Olivia Benson sat back on the couch in her apartment with a glass of red wine. She had finally been cleared in the shooting of Eric Plummer and wanted nothing more than to get back to normal...if that was possible.

She still hadn't fully warmed back up to Elliot after he had a protective detail put on her without telling her. She had forgiven him, and understood, but she was still mad and not ready to let him off the hook.

Then there was ADA Alex Cabot. Olivia expected Elliot to act like an overpowering big brother from time to time, but for Alex to accuse her of being drunk, still sent her into a rage when she thought about it.

Yes, Alex had apologized, and Olivia knew she was just doing her job; she just thought they had reached a level in their friendship that Alex wouldn't need to ask a question like that of her.

But tomorrow, Olivia planned to go back to work, to work through her feelings, get over it, and return to normal. She would just treat her relationships with more caution in the future, and expect less from people. She was used to being alone, after all.

[Knock. Knock. Knock.]

Who could be knocking on Olivia's door at this time of night? It wasn't that late, but Olivia wasn't used to unannounced visitors...or any at all, really.

Olivia walked to the door and looked through the peephole, making note of where her gun was.

Alex Fucking Cabot. Olivia let out a sigh, unlocked the chain, and opened the door.

"Alex. What are you doing here?" Olivia said, not even trying to hide her displeasure.

"Nice to see you, too, Detective," Alex said with a cocky smile.

Olivia moved out of the way and gestured for Alex to come inside, shutting and locking the door behind her.

Alex handed Olivia a bag. "I thought maybe you could use some dinner and wine," Alex said, "but I see you already have started the wine."

"So you came to see if I was drunk again?" Olivia spat, turning away from Alex. "I think you should go..."

"Olivia," Alex cut her off. "Do you think I would have brought wine if I was concerned about that?" She just looked closely at Olivia, aware that her voice was rising.

Olivia didn't respond.

"Olivia, I am sorry about what I said. You were right. I do know you better than that, and I was wrong," Alex said sincerely and with a defeated tone.

Olivia loosened up a bit, walking to the kitchen to grab a couple of plates for their dinner. "Wine?" she asked.

"Yes, please," Alex said.

The two women sat quietly as they began eating dinner at Olivia's coffee table.

Finally Alex broke the silence, "So, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Alex," Olivia said in a slightly annoyed tone.

"I know that you are, Liv," Alex said gently. "You're a strong person, but I just want you to know if you need anything - to talk, or to not talk - I'm here for you."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you." She appreciated Alex not pressuring her to talk. Of course she wasn't okay but the fact that Alex genuinely thought she would be gave her a sense of comfort and trust in her ADA.

Alex got up and grabbed their plates to clear the table.

"You don't need to do that, Alex. I can get it," Olivia said.

"It's okay. I got it," Alex said firmly. "You go sit down on the couch and pour us another glass of wine. I'm here to take care of you tonight."

Olivia did as she said without a fight, much to Alex's surprise.

Alex returned to the couch, sitting next to Liv. She was acutely aware of her growing feelings toward Olivia, even more so after the past week they had. She had been worried for Olivia and devastated when Olivia felt like she betrayed her trust. They had grown so close lately, but she wasn't sure if her feelings were just her own. She sensed a tension, even tonight, but she wasn't sure when, if ever, she would be able to act on it. Heck, she didn't even know if Olivia was gay, but she did feel like there was a chemistry between them.

Alex was lost in her thoughts when she heard Olivia speaking to her.

"Alex? Are you there?" She heard Olivia teasing, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I just let my mind wander for a moment. It's been a long week," Alex apologized.

"I understand," Olivia said. "I was just saying that I'm really glad you came over tonight. I'm sorry I wasn't very welcoming when you got here."

"No, Liv. You were understandably hurt," Alex stopped her. "I want you to know that I will always trust you. I mean, sometimes our jobs will put us at odds, but please never doubt my confidence and trust in you."

"Likewise, Counselor," Olivia said with an almost flirty smile, as she put her hand on top of Alex's hand. Alex returned the smile and squeezed Olivia's hand, not letting go.

Listen, Olivia," Alex started. It was time for her to be honest with her friend. "This may be a bad time, and is definitely completely unprofessional, but would you like to go out sometime...like, on a date?"

Alex said it quickly, and Olivia wasn't even sure she heard her correctly. She was stunned, and just looked at Alex with her mouth slightly open, processing what she had just been asked.

Alex, embarrassed and nervous by Olivia's lack of response, immediately pulled her hand back, and started talking again. "I'm sorry. That was stupid. Here we are having a nice time, and I don't even know if you are gay, and let's just forget this happened, okay?"

By the time Alex finished speaking that time, Olivia had no doubt that she had heard Alex correctly. As Alex started to get up to leave, Olivia grabbed her hand.

"No, Alex," she said. Alex looked disappointed as Olivia's seeming rejection.

"No. I mean, yes," Olivia paused, flustered in her speaking. She couldn't believe this was happening. "What I'm trying to say is you're not stupid, and yes, I would like to go on a date with you."

"Really?" Alex asked, as her eyes widened and she smiled. She sat back down.

"Yes!" Olivia said. "I mean, I guess maybe we've been feeling the same thing. I can't pretend that I don't have feelings for you, or that my stomach doesn't turn into butterflies when you're around."

"You, too, huh?" Alex blushed.

Olivia continued, "And, as to whether or not I'm gay or not, I honestly don't know."

Alex looked at her puzzled and concerned.

"I mean, I've never dated a woman, but I've never ruled it out. I've definitely been attracted to women before, but it just so happens that I've only dated men," Olivia said, pausing only slightly. "That said, I would like to go on a date with you and see where this could go. But, just so you know, you're not an experiment for me, Alex, if you're concerned about that."

"I imagine there could be worse things in the world than being an 'Olivia Experiment'," Alex teased. "And just so you know, I have no expectations from you. We go out, we see how it goes, and take it from there. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Olivia nodded.

The two women sat back on the couch, wine in hand, feeling more relaxed than they had in months. It had been a hell week, but they finally knew somehow it was all going to be okay.