Under Her Skin 24
Under Her Skin 24
Title: Under Her Skin 24
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Careless 5.18, and quite a few preceding eps
Disclaimer: Chapters 1-20 cover it, with flair :)
Author's note: Special thanks to checkers175, the midnight muse who helped me overcome a particularly nasty bout of writer's block.....give her a shout, my patient friends, without her support this chapter would never have been completed :)
Lol, and much love to Grae, whose endless supply of Lucy-licious videos *may* have slowed my progress.
But just a little.
Really. ;)
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"Please?"
"No."
"C'mon Melinda, I've already asked Elliot, so you know that she knows that I'm getting her a birthday present!"
"I said no."
"But I don't know what to get her!"
"Then I guess you should've kept your big mouth shut."
Mock shocked, Casey replied, "That was low."
"Look, Case, it's a bad idea; we're colleagues, not friends."
Casey cocked her head to one side, lifted an eyebrow.
"The most gift exchanging we do is taking turns buying the coffee," Warner continued.
Casey's hands went to her hips.
"I really think that you should just forget about it."
Arms crossed, defiantly, Casey replied, "But she *knows*, and I don't want to disappoint her."
"She deserves to be disappointed, Case."
"I don't recall asking for your opinion on anything but the gift."
Warner groaned.
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Melinda, knowing when she was losing the argument, tried another angle.
"Not today, counselor."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm *swamped*."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Funny that."
The words were left hanging in the air, as the ADA suddenly found the inspection of her own fingernails absolutely fascinating.
Taking an exasperated breath, the M.E. bit.
"Funny what?"
Casey, triumphant, grinned.
"That you're so busy and I have no open cases."
"I also work homicide, *counselor*," Warner retorted.
"I know that," Casey countered, "and I also know that it's dead over there right now."
Melinda rolled her eyes.
"Look, Case, I just have a lot of paperwork to finish up."
Novak crossed her arms, glared at the pig-headed M.E., decided that she wasn't buying that particular line of crap at all.
Warner had an entire staff of assistants, two of them employed for nothing more than the clerical accuracy of final documentation; Melinda, comically, had tagged them with the dubious nicknames "T&I", in reference to their most obvious responsibilities, crossing the t's and dotting the i's.
The medical examiner, a moment too late, remembered that Casey was aware of this fact.
Glaring accusingly, the irritated ADA succinctly stated, "Liar."
Warner gasped.
Casey rolled her eyes.
"You're still mad at her."
Warner, to her credit, didn't back down.
"You're damn right I'm still mad at her."
"Why?"
"Because she's out of control."
Casey rolled her eyes, replied, "Bullshit."
"Excuse me?"
"B-u-l-l-s-h-i-t," the ADA spelled, emphasizing every letter.
"Mature, counselor."
"Almost as mature as the reason you're mad at Liv, huh?"
Warner sighed.
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"Liv?"
Silence.
"Hello-o-o-o, earth to Liv," said Captain Don Cragen.
Again.
Detective Olivia Benson had been at her desk for most of the evening, filling out reports for both herself and her partner, Detective Elliot Stabler.
Elliot's twins were in a play that night, and in a fair trade for the pile of DD5's that Olivia was currently filling out for him, Olivia had negotiated a three day weekend.
A little mental health time, she thought, as her hand once again rose to caress the sparkling pendant dangling at her throat.
"Detective!"
Olivia jumped in response.
Innocently asked, "What?"
Looked at the Captain as though *he* had done something wrong.
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Cragen smiled, that fatherly smile he portrayed so well, asked, "Something on your mind Liv?"
Finishing up the final report, she replied, "Do you believe in fate?"
Philosophical Olivia was a new one, he mused, but decided to play along.
"Sure," he replied, "who doesn't?"
"Me," she laughed.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I always thought that fate was just an excuse for those who made bad choices, but," and her hand was once again at the stone, "I think I've had an epiphany."
"That's great Liv," he deadpanned, "any of that enlightenment happen to find it's way to your desk?"
Stretching and stifling a yawn, she replied, "Yeah Cap, all done."
"Well then, what are you still doing here?"
"Who's still here?" she grinned, playfully, as she slipped into her coat and walked out the door.
