FIC: Blind Date 1/2
Title: Blind Date
Summary: Alex decides to play matchmaker.
Pairings: C/O eventually; C/S; past C/A and O/A; A/C/O/E/S friendships
Disclaimer: don't own the characters.
Author's Note: This starts at the end of the episode where Liv comes back from her undercover stint in Oregon. The POV will change in each chapter, either being Casey, Alex or Olivia
DOINK DOINK (Casey's POV)
The jury just came back with a guilty verdict against that sleaze-ball. I gather up the file and case notes I have on the table before me. Thank God Liv got back in time for this one. Speaking of her, what the hell did she do to her hair while she was gone? She REALLY needs to reconsider the whole bangs thing. I lift my briefcase and turn to exit the courtroom, hoping to talk to her. My eyes scan the room and find her reassuring the girl in hushed tones. Damn. I hurry out of there with my head held high, even though inside I feel like I'm about to fall apart. I really need to get a handle on this crush I've got on her.
I take my time getting back to the office. There's nothing pressing waiting for me. My mind wanders. Maybe i should do a better job of getting out and dating. Stop measuring everyone I meet against the impossible standard of Olivia Benson.
My secretary greets me with a stack of pink message slips. Cabot wants to know if we're still on for lunch. Elliot and Dani just caught a new case. I groan reading this message. Dani Beck has GOT to be the most incompetent excuse for a detective I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Branch wants to discuss my caseload. Serena called.. no message but she'll call back. She always does. I drop my briefcase next to my desk and fall into my desk chair, turning it away from the door so I can stare out of the window. It's nice having an office with windows. I don't know how long I've been sitting here when my thoughts are interrupted.
"I thought you won today. Why the glumness?"
I look towards the door to see Bureau Chief Alex Cabot entering my office. "I did win and I'm not glum."
She rolls her icy blue eyes as she sits primly in one of the chairs across from my desk. "Staring out the window is not like you, Casey."
I sigh loudly. Cabot and I have been friends for what seems like forever. Ever since law school at least. Dated for awhile but she was always more comfortable being with guys than girls. I hate how she knows my moods so well, even after her time in witness protection. "It's nothing." I lie easily. It's easy to say that to most people but she can always tell when I'm not telling her the whole story.
"Don't feed me that line of crap, Novak. Something's bothering you and I'm going to get to the bottom of it." she says warningly. Before either of us can say anything more, my phone starts ringing. "Saved by the phone." she gives a half smile as she speaks.
I lift the phone. "Novak, Sex crimes."
"Hey Case," Olivia's voice sends tingles to my toes. "I just wanted to tell you you did a good job today."
I blush even though I know she can't see it. "Thanks." Cabot's watching me talk to the detective and I see her settle deeper in the chair, getting comfortable. A knowing grin on her face. Damn it. She knows. My breathing quickens slightly. Damn it. I've been mentally flipping about Alex that I totally missed what Liv just said. "I'm sorry. What was that?"
Liv chuckles. God that little laugh of hers makes me want to do all sorts of inappropriate things to her. "I was wondering if you're free for lunch."
"I'd love to, Liv, but I already have plans."
"Oh." her cheerful voice turns cold. "I see. Well..."
Alex is waving her hands to get my attention. "Hold on a sec." I cover the mouthpiece with my hand. "What?"
"Is that Olivia?" I nod. "Invite her along."
Crap. Cabot has that look in her eyes. The one that says she's up to something. I uncover the mouthpiece. "Why don't you join us for lunch?"
"I couldn't impose..."
"Sure you can. Come by my office in about ten to fifteen minutes." I hang up before she can respond. Alex is grinning like the cat that ate the canary. "What?"
"I know what's bothering you."
DOINK DOINK (Alex's POV)
I watch Casey as she answers the phone. The instant she realize who's on the other end, she relaxes and her bright green eyes get this mystical, faraway look to them. Did she just use her bedroom voice? I think she did. She's smiling. I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time. OH! So it's Benson who has put that smile on her face. Oh, Casey, tell me you didn't just turn down a lunch invite from Liv. Those are a precious commodity from her. I frantically wave my arms to get her attention.
