For disclaimers, see chapter one


Walking into the precinct the next morning, Olivia was feeling better than she has in a long time. She had had such a relaxing weekend with Alex that it almost mad her forget about the newest case, almost.

She got to her desk and noticed that she had a message saying that the lad results were in. Grabbing a quick cup of coffee, Olivia made her way to the M.E.'s office.

"Morning, Melinda," Olivia greeted as she stepped into the lab.

Looking up, Warner smiled. "Why am I not surprised you would be the first one to get the message?"

"Creature of habit I suppose," Olivia shrugged. "What did you find?"

"My original conclusion was correct. The petechial hemorrhaging around the eyes indicates she was smothered. The fibers around her mouth and nose show it was the jacket that was found next to her."

"The bastard used her own jacket?" Olivia asked.

"I'm afraid so. The rape kit was positive for hair and fluids. It's not in the system, but if you bring me a suspect, I can match it."

Olivia nodded. "What about the tool responsible for this handiwork?" Liv asked, gesturing to the carving in the young woman's chest?"

"My best guess, is an instrument used for wood working," Warner replied.

"Which means you can probably get them anywhere," Olivia sighed. "Alright, call me if you find anything else. I'll probably be at Columbia for most of the morning, but I'll have my cell." Warner nodded and Olivia went back to the precinct.

Once back in the bull pen, Olivia saw that the rest of the team had arrived. Eliot filled Munch, Fin, and Cragen in on the new case and Olivia went over the M.E.'s report. When they had filled everyone in, they looked at Cragen, silently asking where he wanted them to start.

"Because it's our only lead, why don't all of you head over to Columbia and see what you can find." They all nodded and made their way towards the campus.

As they neared the administration building, Olivia told the boys she would go in and get the schedule by herself. They all agreed not, wanting to deal bureaucrats this early in the morning. She walked into the building she smiled when the woman behind the desk saw her approach.

"Baby girl!" Reese all but shouted as she stood and drew Olivia into a big hug. "How are you doing?" she asked, releasing Olivia and returning to the other side of the desk.

"Can't complain. What about you?"

"I'd be better if a certain someone would visit more often," Reese teased.

"I'm sorry, Reese. I've been busy lately," Olivia apologized.

"I know. I've seen you're name in the paper, it seems, every other week. So what brings you out here today?"

"Unfortunately a case," Olivia explained. "I'm going to need the class schedule for Rosalie Williams."

"Sure. Give me a second." Reese turned to her computer and pulled up Rosalie's class information. She handed it over to Olivia and made her promise to visit again under more pleasant circumstances.

Returning to the boys, Olivia looked down at the class schedule. "Huh," she said when she saw one of the classes.

"What's up Liv?"

"Nothing, just that she's taking one of the classes my mom used to teach," she explained. "Come on. You guys take these two, El and I will take the other two. Maybe we'll be able to get out of here before lunch."

True to word, the detectives were done canvassing the classes by lunch time. They hadn't turned up anything they didn't already know. Rosalie was a good student. She had good grades and was majoring in English. She would have graduated at the end of the semester.

Walking back into the precinct, Olivia felt her phone buzz, signaling a text message. Opening her phone, she was mildly disappointed with the contents. "Can't make lunch today, I'm needed in chambers. Love you—A." She had just decided to go back to her desk and work through lunch when her phone rang.

"Benson."

"Jeez, Liv, don't sound too excited to hear from me," came the southern tones of Abbie Carmichael.

"Hey, Abbie. What's up?"

"Well, rumor has it that a certain blonde hair, blue eye Bureau Chief is stuck in chambers. I wanted to know if you wanted to take a reassigned to New York Assistant U.S. Attorney out to lunch. I want to hear about this date."

Olivia laughed. "Sure, why not. Meet me at the diner across from the court house in ten?"

"I'll be there."

"Olivia turned back around, walked out of the precinct and made her way to the diner. She spotted Abbie right away and made her way over to the table.

Because she always gets the same thing from this particular diner whenever she eats there, Abbie had already ordered. They sat down to eat, while Olivia filled Abbie in on how she spent Saturday night. When she finished, she could tell that Abbie was happy for them, but something else was on her mind.

"Why do I get the feeling you didn't just invite me out to lunch to get the dirt on my date?"

"You're happy right?" Abbie asked, temporarily avoiding Olivia's question. "I mean now that you and Alex have gone from friends to lovers, there's no awkwardness?"

"I know it's only been a couple of days, but I couldn't be happier," Olivia responded. "If anything, it's less awkward. Now we don't have to worry about saying something that could be taken the wrong way, or calculate every touch that could be misinterpreted. What's brought this on Abbie?"

Abbie sighed. "I'm pretty sure I'm doing the same dance with one of my friends that you and Alex have been doing for the past couple of years. I don't particularly want to sing my feelings in front of a crowded bar, so I thought I would ask you what I should do."

"Abbie?"

"Yeah?"

"Just ask Casey out," Olivia smiled.

"How did you know who I was talking about?" Abbie asked, shocked that she had been figured out so easily.

"Always seem to get this light in your eyes when you see her. You had the same light when you were talking just now." Olivia explained.

"Anyone ever tell you you're a great detective?"

"Once or twice," Olivia smirked. "Seriously though, just ask her out."

"How can you be so sure she'll say yes?" Abbie asked, not ready to give in yet.

"Why is it that people in love can't seem to see it for themselves? Alex and I couldn't see it and now the two of you," Olivia sighed. "She gives you the same lingering looks you give her when you think no one is looking."

"If no one is looking, then how do you know this?"

"It's my job to notice small things," Olivia chuckled. "Call her."

"Now?"

"If you don't do it now, with me sitting here, you're going to chicken out."

As Abbie went to dial her phone, Olivia's rang. "Benson," she answered. "Alright. I'll be right there." She turned to see Abbie with the phone pressed to her ear. "I'll call you in an hour to find out what happened." Abbie nodded and Olivia walked out of the diner.