A/N: Just a holiday-themed one-shot to get me out of some writing funk.

MISTLETOE

Season 3

Roy's Tavern

Midtown Manhattan

Sunday, December 23, 2001

#

"You should have seen the look on the guy's face after Liv took him down. He just laid there on the ground like he couldn't believe he got his ass kicked by a woman."

Elliot was telling the SVU gang about the previous day's events when they took down a man who had beaten and raped his girlfriend because he thought it was his "right."

"Well, he's lucky I just took him down and didn't kick him in the nuts like I would have preferred," Olivia said, sipping her beer. "Especially after he punched me and left this nice little cut on my face."

"Oh come on, Liv," Elliot said. "Seriously guys, if you think she looks bad, you should have seen him."

The group laughed as Olivia smiled sheepishly. They had gathered for their unofficial Christmas party, which mostly just consisted of beer and wings, but for them, it was perfect. Benson, Stabler, Cragen, Fin, Munch and even Warner had made it out in the middle of what was supposed to be a snow storm.

Just then a gust of wind blew in and everyone looked up to see Alex shaking the snow out of her hair and off her jacket as she made her way back to their table.

"Alex, I didn't think you were going to make it," Cragen said. "Weren't you heading to your folks this weekend?"

"Well, Butler's attorney was whining about police brutality cause he got beat up by a girl," Alex said, smiling at Olivia, who blushed a little. "I handled it, but I wanted to make sure he was taken care of before I left. And then, well, the snow storm started, and I don't particularly want to drive in it. I'll go tomorrow once they clear the roads."

"Well, we're glad you made it," Melinda said and scooted over so Alex could pull up a chair to the table.

"Well, I'm going to order another pitcher of beer," Elliot said. "Alex, what do you want? I'm buying?"

"I'm good with beer, but thanks," Alex said.

"Beer? For the Ice Princess?" Elliot said to laughter. "Don't you usually have wine or some fancy cocktail?"

"Usually, but tonight I thought I'd get off my ivory tower and slum it," Alex said, eliciting even more laughter.

"How about some darts?" Much said. "Fin, Elliot, Cragen against me and the lovely ladies?"

"So, men versus women?" Fin quipped.

Munch rolled his eyes, and Elliot returned with another pitcher, as well as an empty glass for Alex and a Coke for Cragen.

"Did I hear something about darts?" Elliot said.

"Yeah, the girls and Munch are about to kick your ass," Olivia said.

"You ladies I wouldn't doubt, but Munch could give you a handicap," Elliot said.

"Hey, why is everyone picking on me tonight?" Munch said.

"It must be a conspiracy," Cragen said with a smirk. "You love those, don't you?"

"Et tu, Captain?" Munch said.

#

Olivia, Alex, and Melinda squealed as Elliot threw his final dart, missing the mark and giving the win to the girls (and Munch). Alex turned around and gave Olivia a big hug, something she had never done before - at least not like that. By this point, everyone, except Cragen was nice and tipsy, if not drunk.

"Come on, man," Fin muttered.

"Hey, at least I hit the dartboard every time unlike you," Elliot replied.

"This was fun, everyone, but I need to get home," Melinda said. "I have company coming early tomorrow morning."

"I should get going as well," Cragen said. "I'll get you a cab."

Melinda nodded as she put her jacket on.

"The rest of you - see everyone gets home safely," Cragen said. "Stabler, you're not driving back to Queens tonight, are you?"

"Nope," Elliot said. "Kathy called an hour ago and told me to keep my drunk ass at Liv's tonight and come home early. Her sister and mom are there helping with the kids. So just as well for me."

"Good," Cragen said. "Merry Christmas, everyone."

#

An hour later

"No, seriously, you all are like family to me," Munch said.

"I think I'm too drunk for this conversation," Elliot said.

"So is Munch," Fin said.

"I'm just saying, you're like brothers and sisters, or maybe daughter," Munch said.

"More like granddaughters," Fin said.

Alex laughed as she tipped her glass back and finished off another beer. She leaned into Olivia when she sat her glass down, catching the detective by surprise - good surprise.

"One more round on me?" Olivia asked. Everyone nodded.

She wasn't ready to leave. The longer they were there, the more Alex was touching her and flirting with her. If Olivia had her way, the night would never end.

It wasn't as if Alex never flirted with her. She sometimes did - subtly - at work. As did Olivia. But tonight was different. They had never acted on anything. Olivia didn't even know if it was anything more than harmless flirting, but she sure wanted to find out.

"Alex, do you want to help?" Olivia said, holding out her hand to help steady Alex.

"Anything you want," Alex said, smirking slightly and again, causing Olivia to blush again.

Olivia and Alex walked over to the corner of the bar, ordering another pitcher and a few glasses of water for everyone.

"What are your Christmas plans, Liv?" Alex said, as they waited.

"I'll probably head out to Elliot's for Christmas dinner, but otherwise, just relaxing and praying I don't get called in," Olivia said. "You?"

