Fic: Different (5/?)
Title: Different
Summary: Everything becomes different after an unexpected move by Alex.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.
Previously on 'Different': The Prologue / Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4
Authors Note(s): This took awhile to update but it was worth the wait! Thanks for sticking with us. If you haven't already done so, drop us a comment or review - we really wanna know what you think.
Surgeon General's Warning: The content of this update may induce nausea and heart ache for A/O fans. The authors ask that readers keep the faith and be reminded that neither Alex nor Olivia does things the easy way.
9. The Opposite Road
Olivia jammed her hands in her coat and exited New York City's police headquarters. Just as she stepped out into a particularly windy February day her cell phone trilled. Fishing the phone from her pocket, Olivia glanced at the caller ID before she answered.
"Alex, what's up?"
"Where are you?"
The detective cringed at the snappish tone. "Ah... 1 PP. I just dropped off evidence with the computer techs," Olivia said. A million and one scenarios crept up as she wondered what disservice the SVU has done this time for her to be on the receiving end of a patented Cabot ass chewing.
"Great, you're in the neighborhood. Do you want to do lunch over at my office?" Olivia let out a sigh of relief as Alex continued, "I spoke to Fin about the rape-homicide that you two worked on and I need to go over it with you before it goes to trial next Monday."
"The Gramercy case is finally up for trial?" Olivia turned the corner and quickened her pace, "I'm on way right now if you'll order in for us," she said as she headed to the parking structure.
"Or you could stop at the place on Canal and get us some dumplings. It'll be on your way," Alex stated as if it were a matter of fact, even though they both knew that it'd be a slight detour for Olivia to go through Chinatown to get to One Hogan Place.
"I'm also staring at the Brooklyn Bridge. Would you like me to go across it to buy you some deep fried ice cream too?" Olivia teased.
"Would you?" the lawyer asked in a voice bordering on - dare Olivia think it - sultry. That was twice in one phone call that Alex had caught Olivia off guard. Before Olivia could muster a proper response Alex reverted to her usual voice and said, "Just the dumplings. I'll call them right now. See you in a bit, Liv."
Olivia was pretty sure she didn't actually agree to the arrangement but found herself happily pulling out into traffic and headed towards Canal Street.
Fifteen minutes later, Olivia was in Alex's office with their lunch spread over the coffee table. Her speedy detour was aided by Mr. How's son-in-law running the order (with extra napkins for the inevitable mess) out to her car, thus saving Olivia the need to abuse her badge and double park during noon rush hour. They prepped for the trial over fried dumplings and iced tea; Olivia answered Alex's questions in between bites and tried not to get dipping sauce on the files.
"After Detective Tutuola and I interviewed the defendant's supervisor we were able to establish that he-" Olivia stopped as her cellphone danced on the surface of the coffee table where she had left it on vibrate.
The caller ID was an unfamiliar one so she answered, "Benson."
Then the detective's features softened. "Hey, you…" she said after recognizing the caller. "Ah, I think we're still good to go tonight," she responded after a few moments. She also shot a quick glance at the ADA.
Alex could not help but eavesdrop. To her credit, she kept her eyes cast on the legal pad resting on her lap, scribbling as though Olivia's shift in tone and body language while on the phone had completely escaped her notice.
After saying goodbye with a play of smile on her lips Olivia rearranged her face and looked over at her friend.
Alex looked up from her notes and pulled off her glasses, an eyebrow slightly arched. To pretend that she had no idea what that call was about, she decided, was an insult to both their intelligence. Besides, Olivia seemed almost embarrassed about taking the call in her presence and Alex found the bashful look to be endearing. So she decided to milk the situation for a little while longer.
"So, you've found a life?" Alex said. Her demeanor was composed but her eyes told Olivia that she was bemused.
"A potential one," Olivia answered in indefinite terms. But she let the smile return to her face without attempting to suppress it.
They left it at that and went back to work. Neither of the women was aware that the other's thoughts were on Olivia's date that evening.
Twenty minutes and two Tums tablets later, Alex shoved sheaf of papers into her briefcase while explaining to Olivia that she was due at Judge Ridenour's chambers to hear Carl Kovak, part time criminal defense lawyer and full time ambulance chaser, squawk about bootstrapping and his motion to suppress evidence in a rape case against his client.
"So what are you gonna do?" Olivia asked, more for conversation than anything as she cleared the remains of their lunch off the coffee table.
Alex stopped and looked at Olivia seriously. "What I always do - win over the judge with my guileless charm and wit," she said.
Olivia chuckled at that.
"Not to tempt fate or anything," Alex said as she snapped her briefcase shut, "but I'm not too concerned about this meeting. Kovak's playbook is as predictable as Stanford's on third and long. I'll be in and out of there before you can say 'plea bargain'."
* * *
As Alex had predicted, Kovak's motion to suppress was summarily denied. That meant that the trial was to proceed full steam ahead and the ADA demolished Carl Kovak's version of the Twinkie defense in just two short days.
The prosecutor showed up at the SVU's bullpen after the verdict had been read and was congratulated by the detectives on her win. Then they returned to the business at hand with Elliot taking the lead in updating Alex on another case. At the end of it Alex was satisfied with the evidence. Confident that it wouldn't be questioned she even had a junior ADA go to a judge for the arrest warrant instead of taking it in herself.
She then suggested to the lead pair of detectives that they grab a quick lunch while waiting for the papers to be put together. Elliot passed, citing a need to follow up on another lead they had.
It would take too long for delivery to get here at this time of the day so the two of them - Olivia and Alex - decided to head out to the deli down the street. They placed their orders and Olivia insisted it was her turn to pay this time. A couple of patrol officers from the one-six were leaving and they waved Olivia over to take their place.
