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 hope you enjoy, and I welcome feedback.
Well this once again was going to be the final chapter. But my muse once again had other plans, so hopefully 49 will be with an epilogue to come and possibly a sequel down the road-will see where my muse leads me. But definitely writing an A/O story that I have in mind, without an OFC coming between Alex and Olivia as my next story.
Thank you all for continuing to read. I appreciate so much the support through reading and commenting. Thank you again!
"Stepping Time"
Chapter 49 of 49 (Epilogue to come)
#-#
"Lord Carmichael," Olivia bushed. "Isn't it time to go to your hotel room? Serena you can stay as long as you'd like."
Erin pulled Olivia's back tighter into her chest as they sat entwined on the couch. "I'm really enjoying old Olivia Benson stories babe," Erin laughed. Serena sat on the opposite end of the couch and Abbie was almost fully reclined in the brown leather La-Z-Boy.
"Seriously though," Serena glared at Abbie. "We should probably go. We've been here all afternoon."
"I'm enjoying having you two here," Erin smiled. "It is great to be able to just relax and laugh so much."
Olivia turned her head slightly and scowled at Erin. "Not just laugh at 'ole stories involving you," Erin smiled and kissed Olivia on the cheek.
"Yeah Benson, I've shared some rather humiliating and embarrassing stories about myself…not to mention what my soon-to-be wife shared," Abbie retorted.
"Wife!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Yes," Abbie smiled. "Serena actually said yes."
"Abbie proposed on our three-year anniversary, on the 10th," Serena glowed.
"And you really said yes," Olivia joked. "Seriously though, congrats you two, that is awesome."
"Congrats indeed," Erin smiled glancing first at Serena's ring finger and then Abbie's.
Abbie noticed Erin's eyes on her hand. "Serena's favorite jeweler is here in New York, so along with coming to see everybody, we came here to do some ring shopping," Abbie explained.
Serena reached her hands behind her neck and unclasped her white gold with diamonds "V" necklace and handed it to Olivia.
"I was feeling pretty special and spoiled with that as a three-year anniversary gift," Serena beamed.
"It's beautiful," Erin sighed and Olivia nodded.
"Oh that part was easy," Abbie laughed. "We were at this incredibly boring fundraising dinner a few months ago and there was a woman at our table who had more silicon in her rack than that valley in California. When we finally could excuse ourselves from the table I was giving Serena shit for what I thought was rather obvious gawking at the woman's cleavage."
Serena interrupted laughing. "It was hard not to notice her breasts because I thought they were going to come out of her dress, but I was really looking at the necklace. I loved it."
"So I stopped the woman later and asked her where she got it," Abbie said bounding up from the recliner. "Who needs another drink? We'll restock your supply tomorrow Benson."
"I'll take another Michelob, please," Erin called from the couch. "So I want to hear how you proposed Abbie…details."
"Awww," Abbie blushed. "I'll let Serena tell ya." Olivia nodded at Abbie for another beer and Abbie gathered their beers and poured Serena another glass of wine.
"She totally blew me away," Serena sighed. "I only got us tickets to a Cowboys game on the 50-yard line."
"Not just a Cowboys game babe," Abbie smiled. "Thanksgiving against the Saints in Dallas. I haven't been to the new stadium yet."
"Well we were going to Dallas for Thanksgiving anyway so I didn't think it was that big of a deal," Serena smiled.
"Even though the Cowboys suck this year," Olivia cracked. "I can assure you, you did good."
"Cowboys are finding their way," Abbie grumbled. "It's early."
"Ladies," Erin admonished jokingly. "I want to hear the proposal story."
"Okay," Serena said settling comfortably into Abbie's lap on the recliner, glass of wine in hand. "First she took me my favorite restaurant…well actually that was after three dozen red roses delivered to my office."
Slightly embarrassed by hearing Serena speak of her romantic prowess, Abbie gestured for her to speed up the story.
"I want to hear details," Erin countered.
"I'm good with the relevant facts," Abbie countered, "but when Serena told her mother…it was what we had for appetizers, the kind of wine, how the entrée was…"
"Okay babe," Serena smiled. "After dinner she had a horse and carriage waiting for us and the ride took us by the Capitol, the Monument and then down to the other end of the Mall by the Lincoln Memorial."
"Very nice Carmichael," Olivia said sincerely and Abbie responded with a wink.
"Then we walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial…my favorite memorial and one of my favorite places to be," Serena sighed. "Abbie sat behind me on the top step as we took in the view and then she placed the necklace around my neck."
"So sweet," Erin said.
"Then she pulled me up and grabbed my hand and we walked back alongside Abe's chair," Serena smiled. "And our friend Paul and his partner Terry were there. I've worked with Paul, and along with being a superb lawyer he is a great singer and musician." Serena leaned over and gave Abbie an adoring peck on the cheek.
