Previous Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 10

After about an hour, the ladies left the hospital. Alex drove Olivia back home; she found a parking place and decided to walk Olivia upstairs. As soon as they were in they were inside Olivia made a bee-line for the bathroom. Alex took off her coat and waited; she had a few minutes before she needed to leave. Alex was at the window looking out over the city when Olivia came hobbling back from the bathroom.

"Hey Babe, how long before you need to leave?" Asked Olivia.

"Not long, a few minutes."

As Olivia made her way to the sofa, Alex came over to join her.

"So, will you come over for dinner tonight?" Asked Olivia as she leaned in to kiss Alex.

"Most definitely."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Uh…Alliieeee."

"Whaaat?"

"Seriously, when they called my name back at the therapist's office. You hesitated; you were in a different world. I was just wondering what was going on with you then?"

"You caught me off guard."

"How? I don't understand."

"When you called me your girlfriend."

"Was that not OK?"

"It was more than OK. It was just the first time you called me that. It's just…hearing you say that; it felt so good, so right." Replied Alex as she moved in to kiss her girlfriend.

They kissed deeply until one of them required more oxygen; as they lips separated their foreheads came together. Alex's left hand was still planted on the sofa for support while her right was on the side of Olivia's neck brushing through the dark tresses. Olivia leaned to the back of the sofa pulling Alex with her. Alex settled into her side with the one hand still playing with Olivia's hair.

They were both silent just holding each other. Olivia could stay there all day just holding Alex and that would leave her content.

"Allie, what are you thinking about?"

"Your hair."

"What about it?"

"You are beautiful Liv, no matter how long or how short your hair is…"

"But?"

Alex shifted up to look into Olivia's eyes.

"But the whole time I was in Witness Protection, I only had the image of you from when I left and from the Connors trail in my head. Your hair was short then; I can remember you wearing your black slacks and that maroon top. Then you would have your black leather jacket on; you would have your gun at your side, your badge, phone and cuffs all clipped to your belt, like a utility belt a super hero would wear. My super hero. And to top it off, your swagger."

"My what?"

"You have this swagger about you. It reeks of confidence and stature. It was all I had to go on."

"So you like hair better short?"

"I don't care whether it is short or not, just as long as I am with you. That is all that matters. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Alex."

After a few more minutes had passes Alex pushed away from Olivia.

"I don't want to, but I have to go. I'm due in court in an hour. I'll call when I know what time I'll be home."

"OK."

They kissed a few more times.

"I really really need to go, now." Said Alex.

"Alright, have a good afternoon Babe. I'll see you this evening."

Olivia got up from the sofa and slowly hobbled with Alex to the door. They kissed one more time before Alex finally made it through the door. A smile drew across Alex's face and she kept it the rest of the afternoon.

Olivia returned to the sofa and pulled out her phone. She made a quick call to her hair dresser to see when she could get an appointment. As luck would have it, there was a cancellation later that afternoon and Olivia took the appointment. She then checked her frig for what items she may be missing for the dinner she wanted to prepare for Alex. She made her list and then quickly made herself a sandwich for lunch. She went to change out of her sweats and into jeans and a t-shirt.

Olivia called for a cab, then she put back on her one tennis shoe and left the sock over the left foot. The therapist had said to wait a few more days before putting a tennis shoe on her injured foot. She slipped her leather jacket on and clipped her phone to her belt and headed out the door. By the time she got out to the curb, the cab pulled up. She didn't have far to go and normally she would walk it, but it would be a few weeks before she would be able to do that. She directed the cab a few blocks to the larger market; they would have what she needed vs the bodega on the corner. She asked the cabbie to wait to which he agreed. She saw the manager outside working with the produce; just who she was looking for. He knew her by name; she had helped his niece when she had been attacked a few years ago, she wasn't raped thankfully, but it was close.

"Detective Benson! What happened?

"Hey Mr. Bombardi. I sprained it chasing a bad guy. I'm stuck on the walking sticks for a few weeks."

"You need to take it easy and get well, Detective. We can't have one of New York's Finest not up to par. Anything I can do to help?"

"Actually, that's why I'm here. My girlfriend has been taking care of me since I got hurt and I want to make her dinner tonight to thank her. I was hoping you could have someone gather the groceries on my list here and have them delivered to my apartment around 4pm?"

"Absolutely, Detective. Consider it done."

"If you don't have something or have a question, my cell is there at the bottom. I've got another couple of errands to run before I'll be back home."

"Alright, be careful Detective and enjoy your meal this evening."

"Thanks, Mr. Bombardi." Replied Olivia as she turned away back to the cab.

"I plan to." She said to herself.

She got back in the cab and she gave him the address for her next stop. She got out of the cab, paid him and sent him on his way. She hobbled into the salon for her appointment. Her hair dresser took her straight back and got to work. It didn't take very long and Olivia was back out on the curb hoping to hail a cab.

She got her cab and went to her next and last stop, the florist. She wanted to order a dozen red roses to be delivered to Alex's office; but she knew that would raise too many questions with the office staff. So instead, she would have those delivered to her apartment later that afternoon. They would be the center piece for the dinner she wanted to prepare for Alex. So, she told the florist who the flowers were for and what she wanted them to mean. She watched as the florist started with a simple vase added different types flowers of various colors and styles, some baby's breath and some greenery. When she was done, there was a simple but elegant vase of flowers that was as gorgeous as their recipient. The florist slid the card over to Olivia for her to personalize the note. Olivia thought for a moment and then began to write. She settled up with the florist and was back on the streets of New York hailing a taxi for home.

Alex had finished with her arraignments and had been back in her office for a while. She had just finished printing a few documents when a knock came to her door. She called for the person to come in. It was her assistant bringing in the most beautiful bouquet of flowers.

