"The Better Part of Valor"

Carmichael / OFC

Rated – M

Warnings: This is a story that includes a sexual relationship between two women, if this isn't what you're looking for, please don't read it.

Disclaimer: No copyright or trademark infringement is meant by this story, it is a work of fiction based on fictional characters which are property of NBC Universal, and I do not intend to profit in any way by the use of them in the following story. In short, I don't own Abbie, L&O and its connections does, and I don't own Patrice, SVU and its connections does, even if only for an all too short 4 episodes!

A/N- I've already posted this on the L & O page, but as it's technically a crossover, I thought I'd put it up here too. If you're wondering who this "Patrice" character is, she's the defense attorney from the S10 episode "Baggage," portrayed by the lovely Jeri Ryan. Incidentally, if you're a fan, she'll be back in the fall (very exciting).

P.S. – If you're one of the few who know where this story started, then you're probably awesome….. all 12 or so of you . If you have no idea what I mean by that, please disregard and enjoy the show…..thank you.

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Offices of Cohn, Michaels, Taylor and Greaves, Inc., NY, NY- Present Day:

Patrice sat at her desk, furiously reviewing a transcript before her latest case went to trial the next day. Stacks of documents, folders and binders littered the desktop and a good deal of the floor, in an order only she knew the meaning of. She was not one to be caught unprepared in court, and had worked hard to earn respect, and sometimes fear, from her peers.

Her phone rang, startling her slightly. It was her loyal, but otherwise quite inept assistant Jacob. She snatched the phone,

"Jacob! I said no appointments, no calls, no nothing while I'm prepping this case. If you still want a job tomorrow, your tie better be on fire…"

"But….but…." Stammered Jacob.

"But nothing Jacob! This case goes to trial tomorrow."

"But it's…..heeey" Jacob's voice almost became a squeal. There was a slight pause and the sound of the phone being wrestled away, then another voice came on the line,

"I'll understand if you don't have time to see me darlin,' I can just come by some other time."

Patrice nearly dropped the phone as the sultry Texan drawl came through. Her heart raced involuntarily, and for a moment she stammered in spite of herself,

"Oh….its….hi…. Abbie…. when, why are you…?

Abbie smirked to herself, enjoying having caught Patrice by surprise. There was nothing better than seeing the icy blonde attorney thrown off her game.

"Just got in Patrice, I take it you can find time in your busy schedule to see me then?"

Patrice regained some control, "Show yourself in."

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Patrice watched in anticipation as the door opened and the lanky brunette slipped inside, quietly closing the door behind her and clicking the lock. She was casually dressed in low rise jeans, brown leather belt and a black form-fitting blouse, her hair falling around her shoulders in loose curls. She looked so different when she wasn't in court, though Patrice couldn't say which was better, and frankly didn't care to make the comparison.

Abbie lightly clasped her hands behind her back as she stalked across the office, pretending to admire Patrice's décor.

"I see you've been busy since I was in town last," she commented on the rows of case binders stacked on the tops of the filing cabinets.

Patrice's mind had regained some amount of control, though her body was responding quite differently to seeing Abbie. The last time they had been in the same room… well …. It had taken Patrice a full month to look her neighbors in the eye again.

"So, did you just come here to look at my case files, or what Abbie?

Abbie rounded on her and fixed her with a dangerous stare,

"Is that all you want me to look at Counsel?"

Patrice's mouth suddenly became quite dry, but she remained calm. She picked up the document she had been reviewing before Abbie arrived and stared at it as if Abbie hadn't said anything worth hearing,

"Because I have a case to prepare for…and…."

Patrice's comment was cut short as Abbie sidled up to her, and leaning over her shoulder, calmly tapped the corner of the brief the blonde was looking so interested in,

"Might help if it wasn't upside down." A wicked grin grew across the Texan's face.

