A/N: Okay, timeline will move along quickly after this. Like I said, I'm going to take some creative license with the timeline and time jumps, but the next several chapters are outlined and will be important before something big happens.
BETWEEN THE SCENES: 5.04 LOSS
"Alex, you have to drop this," Olivia said. "Velez is killing everyone connected to this case, and I can't take the thought of losing you."
"Olivia, someone has to get justice for Livia Sandoval," Alex said. "It's my last SVU case, and I'm going to take myself off of it."
They had been having the same fight for two days. Olivia just couldn't understand what Alex was thinking. This wasn't her job. The Feds wanted the case and were more capable of handling it. But Alex wasn't backing down to anyone. Not the Feds. Not the DA's office. And certainly not Olivia.
"You don't have to die for this," Olivia said.
"I don't intend to," Alex said. "Besides, you put yourself in dangerous situations every single day."
"Yeah, but I've never been on the radar of one of the largest organized crime groups in the US," Olivia said. "Please, Alex, if not for yourself, do it for us."
"Or what?" Alex said.
"What do you mean, or what?" Olivia said. "Or you get to live, and I get to spend the rest of my life with you."
"You're overreacting," Alex said.
"Alex, even if I am overreacting, do you honestly thing the Feds would be overreacting if there wasn't a danger?" Olivia said.
"Yes, because they want the case from us," Alex said.
"Then give it to them!" Olivia said. "What are you trying to prove?"
"I'm not trying to prove anything, Olivia," Alex said. "You think I'm doing this for my career?"
"No, I didn't say that," Olivia said.
"You implied it," Alex said.
"No, I didn't," Olivia said.
"So you're telling me if it was you, that you would drop this case?" Alex said.
"Yes, if everyone around me was begging me and warning me," Olivia said.
"That's bullshit, and you know it," Alex said. "You and Elliot disregard warnings, begging, and direct orders on a weekly basis."
Olivia sighed. Alex was probably right.
"I'm not in the situation right now; you are," Olivia said. "So don't compare a hypothetical situation to this. Alex, I love you. I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't," Alex said. "Now, I'm tired of talking about this. Tomorrow is a fresh day. Maybe something good will happen, and it'll all go away."
#
"Alexandra, you are officially off this case," Branch said. "I'm handing it over to the Feds."
"You can't do that," Alex said.
"Actually, I can," Branch said. "Besides, you should be happy. You've been begging me for months to move you out of SVU. Well, consider it done. Instead of starting at White Collar in a couple of weeks, you can start next week. I want you to take the rest of the week off."
"Is this your final decision on Velez?" Alex said.
"I'm afraid so," Branch said. "Now, go home. Enjoy some time off. Enjoy some time with that detective of yours and move on, Alex."
#
Alex was home already when Olivia came in.
"I guess you're happy," Alex said, bitterness dripping from her tone.
"Alex, I didn't have anything to do with this. You know that," Olivia said. "I'm sorry."
"It just seems like nothing ever changes, nothing matters, no matter what we do," Alex said.
"Listen, you get to move on now," Olivia said. "It's what you've been wanting. And hopefully, you won't have as many crazy hours as SVU."
"But you still will," Alex said.
"I know, but at least one of us will be getting some sleep," Olivia smiled. "Come here."
She motioned for Alex to come in sit in her arms. Between this and the Cheryl Avery case last month, Alex had been under a lot of stress. Olivia had been doing her best to live up to her promise of being there, and for the most part, she was.
"My sister is coming over for dinner tomorrow," Alex said. "Branch gave me the rest of the week off before I start White Collar. I figured since I had some free time, I may as well make some effort with Becca."
"That's good," Olivia said. "I'll make sure I'm free or have someone cover for me unless you want sister time."
"No, nothing like that," Alex said. "She's bringing Jessica with her, too."
"Oh," Olivia said.
"What?" Alex said. "I thought she was a friend from high school."
"Yeah, about that," Olivia said. "There is something I need to tell you if she's going to be coming around."
Alex cocked her head around. "What is it?"
"You know a while back when you asked me who my first girl crush was?" Olivia said.
"Uh, yeah," Alex said. She still hadn't made the connection.
"And you remember how I told you I figured out I preferred women the summer after high school?" Olivia said.
"Wait, are you saying?" Alex started to ask.
"Jessica was my first crush," Olivia said. "And first kiss with a woman."
"What?!" Alex said. "But you were dating her brother."
"Yes, I know," Olivia said. "Listen, I was young, and she was this older girl, who was out as a lesbian and didn't care who knew. She intrigued me and I realized I found her attractive. She must have picked up on it because toward the end of the summer, she pulled me into her bedroom one day while James was doing something. And she kissed me."
"She kissed you? Her brother's girlfriend?" Alex said.
"I'm sorry, I should have said something sooner," Olivia said.
"Did you kiss her back?" Alex said.
"Uhhh, yeah, I did," Olivia said. "And I broke up with James the next day. I was too confused and freaked out because I realized at that moment that what I thought I had been feeling for her was real."
"I can't believe you didn't mention this," Alex said.
