Sure, Why Not?
Tinsy winsy little drabble. Came into my head after watching an episode – could be any episode, take your pick. It's a SIMPLE version of how Alex and Olivia hooked up. There's no endless narrative anguish, no apologies, no fantastically slashy one night stand (aw. Shame.), it's just... how it could have happened.
- - -
"Well that was warped." Commented Olivia, as they got back to the precinct.
"Tell me about it." Agreed Alex, coming up behind her. "On second thoughts – don't. Once is enough... you'll put me off my food."
"You going to lunch?" Asked Olivia. Alex nodded, glancing at the beautiful sunshine outside.
"Might as well. You want to come?"
"Sure, why not?"
- - -
It was a nice little café-cum-restaurant near Gravesend park, ten minutes walk from the station house. Alex had suggested it, and Olivia had never been, so she agreed. Who was she to argue with ADA Cabot anyway? They had just started to share a bottle of wine when Alex's face fell.
"Shit" She mumbled, slinking down in her chair and holding up the menu, in a cute but pathetic attempt to hide her face.
"What is it?" Asked Olivia, genuinely concerned.
"My ex just walked in" Confessed Alex. Olivia glanced in the mirror above Alex's head, saw a man in an expensive suit sit down at the other end of the restaurant, with a woman in an equally expensive suit. The guy was a bronde (or a blondette, depending on the light) with a very thin brow and high cheekbones. Green eyes. Perfect teeth. He had a loud laugh, Alex made a comical wince as it filled the small restaurant.
"Sharp suit." Said Olivia, raising an eyebrow dryly. "Bad break-up?"
"The worst" Affirmed Alex, still trying to keep hidden behind Olivia (although she had abandoned the menu shield).
"What did you do?"
Alex smiled sheepishly. "Slept with the boss."
"Councillor!" Exclaimed Olivia, in mock horror. "I didn't know you had it in you!"
Alex shrugged. "It was a failing relationship, I didn't want to be the one to end it... I hate ending relationships," she admitted. "I'd rather they just... went away."
"So, you're a coward?" Asked Olivia, a smile in the corners of her mouth and her eyebrows perfectly expressing 'uh-huh' Benson.
"Hey! I put up a hell of a fight in court! I reserve the right to be a coward with failing relationships."
"So you give them a reason to do it for you"
"They get the ego boost, I get to walk away as guiltless as possible."
"It's the perfect plan" Conceded Olivia, picking up a fork and twiddling it around in her fingers.
"That's what I thought. On the other hand, she threw a cactus at me."
Olivia dropped the fork. Turned around, properly examined the woman for the first time, as it slowly dawned on her. Then she turned back to Alex – who was sitting there with a 'what?' expression on her face – and looked at her properly too, also as if for the first time.
"Huh." Said Olivia, finally. "Alex, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?"
Alex was taking a sip of her wine. She tasted it properly, swallowed, ran the tip of her tongue around her lips, set down the glass. Totally unfazed.
"You asking me out?"
Olivia, trying to stop blushing but probably failing, nodded nonchalantly.
"Sure," Said Alex, simply. "Why not?"