Chapter Ten
Arrival
It's just like Ground Hog Day….the annoying gripe of Alex's alarm clock jolts her out of bed forcing her into the shower still half asleep. God….this sucks….
The pulsating rush of warm water hugs her like the welcoming arms of a mother after a bad day on the play ground. 15 minutes of stalling is enough, she knows she needs to get her ass in gear as she needs to be at the academy ready to instruct by 8am.
Alex blow dries her soft, flaxen, shoulder length hair, applies a light coat of makeup, and jumps into a pair of tan slacks, buttoning her royal blue Ralph Lauren shirt. She collects the last of her belongings scattered about, before loading up the Mercedes.
She gives her massive apartment one last glance, quickly running down the checklist in her head…..lights are on the timer, mail forwarded to Liz, rent paid in advance, laundry basket, suitcases, linens, attaché case, lesson plans, purse, keys…..I'm good.
With a deep sigh, Alex hits the ground running, so to speak, and drives quickly out of the city. Just reaching the outskirts of Manhattan, Alex makes her way Northbound on I-95. She stops at a small filling station for gas, grabs The New York Times, and a large cup of coffee. Providing there's no traffic, she will arrive at the academy around 7am, leaving her just enough time to unload her car, grab her lesson plans and wander around the law enforcement campus a bit…..hopefully.
As Alex gets back into her car, she takes a deep breath, then a long pull from her coffee that she wishes were hotter, and turns on the radio. In a weird way, Alex is kind of excited about her new challenge and change of pace. It sinks in that the break from SVU, the court room drama, the pressure of winning, the heartbreak of losing, the constant worrying about her detectives…..may be good for her.
The radio hums quietly in the background, that is until she hears one of her favorite songs, and it instantly stirs up memories of Liv. Alex is harshly reminded of the strong feelings she's acquired for the detective, which causes her heart to crush and her stomach turn. Alex turns up the volume and mouths every word Steven Tyler croons…..
I'm alone
Yeah, I don't know if I can face the night
I'm in tears and the cryin' that I do is for you
I want your love - Let's break the walls between us
Don't make it tough - I'll put away my pride
Enough's enough I've suffered and I've seen the light
Don't know what I'm gonna do Come and save me tonight You're the reason I live Baby, Baby You're my angel
Baby
You're my angel
Come and save me tonight
You're my angel
Come and make it all right
About this feeling inside
Yes it's true - Loneliness took me for a ride
Without your love - I'm nothing but a begger
Without your love - a dog without a bone
What can I do I'm sleeping in this bed alone
You're the reason I die
You're the reason I give
When I break down and cry
Don't need no reason why
Come and save me tonight
you're my angel
Come and take me allright
Come and save me tonight, Come and save me tonight, Come and save me tonight,
Come and save me tonight, Come and save me tonight
The trek seems long and tedious. Her GPS tells her she is 45 minutes south of Ithaca, and the scenery suddenly changes from crowded urban neighborhoods to green rolling pastures spotted with dairy cows, the occasional red barn, and windmills every half mile or so. I'm definitely getting close….. She's been driving for just over an hour now.
Several more decent songs come and go on the pre-set satellite radio stations marked 'Favorites', and Alex is only a mile from her exit, which will take her to the NYS Law Enforcement Academy. The sun is peeking itself through the muggy July air, and the roads wind through tall rows of green topped maple trees. Up ahead she can see the main entrance to the facility through some still lingering fog. She approaches the gate where two armed and very stoic guards stand, and rolls down her window looking at the dashboard clock…. 6:45am……great timing….Liv will make it faster if she takes an unmarked.
She displays her badge and her work ID and the one guard with a name tag that read Cpl. Browning, replies in a crisp, yet monotone and militaristic manner: "Thank you ADA Cabot, DI Robertson is expecting you M'am. Please follow the road around to the left and you can park in an open faculty space. I'll radio ahead and let him know you're here. Have a good day M'am, and welcome…."