The pair seated themselves at what would be generously called a table by the deli's window. It was a slab of wood on four uneven legs that no amount of matchbooks could keep stable. Outside, it was a bright, cold day without a cloud in sight but sunlight could barely work itself through the dusty pane of glass in front of the store. Neither the grunged-out window nor the shaky surface seemed to bother them as they settled into the no-shop-talk mode.
Alex made light conversation as she picked at her pastrami, careful to keep the escaping onions away from her blouse. She was also careful to not machine-gun Olivia with questions about this new "life" of hers. That phone call Olivia took in her office had stayed in her mind. She tried not to over analyze the curiosity that had spawned in her about this new person Olivia was seeing and concluded that it wasn't unreasonable to want to know more. After all, this was her friend and she was concerned. Olivia didn't need another Julia. Alex was just looking out for her friend.
"Mmmff." Olivia murmured with her mouth full.
Alex smiled. "I take it that your ham and cheese is good?"
Olivia nodded and then wiped her mouth with a napkin before she spoke. "Did you finally go see Oldest Living Confederate Widow?"
"Yes. It was excellent."
"Great. I think I'll suggest to Laney that we go see that."
Laney. So that was her name.
Bringing up her name was like opening up the floodgates for Olivia as she began to fill Alex in on Laney Whitmore.
Alex listened intently as Olivia described the woman. The impression that began to form in Alex's mind was this: she was an older woman, apparently a great conversationalist, and an avid reader. Also, she taught downtown at Pace. Alex made a mental note to find out what 'game theory' meant. Laney also laughed at Olivia's jokes which, Alex noticed, the detective seemed particularly happy to divulge. Olivia seemed to be more at ease talking about Laney than she had been about young Julia. The blonde maintained what she hoped was a casually interested look on her face.
Olivia had stopped talking and looked at Alex several times in between bites of her sandwich. The attorney chewed slowly to buy herself some time to think of an appropriate response. This proved problematic with the knot she felt in her stomach coupled with a disproportionate resentment towards a woman she has never met.
Unfortunately, her skilled ability at directing a conversation failed her and all she could come up with was to ask questions that had Olivia sharing even more about Laney.
When she arrived back at her office Alex's mood was not as light as it had been earlier while basking in the win at court. She looked up Professor Laney Whitmore on Pace University's website. She could see just from the picture what Olivia liked about the woman. Even in the still photo the woman radiated intelligence. Her half smile seemed to reveal a quirky side, though Alex conceded she could be reading into the fact that she liked Olivia's jokes into the observation. She closed the browser with a hard jab of the mouse and sat back on her chair, attempting to clear her mind.
Harvester, the ADA she had called to issue the arrest warrant made the mistake of stopping in her office at that moment. Alex proceeded to give him a negligible dressing down for taking too long in getting the warrant signed. While it may have been inconsequential to Alex, Michael Harvester walked out of her office wondering what was stuck up that ice queen's ass.
* * *
Olivia almost growled out loud when her cell phone rang. She was preparing to meet Laney for a quick lunch before heading home to nap. She and Elliot had just finished their second day of a stake out that Olivia deemed as pointless as a t-bone steak at a vegetarian's convention. A quick glance at the number told her that she couldn't ignore it.
Five minutes later she listened to the play back song on Laney's cell. Olivia was a little surprised to hear The Doors. Laney had seemed unimpressed with Olivia's admission that classic rock was her music of choice.
"Too late, too late," Olivia murmured along with Jim. She stopped immediately when Laney's voice mail message began.
"Hi Laney, it's Olivia. Listen, I'm really sorry to cancel at the last minute but something came up and I'm needed at the house." She paused as Elliot and Munch approached her desk. "I'll call you when I get done here… if you'd like to meet before your four o'clock. Talk to you later."
"Alex already knows about this Liv," Elliot told her.
Olivia was confused for a split second then shook her head. Elliot knew about her and Alex's frequent meals, though most of them had been lunches of late. "I was having lunch with someone else."
"Oh ho. Cheating on our ADA and lunching with that schmuck from Homicide?" Munch asked.
Olivia ignored the gangly cop, refusing to rise to the bait. Besides, she had no desire to get into a conversation about cheating on their ADA; it would be all too easy to drop her poker face.
"Sounds like you canceled on a date," Elliot teased.
"Sounds like you have an active imagination," Olivia retorted just as the phone rang again. She glanced at it and smiled.
"Benson," she answered.
"Whitmore," Laney said in imitation but it was followed by a chuckle that ruined the effect.
"What can I do for you?" Olivia asked forcing herself not to smile too widely.
"Ah, you can't talk. Got it. Meet me at The Grind for breakfast?"
"I'll be there by seven," Olivia replied.
After she pushed end Olivia looked up to see that Alex and Fin had joined Munch and Elliot. How did I miss her arrival? Olivia wondered. She flashed the four of them a grin.
"Hey Alex," Olivia greeted the lawyer cheerfully.
"You did have a date," Elliot said victoriously. The look on his face told her that she was in for some good-natured ribbing.
"Well I don't now. Let's get this over so I can sleep before the endless joy of wasting our time starts all over again," Olivia told them.
"Wasting your time?" Alex asked from her perch at the edge of Olivia's desk.
"I think Sophia Grozny is long gone and I think her depraved brother is probably in the Hudson," Olivia replied with a shrug. Seeing the looks on her colleagues faces she elaborated, "Sophia grew up in the same family he did. She'd know how to make someone disappear. Uncle Link was messing with her kids."
