After writing about them for over two years, they feel like part of me...and yet, they are not and I still can claim no ownership over my favorite detectives and friends. " ( Bensler

P.S. And WHAT am I doing adding yet another story when I need to finish Shield and work on another project I have going? I guess I am simply crazy!

What Can it Hurt?

By Bensler

Chapter 1 ~ Rebound

SVU Squad Room – Tuesday, May 4 – 3:30 p.m.

"What can it hurt?" Alex's dark blue eyes bored into Olivia's.

What can it hurt? Olivia repeated the question in her head. Turning her eyes from Alex her gaze flitted to Elliot. Me. Him. Us. He was leaning back in his chair talking on the phone. 'Yeah, yeah…I'll be there in time for Lizzie's game. Promise.' There was a slight pause as he held the receiver away from his ear. Kathy's frustrated voice could be heard as he looked at Olivia and Alex and rolled his eyes. 'Okay…I know…yeah, you're right – I can't promise but…Kath…Kath…' he sighed, 'I'll do my best.'

What can it hurt? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Elliot was back at home, back to being a family man. No longer separated from his wife and family. And Olivia was…well, she was where she had always been. Alone. And now any thought of more between her and Elliot was off the table. Completely. She was just glad that their friendship of old seemed to be back on track.

Returning her gaze to Alex, she was still contemplating the offer when Elliot hung up the phone, sighed heavily then gave the two women a curious look.

Olivia shook her head. "I don't know, Alex. Things like this usually turn out to be a disaster."

"I don't think this one will be, Olivia. I really don't. But if it is, at least you gave it a shot and nothing's lost in the long run," Alex reasoned with her.

"What are we talking about?" Elliot asked from his still reclined position.

"We aren't talking about anything. It's between me and Alex," Olivia snapped wondering why she sounded so angry with him; why she was so angry with him.

Shocked at her abrupt retort, Elliot stared at her, glanced at Alex, threw his hands up in defeat and picked up a pen to start on another report.

Alex just shook her head then shrugged. "Well, it's up to you. Let me know what you decide." She turned to leave.

What can it hurt?

Olivia stopped her. "Wait. Tell me about him."

"Him who?" Elliot piped up, his attention totally on the women now. He never was good at learning lessons the first time.

Olivia shot daggers with her eyes, but before she could shoot him down again, Alex replied, "The guy I'm trying to set Olivia up with on blind date."

Olivia glared at Alex. She didn't want Elliot knowing her personal business. Not anymore. Not yet. Not until there was something to know. Maybe then. Maybe.

"Blind date?" Elliot scoffed over a smirk. "Those usually turn out to be dates from hell."

"Thank you for your unsolicited counsel, Detective Stabler, but you are not helping me to win my case," Alex complained, an icy frown daring him to continue.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish look. "Then again, maybe you should give it try, Liv. Who knows …it could work out."

Steamed at Elliot for sticking his nose in her business; steamed at telling her to give it a try; steamed that her going out with someone did not seem to bother him; she made up her mind right then. Thank you, Elliot. "All right. So, tell me about this guy, Alex."

A wide smile split Alex's face. "Well, he's about your age, recently divorced…"

"No, no,no,no. Forget it. I'm not going to be someone's rebound," Olivia shook her head and turned back to the work on her desk.

"You won't be his rebound, Olivia. I promise you that," Alex assured her.

"How can you know that?" Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Because…because I know him. He's a good man."

"Where do you know him from?" she asked.

Alex glanced at Elliot then took Olivia by the arm and pulled her close. "Professionally."

"He's an attorney?" Olivia was wide-eyed. "Well, he better be a prosecutor and not a criminal defense attorney!"

Laughing Alex told her, "He's not an attorney. But I can promise you he understands your job and the time it involves. So that won't be a problem. Well, what do you say?"

Olivia's eyes traveled the room, met Elliot's and then back to Alex's. "Mmmm…I don't know, Alex."

"He's good looking in a rugged sort of way…well, actually he's quite hot…" Alex elbowed her and laughed as she tried to convince Olivia to say yes.

