A/N: I'm back sooner than I expected. First off thank you for your kind words on my last story, I loved writing it. I have to give credit to the person who requested an Olivia in the army fic, they would rather I not mention their name, but thank you. I hope I do it justice. Disclaimer: I own nothing but my story. All SVU characters belong to 'Lord' Dick Wolf (as Mariska called him). Please let me know what you think, I love reading it and it sometimes causes me to look at my story differently. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Alex Cabot shrugged her coat off as she entered the dark apartment. She shivered as she walked over to turn the heat up. It was a cold, snowy December evening in New York. Alex went to her bedroom to change out of her work clothes. She sighed as she pulled an Army sweatshirt over her head and inhaled the scent. She walked into the living room and stared out the window at the snow as it fell. She pulled the shirt up closer to breathe in the scent of her girlfriend as she wrapped her arms around herself. She wished it was her girlfriend's arms wrapped around her but that wasn't possible, her girlfriend was over six thousand miles away in the middle of the desert. Her girlfriend was Sgt. Olivia Benson, US Army.

Alex went about the rest of her evening reviewing her newest case and writing motions. Her mind continued to wander to thoughts of her soldier. She constantly worried if Olivia was okay, if something happened to her how long before she found out? She fixed a light dinner and curled up on the couch. She immediately regretted turning the television on when she realized it was tuned to one of the news networks. The reporter was covering the latest updates from the war. The only thing keeping her halfway sane at the moment was knowing that Olivia was no longer in Afghanistan; she was now in Kuwait and would soon be returning to the States. It was a week before Christmas and her only wish was for Olivia to be home for the holiday but unfortunately she wouldn't be home until just after the New Year.

Alex had just dozed off to sleep when she heard the tone on her computer signal a video conference. She jumped up and turned the lights on the Christmas tree on and turned her webcam so the camera would be facing her and the tree. She smiled ear to ear when her girlfriend's smiling face appeared on the screen.

"Hey beautiful."

Alex sighed and wiped a few tears "Hey gorgeous." She took a moment to stare at the brunette and allow it to sink in that Olivia was okay. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Alex."

"You know the drill." Alex said with a slight grin.

Olivia laughed as she stood and twirled allowing Alex to see that she was indeed okay. She took an extra moment when she turned her back to the screen allowing Alex to take in the view. She laughed as she sat back down and noticed the slight blush on the blonde's face "See I'm fine."

Alex grinned almost predatorily "That you are Sergeant that you are." She took a deep breath to calm down before speaking "So how are you?"

"I'm good. I miss you though." she said with a sad smile. She loved Alex more than anything in the world and couldn't wait to be back home and hold the blonde in her arms. It was times like this that made her wish she'd never joined the Army. Being away from the blonde chipped away at her heart and soul a little more every day, but little moments like this would slowly repair the damage.

"I miss you more." Alex said as she felt the pain in her heart at not being able to reach out and hold the brunette.

"Not possible counselor." Olivia smiled the smile that Alex knew was reserved only for her.

They spent the rest of their time together Olivia asking about everything going on at home and Alex asking about everything Olivia was doing. Olivia loved the updates from home but she was always careful and guarded when it came to telling her girlfriend everything that went on in her part of the world. She knew Alex worried constantly about her and she didn't want to add to the worry.

Alex noticed the background seemed to be different than it usually was when she and Olivia were able to see each other "Liv, have you moved locations?"

"No, why?" Olivia looked confused.

"The room you're in looks different."

Alex was slowly beginning to panic and Olivia could see it "Alex sweetheart, I'm fine. The conference room I usually use was a little crowded so I came in here. Don't worry everything is okay."

"Okay."

"I love the tree."

"Thanks. I just wish you could've been here to help decorate." She tipped the camera to show Olivia the gifts underneath. "And your gifts are wrapped and waiting for you to come home and open them." She grinned mischievously as she leaned in closer and whispered "I especially can't wait for you to come home and unwrap me."

Olivia shivered at the implication "Trust me counselor I can't wait either." It had been eight months since she had been able to touch Alex and she was sure if she wasn't able to hold her soon she was going to explode. Olivia noticed her time was almost up. She looked back to her girlfriend with a sad expression.

"Times almost up?" Alex asked sadly.

