I own no one but my own people.
A/N Yeah that whole get it all uploaded by Christmas thing... sorry, not with internet access about once every two weeks. But I can give you a new update on this as a nice little Christmas gift from me to you.
"Olivia, I refuse to let you buy that for her!"
"Elliot, she'll love it! It's a gift that's not only stylish, but fits her personality exceedingly well."
"Olivia, put that down, or I'm putting in a partner transfer!"
With a sigh, Olivia put down the tall, pointed black hat she had come across in "Lids" and walked out, huffing angrily, Elliot following.
"If I had told her Sarah Palin wore it, she would wear it in a heart beat and be exceedingly grateful," she grumbled, sitting down in a near by bench, setting her bags down beside her.
Elliot followed, setting his own numerous bags on the marble floor before turning to her.
Olivia sighed, running a hand through her hair before placing her head in her hands. "I'm never gonna find her a gift. It's impossible! We've looked everywhere!"
"Olivia, come on," Elliot told her, gently rubbing her shoulders. "You're making this so much more difficult then it has to be. What do you think she needs?"
"A tombstone?"
"Olivia!"
"Well I don't know!" she snapped, glaring furiously at him. "I know nothing about this woman besides she's rich, and was in the national dog show and took second place! How the hell am I supposed to get her a gift?"
"Okay, there's something," Elliot offered. "She likes dogs. Why not get her one of those crystal dogs? You can even get her a boxer like Fluffy."
"Do you know how much those cost? Sorry, but the ring is the only thing I can afford to put on credit."
Olivia sighed once more, the situation looking much more hopeless by the second.
"How about jewelry? That's always the logical choice for any woman. Nothing big or extravagant, but a nice little one hundred dollar necklace."
"Yeah. And the moment she opens it up, I can just hear it now. 'Oh my, thank you Miss. Benson. I'm sure this will look amazing as a trash lid lifter'," Olivia said, her voice uncannily resembling Lila's. "I don't understand why I have to get anything for her. She's gonna hate it no matter what it is."
"She will not," Elliot said, unable to meet her eyes. "I'm sure she'll love it," he muttered, once again unable to even look at her for fear of giving away the lie.
Olivia glowered at him before she stood up, taking her bags in her hands.
"Come on. We promised to meet them for lunch," she grumbled before she perked up.
"Hey! What do you think about-"
"No gift cards to McDonald," Elliot interrupted, getting up from his seat as well.
Olivia groaned, another idea having been shot down just as quick as the pointed hat before that, the jelly of the month year long subscription before that, and a huge chocolate Hershey kiss that Elliot had suspected was more for the giver then the receiver.
They walked to the food court in silence, Olivia trying desperately to think of a gift that Lila would like before they saw Munch and Fin sitting at one of the tables, a pile of bags surrounding their table, a large thing of cheese fries between them.
They walked over to them and without so much as a hello, Olivia slunk down in the chair opposite Fin, letting her bags droop to the floor, not even caring if Munch and Fin saw the contents inside them, a large pronounced frown on her face.
"Merry Christmas to you too," Fin muttered, looking to Elliot for an explanation.
"Shut up," she mumbled, slowly siding down in her seat even more.
"We're having a little Christmas gift crisis," Elliot informed them, taking his own seat across Munch.
Munch nodded in what appeared to be understanding. "Ahh yes. I understand completley, Olivia. If you must know, I like red heads, tall but not taller then me, and not to big a hole because then it just doesn't feel as real. Also-"
"For the last time, no one is going to get you a blow up sex doll! It's just wrong!" Fin snapped before turning his attention to Olivia, who was unable to hide her smile.
Olivia sighed before sitting up in her seat. "I can not for the life of me find a gift for Lila. I mean what do you get a person you completley loathe?"
"I have this problem with Munch every year," Fin told her with a supportive nod, ignoring his partners cold glare. "Just do what I do. Ask her right out, 'I'm spending X amount of money, what do you want from me?' Save you a whole lot of panicking and worrying."
