She knocked lightly on the ADA's door.

"Come in." Olivia heard the familiar voice from inside.

She peeked her head in, not wanting to disturb her. As always, Alex seemed engrossed in her work, making notes on a legal pad. She barely looked up.

"Hey" the brunette said softly.

Alex momentarily peered up over her glasses. She didn't smile. She hardly ever did, the detective had noticed.

"Hey" Alex responded, looking back down and finishing her note. She pulled her glasses off and massaged her forehead.

"What's up?" she asked, putting her glasses back on and finally acknowledging the detective properly. She leaned forward on her desk and crossed her long, thin arms, wrapping her hands around the opposite elbow.

Olivia couldn't help but admire her. Alex was this peculiar mix of ethereal femininity and fearless power. She found herself thinking about the juxtaposition often and wondered if Alex even knew how unique she was. To her, Alex seemed completely comfortable with herself, like she never even thought about how others perceived her. Olivia knew there was more to her but got the sense that Alex would never let her or anybody in. This feeling was reinforced by how Alex had returned to SVU, without as much as a call or email.

"Wanted to check on the Phillips case. Do you need anything else from me before the weekend?"

"Well, I need a witness who isn't a mouth-breathing moron but I'm not sure there is anything you can do about that."

Alex realized the statement was a touch harsh but so was this case. So was this job. By now, Olivia knew how to read her and take her cynicism with a grain of salt, a skill that wasn't unappreciated by the blonde.

Olivia smiled. Alex felt a pang of something at that moment. It was clear to her that Olivia was attractive, that was obvious to anyone. But when she smiled, she was borderline sexy. Inexplicably, it unnerved Alex. Maybe it was because she felt she lacked that quality herself. She knew she had the librarian-you-want-to-fuck thing going for her but she wasn't sexy in the way Olivia was. Then again, maybe the feeling was something else entirely.

She realized she was staring.

"I need a fucking drink" the blonde blurted out.

Olivia laughed.

"Tell it like it is, Alex."

"I'm sorry. One of those weeks. Well... I'm sure I don't need to tell you."

Alex had pushed up from her desk and began collecting the papers in front of her. She was wearing a tight, black pencil skirt and turquoise silk top. Olivia found herself distracted by the way her blonde hair fell over her shoulder and at the hint of cleavage revealed as she reached across her desk.

"Hey, what are you up to tonight?" Olivia asked, forcing her eyes up, even though Alex was busy organizing her paperwork.

"Mmmm, I believe I have a dinner date with a deposition and then desert with an affidavit. Jealous?" She didn't look up.

"I'm getting together with some friends. Why don't you join us?" The words came out before Olivia realized what she was proposing.

She had never invited Alex out socially and it was probably a horrible idea. But the fact was that she just liked Alex. She was smart and sarcastic and interesting, to the extent she let down her guard enough for people to see. Olivia found herself drawn to her for those reasons and for reasons she wasn't quite comfortable admitting.

Alex looked up at the brunette curiously. She had often wondered why they weren't closer than they were. Sure, they'd go out for a drink sometimes with the gang or have the occasional dinner when there was a pending case to discuss. But there were definite boundaries to their relationship. Alex assumed it was her own doing. She wasn't the warmest or most open person, especially at work. She resolved to change that about herself... at some point.

"Thank you for the offer, Olivia. I'll be fine though" she finally said.

Olivia was relieved. She wasn't sure what she would have done if Alex had accepted the invitation. Especially since it would probably have meant coming out to Alex. And while she wasn't really hiding the fact from anyone, she also wasn't broadcasting it. Then again, maybe Alex already knew. Either way, she didn't really want to think about it further.

"Sure, well, let me know if you change your mind. Otherwise, I'll see you on Monday" she smiled and turned to leave.

"See you on Monday" Alex repeated and watched as the detective left, the door closing softly behind her.