Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Convincing Jay was easy, and she was happy by the description Stacey gave. It didn't hurt that it was a new cabin in the best RV Park in town. She stayed long enough to help Jay while she changed and fed both babies and put them down on the floor of the lounge with Max to play. Jay helped her carry her stuff to the door and gave her a hug and instructed not to outshine her wife too much on the firing range. Stacey grinned and headed into town.
She stopped in at the Post Office and got a friendly woman helping her to disconnect her old number and obtain a new. She just had to tell the woman she had a crazy ex who was driving her mad calling and it was done. Another door closed on Alex. Next she went to the internet cafe and paid for a half hour service. She quickly opened her email and found a couple of new ones from her flatmates wishing her the best. She sent out a general email to everyone in her address book, except Alex, letting them know she had left New York and was starting fresh away from destructive influences and if they needed to contact her to get in touch with Olivia and Jay.
She then sent a second further email to Abbie, Casey, Serena, Julie, Elliot and her old flatmates advising of her new email address and phone number and not to pass it on to Alex.
Finally she bit the bullet and sent one to Alex
Alex
By the time you read this I will have left New York as it is time I moved on. I love you Alex but our relationship is destructive and it has nearly undone the last years of hard work to beat the alcohol. I am tired of being treated like a second class citizen and an embarrassment. If you honestly loved me you would be proud to call me your partner. I'm tired of reading about you cheating on me in the paper, and I do believe you have been, despite what you told me. Don't try and find me Alex, it's over. I suggest you try and mend fences with your friends though, your actions recently haven't just affected me.
Goodbye Alex
Stacey
After sending that email she closed her old email account and made a new one. Alex was finally in her past, she sighed. Last of all she did some essential shopping, bread, milk and a few staples and personal items and took them back to the Cabin where she unpacked. It took her about 30 minutes. Realising it was nearly morning tea time she went past the bakery and bought a fresh cake to get in everyone's favour. Upon return to the Office she was introduced to Matt Sullivan and Jerry Hill the last two full time Rangers for the summer. Matt was only in his early twenties and the part timer who had been made up recently. Jerry was in his late 30's maybe. Both were fit looking guys.
"I brought some cake from the bakery since I'm the newbie" she told them and they decided to take a five minute break. She could tell by their comments that that they appreciated the thought.
After the break she gave Jett her new contact details and then was instructed to go with Matt, who was a local, who would drive her around all the camping sites. He told her to be back for lunch and to report to the Sheriff's department for shooting this afternoon.
Half an hour later she wanted to strangle Jett and the kid beside her. He didn't shut up and he spoke loud. Finally after an hour she had enough
"Matt would you stop shouting I can hear you fine and for the love of God would you shut up for 5 minutes" she looked at him and he looked horrified "Please"
"I'm s s sorry I just presumed, with the aids and I know I talk a lot my sister Paige is always telling me to put a sock in it" he said apologetically
"Smart girl" Stacey sighed
"Oh yeah you'd like her. I mean not like like her because she's not... she has a boyfriend and all and"
"Matt"
"Shutting up" he said and Stacey was relieved. So they checked out all the campgrounds, spoke to a few people, got introduced around and they made it back with Stacey ears intact. She glared at Jett who had to hold in a chuckle seeing she had survived.
"You are so lucky I can turn my hearing aids down, he nearly deafened me thinking he had to shout" she growled and turned on her heel to head out the door to her truck.
"Hey, where you going Reid?" Matt called as he half stood up
"To lunch and then to the firing range" she told him "No you can't come" and with that she left.
Olivia kissed her wife goodbye as she quietly left the house hoping not to wake the babies who had gone down for their afternoon nap. She had played with them through lunch as she ate her sandwich. Jay had decided it was too hard to get into town and shop with 2 babies so Olivia was going to do it after work and had gone home for a quick lunch. She had listened as Jay told her about Stacey's morning and the cabin and then told Jay how it had been a blast to be out on the range and doing weapons training. She had her rifle and shotgun training this afternoon and had been told that a new Ranger was joining them to be qualified. It would be good to have a little competition with Stace.
Upon returning to the office she saw Stacey already there and greeted her warmly. When everybody looked at them weird they explained that Olivia got Stacey the Ranger job and was a friend from New York. Greg McCloud grumbled about more dykes and Olivia shot him a warning look. The man was going to test her patience. Stacey looked at the man, in his mid forties, slightly rotund, heavy moustache. Urgh, ugly. She caught his eye and cracked her knuckles, then folded her arms to best show off her muscles. He quickly hurried away much to the amusement of many.
Olivia watched as Hank introduced himself to Stacey who told him to call her Reid, everyone else was. Olivia rose a surprised brow then followed them out to the SUV they were taking to the range as they talked.