"Paul had his guitar and he started playing and singing 'When you say nothing at all,' and we danced right there and it was beautiful…amazing," Serena glowed. "And as he was finishing the final few cords, Abbie dropped to a knee, entwined our fingers…"
"And then I did say more than a few things," Abbie kidded.
"Wonderful, touching things…and then she asked me if I would marry her," Serena and Erin both dabbed tears from their eyes. "And then Terry popped the bottle of champagne and we sipped from our glasses and celebrated."
"Well until the nice park police officer told us we couldn't have alcohol or glass there," Abbie smiled.
"I was glad the officer came," Serena smiled looking at Abbie. "I didn't want to be rude because it was so nice what Paul and Terry did, but I so wanted to get you home."
"I love you," Abbie smiled, pulling Serena towards her for a kiss.
"I love you too," Serena replied.
"So have you two set a date?" Olivia asked, wrapping Erin's arms tighter around her front.
"We're thinking late June or July in D.C.," Abbie replied. "We love it there…and well we can be legally married in D.C."
"You'll be back for good by then Erin, right?" Serena asked.
"I'm still hoping March," Erin said. "That depends on what happens or doesn't happen with Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Otherwise I am scheduled back sometime in early or mid-June."
"We're not even close to having details yet and we want to keep it up relatively small, but we want you two to come," Abbie said.
"Of course," Olivia smiled and Erin nodded her head in agreement. "Thank you."
#-#
"I truly adore those two," Erin said as they walked to Olivia's apartment after saying their goodbyes for the night to Serena and Abbie at the restaurant where they had dinner, more drinks and plenty of laughter.
"They really like you too," Olivia smiled. "And I know they are serious and sincere if you get the assignment at the Pentagon about staying with them while you look for an apartment."
"The Army could put me in temporary quarters while I looked, but it would be a hoot staying with those two for a week or so," Erin replied.
"You think you would find a place that quickly?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Well I know the areas I would consider and would just need a 12 or 15 month lease in a place that would allow Petraeus," Erin said and then paused. "I guess I am just trying to keep it simple, because I don't know what is going to happen," Erin sighed.
Olivia pulled the keys from her coat pocket and unlocked the apartment door. "But you do still want that position if DADT ends right?"
Olivia hung up her coat and the coat she let Erin borrow. "I do," Erin said rubbing her hands up and down her chilled arms, "but truth be told if it didn't mean staying in Afghanistan about another three months I would turn down the position in D.C. and come back to Fort Hamilton."
"You're cold," Olivia said wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close.
"It's still a bit warmer over in Kabul and I am getting pretty tired," Erin said, placing a gentle kiss on Olivia's lips. "Do you still feel the same way about the position in D.C.?"
"I would much prefer you out of Afghanistan in March, back here in the States. If you could leave Kabul in March for either position…yeah selfishly I would want you here…for us to be together and wake up together…"
"That's what I want too," Erin breathed huskily before crashing her lips into Olivia's and sliding her hands down to the buckle of her belt on her jeans. Olivia moaned and pressed her thigh between Erin's legs and into her core. Erin grinded into Olivia's thigh, her breath becoming rapid as Olivia sought out her neck with her lips and tongue.
"Bedroom," Olivia moaned between kisses.
#-#
Olivia awoke Saturday morning with her head still resting comfortably on Erin's shoulder. She placed a soft kiss on her lover's neck. As she opened her eyes fully she focused on the mark she had put during their lovemaking the night before just above Erin's right breast.
It was the third consecutive morning she had awoken with Erin and although there were three more mornings before she had to leave again, Olivia was already dreading the impending separation. Erin stirred slightly before awakening and opening her eyes.
"Mmmmorning," Erin smiled, running her fingers down Olivia's back and pulling her closer. "I'm really loving waking up in your bed with you each morning."
"That's what I was just thinking too," Olivia smiled. "I just wish…"
"I know," Erin interrupted. "I wish I didn't have to go back too."
Olivia pressed her lips to Erin's briefly, smiling. "Yes, that's very true," Olivia said, her mouth hovering just above Erin's and her brown eyes locked with Erin's. "But what I was going to say…well I want to have our bed," she stuttered a bit nervously. "I mean I know it doesn't make any sense right now…and Jeff is in your place."
"I love you Olivia Benson," Erin smiled. "And I really like…I love thinking of our bed, our place."
#-#
Alex stood up and stretched her arm up, waving her hand to get Erin's attention. Erin walked towards Alex at the back of the tiny Mexican restaurant. They stood awkwardly unsure on how to greet each other, before Alex patted her on her leather clad shoulder.
