OLIVIA

I'm sitting here on a bar stool wondering if I should go see if that really is Alex. After thinking it through and realizing that Alex Cabot would never be caught dead in a place like this, I decide to just sit where I am and keep an eye on Drew and whomever her companion may be. I also hesitate to go up there because if its not Alex, I don't want to out myself to Drew. Everyone knows she is a horrible gossip. The last thing I need is for news of my weekly visits to a lesbian club be known all over the NYPD! Not that I am uncomfortable with who I am, but I just don't want to deal with the bullshit I know will be thrown my way by guys that already have their suspicions.

I see Drew descend the staircase and head in my general direction. I turn and face the bar and hunch over my drink hoping I won't be noticed. I watch from my peripheral and see Drew pass behind me and head to the end of the bar to order a drink. Once again I am forced to put my head down and watch my drink like it's the most intriguing thing in the bar. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder and I cringe.

"Benson!" I hear Drew chuckle and slowly turn to face the woman. "Johnson owes me twenty bucks! I knew you were batting for my team."

I cringe at her word usage and down my drink. "Well, Stabler owes me twenty." I wink at her jokingly, "So, I guess we both made a little money tonight."

Drew throws her head back in a loud laugh and raises her beer bottle in mock salute and takes a swig. "I'm guessing you don't really want word of this spreading. I know how it is. Time was I didn't want to hear it from the assholes that work with me at the courthouse, but they were razzing me anyway, so whatever!"

"Well, I'm not as brave as you, I guess. I'd appreciate it if you could PLEASE not spread it around. If you must collect your bet, make sure Johnson KNOWS I will kick his ass for spreading shit around about me." I give her a cocky grin and she just smiles back at me.

"So, you meeting someone or you out on the prowl?" Drew inquires and takes the seat next to me.

"Just wanted to get out of the house. Blow off a little steam, you know? Dancing is great exercise." My reply makes her laugh again and just nod. We sit watching the dancers in silence for a few minutes while I gather up the courage to ask the question that's been on my mind since I first saw Drew in the balcony.

"So, Drew….who was that blonde I saw you kissing up in the balcony? She looked kind of familiar. What's her name?"

Drew finishes off her beer and places the bottle on the bar and leans over close to my ear. "I didn't catch her name, but I'm sure you know how that is. Anonymous club sex is a great way to…uh…let off some steam."

I pull away and glare at her. "I don't know what you think you know about me, but I don't fuck women in a club bathroom. That's not my style."

Drew holds up her hands in defense. "Whoa! Ok, Benson, geesh! Just messing with you. I don't presume to know anything about you or who you screw."

I get up and start to make my way to the front door. Drew follows me outside and grabs at my arm. "What do you want from me, Drew?"

"Look….I just want you to know I'm not gonna badmouth you or spread any rumors, ok? And if we happen to see each other in here again…I will just walk the other way. I value my privacy as much as you do." she holds out her hand in offer of a handshake. "Friends?"

I take her hand and grip it firmly and smile a fake smile. "Friends" I lean in to whisper in her ear. "If I find out you betrayed my trust as a friend, I will kick your ass." I give one final not so gentle squeeze to her hand and head down the street to catch a cab. I'm starting to wonder if it's not worth coming to this club.

ALEX

Im sitting up in the balcony alone watching as Drew approaches Olivia. They say a few words and Olivia looks really upset. Yes, she is definitely pissed at whatever Drew just whispered into her ear. Did Drew hit on her? That bitch! I put on my coat when I see Drew and Olivia just walk outside. I take this opportunity to head to the back exit of the club. Drew came up with this plan on how to distract Olivia so I could exit without her seeing me. She said it was the least she could do since she thinks that Olivia saw us kissing. Could this night get any worse?

I make my way out the back and lean against the brick wall and wait for Drew's text that Olivia had left. A few minutes later my phone vibrates in my coat pocket. "She's gone. doesn't know its you. Safe 4 now Babe!"

I roll my eyes at her use of the word "Babe". I walk around to the front and hail a cab. I send Drew a quick text back simply saying "Thanks!" and hope I don't run into her at work for a long time.

