A/N: Took a couple days off for a side trip. But, I'm back and ready to plow through some early Season 4. More sweetness ahead. Also, thank you for all the reviews. I love hearing from you all (good and bad).
BETWEEN THE SCENES: 4.02 DECEPTION
"I will never understand women like Gloria Stanfield," Olivia said as she poured a glass of beer from the pitcher on the table at the bar. "I mean, she's raised Kyle since he was 10. He's her son whether the law makes that distinction or not."
"Oh, Gloria never loved Kyle, she was just using him," Elliot said. "She certainly didn't look at him the way she's been looking at you. 'I kiss everyone, Detective.' I mean, I thought she was going to demonstrate right there."
"Excuse me?" Alex said. Her head snapped toward Olivia.
"It's nothing, Alex," Olivia said. "Elliot is just reading innuendo into everything."
"Well, let's not forget when you opened the car door for her, 'Thank you, Detective Benson. And they say chivalry is dead', Elliot continued with a laugh. "Seriously, Liv, no one says Detective to you like that and doesn't want to take you to bed. I mean, just listen to the way Alex says it."
Alex glared at both Olivia and Elliot.
"Well, I'm fortunate enough that the only person I want in my bed is sitting right next to me," Olivia said and gave Alex a wink.
"On that note," Elliot said, "I need to get home to Kathy and the kids." He finished his beer and threw some money on the table for the tip.
"Us, too," Olivia said. "It's been a long couple of weeks."
Twenty minutes later, Olivia and Alex arrived home, both exhausted from the day and the case they just finished.
"Tomorrow, do you want to officially talk to Cragen and Donnelly together, so we can disclose?" Olivia asked. "I know we meant to do it last week, but got busy."
"Yeah, that sounds like a good plan," Alex said as she changed out of her work clothes and into her pajamas. "I'll see when Liz is available, as I'm sure her schedule will be the toughest to pin down."
Olivia wandered back into the living room after changing and turned the TV on. Alex followed soon after, sitting on the couch and leaning up against Olivia.
"Liv, can I ask you a question?" Alex said. Olivia nodded. "Why didn't you mention Gloria hitting on you?"
"Seriously, Alex? I don't know, I didn't think it was important," Olivia said. "It's not like I was interested. I mean, am I supposed to tell you every time someone hits on me?" Her voice was calm and curious, gentle in nature.
"No, of course not," Alex said. "But I mean, I saw it, too. She was pretty determined. It clearly wasn't just a one-off kind of thing. Wait, what did you mean when you said every time someone hits on you? Does that happen a lot?"
"Uhhh," Olivia said.
"Liv," Alex replied.
"It happens on a semi-regular basis," Olivia said. "Elliot gets hit on, too. I think I just get it more because I get it from both men and women. Elliot only gets the women."
Alex sat up, arms crossed, with a smirk on her face.
"Do I detect a bit of jealousy in you, counselor?" Olivia teased.
"Maybe," Alex said, still smirking. "I just don't like it when other people call you detective in my tone. I'm the only one who gets to do that."
"I assure you, Counselor, you have nothing to worry about," Olivia said.
"I don't know," Alex said. "I mean, a couple of weeks ago Elliot was talking about the woman at the strip club hitting on you, and joked you were checking her out, too."
"I was not!" Olivia said, laughing. "But in my defense, if I was, it was only because she was my type."
Alex gave her a curious look.
"Blonde and tall, with killer legs," Olivia said, as she reached out and ran a hand over Alex's legs.
"So, you admit you were checking her out?" Alex said, in her courtroom voice.
"I will invoke my fifth amendment right," Olivia said before pausing at Alex's teasing stare. "So I may notice attractive women as I know you do as well, Counselor, but in all seriousness, you're the only person I ever want to come home to."
"I know, but it's fun teasing you," Alex said. She leaned in and gave Olivia a kiss. "But if I ever see Gloria Stanfield again, I may punch her in the face. Now, detective, you need to take me to bed."
"As you wish."
#
The following day Alex spent much of the morning in court, but they made plans to talk to Liz during lunch about officially disclosing their relationship.
Olivia sat at her desk that morning in a daze, finishing up some paperwork. The ring of her phone snapped her out of it, and she quickly answered.
"Benson."
"Olivia, it's Caroline, Alex's mother," the voice on the other end said. "I couldn't reach Alex, and it's important I speak with her."
"She's in court this morning, Caroline, but I'd be happy to have her call you," Olivia replied. "I'm supposed to see her at lunch."
"Actually, could you do something else for me?" Caroline said.
Olivia listened carefully for the next several minutes. John Cabot had fallen ill over the past week. It started out as a common cold, but his body was too weak to fight it off. It was everything the doctors had prepared them for, yet even still, they weren't prepared. The doctors asked that the family come and come soon. John didn't have much time. Caroline wanted Olivia to bring Alex, to drive her and stay with her, if she was able.
