Chapter 2

The rest of the week went quickly for Alex. True to her word, she had stopped by the precinct with coffee and doughnuts for the crew. They seemed to enjoy a break from the sludge that people made in the break room and called it coffee. She put up with the razzing she got from Munch and gave a little back. She tried not to pay more attention to Olivia than the rest but she couldn't help but smile at the woman every chance she got. Something about her lately made Alex's stomach flutter, triggering a smile. Luckily, Olivia didn't call her out on her behavior even though she caught Alex's eyes a few times. The detective was as calm and cool as ever. 'And why wouldn't she be,' Alex had thought, 'she realizes it's just a few drinks between friends. It's me freaking out about it for some reason.'

Finally Saturday came and Alex had finished her last case around five o'clock. She had sent Meghan home early since the girl was not doing much else than bouncing around the office anyway. Alex needed to focus the last few hours of work and she was having problems doing that without reminders of the evening ahead from the intern.

Alex got in her car and drove to her apartment. Once inside she dropped her briefcase on a chair on the way to her bedroom. She had made reservations for Meghan and her at a grill that Meghan had picked out. It wouldn't have been Alex's choice but it was Meghan's dinner. Since it was completely informal, Alex decided tonight should be a night she dressed down and wore jeans. She changed out of her suit and replaced it was a pair of dark, low rise jeans and a sky blue sweater that clung to her figure with a white tank top underneath that peered over the 'v' collar of her sweater. She went into the bathroom to fix her make up a little and grabbed her black leather coat on her way out. Before she stepped out the door, she took a quick look at herself in the mirror hanging on the wall, running her hand through her hair, mussing it up a bit. 'Not bad counselor, not bad.' She laughed at herself as she left her place.

Alex met up with Meghan outside the grill and the two women headed into the restaurant. They were seated in a booth in the corner across from a table of college aged guys gorging themselves on plates of ribs. Alex tried to hide the disgusted look on her face.

"Wow, Alex, I didn't know you owned anything but suits. I'm impressed!"

"I do have a life outside of the office and courtroom Meghan. Just lately it hasn't been much," Alex said looking over the menu.

"No, you look very nice. Those guys are appreciating it as well," Meghan said gesturing over to the table next to them.

Alex looked over to see one or two of the guys look up occasionally and smile at the two woman. Alex cringed at the smiles covered in barbeque sauce. "Super, that was my goal when I got ready tonight," Alex said as she rolled her eyes. "I think I'm going to order a seafood salad."

"All right, are you ordering a drink now too?" Meghan said looking at the drink menu.

"I'll have a Gin and Toni with dinner. Feel free to order whatever you want. It's on me tonight for all the craziness I've put you through the last week or so."

The waitress came up and took their orders and brought back their drinks.

"I didn't peg you to be a beer girl Meghan," Alex said as she watched the other girl take a swig of her Blue Moon.

"No offense Alex, but we don't really know much about each other in general. I know you're not very organized but it doesn't really bother your work, you went to Harvard, much to your father, a Yale alum's dismay, graduated at the top of your class and the only extra curricular you did in college was the legal fraternity. You like coffee with two creams and one sugar, you read the paper before you start your day, you can never finish a whole bagel so you have a deal set up with another ADA down the hall to have half of yours when you get one and you never drink soda."

Alex paused with her drink to her lips listening to the intern rattle off random facts about Alex. When she was finished she took a sip of her drink. "Wow. That's…impressive. You've done your homework at least."

Meghan smiled over at her. "Actually, you can tell all of that and more just from your office. There's a picture of you and your dad in your college sweatshirts on your desk, a framed certificate from the fraternity and one for Magnum Cum Laude. Plus, I'm with you every morning to see the other things."

"Are you sure you don't want to become a detective Meghan?" Alex laughed.

"No, I couldn't see the stuff they see every day. I like the legal system enough to where I want to be apart of it but not quite at that level."

The waitress showed up with their food and the two started eating. "So can I ask about things I want to know about you?" Meghan asked cutting up her steak.

"Sure, fire away," Alex said spreading the tomatoes out around the salad.

"Well, you live alone, right?"

"Yup, ever since college."

"Are you dating anyone?"

"Wow, you get to the point quickly!" Alex laughed "No, I'm not seeing anyone."

"I thought so, I just wasn't sure. Have anyone in mind?" Meghan said with a grin.

"Nope, no one in mind," Alex said returning the smile. "I'm certain I haven't had conversations like this since high school."

"Well, then I'm making up for your friends in college who slacked horribly on girl talk," Meghan popping a piece of steak in her mouth.

Alex just shook her head. "Well, in other business, first let me say I think you are doing a wonderful job in the office and thank you for your patience with me and my schedule and my clients," Alex said as she rose her glass across the table to toast the younger woman.

"Cheers," Meghan answered taking a swig of her drink.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly and the two women had a great time sharing stories of college and Alex shared some court stories. Just as Alex was putting down her card to pay the bill she heard her cell phone ring. She looked down and saw 'Benson' on the caller ID.

"Hello Detective, perfect timing," Alex answered.

"I'm not Detective for another, oh, 12 hours or so if I can help it. Are you guys done with dinner?"

"Just finished up. Did you get to eat? You don't want to go out on an empty stomach."

"Yeah, I grabbed a sandwich on my way back to the precinct so I am good to go. Where are you guys headed to?"

"Well, I think we'll head to O'Malley's so Meghan can get the full effect of what everyone she works with is like after hours," Alex said signing her name to the receipt.

"Well, she's not the only one that has yet to experience that, Counselor. I'll meet you over there in a few."

Alex's usually pale skin became a little flushed as Olivia teased her. "Okay, bye."