Set after Season 12, Episode 5 "Wet"

The main characters of Law and Order SVU belong to Dick Wolf and NBC Universal. This is meant for entertainment, not profit.*

Thanks to all who read my previous story Stepping Time. This is a new A/O story and there will not be an OFC love interest coming between Alex and Olivia, however there will be some drama, angst and obstacles as they trudge the road to happy destiny.

I hope you enjoy, and I welcome feedback. Thanks for reading and the reviews so far! Much appreciated!

"Talk, Ask, Listen" Chapter 11

(2 days later-Wednesday)

"Benson," Olivia answered her iPhone as Elliot maneuvered their car through traffic on their way back to the One-Six.

"Hello Detective Benson, its Phillip,"

"And this is Olivia," the brunette smiled, gaining a glance from Elliot. "How was your trip to Burlington?"

"Very good thank you. I think I passed all future in-law tests," Phillip laughed.

"So you are back in town I take it," Olivia commented.

"I am and I was wondering if we could still meet and talk?"

"Sure. How about in an hour or so at Murphy's. All right with you if I get my partner to come along?" Olivia asked.

"Of course," Phillip replied quickly. "As I said I'd like to buy you and Ms. Cabot both drinks and…"

"No Phillip," Olivia smiled. "My work partner Detective Elliot Stabler. Alex has a function tonight." Elliot turned his head quickly towards his partner. "Few things you need to tell me," he mouthed softly. Olivia winked and looked out her window trying not to laugh as she listened to Phillip.

"Well I would certainly like to meet Detective Stabler," Phillip replied.

"Do you know where Murphy's is?" Olivia asked.

"There are two that I know of," Phillip replied, "but I am assuming the one on 97th is most convenient for you."

"It is. I'll see you, hopefully with my partner, there about 5:30 then," Olivia said ending the call.

#-#

"You know I did notice Monday morning you seemed quite happy…well before we got immersed in this case," Elliot said as they neared the precinct.

"And I was going to update you…," Olivia smiled, "but then we got this case and yesterday you had to leave at 4:30."

"I know, but you can spill now. Did I eavesdrop properly?" he smiled. "Did you and Cabot finally hook-up?"

"It was a crazy weekend, but a very good weekend," Olivia blushed slightly. "And yes…yes we are together now."

"Took you two long enough," Elliot replied, "And I want more details, but who is this Phillip guy that you roped me into drinks with and how… how does he know about you and Alex before I do…unless he is a counselor," Elliot smirked.

"Well he was a Marine," Olivia tried. "And we didn't exactly say we were together…he just kind of assumed," Olivia laughed. "How about we just check-in with Dad and then I'll fill you in…not on ALL the details…on the way to Murphy's?"

#-#

"I'm really happy for you two," Elliot said, squeezing Olivia's hand as they pulled into a parking space by Murphy's. "So what event does Alex have tonight, that she can't join us?"

"She's a guest lecturer for a law class at Columbia. She's friends with the professor, so she's speaking to the class from six to seven and then they are having dinner," Olivia said.

"Well it doesn't hurt to do some casual observation here at Murphy's while we chat with Phillip," Elliot said.

"And now that I've told you my impressions of Josh and the whole aquarium debacle, I want to see what I can wrangle from Phillip on him," Olivia said. "I'm curious where he finally found him at about 3 a.m. Sunday."

"Sounds like he was probably at another woman's place," Elliot said as they walked toward the entrance to Murphy's.

"That or a strip club, I'm guessin'," Olivia replied. "And if Josh is just a cheating prick…well, but if he is abusive."

"I think we look like chaperones in this place," Elliot commented as they walked to an empty table by the front window. "But it is only five…maybe they at least get some 30 somethings in here after work."

"Well glad you changed, so you aren't screaming cop," Olivia smiled.

"Not any louder than you are," Elliot smirked as Olivia's phone rang.

"It's Alex," Olivia grinned as the waitress approached and Elliot ordered a pitcher of beer.

"Hey babe," Olivia answered her iPhone. "You on your way to Columbia?"

"Yeah…I'm in a cab. How's your day going?"

"Good, El and I are at Murphy's and just ordered a couple of beers. Phillip is meeting us here in a few."

"I'm glad, because I want you to find out more about his asshole cousin," Alex said harshly. "I ran into him in the lobby on my way out."

"What happened?"

"Condescending, arrogant, homophobic, sexist, asshole," Alex ranted. "He approached me all sweet and grateful, saying how much Maggie adores me and you…ugh…the fucker."