I get home and shower and crawl under the covers. I am ready for this day to be over. Not only will I possibly be outted by the gossiping Drew and had to endure her sticking her tongue in my mouth, but I was almost seen by Olivia! I need to stop this! I need to just let it go and move on. I close my eyes and drift off into sleep. My dreams filled with a certain brunette Detective.

The next day at work I try to avoid both Olivia and Drew but do so without success. I get a call from Elliot about a warrant and then I have to head into the squad room to view Olivia's interrogation of a suspected rapist. I tell Olivia and Elliot we need more to make an arrest and, of course, I get major attitude from Olivia.

Later in the afternoon, I run into Drew in the hallway. To my relief she just smiles and gives a mock salute as she passes. It throws me off my game and I make my way to my office hoping to forget the whole ordeal. I need to just throw myself into my work. I need to keep busy.

ELLIOT

I don't often question Olivia about her personal life, but I am starting to become concerned. She's in a particularly pissy mood today and my "guess someone didn't get laid last night" comment didn't exactly help matters. I get her a donut and coffee from the coffee shop down the street and that seemed to help. That is until we had to get a warrant, interrogate our suspect and talk with ADA Cabot. I can tell she's been trying to avoid Cabot and when she cant, she ends up arguing with her about anything and everything. I wonder what the ADA did that has her so pissed off all of the time.

When I go over to the courthouse to meet with Alex, I run into one of the security guards, Johnson. "So, I found out some information, Stabler. And you owe me a C-Note!"

I look at him in confusion. And then it dawns on me. A few months ago we made a bet about Olivia. He insisted that she was sweet on the ladies and I informed him that if that were the case, her partner would know. I'd never seen Olivia with a woman or heard her talk about anyone but a few dates with men. I know she's dated men in the past and then there's her usual Friday morning hangover. I assumed she liked to let men pick her up at bars.

"Yeah….you remember, right?" Johnson grins at me. "I have firsthand information that Olivia was seen in a lesbian club trying to pick up chicks."

"What? Firsthand from who? Who do you know that goes to lesbian bars?" He quirks his eyebrow at me and nods towards the security desk at the end of the hallway.

"Drew? She saw Olivia at a lesbian bar?" Crap! I owe Olivia twenty bucks!

"Yup! Talked to her and everything. But look. I know Benson doesn't want everyone to know. Hell, YOU didn't even know! So, don't worry. We're not gonna go telling everyone. Ok?"

I just stand there thinking for a few moments before I answer. "Well, I'm going to need to look into this before I just cough up a hundred bucks. Not that I don't believe you, but I just need to know for sure. And I do appreciate that you aren't going to give in to the gossip mill around here." I slap him on the shoulder and make my way to Alex's office.

I see Alex sitting at her desk, elbow deep in books and files. I smile and gently knock on the door. "Hey, Alex. Now a good time to go over that testimony?"

"Oh, yeah. Come on in Elliot." She takes her glasses off and sits back in her chair. "I could use a break from this paperwork right about now."

"Yeah. I hear ya." I take a seat across the desk from her and we spend about a half hour reviewing the assault case going to trial later in the week. When we are finished I decide to do something that I know I shouldn't but once the words are out, I cant take them back.

"So, what's the deal with you and Olivia?" The look of shock and horror on Alex's face has me immediately regretting saying anything.

"What? Uh…What?" Alex is stammering and then I know something is definitely up "We don't have a DEAL, Elliot. I'm not sure to what you are referring."

Alex tries to act casual but I can see she is really nervous all of a sudden. I watch as she shuffles papers on her desk and shifts restlessly in her seat.

"Well, its just that I know you two have been avoiding each other lately and when you do have to work together you seem to end up in an argument. I just wondered if maybe I can help you two work through it. It gets a bit uncomfortable for me when you two are acting this way."

Alex lets out a relieved sigh and relaxes back into her chair. INTERESTING I think to myself. "Look, Elliot, I appreciate the offer, but I think its something that will work itself out soon enough."

I stand up and adjust my jacket. This is definitely interesting. I smile at Alex and tell her "OKAY! I won't bring it up again."

"Thanks" she whispers as she starts to shuffle through files once again.

OLIVIA

I don't know what Elliot's deal is today, but he is seriously pissing me off! First he says I'm grouchy because I didn't "get laid" last night. He's back from his meeting with Alex and now he's asking me why I have been avoiding her. I mean, who does he think he is anyway? He is not my big brother, no matter what he thinks. He has no right.

