Disclaimer: The characters from SVU belong to Dick Wolf and the powers that be at NBC. The rest, belong to me.
Author's Note: This was first published on my Yahoo Group, vivalab. Thanks to everyone on the group for your ongoing support.
Alex looked at her reflection in the full length mirror, casting a critical eye over her appearance. Liz had advised her to dress to impress, so she had. Charcoal gray suited Alex Cabot and she knew it. She topped the matching skirt and jacket off with a crisp white blouse and black suede heels, she smoothed her hand along her skirt and smiled at her reflection, "Bring it on,'" she said quietly.
"If he brings it…he's gonna get it," Olivia smirked form the doorway.
Alex turned to look at her girlfriend, "What do you think?" she asked, holding her arms out wide.
Olivia stepped into the room and stopped in front of her, "I think you look incredible," she answered honestly.
Alex nodded in appreciation, "Thanks."
They looked at each other for a long moment before Olivia checked her watch, "You ready?"
Alex moved closer, leaning down and kissing her soundly on parted lips. She explored the mouth beneath hers until she felt her chest expand, she pulled back and wiped the lipstick from Olivia's mouth with her thumb, "I am now," she whispered.
Olivia grinned at her, "I'll be waiting for you in Liz's office, but if you need me…" she urged.
Alex nodded her head, "I know…come on, let's do this."
He stood beside one of the large stone pillars, confident today was the day. He had watched them leave the apartment, but couldn't get a clear shot. When they had arrived at the courthouse ten minutes ago, they had maintained a companionable distance. He had a feeling though, today he'd get his money shot and earn his pay check. He looked at his watch and sighed, the blonde was dressed for something, but the brunette was casual in dark denim and a leather coat. He checked the battery gauge in his camera and smiled, he was about to open the newspaper he'd brought when his phone rang.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"Do you have the pictures?"
"Almost, I got plenty of shots of 'em comin' and goin' and lookin' real friendly but I ain't got none of them kissing," he replied, hearing a deep sigh echo through the line.
"I need those pictures today, if you're incapable of the task then I'll find someone who is…for less money," the voice said calmly.
"No…no, I got it covered, you'll have your pictures by the end of the day…I guarantee it," he said, panicking at the prospect of losing out on the promised money. He listened to the deafening silence for a few awkward seconds.
"If I don't have those pictures by 5pm, I'll assume you failed and our agreement is void," the voice advised before hanging up.
"Bitch," he muttered under his breath, placing the cellphone in his pocket.
Olivia sat anxiously on the sofa in Liz Donnelly' chambers. She sat her cellphone on the table in front of her and checked the volume on the ringer for the tenth time in five minutes. She rubbed her hands nervously along her denim clad thighs and closed her eyes, counting silently to one hundred.
"She'll be fine, detective"
Olivia snapped her eyes open and turned as Lena Petrovsky closed the door behind her and entered the room.
Jack McCoy observed the young blonde woman in the visitor's chair across from his desk, "You're looking well Alex," he commented. He looked her over, noting the cool expression, "What brings you here, aren't you due in DC?" he asked.
Alex smiled at him, steeling her nerves, "Actually, it's a personal matter that I wanted to discuss with you," she said confidently, taking strength from the commanding presence of Liz Donnelly in the chair beside her.
Jack shifted his gaze to Liz, "Not so personal that you had to invite a judge," he replied dryly.
Liz ignored the barb, biding her time.
Alex looked at him, "Liz is aware of my situation, I asked her to be here," she clarified.
McCoy nodded absently, "Well, don't keep me in suspense Alex, what is it?" he asked.
"Olivia Benson and I are in a relationship and have no plans to hide it. While we won't be flaunting our feelings in public, we won't be denying them either," she stated calmly.
Olivia watched Lena Petrovsky move across the room and take a seat on the sofa next to her, she eyed the stern faced judge curiously.
"I've watched Alexandra grow, not only as a prosecutor, but as a person since she joined the DA's office. Her father was a remarkable man, devoted to the truth and justice…I see a lot of him in her," she said, smiling fondly.
Olivia nodded, "Why d'you always give her such a hard time in court then?" Olivia boldly asked.
Lena smiled, "Do I?"
Olivia tilted her head, "Only you know the answer to that, Your Honor," she said flatly.
"Was it your arrogance that attracted her to you?" Petrovsky asked blithely.
Olivia shook her head and smiled, "Nah, the gun," she replied sarcastically.
Jack McCoy stared at her unblinking for several seconds, he turned his gaze to Liz, "And your role in this would be, what exactly?" he asked pointedly.