"Have a nice weekend," he called, to her rapidly retreating form.
An outstretched hand waving back over her head was her only response.
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Over at the office of the Medical Examiner, Casey was still pleading her case.
The M.E., exasperated, rolled her eyes.
"Case, listen, I-"
Was cut off by an irritated Casey.
"You're holding onto a ridiculous temper tantrum regarding two consenting adults. Melinda, I love you, but you're being absolutely ridiculous!"
Warner, exasperated, took a deep breath.
"Look Case, if you can give me one good reason why I shouldn't be mad at the way Olivia's been treating everyone around her lately, I'll -"
"You'll what?"
"I'll drop it, admit that I'm an asshole, and help you pick out a gift for her."
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Softly, with a look on her face that said she was somewhere else, Casey began, "When I thought I couldn't handle this assignment, Olivia convinced me to stay."
Warner's jaw dropped.
"When?"
"My first case," she responded, "right after the lineup disaster."
"Funny," the M.E. replied, "the way I remember it, Liv was so pissed off after that lineup that she couldn't *wait* to give you a piece of her mind."
The counselor, undeterred, smiled and said, "Oh, she couldn't, and she did. She marched right into my office, ranting about how hard I was on that little girl, not bothering to hide the fact that she thought I was absolutely the worst thing that could have ever happened to the Special Victims Unit."
When Casey continued to smile, that wistful, secret little smile, Melinda, annoyed, prompted, "AND?"
"And she shut up when I apologized."
Warner's eyes widened in disbelief.
"And," Casey helpfuly added, "she saw that I was crying."
Damn, Liv was getting soft.
"And I suppose you expect me to believe that that was the end of it?"
"No," Casey admitted, "it wasn't. But-"
"Yes?"
"Between me and you, no further?" Casey asked.
"Of course, Case."
With that the ADA took a shaky breath and added, "To tell the truth, I think I owe her my life."
Damn.
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"Care to explain?"
"Not really," the counselor replied, "it's personal."
"You told Olivia," the M.E. gently reminded.
Casey shook her head, stating, "That's where the "I think" comes in, because I didn't tell her anything."
She paused at Melinda's "wow", then added, "I may never know the truth of her involvement, but I'll also never forget it."
As the ADA wiped genuine tears from her eyes, Melinda threw up her hands in surrender.
"Ok, Casey, you win. Olivia is wonderful, I'm an asshole, c'mon, let's shop."
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"This is impossible!" Casey wailed, as they left yet another store empty handed.
Warner, not unsympathetic, replied, "That's because Olivia is impossible."
Novak, frustrated, headed for coffee; Warner, amused at the similarities between the two women, grinned.
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Casey, fortified by that first sip, was suddenly, devilishly, inspired.
Grinning, she turned to Melinda and asked, "So, any chance you can take the weekend off?"
Warner, stunned, said, "Huh?"
Casey, recalling her plans pre-fight to arrange some quality girls only time, had a feeling that now would be the perfect time to take that trip.
Minus herself, of course.
Grinning, Casey began, "Look, I'm tired and cranky and frustrated, and I could use a little down time; after the case load we've had these past few weeks, I'm sure you feel the same, right?"
"Right," the older woman agreed, "exactly what did you have in mind?"
"How about a little pampering, courtesy of a wonderfully staffed salon spa?"
"That type of pampering is expensive, Case, and I do have a family to think about."
Casey, smiling, said, "What if I told you that it won't cost you a thing?"
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After an impassioned plea and a phone call to Warner's husband, who wholeheartedly supported the idea of a girl's weekend (which Casey already knew, due to their prior conversation), Casey finally convinced her friend to spend the weekend with her.
Melinda, still skeptical, asked, "Are you sure it won't cost a thing?"
"Positive," the ADA replied, "Jenny's parents own the place."
"Oh," Warner responded.
Casey, seeing that Olivia's assumptions had apparently made the rounds, prodded, "Oh what, Melinda?"
"Oh, uhm, are you sure I..........I mean, is it ok with Jenny if you.........." at a loss, Warner shut up.
"If I take another woman up there?"
Ouch.
"Contrary to what, apparently, all of you believe," Novak responded, "Jenny and I *are* just friends."
"Sorry, Case, it's just that - "
"Yeah, I know," the counselor replied.
