Author's Note - Alex, Olivia and all L&O SVU based material are the property of Dick Wolf and Wolf Productions. I write for fun, not profit. No harm, foul or infringement is intended. The original characters do belong to me, though. This is a fairly fluffy fic that I wrote where all is right in our ladies' world as they finally admit their feelings to each other and deal with the consequences. It is rated M for some adult themes and situations, just to be safe. Sorry for the small hiatus in between stories. Life got in the way, but the muse and I are back! All reviews, comments and feedback of any kind are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for reading. Enjoy!

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"Congratulations, counselor." Detective Olivia Benson stood up to greet the blonde prosecutor. "Well done. That scumbag won't see light of day while he's still got teeth. Does my heart good." She smiled at her friend while tapping her heart.

"Thanks, Liv. I know how hard my squad works. Least I can do is hold my end of the bargain. Nice of you to say, though." Alex Cabot took her black-rimmed glasses off and tucked them in her case. She snapped her briefcase shut.

"So, an early day for us...and a Friday no less. What's on your weekend docket, counselor?" Olivia held the door open for the Assistant District Attorney.

"Yeah, I was thinking about calling it a day. This case had me burning the candles at both ends and the middle." They entered the marble hallway and paused facing each other in conversation. "As for the weekend...I have a family thing in the Berkshires. My uncle has a deal every summer. You?"

"I was thinking a drink and an early dinner. Join me and I'll buy you a drink. We can unwind and you can tell me about this family thing of yours and your weekend in the Berkshires." Olivia added a half-smile. "What do you say? Girls' early night out?"

The counselor studied Olivia's face for a moment. The dark eyes had warmth right now that they didn't often have. The victory was definitely part of it. But she sensed and had been sensing something more in Olivia's carriage and demeanor in recent months. Now she was almost asking her on a date. What to do? "I could use a drink...and if my detective is BUYING, how dare I say no." She smiled back at Liv.

She saw deep thought and contemplation before those baby blues sparkled and accepted. "Great. Where would you like to go? What are you up for?" They began to walk together down the hallway. "Oh, and I guess when? Do you need to go back to the office?"

Alex laughed. "Yes, I just have to grab a few things. Maybe we could meet somewhere in an hour? There's that new Mexican place on the corner. Margaritas and nachos?"

"An hour at Casa Julia sounds fantastic." Liv stuffed her hands in her pockets and beamed. 'Christ, Benson...why not do a freakin' cartwheel for joy?' "Also, are you going to change?"

Alex shook her head a little. "Why? Is there something wrong with my suit?"

Olivia flushed a little. "No,no, God no. You look great in that suit. It's fine. You're fine. I just, if you're not changing, I won't change then either." Olivia ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "Alex, it's been a rough week. Would counsel please stick to yes or no questions?"

'That's two "greats", two "fines", a "fantastic" and one solid blush. That's got to be a sign of something.' "Ok, Detective. I'm not changing. Are you changing?" Olivia shook her head. "Can you be at the restaurant in an hour?" Olivia nodded. "Your witness."

"No further questions, counsel." Olivia laughed a little at how Alex had made the situation light for her. "I'll see you in an hour, Alex. Thanks for keeping it simple for your dunderheaded detective."

"You're not a dunderhead. The citizens of New York don't pay you for your oratory skills. That's what they pay me for. See you in a bit." She waved to the detective and got on the elevator going up.

Olivia waited for the next elevator down. She felt her pulse and breathing slow back down. She stepped in to the elevator. "God, Liv...why not just hump her leg like a stray dog in heat. Christ. I don't know how or why she agreed to dine with me. Unless she...yeah, right." She shook her head and then her whole body. She did occasionally think she caught the counselor sending her looks, but she also had an active imagination. "I guess there's one way to solve this case, detective." She looked at her oversized silver watch. She had about 45 minutes.

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'Could Liv have acted any more like a love struck teenager?' It was adorable. She didn't have any of her wingmen and being alone in a courtroom with her seemed to throw the detective off her usual confident game. Alex liked seeing her a little more human with a splash of vulnerable. It was sexy.

