8:00 PM First week of February

Alex Cabot took a deep breath outside the bar that she had not been to for years, gently reaching out she pushed the door open and heard the bell jingle. Her eyes fervently swept the almost empty bar and fell on the bartender who smiled lovingly.

"Alex Cabot, Damn girl its been to long."

Alex smiled and motioned to a booth way in the back of the bar, hidden in the shadows. When the bartender delivered her beer she leaned her head back against the booth and relaxed. She had been in protective custody for almost three years, it was nice to be back in New York, everyone thought she had been dead. It had been an interesting mix of fun and frustrating as to people seeing her alive again. Liz Donnelly had assured that she had a job, and had told her that Olivia Benson had worked tirelessly giving her the ability to come out of protective custody. Donnelly had also told her that Benson had fallen apart after she had left. Alex closed her eyes at the painful reminder of walking into the precinct two weeks ago and finding out that Olivia didn't work there anymore, she had moved onto working with the FBI, had become the director of the New York branch. Alex sighed, she didn't know what she had hoped on that front. They had been best friends before all the shit had gone down that had caused her death to be faked. She and Olivia had been out the night before all Valez case shit had hit the fan. They had been sitting in the park enjoying a nice picnic when as they talked she had felt that urge that she always got around Olivia. They had paused their deep conversation and just gazed at each other before Olivia had leaned in and kissed her gently, a tender kiss. Alex felt the tear slip down her cheek as she remembered. Their kiss had gently turned heated as Olivia deepened the kiss. Alex remembered pulling away when she needed to breathe and reading the uncertainty in Olivia's eyes chuckled softly.

"wow. That was amazing detective."

Olivia smiled.

"indeed it was counselor. Alex I think I'm falling in love with you. Please baby, give me a chance to be the one you love."

Alex met her gaze and reached out pushing her gently back against the tree straddling Olivia, her hair cascaded down covering their faces.

"I've been falling in love with you for along time detective. Let's take this one day at a time. One day at a time."

She kissed Olivia as she felt the arms slip around her waist and hold her close.

She missed Olivia, realized she was completely in love with her, and more than anything wanted to take her in her arms again. She wanted to sit down with her and tell her how much she loved her. She would never forget the look on Olivia's face when she said goodbye and slipped into the black suburban and had lived three years of hell. Her mother was the first person she had gone to see when she had gotten back to New York. She slapped Alex hard, told her never to die again and if she did to not come back. Alex laughed at the memory and the following week (which had been Christmas) with her family. That was three weeks ago, she had been finishing some paperwork and then was hired as the DA for the precinct. Abby Carmicheal had squealed and launched herself into Alex's arms, she and Southernly were together now and that made Alex smile.

She had walked into the precinct a few days later, greeted by a warm smile from Casey Novak. Elliot had a smile and a bear hug for her, munch and finn not to far behind, the captain was ecstatic. The blond who had replaced Olivia just smiled. At her questioning look Elliot took her out to lunch and explained that Olivia had gotten the director's position for the FBI branch in New York and that she should go by and see her. Alex had smiled softly and said well, she doubted Olivia wanted to see her. God, she missed that women. She stared into the pitch black porter in her glass. She took a deep drawl of the beer and turned her face into the darkness pushing a tear away.

5:00 Pm A deserted lot in the suburbs of New York

Deputy Director Olivia Benson shook the hand of one of her agents.

"What we got?"

"homicide. Premeditated I would guess."

Olivia nodded.

"Get me all the details you can."

He nodded.

"Liv why are you down here?"

Olivia laughed.

"Gotta keep you young pups in line somehow. This used to be my old precinct. I need to go talk to Kragen. This is our case. I'm surprised Elliot hasn't shown up."

Jeff laughed.

" He did earlier maam. I told him to piss off. So if this is your precinct and you are all good at this school me."

Olivia nodded and spent the next two hours working with the young man and a few of her agents gathering facts. She stood after that allowing her cracking knees to move. Jeff smiled at her.

"We got this Deputy Director, thanks for the lesson. I'll have a report to you in a few hours. Go home. See you tommorow."

Olivia nodded and glanced at her watch it was 5:30. Just enough time to catch Kragen.

