Chapter 35

Alex stood in the doorway to the Green room. She was watching Liv as she touched the dress she was wearing. She couldn't help but smile at the woman before her. Liv was elegantly dressed in a black gown. The cream colored coat that went with it offset her skin tone. She was a masterpiece. Liv turned around to catch Alex staring. She moved to do her hair, but Alex shook her head.

"No, leave it down."

Liv smiled at her. She dropped her hands and her hair. Alex strode over to her with a sexy swagger. Liv had to hold herself back.

Alex could see the desire in her eyes. She wondered if it was because Liv desired her or it was because of the way she looked in her royal blue, one shouldered, cocktail dress. Alex didn't care either way. She was just admiring Liv as much as Liv was admiring her.

"You like it down?"

"You know I do. I like it when I can run my fingers through your hair. You know that."

Liv smiled at her. She was still unsure of compliments, but she was getting better. Each time that Alex pushed, Liv learned something else about herself and how she was strong. She watched as Alex got nearer.

"You're sure about this?"

"You wanted to go out. I owe you that much and more, Alex. You're my mistress and I want to do what you want to do. You asked to go out weeks ago and I couldn't…I wouldn't. I think I can do this now," Liv told her.

Alex extended her hand and Liv took it. She pulled her close. They spun around and danced in the room to unheard music. Liv was smiling and that was all that Alex wanted. She wanted to make her happy and feel safe. She just hoped that their evening out would prove to be rewarding for the both of them.

"Are we going to dance here? Or, are we going out?" Liv asked her as Alex spun her around again. "Not that I am complaining. I love to dance with you."

"Oh, no, we're going. I want to show you off. Do you mind?"

"Never, Mistress," Liv answered.

Alex held out her hand again. Liv took it willingly and with a smile. She was always happy to be on Alex's arm. She couldn't wait to see what Alex had instore for them tonight.

They made their way downstairs. Stephen was waiting on them. Liv could appreciate the fact that he was in a tux. He looked good, but she knew that neither Alex nor she wanted him. He was going to be their driver. He was still Alex's driver and security. He was still one of Alex's servants. He had stayed after Sapphire's dismissal. He had become loyal and Alex had rewarded him. Liv smiled at him as they made their way to the door.

"Mistress, the car is ready for you."

"Good, Stephen," Alex replied.

Liv realized that she slipped into business mode with him. She didn't speak to Stephen the same way she spoke to her. Liv knew it was because Mistress cared for her. She could hear it in her voice. It was in the way that Alex touched her, surely, securely and with a grace that Liv knew had only come with her upbringing and the training she'd received at the Club.

"Liv, are you sure? We could just go get dinner, if you'd like. I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Alex told her as they slipped into the back of the Town Car.

"I'll be fine as long as I am with you," Liv replied as she got situated in the car.

Alex took her hand and held. The drive wasn't considerably long, but it was quiet. Stephen kept his distance by leaving the partition up between them. Liv had just been watching the scenery out the window as they drove. She didn't seem distracted. She was just enjoying being out of the house with Alex. There was no reason to be closed off anymore.

"Alex?"

"Yes, my Pet," Alex answered.

"Are we going to the Club?"

"No, my Pet, we aren't. We are however going to a Club function. There will be people there from the Club. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you will tell me," Alex demanded.

"Yes, Mistress," Liv replied.

Alex took Liv's hand. She squeezed it. Liv turned to look at her. She could see the uneasiness in Alex's eyes. She knew that this was an important night for both of them. It was Liv coming back out and living, becoming a member of society again, and realizing that no one was going to judge her for what happened. For Alex, it was different. She was coming home. She was announcing to all her friends and business associates that she was coming back and she was going to be taking back what was hers. She wasn't going to sit back anymore and let others dictate her life. She was going to assert her dominance in society, the courtroom and within the community. New York better be ready, Alexandra Cabot was back and Liv was at her side.

"Do you think that anyone will understand why I left?" Alex asked quietly.