She reached her office and started shuffling papers. She'd have time to get organized for Monday and freshen up before her big date. "Date? I guess that's what it is. She's buying me a drink and everything." She tilted her head with amusement. She'd been getting fluttery feelings around the detective for some time now. She figured it was equal parts the time they spent together and a deep respect and admiration she had for the steely brunette. "Guess time will tell. Maybe, if she's feeling her mojo, she'll make a move tonight. She did ask me out."

She busied herself with work to pass the next half hour. She sent out one last e-mail and logged off the system. She stood up and stretched. She rubbed the back of her neck. "Enough's enough. Time to get my date face on."

She grabbed her bag, walked down to the ladies room and powdered her nose. She checked herself in the mirror. Aside from some dark circles that accompanied a case on this order, she didn't look too bad. She brushed her hair and reapplied her toiletries.

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Olivia arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and secured a table in the back for them. She took the liberty of ordering a pitcher of original margaritas with two glasses and some chips and salsa.

Olivia had changed. She had on nicely fitting tan trousers and burgundy button down shirt. She put on an extra spritz of white musk before she headed to the florist. She hoped she wasn't about to make a really big fool of herself but figured what the hell. 'Go out with your boots on, right?'

She spied the blonde striding confidently through the doors and caught her eye with a wave and a smile. "Hi Alex." Olivia managed to say when she reached the table.

"Great table. Cozy spot." She gave Olivia a friendly one-armed hug. She smelled great. White musk and whatever her shampoo was. Hmmm.

Olivia squeezed her friend casually and gestured to a chair. "Margarita?"

"Yes, please." Alex smiled broadly at her friend. "You changed. You look good."

Olivia willed herself not to blush. "Yeah...Munch spilled on me, so I had to go with what I had in my 'Go to court and not embarrass myself' bag."

"I see. Well, thanks for getting us started here." She raised her glass. "To good friends and good times."

"To a hard won victory and the woman that made it possible." Liv clinked glasses and sipped her drink. "And speaking of victories...for you, counselor." She reached under the table and presented her with a single cream white rose bud tinged on the ends with red.

Now it was Alex's turn to fight the blush. It was pointless though. Her fair skin reddened quite dramatically. "I...I" She took the rose and looked at it. She touched the petals and looked down. "Wow." She whispered. "Liv."

"I guess that's something. The mighty prosecutor's almost speechless. I just wanted to do something special." Olivia wanted to lighten the moment for her friend as she had done earlier. She smiled warmly, folded her hands in front of her and leaned in waiting, hoping she hadn't blown it.

Alex reached out and placed her hand on Olivia's. "It's perfect. Thank you." She squeezed gently. "You didn't have to do anything."

"Would it make you feel any better if I said I was representing the tax payers you're always talking about?" Olivia grinned playfully.

"Actually, not at all. I'd feel better knowing it came from you." Alex smiled back with a hint of flirting.

Olivia cleared her throat. "Well, it is. It's a victory rose. It made me think of you when I walked past the shop is all." She stared at the salsa. "Stupid, I know. But there it is."

"Not stupid at all. Sweet and thoughtful, yes. Unnecessary, sure." She rubbed the back of Olivia's hand until she looked up. "But I am very glad that you did."

"I'm glad you think so." Olivia pulled her hand back and held the baby blues across the table from her. She saw the sincerity in those eyes and it made her feel warm. "So...what are you in the mood for?" She opened the menu in an attempt at nonchalance.

'To reach across the table and see if your lips are as soft as they look.' Alex stared at the statuesque woman a moment after she broke their stare. She flopped open the menu. "The fajitas are supposed to be really good."

Olivia downed the rest of her drink. "I'm thinking steak fajitas sounds like heaven right now." 'Well that and seeing if that suit looks as good in a heap on the floor of my bedroom.' Olivia exhaled and refilled their glasses.

"Easy, senorita. We're both working on tired, empty stomachs here." Alex laughed and assumed her flirty look.

"I'll pay your cab fare or escort you home. We deserve a little fun tonight." Olivia actually winked at her.

"Drinks, dinner, a rose...cab fare. This is the best date I've been on in...years!" Her blue eyes flashed and she smirked around her margarita glass.

