Author's note: I apologize for not getting this posted yesterday. An ice storm left most of Maine without power most of yesterday. I'm all powered up now and ready to go. Only one more chapter after this one. As always, your feedback of any kind is most appreciated.

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Once outside, Olivia helped Alex get in to the car she had the doorman call for them. She got in next to her. Alex grabbed Olivia's hand and laced their fingers.

"I'm really looking forward to the symphony. I haven't been since, well since that case with the cellist. I used to go with my Mom once in a while." Olivia squeezed Alex's hand.

"Me too. They are featuring the works of Vivaldi. Do you like him?"

"The Four Seasons? What's not to love?" Olivia smiled. She just couldn't help it. Being this close to Alex without the pretense and formality just made her extremely happy. And when Alex returned her smile, it made her feel warm inside.

"Where are we going for dinner?" Alex slid a little closer to Olivia. She could smell the faint scent of perfume mixed with hair product and that distinct hint of musk that was Olivia.

"La Cucina Restaurante. It's right near the symphony hall. Munch highly recommended it."

"Munch, huh? Does he know who you're taking to dinner there?" Alex played absently with the fringe on her shawl.

"Yup. That ok?" Olivia pulled her hand back and snaked it around Alex's shoulders.

"Sure. I don't advertise my personal life, Liv...but I think everyone at the 1-6 already knows all my secrets." Alex turned from Olivia and stared out the window.

"Hey, what happened on the case was handled in the strictest confidence. You know that, right?" Olivia squeezed her shoulder a little.

"Yes, but they can't un-know what they know, Liv." Alex continued gazing out in to the New York City night.

"You seriously think every rumor under the sun hadn't already been spouted about you, Alex? It's a boys club, baby. Even way back when, there was plenty said." She placed her fingers under Alex's chin and turned her until she met her eyes. "I'd hand you a cup of coffee and every Y chromosome in the squad had us naked and half-way to happy land."

"I know, but then it wasn't true. Well, it's still not all the way true." Alex gave a half smile.

"Look, I'm willing to keep a low profile, but I'm not going to hide my l..." Olivia's eyes darted from side to side. 'Crap.' "…my feelings for you or our relationship."

Alex had heard Liv's near slip of the tongue and froze. "What?"

"What, what?" Olivia was hoping to at least buy herself some time.

"What did you stop yourself from saying, Liv...and why?" Alex turned to face Olivia.

Olivia took a deep breath. 'I guess the toothpaste is out of the tube. She either feels the same or not. Here goes.' She exhaled slowly. She captured the glacier blue eyes that were begging for honesty. "I'm in love with you, Alex. I have been for...well, I don't even know exactly. What I do know is I love you." Olivia gave a small smile.

Alex felt her insides turn to flame and then melt. The oddest feeling was that simultaneously, goose bumps rose on her flesh. "You're...You love me?" She finally managed barely above a whisper.

"Yes." Olivia nodded.

"Well that's good." Alex's eyes were wide and she wanted to be more eloquent and graceful...but she couldn't.

Olivia bit her bottom lip. "Good?"

"Yes. Good. Good, because I love you, too, Liv. I love you, too." Alex leaned in and gave Olivia the softest, sweetest kiss.

Olivia's eyes closed at the light contact. "Good."

"Ladies?" The driver spoke for the first time. "We have arrived at La Cucina."

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The restaurant was a candlelit setting with intimate tables for two scattered throughout. The two women sat at their table sipping the last of the Chianti, lost in conversation with each other.

"Shall I bring the dessert tray by?" The waitress asked with a pleasant smile.

Olivia smiled at the young woman and looked at Alex. "What do you think?" She checked her watch.

"Do we have time to split a cannoli?" Alex asked a little sheepishly.

"Sure, but we've got symphony tickets...so if you could bring dessert and the check together, that'd be great."

"Sure thing, ladies. I'll get that right out for you." The waitress disappeared in to the kitchen.

"I would have figured you for more of a tiramisu gal." Olivia laughed.