"Honestly, Alex, I thought about it after dinner that night when we met her," Olivia said. "But you were so angry about other things, I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. So, I just hoped that we wouldn't have to be around or see her."
"You really do have a type, don't you?" Alex said.
Olivia nodded. Jessica, much like her brother James, and like Alex, was a tall blonde.
"Ugh, now I wish I hadn't invited her," Alex said.
"Come on, Alex," Olivia said. "It's ancient history. Besides, she seems to be a good friend to your sister."
"Yeah, I guess so, but so help me, if she talks about seeing you naked again, I'm going to punch her," Alex said. "But thank you for telling me. I'm sure my sister will find out, if she hasn't already, and she has a big mouth. There is no way she'd be able to resist spilling that to me, just to piss me off."
#
Rebecca and Jessica showed up for dinner the following night right on time. Olivia greeted them while Alex finished up dinner. She was still annoyed about Branch making her drop the Velez case, but Olivia noticed she had started to relax already. She was hoping that her sister's presence didn't hinder that.
"Make yourself at home," Olivia said when they came in. "Dinner will be ready in few minutes. Alex is finishing up now."
Rebecca handed Olivia a bottled of wine, which Olivia took to the kitchen and opened, pouring the four of them a glass.
"You're going to go easy tonight, right?" Olivia whispered to Alex, handing her a glass.
"You afraid I'm going to kick Jessica's ass, detective?" Alex flirted.
"Actually, on second thought, drink up, because that would be kind of hot," Olivia teased, placing a kiss on Alex's neck. She left the kitchen and joined Rebecca and Jessica at the dinner table, handing them a glass of wine each.
Olivia finished setting the table and Alex soon came out with the lasagna, salad, and bread.
"Who knew my sister could be so domesticated?" Rebecca laughed. "It looks great, Alex."
"Thanks, Becca," Alex said. "How's the job going?"
"It's going well," Rebecca said. "I started working with a team for a major client just last week."
Alex smiled. She was truly happy to see Becca doing well and was starting to have a little bit of faith in her. Olivia was relieved that Alex seemed to be in a good mood around her sister, too.
"Alex is starting White Collar crimes next week," Olivia said.
"Next week?" Rebecca said. "I thought you had a couple of weeks."
"Oh, well, we had to drop a case we were working," Alex said. She shot a look to Olivia that meant she was not to say a word about what had gone down with the case.
"So you two won't be working together anymore?" Jessica asked.
"Nope," Alex said. "Which isn't a terrible thing. I mean, if you've ever worked with a partner, it's not the easiest thing to do."
"No kidding," Olivia laughed. "I think we're looking forward to it. That way at least our time together can be our time, and we won't be as tempted to spend it talking about work."
"Yeah, but you'll see each other a lot less," Jessica said. "I mean, with your SVU schedule, I can't imagine you have a lot of time together as it is."
"We make it work," Olivia said. "I'm going to grab dessert."
"I'll help," Rebecca offered. She got up and followed Olivia to the kitchen.
When they were gone, it left Alex and Jessica alone, something that didn't thrill Alex. She trusted Olivia, but she still couldn't help being jealous.
"Olivia has changed a lot since high school," Jessica said. "Well, in some ways."
"Yeah, I'd imagine she has," Alex said, curtly.
"She told you, didn't she?" Jessica said, immediately reading Alex's tone and body language.
"She did," Alex said. "We don't keep secrets."
"I just want you to know that I was surprised as she was to see her in my apartment," Jessica said. "Don't worry; you can trust me around your girlfriend."
"I don't need to trust you," Alex smirked. "I trust Olivia."
"Olivia, who cheated on her boyfriend with his sister?" Jessica said. She laughed implying it was a joke, but Alex knew she was trying to get a rise out of her.
"Like you said, she's changed a lot since high school," Alex said.
Olivia and Rebecca returned with dessert. Olivia could tell Alex had become uneasy and shot a look toward Jessica.
When Jessica and Rebecca left later, Olivia sent Alex to get ready for bed while she cleaned up the dishes. Alex cooked, so Olivia insisted on cleaning. When she finally crawled into bed with Alex, she placed a kiss on her cheek.
"That seemed to go well," Olivia said. "You and Becca seem to be getting along better."
"Yeah, it was nice," Alex said. "But I officially don't like Jessica."
Olivia smiled. "You know, I find it cute, and kind of hot, when you get jealous," she said. "But you know you don't have anything to worry about, right?"
"Oh, I know that," Alex said. "But, just in case, I should probably make you remember why I'm your favorite tall blonde."
"Well, you don't need to remind me, I know, but if you want to show me, I won't stop you," Olivia said with a grin, pulling Alex on top of her.
"I love you, Alex," Olivia said. "I know it's been a rough month for you, but things are looking up. They can only get better, right?"
"Please don't jinx it," Alex laughed. "But I'd say right at this moment, things are looking way up." She leaned in and pressed her lips to Olivia before slipping her hand down between Olivia's legs. Jessica may have been Olivia's first kiss with a woman, but Alex was going to make sure she was her last one.