Disclaimer: I own nothing of Law and Order SVU. I only control Meghan and the storyline.

A/N: I can't even begin to apologize for how long it's taken me to update this story. All I can do is thank you guys in advance for reading it and an even bigger thank you if you let me know what you think.

This chapter is dedicated to Raheema for getting me to think about updating this story again. If you would like to read another Alex/Olivia story that, in my opinion, is really good check out Sleeping Together by Raheema.

Chapter 6

Alex leaned back in her chair, emitting a sigh as she took off her glasses and twirled them between her thumb and forefinger. She had finally felt like she was caught up on her current caseload. It had taken a lot longer than she had hoped, but she felt really good about her progress. She looked at her watch which told her it was going on ten o'clock.

"Well, it could be worse," Alex said to herself as she started to put some files away and gather the few things she thought she might still look over at home. As she stood, her stomach started to growl letting her know of its discontent with her for withholding dinner so far.

Alex rolled her eyes at her own body. She was planning on leaving earlier and just getting some pasta and a salad delivered once she got home. The problem was now by the time she got home, the place she wanted to order from wouldn't be delivering.

"What to do, what to do," Alex mumbled to herself. Then her fingers grazed the note she got with her ice cream with Olivia's phone number on it. She played with the scrap of paper with her fingertips, pondering what the detective would be up to at this time of night and if maybe she could persuade her into at least some dinner company.

'It's a long shot, but why not,' Alex thought as she pulled her phone closer to her and dialed the digits off of the paper.

"Benson," Olivia's voice answered after two rings.

"Dect…Olivia, it's Alex."

"Hey, how's it going? You're still calling from your office this late?"

"Yeah, I was just finishing up. I was wondering if you had eaten yet."

"Actually, I haven't. We were just going to get some Chinese ordered in but I think I can take a breather for a bit," Olivia answered, bringing a smile to Alex's face.

"Well, would you still like some Chinese food or could I talk you into some Italian? I've kind of had a craving for some Chicken Cacciatore."

"I think you could probably talk me into something like that, yeah. Is Mini-Alex coming?" Olivia asked.

"Mini-Alex?" Alex asked, with her eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Who is that?"

"You know, Meghan? I still need to find out what happened last night with that girl," Olivia said with a slight chuckle.

Alex couldn't help but chuckle in return. She definitely enjoyed this kind of banter with Olivia and was happy about how natural it came for the two of them lately.

"Number one, I don't think she would enjoy that little nickname. Number two, I didn't realize you would such a gossip, Olivia Benson. Do you and the boys all stand around the water cooler swapping stories from the courthouse and I was just not aware?" Alex asked in a teasing tone.

"Well, you have to do something to pass the time, right? You can't tell me all you suits don't stand around trading the latest office 'who-slept-with-who' while waiting for your cases," Olivia said continuing the banter.

"Yes, you have totally got us suits pegged, Detective, however, if that was all you were looking forward to at this meal you may want to take a rain check because I sent Meghan home hours ago. She looked like if she stayed much longer she was going to start hitting her head on the desk to make herself feel better. In fact, I think I heard her mumble something about doing something like that."

"No, no. Your company is all I want," Olivia answered, causing that familiar heat to rise to Alex's face.

"Well, how about I meet you in front of your building in about 15 minutes? The place I'm thinking of is closer to you," Alex answered, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt at the moment.

"Sounds good, see ya then," Olivia said before Alex hung up.

Alex stood outside the precinct taking in the brisk, fall air around her. This was Alex's favorite season. The weather was just right in her opinion and the parks always had more of a small town feel to them when the leaves on the trees were changing color. Of course, there were always her fond memories of raking leaves into the biggest pile she could and launching herself into it, spreading the leaves all around just so she could do it all again.

While Alex stood smiling thinking about those times, her thoughts were interrupted by a friendly voice.

"With that kind of a smile you have to be thinking of something good," Olivia said as she took in the sight of the blonde ADA who was staring off into space with a grin tugging at her lips.

Alex turned to look at the detective as she made her way down the steps, with a similar smile on her face. "Just reveling in the feeling of the season, Detective, I don't suppose hardworking, nose to the grind, law enforcing individuals such as yourself ever get to do that?"

"I'm sorry, Pot, did you just call me black?" Olivia asked with a shocked look on her face. "I wouldn't expect ADA 's to go walking around smelling the roses all the time either."

"Touché," Alex said with her grin growing wider. "So, are you ready for the most amazing Italian food within walking distance of here?"

"Lead the way," Olivia said, gesturing with her hands for Alex to start their journey.

"Oh my gosh," Olivia said leaning back in the cushioned booth she was sitting in. "I give," she said as she picked up her napkin from her lap and waved it around a bit in surrender fashion before setting it on the table. "Alex, where do you put all of this food?"

Alex grinned as she swirled some more noodles onto on her fork. "Well, I would love to tell you I run just for fun but honestly, I love food way too much to do the whole dieting thing my whole life so instead I eat what I want, usually in more moderation than this, and exercise as much as I can."

"Impressive, Counselor, I still can't believe you out ate me though. Wait until I tell the guys about you and your super stomach. You're going to have lunch and dinner dates lining up left and right," Olivia added with a wink.

The comment almost made Alex spit out the water she had just sipped but instead settles for a glare directed towards a grinning Olivia.

"You're right, I don't know if I want you spending all your spare time with those guys. I'd rather take you out," Olivia said, still with a small grin but a quieter voice.

Alex looked up at the detective. She looked into Olivia's eyes.

"I mean, I'm not saying we'd have to be a serious couple right now or anything," Olivia continued noticing Alex's eyes getting a little wider and her eyebrows popping up a bit. "I just meant I'd like to keep spending time with you when we can. It'd be nice to look forward to spending time with someone again."

As an awkward pause almost settled between the two women, Alex finally piped up. "And it would be nice to have someone who understands our schedules that might not want to spend an hour yelling at you for having to cancel yet another date."

Olivia flashed Alex a big smile.

The waiter set the check down and Alex was quick to grab it up. "This one is mine. Maybe you can pick up the next one?"

Olivia nodded and the women got up and made their way to the door. The two started to walk back to the precinct.

"So, will you be staying much later?" Alex asked while looking ahead at the small groups of people on the sidewalk, enjoying their Saturday evening.

"Not too much. Elliot might have even finished up the last bit of paperwork which would help a lot," Olivia answered.

"Well, don't stay too late. Sounds like you didn't get much sleep last night. I'd hate to worry about you not taking care of yourself," Alex said, realizing she was being completely honest with herself and Olivia.

Olivia just smiled and looked up at the blonde, who returned the gesture.

As they approached their destination, Alex started to feel butterflies fluttering about in her stomach. She rolled her eyes at herself. It wasn't as though she was some love-struck teenager getting walked home from her first date, but it felt like her body was trying to convince her otherwise. The two remained quiet until Olivia stopped at the stairs to the precinct.

"Well, thank you for the invite, dinner and the wonderful company, Alex."

"All of the above was definitely my pleasure," Alex said as she turned to face Olivia. "I hope we get to do it again soon."

"Me too, feel free to give me a call whenever you get a free minute and want to do something. And if it's okay with you, I'd like to do the same?" Olivia asked, a bit of nervousness hinting on her voice.

Alex heard the uncertainty and decided to stop being the teenage Alex and remember that she was in fact Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot.

She stepped towards the brunette who stood still with her hands in her jacket pockets and pressed her lips slowly to Olivia's. The kiss was light and soft but it still warmed Alex from head to toe. As she stepped back, she held Olivia's gaze. "I would like that."

"Good night, Alex."

"Good night, Liv."