Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. Sad, but true.
A knock at the door caused Abbie to glance up, peering over the top of her reading glasses. Olivia Benson peaked around the half-open office door, grinning at her. "Thought I'd find you here burning the midnight oil, Tex." She smirked, entering the office and closing the door behind her.
"Yeah well, you guys keep catching these perps, making more work for me. Just once, shoot the guy and save me the headache of a trial." Abbie replied sarcastically, smiling back at Olivia.
This topic was a running gag between the two, friendly banter that belied the more intense feelings simmering just below the surface. The two had been friends since Abbie was first assigned to SVU a couple of years ago. In Olivia Abbie found a certain security and comfort that she had not experienced since left home at 19. Olivia, for her part, enjoyed the mental workout she got every time they were together for drinks. Topics ranged from movies to religion, but carefully avoided any hint of work, giving both women a necessary haven from the grim realities of their jobs.
"Oh don't start that again Miss Priss. Your legal expertise and trial skills are what make you the big bucks, while us detectives bust our humps so you can show off in court. Now stop whining and take me to dinner!" Olivia responded playfully.
"Take you to dinner? After you come in here and call me a whiner? Here's a buck, run to Taco Bell and have something off the value menu, my treat." Abbie rose from her leather executive chair, and, grinning, took off her glass. She grabbed her purse and led Olivia out of the office and to the elevator.
"So, which case are you working on now?" Olivia asked curiously.
"You're breaking our 'no work talk' rule, Liv. I'll bounce some ideas off of you in a bit, but first I need a drink. The usual place?" Abbie just wanted to unwind for a while, enjoy some good food and even better conversation before dealing with the homicide trial that she'd been slaving over for the past few hours. If she had to read one more police report, full of misspelled words and poor grammar, she might finally come unglued. And the crime scene photos kept her up at night, seeing that poor girl's face every time she closed her eyes. A couple of drinks and some time with Olivia would help with that, Abbie was certain.
"Sure, it's a nice night for a walk. Maybe we could get a table outside. Hey, are you going to be working all weekend or do you think you might be able to squeeze in a show? I've got tickets to a matinee and we could grab an early dinner if you're interested." Olivia glanced sideways at her companion. Abbie looked tired, more so than she usually did during trial prep. This case was really getting to her, but she hadn't opened up to Liv about it yet. Olivia was glad she'd decided to pop in on her, because knowing Abbie, she hadn't had a decent meal in days. How she kept going was a mystery to Olivia, but she'd been running with Abbie in the mornings and had watched her draw her energy for the day during these outings.
They walked into their favorite restaurant, an Irish pub that served an odd combination of Irish and Southern food, with plenty of beer on tap. Taking a table outside, they ordered drinks and an appetizer. Olivia could see Abbie unwind, becoming animated when she told Liv about the novel she'd picked up the other day. They leaned back in their chairs, enjoying the cool breeze and the simple feeling of just sitting in each other's company.
As the night wore on and a couple of pints had been consumed, Olivia could watch Abbie relax. They laughed a lot, talked philosophy, music, and a number of other topics before Abbie finally felt ready to talk about her case. "Liv, this one's different. Not that murder isn't always a horrific crime, but this one just sucker punches me every time I look at the photos of the victim. She reminds me of someone, I'm not sure who, but it's a subconscious nagging that I knew her or something, and I can't place her." Abbie looked up from her beer, seeing the concern darken her friend's eyes.
"Maybe you ought to hand it off." Olivia stated, hesitating briefly because she didn't want Abbie to think that Olivia lacked confidence in her. "I mean, you're the EDA now, give it to your assistant. Let her try her hand at a murder trial."
"I can't. I'd feel worse about the situation if I did that. No, I'll take it to trial myself. It's something I have to do."
Olivia took Abbie's hand and replied huskily, "I worry about you sometimes, not because I don't think you can handle things, but because I think you'll kill yourself rather than step back. You're an incredible attorney, absolutely devoted to your job, but at what cost?"
"Liv, you know as well as I do that we are just alike in our passion for what we do. I can't quit any more than you can. And while I may end up with an ulcer, you may end up shot, or worse. Don't think this thought hasn't crossed my mind. Losing you . . . " Abbie pulled her hand away and picked up her glass, only to find it empty. With forced cheerfulness, she stood up, questioning Olivia. "Are you game for one more? We could split it." Without waiting for a response, Abbie walked over to the bar and ordered another pint. When she returned, she smiled at Olivia, not very convincingly, and said "Anyway, didn't you invite me on a date? Something about a matinee and dinner . . . and drinks and dancing." She added with a mischievous grin, this time very genuine. "I'll even take the day off to put your mind at ease, but you better show me a good time missy!" She drawled irresistibly.
Olivia knew Abbie well enough to know that the previous topic of discussion was closed for business. She also knew herself well enough to know that she'd give in to whatever Abbie had in mind. Grinning in response she said, "Well if it's a date, then you'd better wear something sexy."
To Be Continued