I'm sorry it's taken so long. I sort of got wrapped up in my OC and House fics.
"Hey Alex," Serena gently shook her boss and best friend.
Alex's eyes fluttered open. If it was possible, she felt more tired now than before her nap.
"The food's here," Serena added.
Alex nodded and ran a hand through her hair, "Thanks."
They walked out of the office together and into the office lounge. The food was set up all across the table.
Alex grabbed a plate and a sandwich before going to the refrigerator to get a soda.
"Thanks for lunch boss," Brian said, sandwich in one hand and a Red Bull in the other.
"You're welcome," Alex tiredly answered.
Serena looked around, "Where's Casey?"
"She's in her office," Christina told her, "One of the SVU detectives just left her office."
Serena glanced as Alex and they both walked toward Casey's office. They knew it wasn't Olivia who had just been in Casey's office because everyone at the office knew her by name.
Serena was the first one through the door and Alex closed it behind them. Casey looked up at the close of the door.
"Hey," Casey leaned back in her chair.
Serena set a sandwich on Casey's desk, "What happened?"
"What do you mean?" Casey looked from one blonde to the other and back again.
"Elliot was just here," Serena stared down her girlfriend.
Casey sighed, "There's another victim. Just down the street. I'm supposed to call them if you leave."
Alex's heart dropped. "And they wouldn't tell me?"
"Because you worry," Serena answered, "A lot."
Alex sighed, "I'm gonna go call Olivia."
Serena followed Alex out the door, "Do you mind if I raid your caffeine stash?"
Alex shrugged, "Go ahead."
Alex opened the door to her office and sat behind her desk. Serena closed the door and walked to the mini-fridge behind Alex's desk. She opened it and pulled out a can of Coke.
Serena watched Alex pick up her phone and dial. Alex laid her head back on her chair and Serena sat in the chair across the desk.
"Hey Liv," Alex said.
"Hey," Olivia answered, "What's up?"
"You know what's up," Alex stated in a voice she usually reserved for court.
"I'm sorry," Olivia immediately knew she'd been caught, "I don't want you to worry more."
"Not telling me makes me worry more," Alex answered.
Olivia took a deep breath, "There's nothing there that wasn't at the other crime scenes."
Alex blinked and looked over at Serena who was sipping her drink. "Since you're down the street you should come to the office and get something to eat."
"Okay," Olivia added, "I'll be right over."
Alex looked at her desk, "Okay. I love you."
"I love you too," Olivia answered.
The sounds of a can clattering to the ground brought Alex's attention away from her desk. It was followed by a thud.
"Serena?" Alex dropped her phone and ran around her desk to Serena who was laying limp on the floor. Alex shook Serena, "Serena? Wake up." When that didn't work Alex started yelling, "Help! Help!"
"Alex?" Olivia asked walking down the sidewalk, "Alex? What's wrong?…." When she heard Alex yell help. She kept her phone to her ear and called to Elliot, "Something's wrong at Alex's office! We have to get down there!"
Elliot nodded and they both took off running down the street.
A few minutes later, Olivia had Alex and Elliot in a car and was speeding behind the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Tears were pouring down Alex's face and she was eerily quiet. Olivia felt helpless. She hadn't solved the case yet. And now someone was targeting Alex and Serena just happened to be unfortunate enough to get in the way.
Once in the hospital, they met Casey in the waiting room. Elliot and Olivia comforted the two crying attorneys.
"Ms. Novak," a woman in a lab coat called.
Casey got up and walked over with Alex on her heels.
"Ms. Southerlyn is going to be fine," she gently relayed. "There was a toxin in her system called….it's used in anesthesia."
Alex felt Olivia right behind her so she reached back and grabbed Olivia's hand. "Can we see her?"
The doctor nodded, "She's been moved upstairs to an overnight room for observation, but she should be okay."
After getting the room number, they all got into an elevator. Alex took out her phone and started to dial, but Olivia gently took Alex's wrist and lowered the phone, "Who are you calling?"
"Melinda," Alex answered, "Someone needs to go over my…."
"I know," Olivia interrupted, "She's already on her way. Don't worry about it."
Alex sighed, "Okay." She looked over at Casey who had her arms wrapped around herself and was staring at the ground. Alex put her arm around Casey's shoulders.
Casey bit her lip to keep herself from crying again, but with a gentle squeeze from Alex she broke down again.
When the doors opened, Alex and Casey led the way to Serena's room. Casey was the first one through the door.
Serena was laying on her bed, absentmindedly picking at her sheets. She looked up when everyone walked in. She smiled softly, "Hi."
Casey was at her side in less than a second, "Are you okay?"
Serena shrugged, "Yeah."
"I'm sorry," Alex whispered.
"It's not your fault," Serena took Alex's hand, "I'm okay."
Alex started to say something, but Olivia's phone rang. She stepped across the room and answered, "Benson….yeah….really?….great…thanks Melinda." She walked back over to the group who was expectantly looking at her. "The anesthesia was on all the cans in the refrigerator."
"The killer just wanted to scare us," Elliot added.
"It worked," Casey sat on the edge of Serena's bed and took her hand.
"The good news is that there's a surveillance system right outside the bureau," Olivia told them, "We'll go over them and hopefully get a better picture. And maybe someone saw the killer."
"When was the last time you drank something out of the refrigerator?" Elliot asked Alex.
Alex shrugged, "It's been at least a week."
Olivia let out a long breath, "Okay, we'll go help the guys go through the tapes."
Alex looked at Olivia and they silently communicated with their eyes.
Olivia walked over to Alex and held her. "Stay here and try to get some sleep."
Alex nodded against Olivia's shoulder, "Okay. Call me if you find anything."
"Of course," Olivia kissed Alex and turned to Serena, "Get some rest, okay?"
"Okay," Serena nodded.
"I love you," Olivia kissed Alex's cheek and walked out with Elliot to go over hours and hours of surveillance.