"Thanks Corporal, appreciate it". Alex slowly drives away and does as Browning said. Her tires bump along the dirt and gravel road, throwing gray dust against the shiny and clean black paint of her car. She finds an open space next to an older model green Dodge Ram pick up truck, and cuts the engine.
As she sits quietly for a moment gathering her thoughts, she can hear in the distance the drone of a cadence being sung. She looks to her left where an open field spreads wide, and just over a steep hill, Alex sees a neatly packed platoon of white t-shirts and blue gym shorts making its way towards her.
She stands outside of her car and watches as the group runs past her huffing, puffing and still singing. "Left! Right!...Left, Right, Left!.....A C-130 is a rollin' down the strip, a Re-con daddy gonna take a little trip……"
At the rear of the pack there is a young woman. Alex quickly assesses the cadet and can tell she is athletically thin with a muscular frame, about 5'5"….5'6" tops, short textured dark brown hair and a commanding voice that booms forward, directing the squad ahead of her. Platoon or class leader Alex thinks to herself, and is instantly impressed. She counts heads and amongst the sea of testosterone, she only sees 2 other females in the mix, excluding the class leader.
The recruit briefly locks eyes with Alex and respectfully nods her head. The woman reminds her of Olivia in an uncanny way and as she jogs past, Alex reads the name on the back of her shirt….Federov.
Alex jumps when she hears the voice behind her "ADA Cabot I presume?" She reels around and looks up at the monstrosity before her. "Jesus!.....Ah sorry….yes…yes…ADA Cabot….please, call me Alex", and the attorney extends her right hand, firmly shaking the one already in front of her.
"Welcome to the New York State Law Enforcement Academy. I'm DI Robertson, but feel free to call me Walt. I'm in charge of over seeing the recruits and their performance, or lack there of from time to time."
Alex studies the giant for a moment before responding again. He is dark skinned, older, early 50's perhaps, but in incredible shape. His biceps bulge under the tightly rolled sleeves of his camouflage fatigues. His campaign hat sits on top of a freshly cut fade and it's tipped down in such a way, that she can barely see the black eyes that seem to pierce right through her. Alex assumes this is part of the intimidation factor and gulps hard hoping he doesn't notice. The drill instructor's black, high lace jump boots glow so intensely, Alex swears she saw her reflection in the toe.
Robertson is tall, very tall, at least 6'5" and no comparison to Alex's lanky 5'10" frame. He stands with his legs apart and his arms crossed behind him, resting in the small of his back. He is well spoken and very matter-of-fact.
"Ms. Cabot, it is an absolute honor to have you here at this academy. Let me show you to your cabin. I'll get a cadet to assist you with your belongings. Follow me please".
Without hesitating, Alex quickly steps behind Robertson "Thank you Walt, it's a pleasure to be here".
The DI points out the Mess Hall along the way and continues to commentate "Breakfast is 7am sharp, lunch is at noon and dinner 6pm". Alex nods "Ok……"
Just next to the Mess Hall is a smaller building, she reads the bold lettering….INFIRMARY…..Walt points again as he strides ahead "In case you're ever in need of medical care, we have one doctor and two nurses on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".
Good to know…Alex thinks to herself….If the food doesn't get me….this guy will….
Behind the infirmary sat the gym. It was nothing more than an oversized warehouse. Robertson growled "This here is where we PT everyday, feel free after hours to come work out if you so choose….Hoo Rah!"
One of the bay doors was rolled up and Alex was able to take a quick peek inside. There were numerous sets of free weights, pull up bars, racks of weighed medicine balls, a row of hanging heavy bags, a few speed bags, several knotted ropes dangling from the ceiling, and five stacks of pads she assumed were used for defensive tactics training.
Robertson cuts a tight left and marches towards two rows of brick dormitories. There were four buildings on each side and a courtyard separated the rows. There were several picnic tables and bar b q grills littered about the yard. On the left a painted wooden sign read Male Dorms and on the right, Female Dorms.
Robertson simply stated "Here we have dorm row…guys on the left, girls on the right….straight ahead here is your cabin. Currently you are the only faculty member besides me that is staying on campus. Everyone else commutes".