He finally decides to shut up and work on his stack of files. I'm in the middle of my own paperwork when I hear the click-clack of heals on the squad room floor. Well, shit! Now I have to act like I don't have an issue with Alex so my dumbass partner wont interrogate me when she leaves.

"Hello, Counselor!" Munch greets her from his desk and immediately gets up and offers her a cup of tea. She nods and perches herself on my desk. Well, Fuck! Conversation was going to be difficult as it was. What am I supposed to do now?

"Hello, Olivia" she smiles sweetly at me and I smile back at her. "I need to meet with you about your testimony. I already met with Elliot, but we need to go over a few things as well."

"oh, uh…yeah. Ok" Smooth, Benson! One syllable words are all you can manage?

"I have time now if you do. Want to make it a working dinner?" she smiles down at me through those sexy specks and I just nod in the affirmative and smile and put my coat on as I follow Alex out of the squad room.

We walk a few blocks and decide on a small Mexican restaurant. We get a table in the back where conversation wont be overheard. We order our beverages and begin to munch on the chips n salsa the waiter sat down when we first arrived.

"So, Elliot mentioned something today that I think we should talk about." Alex sits back in her chair and crosses her arms across her chest. She's all business.

"Yeah? What did he mention?" I act as if its no big deal, but inside I am planning several ways to make Elliot Stabler's life a living hell. How DARE he say anything to Alex about me. I was mad before, but now? I am beyond mad. I want him to suffer some sort of pain.

"Well, he just was concerned how we seem to disagree a lot and how you seem to be avoiding me lately."

"ME?" I let out a chuckle in disbelief. "Alex, you and I have to work together. We always seem to be at odds on how to achieve the same goal, so naturally we will have some confrontation." I stare at her silently for a few moments before continuing. "Elliot had no right to say anything to you, Alex. I apologize for that. He likes to try to fix things for people and ends up just being a pain in the ass."

Alex chuckles at that comment and leans in closer. "I don't hate you, Olivia. I think that we are more alike than you realize." I don't know what to make of that comment. Is she just trying to be pleasant? This day has ended up being one of the strangest I have ever had in my life.

"Olivia?" I look up at Alex. I had been sitting silently for a long time. "What's going on in that mind of yours, Detective?" She's got a smirk on her face. I smile back.

"Let's just try to get along at work and give one another the benefit of the doubt. I think we can keep from arguing too often. We don't want to keep upsetting Elliot." She laughs at that and nods in agreement.

The rest of the meal is spent actually going over my testimony, but when I order my second margarita, the conversation takes a more personal turn. I decide to throw out a few things at the ADA and find out if it was her at the Club.

"Hey, you know Drew the security guard?" I ask Alex and almost laugh out loud at the surprised look on her face.

"Of course. I see her almost every day." Alex takes a sip of her drink. "So, why do you ask?"

"Oh, well, see Elliot and I have this bet." I lean in and notice her raise her eyebrows in interest. "I told Elliot that I think that Drew bats for the other team, but he says I'm just stereotyping."

"OH!" Alex looks at me in confusion. "Do you really think you should be betting on things like that? And…why are you telling me this?"

"Well, I heard that you two have coffee sometimes and just wondered if maybe she mentioned a girlfriend. Or maybe….hit on you?" I'm trying to hold back my laughter, but a small strangled chuckle makes its presence known. Alex just stares at me. I can tell she's carefully choosing her words for her reply.

"Yes, I have had coffee with Drew on a few occasions, but the conversation has never become personal."

I notice how she left out mentioning if Drew had hit on her. "Well, I just hate Elliot to win any bet."

I let the matter drop for now, but I am really beginning to wonder if that WAS Alex at the club with Drew. Time for some detective work!

A/N: Perhaps it didn't end up how you expected, but this will be several chapters long. The detective fun is about to begin! Please review! I see there are hundreds of hits on the story and like 8 reviews! Maybe as we go along more will review? I love good reviews, but also like honesty and constructive criticism. It helps me to be a better writer! So, don't be shy! ;O) REVIEW! And, feel free to follow me on twitter! csilvr25