Olivia thought for a moment. Why was it so hard to make what should be a very simple decision? It wasn't a marriage proposal. It was dinner. She glanced at Elliot. Should she or shouldn't she? He seemed to read her mind.

He grinned and nodded his head. "Go for it, Benson."

Unsure of what to make of his apparent support of this crazy idea, Olivia decided she in fact, did have nothing to lose and what could it hurt? She stared at Elliot and the lopsided grin on his face. "Okay," turning back to Alex, she answered, "I'll go."

Alex smiled and gave her a big hug. "Oh…one thing…he wanted to talk to you before you meet…and he…uh…wants to do it online…do you mind if I give him your email address?"

Olivia was caught off guard, but then shrugged. "I guess not. What's his name?"

"Uh…I'll let him contact you and he can tell you."

"Alex!" Olivia cried out in frustration. "He knows my name!"

Alex was already at the door as she called out and she ignored Olivia as she kept on going and disappeared into the hallway.

***

The little box with the blue banner appeared in the corner of her computer screen. She had a new email and this was from an unfamiliar address. Looking around the squad room, she remembered it was late and everyone was gone except her. She had stayed to go over a few files on the case she was schedule to testify at tomorrow.

Clicking on the box the email opened.

From: Rangers99 at whoisthis . net

To: Olivia . Benson at MSNYPD . GOV

Subject: Well…hello…

Hi, Olivia. Alex told me you agreed to meet me. I just wanted to talk a little bit before then. Do you have AIM? That would be easier than emailing. Just let me know. Thanks.

Whoisthis . net? Laughing out loud, she muttered under her breath, 'Yeah…I'd like to know, too.' She crafted a reply and stared at it as her hand hovered over the reply button for several seconds before she hit it.

From: Olivia . Benson at MSNYPD . GOV

To: Rangers99 at whoisthis . net

Subject: RE: Well…hello…

Hi, yourself. I do have AIM…don't use it much but here's my ID – Liv123. Oh, sorry but you will have to wait until I get home – no IMs on the work computer. I'll email and let you know when I'm available.

" ) Olivia

After hitting the reply, Olivia turned back to reading the files before her. However, her concentration was gone. She found herself constantly checking the corner of the computer and listening for the low tone that indicated she had a new email.

On her fourth try at the same paragraph the telltale beep had her dropping the file and her fingers on the mouse clicking the email open even before the little box disappeared.

From: Rangers99 at whoisthis . net

To: Olivia . Benson at MSNYPD . GOV

Subject: RE: RE: Well…hello…

No problem. I'm free all night. Email me when you get home and get settled. I'll be waiting to hear from you and looking forward to 'talking'.

Shaking her head, she wondered what was wrong with her. Here she was smiling and feeling giddy because some 'ruggedly handsome, hot stranger' wanted to talk to her via IM. Forwarding the email to her home address so she would have his address, she decided she was as prepared for the trial tomorrow as she was going to get. Logging off and straightening her desk, she again she shook her head at how she was feeling.

***

He stared at the last email in his inbox. She had emailed him back. And quickly. He was one lucky man. He had wanted to go out with Olivia Benson for a very long time but simply could not find the courage to ask her. She was beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and intimidating. A combination he had never found in any other woman. He just knew if he could have a go-between to set up that first date, he could make everything else work out.

All it took was convincing Alex Cabot that he would not mess around with Olivia's mind and heart and leave her hurt and broken hearted. And it was not easy to convince that woman of anything. She had more arguments and counter-arguments than even an attorney should have. That coupled with the fact that she was fiercely protective of her friend who, in Alex's opinion, had been the recipient of more than her share of hurt, made it that much more difficult to get her on board with his plan.

Alex called him later that evening. When he answered the phone, she said, "You owe me. Big time. Make this work or I will be your worst nightmare."

Somehow he knew the words were not an idle threat. Alex Cabot was not a force to go up against and expect to come out on top.

Reliving the conversation as he sent the next email, he repeated his answer to her, 'I will, Alex. I will.'

eoeoeoeoeo