Lovely….I was hoping he was married and had a wife to go home to….
"So….Walt….where is your cabin?" Alex couldn't help herself. Without looking at her, he grumbles…
"No worries Ms. Cabot….I'm about an eighth of a mile east of you"…..and points in the general direction.
"Uh…sorry Walt I didn't mean it like…."
Robertson cuts her off… "No worries M'am….I need my space at the end of the day and trust me when I tell you….you will too".
Alex shakes her head "I don't doubt that….."
Robertson turns on a dime to face Alex and hands her a key. "Here you go Ms. Cabot. It's not much, but it serves its purpose and at least the bed is comfortable".
She takes the key and he posts up just outside of her door like a guard dog. "I'll wait for you here while you check it out, and then I'll walk you back to your car where I'll have a cadet ready to help you with your things. Class starts in 45 minutes".
"Thank you Walt…I really do appreciate it…." Robertson salutes her with his left hand canted "Not a problem M'am".
They walk briskly back to her car and a male cadet still clad in his PT gear, is standing near the trunk at full attention. His feet were perfectly spaced at 45 degrees, hands at his sides and he glared straight ahead.
As she and Robertson approached, the cadet yelled startling her a little…"Good Morning ADA Cabot… M'am!! Good Morning DI Robertson….SIR!"
Robertson yelled right back…."At ease recruit DeRosantis!!" The handsome young man relaxed a little nodding his head at Alex as he extended a hand…."It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Cabot".
Alex cracked a small smile…."Same here". She popped the trunk and DeRosantis was inside grabbing things within seconds. She followed suit and before long, she was following him back to her cabin.
There were no words exchanged, and the recruit looked as if he had a million other things racing through his mind, obviously too preoccupied to carry on any type of conversation with Alex. Helping her with her things was a direct order, not a social event, and this type of strict disciplined behavior was going to take some getting used to.
DeRosantis carefully stacked her things on top of the neatly made queen size bed, and pointed out the few amenities the cabin had to offer.
He spoke softly and respectfully…."Is there anything else I can do for you Ms. Cabot?"
Alex shook her head…."I don't think so, you've been such a great help already…thank you….please…you can call me Alex…all this formality stuff is weird to me…and um…I didn't catch your first name…."
The young man is sweating now and as he wipes his brow he whispers….
"When all is said and done at the end of the day, I will have no problem calling you Alex….but during our 10 hours on the clock, you will be referred to as Ms. Cabot….I along with the other recruits are called by our last names, and Walt there will always be DI Robertson…. Joe….that's my first name…. but everyone calls me D-Ro for short".
Alex giggles a little "Ok…well then…D-Ro I guess I'll see you for class".
Joe lets off a smile and just before he bolts out the door to go change, Alex presents him with one last question….
"Ah D-Ro…..sorry, I forgot….um what's your class leader's name again?"
Joe shouts from outside her door forgetting she is only 10 feet away… "Federov….Brianna Federov….good girl….she's tough".
Alex nods "Thanks…." She watches as Joe sprints to his dorm. Poor guy…he only has like 15 minutes to shower and dress…
Alex grabs her attaché case carrying her laptop, lesson plans, charge book, penal codes and a few other odds and ends, and heads off to the only building she hasn't seen yet, the main class room. She could use the extra few minutes to look over the student roster and set her things up.
She walks inside the drab room brightly illuminated with fluorescent lighting and looks around. She notices her desk, a podium, six 12 foot tables, 3 to each side creating a clear path to walk, and one single table centered perfectly towards the back of the room. She also noticed on the opposite side of the room, a table which housed a large coffee urn, a microwave oven and a full sized refrigerator and freezer.
Alex looks at the clock on the wall as she unloads her attaché case….7:55am. Shit…this day is going fast…. All of a sudden she hears stomping coming from the hallway and the faint yell of a familiar voice "Your left….your left….your left right left….your left…… " The stomping gets louder and Alex exits the door closer to her desk in order to get a better look.
