Olivia Benson walked slowly forward, her steps echoing in the empty hallway. She wasn't quite sure what exactly she was doing there, but her journey took her closer and closer to Alex Cabot's office. Captain Cragen had told his squad to take the Thanksgiving off - in fact, he'd threatened to fire everybody who ignored his command. Olivia had reluctantly picked up her coat walked out.
Thanksgiving. Yet another holiday Olivia didn't really celebrate; there really was no point in doing that alone. Elliot had politely asked her to join him and his family for the holiday, but she'd refused on the plea that Kathy already had her hands full in organizing everything.
So, there she was, standing outside of Alex's office, not knowing what the heck she was supposed to do next. At the time it'd seemed like a good idea to stop by before heading home and wish the ADA 'happy Thanksgiving', but now she just felt utterly ridiculous. Deep down, she knew damn well why she was standing there fidgeting, but she refused to acknowledge it.
The door was open a crack and just when Olivia was about to raise her hand and knock, she heard a muffled voice coming from the room. She turned to leave, not wanting to invade the counselor's privacy, but the sudden change of tone in Alex's voice made her stop. She felt like a criminal as she stepped a little closer to the door and listened.
"Mother, this is ridiculous!" Alex was clearly talking on the phone, sounding irritated. "Look, I don't need your help. I want to fix my private life myself, thank you." That sparkled Olivia's interest.
"I don't care, he's the dullest person I've ever met and I don't want him there!" Olivia could sense a hint of desperation in the other woman's voice. There was a long pause and finally Alex sighed. "I'm seeing someone," the blonde finally uttered and Olivia closed her eyes, a bang of jealousy hitting her - hard.
"It doesn't matter who they are mom," Alex's voice was calmer again. "No mother, she is a detective." Olivia's breath caught in her throat and she inched just a little bit closer to the door.
"Her name is Olivia," Alex continued casually. "Oh, for crying out loud, do I ask her to call you! Why would I be kidding?" Olivia wasn't sure if she was dreaming or just needed to get her hearing checked out. The fact that Alex used her as an escape rout felt surprisingly satisfying.
"What I do with my life is none of your business!" Alex raised her voice, causing Olivia to take a few involuntary steps backwards. "Fine, I'm not coming then. This year my Thanksgiving's officially cancelled!" The ADA hung up on her mother, cursing heavily under her breath.
Olivia decided it was best if she didn't bother Alex at a time like this and walked quietly back to the elevators. With one last glance at the partially closed door, she wondered if Alex had ever celebrated Thanksgiving alone before.
- - - -
Alex was pacing nervously in her living room, not knowing what to do with herself. Her plans had flown out the window the moment she'd finished the phone conversation with her mother, and now that she'd had time to think about it, she realized how unbelievably stupid her decision had been.
She had no food reserved for the next few days and she really wasn't sure if she was able to keep herself occupied without work. Earlier, on a whim, she'd almost called her mother and pegged for forgiveness, but in the end her stubbornness had won: she'd spend Thanksgiving on her own this year and prove herself she was perfectly capable of doing so.
As the long minutes ticked by, she realized how impossible the task ahead of her was. And for the first time she noticed she didn't really have any friends; no one to ask to come and save her from this misery. She threw herself on the cough and stared at the ceiling.
"Worst Thanksgiving ever," she muttered.
A sudden knock on the door startled her, and for a moment she wasn't sure if it'd simply been a product of her own imagination. When it sounded again, she leaped off the couch and practically ran to the door. A nervous-looking detective stood in the hallway, holding a big brown paper bag.
"Olivia." It was more of a statement than a question, and the brunette smiled at her nervously.
"Hi, Alex. I...I overheard that you're spending Thanksgiving on your own this year, so I was wondering if we could...," Olivia's voiced trailed off and she blushed slightly.
"Yes?" Alex encouraged the other woman, silently thanking whatever higher power for sending Olivia to her doorstep.
"So, I was wondering if you'd like to spend it with me," Olivia said quickly. "I have food," she added and gestured towards the bag.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Alex rejoiced and smiled brightly at the detective.
"I'd really like that," she said sincerely and Olivia let out a sigh of relief. Alex stepped aside from the doorway, letting Olivia inside.
"I'm not much of a cook, but I suppose we'll come up with something," Olivia said a little apologetically, but Alex brushed it off.
"We'll manage," she assured, still looking at Olivia in awe. "You are a savior, you know that?"
"Uh, I- I just wanted to help," Olivia stammered, blushing again, and Alex found her absolutely adorable. For a while they stood staring at each other, neither of them knowing what to do next.
"You heard me when I was talking to my mother, didn't you?" Alex asked suddenly. For a moment Olivia just blinked, obviously trying to come up with a good enough reason for her earlier eavesdropping.
"Yeah, I did," she eventually confessed, her shoulders sagging. "I'm sorry, I really didn't meant to intrude, I-," Alex's soft fingers on her lips stopped Olivia. She stared at the beautiful blue eyes in front of her and swallowed.
"It's fine Olivia," Alex said, her fingers still firmly on Olivia's lips. "Besides, makes it easier for me to ask you to pretend to be my girlfriend sometime in the future," she chuckled, feeling sheepish.
"Do I necessarily have to pretend?" Olivia asked quietly, locking eyes with Alex. Alex felt her pulse getting more rapid and she closed her eyes momentarily. Then she smiled, giving Olivia a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"No, no you don't," Alex said softly and looked at Olivia again. The detective was smiling back at her and Alex felt comfortably warm inside.
"C'mon, I'll show you the kitchen." She took Olivia's hand in hers and led the brunette further into the apartment, feeling much better than only ten minutes earlier.