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Stranger Things Have Happened

Olivia stepped off the plan. She had no idea what she was going to do with herself for an entire month in Aruba. After a pretty intense case, she had been all but ordered to take a vacation, not only by her captain, but also her cousin, Elliot. She knew she needed the time off, but Elliot could have checked with her before he booked the trip. If it hadn't already been paid for, she would have told him no. Now she had to be creative in a foreign country. This was going to be a long month.

After getting her luggage and clearing customs, Olivia stepped out into the Aruban sun, thankful she had dressed in shorts, flip flops, and a light t-shirt. Placing her sunglass on, she stepped up to the curb and hailed a cab. She stepped into the first one to stop, made sure the drivers picture matched his idea (she might be on vacation but that doesn't mean she can just turn off the cop inside), and gave him her destination. "The Arubiana Inn please," she said.

He driver nodded and put the care in the desired direction. Throughout the drive, Olivia made sure to note various restaurants and small shops she would be interested in visiting. She also looked through one of the brochures Elliot had given her. She had already decided she would visit the natural bridge and maybe even do some scuba diving. Other than that, she would probably play it by ear.

Noticing the cab was beginning to slow, Olivia looked up and saw they had already arrived at the hotel. She paid her fare, grabbed her bags, and made her way inside the hotel. She was so preoccupied with taking in the details of the hotel, she didn't notice the woman directly in front of her until they collided. Instinctively she moved her arms to grab the woman's waist as a means of helping to steady her. "I am so sorry," Olivia apologized. She looked into the eyes of her victim and was momentarily stunned by the deep blue staring back at her.

"Don't worry about it," the blonde smiled. "Umm…could you let go of me now?"

Olivia looked down and realized her hands were still on the woman's waist. Blushing, Olivia removed her hands and took a step back. In an attempt to busy herself, she leaned down to pick up the bag the woman had dropped. Handing it back to her, Olivia gave a small smile.

"Thanks," she responded. She started to continue out of the hotel before turning back. "Watch where you're going next time."

If it hadn't been for the woman's smile, Olivia would have thought she was upset. She gave herself a few more minutes to watch the blonde walk away before she walked over to the front desk.

After checking in and getting situated in what would be her home for the next month, Olivia decided to spend her day checking out some of the sites around the hotel. She didn't want to do anything too intense. She mainly stuck to window shopping. She did pay a visit to Eagle beach for a little while, just to see if lived up to its reputation. It didn't disappoint and she decided she would be spending a lot of time there.

Deciding she wasn't up for a real island experience, Olivia decided she would eat at the hotel restaurant. She had made a reservation earlier in the day knowing it would be easier to cancel later than to try and get a table without one. She walked in and noticed a very familiar blonde woman taking with the hostess. As it wasn't a very large waiting area, Olivia couldn't help but over hear the conversation.

"So there's nothing you can do?" the woman asked. Olivia could clearly hear the disappointment in her voice.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but we are fully booked."

Olivia decided that it was time to interrupt. "Maybe I can help," she offered. She watched as the woman turned around, a little shocked. "I made a reservation earlier and was told all tables were set for at least two. I'm clearly by myself. Why don't you join me?" Olivia saw the blonde think about it. "Think of it as an apology for earlier."

"I don't know," the woman said. "Unless it's a blind date, courtesy of my best friend, I don't usually dine with women I don't know."

Olivia smiled, both at the blonde's hint to introduce herself and the use of blind date and women in the same sentence. She offered her hand to the woman in front of her. "Olivia Benson."

The woman took her hand and shook it. "Alex Cabot," she replied. "Are you sure it wouldn't be a problem if I joined you? Wait, you're not going to try and tackle me again are you?"

Olivia laughed, glad that Alex had a sense of humor. "I hadn't planned on it, but maybe if you ask me later." She was on vacation. She could get away with flirting with a woman she hardly knew. "And I wouldn't have offered if it had been a problem."

Alex smiled her thanks. Thankfully the restaurant was dimly lit and it was difficult to catch the blush that had appeared at the flirtation. She had noticed earlier how attractive the brunette was and she would have stayed to talk if she hadn't been late to meet her aunt. She turned back towards the hostess who had been watching the pair intently. "If it's alright, I would like to join Ms. Benson."

The hostess nodded and led them to their table. Once seated, the two women started talking. "So tell me, Olivia, what do yo do when you aren't playing linebacker for the Giants?" Alex asked. She was a little shocked when Olivia's turned serious.

"If I played for anyone, it would be the Patriots," she said. Her face gave way to a smile after a few seconds, causing Alex to smile as well. "But during the off season, I'm a detective." She purposely kept the NYPD out of the title. She may like the woman, but that didn't mean they would see each other after their vacations were over. She didn't want to give out too much information. "What about you?"

"Lawyer," Alex stated. She knew how police officers felt about defense attorney's and she decided it was her chance to have a little fun with the detective.

"You're not a defense attorney, are you?" Olivia asked.

"And if I was?" Alex questioned back with a hint of amusement.

"I would either have to be ashamed to be seen with you in public or just walk out of this restaurant right now," Olivia chuckled.

"It's a good thing I'm a prosecutor then," Alex laughed.

Conversation flowed easily between the two women. They talked about everything and nothing. If they happened to cross the subject of work, they made sure to keep the location to themselves. They had only known each other for a few hours. Maybe that information would be disclosed when one of them was leaving.

It wasn't until they were getting ready to leave that they realized how much they had had to drink during dinner. They stumbled out of the restaurant, still talking and laughing. "I think I'm a little drunk," Alex slurred.

Olivia, being the more in control one, held on to Alex as a means of keeping her steady. "I think you're right, Ms. Cabot," Olivia laughed. Her laughter was cut short as Alex brought her arms up and around Olivia's neck. She watched as Alex made an effort to focus on Olivia's eyes.

"Did you know your eyes have little gold flecks in them?" Alex asked in a whisper. She began to slowly lean forward, with every intention of kissing the woman who had completely mesmerized her. Unfortunately she would have to wait a little longer. Just before their lips connected, Alex passed out in Olivia's arms.

Supporting the weight of a woman she hadn't even known for twenty four hours, Olivia sighed as she realized she had no idea where Alex's room was. The elevator stopped on her floor and Olivia carried her down to her room. Getting Alex situated in the bed, Olivia got comfortable on the sofa. She had placed a glass of water and pain killers on the nightstand for Alex and the same for herself on the small table. Just before she fell asleep, she decided she might have a little fun with the situation in the morning.