"Sorry."
"Let it go," the ADA suggested, "ok?"
Melinda smiled, softly, replied, "Ok."
"See you in the morning?"
"You bet."
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"Stabler."
"Elliot, it's Casey."
"Hey, Case, what's up?"
"Well," she began, "I was just wondering what your partner's schedule looks like for the next two or three days."
Rolling his eyes, Stabler wondered for the millionth time why he always ended up in the middle of it where these two were concerned.
"Actually, she's taken the weekend off."
"Perfect," Casey replied, "does she have any plans?"
"Just a little R & R, as far as I know," he answered, "why?"
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BANG! BANG! BANG!
Olivia rolled over as the insistent knocking pulled her from sleep, clamped the pillow more tightly over her head, refused to get up and answer the door.
Then, her cell phone started ringing.
Grabbing the offending shrieker, she pushed the power button and turned the damn thing off.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Resolutely, she buried herself under the covers, determined to shut out the outside world and return to her Caseylicious dreams.
Then, her home phone erupted.
Dammit, it was too far away to just grab and shut off.
Then, her answering machine was talking.
"C'mon Liv, wake up! I'm not going away until you let me in!"
OMFG, she silently screamed; aloud, "GO AWAY!"
The house phone erupted again.
"AWWW, FUDGE NUGGET!!!"
Olivia, never one for early mornings, was extremely annoyed at her partner.
If somebody wasn't dead, she decided as she noticed the time, somebody was about to be.
Throwing open her door, she threatened, "Elliot, I swear - "
Was cut off by a stupidly grinning Stabler pushing past her into the apartment.
He paused long enough to hand her a cup of coffee, then grabbed her overnight bag from behind the couch and told her to get dressed.
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"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Elliot, unaffected, replied, "Good morning to you too, sunshine."
She scowled at him.
"Is there enough in here for two nights?" he asked, holding up her always ready duffel.
"Yes."
She took a sip of coffee.
He grinned.
"Great, go get dressed."
"But El, it's my weekend off!"
"I know."
She crossed her arms, defiantly, refusing to move an inch.
"You're cute when you pout," he replied, "but this isn't about work."
"Then what *is* it about?" she insisted.
"You'll see," he replied, rocking back on the balls of his feet and looking pointedly towards the bedroom.
"What?" he asked, innocently, as she continued to glare at him.
"Get out."
Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he generously stated, "Oh, ok, you're right, I shouldn't be here while you're getting dressed."
Eyeball roll.
"I'll be in the car."
Silence.
"See you in five?"
She stared wordlessly at him, thought of all of the reasons she had to just turn around and go right back to bed, threw the magazine from the coffee table at his head.
Missed him, hit the now closed door.
Took a sip of coffee, which once again brought with it memories of ADA Casey Novak, hated that the taste took her mind there.
Perhaps a little distance from the city was an excellent idea, she decided, as her hand once again rose to caress the counselor's stunning birthstone at her throat.
Still completely annoyed with her partner, however, she sighed and resignedly went to get dressed.
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Ten minutes later, silently fuming on her side of the car, Olivia did her best to ignore the smug satisfaction on Elliot's face.
Failed, miserably, as her curiosity got the better of her.
"Well?"
Breezily, he replied, "Yeah?"
Damn him.
"Where in the hell are you taking me?"
"Can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"It's a surprise."
"Elliot!"
Grin.
"Yes?"
Smack.
"Ouch!"
"Serves you right."
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An hour later, they were in the parking lot of Serendipity, The Salon Spa.
Olivia turned to her partner, gave him her best "you've got to be kidding me" look, refused to get out of the car.
In response, he grinned and grabbed her bag, stating, "Look, we all thought you needed to get away for a few days, ok?"
"We, who?"
"Does it matter?"
"I'm not getting out of this car until I know," she retorted, stubbornly crossing her arms.
"Thought so," he responded, flipping open his phone.
"Who the hell are you calling?" she demanded.
In response, he handed her the phone.
"Benson," she snapped.
Listened for a moment, slumped in defeat, said, "Yes, sir."
Handing Elliot his phone, she got out of the car.
"Asshole."
"Sorry," he replied, "Captain's orders."