"Does it matter?"

"I don't know."

"You are my Mistress. You have been my one and only for years, Alex. Nothing about that has changed. Yes, there have been others who tried, but I never let them touch me. The most they ever got with me was a drink. It doesn't matter that you left; it only matters that you came back to me and you are going to care for me like you promised. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of. You are my Mistress. You are allowed to do as you wish," Liv explained.

Alex just looked into her eyes. When had Liv turned into the comforter? She smiled weakly. Liv gathered her up and held her close. She knew that it went beyond the norms of their relationship, but in that moment, she didn't care. Alex could punish her later if she so chose. Alex needed her and that was the only thing on Liv's mind.

"Alex…no one matters there tonight besides you. I will not leave your side. I will support you whenever you need it. I will there for you as you are there for me. I will not betray your trust or our relationship. If anyone needs to know, then they can address it with you."

"Liv…"

"No, Mistress, it is my duty to protect you as you protect me. Let me show you the same respect that you give me. No one can do anything to us that we don't allow tonight. Everything that happens has to be consensual. I know that you might want to play with others, but I also know that you will ask me first. I will admit that it might be painful to see you with someone else; I also know that it is your right as my Mistress, and I would never stop you from doing what you like. I love you, Alex. I am sure that you know that," Liv told her.

"I would never play with someone else, Liv. You're the only one that I want. Tonight, however, if you wish, you may stray with no thoughts of repercussions or punishments. I want you to have fun, but I want you do whatever feels right to you as well," Alex told her.

Liv took her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Then, she leaned forward and kissed Alex fully on the mouth. She ran her tongue across her lips and waited for permission. When Alex parted her lips, Liv took advantage and deepened their kiss.

"Then, I shall do that many times tonight," Liv replied.

Alex smiled and pulled her in for another kiss.

"And, I shall enjoy each and every one," Alex stated.

"Good, Mistress. I like it when I please you," Liv told her truthfully. "Besides, no one could ever stir me the way that you do, Alex. I will enjoy myself as long as I am with you."

The car came to a stop. Liv turned and looked out the window, grateful even in the dark that they were tinted dark. She looked up at the formidable house before her. She knew that Alex had money and a lot of the pets and doms had money. It made it easier to hide their lifestyle from prying eyes. But, this house was more like a castle. It was so dank and drab as it was lively and opulent. Liv knew that she was way out of her league and she began to shrink inside herself. She knew the moment Alex realized what she was doing.

"Don't worry about them, Pet. You are the only one that I want on my arm tonight and every night. There isn't any amount of money or pedigree in those rooms that will change that. You have to know that. I don't care about them. I only care about you," Alex explained.

She felt Liv exhale in slight relief as Stephen opened the door. As Stephen extended his hand out for Liv to take, Alex saw her entire demeanor change. She was no longer the meek and mild Pet that she knew and loved. Liv turned into the woman she knew as Detective Benson. She was all business and posture. Alex knew that it was front, but she also knew that it was one that Liv would need tonight as they mingle amongst the crowds. When Liv was set, Stephen reached out for Alex's hand. She felt herself change as well as she stepped out of the car.

The softness that she showed Liv when they were at her house was gone. She knew that she had a part to play and she was willing to play it. She just hoped that Sapphire wasn't there to spoil her evening. And, even if she was, Alex was sure that Sapphire wasn't stupid enough to try something at the gathering without causing a scene, one in which she knew that she would win.

"Don't worry about her, Mistress. I only have eyes for you. And, it seems so does the throng," Liv whispered in her ear as they slowly walked towards the front door.

Alex was on her arm and would remain there for the evening. It would be enough. She'd be damned if anyone would make her feel ashamed for loving the brunet detective. She was a Cabot and she would demand the respect of her name if not her position amongst their closed door community or that of her position in the DA's office again. She was a force and everyone in the Club knew it. They were just all surprised to see her back.