"What?" she's glaring at me now.
"Is that Olivia?" I know it is but I want her to confirm it. She nods. "Invite her along." If my suspicions are correct, Casey's got the hots for a certain female SVU detective. The last time I talked to Olivia, which was a couple of weeks before she went undercover, she was depressed because Casey was seeing Serena again. Casey and Serena's on and off relationship makes my head hurt trying to keep up with it's status. Review the evidence, Cabot. People's Exhibit A: Olivia's hatred of Serena Southerlyn. People's B: Olivia's depression whenever Casey and Serena are on again. People's C: Casey's "I'm so in love"
expression during a three minute phone call from Detective Benson. Oh yeah. They've got the hots for each other and are too scared to do anything on their own. Enter Matchmaker Me. I grin broadly just as Casey is hanging up the phone.
She's glaring again. "What?"
"I know what's bothering you."
Her already pale features whiten further. "Oh?" she's pretending to act indifferent but she's scared. "And just what might that be?"
"You're in love with Detective Benson." I cross my arms, daring her to contradict me.
Her face scrunches up as she tries to find the words to prove me wrong and fails. "No I'm not!" she eventually screeches.
I lower my voice and add a breathless huskiness to it to mimic her voice. "Thanks, I'm sorry. What was that? I'd love to Liv" I draw the name out slowly.
Casey interrupts me before I can continue. "Ok ok just quit THAT!" she slumps in her chair defeated. "Fine. Yes. I have feelings for her, but I am not acting on them."
"Why not?" This is not like her. She normally goes after what she wants.
Casey gave me her "You've gotta be kidding me" look. "You of all people should know the answer to that, Alex."
"Enlighten me, Case. Because you've lost me."
"The rules."
Crap. I should have known. "Casey, it doesn't bother me if you want to date Olivia. What she and I had is in the very distant past. For crying out loud, I'm married now. You do what makes you happy."
Our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door. Are my eyes deceiving me or is Olivia actually wearing a skirt? I break the silence and greet her. "HI Olivia."
Her deep browns were only for Casey as she replied absentmindedly. "hey Cabot." It's kinda funny watching the realization that she's not alone with Casey dawn on Olivia's face. She turns to face me. "What's new?"
"Not much. We were just waiting for you to get here. Casey tells me you'll be joining us for lunch."
"Ummm yeah. I guess I am." She looks back to Casey. They're so cute with their awkwardness. "I'm ready to go whenever you two are."
Casey shuffles some papers on her desk before she stands. "Give me a couple minutes while I got to the little lawyer's room." she says, her face reddening as she brushes past the detective. I smile when I notice Olivia inhale sharply at the contact.
"You know, you CAN sit next to me. I don't bite, ya know." i gesture the seat next to me.
She grins slightly as she sits. "If memory serves me correctly, you do though."
I flash my left hand and wiggle my ring finger. "Sorry, but I'm stuck biting cock for the rest of my days. No more skirt chasing for me." I sigh like its a hardship, but the truth is I can't imagine my life without Robert.
"Awww damn. Now who am i gonna go clubbing with?"
I can't help but laugh at her. We always goof around like this. Our laughter is interrupted by the incessant ringing of Casey's phone, so I answer it. "Novak's office. Alex Cabot speaking."
"Hey Alex." Great, it's Serena. Don't get me wrong, Southerlyn's a nice girl, but her and Casey need to quit this bullshit and just be friends. "Where's Casey?"
"She just stepped out for a couple of minutes, Serena." I watch Olivia's face as I say the blonde's name. Olivia doesn't disappoint. She rolls her eyes, makes a huffy sound and crosses her arms tightly over her chest. "Could I take a message?" I grab a pen and a yellow notepad.
"Just let her know I called."