"Just heading out to my parents tomorrow, depending on the roads," Alex said. "Typical Cabot Christmas."

"Here is your pitcher and I'll have your waters right up," the bartender said, sliding them over there.

"Hey, Benson!" Elliot's voice came blaring through the bar. When Olivia looked to him, he pointed up.

Both Olivia and Alex looked up at the same time and realized they were standing right underneath mistletoe. Olivia immediately looked back at Elliot who winked and looked away.

Alex put her head down, suddenly bashful for the first time all night, and that was the only sign Olivia needed to do what she'd been wanting to do all night - heck, for a year.

She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to Alex's, kissing her softly in case Alex pulled away.

Alex didn't pull away. She kissed Olivia back and slid her arm around the detective's back.

They pulled away just before the bartender slid their waters over to them. Neither of them said a word; they just had a goofy smile on their face as they grabbed the stuff and went back to the table. Elliot winked again as Olivia as she sat down. No one else had seemed to notice the wink, the mistletoe, or the kiss.

#

"Alex, you're going all the way uptown?" Elliot said, as they all poured out into the street after finishing up their rounds and sobering up a little.

"That's where I live," Alex said.

"Why don't you come back with Liv and me?" Elliot said. "It's cold out and late, and I think we'd feel better knowing you are safe and sound."

"I don't know," Alex said.

"Come on, I insist," Elliot said. "We'll have one of those slumber parties. My girls seem to like those."

Alex looked to Olivia for approval.

"He did insist," Olivia said. "Even if it's my apartment."

The three of them laughed.

"Seriously, though, Alex, why don't you come back with us tonight," Olivia said. "He's right. It is cold and late, and I'd feel better knowing you are safe."

#

Once they were all back to Olivia's apartment, Elliot went to the closet and grabbed a pillow and blanket and threw it on the couch.

"I figure I'll take the couch and you ladies can share the bed," Elliot said. "I mean, Kathy may not mind if I shared a bed with one beautiful woman, but two of you..."

Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I can sleep on the floor if you want the bed," she told Alex.

"Suit yourself," Elliot said, pulling off his jeans leaving just his boxers and undershirt. "I'm going to sleep. You have no idea what I'm in for the next couple of days with Christmas, kids, and the mother-in-law."

Alex followed Olivia to the bedroom and shut the door behind them.

"You don't have to sleep on the floor," Alex said. "I can."

"No way," Olivia said. "You're a guest."

"Well, I don't want you sleeping on the floor," Alex said. "We can share...I mean, if you want."

Olivia nodded. She wanted to very much, even if she didn't think it was a good idea for things to go too far tonight. Too much alcohol had been had, and Elliot was asleep in the next room.

Olivia handed some sweats and a t-shirt to Alex to change into. She was surprised when Alex simply turned around and didn't go to the restroom to change. The sight of Alex's naked porcelain skin, even if just her back, made Olivia stop what she was doing and just watch and think about what it would be like to touch.

Olivia quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts and turned around to change into her pajamas before Alex caught her watching.

When they were done, they both crawled into bed and got under the covers. They rolled over so they were both facing each other. Alex had a big smile on her face.

"What?" Olivia said. "Why are you smiling?"

"Just thinking about tonight," Alex said, pausing for a moment. "How much fun I had."

"Oh yeah?" Olivia said, scooting a little closer to Alex and moving her hand between them on the bed. She felt Alex's hand there as well and accidently grazed it. "It was a good night."

"Do you know what my favorite part was?" Alex said, moving her hand so that it was touching Olivia's hand under the covers now.

Olivia just gulped and didn't answer.

"Let me just show you," Alex said, taking Olivia's hand, and leaning forward to kiss her. When she pulled away, Olivia was smiling, too.

"Mine, too," Olivia said.

"Are you sure?" Alex said.

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Olivia said.

"I don't know," Alex said. "I thought it may have been when I changed in front of you. Did you forget there was a mirror in front of me and I could see you watching me?"

Olivia's mouth dropped open and she blushed.

"I..I...I'm sorry," Olivia said. "It's just ... I was surprised. And you are stunning."

"It's okay," Alex said. "I watched you through the mirror when you changed, too. My God, you are beautiful."

Olivia leaned forward and gave Alex another kiss, this one longer and more passionately like she wanted to give her in the bar. She slipped her hand around Alex's waist.

"So, we should probably talk about ... this," Olivia said. "But maybe after Christmas?"

"That's a good idea," Alex said. "But just so you know, 'this' is something I've wanted for a very long time."

Olivia smiled. "Me, too. But tonight ... we keep things slow."

"Yes, tonight we just enjoy being here," Alex said. "Besides, when we do get there, I don't want an audience on the other side of the door."

Alex then leaned closer to Olivia's ear and whispered, "I can be quite loud when I'm enjoying myself...and I have no doubt I will enjoy myself with you."

"Jesus, Alex," Olivia said.

Alex laughed and gave Olivia another kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Liv."

"Merry Christmas, Alex."

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