Once on the range they went over the 4 safety rules, IAMO, perception and all other relevant information. Then they were handed a 223 each and asked if they could strip it down. They did, it was just Olivia was way out of practice and was fumbling. Stace had it stripped in seconds. They went through, naming parts and checking the weapon for damage before re assembling. Then they went out for the fun bit and had to fire it at targets while standing, kneeling on one knee and prone. They both aced the test and were pretty even. They did the same for the shot gun except that couldn't be shot prone. Hank then gave them the 223's back and a box of old ammo he wanted to get rid of and told them to go for their lives as he sat back and watched. They shot round after round until 1530 hrs when they had to pack up, collect all spent rounds and return to station. Hank called Jett and told him Reid had passed and Jett told him to tell Reid to go home.
Olivia told everyone she was headed home barring emergencies and headed out the door with Reid. She told Reid she'd see her at 6 and asked if she wanted anything specific for dinner.
"Nah, just good company" she grinned and they headed off. Olivia headed for the supermarket and took out the list Jay had made. There was only 3 aisles with limited options on each one but she managed to find everything. A few people saw her and called out 'Hi Chief' but not knowing their names yet she just waved and smiled. She decided she would cook hamburgers on the grill and attended the meat section where she selected a half dozen patties and on the way out grabbed some burger buns. She tried not to act scandalised at the price on the receipt and went home to her lovely wife and children. As soon as she stepped in the door she was greeted with a big kiss from Jay who hugged her tight.
"I know, I missed you too" she told her wife and gave her another kiss "We'll kick Reid out early and go to bed"
"Reid?" Jay enquired slightly confused
"Apparently it's how Stacey wants to be known from now on" Olivia shrugged "Fresh start and all that"
"Oh" Jay grinned "It sounds nice and suits her" Jay took the bags of shopping and pushed her wife to where their children were playing on their rug, Max watching "Go play mama. What did you get for tea?"
"Hamburgers" Olivia called back, missing Jay roll her eyes as she knelt on the floor and was exuberantly met by her babies.
Reid was just getting out of the shower when there was a knock on her door. She swore, who could that be? She hollered she would be there in a sec and hastily dried herself, pulling on underwear, jeans and a black singlet before padding out to the kitchen, coming up short when she saw the owner of the park standing there. Maybe there was something wrong? She hurried over and opened the door but didn't offer for the woman to come inside.
"Something wrong?" she asked and the woman shook her head
"Hi I'm Maggie Shayne, I own the park. I just wanted to come say hello, welcome and if you need anything let me know" she looked down and she blinked suddenly realising she was carrying something and held it up "Here, a housewarming gift"
Reid looked down and froze, eyes casting on the bottle of wine in the basket. In the back of her mind she also registered the chocolates but she was frozen, staring chanting to herself she didn't want it, didn't need it until she felt herself getting stronger and looked up at Maggie who was watching her curiously.
"Oh, um I'm Reid, Stacey Reid but call me Reid" she kept her eyes on Maggies "As lovely as the gesture is I can't take it" she told the woman and watched her face fall. Aw shit, she felt like she'd kicked a puppy "It's not that I don't want it I do, too much and that's why I can't have it" Now Maggie looked confused so Reid elaborated "The alcohol Maggie, I can't have it. I'm an alcoholic, two years sober and currently struggling due to a bad relationship"
"Oh My God I'm sorry" Maggie hastily retreated and put the alcohol around the corner out of sight before hurrying back "I didn't know, I would never had done it otherwise"
"It's fine, a long story and right now I am running late to have dinner with the Chief"
"Chief Greene?" Maggie asked a little confused
"No Chief Benson"
"Oh" Maggie sighed disappointed, she was hoping to get to know Reid a little bit, there weren't many single women her age in Androck County. Most were married. When Reid looked at her with a querying brow raised she explained herself and Reid sighed.
"Another time, I have strict instructions from Jay. Olivia may be Chief but Jay rules that house" she chuckled and Maggie smiled but still looked disappointed. Aw hell Reid had a feeling she was going to regret this dumb thought "You could always come with me"
"Oh I couldn't they wouldn't be expecting me" Maggie shook her head "I don't know them"
"Well that's the point isn't it, to get to know them" Reid grinned "How about I finish getting ready, you get rid of that alcohol and I'll pick you up at the front gates to the park in 5" and without giving her time to protest shut the door.
Olivia looked at Jay in surprise when she heard 2 doors close when Reid pulled up to the house. She hastily scrambled to her feet, mindful of the twins and had a quick peek out the window at the drive.
"Jay, sweetheart it looks like Reid has brought a friend to dinner" Olivia told her and saw the curiosity cross Jay's face.