'Here goes nothing.' "Just wait 'til you figure out I'm only doing this so you'll put out." Olivia's smile was playful and toying but her caramel eyes told the truth behind the statement.

"Hmph." Alex giggled and shrugged. "Never on the first date, detective. And I've got a fairly gray policy about dating people at work." She punctuated her last remark by crunching a chip dipped in salsa.

"Well, Ms. Cabot, since you know what they pay down at the SVU, you probably don't get many second dates from my squad." The banter between them was becoming easy now. As they reached the bottom of their second drink, their entrees arrived. "Tell me more about this soiree in the Berkshires."

"My Uncle Mort throws an overnight get-together at his cottage house in the Berkshires. It's mostly his partner's family, but I like to make a showing. It's good food and gorgeous views, but lots of men and can get a bit testosterone-y at times." She wiped her mouth with her napkin. "There's a pond and a bon fire. Some of the guys fish and hunt."

"Sounds like fun." Olivia put her fork down.

"Eh, it's a good enough time, I guess." She shrugged.

They finished their meals making light conversation. "You know, I can't believe neither of us has had a single call since we sat down. That's almost eerie."

"Bite your tongue, Liv! Our evening's not over yet." She tried to catch the brunette's eye. "At least, I hope not?"

"Sorry. Oh. Well, me too or me neither or..." Liv shifted in her seat. "Dessert?"

"Maybe. Can we just talk a while and see?" Alex wanted to continue the evening, but was feeling full from all the food and drink.

"Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, I haven't heard about your weekend plans." She swirled the last of her drink in the glass.

"Oh, I'll probably couch-sit most of it. I've got a novel I've wanted to read. Maybe I'll get some extra work in. Maybe not. Elliot is taking Kathy and the kids to Connecticut to see Kathy's mother." Liv shrugged. "Otherwise I'm sure they'd have me over for dinner or something, but..."

"Hmmm. Sounds pretty lackluster." Alex's tone was a bit needling.

"Well, not all of us whisk away to the mountains for the weekend. Some of us sit on the sofa and read." She tilted her head.

"Take a walk with me, Liv?" Alex asked.

"Sure." Olivia squared up the check and they walked out the door. The air had a more humid cling to it as night began to settle in to the city. "Where we headed?"

"My place?" Alex twirled her rose in her hands. Her eyes were a darker shade of blue in the evening light and they searched Olivia's.

"Wow. I thought you had that rule about..." Her joking was cut off by Alex's hand on her forearm.

"You wish. I meant for coffee, detective. That is if you think you can keep your pants on." One slender manicured finger traced gently up and down Olivia's defined forearm.

"Oh, ok. Wouldn't want to break any rules." In a goofy, yet chivalrous gesture, Olivia offered Alex her arm. Olivia took a deep breath and tried not to look too pleased. "I'd love to. Shall we walk or take a cab?"

Alex smiled in response and looped her arm through Olivia's. "Let's walk. It's not that far and we can stop at this great little bakery I know and pick up something for dessert." There was a distinct gleam in the blonde's blue eyes.

"Sounds irresistible." Olivia sighed at the proximity of the leggy blonde.

Alex was enjoying cozying up to the tough detective. Neither had ever spoken of their personal lives, so they were both charting new territory here. "Irresistible?" She snuggled in further as they walked. "I'm better than I thought, maybe."

"Ego, counselor...ego is a dangerous thing." She needled and chuckled inhaling the scent of the woman as they strolled.

"Uh huh." They walked in silence for a few blocks. Alex pulled away from the brunette as they approached a shop called Baker's Dozen and said, "This is the bake shop. What do you like?"

"Something light, yet yummy...and chocolate." She watched as the blonde grinned back and entered the shop. The shopkeeper seemed to know her. Her order was taken, wrapped up and paid for all while Liv watched mesmerized. There was a confident grace about her movements and she seemed to be the focus of whatever room she was in.

"All set?" Liv asked as the blonde came out the door.

She nodded. "We've only got about two more blocks to go."

"I'll take that." She grabbed the bag from Alex.

"You know, you're getting big chivalry points tonight, detective." Alex smiled.

"Good to know I'm doing something right, counselor." She stuffed her hands in her pockets and let Alex lead the way.

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