"So does this conspiracy run any deeper than you and the Cap?"
"Maybe."
"Who else?"
"I'm not at liberty to discuss that," he deadpanned.
"Fine. Then at least tell me who's paying for this?"
He grinned.
"Who, El?"
"Your fairy godmother," he quipped.
Olivia rolled her eyes, replied, "Fine, don't tell me."
"Ok, don't believe me," he said, "but try to have fun. I'll pick you up Monday night."
With that he handed her the bag, got back into the car, and was gone.
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"Stabler."
"How'd it go?"
Elliot grinned and replied, "Beautifully counselor, she didn't have a clue."
"That's great," Casey replied, "neither did Melinda. Actually, she's probably still waiting for me to get back to the room."
"Man Case, I would pay *big* money to be in that room when they realize we set them up," he responded, chuckling as he pictured it in his head.
"I just hope it works," the ADA said, "I can't stand the thought of them fighting because of me."
"I know," Stabler replied.
"Elliot?"
"Yeah?"
"What I said, outside the bar that night, about us not being friends, I -" she stopped, suddenly on the brink of tears.
"I consider you a friend too, Case," he softly reassured.
"Thanks."
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Olivia, stunned to be greeted by name at the door, silently allowed herself to be led to her room.
"We hope you will find the room to your liking," stated the charming older woman that led her to the room, "and please, let us know if there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable."
Olivia thanked her as she accepted the key to the room, thinking that there was something very familiar about the attractive, matriarchal older woman.
Opening the door, she was surprised to find that the room contained two full sized beds, and that apparently, she was going to have a roommate.
Crap.
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Melinda, who was busily setting up her toiletries in the ensuite, smiled to herself as she heard Casey return to the room.
"Hey," she called, "I was wondering if you got lost."
When there was no reply, she remembered that the walls in the room had muffled Casey's voice when they had first arrived, making conversation between the bathroom and the bedroom nearly impossible.
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Olivia, caught off guard, wasn't sure exactly what her suite mate had just said. Sinking onto the bed, head in her hands, she waited for her bunkmate to enter the suite before she bothered to try "polite" conversation.
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"Hey Case, I -"
Warner, stunned, stopped in her tracks.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
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Olivia, recognizing the voice of her friend and current nemesis, snapped her head up, retorted, "What the hell am I doing here?"
Took a deep, heaving breath, continued, "What the hell are *you* doing here?"
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"Dammit Liv, where's Casey?"
Olivia ran the gamut of emotions from shock to jealousy to confusion in about ten seconds flat, and it showed.
Warner, seeing it, snapped, "Oh grow up, Liv!"
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Olivia, suddenly seeing all of the pieces fall into place, said, "Oh, they're *good*."
Looking around the room, asked, "Melinda, where's Casey's bag?"
Warner, befuddled, answered, "Right beside your bed. Why?"
Olivia leaned across the bed and picked up the bag; inside, she found a pair of stress balls, a rubber cell phone with an attached note that read "in case you feel the need to toss something", and an envelope that said, in the ADA's precise handwriting, "Please read me before you kill each other."
Olivia, uncharacteristically, started laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
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Warner, who was trying very hard to be indignantly irritated, couldn't maintain her edge at the detective's display of merriment.
"What?" she finally asked Olivia, whose response was only to laugh harder.
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Realization dawning as she looked into the bag, Warner said, "We've been had."
Olivia, overcome by the power of the ADA's scent clinging to the bag, could only nod her head in agreement.
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"Would you like to do the honors?" Olivia asked, offering the envelope to the other woman.
Melinda, amused, asked, "How'd she get you here?"
Olivia grinned, replied, "Elliot showed up with coffee and annoyed me into the car. When we got here and I refused to come in, he had Cragen make it an order. You?"
"Ouch. Casey dragged me out to birthday shop for you, and ended up bamboozling me into agreeing to join her on a "much needed" mental health retreat."
"Nice," Olivia complimented.
"*Dirty*," Melinda amended.
"Definitely," Olivia said, "and they are all going to pay for their meddling."
"Agreed."
"I mean, we're adults, dammit, and if we want to bicker about stupid shit, then we should be allowed to bicker in our own way, right?"
"Right," Warner whole heartedly agreed.