"Someone must love you lots, Alex. These are for you."

"Thank you, Tessa."

Her assistant waited and watched as Alex removed the card. Alex could tell that she obviously wanted to stay and find out who the flowers were from.

"You can go now." Said Alex as she watched Tessa leave and pull her door closed.

Alex opened the enveloped and slid the small card out to read it.

'A-

Just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you. These flowers don't hold a candle to your beauty.

Love,

O'

The smile that was already on Alex's face got only bigger. She reached for her phone and dialed her girlfriend.

"Benson."

"Hey you."

"Hey."

"I got your flowers."

"You did?"

"They are beautiful Liv."

"Not as beautiful as you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Do you know what time you'll be home?"

"I hoping to leave here around 6pm, so maybe 6:30pm or so. We can order pizza or something."

"OK, we'll decided when you get here. See ya soon. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Bye Babe."

"Bye."

As Alex hung up the phone, she took a deep breath. She grabbed the papers from her printer, sorted through them for the one she was after. She signed it and put it in an envelope. She dropped it and her cell phone in her briefcase and headed out the door to the elevator to go up a few floors. She exited the lift and headed to her intended destination.

"Hi Marie. Is he in? I was hoping to have a few minutes of his time."

"He's in with Cutter at the moment. They shouldn't be long if you want to wait?"

"Thanks, I'll wait."

Ten minutes or so had passed and Mike Cutter came out of Jack McCoy's office. He spoke briefly to Alex as he walked by in a hurry somewhere. Marie motioned Alex into Jack's office. She knocked on his open door.

"Alex, please come in." Said Jack McCoy rising to greet her.

"Good afternoon Jack."

"So what brings you to my office today?"

"I need to speak with you about something, something that affects me personally." Said Alex as she closed the door.

Jack motioned for Alex to sit as he took a seat. Alex felt better on her feet, more in control like she is when she is in the courtroom.

"OK. How can I help?"

"I've started seeing someone, dating. I've actually had feelings for this person for a long time, but circumstances always prevented us from being together. Now we are both in a position where we want to pursue a relationship."

"Alright. So why are you coming to me?"

"It's a detective at the 1-6."

"I see."

"Are there any guidelines that prohibit an ADA and a detective from the same squad being involved in a romantic relationship?"

"Unfortunately, yes. It would be unethical for and ADA to be involved with a detective in the same unit because personal feelings could be called into question regarding objectivity. It would be akin to two police partners being involved."

Alex didn't say anything. She was prepared for this answer.

"Alex, do you want to risk your position or the detective's position? Is this worth it?"

"Yes, Jack. It is worth it."

Alex reached into the side pocket of her bag and retrieved the envelope that she placed there moments ago. She stepped closer to Jack's desk and held the envelope out for him. Jack stood and took the envelope from her. As they continued speaking he opened the letter to read it.

"Here is my formal request for a transfer."

"Alex?"

"Jack, after the upheaval of the last ten years of my life I am finally happy. I've found someone who loves me as completely as I do them. I don't have to work, I enjoy prosecuting and will continue to do so as long as the city of New York will have me. I've had too many decisions made for me that greatly impacted my life. Now it is my turn. I have the only say as to who I love and I won't give them up for anything."

"You're sure about this?"

"I never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Very well. I only have one option for you right now. I was actually going to speak to you about this tomorrow after I spoke to the other person involved, but since you are here…"

"What?"

"Come Monday, your unit will be without a Bureau Chief. Janice Temple had to take medical leave, breast cancer. So I am moving your Bureau Chief over to take her place, that leaves your unit without a Chief. What do you say Alex? How about moving up to Bureau Chief?"

Jack could see Alex contemplating his suggestion.

"You wouldn't be directly involved with any cases; there would be no conflict of interest. I know you enjoy being in the courtroom; you can pick and chose the cases you want to try therefore avoid any cases that involve your detective."

"Bureau Chief?" Clarified Alex.

"Bureau Chief. It's yours if you want it. Otherwise it will be a while before I can find you another ADA slot."

"What about my position? Who will fill that spot?"

"I have someone in mind. They would be able to step right in. I just need to make a couple of phone calls."

"And you're confident in their abilities to pick right up?"

"I am; but I don't want to say anything until it is a done deal."

"Alright. I accept."

"Good, I'm glad that is settled. I trust that you and your detective will be discreet until your transition is final?"

"Of course, Jack. And thank you for working with me on this."

"I'm glad you came to me first instead of trying to hide this."

"No, Jack, no hiding. Once we are in the clear, no more hiding."

Alex left Jack's office satisfied, content and happy; truly happy for the first time in a very long time. It was times like these that she missed her parents, her Mother. She returned to her office. She shutdown her laptop and packed it up, she gathered the few files she would need for the night and grabbed her coat headed towards the door. As she was pulling the door to, she saw Olivia's flowers sitting there on her desk. She walked back over to the desk and pulled a single red rose from the vase then retreated out the door.

It was still early; she had plenty of time for the stop she wanted to make. As she drove along the winding road her thoughts were of her love and how she was going to be just as happy as Alex when she told her the news about the Bureau Chief position and what that would mean for them. She reached her destination; as she got out of the car and brought with her the single rose. The winter chill was in the air; Alex lifted the beautiful flower to her nose and in hale the scent as she walked along through the grass. She stopped when she reached the tombstone of Caroline Cabot.

It had been a long time since she had been to her Mother's grave, too long. Alex spent the next little while bringing her Mother up to date on her life; mostly she talked about Olivia and what they had found with each other. Finally, the cold was really starting to chill Alex. She kissed the rose and then laid it upon her Mother's grave. It was time to go home, home to Olivia.

TBC…