DISCLAIMER - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and all characters are property of NBC and Dick Wolf.

A/N - I've been a huge lurker for quite some time, but this is my first venture into writing. Reviews are awesome, but please be kind! This is set during Season 13 after "Justice Denied."

-Chapter 1-

…So, where does that leave us?

In conflict. I'm gonna be looking at the cases that you handled.

And we never disclosed.

It's not too late. But that means I'd have to resign.

Well that's ridiculous, you can't do that. It's what you live for.

Says who?

Says you, the first time you walked into our squad room.

I'd be assigned to your cases. You know, that means we…

I know. Us… This… Never happened.

xx

As Olivia walked out of the bar, the crisp April air hit her face like a brick wall. The weather was unseasonably cool for this time of year, but it seemed to fit the mood. The detective tightened her scarf, shoved her bare hands in her pockets, and fought the chill that ran through her body. As she rounded the corner and stepped onto Broadway, she waved her arm in the air to hail a cab. Somehow, even at this time of night, a yellow car appeared out of nowhere and came to a screeching halt. This wasn't unusual for Olivia Benson, a force to be reckoned with, able to stop traffic at all hours.

"300 West 99th Street, please."

As soon as she was hit by the warm envelope of the cab's interior, Olivia started to calm down. She unbuttoned the top of her black Burberry coat and sank into the worn leather seats. How did she end up here? Once again, unlucky in love. A cliché by any standards. Hands still trembling, she pulled her white iPhone out of her coat pocket and scrolled through the call log. Usually on a night like this, heartbroken and unsure of what to do with herself, Olivia's first call would be to Elliot. But that ship had sailed. Her best friend had left her high and dry and there was only one other person she could confide in tonight.

"Olivia? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to see if you were up for a drink."

"It's midnight," Alex said with a husky chuckle.

"I know. I'm sorry if I woke you. It's been a rough night and I could use the company if you're not too tired."

"Well, I was terribly busy with a bottle of merlot and reruns of ER, but I think I could squeeze you in."

"Thanks, Alex. You're a life saver. Bar Veloce in 15?"

"See you there."

Olivia got to the bar just minutes after her brief conversation with the ADA. The atmosphere in Chelsea was always lively at this time of night, which was actually a good thing. Olivia needed the distraction to take her mind off this horrible week, and this particular venue was a good choice. Soft lighting and ambient music flowed through the building, calming her nerves and putting her at ease. She sat down at an empty bar stool, away from the surrounding patrons, and opened the wine menu. Shit, if you want a decent glass of wine in Manhattan, she thought to herself, this is definitely where you come. She finally settled on a glass of Brunello di Montalcino and ordered from the bartender. After taking a few sips of the red wine, she looked over to the front door and gasped when she saw blonde hair and blue eyes staring back at her. Olivia had seen Alex Cabot day in and day out for years, always dressed to the nines with killer heels and sleek hair. But tonight, Alex was not dressed for work. Tonight Alex was wearing grey sweats, a black Harvard hoodie, hot pink Nike Shox, and her hair tossed half-hazardly in a loose bun. And the glasses. Jesus, the glasses. Not professional by any means, but as far as Olivia was concerned, Alex should dress like this every day of the week.

"Hey you," Alex said as she sat down at the free stool to the right of Olivia.

"Hey Alex, thanks for meeting me here. I really am sorry for dragging you out this late."

"Not a problem at all, detective. I had a slow day so I'm still wired from the four cups of coffee I had earlier."

"Well thanks anyway, it's been a rough one," Olivia said, trying as hard as she could to let a smile creep across her face.

"Care to talk about it?" Alex asked cautiously. She knew that when the detective had a long day or a particularly trying case, it was usually best not to press for information.

"Nah, it's alright. Just having a friendly face here is making all the difference."

Just then, the bartender came back over and offered Alex a wine menu. Without hesitation, Alex ordered, "A glass of Vermentino, please." Noticing the stunned expression on Olivia's face, Alex chuckled, "This bar is usually where I come after the bad days at work. It's not too far from the office, but it's not filled with cops or lawyers either. Plus, I'm kind of a wine snob." With that, Olivia finally let a real smile show on her tired features.

"Just a wine snob, huh?" she joked with the striking blonde.

"At least I have taste, detective," Alex shot back with her trademark smirk.

Under normal circumstances, Olivia and Alex remained steadfastly professional, as friendly as the caseload allowed but rarely cracking jokes. But there was something different about tonight. Maybe it was the case, maybe it was the breakup, or maybe it was seeing Alex in such casual attire. But Olivia could feel it. There was definitely something different about tonight.

Alex took a long, lingering look at Olivia. Strong jaw, long brown hair, deep brown eyes she was afraid she might get lost in forever. Truth be told, Alex was asleep when Olivia had called. She had been asleep for hours. But still, after all these years, there was nothing the beautiful detective could ask for that the Assistant District Attorney would not deliver. She had been so deeply in love with Olivia for years and had studied those features time and time again. But she could tell that something was seriously wrong tonight. Not just by the sullen look on the detective's face, but by her voice on the phone as well.

"Liv, are you sure there isn't anything you want to talk to me about?" She asked in a soothing tone.