Patrice knew she was busted. Abbie was one of the few people to cause her to lose her cool by just walking into the room. She slowly put down the paper and turned to the striking brunette, seeking a flicker of amusement in her dark eyes.

"You just going to stand there Tex?

Abbie regarded her coolly for a moment, then moved quickly, reaching forward she placed her hands on the arms of Patrice's chair and leaned in, placing a searing kiss on the blond's lips. Without hesitation she continued, sliding a knee between Patrice's, deepening the kiss and moving a hand up her bare leg, pausing teasingly at the hem of her skirt.

The blond moaned heatedly at Abbie's sudden movements, feeling herself lost in the moment, she reached a slightly shaky hand up to loosen her blazer, but Abbie slapped the offending hand away,

"No.," Abbie's voice was firm but seductive, she moved her hand from the arm of the chair, and quietly undid the top button, then the next, while slowly sliding the other up the blond's bare leg, reaching under her skirt.

Patrice was now far beyond trying to remain composed, she half spoke, half whimpered, "Abbie, oh… please… I need…"

The brunette paused and leaned back to admire the stunning woman currently squirming under her touch. She smirked and leaned back in to kiss her neck, while undoing the remaining buttons on Patrice's blazer and blouse, pushing them aside. She lightly placed her fingertips at the blonde's throat, tracing them slowly lower, feeling the flushed and warm skin. Reaching further down to the clasp of the blond's bra, she smiled and moved her lips to Patrice's ear,

Abbie's voice was now a low and sultry growl, "in the front? Been getting lucky darlin'?"

Patrice's eyes flashed for a moment, "There's always hope."

Abbie grinned and expertly unsnapped the clasp with one hand, leaving the other slowly traveling the inside of Patrice's thigh. She smugly appraised the situation she had created and kissed the Blonde's exposed chest before moving back to her ear,

"Floor. Now."

Patrice's mouth fell open slightly as she slid hurriedly to the floor, reaching up and grabbing Abbie by the back of the neck, forcing her down on top of her and kissing her hungrily. Abbie returned the kiss for a moment before pulling Patrice's hands away and forcing them roughly above her head on the carpet.

The brunette then lowered her head to trail kisses over Patrice's bare shoulder before sitting up and pulling off her own shirt over her head, tossing it into a nearby wall. Patrice's eyes slid over the Texan's lanky body, her breath catching as she appraised Abbie, now hovering over her clad in only a simple black bra and jeans. The brunette smiled at her captive's expression and returned her hands to Patrice, placing them lightly at the blonde's ankles, feeling her shiver and goosebumps raise as she slid them higher, pausing at the backs of her knees, moving between her legs and leaning down to kiss the Blonde who was by now squirming in anticipation, eyes half closed.

Abbie spoke as she kissed, "Well? Do I have to do everything myself?" Her tone was teasing.

Patrice whimpered as she caught Abbie's meaning and brought her hands down, grasping the hem of her own skirt and sliding it up to her waist obediently. Abbie nodded approvingly at the remaining bit of lace and fabric and reached for it, sliding her fingers under, and giving them a tug downward,

"Up," she demanded simply.

The blonde closed her eyes and lifted her hips, allowing Abbie to quickly slip the garment off, taking a moment to tuck them into the back pocket of her jeans.

She then moved back to cover the blonde, and began slowly kissing down her body, and trailing her fingers up her legs….. until they met in the middle.

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A short while later, Abbie slid back up Patrice's now still and languid body, placing kisses lightly over her. She paused as she reached her lips, capturing them briefly, then stood up as Patrice made a lazy grab for her arm.

"Hey… where are you going? I'm not finished with you."

Abbie smirked and looked down at the naked woman sprawled on her own office floor. "

Sweetie, you haven't even started with me," She silently removed a hotel key card from her pocket and tossed it down onto Patrice's bare stomach.

"I'm at the Ritz, room 1142," She stated simply and turned to retrieve her shirt, pulling it on on her way out the door.