Set after Season 11, Episode 24 "Shattered"

The main characters of Law and Order SVU belong to Dick Wolf and NBC Universal. This is meant for entertainment, not profit.* There are several characters I have created. I am not sure how many chapters this fan fiction story will be. I hope you enjoy, and I welcome feedback.

"Stepping Time" Chapter 28 of ?

Sorry last minute meeting with the Captain. I'm on my way.

Alex glanced at the text message and quickly responded.

No worries. Having drinks with Angie and her friend Tom.

It had been a long week and Olivia didn't feel much like socializing with new people, yet after hearing more than she cared to about the dynamic attorney the past two weeks, her curiosity had peaked. It was great to hear Alex talking so passionately about work again, and Angie and her connections were playing a significant part in that rejuvenation. Yet Olivia wondered if Alex's admiration of the attorney might extend beyond professional interest.

In the previous two weeks both of their work schedules had been heavy. They had managed to squeeze in one breakfast, three lunches, and one SVU work interrupted dinner, followed by great late night sex after Olivia returned to her apartment and found Alex still there. The One-Six had been very busy, but Olivia knew she was also using work as her refuge, as a way to avoid making decisions she not only didn't want to make, but decisions she wasn't ready to make.

Olivia was grateful that tomorrow's division championship would be the last softball game of the Spring Season. Casey had asked her to play in the Summer Season which would start the second week of July, but Olivia said she would only play if they needed an emergency fill-in. Playing the games themselves Olivia still found rather fun, with her competitive nature and teammates she enjoyed. Yet it wasn't the same without Erin, and the drive to and from often found her grumpy, worried, guilty, and/or crying.

Olivia found it a bit ironic that she almost wished Alex or Erin would make the decision for her. She trusted now that if Alex and she had issues, fights, or disagreements they could and would talk through them and not deny them or run away. Yet she had a level of comfort, ease and trust with Erin from the start. She didn't know if it was mainly Erin who had dictated that tone or if she was just more willing to be open and honest and take risks with her heart that she had been afraid to before.

"Hey Melinda," Olivia said answering her iPhone. "You on your way home yet?"

"I was calling to ask you the same," Melinda said. "I wanted to see if you wanted to meet up for a few drinks."

"I'm walking to Malloy's now," Olivia answered. "Meeting Alex there and a few of her friends. Why don't you join us?"

"I don't want to intrude," Melinda said.

"Don't be silly. Alex would love to see you too and I think her friends are only staying for a bit before they go to dinner. Besides I want to buy you a drink or two for expediting those tests this week."

#-#

"You must be Angie," Olivia said extending her right arm towards the lanky, tanned and toned, sandy blonde.

"Nice to meet you Olivia," Angie said shaking the detective's hand. "This is my friend Tom or Tommy," she said placing a hand on the slender, well-dressed man's shoulder.

"Hi Tom," Olivia said.

"Nice to meet you detective," he replied. "My dad was a detective up in Syracuse; he was pretty disappointed I became a hairstylist."

"You have to follow your passion," Olivia replied.

"Very true," Angie said.

"Hey Alex," Olivia smiled. "Melinda called me on the way over. She is going to join us for a few drinks. I am going to see if I can find another chair. Does anybody need another drink?"

"Wait," Angie said, placing a hand on Olivia's arm. "Tom this is your opportunity. Go ask for the chair at the table with the guy you have been drooling over. Olivia what do you want to drink?"

"MGD or Michelob if you are going up," Olivia said. "Thank you."

Olivia plopped in the chair next to Alex.

"It's good to see you," Alex whispered. "I'm glad you invited Melinda."

"Good. I thought you'd be fine with it. We've had a long week. I'm so glad it is Friday," Olivia said.

The evening rolled into night with Olivia spending most of her time talking to Melinda. Alex interjected occasionally, but in trying to be a good host she remained engaged in conversation with Angie and Tom.

"Do you want to leave after this round and get something to eat?" Alex asked Olivia.

"I'm hungry and it is so crowded and loud in here," Olivia said. "Is it okay if Melinda comes with?"

"Sure, Angie and Tom prefer pizza, so if that is good we could just pick a couple up and go back to my apartment," Alex said.

"I thought they had dinner plans already," Olivia said.

"They were just going to get dinner together, but decided they would rather stay with us," Alex said.

"Us or you?" Olivia said.