"That'd do it for me," Elliot mumbled.
"Any idea why Deputy Chief McGuire is so interested in Link Grozny?" Munch asked Alex.
"I would assume it's because he wants to see a murdering pedophile locked up," Alex told him.
"Assuming you know what the brasses thinkin' will get yo ass in a sling," Fin cautioned.
"Munch's right - McGuire's focused on Grozny in a big way," Olivia told her.
"Well whatever his interest we drew the short straw and get to baby-sit her empty apartment again," Elliot said as they moved toward Cragen's office for their speakerphone briefing with McGuire.
* * *
Olivia stirred in another packet of sugar into her coffee as she waited for Laney to arrive. The bruise on her cheek stung and her back was aching from the running tackle she executed during the foot chase. Why do they always run? she wondered grouchily. Olivia's ego had also taken a beating. Her conclusion that Sophia Grozny was long gone had been incorrect.
Twiddle Dumb and Twiddle Dumber were back for more indecision and Olivia was glad she had beaten them to the line. She caught the dumber of the two staring at her bruise and gave her a scowl. The intruder instantly averted her eyes, looking almost afraid. Then she whispered to the Dumb one. Olivia had a feeling she'd just given the girl the same look she would sometimes receive from her mother. Those were the times when her mother, sloppy from a mid-afternoon happy hour, saw Olivia's father instead of her.
Laney arrived ten minutes late, full of apologies but to Olivia's pleasure no excuses. It took the professor a few seconds before she looked at Olivia closely. When she did she stopped in mid sentence.
"What happened?" Laney asked eyeing the bruise.
"Took an elbow from a suspect. I'm fine," Olivia told her.
"That doesn't look fine to me. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Laney inquired with a voice filled with concern.
"My back hurts a little. I've got the day off. I'll go to the gym for a swim and sleep the rest of it off," Olivia assured her.
Laney didn't say anything for a full minute. Olivia wondered what was running through her head. She was beginning to get a little nervous. Her job had chased away more than one person. Then the older woman took the lid off her coffee and dipped her honey bun in it.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Laney finally asked.
"I told you that my partner and I were on a stake out last night? Well the woman we were looking for showed up," Olivia began. She kept the story tame not admitting that Laney would be seeing the entire story as breaking news by ten o'clock that morning. She told her about Sophia coming home at one in the morning, the chase through the streets on the Lower East Side, the tackle, the fight and the fact that Sophia Grozny had bitten her on the arm.
Laney switched chairs so she was sitting next to Olivia. When she took her hand the detective felt the urge to pull away. Laney lifted Olivia's sleeve until she saw the corner of the bandage. Olivia hurriedly pulled it back down and shook her head.
"Anyway, we got the warrant for the apartment and found more evidence than we needed. She's going to jail for a long time," Olivia finished. She didn't add that a second warrant for Deputy Chief McGuire's home and office had been issued when it was discovered that Uncle Link wasn't the only one messing with Sophia's children.
"What did she do?" Laney asked.
"Killed her brother," Olivia replied sipping her lukewarm coffee. Laney's brows knitted closer as she seemed to think about it. "He was a child molester," Olivia qualified.
That seemed to satisfy Laney as to why a SVU detective would be working a homicide. They sat in silence for a few minutes each working on their breakfast. Olivia was a bit grossed out at Laney dunking a honey bun in her coffee but kept the thought to herself.
"Olivia… My first class isn't until ten. Why don't we go to my place so you can relax? I've got a whirlpool in my bath," Laney told her.
"It's nice of you to offer Laney but I don't want to mess up your schedule," Olivia answered.
"Nonsense. I insist," Laney told her. Olivia considered objecting again but couldn't come up with a reason why she shouldn't spend a couple hours with Laney.
"Alright. Shall we get one to go?" Olivia asked. She looked at the counter and saw the blonde incarnation of the two stooges at the counter again. Laney followed her gaze and chuckled lightly.
"I'm afraid we don't have that much time," Laney pointed out.
They chose to walk the five blocks to Laney's apartment. Out of habit, Olivia strolled slowly, checking the area as they went. At one point a bike messenger nearly ran Laney down. Olivia saw the transplanted Midwesterner turn into a New Yorker as Laney called the biker a few choice names with a perfect South Brooklyn accent. The messenger boy must have just arrived in the city as he actually stopped to trade insults instead of riding on and offering the one fingered apology. Olivia adjusted her jacket to allow her badge and gun to peek out. The kid stopped short when his sight landed on Olivia's waist.
"Thank you," Laney said softly as the biker rode away. Olivia wasn't sure if she was being thanked for flashing her authority or pulling Laney out of the way. She just gave Laney her crooked smile, slid her arm over Laney's and they continued on.
Olivia stepped through the threshold of Laney's apartment and removed her badge and cuffs as she slipped off her coat. She dropped the cuffs in the inside pocket and clipped her badge on to it. Having no way to secure her weapon, she checked the safeties, reholstered the Glock and placed it on the coffee table.
She sank into the overstuffed sofa and stifled a groan when her back tightened. Laney offered her a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water without comment. Olivia took three and kneaded her left side hoping to loosen the muscle. Laney observed Olivia silently and then moved to sit next to her.
"Turn around," Laney requested. Olivia obeyed and was rewarded with Laney's cool hands massaging her lower back. Five minutes later, Olivia felt her muscles relax and the moan she let out was almost primal. Another one nearly escaped Olivia's lips when Laney untucked her shirt and put her hands directly on Olivia's skin.
"This feels okay?" Laney asked.