"Got it." I hang up the phone. I no sooner round the desk than Casey walks in.
"Who was that?"
"My secretary. I just called to make sure I had a few clear hours." I lied easily. "Are we going to lunch or not ladies?" I wait by the door, tapping my foot in mock impatience. Casey grabs her coat and purse and walks past me. Liv walks out, only to turn around as I'm closing the door.
"I forgot to grab my purse. I'll meet you two at the elevator." i start to walk away but something makes me look back at Casey's office. I turn just in time to see Olivia cover the message I took from Serena with a stack of files. I smirk and continue on my way towards the elevators. This is going to be a VERY intriguing lunch.
DOINK DOINK (olivia's POV)
I turn around outside of Casey's office. "I forgot my purse. I'll catch up with you guys at the elevator." I tell Alex. I rush past her and grab my purse from beside the chair I'd just vacated. I notice the message Alex had taken from Serena. I know it's childish, but a part of me wants to make sure Casey never gets that message. I check to make sure no one is looking and subtly rearrange the files on the desk to bury the legal pad. I smirk confidently to myself as I close the office door behind me. It feels weird carrying a purse, so I tend to forget it when I go places with it. I swagger to where the two lawyers wait. Well, as close to a swagger as I can muster with two inch heels. Casey doesn't seem to thrilled with whatever
Alex is lecturing her about. I let my gaze travel up her legs. If playing softball is what keeps those legs so toned, tell me where to sign up. They stop talking when I get close by. "So, ladies, where are we eating? I've had nothing but tofu and soy burgers for the past month and a half. I would gladly sell my soul for a steak right now."
Alex laughs at me. "Ok, McMillan's it is then."
Casey looks as if she's about ready to throw up, but gives a halfhearted smile. Need to corner her and find out whats going on with her. We board the elevator and walk to the restaurant in silence. Thankfully, it's not that far. With the busy New York sidewalks, Casey and Alex walk side by side and I follow behind them. I don't mind. The view is much better from back here anyways. It's too bad Alex got married while I was gone. I would've done just about anything to see Casey in a floofy red maid of honor gown. Note to self: ask Alex about the wedding.
We enter McMillan's. Casey and Alex head for the corner booth closest to the bathrooms. The way they waltz in here and greet the staff makes me wonder if they're regulars here. They slide into the same side of the booth, leaving me to sit across from them. Most people would be terrified were they in my shoes. I mean, I'm sitting across from my ex-girlfriend and the woman I've had feelings for for the past two and a half years. Yeah I'm a chicken shit when it comes to feelings and stuff. SO sue me. I open a menu to avoid their stares. "What's good here?"
"Everything." Casey says with a content sigh. I raise an eyebrow at her remark, causing her to blush.
"I don't think Detective Benson was asking about the wait staff, Casey." Alex said with a smirk. "The strip's good but the sirloin tips and noodles are even better."
Our waitress came over to take our orders. Alex got the noodles and beef tips; Casey the chicken Caesar salad...not what i was expecting; I got the strip steak and mashed potatoes. Neither of the ladies across from me are being unusually quiet. "Ok guys, what's the deal?"
Alex's icy blue gaze appears unconcerned behind those black frames of hers. Oh yeah, something's up. "Hmmm?"
I gesture with my left pointer finger to indicate the pair of them. "You two are being quiet. What's up with that?" I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Casey starts using her straw to play with the ice of her Sprite. Alex simply sips her green tea. Neither have addressed my question. I sigh loudly. "If I wanted to play the silent and brooding game, I'd go tell Elliot I'm back."
Casey's head whips up, her green eyes finally meeting my own. "Elliot doesn't know you're back?" I shake my head. "Why not?" I just shrug in response. "Come on Liv, it's us you're talking to. Why don't you want Elliot to know?"
I swear, hearing her say my name like that sends chills down my spine. Cliche I know but true. "We need some time apart. Things are getting...weird. Ever since Kathy served those divorce papers, he's been...weird."
