As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon reclaimed its throne, the city sparkled with liquor and laughter. State law banned the use of consumer fireworks, but the bustling partygoers refused to enjoy their new year without such totems. The humdrum of the excited city buzzed through everyone's core. Unfortunately, not everyone was enjoying their night.
While alcoholics vowed to stop drinking and everyone swore they would lay off of the chocolate cake, rape and homicide seemed to have a different resolution in mind. While average citizens promised to cut back and work harder, criminals did everything in their power to satisfy their own holiday needs.
The enormous stack of paperwork on her desk made Detective Olivia Benson sigh with frustration. It was only New Year's Eve, and over the course of the day, the squad had met seventeen rape victims, rushed to six crime scenes, and investigated eleven attempted rapes and murders. The ever mounting stack of work before her left the detective frustrated and exhausted. By the time she was finished and had said goodnight to everyone, it was well after four in the morning.
But home was hardly her first choice to spend her morning. She had a different destination in mind, a different office. So, an hour later, Olivia found herself at the DA's office, knocking on her favorite attorney's door. A broad smile curled her lips as she shifted the bouquet of roses in her arms.
"It's open," a voice called from inside.
Olivia opened the door, closing it behind her as she stepped into the office. Casey sat behind her desk, her laptop open in front of her. Her own stack of paperwork mirrored the one Olivia had spent all night finishing. "Long night?" Olivia asked, kissing the attorney's cheek and handing her the roses.
Casey smiled, returning the kiss with one on the older woman's lips. She smelled the roses, sighing contentedly. "Yeah. I've been at it since before dinner." She glanced at the clock on her desk, groaning when she read the time. "Ugh, twelve hours," she sighed.
"Rape never takes a holiday, unfortunately," Olivia remarked, perching on the edge of the attorney's desk. "I thought I would never finish typing my 5's."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I've been at this opening statement for three hours. Listen to what I have so far." Casey opened her file and read from the screen. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury…" Olivia remained silent, glancing up as if waiting for more. Casey shook her head. "That's it. I seriously doubt I am getting an indictment from this mess."
Olivia kissed her again. "Well, what do you say we take a break from that? We can go to breakfast, maybe have some fun after?"
Casey raised an eyebrow curiously. "Some fun?" she questioned. "What kind of fun?"
"The kind of fun that I can demonstrate better than I can explain," Olivia answered. She closed Casey's computer. "The kind of fun you need after such a long night. I'm not taking no for an answer."
Casey glanced at the time again. Her stomach grumbled, as if it, too, wanted to take her on a date. "Well…maybe I can find an opening statement in some eggs. So…what are we waiting for? We have a new year to celebrate."
After a passionate kiss spanning several minutes, Casey retrieved her purse and coat and followed Olivia into the frigid morning wind.