"Afraid so." They stared at one another for a second, trying to hold onto the moment for as long as possible. Olivia knew she would be home soon but it wasn't soon enough. She swallowed the lump in her throat willing herself not to cry, at least not in front of Alex. She would cry later in private.

Alex quickly wiped her eyes, she missed her girlfriend terribly but she didn't want Olivia to see her cry. Olivia had enough to worry about she didn't need to be worrying about her too. "Are you sure you won't let me fly down and meet you when you get back to base?"

Olivia smiled; she loved the fact that Alex was willing to do anything for her. "No it's okay there's no since in you taking time away from work just to fly down and fly back. Save that time for once I'm home."

"Promise me you'll be careful?" Alex almost pleaded. She asked Olivia the same question every time they talked. She knew Olivia was careful but for her own peace of mind she needed the reassurance.

"I promise Alex. I'm safe where I'm at." Olivia took a deep breath, she knew she was just delaying the inevitable but she couldn't bear to end the call. She kissed her fingertips and placed them against the screen and smiled when Alex did the same. "Until I can kiss you for real." If it wasn't for the fact of embarrassing herself she would lean in and actually kiss the screen.

Alex nodded, unable to find her voice from holding back the tears, no one had ever loved her the way Olivia did. "I can't wait. Be careful, I love you Olivia."

"I will. I'll be home soon. I love you Alex."

Alex let her tears fall freely once the screen clicked off. She stared at it for a minute still able to picture Olivia's face there. After a few minutes she stood and went about her nightly routine and changed into one of Olivia's Yankee's shirts. When she crawled in bed she opened the drawer in the bedside table and pulled out one of the envelopes. She kept every letter Olivia wrote her in a drawer and pulled one out at random every night to read before she fell asleep. Once done she picked up the picture frame that held a picture of she and Olivia; it had been taken last Easter at Alex's Mother's house, both were smiling at the camera as Olivia stood behind Alex with her arms wrapped tightly around her. She rolled over and pulled Olivia's pillow to her. Alex sprayed it every so often with Olivia's perfume, between the cases she tried and worrying about the brunette she didn't sleep much but holding Olivia's pillow while inhaling her perfume seemed to relax her.

The DA's office was bustling with people trying to finish up and head out, the only ones who didn't seem to be in a hurry were those who had no plans or were preparing for arraignments. Alex had considered offering to cover arraignments over the holiday but decided against it. Her mother had invited her to come and spend Christmas Eve and day with her but Alex declined, she was hoping to have the chance to talk to Olivia on Christmas. She brought herself back to reality and threw herself head first into her paperwork, she wanted everything done when Olivia came home. She had requested, and Liz approved, to take some time off when Olivia came home just after New Year's.

Alex was just returning to her office from the restroom when she had a strange feeling. She looked up and had to grab the wall to keep from falling over. There walking toward her was Olivia. Alex stood there for a minute unsure if this was real or if she was dreaming, she silently prayed this was real.

Olivia smiled brightly at the look on the blonde's face. She could tell Alex was on the verge of tears, she had to take a deep breath to keep from crying herself. Olivia began walking toward Alex and couldn't help but laugh when Alex began running toward her. Alex didn't care how many of her coworkers were watching as she leaped into her soldier's arms and held on for dear life. She buried her face in her girlfriend's neck and inhaled the scent that never failed to calm her. Olivia wrapped her arms tight around the blonde and held her close, it was the best feeling she'd had in months. Alex pulled back and looked at Olivia before leaning in and pressing their lips together. She whimpered when she heard Olivia moan into the kiss, both were crying and could taste one another's tears.

Alex reluctantly unwrapped her legs from Olivia's waist and slid down her body, she grinned at the look on Olivia's face. She placed another quick kiss to Olivia's lips "What are you doing here?"

Olivia noticed the looks they were receiving, she knew several of Alex's coworkers knew about their relationship but if there was ever any doubt they had just cleared it up. She turned back to her girlfriend "Gosh Alex I thought you'd be happy to see me."

Alex wrapped her arms around her again as they stepped into her office "Oh trust me I am, I am more than happy to see you. I'm just surprised that's all. You weren't to be home for another week."