"Nope. Cannoli is my weakness." Alex gave a sly grin.

"I'll keep that in mind." Olivia could not remember having a better time or being this happy. She was certain she looked like an idiot smiling like she was. She could have cared less.

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As they sat in their private box enjoying the music, Alex had slipped off her shawl. Olivia was drawn to the exposed flesh of Alex's back and neck. She licked her lips and slid her arm around Alex. "This ok?"

Alex glanced her way briefly. "Uh huh." She leaned back in to the warmth of Olivia's hand.

Olivia once again felt she was living a dream. She, Olivia Benson, was sitting in a private box at symphony hall with her arm around Alex Cabot. She gently rubbed Alex's shoulder with her thumb.

Alex's skin tingled under Olivia gentle touch. She was as content as she'd ever been. It was almost surreal.

By the first intermission, Alex would have been in Olivia's lap had the seats allowed for it. Olivia's palm was flat against the exposed skin of her upper back and she was rubbing light circles on the base of her neck.

Alex had always had a thing for Olivia's hands, but now that they were on her...and how they were touching her...the symphony could have played the chicken dance and she's not sure she would have noticed. She cleared her throat. "Do you need anything?"

'Boy, do I.' Olivia decided to keep that to herself. "No, but I don't mind stretching my legs a little. Do you want anything?"

"Hhhmmm, I could stand about four more hours of that." Alex pressed back against Olivia's hand.

Olivia leaned in a little and whispered in to Alex's ear. "Is that right?"

"Ok, cut that out." Alex could feel the goose bumps traveling up and down her body from Olivia's breath against her ear and neck. The warmth spreading from her stomach was overwhelming.

"And what if I don't?" Olivia held her position dangerously close to Alex's ear.

Alex growled and turned her head so they were practically nose-to-nose. "Behave."

Olivia laughed and kissed her lightly on the nose. "How about some coffee?"

"Sounds good. Thanks." Alex watched Olivia as she scooted by her and walked out of the box. The dress fit her well and for lack of a better description, Olivia look as good leaving the room as did walking in. Alex bit the inside of her cheek and threw her head back. "You drive me crazy."

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Shortly after the stage darkened and the houselights came up, Alex and Liv were attempting to fight their way through the crowd. Alex grabbed Olivia's hand so they wouldn't lose each other.

"Gah, there's less pushing and shoving leaving Yankee Stadium." Olivia snarked as they finally made it out to the street. Olivia looked at their still joined hands.

"Yes, well, at least it was peppered with the occasional 'excuse me' and not disgruntled stares." Alex saw Olivia looking at their hands. "Oh, I guess I should let go of you now."

Olivia smiled. "Not unless you want to. I'm perfectly happy."

Alex swung their hands in a ridiculously girlish way. "Me too."

"Ok, I don't usually hire cars...how the hell do you reconnect with your driver?" Olivia asked scanning the throngs of people and cars as they continued walking.

"Phone him and tell him to meet us a couple blocks up. It'll be less crowded and easier for him to find us." Alex shivered in the night air.

"I knew hanging out with a child of privilege would pay off sooner or later." Olivia squeezed Alex's hand and pulled out her cell.

Alex wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms. The shawl looked pretty, but it wasn't doing much to keep her warm.

"Ok, we're all set. You cold, sweetie?" Olivia asked with concern.

"A little, but I'll live." Alex held out her hand for Olivia to take.

"Nuh uh." Olivia unbuttoned her coat and shrugged out of one sleeve. She held her coat open. "Come here."

Alex almost melted on the spot with the tenderness of the gesture. Olivia knew her well enough to know she'd never accept her coat, but this...this was something she thought she couldn't refuse. "I like the way you think."

Olivia sighed a contented sigh as Alex snaked an arm around her waist and huddled close under her coat. Liv slid her arm around Alex and they walked arm in arm the two blocks without any conversation. Both women were suddenly oblivious to the cold evening air. For Alex and Olivia, the only thing that existed in that moment was the warmth of each other.

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