"I guess me since you have hardly said two words to Angie," Alex said.

"I think she is much more interested in anything you have to say," Olivia replied.

"Since it is so loud in here that's why I think going back to my apartment would be good. We can all talk comfortably," Alex said.

"Ok," Olivia said.

#-#

After the pizza was long finished and conversation had dwindled some, Olivia approached Alex in the kitchen.

"Melinda is ready to leave and I am going to head home too. I'm exhausted," Olivia said.

"I'd like you to stay, but I understand," Alex said.

"You all are having fun, but I can't stop yawning, so I'm not being great company," Olivia said.

"You want to do lunch tomorrow?" Alex asked.

"How about Sunday? Casey is hosting a lunch tomorrow for the softball team and then our game is at four."

"Oh yes the championship. Good luck," Alex said.

"Thanks," Olivia said giving Alex a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow night."

#-#

"Benson," Olivia mumbled into her phone while glancing at her clock which read 12:30 a.m.

"I woke you. I'm sorry," Erin said.

"Don't worry. It is great to hear your voice. I miss you," Olivia said.

"Back at you," Erin said.

"How are you?" Olivia asked.

"One of my troops was wounded last night during a raid," Erin said. "She was medevac'd to Germany today."

"I'm sorry," Olivia said. "Is she going to be okay?"

"She should heal up physically fine," Erin said. "She was one of the best of the 12 I pulled from the CSB, so it has a few of the weaker ones shook up a bit."

"What about you?" Olivia asked.

"I'm ok, but I did call you in the middle of the night knowing I would probably wake you up," Erin half-laughed.

"Well I'm wearing that Army t-shirt, so…" Olivia started.

"You just made my day," Erin smiled.

"Good," Olivia said. "We play in the championship game today. Casey is feeding us a light lunch and then running us through a short practice before the game."

"Not surprising," Erin laughed. "Send me a picture of you all with the trophy, ok?"

"Absolutely," Olivia said. "Have you talked to your dad recently?"

"I called the other day but he was out on some recreation activity. I talked to Dylan though and he said he is adjusting well," Erin said. "Surprisingly, Dylan actually apologized to me and told me not to worry about anything with dad or his house. Said he would handle things."

"Wow, that's a nice change," Olivia said. "Wish he would have been like that from the start."

"Well, I'll take it now," Erin said. "How was your week?"

"Pretty busy, but I'm liking it that way," Olivia said. "But I am glad I'm not on call this weekend."

"Good. Try to get some rest then okay?" Erin said. "Oh and give Petraeus a hug for me."

"I will," Olivia said. "Hey Erin-Fearlessness."

"Fearlessness. I'll call you again soon," Erin said.

"Please do," Olivia said.

#-#

"Hi Alex. What's up?" Olivia answered her phone.

"Did you get some sleep?" Alex asked.

"Yes, I feel much better. Thanks for understanding," Olivia said.

"Casey called a few minutes ago and invited Angie and me up for lunch and to cheer you all on," Alex said. "Can we follow you or ride with you?"

"Why don't you just follow so you two have a car while we are practicing?" Olivia suggested. "I plan on leaving here about 11:30," Olivia paused. "You two have become almost inseparable."

"She was a great host out in California, so I've wanted her to have some fun while she is here," Alex said. "Besides I am glad Casey invited me to watch you guys play."

"I thought watching a softball game would bore you," Olivia said.

"I'm not a softball player, but I did play volleyball through high school and I was pretty good," Alex said. "Is that the only reason you haven't invited me?"

"Probably not," Olivia sighed. "But since Casey invited you it is not a concern."

"What does that mean?" Alex quipped.

"C'mon Alex, Jeff is Erin's best friend and I just thought that even if you were interested in coming to the games, which I didn't think you would be, it would be a bit insensitive to have you in the stands right after she deployed."

"So now that it has been nearly six weeks it is ok in Olivia's rulebook," Alex said.

"I was trying to say obviously Casey and Jeff want you to come too, so I am glad that you are coming," Olivia said. "I'm sorry. How about we just stick to plan and you two come over here about 11:15?"

"Ok," Alex said while answering her door. "Hey Angie is here. We'll see you in a little while."

"Hey Alex. Would you want to go out of town for a few days soon? We both have so many things going on here lately with work."

"I think that would really help sort through some things," Alex said. "See you at 11:15."