"I mean, I was going to call you this weekend anyhow."
"Me too!"
"But noooo," Benson continued, "they just had to go and interfere in what was, really, a magnificent argument."
"Legendary, it could have been," Warner agreed.
"Bastards," Olivia muttered.
"Interlopers," Melinda added.
"But, as long as we're here......."
"Yes?" the M.E. replied.
"I'm sorry."
Warner smiled.
"Me too."
"Nothing happened," Olivia quickly added, "I just wanted you to know that. I, uh......I want the real deal, you know?"
Melinda, grateful for the admission and intrigued at her friend's new outlook, replied, "Thank God Liv, I don't think I could have handled Cassidy if you *had* given it up."
Olivia smiled in response.
"And I agree that you should look for a real commitment Liv; you've been through enough crap in your life, and you deserve it."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," the M.E. replied, "now, about that envelope...."
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Hello ladies~
If you're reading this together, I guess my little master plan has worked. Hopefully, you two are right now smiling together and plotting your revenge against me and my very willing team of crack co-conspirators; Melinda, your husband is a doll, and Olivia, don't be too hard on your partner, ok?
When I approached them, I explained that I felt responsible for the recent rift in your friendship, and the pain of watching you two battle each other was tearing me apart; I cannot accept things the way that they have been lately, and if you two still want to go on hating each other after this weekend is over, I will at least have the peace of mind that, heck, I tried.
While I have your rapt attention, I would like to convey that I truly appreciate all that you two have done to make me feel welcome during this transition in my life. I've been trying, over these past few weeks, to find the perfect way to express my gratitude, alas, to no avail.
Imagine my joy when I learned of Olivia's rapidly approaching birthday, and my deflation when a much harassed (by me!) Elliot informed me, in that deadpan way of his, that, "Liv doesn't celebrate her birthday."
I cannot, for the life of me, imagine why.
Then, the two of you started fighting, and I could see that the tension was hurting you guys as much as it was hurting me....so, I called in a favor from a friend, arranged this little weekend, and pray that you enjoy it.
So this is it, Miss Impossible To Shop For Benson (Melinda was *no* help!) my gift to you; a relaxing, healing weekend, with the company of a good friendship that, hopefully, you will find your way back to before real life claims you once again.
Nobody there will notice if you eat too much, sleep too much, or accomplish absolutely nothing. I truly hope that both of you will take advantage of all that this spa has to offer, and enjoy it in the spirit of friendship with which it was extended.
I've taken care of everything, all you need to do is relax, indulge, and enjoy.
Love,
Casey
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Olivia, overcome with emotion, swiped furiously at the tears streaming down her face.
Melinda, equally moved, wiped sudden moisture from her own.
Looking at Olivia, she smiled and said, "Next time, I'm going to try harder to pick out a gift."
Olivia huskily replied, "Don't. I like this gift just fine."
Intrigued by her friend's sudden display of emotion, Warner dared to ask, "She's pretty special, huh?"
"Yeah, she is," took a deep breath, "but I don't deserve this."
"She thinks you do."
"I don't know why," Olivia responded.
Melinda smiled, remembering the conversation she'd had with the counselor, and replied, "When did you figure out that you were in love with her?"
Olivia, shocked, asked, "What in the world gave you that idea? I'm *straight*, Melinda."
The older woman threw her hands up.
"Fine, Liv, if you say so. But, if I were you?"
"If you were me, what?" she snapped.
"I'd quit assuming I knew everything."
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The weekend practically flew by, and before the pair knew it, Monday evening had arrived.
As they were packing up the last of their meager belongings, Olivia looked at her friend, asking, "The woman in charge, Sandy?"
Warner, distracted, replied, "Yeah, what about her?"
"Doesn't she look familiar?"
Melinda, who knew that the truth might ruin this experience for the detective, answered, "Not really."
Olivia, nonplussed, insisted, "I *know* I've seen her somewhere before. Although," she admitted, "I think she might have been a lot younger the last time I saw her."
"Got me," Warner replied, "you ready?"
"Yeah, just about, but Elliot's coming to get me."
With a shooing motion, she added, "You go ahead, I'm sure your family's anxious to get you back."
Melinda, ready to go home, enfolded her friend in a parting hug, whispered, "Let's not let things get this bad ever again, k?"