"Thanks for coming," Alex smiled, sliding into her side of the booth.
"I'm glad you wanted to get together," Erin smiled, hanging the leather jacket on a hook on the exterior of the booth before taking a seat.
"That looks like Liv's jacket," Alex commented.
"It is," Erin blushed slightly. "I don't have many civilian clothes in Afghanistan and yesterday when we went to my house, I just got a few to get me through the next few days. Didn't expect it to be so cold today."
"I'm sorry," Alex said. "I wasn't meaning anything…anyway the margaritas here are really good…if you like margaritas. I know it is a little hole in the wall, but great food and drinks."
"I do like margaritas," Erin said. "That sounds good…and I like places like this."
They spent their first margaritas discussing the weather and then generalities about their work. But as they continued with more specifics on why they pursued their chosen careers and what might lay ahead for each of them career-wise the conversation began to flow easily and comfortably. They were both smart women. Both very driven and both incredibly witty.
"You know, I really didn't want to like you not so long ago," Alex admitted as she sipped her second margarita.
"I may be only military police," Erin smiled, "but yeah I figured that out…and I have to admit I was hoping early on you would fall in love with Africa and become the Jane Goodall of zebras or hippos."
"I enjoyed the safari, but…"
"I heard you did," Erin retorted and Alex blushed slightly.
"Shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud," Erin replied.
"Yes you did Mathison," Alex laughed. "And for the record I did hope for orders for you…but never for Afghanistan or Iraq."
"So if Alexandra Cabot would have been generating the orders at DOD where would I have been?' Erin grinned.
"I thought three years at Fort Wainwright would suffice," Alex smirked.
"Alaska is really pretty, but I would prefer to visit," Erin replied smiling.
"I'm an officer of the court so I don't believe in cruel and unusual punishment," Alex retorted. "Alaska has some perks."
"If you really disliked me then, you would have said Fort Polk."
"I don't even know where Fort Polk is" Alex said.
"Louisiana," Erin smiled. "I think they filmed Deliverance there or they should have."
They both laughed and Erin ordered a beer and Alex switched to a glass of wine.
"I'm looking forward to meeting Angie at Humphrey's tonight," Erin said.
"She already likes you a lot," Alex smirked and Erin arched a curious eyebrow. "Well, if Liv wasn't in love with you, Angie and I wouldn't have started seeing each other."
"I can see why Angie would want to be with you and why you are so important to Olivia," Erin responded sincerely.
"And I knew enough of and about you before meeting with you here, to know that you are good…and you and Olivia are very good together," Alex said. "You make her very happy. I wanted to be the one to do that," Alex paused briefly. "And maybe at one point, before a lot of different things happened…well you can't step time."
"I understand," Erin said. "You know, think of the group we've got getting together tonight… cops, prosecutors, and military. We've all seen and experienced our share…and as much as I hate it sometimes, and as much…" Erin smirked and took a sip of beer. "I guess I just couldn't see any of us being bankers or working on Wall Street."
Alex smiled and then began to laugh. "Oh my, I just pictured Munch as a bank teller. Fin, Liv and Elliot as security guards."
"We probably wouldn't have many customers," Erin laughed.
"Hey Erin," Alex said seriously as they got up from the booth and headed towards the exit. Erin stopped and looked directly at Alex. "I'm sure it's dangerous enough in Kabul," Alex continued, "please well, just be careful. Olivia needs you back here."
"Thanks," Erin said softly. "I'm not taking any unnecessary risks…not any."
#-#
"I guess they did have a very good conversation today," Casey spoke directly towards Olivia's ear to overcome the noise at Humphrey's. "They're up two games to one over Jeff and Elliot and talking some serious smack. I didn't know Cabot was such a pool shark."
"Yeah," Olivia smirked. "And they're united on not allowing me to play because of my shoulder."
"They're right," Casey smiled. "Alex would be the one hearing you bitch, piss, and moan about not being able to go back to desk duty next week and you'd be whining about it to Erin via e-mail."
"Shut up," Olivia joked before pulling Casey in for a hug.
"What was that for?" Casey grinned.
"For knocking on my door that afternoon after Warner was shot," Olivia smiled. "A lot has happened since then and so much of it good. And tonight is a far cry from…"
"The last time we were all here," Casey smirked.
Casey looked towards the pool table and saw Erin, Alex, Jeff, and Elliot all laughing. Olivia followed Casey's eyes to the other end of the table where Abbie and Serena were engrossed in conversation with Angie and Munch. Kathy, Melinda, George and Fin were leafing through the karaoke list trying to determine their next duet pairings and song choices.
"I love these people," Casey said.
"Me too," Olivia sighed. "Me too."
#-# #-#
Epilogue to come.
Thank you all so much for reading and your reviews!