At the sound of her nickname, Olivia was quickly pulled away from her own thoughts. She loved when Alex called her Liv. It reminded her of how close they had grown over the years, how much they knew about each other.

"I'm fine, really. I'm sure it's nothing you want to hear about anyway."

"Well you called me out here in the middle of the night during the coldest April I've ever experienced, so I'm pretty sure there's something bothering you."

"It's just… ugh, I really shouldn't even be telling you this. We hadn't disclosed our relationship yet, but… David Haden and I have been seeing each other for the last few months. We broke it off tonight."

Olivia took a long sip from her wine and let out a deep breath, relieved to finally let out the big secret she had been keeping from her colleagues. As weary as she was about telling the truth, she knew she could trust Alex to keep this information to herself.

"Wow. I had no idea. You guys really did a good job at keeping that under wraps," she responded, trying as best she could to keep the disappointment out of her voice. And what was she even disappointed about? The fact that Olivia was dating a man, or that she was dating anyone at all? Probably both, if she was being honest with herself.

"Yeah, well we didn't have much of a choice," Olivia replied honestly.

"Why did you break up?" Alex already hated this conversation, but she figured she'd get as many details out of the detective as she could.

"It's kind of a long story, but basically he's going to be in charge of the unit from now on… which he failed to tell me. I had to hear it from the Captain," Olivia said, clearly hurt by the situation.

"That's shitty, Liv. I'm so sorry," Alex replied in her most comforting tone, placing her hand on Olivia's arm. While one part of her was glad the brave detective was once again on the market, the other part of her wanted to go and kick this guy's ass for hurting her friend.

"But really though, if he's willing to end your relationship just because of the job, he's a fucking idiot. Anyone would be lucky to have you." Alex meant every word she said, but wondered to herself if maybe she had said too much. She sipped on her white wine and tried her best to look nonchalant.

"Thanks Alex, that really means a lot. I know you've always cared about me. It's nice to remember why I always keep you around," Olivia said with a shy smile.

She wondered if Alex's words had more meaning than just what was said. They always had easy conversation, friendly banter, and would bend over backward for each other. And then there were the sneaky glances she sometimes caught Alex shooting her way, but was it just her imagination? And then she realized… the hand on her arm. All of a sudden, David Haden was the furthest thing from her mind and all she could concentrate on were the soft fingers and perfect nails resting on her forearm. Even through the thick material of her peacoat, Olivia's skin started to tingle and heat spread through her body.

"Is it hot in here? I just realized how heavy this coat is," Olivia said as she peeled off her Burberry.

"Um, not really. The chill from outside is a real bitch," Alex responded. She was usually so eloquent when speaking and she didn't know why she was cursing so much tonight, but was sure it probably had something to do with how Olivia always seemed to put her at ease.

"I really like this music, though. Do you know who sings this song?" Alex asked, completely unaware of Olivia's flustered state.

When I'm weak, I draw strength from you

And when you're lost, I know how to change you mood

And when I'm down, you breathe life over me

Even though were miles apart, we are each other's destiny

On a clear day, I'll fly home to you

I'm bending time getting back to you

Old moon fades into the new

Soon I'll be back with you

I'm nearly with you

"What? Oh… I think it's Sia." she finally responded.

"I like it. I'll have to check out some of her stuff," Alex said, trying to continue the casual conversation after noticing Olivia's awkward response.

Olivia had felt this way about Alex before. She had dreamed about how it would feel for Alex to touch her, for Alex to kiss her, for Alex to undress her. But these feelings had come and gone over the years and hadn't been felt in quite some time. At least not since she had been dating David. So Olivia pushed her attraction to the back of her mind and continued with business as usual. Until tonight. Until right now.

"Well, I think I should be going. It's pretty late," Olivia said, taking the last sip of her red.

"Oh… okay," Alex responded, somewhat taken aback at the abrupt change of pace. Everything had been going so well. Was it something she said? Shit, should I not have put my hand on her arm? Alex thought to herself.

"We can share a cab, if you'd like. I mean we live in the same neighborhood, so it'd be cheaper."

"Sure, that works," said Alex as both women put down a couple bills for their drinks.

The cab ride was spent mostly in silence, comfortable and familiar, but laced with a strange tension. Alex was worried she had said or done something to upset Olivia, and Olivia was too wrapped up in her thoughts of Alex to notice. The first stop was the attorney's brownstone on the Upper West Side. They both got out of the cab and Olivia walked Alex to her door, shoving her hands in her pockets when she finally reached the top step.

"Thanks for coming out tonight, I really appreciate the company," Olivia said, eager to get away from the intoxicating blonde.

"Thanks for thinking of me," replied Alex with a small smile, trying to ease the tension that was thick in the air. "We should do it again sometime, under more positive circumstances, of course."

If she says one more perfect thing… Olivia thought to herself. "Alex-"

"Do you want to come up for coffee? I mean, tomorrow is Saturday so neither of us have to be in early," Alex nervously suggested while playing with the strings on her battered sweatshirt.

Olivia knew she couldn't resist the offer. On any other night, with any other person, she would have said no. But not this night. Not while she was feeling this vulnerable and not while Alex was saying and doing all the right things. She took a deep breath, unsure of what the early morning hours held, and exhaled.

"Sure, why not."