"I'm going to head down to the precinct anyways and talk to them. "

"Sounds good. "

Olivia peeled off the gloves and threw them at the kit, pushed her gun back into its comfortable position and pulled her keys out of her pocket. She smiled as she drove the farmiliar route to the precinct. She turned off the engine and took a deep breath. It had been awhile, and knew she would be taking krap for it. She pulled on her black leather jacket and headed into the precinct, her gun attatched, files and paperwork in hand and walked into the precinct with authority. Stabler smiled when he looked up and saw her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Deputy Director Benson."

Olivia smiled and setting the files down hugged Elliot closely, Munch and Finn walked over and hugged her as well.

"So liv how's the new job?"

"Really good. I need to talk to Kragen, then I will come out and fill you in."

Stabler growled.

"Yeah one of yoru squints pushed me off my own crime scene."

Liv laughed.

"It was my crime scene Stabler, mine, we have the jurisdiction."

"Yeah, yeah."

Olivia walked into Kragen's office and he smiled.

"Ah Deputy Director, I was wondering when you'd come sweeping into my office."

Kragen and Olivia worked out the details filled out the paperwork, talking amicably, and arguing slitly over the jurisdiction. Kragen finally threw up his hands and sighed.

"Allright Benson, but can we at least offer our assistance?"

"I would actually appreciate Stabler and Beck on the case, AS long as they submit to the rules of the investigation."

Kragen nodded.

"Then consider them on loan."

Olivia nodded with a smile. Kragen softened and looked at her gently.

"How are you?"

"I'm good. Aside from the desk jockiness sometimes of my job I love it."

Kragen nodded, listening as Olivia explained osme of the pain parts. He had watched Olivia slowly fall apart after Alex had died. He wondered if she knew that Alex was alive and well. It had killed him to watch her break apart. Olivia was one of the best detectives he had ever had, and it wasn't a surprise to him when she was offered the position that she took it. He smiled and nodded as she explained the last part of her job.

"I'm happy for you Liv."

"Thanks Kragen."

"We miss you around here."

"I know. "

"I can't convince you to move back?"

Olivia shook her head.

"No I'm happy where I am, thanks though." Her voice softened. "To many damn memories anyway."

Kragen nodded as she stood and hugged her.

"Well I'll have Stabler and Beck back to you as soon as I can."

"Good. I'll let you break the news to them."

Olivia stepped out and called them to herself, giving them all the details she could and asked them to do a few things. Elliot smiled.

"Does that mean we'll be seeing more of you?"

Olivia nodded.

"A little bit more, not much, but we'll be working together. We've been working hard on collaborating with the NYPD and this case is perfect for it."

Olivia shot the breeze with her old friends enjoying their laughter, enjoying the memories but quite happy that she had moved on. She glanced down at her watch, it was almost eight. Sighing she ran her hands through her shoulder length hair and knew she needed to get home. Looking at Elliot she smiled.

"Allright boys I gotta get outta here."

"Yeah yeah, we know the deputy director doesn't ave time."

Liv laughed and hugged her friends walking out to her car. She turned on the engine, glad to hear it roar to life and leaned back letting a few tears slip down her face. It was raining in New York city that day. She pulled away form the curb. God, that was harder than she thought it would be. She could almost hear the click click of Alex's heels as she walked down the hallway. They had just been getting to a point in their relationship where they had been ready to move forward. Olivia felt the tears fall as she remembered Alex pushing her into the tree and ravishing her mouth. Kissing her like there was no life left in either of them. God's she missed her. Sighing she wiped her tears away as she began to drive away. She drove towards her new apartment. Memories came unbidden as she passed the all tofarmiliar places. She drove by The Gremlin, one of her old haunts and smiled to herself. Smiling to herself she realized she'd love a drink. Just one. She flipped the car around and parked. Grabbing her jacket, her wallet and her badge and pulled her leather jacket on once more. She smiled as she pushed the door open and the bell over it tinkled softly. The bartender looked up from the bar and a huge smile alighted his features.

"About Damn time you came to see me Deputy Director."

8:15 PM

Alex was in the middle of drowning her sorrows when she heard the bell over the door tinkle and sighing she wiped a tear away knowing she needed to get back to the office. She had promised herself just one drink for old times sake. She heard the bartender speak.

"About Damn time you came to see me Deputy director."

Alex looked up and her first reaction was to almost spit out her drink she she saw Olivia Benson walk in, her second was to bite back a moan. Deputy director Benson looked phenomenal. She was wearing a nice conforming pair of black pants a dark blue shirt that fit tightly, and a black leather jacket. She pulled off the leather jacket and rolled up the sleeves of her dress shirt. Alex swallowed. The bartender was paying attention to Liv.