Olivia had her eyes closed and was feeling much more than okay. She managed to squeak out an affirmative answer. Laney responded by applying more pressure to Olivia's back.
A few minutes later Laney asked, "Would you think it forward of me if I asked you to take off your shirt?"
Olivia hesitated. Things were moving much more quickly then it had with Julia… faster than any relationship she had ever been in actually. Yet her reaction was to unbutton her shirt and allow Laney to slide it off of her back. Laney let out a small gasp, "Your shoulder…"
"Cement is hard," Olivia remarked matter-of-factly. The bruise she had spotted on her shoulder this morning when she tried to wash up at the station had probably tripled in size.
Laney began her firm ministrations again and Olivia was concerned that the older woman would be able to tell exactly how turned on she was getting. She decided that if asked she would claim that it was a little chilly in here. After all, she was sitting on a leather sofa clad only in her bra and jeans.
"Would you like to lie down?" Laney asked. Olivia looked vaguely at the lush sofa and realized that it was hardly big enough for the two of them to sit on let alone for her to lie comfortably.
"Not enough room."
"I… Not that I want you to think I am taking advantage of you in your injured state but I do have a bed," Laney said. Olivia felt a smirk forming.
"I'm not injured enough for you to take advantage of me," Olivia told her.
"I feel as if I'm being a little too presumptuous," Laney confessed as Olivia turned around to face her.
Olivia leaned over and kissed the professor, first gently, then with more intensity. It wasn't long until Laney was on her back with Olivia on top of her. Olivia broke off the kiss and asked, "Am I being too presumptuous?"
"No," Laney said pulling Olivia's face back down so they could kiss again.
The sofa would have been perfectly comfortable but for the length. They extricated themselves from the loveseat and Laney led Olivia to her bedroom. Olivia found a temporary home for her weapon on top of the dresser and then found herself face first on the bed. She hugged the pillow under her head as Laney massaged the kinks out of her back again. She was dozing off when Laney reached up and unhooked her bra. The position she was lying in made it difficult to remove the red lace garment so Olivia propped herself up on her elbows and let the straps slide down her biceps. She tossed it onto the chair where Laney had laid her shirt over.
Laney moved very slowly touching Olivia only on her back. This was obviously not going to be a seductive massage. Olivia wondered what Laney's hesitation was about and backed off her plan to remove Laney's shirt.
When it became apparent the massage was finished Olivia reached behind her, pulled Laney's left hand to her lips and kissed the palm. "Thank you."
Laney lay down next to her and smiled at the rumpled detective. Olivia rolled up on her side and kissed Laney's hand again. Then she placed it on her rib cage just below her bare breast. Laney looked stunned and her eyes trailed down to her hand then back to Olivia's face.
Olivia pressed up against Laney and kissed her harder than before. Laney's hand moved very slowly until it was cupping Olivia. Olivia broke off the kiss and began to nibble on Laney's neck and ear.
They lay like that for quite some time and then Laney removed her hand. Olivia kissed Laney again and the older woman snuggled against her. Olivia felt herself nodding off and did nothing to fight it.
When she woke up Laney was gone. She vaguely remembered Laney quietly slipping out from under the covers. She looked to the bedside table and there was a note left for her written in long, flowing script:
Olivia,
I will be in class until five and you are welcome to stay. Help
yourself to anything in the fridge though you'll have better luck
with the delivery menus in the drawer by the stove.
I'll bring home dinner unless you ring me to let me know if
you've been called in. I believe you left a few details out of
your account of what happened last night. I caught the news
and while you weren't mentioned by name I dread thinking
you were involved in that mess.
Until later.
Yours,
LW
Olivia glanced down at the sweat pants and t-shirt that she remembered Laney helping her dress in. They were too big for Olivia and Laney probably swam in them but they were warm and comfortable. She snuggled under the covers and decided that she would ignore the beeping from her cell phone in the other room.
Her resolve lasted all of about five seconds. Olivia padded in her bare feet to find her cell. It was in the inner pocket of her jacket with her shield.
After a trip to Laney's candle filled bathroom Olivia checked her messages. Alex had called twice, leaving messages that were of concern and non-work related. Elliot had also called twice once claiming to be outside her door with lunch. She glanced at the bedside clock and sighed. The message from Cragen advising that the case had indeed been taken over by the IAB and the Major Case Squad was not a surprise. The fact that Olivia didn't care was one though.
Laney had called it a mess in her understatement. Olivia wanted nothing to do with it. A quick call to Elliot assured him that she was okay. She didn't tell him where she was and was glad when he didn't ask. Then she snuggled down in the bed and sent Alex a text to call her when she could.
Her cell rang thirty seconds later. After establishing Olivia's state of health and current location Alex let loose a rant on Arthur Branch and his Machiavellian ways. She was furious that she was not going to be the prosecutor in the McGuire or the Grozny cases - Branch had reassigned both to Jack McCoy's office. Olivia allowed her friend to growl and grumble with the occasional murmur of agreement.
Alex's biggest complaint was that her detectives had done all the work and now the team was being pushed aside. Olivia read between the lines. The case was huge and while the fiery ADA wanted justice for the five kids who had been systematically abused Alex also wanted some ink.
Olivia was too tired and aching to call her friend on it. So she just listened until Alex ran out of steam. Abruptly changing the topic she asked if Alex would like to have dinner the following night. To her surprise Alex replied by telling her she had a date with a man named Garrett.
Olivia carefully checked her reaction. It would be a serious violation of principles to be jealous of Alex's date when she was in Laney's bed. She told Alex to have fun and after hanging up she pulled the covers over her shoulders. The whirlpool would have to wait, Olivia thought as she dozed off into a light sleep.