Olivia nodded before she saw Alex and her parents walking towards them, several bags in their hands, Alex looking like she was looking at any means to escape Lila's chattering.
Noticing they were walking closer, Olivia leaned up against Elliot, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Olivia smiled as big as she could as she struggled to look like she was enjoying being embraced by someone with such strong muscles and not a hint of softness, trying her hardest to ignore Elliots cologne and instead imagined it was Alex's expensive perfume she was inhaling.
Making sure Lila and Max were looking at them, she looked up at Eliot and pulled his head towards her, kissing him full on the lips, running a hand over her cheek, wanting nothing more then to pull back from the scratchiness of his five a clock shadow.
"Having fun?" Alex asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice as she approached the table, Lila and Max following, Lila glaring such daggers at Munch, it was an amazement he didn't drop dead at the table.
Olivia pulled away, still looking up at Elliot, smiling. "I always have fun when I'm with my man."
Elliot chuckled and leaned down and gave her another quick kiss on the lips before looking over at Alex, his eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Alex, you okay?" he asked, seeing her glare daggers at the two of them as the three sat down on the other four person table Munch and Fin had dragged over and placed beside theirs.
"I'm fine," she growled, turning away from the two of them.
Alex closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath before letting it out again. She repeated it twice before she re opened her eyes, forcing a smile on her lips.
"So how was shopping?" Alex asked, unable to look at the still embracing Elliot and Olivia.
"Fine, got most of what I needed done," Fin answered quickly before anyone could say a word. "How about you, Olivia? You got everything you need?"
Olivia took a deep breath before turning to Lila. "Actually no. Lila, I was wondering-"
"Oh there he is!" Lila interrupted joyfully, clapping her hands together before waving at someone in the massive crowd.
"Edward!" she cried, and the others looked at one another in confusion before looking into the crowd, trying to figure out who she was calling to. "Edward Lancaster, over here!"
The moment he turned to look at who had called his name, they all knew at once who Lila had shouted to.
A man, no older then thirty five smiled a huge, beaming smile, full of the whitest, most perfect teeth any had ever seen. His face nearly flawless with a strong chin and a small dimple in it, his brown hair laid perfectly shaped and styled on top of his head, wearing a suit that knew had to cost at least nine hundred at the least, his leather shoes just as much, his light blue eyes completing the look of sheer perfection.
As he got nearer the table, Lila stood up and the smile grew even larger.
"Edward! How marvelous to see you again!" Lila cried happily, taking his hands and kissing both of his cheeks.
"Wonderful to see you too, Lilian, darling!" he said, kissing her back in the same manner.
When he spoke, Olivia noticed that his dazzling smile never once was hid.
"Sit down, Darling, sit down!" Lila told him before sitting down herself, leaving just one open spot; right beside Alex.
"Everyone, this is Edward Lancaster, an old friend of mines son," she explained. "Edward, this is Elliot Stabler, Odafin Tutuola, Olivia Benson, and my husband Max. Edward lives in Manhattan as well," she said, uncaring that she had skipped over both Munch and Alex.
"Pleasure to meet you all, I'm sure," he said with a small bow as he sat down beside Alex.
Lila's smile grew larger as she motioned over to Alex. "And this, is my daughter Alexandra."
"Nice to meet you," Alex said, sticking out her hand for him to shake it.
Edward grabbed it, but instead of shaking it, he brought it to his mouth and kissed it softly.
Olivia hated him with a passion.
He grinned at her once more, although his brilliant teeth were much less pronounced this time. "Forgive me for being so bold, Alexandra, but I must say, your mother did your beauty no justice what so ever over the phone."
Alex blushed and looked down at the table, a shy smile on her face.
"Thank you, Mr. Lancaster."
"Please," he said, his voice lowering some as he leaned closer to her. "Call me Edward."