"See? This is why bisexuality is better than being just straight or just a lesbian." Alex states in her closing voice. "You could just go fuck him one day and be done with it. Actually, he's not that bad in bed." Casey and I stare at her in disbelief. "What?"
"You slept with Elliot?" I ask incredulously. This just boggles my mind. My partner and my ex. Alex and Elliot. She merely lifts a shoulder in response, a twinkle in her eye.
"You slept with Elliot and didn't tell me?!?" casey screeches. She shakes her head. "Wow! I just...wow!" The sounds of Rascal Flatts singing "What hurts the most" starts from Casey's purse. She scrambles to answer it. "Hey sweetie." she coos into the phone.
Alex rolls her eyes at the sappiness. "Serena" she mouths. Damn. They must be on again. Why did Alex and Casey have to choose a booth AWAY from the bar? I stop a passing waitress and ask for a double of Scotch neat. Alex raises an eyebrow at my request. "Don't start, Alex." I warn in a low voice. Suddenly, my appetite is gone. I can't do this. I can't sit here and listen to Casey talk to her girlfriend. I stand and motion that I'm headed to the bathroom. For some reason, Alex follows me.
I stand in front of the bathroom mirror and pretend to rearrange my hair. "Why haven't you said anything to her, Olivia?" Alex's husky alto comes from behind me.
"And ruin our working relationship?" I ask half serious. She knows just as well as I do that our working relationship improved when we were fucking.
"Don't give me that, Benson. What's the real reason?"
"She is currently on the phone with the real reason. I don't fuck with those who are in relationships, no matter how fucked up the circumstances may be." I rub my eyes tiredly. It's no use. I'm going to wind up just like Mom always said. Alone.
"Then find someone new. Let me fix you up with a friend of mine."
I shake my head. "No. I don't do blind dates." I turn to face her. "Just leave it alone, Alex." I brush past her and return to our booth. Casey is still talking to Serena on her cellphone, but our food has arrived. Alex sits stiffly across from me. I no longer have an appetite, nor the desire to prolong this agony called lunch. I pull my cell out of my purse and pretend to answer. "Benson." I say to no one. Alex is looking at me like I'm nuts. Ok, so maybe I am. "Vibrate." I mouth to her. She doesn't believe me, but who cares. "I understand. Give me fifteen." I snap the phone closed just as Casey is ending her call. I ask the waitress for a to-go box. "That was Star. The FBI has some things to go over with me, so I need to get going."
Alex won't meet my gaze but she's clearly pissed. She'll have to get over it. Casey at least appears crestfallen. "You have to go? So soon?"
"Sorry. Let's do this again sometime though." I grab my box of food, throw a twenty on the table and rush out of there. I pause outside of the pub and lean against the brick. My best friend is pissed at me; the woman of my dreams is with someone else; my partner is acting screwy. What the hell else is going to go wrong now that I'm back?
DOINK DOINK (Casey's POV)
Why did Serena have to call my cell now? I avoid Olivia's glare as I listen to my currently on again girlfriend. I'm not callous enough to break up over the phone, but we need to end it so I can figure out what this THING is with me and the detective. She rises and motions that she's heading to the bathroom and Alex follows closely behind. I'm not an idiot. No matter how much Alex says there's nothing there, I can't believe it. They have this sixth sense thingy going on. I sigh loudly and realize Serena quit speaking. "Ummmm...."
"You haven't been paying attention to what I've been saying." she accuses.
"Baby, I'm sorry."
"Uhoh."
"Huh?"
"You called me baby. You only call me baby when you want to break up." Oh shit. I do do that I guess. It's my way of distancing myself. The waitress slides my salad in front of me. Not that I'm hungry anymore.
"Can we not do this right now? I'm in the middle of lunch and..."