Summary: Everything becomes different after an unexpected move by Alex.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.
Previously on 'Different': The Prologue / Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4
Authors Note(s): This took awhile to update but it was worth the wait! Thanks for sticking with us. If you haven't already done so, drop us a comment or review - we really wanna know what you think.
Surgeon General's Warning: The content of this update may induce nausea and heart ache for A/O fans. The authors ask that readers keep the faith and be reminded that neither Alex nor Olivia does things the easy way.
9. The Opposite Road
Olivia jammed her hands in her coat and exited New York City's police headquarters. Just as she stepped out into a particularly windy February day her cell phone trilled. Fishing the phone from her pocket, Olivia glanced at the caller ID before she answered.
"Alex, what's up?"
"Where are you?"
The detective cringed at the snappish tone. "Ah... 1 PP. I just dropped off evidence with the computer techs," Olivia said. A million and one scenarios crept up as she wondered what disservice the SVU has done this time for her to be on the receiving end of a patented Cabot ass chewing.
"Great, you're in the neighborhood. Do you want to do lunch over at my office?" Olivia let out a sigh of relief as Alex continued, "I spoke to Fin about the rape-homicide that you two worked on and I need to go over it with you before it goes to trial next Monday."
"The Gramercy case is finally up for trial?" Olivia turned the corner and quickened her pace, "I'm on way right now if you'll order in for us," she said as she headed to the parking structure.
"Or you could stop at the place on Canal and get us some dumplings. It'll be on your way," Alex stated as if it were a matter of fact, even though they both knew that it'd be a slight detour for Olivia to go through Chinatown to get to One Hogan Place.
"I'm also staring at the Brooklyn Bridge. Would you like me to go across it to buy you some deep fried ice cream too?" Olivia teased.
"Would you?" the lawyer asked in a voice bordering on - dare Olivia think it - sultry. That was twice in one phone call that Alex had caught Olivia off guard. Before Olivia could muster a proper response Alex reverted to her usual voice and said, "Just the dumplings. I'll call them right now. See you in a bit, Liv."
Olivia was pretty sure she didn't actually agree to the arrangement but found herself happily pulling out into traffic and headed towards Canal Street.
Fifteen minutes later, Olivia was in Alex's office with their lunch spread over the coffee table. Her speedy detour was aided by Mr. How's son-in-law running the order (with extra napkins for the inevitable mess) out to her car, thus saving Olivia the need to abuse her badge and double park during noon rush hour. They prepped for the trial over fried dumplings and iced tea; Olivia answered Alex's questions in between bites and tried not to get dipping sauce on the files.
"After Detective Tutuola and I interviewed the defendant's supervisor we were able to establish that he-" Olivia stopped as her cellphone danced on the surface of the coffee table where she had left it on vibrate.
The caller ID was an unfamiliar one so she answered, "Benson."
Then the detective's features softened. "Hey, you…" she said after recognizing the caller. "Ah, I think we're still good to go tonight," she responded after a few moments. She also shot a quick glance at the ADA.
Alex could not help but eavesdrop. To her credit, she kept her eyes cast on the legal pad resting on her lap, scribbling as though Olivia's shift in tone and body language while on the phone had completely escaped her notice.
After saying goodbye with a play of smile on her lips Olivia rearranged her face and looked over at her friend.
Alex looked up from her notes and pulled off her glasses, an eyebrow slightly arched. To pretend that she had no idea what that call was about, she decided, was an insult to both their intelligence. Besides, Olivia seemed almost embarrassed about taking the call in her presence and Alex found the bashful look to be endearing. So she decided to milk the situation for a little while longer.
"So, you've found a life?" Alex said. Her demeanor was composed but her eyes told Olivia that she was bemused.
"A potential one," Olivia answered in indefinite terms. But she let the smile return to her face without attempting to suppress it.
They left it at that and went back to work. Neither of the women was aware that the other's thoughts were on Olivia's date that evening.
Twenty minutes and two Tums tablets later, Alex shoved sheaf of papers into her briefcase while explaining to Olivia that she was due at Judge Ridenour's chambers to hear Carl Kovak, part time criminal defense lawyer and full time ambulance chaser, squawk about bootstrapping and his motion to suppress evidence in a rape case against his client.
"So what are you gonna do?" Olivia asked, more for conversation than anything as she cleared the remains of their lunch off the coffee table.
Alex stopped and looked at Olivia seriously. "What I always do - win over the judge with my guileless charm and wit," she said.
Olivia chuckled at that.
"Not to tempt fate or anything," Alex said as she snapped her briefcase shut, "but I'm not too concerned about this meeting. Kovak's playbook is as predictable as Stanford's on third and long. I'll be in and out of there before you can say 'plea bargain'."
* * *
As Alex had predicted, Kovak's motion to suppress was summarily denied. That meant that the trial was to proceed full steam ahead and the ADA demolished Carl Kovak's version of the Twinkie defense in just two short days.
The prosecutor showed up at the SVU's bullpen after the verdict had been read and was congratulated by the detectives on her win. Then they returned to the business at hand with Elliot taking the lead in updating Alex on another case. At the end of it Alex was satisfied with the evidence. Confident that it wouldn't be questioned she even had a junior ADA go to a judge for the arrest warrant instead of taking it in herself.
She then suggested to the lead pair of detectives that they grab a quick lunch while waiting for the papers to be put together. Elliot passed, citing a need to follow up on another lead they had.
It would take too long for delivery to get here at this time of the day so the two of them - Olivia and Alex - decided to head out to the deli down the street. They placed their orders and Olivia insisted it was her turn to pay this time. A couple of patrol officers from the one-six were leaving and they waved Olivia over to take their place.
