby," Olivia greets, slinging her arms around Alex's slender shoulders and embracing her.

Alex takes a look at Olivia and it's clear she likes what she sees. "Liv. You look beautiful."

Olivia plays with Alex's lapel. "So do you."

Alex looks down at herself. "This is just a lawyer suit you have seen a million times." Her eyes shoot up and meet Olivia's. "But i'd be happy to change for you."

Olivia raises an eyebrow and steps aside, letting Alex enter their apartment. Alex shakes off her suit jacket and hangs it on the rack by the door. She's about to say something when the candlelight from the kitchen catches her eye. She gives Olivia an odd look and goes into the kitchen.

Olivia follows her, and is pleased when she realizes her girlfriend is practically moved to tears. Alex turns and looks at her, tears shining in her eyes. Without another word she throws her arms around her beautiful caring girlfriend. "Olivia this is wonderful! And it smells delicious."

This elicits a warm response from Olivia. She grabs Alex's hand and leans in to kiss her. "Go get changed, honey. Before it gets cold."

Alex salutes her with a big grin on her face and hurries off to change into something more presentable. Olivia uses the time she is gone to make them each a plate, and she pours each of them a glass of Alex's favorite wine.

Alex appears just moment later, wearing her red dress. It's her casual evening out dress and she considers it an appropriate occasion to wear it. Olivia smiles and pulls her chair out for her and motions for her to sit down, which she does. Olivia then goes to her side of the table and sits down.

"This is just amazing. I need this so much after today." Alex wastes no time digging in. She skipped lunch, as she does often and knows if she doesn't eat enough for dinner that Olivia will get on her. Olivia is an amazing cook, which is a huge plus.

Olivia raises her wine glass. "Here's to vacation...and spending as much of it with you as possible."

Alex swallows, swallowing the lump in her throat with her food. "About that. How would you feel about going to Maine this weekend?"

She wasn't going to bring it up now. She wanted to enjoy the evening and everything Olivia had planned, and take part in certain activities at the conclusion of the evening.

But Olivia had just kind of opened the door.

"Maine? Why Maine?" Olivia asks after swallowing a mouthful of food.

"Cutter is sending me to a conference for the entire weekend. I really want you to come, but understand if you don't want to. I Googled the address for the hotel and it's a seven hour drive. I thought we could take my car." She gauges Olivia's interest and is pleased when she seems excited about the prospect. "One small addendum; he wants Casey to come too. But she can find her own way there."

"Alex, that's terrible!" Olivia scolds. "Of course I will come, and Casey can ride with us. Don't be ridiculous. You have to get over this. Don't be so cruel. I know you're better than that."

Alex gives no further objections although she is definitely not happy. She wanted a weekend spent with her girlfriend. She had the perfect plan to turn Olivia into her fiance. And now she was being forced to basically work and babysit someone she can't stand.

.4

A seven hour car ride is cruel and unusual punishment if you ask Casey Novak.

It's been five hours - which has seemed like five weeks - since they left the gas station in Manhattan. Olivia is driving and Alex is in the passenger seat. The two are holding hands and have been talking amongst each other since they left.

Casey is sitting in the back feeling like an awkward third wheel. Olivia has tried to include her in conversations but Alex has barely said three words to her so she's relegated herself to playing games on her phone to pass the time.

She wonders why Michael Cutter is punishing her this way. She was told to shadow Alex at the conference. There are so many other things Casey would rather do than shadow Alex Cabot; including being dropped into a vat of scorpions. They sting a little less.

Olivia announces she has to pee and is going to stop at the next gas station. Neither of her travel companions object so she hits the next Speedway she finds. They all pile out of the car and go their separate ways in the station.

Casey is starving so she grabs a small bag of chips and a bottle of soda. Alex wanders by while she's waiting in line and gives her a look. "No eating in my car."

"Seriously?" Casey asks incredulously. "You wouldn't' let us stop for food. I'm hungry."

Alex shrugs. "Don't want crumbs in my car." Then she just walks away from her.

Casey angrily grabs the chips and puts them back on the shelf. She is fuming, wondering what made Alex so cold. She is the most unhappy person she knows and celebrates being an unapologetic bitch. Casey can't wait for the day she has the courage to tell her off.

"Would you want to drive the rest of the way?" Olivia asks Casey when she finds her in the station.

