"Remind me again why we thought this was a good idea?" It was half past midnight. The warm cabin sat ablaze with a brilliant fire, but even the strongest heat setting could not protect its inhabitants from the frosty chill outside.

Detective Olivia Benson poked at the fire, which roared beneath her touch. She wrapped her arms around her beautiful wife, who sat under a layer of blankets on the floor, her back against the couch. "Because it's winter, and because I wanted some time alone with my gorgeous attorney."

Casey smiled, her emerald gaze meeting Olivia's loving one. "Or, you booked it because you wanted seven nights of endless sex and fun."

"There is that too," Olivia admitted, kissing her forehead. She smiled as the redhead laid her head on her chest. "I also thought we could use a break from the fallout of the Hobson trial."

Casey didn't reply immediately. Her thoughts turned to Ian Hobson, a Congressman accused of enjoying medieval torture. Fourteen women had been subjected to the rack and a modern de-nailing technique. All but one had died under Hobson's torture, and the sole survivor had later died in surgery. Casey sighed, shaking her head. "Why is the world so evil, Olivia?" she murmured.

"I don't know, honey," Olivia answered. "But I do know that it is my duty to shield you from it." She offered Casey a mint chocolate kiss, the redhead's favorite.

Casey unwrapped it, smiling as she bit the tip off, revealing the mint green filling inside. Walking her fingers down Olivia's chest, the attorney positioned the kiss between her lips. She slowly sucked on it, before leaning forward and kissing the detective. A few minutes later, she cuddled in the brunette's arms again. "A world without you to protect is a darkened world indeed," she agreed.

"Maybe," Olivia said quietly. "Hey, want to go enjoy the snow?"

"Yes. Nothing spells romance like melting each other's frostbite." Casey smirked. "How about we stay under these warm blankets and enjoy the crackling fire, the roaring heat, the crimson spotlight?"

Olivia kissed her, gently laying her on her back. "Has anyone ever told you that you could be a poet?" the detective questioned, squeezing the younger woman's clothed breast gently.

"A poet? Hmm. Roses are red, the sky is blue.." A devilish glint seized the redhead's emerald gaze. "I want to have some fun by riding you," she purred. "What do you think? Do I have a future as a poet?"

Olivia chuckled. "Well, that depends. If you can put your money where your mouth is, I will completely support you. But who says I will allow you to be on top? Do you think you deserve that?"

Casey pouted. "Aww, come on, Liv. I've been a good girl all night. I've hardly sassed at all, and I only bit you twice. If you think about it, I have practically been an angel."

"Oh, really?" Olivia growled. "I suppose you are correct," she said after some deliberation. She pinned the redhead gently. "But I say when you get to come, understand?"

"Most definitely." Casey rolled over, her knees on either side of the detective. The roaring fire was but static electricity compared to the heat the engulfed the room as Olivia pulled Casey in for a passionate kiss.