"Well she works fast. I hope she's not going back to the old ways from when Mia died" Jay sighed
"Let's see what explanation she gives huh" Olivia advised and headed for the front door which she threw wide just as Reid raised a hand to knock. Reid grinned
"I saw you peaking out the window Chief" she chuckled as they hugged in greeting before pulling back and turning to the woman beside her "Liv I'd like you to meet Maggie Shayne who owns the RV park I'm staying in. Maggie my good friend Olivia Benson"
"Nice to meet you" Olivia held out her hand and Maggie shook it
"Hello" she blushed "I'm sorry about this. Reid wouldn't take no for an answer"
"Sounds like Reid" she stepped back and ushered them in before closing the door on the cooling night. She led them into the lounge where Jay sat with the twins. Reid immediately rushed forward to hug Jay who had stood when they entered. When they pulled back Reid immediately dropped to the floor to nuzzle at the babies and left introductions to Olivia.
"Um Maggie this is my wife Jay, Sweetheart this is Maggie Shayne who owns the park where Reid is staying"
"Hello" Maggie smiled and once again shook the offered hand "I am so sorry about this. I took Reid a housewarming, welcome present. She had to refuse it because it had a bottle of wine in it. I just wanted to get to know her, not many single women my age to befriend and I was horrified at my faux pas. She asked me to come to dinner here and basically wouldn't accept no as an answer"
Jay and Olivia swapped looks, Reid had told her about the alcoholism, just like that? Wow. They were also pleasantly surprised that she had been that strong, maybe the fresh start would do her good.
"You're more than welcome. We're just going to grill some burgers which Olivia will get onto now" she gave Olivia a pointed look. Olivia saluted and with a gentle kiss left to organise the grill. "Reid knows I always make a tonne of food, comes with owning restaurants I guess" she shrugged as she motioned for Maggie to sit down. Maggie stared at her as she sat
"You own restaurants, plural?" she asked and Reid looked up from tickling the twins
"JD's Bar and Grill. Ever heard of it?" Reid asked as Jay hurried off to get drinks
"Are you kidding. I have to eat there every time I go to NY. The beef and reef is divine." Maggie could literally feel her mouth watering and Reid had to grin
"I'm partial to the marinade ribs, have you ever tried?"
"No" Maggie shook her head "I've had some steaks and the seafood delight, even the lamb shanks but the ribs look messy"
"Yep" Reid grinned as Jay came back in and handed a glass of Iced tea to Maggie then joined her on the couch
"Reid can you take Liv's tea to her and also take out the meat, potatoes and onions"
Reid groaned but got up after a last kiss to a soft belly each and headed for the kitchen. Once she was out of ear shot Jay turned to Maggie and asked "So Maggie tell me more about yourself"
By the time Olivia and Reid came back in Jay had learnt that Maggie had been in Androck all her life except for College which she attended in NY. She hated the big city and moved back home where she bought a rundown RV park, got a loan and did it up and hey presto, successful year round business venture. As she gained more capital she was able to put more Cabins up in the grounds but had decided the one Reid moved into would be the last. Jay also found out she was single and had a crush on Jett. Stupid man was too daft to see. Jay asked if she knew Reid was gay and by the widening of Maggies eyes she figured not, Maggie assured her she didn't care though and hoped to be good friends with Reid.
Meanwhile outside Olivia was finding out if Reid really was OK after the surprise house warming gift. Reid assured her it had been hard for a few minutes but she handled it. Olivia clapped her on the back and spent the rest of the time teasing her mercilessly about Maggie.
The Hamburgers went down a treat and they ate relaxed in the lounge. The twins had fallen asleep on the rug and they had left them there. Olivia was happy that they slept through them talking, it was good they didn't wake at every little noise. They talked for another couple of hours before Reid decided it was time to go. Jay and Olivia had a good time with Maggie and decided to invite her back with Reid the following evening. Maggie agreed but only if she could bring dinner. They argued but finally gave in. After saying goodnight they put the twins to bed with another bottle and hit the sack themselves. It was an enjoyable evening.
Reid dropped Maggie at her house at the front of the park and told her she had an enjoyable time. She then asked what she would be making the next night for tea to which Maggie grinned and told her to wait and see. Reid laughed and wished her goodnight. Maggie slid from the truck and waved before heading inside.
Reid drove to her cabin and let herself in. Going about her nightly chores she made her way into the bedroom where she turned the volume all the way up on her phone and set the alarm for 0500. She then took out her hearing aids and stripping naked slid into bed. She closed her eyes, smiling as the soft bed closed around her, her smile broadening as she remembered the good night and she let the peace and still of the night lull her into sleep.