Liz smiled at him, "I'm here as an impartial witness," she stated, allowing the implications to sink in.
McCoy shook his head, "Witness?"
"Come Jack, have you forgotten how Serena Southerlyn was treated by this office already?" she asked.
McCoy looked at her, furrowing his brow, "That was Arthur Branch, not me," he clarified.
Liz shook her head, "Really? Was it another Jack McCoy who started a campaign to declare all gay marriages in New York illegal?" Liz replied.
McCoy wet his dry lips, "That was for a case, an abuse of spousal privilege…time's have changed, the approach of this office is different now," he answered coolly.
Liz smiled, "Good, then I trust Alex will have no issues, when she returns from Washington," she said, rising from her chair.
Alex couldn't believe it was this simple, McCoy was actually being rational about everything. She studied his face and felt her stomach drop as she recognized a familiar look. He wasn't finished.
"How I handle my office and my staff stopped being your concern the day you accepted your appointment to the bench…Your Honor," McCoy stated, his eyes drilling into Liz's.
Liz blew out a frustrated sigh as she sat back down, "Actually Jack, the day you accepted your appointment was the day we all showed our concern," she retorted, smiling as she saw his resolve waiver.
Lena Petrovsky studied Olivia's face and pursed her lips, "Alexandra will make an exemplary DA, she has a lot of support, as you witnessed last night," she said, reminding Olivia of the nineteen judges that had signed the proposed bill of, no confidence.
Olivia frowned, "Is that what this is about, the DA's chair?" she asked, trying to make sense of what she was hearing.
"No detective, it's about Alexandra's career and protecting her prospects for the future," she answered, shaking her head. "Her father never wanted her to go into law, she always wanted to teach…she chose law to please him," she said quietly.
Olivia blinked in surprise, "A teacher?" she asked.
Lena nodded, "Alex used to bring in study books Alexandra had created to help her classmates. She's always wanted to help people, it's in her nature, just like her father," she said, smiling as a sea of memories washed over her.
"She's passionate about law, spends hours researching," Olivia commented.
Lena nodded, "I've heard she can often be found in the library after midnight…I hope that will change now," she said, looking directly at Olivia.
Olivia studied the judge she had often cursed for her abrasive tone towards herself and others and saw the woman behind the judicial mask, "I think it will," she said quietly.
Lena placed a hand on her knee, "I'm glad you have each other Olivia, please take care of her," she said, searching the dark brown eyes with her own.
Olivia hesitantly patted the hand covering her leg, "I will," she said smiling.
Lena smiled once more, "I have court, if you need anything…either of you, let me know," she said rising to her feet.
"Your Honor, can I ask you something?" Olivia said as she stood up.
Petrovsky turned as she reached the door and nodded her head.
"Why do you always call her Alexandra?" she asked curiously.
The judge smiled, "She has the same piercing, cobalt blue eyes as her father…calling her Alex, would only serve as a further reminder that he is no longer with us," she said sadly, holding Olivia's gaze before opening the door.
Alex watched Jack McCoy process what Liz Donnelly had just said to him and waited anxiously for his response. They sat in silence for an awkward moment, neither appearing to want to speak first.
"Now that I've informed you of the change in my personal status, as per employee guidelines, what do you intend to do about it?" Alex asked, deciding to break the apparent deadlock.
McCoy reluctantly tore his gaze away from Liz and shifted his eyes to meet hers, "You brought the impartial witness Alex, what do you want?" he asked.
Alex nodded her head, "I want things to go on as normal, when I return form Washington, I don't want to find transfer papers filed in my absence or a smear campaign underway," she stated.
Jack shook his head, "Is that what you think of me?"
Alex shrugged her shoulders, "I spent twenty fours being hunted down by a deranged FBI agent…I don't know what to expect anymore," she answered honestly.
He looked at her, seeing the steely resolve in her eyes and nodded, "You will no longer be able to call Det-"
"Yes, I know," Alex interrupted.
Liz sat in silence, secretly proud of her former protégé. She watched McCoy contemplate his next move and decided to strike. She produced the folder from her briefcase and handed it to him, "Should you renege on this conversation," she supplied.
McCoy accepted the folder and opened it, he studied the sheets of paper intently and blinked rapidly as understanding set in. He looked over at Liz and shook his head, "You felt this was necessary ?"
Liz held his gaze, "Jack, she's the next best thing…you know it and we all know it…if this country is to progress it needs to be more diverse," she paused, indicating Alex, "Hello diversity," she said.