The pair seated themselves at what would be generously called a table by the deli's window. It was a slab of wood on four uneven legs that no amount of matchbooks could keep stable. Outside, it was a bright, cold day without a cloud in sight but sunlight could barely work itself through the dusty pane of glass in front of the store. Neither the grunged-out window nor the shaky surface seemed to bother them as they settled into the no-shop-talk mode.
Alex made light conversation as she picked at her pastrami, careful to keep the escaping onions away from her blouse. She was also careful to not machine-gun Olivia with questions about this new "life" of hers. That phone call Olivia took in her office had stayed in her mind. She tried not to over analyze the curiosity that had spawned in her about this new person Olivia was seeing and concluded that it wasn't unreasonable to want to know more. After all, this was her friend and she was concerned. Olivia didn't need another Julia. Alex was just looking out for her friend.
"Mmmff." Olivia murmured with her mouth full.
Alex smiled. "I take it that your ham and cheese is good?"
Olivia nodded and then wiped her mouth with a napkin before she spoke. "Did you finally go see Oldest Living Confederate Widow?"
"Yes. It was excellent."
"Great. I think I'll suggest to Laney that we go see that."
Laney. So that was her name.
Bringing up her name was like opening up the floodgates for Olivia as she began to fill Alex in on Laney Whitmore.
Alex listened intently as Olivia described the woman. The impression that began to form in Alex's mind was this: she was an older woman, apparently a great conversationalist, and an avid reader. Also, she taught downtown at Pace. Alex made a mental note to find out what 'game theory' meant. Laney also laughed at Olivia's jokes which, Alex noticed, the detective seemed particularly happy to divulge. Olivia seemed to be more at ease talking about Laney than she had been about young Julia. The blonde maintained what she hoped was a casually interested look on her face.
Olivia had stopped talking and looked at Alex several times in between bites of her sandwich. The attorney chewed slowly to buy herself some time to think of an appropriate response. This proved problematic with the knot she felt in her stomach coupled with a disproportionate resentment towards a woman she has never met.
Unfortunately, her skilled ability at directing a conversation failed her and all she could come up with was to ask questions that had Olivia sharing even more about Laney.
When she arrived back at her office Alex's mood was not as light as it had been earlier while basking in the win at court. She looked up Professor Laney Whitmore on Pace University's website. She could see just from the picture what Olivia liked about the woman. Even in the still photo the woman radiated intelligence. Her half smile seemed to reveal a quirky side, though Alex conceded she could be reading into the fact that she liked Olivia's jokes into the observation. She closed the browser with a hard jab of the mouse and sat back on her chair, attempting to clear her mind.
Harvester, the ADA she had called to issue the arrest warrant made the mistake of stopping in her office at that moment. Alex proceeded to give him a negligible dressing down for taking too long in getting the warrant signed. While it may have been inconsequential to Alex, Michael Harvester walked out of her office wondering what was stuck up that ice queen's ass.
* * *
Olivia almost growled out loud when her cell phone rang. She was preparing to meet Laney for a quick lunch before heading home to nap. She and Elliot had just finished their second day of a stake out that Olivia deemed as pointless as a t-bone steak at a vegetarian's convention. A quick glance at the number told her that she couldn't ignore it.
Five minutes later she listened to the play back song on Laney's cell. Olivia was a little surprised to hear The Doors. Laney had seemed unimpressed with Olivia's admission that classic rock was her music of choice.
"Too late, too late," Olivia murmured along with Jim. She stopped immediately when Laney's voice mail message began.
"Hi Laney, it's Olivia. Listen, I'm really sorry to cancel at the last minute but something came up and I'm needed at the house." She paused as Elliot and Munch approached her desk. "I'll call you when I get done here… if you'd like to meet before your four o'clock. Talk to you later."
"Alex already knows about this Liv," Elliot told her.
Olivia was confused for a split second then shook her head. Elliot knew about her and Alex's frequent meals, though most of them had been lunches of late. "I was having lunch with someone else."
"Oh ho. Cheating on our ADA and lunching with that schmuck from Homicide?" Munch asked.
Olivia ignored the gangly cop, refusing to rise to the bait. Besides, she had no desire to get into a conversation about cheating on their ADA; it would be all too easy to drop her poker face.
"Sounds like you canceled on a date," Elliot teased.
"Sounds like you have an active imagination," Olivia retorted just as the phone rang again. She glanced at it and smiled.
"Benson," she answered.
"Whitmore," Laney said in imitation but it was followed by a chuckle that ruined the effect.
"What can I do for you?" Olivia asked forcing herself not to smile too widely.
"Ah, you can't talk. Got it. Meet me at The Grind for breakfast?"
"I'll be there by seven," Olivia replied.
After she pushed end Olivia looked up to see that Alex and Fin had joined Munch and Elliot. How did I miss her arrival? Olivia wondered. She flashed the four of them a grin.
"Hey Alex," Olivia greeted the lawyer cheerfully.
"You did have a date," Elliot said victoriously. The look on his face told her that she was in for some good-natured ribbing.
"Well I don't now. Let's get this over so I can sleep before the endless joy of wasting our time starts all over again," Olivia told them.
"Wasting your time?" Alex asked from her perch at the edge of Olivia's desk.
"I think Sophia Grozny is long gone and I think her depraved brother is probably in the Hudson," Olivia replied with a shrug. Seeing the looks on her colleagues faces she elaborated, "Sophia grew up in the same family he did. She'd know how to make someone disappear. Uncle Link was messing with her kids."
