Buoy, continuation of the universe created in Drift, which you should probably read first.

Summary: Next story in the Drift universe. Probably a 1 shot, but I am leaving it open to the possibility of something longer.

Summary: Covers the 4 hideous episodes featuring Christine Lahti.

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3 Months Post Drift

"Where's Alex Cabot?"

"Training in Albany ."

Olivia looked at Elliot who had raised an eyebrow at her seeming lack of knowledge of Alex's trip to the state capital. She gave him a slight head shake and returned her focus to Sonya Paxton. She did steal a glance at her phone, looking for the text message or voice mail icon. She got neither.

"Det. Benson, am I keeping you from something important?"

Embarrassed at being caught, Olivia shook her head, shelving any hope of contacting Alex until they could get away from the Executive ADA.

2 Hours Later

Elliot was at the counter waiting on their sandwiches while Olivia had stepped outside the deli to try and call Alex.

"Hey sexy."

"Alex, where are you?"

"In Albany . Didn't you get my email?"

"NO! What I got was some bitchy executive ADA named Sonya Paxton horning her way into my investigation!"

Alex was glad Olivia couldn't see her eye roll.

"I sent it to your personal email. You know, those special email accounts we have set up for…private correspondence?"

Olivia glanced through the window at Elliot and found him waving her drink at her.

"Oh…so you didn't leave without letting me know?"

Alex softened at the little girl sound in her lover's voice.

"Of course not baby. I sent you an email with all my trip details and a suggested time for a very special phone call."

"Oh. Wow Alex, I am so sorry. I just…old habits die hard."

"Olivia, I love you and I would not leave without telling you as best as I could. Jim Steele was supposed to go to this thing, but Rossi went into labor early this morning so I had to step in." She glanced around. "However, as Bureau Chief, I do have my own room, so…."

Olivia lowered her voice. "Phone sex?"

"Olivia! Phone sex is so last century. I have that new color webcam for my laptop and you have one on your laptop…."

"Oh!" She jumped as a loud thud came from the window behind her. Turning, she saw Elliot looking pissed and preparing to thud on the window again. "I have to go. I'll check the email later and let you know." As an after thought she added, "I love you."

Alex smiled as the call ended and thought back on the last three months. Olivia had moved into her apartment, Kathleen had moved into Olivia's old apartment, they had bought an aquarium together and stocked it with various fish, taken two weekend trips together, discovered a shared love of bubble baths and often made love nightly and then some.

She was pulled from her reflection by a tug on her sleeve. She turned to find Nick potter looking at her.

"Nick?"

"Alex? The last seminar just ended. We were going to go have a drink and then get dinner. Want to join us?"

Realizing it would be much later before she heard from Olivia, she nodded.

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"You find out why she left without telling you?"

Olivia slightly blushed. "She didn't. I just didn't look in the right place for the email."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know what that blush means?"

"No."

He studied her carefully.

"I'm glad you have somebody."

"Even if it's Alex?"

He looked offended. "Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate Alex. She earned my respect after the Cavanaugh case and then with what she went through with Velez…I got no problems with her." At her look he continued. "Yeah, like you I was pissed when she didn't return my calls, but I got over it. Now, if she hurts you….."

She laughed. "Thanks El. You know, I'm almost afraid to be this happy. I've never been this happy."

"You're in love."

She opened her mouth to reply but ended up smiling instead. "I am. For the first time ever."

"Good. Now let's go before my balls get busted even more by that witch."