Casey glances at Alex across the aisle. "Sure. If she lets me behind the wheel."

Once back at the car, Casey is surprised when Alex agrees to let her drive. She and Olivia get into the back while Casey looks at the navigation screen to see where she has to go from here.Casey takes a moment to look around Alex's car. It's like sitting in the cockpit of an alien spacecraft. So expensive and everything is so unnecessarily over the top. Casey shakes her head. She isn't even sure how to use the navigation system so she grabs her phone and types the address into Google Maps.

"Forget how to drive, Novak?" comes Alex's voice from the back. Casey looks in the rearview mirror and Alex makes it a point to put a chip into her mouth from a bag of chips situated between her and Olivia.

Casey is immediately pissed off. So she makes it a point to roughly put Alex's car into gear and practically spins out pulling out of the parking lot. Alex jumps on her right away, but all Casey says in response is, "Opps. Sorry." She smiles to herself.

After about an hour on the road, Olivia and Alex's chatter begins to fade until it ceases completely. Casey glances into the rearview mirror and sees that they are both asleep. Olivia is leaning against the window and Alex is leaning against Olivia. Casey smiles at the sight. Even though Alex is not her favorite person, she likes Olivia and is glad they have happiness together.

Casey glances down at her phone, seeing how much longer she needs to stay on this road. It's heavily wooded and getting dark and she has to admit is a bit creepy.

As soon as she looks back up, she sees it. A huge black wolf, standing in the middle of the road. It's eyes catch in the headlights, causing them to glow. Casey has to swerve sharply to avoid hitting the wolf and for a moment loses control and crashes the car directly into a tree.

That definitely wakes up the sleeping women in the back. They both appear okay, and Olivia's immediate concern is that Casey is okay as well. Alex's, however, is for her car. And she is pissed.

"What the fuck, Novak?" Alex yells. She's out of the car already surveying the damage.

Olivia opens up the drivers side door and examines Casey. "Are you all right? What happened?" She reached towards Casey's head. "Shit, you're bleeding."

Casey immediately reaches up and winces as she touches a wound on her forehead. She doesn't remember hitting her head, but she must have. She nods at Olivia. "I'm okay. Are you guys?"

Olivia nods and holds the door open so Casey can get out. She does, and immediately apologizes to Alex. "I am so sorry. There was a wolf in the road. This huge black wolf. I would have hit him if I didn't swerve."

Alex doesn't respond. She's looking at her car and kicks the tire angrily. The whole front end is smashed is and the passenger side front tire bend at an unnatural angle. There is a gas smell in the air. She finally looks at Casey and says, "Fuck!"

Casey starts to apologize again but Olivia cuts in. "Okay. Alex, what is important is that everyone is okay. We have insurance. You can get the car taken care of. Let's just call for a tow."

Olivia grabs her phone from her pocket and frowns in frustration. "Hmmm, weird. No service."

Alex sighs and slips hers back into her jeans. "Same here."

All eyes are on Casey and she scrambles back to the car to find her phone. But when she does, she instantly knows it will be of no help. The screen is completely shattered and the phone won't turn on.

"My phone is toast," Casey announces when she rejoins the other two. Her forehead wound hurts and she touches it again, feeling fresh blood.

Alex is leaning against her car with her arms crossed, looking off into the distance with an angry expression. "Where's the dog you saw?"

"it wasn't a dog - it was a wolf," Casey corrects. She looks around. "And we must have scared it off."

Alex just shakes her head, mutters something under her breath, and wanders off.

"Look, I'm real sorry, Olivia. I'll pay for the tow once we get to a working phone." Casey does feel badly for crashing Alex's car.

"Don't worry about it. Our insurance covers it." Olivia looks up and points to a sign off to the right. "Here's a town. We should probably walk and see if we can find a repair shop open. Or at least someone with a phone."

They grab their belongings from the car, not wanting to leave them behind. Casey apologizes to Alex again, who in response just gives her a cold look.

"Storybrooke," Olivia muses, reading the town name on the welcome sign. "Strange name. You guys ready? Casey, maybe we can get your forehead looked at too. You're bleeding again."

Alex turns and looks at Casey and for a brief moment Casey sees concern on her face, but she quickly looks away and it's gone. Wow, maybe she has a heart after all.

They walk in silence over the town line.