Alex pulled the black skirt suit from Olivia's closet. She only had three suits here and an assorted number of other clothes. The rest of her things were either in storage here in the city or being shipped from Kinshasa. She'd be more than happy when they finally moved into their new apartment – she longed for something stable and permanent, considering she'd spent the last year, almost, living in a very transient way.
She felt the same about work, in some ways. She'd been siting at home, doing paperwork to finish up her tenure with the ICC through the DRC's consulate in the city. She wanted something more hands on again, but something where she felt like she was actually making a difference. She hoped that this meeting would be that. If it were not, she was prepared to turn it down.
Walking through the halls of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office was strange after a year or so of being away. The ADAs looked younger, the Bureau Chiefs much older, and she was getting looks that made her uncomfortable. It was like when she came back from Witness Protection. She wasn't Alex Cabot, prosecuting attorney. She was Alex Cabot, the woman who came back from the dead.
"Alex, welcome back to the concrete jungle." Jack stood from his desk and shook her hand.
"Glad to be home. You wanted to see me."
"I did indeed. We're starting a new bureau, investigative and prosecutorial. The Department of Justice has already started its own Civil Rights Division and within it, a division for sex trafficking. We'd like to take our cue from them and establish a unit for sex trafficking here on the city level. I believe your experience in the Special Victims Unit and your work with DRC and the ICC will be valuable here. I'd like to rehire you as an EADA."
"Jack, I need time to consider…"
"If you're concerned about your relationship with Olivia Benson, Elizabeth has already informed me of that and I'm not concerned about impropriety."
Alex smiled. Jack McCoy had a reputation of his own – sleeping with his assistants was just the tip of the iceberg. Jack not being concerned with impropriety was not particularly surprising.
"Yes, that's one of my concerns and I'd like to discuss it with her before I agree to anything."
"Understandable. The offer is open and I'm not considering anyone else until you tell me you don't want it."
XXX
The squad room was relatively quiet when Cragen called Olivia into his office.
"Have a seat."
"Is everything okay, Cap?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you privately."
Admittedly, Olivia was nervous. It wasn't often that he pulled her aside like this, despite the fact that they were much closer than she was with any of the detectives. When she started in SVU, he was first true parental experience. He wasn't overbearing. He was encouraging. He was always there for her. He was everything her mother had not been.
He quietly slipped her a stack of papers; the notice for examination for promotion to Sergeant.
"You want me to take the sergeant's exam?"
"I think you should."
"We don't need another sergeant. We have Munch."
"And when he retires, I need to know there will be someone to step into his shoes."
"But why me? Why not Fin or El?"
To be honest, the idea of sitting behind a desk scared Olivia. She was used to running around, she was used to doing the heavy lifting. She wasn't ready to just give that up right now.
"Because you've been my number two for a long time. Frankly, there aren't many more people that I trust with that kind of responsibility than you."
"Is this an order, Cap?" She smirked.
"It is if it'll make you take the test."
XXX
"Can you believe that in two days, we'll be officially living together?" Alex said softly, putting the dishes in the dishwasher.
"I really can't. I've never really lived with anyone."
"Are you scared?"
"Honestly, no." Olivia joined Alex in the kitchen, "Not at all, actually. And surprisingly I'm excited. I'm so used to not having anyone with me, you know? I'm used to doing everything alone. But for the first time, I'm happy not to be."
"Me too."
"So, how was your meeting with Jack today?"
"Well, he offered me a job."
"Where?"
"They're starting a new bureau, strictly for sex trafficking."
"So, he wants you to prosecute."
"More than that. He wants me as an EADA. Says my experience with the ICC and in the DRC will be of use."
"Wow, Alex. That's going to put you on a fast track to the DA's chair."
"But, I'm going to be so busy. No time to myself, let alone for you."
"We'll make time. Take me out of the situation. What would you want?" Olivia asked.
"That's the thing. You're very much a part of the situation. I don't want my work to interfere with our relationship or keep me away from you."
"Anything worth having will take work." Olivia placed her hands on Alex's hips, "And we're worth having."
"So, you want me to take it?"
"I want you to do what you want."
Alex had to be honest with herself. The job offer was a sweet one. It had all the elements of what Alex wanted since coming back from her work with the ICC. She could prosecute and feel like she was actually making a difference. And there seemed to be nothing standing in her way from having the relationship she wanted and the career future she'd planned for since she was 15.
"I'm taking it then."
"I'm so proud of you, Alex." She smirked as she watched the blush spread over her cheeks, "The captain wants me to take the Sergeant's exam."
"Really? Well, let's be honest. With the exception of Don himself, you run that place. I'm not surprised he wants you to do it."
"The idea of sitting behind a desk…"
"You probably won't sit behind a desk all the time. And hell, Liv, you deserve to. More than anyone I know. You should take it the exam and see what happens."
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask."
Olivia's arms got tighter around Alex, bringing her closer, "Well, counselor, it looks like we have something to celebrate, don't we?"
"Do we now?" Alex leaned in, her lips only inches away.
"Mm hm." Olivia lifted her in one swift motion, carrying her from the kitchen to the couch. She laid her down and quickly covered her body with her own, "And it might be our last chance to do this on this couch."
Alex giggled, "I can't wait to live with you."
Olivia smiled back. She meant what she said earlier – she wasn't afraid of the commitment. For a woman who was, more often than not, physically safe, this was the first time she felt safe emotionally. She never thought she'd ever commit this much in a relationship. Turns out, all it took was the right person.