Disclaimer - I don't own them. Someone else does. But God, isn't Angie Harmon hot:)

Summary:

Abbie/Oliva. Abbie left New York because Olivia broke her heart. Now that she's back in NY she finds herself in a dilemma...

.I'd forgotten how cold it gets up here!" Abbie exclaimed as she stepped out of the cab and looked up at the falling snow. "Y'all need to remind me of these things before inviting me back to Yankee territory," she continued, glancing over her shoulder at the gray-haired man following her out of the car.

"Like you hadn't spent years here, bundled up under some long wool coat and scarf." Jack McCoy retorted sarcastically. "It's your own fault. You're the one who headed for warmer pastures before realizing the error of your ways." His gaze softened. " Besides, it's good to have you back in town." He smiled at Abbie and put his arm around her shoulder, guiding her into the imposing apartment building.

When Jack had called three weeks ago, Abbie had been hesitant to accept his offer. As the new District Attorney, he had close ties to the Attorney General's office, and together they had developed a new position that they desperately wanted Abbie to "take for a test run". The department dealt more with civil law, specifically constitutional rights for gays and lesbians. Abbie had been intrigued, particularly since she'd spent the last year in Alpine, Texas working on land contracts and cattle purchases. Truth be told, she'd simply been hiding out, nursing a broken heart, living on nothing but beer and fudge. The position, while a dream job anyway, was also the excuse Abbie needed to return to New York. And Olivia...

Somehow Jack had maneuvered Abbie into the elevator and off again, finally coming to a stop in front of Abbie's apartment door. "This should work out for you until you have time to find something more to your taste," he stated smugly as he slid the key into the lock and opened the door. Abbie stopped in her tracks, staring mutely at the loft that spread out before her. Hard-wood floors, floor to ceiling windows, and a magnificent view of Central Park.. More importantly, she didn't see Olivia's ghost lurking in every corner, didn't smell her distinctive cologne on the air, didn't hear her voice whispering from the other room. This apartment and this job were a new page in Abbie's life, and she stepped into both with anticipation.

"Jack, it's perfect. Thanks so much for doing all the leg work on this one."

"It was really no trouble. My assistant hunted, filled out apps, picked out the furniture. I just gave orders and, finally, my stamp of approval. I had a feeling you'd like this one, so close to Central Park for your early morning runs. Cath is the one who really deserves the thanks for this. You can thank her yourself, in person, tomorrow when you come take a tour of your new digs," Jack replied as he walked to the door. "I'll leave you to get settled in. Just make your way to the office whenever you get around to it tomorrow. I don't expect you to set up shop until Monday, so take your time and get a feel for the big city again. I'm sure it smells a lot better here that the wild west."

Abbie slapped Jack playfully on the arm and then pulled him in for a hug. It felt so good to be home. Closing the door behind him, Abbie turned around to take another look at her new residence. The black leather couch was complimented by black and white stills of the Texas landscape while the dining area was painted a warm Longhorns orange. Abbie smiled, thinking that perhaps Catherine had gone overboard on the Texas theme. Still, it was comforting, and Abbie was pleased that Jack had taken the time to create this oasis for her. He was the only person that she had told about Olivia, their relationship, and finally, their break up.

Suddenly weary, Abbie sat down on the couch and gazed out the window, watching the snow fall...

"It's only temporary Abbie. I just need to know that I'm not settling, that I'm not scared to be alone. You and I, we jumped into this so quickly, and I just want to be sure that I'm not making a mistake here," Olivia said, not looking at Abbie.

"Wow, that's comforting. Settling... Making a mistake... Why don't you just come out and admit that there's somebody else and you want to give her a go?" Abbie replied, her tone biting and hurt.

"It's not like that. I mean... Well... Alex is... Look. I don't feel comfortable discussing this with you. I love you, you know that, but I have to explore these other feelings and make sure that this is the right choice for me."

"Fine, you go ahead and "explore" all the feelings you want. I'm not going to be here when you're finished though. I don't need to "explore". I already know what I want." Abbie began weeping softly.

"I have to go. My shift starts in half an hour. Can we talk again tomorrow?"

"Go. What more could there be to discuss? You've already moved your stuff. What's left? Look Liv, I want you to be happy, and if that's not with me, then so be it. I was your first and I should've known better than to think... Anyway... Go... Explore... I hope Alex is all that you need her to be."

"Abbie." Olivia breathed her name.

"Go." Abbie replied shortly, not looking at her.

"Please, understand..."

"Understand what? That it's not me, it's you? That you need to "explore"? That you need your freedom? I'm not thirteen Liv, I've already been there. I do understand. Does that make it less painful for me? No! Please, just go. I'm a big girl. I've dealt with this before, and I won't die when you walk out that door."

Olivia picked up her bag and walked slowly to the door. This wasn't how it was supposed to end, but she'd been the one that dealt the final blow. Truth be known, she was scared, but damned if she was going to tell Abbie that. Alex was easy, didn't require a commitment, was more content to focus on her career with mindless sex as a side note. Abbie wanted it all, the white picket fence, 2.5 kids and a dog. Olivia just wasn't used to that type of confidence in the future.

To Be Continued