Olivia, hugging her right back, agreed.
Walking out the door, Warner turned around and added, "Call her Liv."
"I will," the detective promised, "I will."
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"Novak."
"Hi Casey, any plans for lunch?"
"Chinese in my office. Why?"
"The Jamie Semple case may get a bit sticky, as he died in state-ordered foster care. I figured you might be up for a little strategy session."
"Sounds great," Novak replied, "see you then."
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Detective Olivia Benson, exhausted after her four am summons to the ER, was too tired to wait around after court to have that talk with Casey.
Also too tired to drive home, she headed for the crib.
Dropping, exhaustedly, onto the familiar cot, she fired off a quick text message, then smiled and succumbed to sleep.
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ADA Casey Novak hung up the phone, smiled at the thought of spending lunch working with her brilliant friend, and furiously began researching the history of foster care neglect in her district.
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"So that's how we're going to play it, counselor," EADA Donnelly concluded, "simply tell the birth mother that we have her son's murderer in custody."
Looking up from her file, Casey responded, "Great Liz, but then what? She's still going to sue the city, you and I both know that."
Elizabeth Donnelly inwardly cursed the homophobic DA's office that owned her, as she shot the stunning ADA a smile and replied, affirmatively, "Let her."
"You want a piece of her, don't you?" Novak gently accused.
"Absolutely," the EADA replied outwardly, inwardly added, "but not as badly as I want a piece of you."
Donnelly, despite the age gap, had fallen for the young law student years ago; had followed her career, stepping in when necessary, to gently urge her towards the Manhattan DA's office.
Had, when the opportunity arose, done her part to convince Arthur Branch that nobody else could fill Alexandra Cabot's formidable shoes.
Now, as she sat in her young protege's office, she wondered how she could get Casey alone, outside of the office, to reveal her true feelings.
Casey's office phone erupted as Donnelly was lost in these thoughts.
"Novak, sex crimes."
What a hot mouthful, Liz thought, as she pictured the various crimes she'd like to enact on Novak's sex.
"You're welcome, Melinda," she heard as she tuned back in, "what about Liv?"
Liv?
"That's great!" the counselor stated, as her serious face suddenly transformed with a beatific smile.
Huh, thought Donnelly, as she was overcome by the radiance of the smiling beauty who was now hanging up the phone.
"Who was that?" Elizabeth, innocently, asked.
Too innocently, Casey thought, but replied, "Warner."
"Oh. Something new on the case?"
"No, actually, we're just good friends."
"I see," Liz nonchalantly responded, as she stood and grabbed her coat.
Hand on the door, she suddenly paused and turned, asking, "Hey, are you going to the meeting tonight?"
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Olivia awoke with a jerk, jumped up and checked the time.
Dammit!
It was seven o'clock, Tuesday night, and she doubted that Casey was still in her office.
"You are so bad at this," Olivia said aloud, as she headed for the shower.
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Casey was still in her office, hoping that Donnelly bought her story about having too much work to go to the pro-choice meeting that the EADA chaired tonight.
Truth be told, Casey was on the fence concerning this topic, but didn't have the guts to admit that to anyone, least of all the meeting's leader.
How could she explain, with any conviction, that the life of one single person had changed her views on everything?
With a hopeless sigh, she went back to writing her opening statement.
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Elizabeth Donnelly, on her way out for the evening, noticed Detective Olivia Benson pacing in front of the DA's office; wondered, curiously, what in the world she was doing here this late at night.
Saw the takeout bag in her hand, thought back to the rumors regarding Olivia and Alex, decided that she wasn't going to let Casey get away.
Not without a fight, anyhow, and not tonight.
Resolutely, she turned around and went back up the stairs to ADA Novak's office.
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"Come in."
"Hey Case, are you sure I can't persuade you to join us?"
The counselor sighed.
"Sorry, Liz, not tonight."
"You've been writing that opening statement since lunch, Miss Novak, are you sure it can't wait?"
Casey, caught, blushed.
"Look, Liz, I-"
"You what, Counselor?"
Eyes brimming with tears, Casey replied, "I'm just a little conflicted right now, as far as where I stand on abortion, alright?"
Donnelly, stunned, asked why.