"What can I get you? "

" Just a beer Joe. Just a beer."

"Can do, I have something special for you, but I gotta go get it."

Olivia laughed and nodded. Alex watched her for a few minutes, interacting with a few of the local customers who hadn't seen her in awhile. She was a bit more mellow than Alex remembered, still as sexy and beautiful. She watched a local approach and ask for a game of darts, and Alex had the pleasure of watching her play darts, the muscles in her arms and back rippling as she threw each one. Joe walked over to her table and handed her another porter. He noticed her gaze and smiled.

"You know Alex she misses you,she wasn't sober for a week after you left. You could just go say hello."

Alex laughed. Olivia headed back to he bar after througouhly spanking Jame's ass. She sat down at her stool and answered her cell phone as it rang. Alex watched her and heard her bark out.

"Benson."

Alex almost laughed as a Reba Mcentire song turned on and spoke her heart so well.

"Do you still drank whiskey
Can I buy you around
If nobody's sittin' here
Do you mind if I sit down

I was nervous when I saw you
I almost walked away
And now I can't believe
What I'm about to say

(Chorus)
These arms wanna hold you
These lips wanna kiss you
These eyes are glad to see you
Baby I miss you
Let's drive each other crazy
Like we did back then
Why don't we get together
And break each other's hearts again"

Waiting until she heard the conversation come to a close Alex took a deep breathe and standing walked over behind Olivia. As soon as the phone was flipped shut she spoke softly from right behind Olivia.

"Do you still drink Whiskey Liv? Can I buy You a round?"

Benson's view

Olivia laughed as she threw her last dart and almost did a happy dance when James scowled and she won.

"Damm women you've been practicing."

Olivia laughed.

"Well yo know we gotta do SOMETHING to spend your tax dollars well."

James laughed.

"Another game?"

Olivia shook her head.

"sorry Jammie boy I ogtta get back to work ."

He nodded and watched as she darted over to answer her cell phone.

"Benson."

"Hey boss."

"Hey Jeff what's up?"

"Reports on your desk, wanted to let you know. We also have a few suspects. It can wait till morning, sounds like your out, you don't do that very often, enjoy yourself."

Olivia chuckled.

"You know Jeff, I techinically am the boss."

"Right which is why you need rest, we are your henchmen so let us do our jobs. Get some rest Liv, you've been working yourself to the bone on the morango case and I happen to know for a fact that you've been working on another case in your spare time. Put it down, have another few drinks, play a few games of whtever your choice is and see you tommorow."

"Yes Boss."

Jeff chuckled.

" Oh and call me if you need a ride. You have license to get shit faced. Reports on your desk. No I won't email you."

"ok Jeff, I'll see you tommorow thanks for the update."

"No problem."

"Bye Boss."

"Bye."

She clicked her cell phone shut when she heard a voice that sounded like honey speak from behind her.

"Do you still drink whiskey detective? Can I buy you a round?"

Inadvertently Olivia closed her eyes, she knew that voice, wanted that voice, had cried over that voice. A tear threatened to slip out of the side of her eyes as she heard the song that was playing. She was almost afraid to turn around. Taking a deep breath and steeling herself she turned around on her barstool. Her brown eyes met deep blue and a smirk that covered the features. She saw uncertainty in the blue eyes and smiled assuredly. Instead of answering the question she stood up gently and pulled Alex into her arms and gently danced with her through the rest of the song. Alex relaxed into Olivia's arms, they had gotten stronger. Her body had gotten tighter, strong more muscled. She was perfect. She heard Olivia gently begin to hum as the words of the song hit Alex full in the chest.

"Maybe I've had one too many
I don't wanna say too much
We both know the reasons
Why we didn't keep in touch
We know good for each other
Still its hard to let it go
I'm trying to be strong
But babe you gotta know

(Chorus)

And loving you should be the last thing on my mind
It feel so good to let you hurt me one more time"

The song ended and Olivia pulled back. She looked down into the blue eyes.

"I actually do still drink whiskey and I would love a round. Still drink Tequila counselor?"

Liv felt tears sting her eyes and relief flood her heart. Alex felt much the same. As they pulled away they laughed at each other. Alex spoke first.

"God, its good to see you Liv."

Olivia laughed.

"As it is to see you Alex. When did you get back?"