Here the platoon marches in place awaiting their next command which comes with such force it sends a chill down Alex's spine. "Platoon! Halt!" and in unison, the cadets' boots mock a one two count….stomp…stomp…. silence.
Alex stands with her arms crossed and is amazed at the sight before her. She stares on, peering through her black rimmed glasses, and watches Federov the platoon leader work.
They all look the same, sharply dressed in their class 'A' uniforms. Starched light blue, short sleeved shirts, donned with silver collar brass. Name tags on the breast pockets, an American Flag patch on the left sleeve and the New York State Seal on the right. Black polyester pants with creases so fine, you'd cut yourself, and 8 inch black combat boots so shiny, they look like pools of crystal clear water. Navy blue ball caps hugged each of their heads and in light blue stitching, block letters covering the front read LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY NYS
The two other women in the class had their hair neatly tied in buns and the men were cleanly shaven, including all of their heads. They looked like cue balls on a pool table. Second to last in line, stood a Hispanic male and in his right hand he carried a large flag. He must be the 'guide-on'. Olivia told her once several years ago, the infrastructure of an academy class, so she wasn't all that clueless.
In unison, the class suddenly shouted the following verse at the top of their lungs, and Alex quickly learned this would be the routine every day…..
"Highly motivated, extremely dedicated, rough, tough, can't get enough law enforcements recruits of class 114!! Hoooo-Raaaaaah!"
Oh my, this was going to get old….fast. One by one, the cadets ripped the covers from their heads stuffing them in the backs of their pants, and ran inside the class room. Each one stood in front of their respective seat until the last person in the door was Federov.
Once inside, she yelled "Class! Ah-ten-tion! Final count is 35, all present and accounted for!"
Alex feeling very uncomfortable, walks back inside. She is unsure what to do, so she smiles and holds up her right hand in an attempt to wave.
Federov once again yells at the top of her lungs "Seats!" All 35 recruits drop at once, asses hitting seats in compliance with Federov's final demand.
Alex looks at the class, who silently await her next move. She notices immediately the table to the rear of the room and who is occupying it. Federov sits in the middle and she has two men to her right and two men to her left. The Hispanic male, the guide-on, sat at the very end, almost isolated from the group.
Intrigued, Alex can't help but stare at Federov. She can feel her face flush. The young woman, Brianna as Joe called her, had her short brown hair tousled about her crown in such a way it made Alex salivate a little. Her eyes were stunning, light blue and so bright, she could easily get lost in them.
Alex was aggravated. She only had feelings for one woman and one woman only and that was Detective Olivia Benson. Before Olivia came into the picture, Alex never noticed women before, and she certainly never thought about them in a sexual way. Sure, she was mature enough to recognize and appreciate an attractive female, but never did she think other than Olivia of course, a woman to be sexy.
So just what the fuck was going through her head as she sat gawking at Federov? Alex hated labels and she swore she'd never attach one to herself or Olivia or what they had in the way of a relationship, but Alex summed it up in less than 30 seconds, her true identity that is.
I am such a lesbian…..
Quickly snapping herself back into reality, she breaks her stare from Federov and addresses the class.
"Good Morning. I am Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot. I'm a prosecutor for the state of New York, and I work exclusively for the 16th precincts Special Victims Unit or more commonly known as SVU, as their personal ADA. I've been with the unit for the last 3 years and I help them put away the monsters that commit horrific sex crimes. I have been selected to teach the last high liability block of your formal academy training, and hopefully you will get something out of what I plan to give to you in the way of fast education. Everyone, I'd like to welcome you to Legal, the backbone of your jobs in essence. I'll try to make the next month as painless as possible, but I'm going to need a little help from you all on a daily basis".
Alex can feel the tension drain as she becomes more at ease and comfortable in front of the class.
Piece of cake…they'll be in the palm of my hand by days end….
Alex's mind drifts momentarily as she lets out a muffled sigh. She can't help but day dream about Olivia and wonders if the incredible detective is thinking of her too.
Ughhhhh……I miss you Livey…….
TBC……