"It's too hard to explain, Liz," the ADA replied.
"Try."
"Well," Casey began, "as an ADA, I speak for the victims, right?"
"Right."
"Aren't aborted fetuses victims?"
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Olivia, accepting that the food she was carrying wasn't getting any warmer, started up the steps.
Determined, tonight, that if she found the ADA in her office, she was going to finally know the truth.
Her heart, beating painfully in her chest, told her that this was right; it was, finally, time to take the next step with the only one who had ever owned her happiness, so completely that it was unbearable to go on apart.
Smiling, at peace with her decision, she came to a halt at the end of the hallway, as she heard soft voices coming from the counselor's office.
What the hell?
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"Cut the crap, Casey," Donnelly replied, "we both know that fetus rights have nothing to do with your sudden change of heart."
"Perhaps," the counselor admitted, "but you're not going to change my mind."
"Really?"
"Really."
"In the early fall of 1888," Donnelly began, in her best "convincing a jury" tone, "a young woman named Klara went to her doctor, seeking a termination of her pregnancy. However," she continued, "abortion was illegal, and although the doctor urged her to go ahead with the procedure, fear of religious and government persecution persuaded the timid young woman to go ahead with the pregnancy."
Casey, who had heard this argument before, buried her face in her hands; this argument, the first time she'd heard it, had played a large part in her pro-choice stance.
"That child," Donnelly finished, "who was saved by the law prohibiting abortion, was Adolf Hitler. Can you imagine, if women's rights had existed then, how much better our civilization's history could have been?"
"Point taken, boss," Casey replied, "but you and I both know that the story of Hitler's alleged possible abortion is more urban legend than actual fact."
"Perhaps," the EADA replied, "but all urban legends are based on a grain of truth."
Casey sighed.
"Look, Liz," she explained, "I recently became aware of a woman who was raped, who, if I had known her at the time, I would have encouraged to abort her bastard rapist's child."
"That's understandable," Donnelly replied, "but what does that have to do with your sudden change of heart?"
"Her child, the product of her rape? Is the most amazing human being I've ever known."
Damn, thought Donnelly.
"Is my sex crimes ADA in love with a rapist's child?" Elizabeth, unable to hide the hurt in her voice, replied.
At that moment, Casey realized that her boss was in love with her.
Shit.
"No, Liz, not in love," she soothed, "just impressed by how much good this person has done."
"Point taken, counselor," Donnelly, more at ease, replied. "Any chance I can change your mind about tonight?"
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Olivia, reaching for the ADA's door, paused as she heard EADA Donnelly say, "Any chance I can change your mind about tonight?"
Then Casey's response, "No, sorry Liz, I think I'm playing for the other team now."
Intrigued, Olivia continued to eavesdrop.
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"So that's it, huh?" Donnelly accused, "Just like that, you're going to throw away who you've always been?"
"Pretty much."
"Dammit Casey, *one* person, *one* exception, should not change who you are!"
"Sorry, Liz, but one person *has* changed me. I-"
She paused, considering the least complicated way to halt the Bureau Chief's romantic intentions, went with the easiest out she could think of.
Lying, she stated, "Maybe you're right, Liz. I, uh, I think I *am* in love with him."
Well, *sorta* lied, she amended.
After all, she *was* falling for a rapist's child; the fact that it was a woman, not a man, was a tiny little omission that couldn't hurt anyone, right?
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Olivia, crushed, turned away from the door, dropped the sack of food in the garbage can, and drifted down the hallway.
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"What's next counselor, are you going to try your hand at defense?"
Casey glared.
"You're making a huge mistake, counselor," Donnelly continued, "in our line of work, it's career suicide to allow personal relationships to influence our opinions."
"Really, Liz?" Casey, imagining life without Olivia, was on fire; however, unwilling to give up her friend's secret, Casey argued her favorite pro-life rant.
"What's next, Liz? Do we abort children who test positive for birth defects? When do we stop playing God? When is it, exactly, that we cross the line and become no better than the Master Race creating Nazis?"
Donnelly, undeterred, stated, "The failure of our society to impart women's rights is at the core of our belief system; if we, as women, question every "what if" regarding a woman's right to choose for her own body, then what's next?"