"That's another thing. You're constantly working." Olivia and Alex have returned to the table. Benson looks like she needs an excuse to get out of here. Alex is pissed. I don't know what went on in that bathroom, but whatever it was, sure made for some awkward tension. My eyebrows scrunch together as I try to concentrate on my girlfriend rather than the woman I'd prefer to have in my bed. Olivia reaches for her cell phone and I turn my head towards the window to hide my smirk. The fake phone call. Classic. I risk a glance at Alex. Bad move, Benson. You made her madder."Look Serena. Let's talk about this later over dinner. I promise I'll be done and out of the office by six."
Olivia snaps her phone shut shortly after I do. "That was Star. The FBI has some things they need to go over with me." She stands and gathers her boxed lunch.
I can't help but let me features show my disappointment. "You have to go? So soon?"
She throws some money on the table. "Sorry." she says curtly. "Let's do this again sometime though." With those final words,Olivia rushes out with her dinner in a box. What the hell did I miss? I look out the window to see her lean against the brick wall. She looks so defeated. Whatever Cabot did, I'm gonna kill her for it. No one puts that look on Liv's face and gets away with it. Hell, after the Gitano case, I gave Elliot quite a scare at softball practice. Let's just say that a line drive to his groin and a few fastballs to the head got my point across. "What was that about?"
Alex rolls her eyes. "She CLAIMS the FBI called and need to debrief her. I'm not stupid. She just needed an excuse to leave."
My suspicions are on high alert. "What did you say to her, Alex?"
She shook her head. "Not me, Casey."
"I was talking to Serena. I didn't have a chance to say anything." Or is that the whole point? My eyebrows bunch together as I take in this revelation. Is it possible Olivia has feelings for me? I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
Alex looks me in the eyes. "I want you to listen and listen good, Novak. The only way you're going to have a shot with Olivia is to get rid of Serena once and for all. No more on again off again." with that, she gathers her belongings and leaves her lunch untouched, and me to figure out what the hell to do.
DOINK DOINK (Alex's POV)
TWO WEEKS LATER
Those two are driving me batty. Olivia is taking some personal time, so Casey's moaning about never seeing Olivia and Olivia is bitching about not seeing Casey. I'm done with this. I've reached my last straw. Those two are going out for dinner and that's that. I dial the familiar number for Casey's office. "Casey, Alex. Listen, I have a friend who's only in town for tonight and as much as I'd like to, I can't meet her because Robert and I have plans."
"Who is it? Do I know her?"
Crap. Think Cabot. "You might've seen her around a time or two."
"You know I hate blind dates."
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaseeee casey. You'd be doing me a huge favor."
"Fine. Do i get any details about her? Like a name and description?"
"Ollie's about my height, maybe a little taller, thin, athletic, brunette with reddish highlights, deep brown eyes you could drown in. Sounds like your type to me."
"Alex...." she says with a note of warning.
"Great. Meet her at McMillans at eight." Before she can respond, I hang up. Next, Olivia. Ok Why isn't she answering her apartment phone? She hasn't left the place in days. I try her cell, which is immediately answered. "Benson." i hear a splash of water.
"Liv, alex. Listen, I need a favor."
"Cabot, can this wait? I'm kinda in the tub at the moment."
"Two minutes tops."
"Fine. What is it?"
"I have a friend in town for tonight only but unfortunately Robert and I have plans we can't get out of. Could you please meet her for dinner and maybe show her a good time while she's here?" Don't let me down Liv. Please, I pray silently.
"What's in it for me?"
"Maybe that depends on how well the night goes." I tease.
"Alex, you know I don't do blind dates. We've been over this several times in the past few weeks."
"Pleeeeaaaaseeee." I whine like a five year old. "Cass is gonna be so disappointed that no one will be here to show her a good time."
"When, where, girl's description."
I knew I could count on her. I smile knowingly. "Cass is a redhead, slightly taller than you, green eyes like those of a certain ADA we both know. McMillan's tonight. 8:15."
"Fine." Before she can back out, I hang up and sit back in my chair. I can't wait to see how this will play out in the morning.