Author's Note: This chapter is a bit short, but the story overall will be a bit shorter, so the chapters won't be as long. Thanks as always for your feedback. I appreciate it. Enjoy!

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Liv woke the next morning, stretched and got a short jog in. She had a light breakfast, showered and packed her duffel with a couple waters, some power bars and a change of clothes.

She left for the club in plenty of time. She knew this meant a lot to Alex and didn't want to be late. She remembered how upset the blonde had been the night before. When she slammed her desk and dropped the f-bomb...Liv had to admit it was actually pretty sexy. "Keep dreaming, Benson." She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and waited for Alex to arrive.

When Alex pulled up a few moments later, she saw Liv cutting a striking figure against the club entrance. She lowered her Ray Bans to take a better look. The detective wore black biking shorts that hugged her full but athletic form and an off-white tank top. Her white tennis shoes seemed old but effective. "Striking." Alex hadn't let herself think of Liv like that before. 'Not sure why...she's damned sexy.' She got out of her car, popped the trunk and grabbed her things.

Liv smiled and waved as the leggy blonde approached. Alex had on a white tennis shirt, matching tennis skirt and coordinating sneakers. Her long blonde hair was in a ponytail tucked through a white visor.

"Morning, Liv." Alex smiled at her colleague.

"Good morning. You're working the tennis look head to toe, aren't you?" Liv's smile broadened as she thought, 'Nice legs.'

"I find it helps to look the part. So, you ready to get started?" Alex's smile beamed back.

"You bet. Lead the way." Liv did a half bow and followed Alex in to the club. Alex flashed a membership tag and signed Liv in.

"Alexandra! Dahling!" A woman with salt and pepper hair called from across the room.

"Claudia. How are you?" Alex tried to hold her smile through clenched teeth.

"It's been ages, angel. How is that nice Blake you were seeing?" She crossed over and kissed Alex on both cheeks.

"Wouldn't know, Claudia. Haven't seen him in 'ages'." She refrained from rolling her eyes.

"Well, have your girl call my girl. We must arrange something quite soon. Are you playing today?" The woman surveyed Liv who smiled politely.

"Yes, this is my friend Olivia. She'll be my doubles partner today." Alex gestured to Liv.

"A pleasure, ma'am." Liv extended her hand.

"Charmed, I'm sure." She took Liv's hand in the weakest handshake ever. "Must run." And the woman trotted off.

"Pity we can't start drinking yet." Alex spat through clenched teeth.

"Easy, tiger. Let's play some tennis." Olivia moved them towards the locker room placing a calming hand on Alex's back.

"Thanks, Liv. I just hate all the pretense." Alex sighed.

"I imagine that's tough." She dropped to the bench and pulled out her racket. "This is old faithful...Wilson Defender."

"I think I saw one of those in a museum once." Alex laughed.

"We'll see about that, kiddo." Liv grinned.

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They took the court. Alex stretched a bit. "A little serve and volley to begin?"

"Good enough." Liv pointed her racket at Alex. "Serve us up." She watched in wonder as Alex tossed the ball in the air, leaped and timed her swing perfectly. The serve whizzed past Liv's head having bounced just in. "Yowsa, counselor!"

Alex grinned across the court. "Impressed, detective?"

"Sorta. Just found out my ADA is a jock." She served one back to Alex who easily returned it. Liv then decided to reveal her secret weapon. She hit a backhand down the line just out of Alex's reach and just in.

"Touche." Alex said as she watched it bounce in.

They practiced a bit more, and then Liv signaled a break. They toweled off and sipped water as they sat.

"You're pretty good, Liv. Thanks again, for doing this."

"My pleasure." Liv downed her water as two men approached.

"Hi Alex." The first one said with a toothy smile.

"Hi. Joseph, David." Alex nodded. "Are you playing today? Alex adjusted her ponytail as they nodded. "Care to warm up with us?"

"Sure." Joseph smiled. "Who's your partner?"

"Olivia Benson, Joseph and David Stern." Alex gestured to who was who.

Olivia stood and shook hands with them.

As they took the court again, Liv grabbed Alex's arm. "We don't have any signals or anything. How should we communicate?"

"Verbally for now. We can strategize over lunch." Alex patted Liv's back. "We're just warming up here."

An hour later the women had fallen in to an easy rhythm together. They'd whisper to each other between points and games clasping hands over good shots. Pats on the back and touches on the head were they're motivators. They'd basically mopped the court with the Stern boys.

Liv sat on a chair court-side drinking water and wiping her brow. "How are the bruised ego twins doing?" She panted as Alex approached.

Alex sat next to her. "Eh, they'll live. You are really good, Liv. I'm impressed."

"Takes two, kiddo." Liv smiled at the blonde who was beaming at her and patted her knee. "Lunch?"

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At the Atrium dining room, the women both ordered grilled chicken salads and fruit cups. Liv sipped her water from the fine crystal stemware. "Can't believe you can make lemon water seem fancy."

"Oh, you put anything in an expensive enough glass and you can call it 'fancy'." Alex was really enjoying Liv's company. "How's your salad?"

"It's good. I'm just not used to having anything other than salad in my, eh, salad." She flashed her half-smile and poked at her salad with her fork.

"Almonds and Mandarin oranges make it 'fancy'." Alex chuckled.

"You should laugh more." Liv liked the way Alex's face lit up when she laughed. The lines caused by the stress, long hours and sleepless nights vanished and she looked so at ease.

Alex felt a flush tinge her cheeks at Liv's compliment. "You can be in charge of knock-knock jokes in the courtroom." She smiled broadly.

"I'll see what I can do." Liv smiled back.

As the women finished their lunch, Alex broached the subject of strategy. "With your net play and my serve and solid return, we're in good shape."

Liv nodded agreement and suggested a few basic signals. They agreed they'd still do what was working for them during warm-up - talk to each other.

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