"Your meeting," Casey retorted.
"Huh?"
Casey smiled at the Chief, repeated, "Your meeting, Liz. It's almost eight, you're going to be late."
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The EADA, chagrined, smiled at Casey.
"Sorry counselor, sometimes I get carried away."
Eyes still flashing fire, Casey replied, "Yeah, me too."
"See you tomorrow?"
"You bet," Novak replied good-naturedly, "now get outta here and go inspire some women, will ya?"
"Sure," Donnelly replied, "but just so you know? I haven't given up on inspiring you, not yet."
The redhead grinned.
"Sorry Liz, looks like all of that Catholic guilt is finally catching up to me."
"Damn, Case, I hope he's worth it," the older woman softly stated, and with a smile, turned and left.
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Casey watched her go, and with a small shake of her head, said to the now empty room, "*She* is."
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EADA Elizabeth Donnelly blew past Olivia, who was sitting, unnoticed, on the bench in front of the DA's office.
The detective, who was feeling guilty that she'd done nothing more to thank the ADA than send a text message, knew she needed to go back inside.
However, the giant chicken inside of her stalled her feet, which staunchly refused to carry her back to the counselor's door.
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Casey, stepping into the hallway outside of her door, noticed the faint trace of exotic bouquet in the air.
Olivia.
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Sure enough, Casey found the frustrating detective, sitting all alone on a bench outside of her office.
Approaching the intensely brooding beauty, Casey softly called, "Hey."
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Olivia, caught, responded, "Hey, yourself."
Lifting her head, looking into Casey's eyes, she was once again rendered speechless by the powerful emotions she saw there.
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Taking a deep breath, Casey sank onto the bench next to her friend, asking, "It's cold out here, Liv. Why didn't you just come in?"
"It's not so bad," Olivia replied, "and it looked like you were busy."
"Never too busy for you," the counselor breathed.
Olivia smiled softly at her, said, "Thanks, Casey, for everything. I've, uh," paused, searching for the right words, "I've never had a better birthday."
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"You're welcome," Casey replied, with a sudden shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.
Olivia, whose warring emotions were plain on her face, threw a companionable arm across the counselor's shoulders, gave her a gentle squeeze.
"You're freezing," the detective stated, as she briskly rubbed the counselor's upper arm, trying to restore warmth; unable to keep the tremble out of her voice, overcome by the heaven of Casey's body pressed against her own, she suggested, "let me give you a ride home."
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Casey, who would happily freeze to death if it meant keeping Olivia's arm around her, numbly agreed to the offer.
The whole way home, Casey was silent, unwilling to break the spell that Olivia's embrace had created.
Pulling up in front of the building, Olivia said, "Hey, earth to Casey. Case?"
Casey, pulled from her thoughts by Olivia's voice, responded, "Yeah?"
Olivia chuckled.
"Damn counselor, I think *you* could use a little time off."
Casey agreed, but emphasized, "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Liv; I'd rather see you two work things out, though, than take that trip for myself."
Olivia, moved, suddenly pulled her friend into a grateful embrace.
"You're the best, Case, you know that?" she asked, huskily, her lips mere inches from the counselor's ear.
Casey, stunned, returned the sensational squeeze, stating, "I'm glad you think so."
"I do Casey, don't ever doubt that," Olivia replied, as she abruptly pulled away and bid the ADA good night.
"Night," Casey replied, confused, as she crawled out of the suddenly chilly car and gently shut the door.
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Shaking, on wobbly knees, ADA Casey Novak struggled to make it to the door of her suddenly lonely apartment.
Knew, beyond a reasonable doubt, that everything her psychiatrist had told her had just flown out the window with Olivia's gentle touch.
Damn, she thought, as she entered her apartment, picked up the phone, and scheduled another appointment.
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Crap, thought Olivia, as she fought the urge to park the car and just follow the ADA.
Huang, she knew, was going to enjoy dissecting this latest setback in her personal life; indeed, she mused, the simple nearness of ADA Casey Novak was overwhelming.
She had come dangerously close to kissing her friend, a treasured friend who had *just* told Donnelly about the man she was falling in love with.
Flipping open her phone, she dialed the doctor's number.
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"Huang."
"I failed the test. Now what?"
DOINK DOINK