A small snap caused both Edward and Alex to look up and saw that Olivia held one half of a plastic fork, while the other one laid on the table, narrowing her eyes at the two.
"So, Edward, why don't you tell me more about what you were telling me about last night? About the senator calling you for advice? Lila said, uncaring of Olivias action.
Edward turned from Alex to the rest of the group, a large cocky smile on his handsome, seemingly perfect face. "Well, after being top of my class in Harvard in political science, I have lots of political heads call me up for advice, you know. And last night, the Governor of Virginia, I'm on great terms for him, by the way, we played golf a few times a month, actually calls me up and asks my opinion on a law that their thinking of passing! Of course, I couldn't just let the old man suffer, and I just had to give him my insight."
Olivia didn't listen to a word he had said, and instead looked at his hand that seemed to be moving closer and closer to the back of Alex's chair.
"So you're a politician?" Alex asked leaning in closer, seeing Olivias glare out of the corner of her eyes, unable to hide a smirk.
If Olivia could play that game with Elliot, then maybe she would know how it felt when Alex did the same to this man.
Edward nodded. "Well Senior DA for the DEA at the moment, but soon to be judge, the Governor, then president."
"Don't you think that's a little too unrealistic?" Olivia asked, not even attempting to hide the poison in her words.
"I don't think so at all," Alex said, her voice laced with a hint of seduction. "I find it fascinating, to be honest."
Edward chuckled, and Olivia growled slightly as Edwards eyes casually looked over Alex's body, the body only Olivia got to look at.
"Lets keep our eyes on the faces, okay?" Olivia snapped, glowering at the two.
Alex ignored her and instead leaned in closer to Edward, a flirty smile on her lips, one recently only used for Olivia.
"I don't mind it one bit," she lied, feeling the hair on the back of her neck prickle while Edward leered at her.
Max cleared his throat loudly, making Edward turn away from Alex, ignoring Maxs'''' hate filled glare.
Edward smiled his large, overly perfect smile at her once more before putting his arm around Alex's shoulders, and it pained Olivia to see Alex slightly cringe, but did nothing to throw him off.
"I have a grand idea," Lila said, smiling at Edward and Alex, seemingly ignoring the exchange across the table from both Olivia and Max .
"How about you two go off and say, do a little shopping, get to know one another a little better?"
"I don't think that's a good idea, Lila," Olivia said, getting a much approved nod from Max. "Alex, why don't you hang out with me and Elliot the rest of the day? You can bring your parents too," she added, making sure Alex knew the lengths Olivia would go through so that Alex would not have to spend time alone with this guy.
"I like that idea," Max said with a nod. "And I'm sure Mr. Lancaster has better things to do then hang around the mall with a girl he hardly knows."
"On the contrary," Edward said, flashing what he believed to be a flirty smile at Alex. "I would love nothing more then get to know this beautiful, beautiful woman."
Alex blushed and looked down at the floor and Edward stood up, his hand out to her.
"Shall we, Alexandra?"
"It's Alex," Olivia grumbled loudly, but it went ignored by both parties.
Alex looked up from the floor and nodded, taking his hand. "We shall."
Alex stood up, casting a rather smug look at Olivia before the two began walking away.
"Wow," Elliot breathed, looking at a completley stunned Olivia.
"Liv, you okay?"
All Olivia could do was nod at fear of shedding tears, unable to turn away from Alex.
"Well, Max," Lila said, seeming to ignore Olivia's sadness. "I say we get back to shopping. There's no way on earth I'd be able to eat the food at this horrid place. I can smell the indigestion. Lets go, darling."
Max nodded before he got up from the chair and walked over to Olivia, leaning closer to her, speaking so low only she could hear him.
"He's not her type."
Olivia managed to tear her eyes away from the spot she had ben looking at to look at him, completley and utterly bemused.
Max gave a curt nod before following Lila, leaving the detectives alone once more.
"Damn, Liv," Fin chortled. "Your girlfriend is cold."
Olivia turned to glare at Fin who cowered slightly under her gaze.