"What did he say?"

"I'm paraphrasing here…but pretty damn close to verbatim," Alex said leaning her head back and looking up as she ran a hand angrily through her hair. "He said, and he had this smug look on his face the whole time…'Maggie crawls into bed with us often if she has a bad dream…she told me that she came into bed with you and Detective Benson'…"

"Ok," Olivia said, taking a gulp of beer.

"Then he said, 'I'm not implying anything inappropriate, because I would have already called the police if I thought Maggie had been harmed.'"

"That son-of-a-bitch," Olivia fumed. "What did you say?"

"I asked him how he dared to even make such an implication, especially when both of us have worked our asses off to put pedophiles and molesters away…and for as long as possible," Alex stammered. "Then he put his hand over my arm softly and apologized, trying to sound sincere…but it was bullshit…saying that he was nervous and his phrasing was not how he wanted. I jerked my arm away and glared at him."

"What did he do then?" Olivia asked, shaking her head and clenching a fist in anger and rapping it on the table

"He apologized again, but then he said, 'Look, you and Olivia are both incredibly beautiful women, and personally I don't care…well actually I'm sure you are really hot together.' He got this big ole smile on his face and winked. Then he said, 'I just would like you two to be discreet around Maggie…don't want her asking questions at her age or thinking it's normal.'"

"That prick," Olivia gasped.

"I told him he should be more concerned about what Maggie sees from her father than her neighbors," Alex said.

"How did he handle that?" Olivia asked.

"He smirked and said that it looked like I was on my way out and to have a nice evening and to tell you hello."

"I think you handled it quite well. I probably would have hit him," Olivia said and then turned her head after seeing Elliot point behind her. "Hey Phillip is here. Let me call you back in five."

"No, that's okay babe," Alex said. "I feel better now…now that I vented and told you. I'll just see you at the apartment later."

"Good luck with the lecture. We'll talk more when I get home…there, to your apartment," Olivia corrected and fumbled.

"Home is fine," Alex chuckled. "I like the sound of that. Bye babe."

Olivia stood up and introduced Phillip and Elliot, before excusing herself to the restroom.

#-#

When Olivia returned Elliot was filling in Phillip on life at the police academy, at least how it used to be. The trio soon relaxed into conversation, Elliot and Olivia sharing general knowledge and information about the academy and their early days as cops, and Phillip about his background, why he joined the Marines, and his family.

"So you and your cousin Josh were really close growing up," Elliot commented.

"We were," Phillip said. "But he's almost five years older than me and when he was a freshman in high school his parents split…well as Josh sees it his mother abandoned him and his dad. I mean, I am sure after this weekend," Phillip continued, looking at Olivia, "my cousin might seem like a bit of an ass to you and Alex…and he has some issues…but he has a lot of great qualities."

"Yes, Alex was just confronted by him about an hour ago with one of his issues," Olivia said evenly, looking first towards Elliot and then at Phillip.

"I'm sorry," Phillip said softly, looking down at his mug of beer.

"Look Phillip," Elliot said calmly. "Help me understand why after all my partner and A.D.A Cabot did for his wife and child you think your cousin might have an issue with them?"

"Did he say something to her about the two of you being together?" Phillip asked hesitantly, looking at Olivia.

"Yes, and why would that be your first thought? Did he talk to you about it?" Olivia asked.

"He left me a voicemail yesterday and I called him today and told him he was being an asshole and he needed to let it go…and I thought I had him convinced," Phillip said. "But he has basically been estranged from his mother since she left…when Josh has a grudge he just won't let it go."

"I thought you said that his dad is out of the picture?" Olivia commented. "And his mom is in Buffalo."

"He is as far as Josh is concerned," Phillip replied, relieved to see the waitress bringing another pitcher of beer. "I have always stayed in touch with Josh's mother, but he doesn't really know that."

"Okay, but what do his issues with his mommy have to do with Olivia and Alex," Elliot said tersely.

"Can I tell you in confidence?" Phillip asked. "I mean I was in the Corp, so the last five years or so I only saw Josh or even really talked to him when I was back in the area on leave. I had hoped when they had Maggie and as he got older…matured…he would reconnect with both his mom and dad."

"We're cops Phillip, we're not going to say anything to anyone when we don't need to," Olivia said softly. "I know he is family, but right now I just want to know why he would say to Alex what he did…and I know you know.

#-#-#

Hope to have Chapter 12 up tomorrow. Thanks for reading and reviewing!