"Alexandra, darling, I thought it was just rumors that you were back," a tall grey haired man said as her neared the beautiful couple.

"Well, as you can see, Senator, they are not."

"It is good to have you back, Alex."

"It is great to be home, Preston. How is Sophia? Is she here?" Alex asked the man.

"Oh, yes, Alex, she is. She wouldn't miss your return. However Sapphire has had her ear all night about some miscommunication between the two of you. I hope that there isn't the need for a council meeting later, is there?" Preston questioned and Alex took the hint.

"No, not tonight, Preston, but it might be something I would like to revisit later."

"Fine then, I'll get her to drop it. Say, is this the lovely lady that brought you back to us? I must say see is a fine specimen. Is she your...?"

"Yes, Preston, she is mine. Let me introduce you. Preston, this is Detective Sergeant Olivia Benson of the NYPD, Manhattan SVU, and Liv, this is Preston Chambers of Chambers, Hewitt and Davis Accounting based out of Long Island. He is an old family friend and the current head of the Club's council. If for some reason we get separated tonight and you can't fine me, find him. He'll take care of you," Alex stated.

"Olivia Benson, eh? I've heard of you. Best damn female detective in Manhattan it seems. Don't worry about me, Little Liv. The Chief of D's is an old…dog of mine. You'll be fine here, I guarantee it. And, as Alex said, if you need anything, find me," Preston told her reaching out to shake her hand in further introduction.

Liv took his hand and shook it firmly. He nodded at the woman in reply. Liv couldn't help but feel herself bristle up when he kissed Alex on the cheek before they continued their way into the house. She sighed once they were inside and she felt Alex's hand on her back.

"You're doing fine, Liv," Alex said reassuringly.

They continued into the house and through the foyer. When they turned to go into a formal sitting room just to the right of the stairs at the end of the foyer, Liv saw her. Sapphire was standing with a beautiful woman in her late sixties. Her long flowing blond hair reminded her of Alex, until she turned to face them. Liv ran her eyes over the woman and then she saw the harshness in her eyes. They weren't a soft icy blue like the Cabot's. They were a hard, deep hazel, almost brown with hints of green and gold. They were mesmerizing.

"Alexandra?" the woman asked as they neared.

Liv could feel each and every one of Alex's finger tips in her back at that point. She knew that Alex was nervous coming back out like this, but she knew the nerves were reserved for the woman before her. Liv couldn't tell why, but she knew that there was something about the older woman that set Alex on edge, but then again, it could have been just the fact that Sapphire was there talking with her before they walked up. Or, it was just because Sapphire was there period.

"Aunt Sophia," Alex answered and Liv stiffened.

She knew then that this wasn't a Cabot, but a woman possibly from her mother's side of the family. Liv tried to pick out something familial about her, but couldn't see it. If she was related to Alex, the resemblance wasn't there.

"We'll speak later, Sapphire," the older woman told the red head beside her.

For her part, Sapphire knew she was being dismissed. She didn't question it. She just bowed her head and walked away. But, it wasn't before her eyes met those of Alex and Olivia's and a quick, silent war was had between them.

"Now, Alex, my dear, why are you shooting daggers at Sapphire tonight?" Sophia asked her.

"Because she assumed that she could play with my Pet," Alex replied through clenched teeth.

"You are the one that turned her down?" Sophia inquired, turning from Alex to Olivia and back.

"I am not sure what she told you, Aunt Sophia, but I am sure that it isn't the complete truth."

"Well, be that as it may, it doesn't matter tonight. You can talk with Preston about it later. I want to talk to you about why you left and why you are back. Shall we go to my sitting room?"

"As you wish, Aunt Sophia, but Liv is coming with us," Alex told her.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, dear. It is obvious she's important to you, as is your privacy. Wouldn't want her getting lost in this house, now would we? Bring your pet, child. You know that they are always welcome here," Sophia replied leading them from the parlor, down the hall and into a dark green and wood paneled sitting room tucked in near the back of the house.