"I can be colder," she snapped before she got up from her chair and stormed away, leaving her bags with the group.
Olivia walked fast, not caring who turned and stared at her, but knowing that she had to get to Alex.
Luckily, she spotted the two of them inside a clothing shop, their backs turned to them, and Olivia was outraged to see Edwards hand on the small of her back, inching closer to her ass.
"Hey!" Olivia shouted out, storming up to them as they turned around to face her, Alex letting out a breath of relief when she saw her, pulling out of Edwards touch.
"Get your hands off her or you're gonna be spending Christmas a falsetto!"
One look at Olivia's face told Edward that him that she was not joking in any manner what so ever.
He hastily moved away from Alex as Olivia came up to them, glaring furiously at him.
"Who the hell do you think you are grabbing her like that?"
"I didn't touch her in any inappropriate way."
"No, having your hand an inch away from her ass is what exactly?"
"Really, Miss. Benson, must you use the English language in such a crude manner? I mean I know you are highly uneducated when compared to me and Alexandra but-"
"Listen, you worthless, spineless, incompetent low life piece of shit! I may have to take that crap from Lila, but I sure as HELL will not take it from you. One more word like that, and I will arrest you for verbal assault."
Edward narrowed his eyes at her before turning to Alex. "Come, Alexandra. I suddenly feel much too high class for this place."
He reached down and took her by the hand, only to have his hand jerked away from Alex's.
"I told you not to touch her!" Olivia snarled. tightening her grasp on Edwards wrist.
Edward wrenched out of her grasp. "Let go of me, you pathetic ingrate! You're breaking my wrist!"
"Touch her again, and that will be the last of your problems."
Edward narrowed his eyes at her, his fists balling. "Do not threaten me, you little bitch."
A smug smile lit up Olivias face as she crossed her arms in front of her. "I just did."
Edward took a step, leaving no space between the two bodies.
Alex forced herself in between them, more concerned of Olivia getting arrested for giving Edward a special type of surgery for Christmas then Olivia being intimidated.
"Olivia, why don't you just calm down, okay?" Alex pleaded, pushing her away from Edward, desperate to get the two away from one another.
Olivia turned her glare from Edward to Alex. "You're telling me to calm down after that guy just treated you like that? Alex, you're my-"
"Room mate and best friend," Alex interrupted, a look of pleading on her face, "yes I know. But this isn't the time or the place for that."
"No, instead I should just sit back and watch some guy grope you in public! Alex, you're pathetic if you think that you should have to put up for this for your mother!"
Alex narrowed her eyes at Olivia, stepping away from her, evidently hurt. "No, instead why don't I watch you make out with Elliot in the middle of the mall every three seconds!"
Olivia opened her mouth to argue back when Alex turned back to Edward who had a smug grin on his face that Olivia wanted to slap off.
Alex grabbed Edwards hand and turned back to Olivia, nasty sneer on her otherwise beautiful face. "Let's go, Edward. Olivia, please, get back with Elliot. I would hate for you two to stay away from one another for long."
They began to walk away, Olivia looking after them, desperately trying to hide her tears.
Several hours and a very, very uncomfortable car ride later, Alex pulled into the drive way, avoiding the eyes of her lover.
Olivia had made sure to avoid all forms of contact with Alex, including the numerous phone calls she had gotten from her at one point.
When it was time to leave the mall, Olivia, pissed that all of her and Elliots bags would not fit in the same trunk, was forced to go home with Alex, who had avoided speaking to Olivia the entire way home, much to Lila's delight.
The moment the car had stopped Olivia slammed the door open and shut and went inside the house, slamming that door open and closed as well, wanting nothing more then throw the tiny black box in her coat pocket away.
"I think she's mad," Lila said, a hint of joy in her voice that she could not be bothered to mask.
Alex said nothing to her mother and instead popped the trunk and got out of the car, trying to shove the earlier events from today out of her mind, hating that she had treated Olivia like that, allowed some stranger to talk to her like that.