"That'd do it for me," Elliot mumbled.
"Any idea why Deputy Chief McGuire is so interested in Link Grozny?" Munch asked Alex.
"I would assume it's because he wants to see a murdering pedophile locked up," Alex told him.
"Assuming you know what the brasses thinkin' will get yo ass in a sling," Fin cautioned.
"Munch's right - McGuire's focused on Grozny in a big way," Olivia told her.
"Well whatever his interest we drew the short straw and get to baby-sit her empty apartment again," Elliot said as they moved toward Cragen's office for their speakerphone briefing with McGuire.
* * *
Olivia stirred in another packet of sugar into her coffee as she waited for Laney to arrive. The bruise on her cheek stung and her back was aching from the running tackle she executed during the foot chase. Why do they always run? she wondered grouchily. Olivia's ego had also taken a beating. Her conclusion that Sophia Grozny was long gone had been incorrect.
Twiddle Dumb and Twiddle Dumber were back for more indecision and Olivia was glad she had beaten them to the line. She caught the dumber of the two staring at her bruise and gave her a scowl. The intruder instantly averted her eyes, looking almost afraid. Then she whispered to the Dumb one. Olivia had a feeling she'd just given the girl the same look she would sometimes receive from her mother. Those were the times when her mother, sloppy from a mid-afternoon happy hour, saw Olivia's father instead of her.
Laney arrived ten minutes late, full of apologies but to Olivia's pleasure no excuses. It took the professor a few seconds before she looked at Olivia closely. When she did she stopped in mid sentence.
"What happened?" Laney asked eyeing the bruise.
"Took an elbow from a suspect. I'm fine," Olivia told her.
"That doesn't look fine to me. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Laney inquired with a voice filled with concern.
"My back hurts a little. I've got the day off. I'll go to the gym for a swim and sleep the rest of it off," Olivia assured her.
Laney didn't say anything for a full minute. Olivia wondered what was running through her head. She was beginning to get a little nervous. Her job had chased away more than one person. Then the older woman took the lid off her coffee and dipped her honey bun in it.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Laney finally asked.
"I told you that my partner and I were on a stake out last night? Well the woman we were looking for showed up," Olivia began. She kept the story tame not admitting that Laney would be seeing the entire story as breaking news by ten o'clock that morning. She told her about Sophia coming home at one in the morning, the chase through the streets on the Lower East Side, the tackle, the fight and the fact that Sophia Grozny had bitten her on the arm.
Laney switched chairs so she was sitting next to Olivia. When she took her hand the detective felt the urge to pull away. Laney lifted Olivia's sleeve until she saw the corner of the bandage. Olivia hurriedly pulled it back down and shook her head.
"Anyway, we got the warrant for the apartment and found more evidence than we needed. She's going to jail for a long time," Olivia finished. She didn't add that a second warrant for Deputy Chief McGuire's home and office had been issued when it was discovered that Uncle Link wasn't the only one messing with Sophia's children.
"What did she do?" Laney asked.
"Killed her brother," Olivia replied sipping her lukewarm coffee. Laney's brows knitted closer as she seemed to think about it. "He was a child molester," Olivia qualified.
That seemed to satisfy Laney as to why a SVU detective would be working a homicide. They sat in silence for a few minutes each working on their breakfast. Olivia was a bit grossed out at Laney dunking a honey bun in her coffee but kept the thought to herself.
"Olivia… My first class isn't until ten. Why don't we go to my place so you can relax? I've got a whirlpool in my bath," Laney told her.
"It's nice of you to offer Laney but I don't want to mess up your schedule," Olivia answered.
"Nonsense. I insist," Laney told her. Olivia considered objecting again but couldn't come up with a reason why she shouldn't spend a couple hours with Laney.
"Alright. Shall we get one to go?" Olivia asked. She looked at the counter and saw the blonde incarnation of the two stooges at the counter again. Laney followed her gaze and chuckled lightly.
"I'm afraid we don't have that much time," Laney pointed out.
They chose to walk the five blocks to Laney's apartment. Out of habit, Olivia strolled slowly, checking the area as they went. At one point a bike messenger nearly ran Laney down. Olivia saw the transplanted Midwesterner turn into a New Yorker as Laney called the biker a few choice names with a perfect South Brooklyn accent. The messenger boy must have just arrived in the city as he actually stopped to trade insults instead of riding on and offering the one fingered apology. Olivia adjusted her jacket to allow her badge and gun to peek out. The kid stopped short when his sight landed on Olivia's waist.
"Thank you," Laney said softly as the biker rode away. Olivia wasn't sure if she was being thanked for flashing her authority or pulling Laney out of the way. She just gave Laney her crooked smile, slid her arm over Laney's and they continued on.
Olivia stepped through the threshold of Laney's apartment and removed her badge and cuffs as she slipped off her coat. She dropped the cuffs in the inside pocket and clipped her badge on to it. Having no way to secure her weapon, she checked the safeties, reholstered the Glock and placed it on the coffee table.
She sank into the overstuffed sofa and stifled a groan when her back tightened. Laney offered her a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water without comment. Olivia took three and kneaded her left side hoping to loosen the muscle. Laney observed Olivia silently and then moved to sit next to her.
"Turn around," Laney requested. Olivia obeyed and was rewarded with Laney's cool hands massaging her lower back. Five minutes later, Olivia felt her muscles relax and the moan she let out was almost primal. Another one nearly escaped Olivia's lips when Laney untucked her shirt and put her hands directly on Olivia's skin.
"This feels okay?" Laney asked.
Olivia had her eyes closed and was feeling much more than okay. She managed to squeak out an affirmative answer. Laney responded by applying more pressure to Olivia's back.