"Of course, Caroline," Olivia said. "You know I'd do anything for Alex. She'll be out of court in a couple of hours. I'll take care of everything and get her there as soon as possible."
She hung up the phone and sat in silence for a moment before she heard Elliot's voice calling her.
"Benson," he said. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
"Alex's father," she said. Elliot knew exactly what was going on.
"What do you need?" he said.
"Can you go to our apartment and get some clothes?" she said. "No, that won't work. Alex will kill me if you go through her underwear drawer."
"Yeah, I was going to say," he said. "Why don't you go and I'll take care of whatever needs to be taken care of here."
She nodded. Elliot would go see Liz, fill her in and make sure Liz could clear Alex's court schedule for the rest of the week. Olivia would get clothes for them. Of course, if she were taking time off to be with Alex, that would have to be explained to Cragen. First things first.
"Captain, could I see you for a minute?" she said, lightly knocking on his door. He nodded and motioned for her to come in.
"I need to take some time off," she said. "The rest of the week, if possible."
"You have plenty of time, I don't see why not," he said. "But what's wrong?"
"We were going to make this official later today, but circumstances have come up," she said. "Alex's father has cancer. He's fallen ill, and they've asked the family to come."
"Okay, what does that have to do with you?" he said. Of course, he knew exactly what it had to do with Olivia, but he was going to allow her to be the one to tell him.
"Captain, we, uh -," she said. Her words stumbled.
"Say no more," he said, noting her uncomfort. "I suspected, and all I will say is, go, be with Alex and give her my love. Also, don't worry about making it official with me. I'll be here ready to hear it when the two of you are ready."
"Thank you, Captain," she said. She gave him a smile as she got up from the chair to leave.
"You're welcome, Liv," he said. "Also, I'm happy for you. Both of you."
Alex finished up in court and called Olivia. No answer. Maybe she's already here. She went to her office and found it empty. She called Olivia again. Still no answer. Olivia better not be backing out on this today.
Alex wandered down the hall to Liz's office, thinking perhaps Olivia was already in there. When she arrived, she saw Elliot in there, much to her surprise.
"What's going on?" Alex asked. She didn't understand why Elliot was there. He almost never had any reason to talk to Liz, especially not without her or Olivia.
"Alex, I need you to go with Detective Stabler," Liz said.
"I have to be back in court in an hour," Alex said. "And I'm supposed to meet Olivia over here."
"The trial has been postponed for today," Liz said. "Please go with Elliot."
"Not until someone tells me what is going on," Alex said, looking between two of them. "Oh God, where is Olivia? Did something happen?"
"Olivia is fine," Elliot said. He took her hand and looked her in the eyes. She didn't believe him. "I promise that she is fine, but get your bag and come with me. I'll explain everything."
Alex looked back at Liz, who gave a nod to Elliot to go. Elliot walked Alex through the crowded DA's office building.
"Elliot, you had better tell me what is going on now," she demanded before they could even get out of the building.
"Not here," he said. "Just give me a minute."
She followed him into the parking garage where she saw Olivia waiting in a car. She looked back to Elliot.
"Olivia will explain everything," he said before giving her a hug. Alex gave him a weird look. Elliot never hugged her. He nodded to Olivia and opened the door for Alex. He quickly left the garage.
"What the hell is going on, Liv?" Alex said. "No one will tell me anything. We were supposed to have a lunch date with Liz, remember?"
She took Alex's hand. "Alex, I remember. I have lunch for us, but this is more important," she said, before pausing for the right words. "It's your father. Your mother called me because you were in court. The doctors want the family to come."
"Oh God, no," Alex said, tears immediately filling her eyes. "Is he?"
"He's alive, Alex, but we have to go now," Olivia said.
"Clothes, I have to get clothes," Alex said. "And court. I need to call Liz." She was beginning to panic and hyperventilate.
Olivia pulled Alex in for a hug, embraced her, and allowed the tears to fall on her shoulder.
"Everything is taken care of, Alex," Olivia whispered in Alex's ear. "Liz knows and has cleared your schedule and postponed court. I packed a bag of clothes for you, and they're already in the car with us. I talked to your assistant. I got us lunch to eat on the way. I took the rest of the week off. I'm here Alex, and I'm going to be through all of this."
Alex glanced at the backseat of the car. She saw two overnight bags and two hanging bags as well. Elliot must have talked to Liz, who got the trial postponed.
"You did all of this?" Alex asked. "What about work? What did you tell Cragen?"
"Cragen knows what he needs to know," Olivia said. "And he sends his love." She smiled slightly, telling Alex that everything was handled. Alex sighed and relaxed back into the seat for the first time. Olivia put the car in drive, but before pulling out, she stopped and placed a hand on Alex's wet cheeks.
"Alex, I love you, and I know this is going to be hard, but you're going to get through it," she said. "I'm here for you, every step of the way."
Alex nodded.
"I'm just not ready," Alex said before she closed her eyes and laid her head back.