A/N: Attempting to write on my iPad. Things may get a little wonkier than usual. Sorry in advance, but until I can replace my (very expensive) charger for my MacBook, it'll be a bit harder to write. But I'm hoping I can get a new one here by next week sometime. New job in a new city and waiting to move into new apartment...life is in limbo, but I wanted to get something out for you.
CHAPTER 7
Jump forward approximately one year.
Olivia entered Alex's apartment after work, sitting her keys down and smiling to think that soon enough, they would all call this place home. Alex was now her fiancee and in just a few short months, they would be married.
"Alex? Are you home yet?" Olivia said, not seeing her future wife in the living room. She assumed she was in the bedroom, changing out of her work clothes. When Alex emerged from the kitchen, already in her pajamas, it startled Olivia.
"Yeah, I've been home since right after I called you today," Alex said. She'd called Liv earlier and insisted she come over for dinner, that they needed to sort some things out. Liv assumed it was about the moving plans, since the movers were coming next weekend.
"Oh, that was ... 1:00 or so," Olivia said, confused. "Are you feeling ok?"
Alex laughed sarcastically. "Am I feeling ok?" Olivia wondered if she had done something to upset Alex, but couldn't think of anything. They had been blissfully happy for a while now.
Olivia nodded for Alex to sit on the couch with her. She could see Alex had already been there and opened a bottle of wine. A bowl of ice cream was in her hand when she retreated from the kitchen.
"What's going on, Al?" Olivia said softly.
Alex finally sat down, looking defeated. She looked over at Liv, a glint of tears and anger in her blue eyes.
"I got fired today," Alex said flatly.
"You what?!" Olivia couldn't' believe what she was hearing.
"The new District Attorney decided he owed some favors, which included giving my job - as well as some others - to his buddies, or the spawn of his golf pals," ALex said.
"So he just fired you?" Olivia said. "He can't just fire you, can he? I mean, you've given nearly your entire career to the DA's office. And it's a government job!" Olivia was furious.
"I mean, technically, I supposed he could terminate me, but that's not exactly what happened, but it may as well have been," Alex said. "You're right, firing a bunch of assistant district attorney's for no reason would be a headache. That's why he went the cowardly route and just 're-assigned' me so my 'expertise can help better some of the struggling' units."
"What does that mean? What units?" Olivia said.
"Community partnerships. Or elder abuse. Or teaching in the DA Academy," Alex said. "Or appeals, which I flat out said no to. But 'I can have my pick!' He said."
"Why on earth would he want you in any of those bureaus?" Olivia said. "This makes no sense Alex. You're far to experienced and skilled to be doing community partnerships. Not that it's not important, but..."
"Oh, I know exactly why," Alex said. "It's because those bureaus don't get any attention or recognition. He sees me, and a few others, as a threat to run against him in the next election. Someone would have this time if McCoy's wife hadn't gotten ill. Daniels (the new DA) used that to win, claiming Jack would be distracted."
"Yeah, I remember," Liv said. "And I still never thought he'd beat Jack."
"Well, Jack has stood up to a lot of people over the years, some powerful people," Alex said. "They found their stooge and found a way to get him in office."
"So...what are you going to do?" Olivia said. "I know you'd hate it, but I think you'd make a great teacher."
"Ha!" Alex said. "When I had to deal with all those rookie ADAs after I came back from witness protection, Jesus, it drove me insane."
"They must not have all..." Olivia started to bring up Alex's former lover, Jim.
"Don't you dare make a quip about Jim," Alex warned with a smirk on her face.
"Ok, so what are you thinking?" Olivia said. "Can you fight it?"
"I don't think it would be worth it," Alex said. She reached for her glass of wine and took a slow sip, laying back on the couch as she formatted her thoughts. "I think...I think I'm going to put in my papers."
"I'm sorry, what?" Olivia said, shocked for the second time that evening. "Alex, you can't give up without a fight! Maybe I can petition to get you back at SVU."
"Really, Liv?" Alex said. "And what about Stone?"
"Chicago is nice," Olivia grinned. She didn't hate Stone, but she certainly wasn't his biggest fan. He tried hard...too hard, you might say. "I'm kidding, but we've had two ADA's before. He could use someone with your experience and tact guiding him."
"Liv, I love you, but the Brass knows we're together. There is no way they'd assign me there," Alex said. "And even if they did, do you remember how hard it was for us...before? Working together?"
"You're right, but still...you shouldn't give up," Olivia said.
"I don't see it that way," Alex said.
"You don't?"
"I see it as preparing for a battle," ALex said. "Next election, I'll run, and I'll kick Daniels' ass. Or if someone better runs, I'll make sure they kick his ass."
Olivia smirked. "As if there is anyone better than you."
"That's sweet, but Liv, I've sat here all day thinking about this, and to be honest, I could use a change," Alex said. "And if I am ever going to run for DA, it wouldn't be a bad thing to get out of there and see things from a different perspective, you know?"
"Wow...ok," Liv said. "Whatever you want, I will support. Do you think you'll go into private practice? Defense attorney?"
Alex shuttered a little and shook her head. "I don't think so, at least not unless someone really deserves it," she said. "I think...I think I'd like to get involved with some sexual abuse or domestic violence shelters. Maybe volunteer my legal services. I mean, we don't have to worry too much about money, in case that crossed your mind with moving in and getting married. I'd still probably do some contract work, legal consulting."
"No, not at all," Olivia said. "I think it's great idea. There are a lot of survivors that could use an advocate like you out there."
"I think ultimately, as angry as I am about how all this happened, it'll be good," Alex said. "Sometimes I feel like we're just kind of this cog in a wheel that keeps spinning."
"I certainly understand that," Olivia said.
"But, we keep fighting and hopefully, one day, change the legal system so it's more friendly to victims of abuse," Alex said. "I feel like we all fuck that up sometimes."
"I agree...more than you know," Olivia said. "So, are you going to take some time? Think about it? Or..."
"I mean, I'll sleep on it and we can talk about it more over dinner, my options, but I feel like this is what I need to do," Alex said. "I'm certainly not going to take a demotion to further the career of some power-hunger assholes. If I leave, I'll be better equipped and prepared when the time comes."
Olivia smiled and put her hand on Alex's. "You'll be amazing at whatever you decided."
"Thank you, Liv," ALex said. "I was nervous about talking to you. Not because I didn't think you'd understand, I knew you would, but because this is all you've mostly known me as. I love you for supporting me, even if I'm scared as hell about the next steps."
"I'll always support you, Alex," Liv said. "We're a team, in this together. If you want to be the DA, I'll do everything in my power to make it happen. Door knock. Go to fancy fundraisers. Tell the world how brilliant my wife is. Stuff envelopes."
Alex laughed.
"I've got your back, Alex. Always."
Don't worry about Alex's choice here. We aren't going to see her going down the path she did in Sunk Cost Fallacy, but I do like the concept of Alex out in the real world.
As always, your reviews are appreciated. Love it, hate it, have ideas? Let me know with a comment or on twitter -rileyclocks!