A few minutes later Laney asked, "Would you think it forward of me if I asked you to take off your shirt?"
Olivia hesitated. Things were moving much more quickly then it had with Julia… faster than any relationship she had ever been in actually. Yet her reaction was to unbutton her shirt and allow Laney to slide it off of her back. Laney let out a small gasp, "Your shoulder…"
"Cement is hard," Olivia remarked matter-of-factly. The bruise she had spotted on her shoulder this morning when she tried to wash up at the station had probably tripled in size.
Laney began her firm ministrations again and Olivia was concerned that the older woman would be able to tell exactly how turned on she was getting. She decided that if asked she would claim that it was a little chilly in here. After all, she was sitting on a leather sofa clad only in her bra and jeans.
"Would you like to lie down?" Laney asked. Olivia looked vaguely at the lush sofa and realized that it was hardly big enough for the two of them to sit on let alone for her to lie comfortably.
"Not enough room."
"I… Not that I want you to think I am taking advantage of you in your injured state but I do have a bed," Laney said. Olivia felt a smirk forming.
"I'm not injured enough for you to take advantage of me," Olivia told her.
"I feel as if I'm being a little too presumptuous," Laney confessed as Olivia turned around to face her.
Olivia leaned over and kissed the professor, first gently, then with more intensity. It wasn't long until Laney was on her back with Olivia on top of her. Olivia broke off the kiss and asked, "Am I being too presumptuous?"
"No," Laney said pulling Olivia's face back down so they could kiss again.
The sofa would have been perfectly comfortable but for the length. They extricated themselves from the loveseat and Laney led Olivia to her bedroom. Olivia found a temporary home for her weapon on top of the dresser and then found herself face first on the bed. She hugged the pillow under her head as Laney massaged the kinks out of her back again. She was dozing off when Laney reached up and unhooked her bra. The position she was lying in made it difficult to remove the red lace garment so Olivia propped herself up on her elbows and let the straps slide down her biceps. She tossed it onto the chair where Laney had laid her shirt over.
Laney moved very slowly touching Olivia only on her back. This was obviously not going to be a seductive massage. Olivia wondered what Laney's hesitation was about and backed off her plan to remove Laney's shirt.
When it became apparent the massage was finished Olivia reached behind her, pulled Laney's left hand to her lips and kissed the palm. "Thank you."
Laney lay down next to her and smiled at the rumpled detective. Olivia rolled up on her side and kissed Laney's hand again. Then she placed it on her rib cage just below her bare breast. Laney looked stunned and her eyes trailed down to her hand then back to Olivia's face.
Olivia pressed up against Laney and kissed her harder than before. Laney's hand moved very slowly until it was cupping Olivia. Olivia broke off the kiss and began to nibble on Laney's neck and ear.
They lay like that for quite some time and then Laney removed her hand. Olivia kissed Laney again and the older woman snuggled against her. Olivia felt herself nodding off and did nothing to fight it.
When she woke up Laney was gone. She vaguely remembered Laney quietly slipping out from under the covers. She looked to the bedside table and there was a note left for her written in long, flowing script:
Olivia,
I will be in class until five and you are welcome to stay. Help
yourself to anything in the fridge though you'll have better luck
with the delivery menus in the drawer by the stove.
I'll bring home dinner unless you ring me to let me know if
you've been called in. I believe you left a few details out of
your account of what happened last night. I caught the news
and while you weren't mentioned by name I dread thinking
you were involved in that mess.
Until later.
Yours,
LW
Olivia glanced down at the sweat pants and t-shirt that she remembered Laney helping her dress in. They were too big for Olivia and Laney probably swam in them but they were warm and comfortable. She snuggled under the covers and decided that she would ignore the beeping from her cell phone in the other room.
Her resolve lasted all of about five seconds. Olivia padded in her bare feet to find her cell. It was in the inner pocket of her jacket with her shield.
After a trip to Laney's candle filled bathroom Olivia checked her messages. Alex had called twice, leaving messages that were of concern and non-work related. Elliot had also called twice once claiming to be outside her door with lunch. She glanced at the bedside clock and sighed. The message from Cragen advising that the case had indeed been taken over by the IAB and the Major Case Squad was not a surprise. The fact that Olivia didn't care was one though.
Laney had called it a mess in her understatement. Olivia wanted nothing to do with it. A quick call to Elliot assured him that she was okay. She didn't tell him where she was and was glad when he didn't ask. Then she snuggled down in the bed and sent Alex a text to call her when she could.
Her cell rang thirty seconds later. After establishing Olivia's state of health and current location Alex let loose a rant on Arthur Branch and his Machiavellian ways. She was furious that she was not going to be the prosecutor in the McGuire or the Grozny cases - Branch had reassigned both to Jack McCoy's office. Olivia allowed her friend to growl and grumble with the occasional murmur of agreement.
Alex's biggest complaint was that her detectives had done all the work and now the team was being pushed aside. Olivia read between the lines. The case was huge and while the fiery ADA wanted justice for the five kids who had been systematically abused Alex also wanted some ink.
Olivia was too tired and aching to call her friend on it. So she just listened until Alex ran out of steam. Abruptly changing the topic she asked if Alex would like to have dinner the following night. To her surprise Alex replied by telling her she had a date with a man named Garrett.
Olivia carefully checked her reaction. It would be a serious violation of principles to be jealous of Alex's date when she was in Laney's bed. She told Alex to have fun and after hanging up she pulled the covers over her shoulders. The whirlpool would have to wait, Olivia thought as she dozed off into a light sleep.