"Call it your Christmas surprise." Alex looked confused and Olivia knew what she was about to ask "I know what you're thinking." Alex raised an eyebrow "You're wondering how I made it home when I was oversees less than a week ago." Alex nodded. "Remember last week when we last talked? Well I wasn't in Kuwait like you thought I was. I was actually at Ramstein, that's why the conference room looked different."

"I'm still confused."

Olivia chuckled and kissed Alex on the cheek "I love you. I managed to get my leave started earlier and I wanted to surprise you so I didn't tell you."

"Well this is the best surprise I've ever gotten." Alex rushed around her office gathering her things so they could head home. She was so glad she hadn't changed her mind and offered to cover the holiday. Granted there was always the chance she would get a call from her unit but she was hoping she could at least have a few days with her girlfriend. Alex smiled when Olivia held her coat and helped her into it. When she turned she realized Olivia was still in her combat uniform. She sucked in her breath, she'd never been a fan of camo but she loved seeing Olivia in uniform whether it was her dress blues or her combat uniform. "Did you get off the plane and come straight here?"

"No I took my bags home first but I was so excited to see you that I couldn't take the time to change. I hope its okay."

Alex wrapped her arms around Olivia one more time "It is more than okay. I'm so proud of you and I love people knowing that my girlfriend is a soldier."

Olivia nodded as she picked up Alex's briefcase and took her hand, lacing their fingers together as they headed toward the elevators. She knew there was some staring but she really couldn't care less. She also knew that there were probably some in the DA's office who were not supporters of the war but that didn't matter to her; everyone was entitled to their opinion. She just worried about Alex and how some may treat her because she had a girlfriend in the Army.

They had barely made it through the door when Olivia pushed Alex up against the back of the door and brought their lips together in a bruising kiss. Alex moaned when she felt Olivia's tongue on her lips asking for entrance, which she gladly allowed. Olivia's heart was pounding in her chest as her hands roamed her girlfriend's body. She began placing light kisses down her neck "God I've missed you." she whispered in the blonde's ear.

Alex couldn't help the few tears in her eyes "I've missed you too." As much as she was enjoying what Olivia was doing to her she didn't want their first time in months to be a quickie against the door. "Liv, Olivia?"

"Huh?"

Alex laughed at the dazed expression on her face "As bad as I want this I want to do it right. After all it's been a while."

Olivia groaned and rested her head on Alex's shoulder "It's been eight months, eight long months, but if you want to wait I think I'll live for a few more hours."

While Olivia changed and began unpacking Alex rushed around to fix dinner and was glad she'd made a trip to the grocery store the day before. She quickly threw together one of Olivia's favorite dishes.

"Oh God Alex this tastes great. You know if this lawyer thing doesn't pan out you could always be one of those celebrity chefs."

Alex laughed; this is what she missed, the simple things being able to sit around talking and laughing with her girlfriend. Alex was clearing the table when Olivia reached up and pulled her down into her lap. Alex ran her fingers through Olivia's short hair, it was a little longer than when they first met but Alex loved it the way it was. She slid her hand to the back of Olivia's neck and pulled her to her for a kiss. She smiled when she felt Olivia run her hand up along her hip. She moaned when Olivia placed her hand over her breast and squeezed it lightly. "Bed, now." Alex said when they parted.

Olivia couldn't help the tremble in her hands as they entered their bedroom and began undressing one another; this was the longest they had been apart since they had gotten together. Her breath hitched as she climbed in and settled on top of the blonde. She propped herself up and stared into the blue eyes that had haunted her dreams while she'd been away. 'I love you.' she mouthed out, so overcome with emotion her voice had failed her.

Alex pulled Olivia down to her, wrapping her arms around her and holding her close. "I love you." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. After a few minutes of holding one another Olivia pulled back and began placing kisses down Alex's neck. Alex took Olivia's face in her hands and pulled her up so they were looking eye to eye "Make love to me Olivia."

In the early morning hours they lay curled up against one another slowly coming down from the last high they were on. Both were still struggling to catch her breath, they had been making love for hours but Alex knew the last round was the most intense orgasm of her life. She rolled over and curled up against her girlfriend and sighed as Olivia wrapped her arms tightly around her. "I love you."

Olivia sighed "I love you too, more than I can ever say."

Alex pressed one last kiss to Olivia's shoulder as she began drifting off "Welcome home baby."