But at the same time, she could not force the image of Elliot and Olivia touching and kissing out either. It was like a scene in a horror movie that kept on playing rewind, each time more horrendous in her eyes.
Max followed lex to the trunk, gathering his and Lila's bags in his arms.
"Talk to her, Alex," he whispered to her so that Lila didn't over hear him. "She deserves it."
"Dad, just leave me alone," Alex grumbled, taking the last of her bags and storming off towards the house.
Alex, ignoring the sounds coming from the kitchen, headed right up the stairs and into the attic, putting the gifts down a little more harsher then need be.
She went back downstairs and into the kitchen, letting out a sound of disbelief as she looked at Olivia.
"Oh that's nice," she said dryly, seeing Olivia take a big swig of brandy straight from the bottle. "Get drunk while my parents are here during the holidays, when you have court tomorrow."
Olivia glowered at her, slamming the bottle down on the counter. "I'm not getting drunk, Alex. I'm just having a drink. Is that a crime now? Maybe you should call up Eddy and ask him. He is after all, gonna become the next president of the United States, so he would know."
"Or maybe we should call up Elliot. That is if he can pull his tongue out of your throat long enough to answer when he gets here."
Olivia glared at Alex. "Do you think I actually enjoyed that?"
"Judging by the fact you two were practically having sex in the mall, yeah I'd say you were!"
Olivia shook her head in absolute disbelief before she looked back over at Alex. "I can not believe you. You tell your parents that we're dating because you're too much of a coward to tell them that we're dating, then get pissed when we act like we're dating! You dug that grave, now you get to lie it in, Alex!"
"Keep your god damn voice down!" Alex yelled louder then Olivia, looking behind her to see if her parents had come in from feeding Fluffy yet, thankful they hadn't. "And just because I said that doesn't mean you had to make out every time we saw you together!"
"Yet you got to flirt, and giggle, and act like an idiot when little Eddy was around!" Olivia snapped, the thought of Edwards hands on Alex causing her to shudder in disgust.
Alex threw up her hands in disbelief. "Well if you were allowed to, then why can't I flirt with other guys?"
"Because I had to!" Olivia screamed, and Alex retreated several steps back. "Okay, Alex, I did that all for you! I kissed Elliot, my best friend and partner, for you! Because you're too much a coward to tell your parents you're a lesbian!"
"Will you just shut the hell up about that! So what if I don't want to announce it to the world that I'm gay! So what if I don't want a huge sign on my back that says that I like women! Does that make me a horrible person?"
"No," Olivia said coldly. "Just a pathetic coward."
Alex let out a screech of disbelieved laughter. "Because I don't want the world that I'm gay, I'm pathetic? Well sorry, Lesbo McButch, but I guess I'm not as obvious as you!"
Olivia looked at her in confusion mixed with anger. "I'm not obvious, Alex, but you're right. I'm not ashamed or scared to admit what I am, I'm not afraid to introduce you as my girlfriend as opposed to, 'my good friend', I'm not afraid to hold your hand in public when we walk down the street or when we go to dinner, I don't go 'oh me and my friend will just order now even though my date isn't here yet'."
"You... you're completley missing the point!"
Alex sighed before rubbing her hands on her temple and beginning to walk out of the room.
"Oh that's good! Just walk away during an argument! That's a hell of a way to keep a relationship going!"
Alex turned back to her, anger flashing in her blue eyes. "I'm walking away because I'm going to bed because I have court tomorrow, as do you! I'm sorry if I want to get some sleep!"
Alex began to walk away again before she turned around once more. "And for your information, Olivia, I am not afraid in any sense what so ever to announce what I am in public, so screw you!"
With a final glare from both women, Alex walked away, Olivia staring after her, her eyes narrowed in anger as she grabbed the bottle of scotch from the counter and took a long sip once more.
"We'll see, Alex... we'll see."
Please Review and happy holidays to all!
