Back the Hard Way
*Title: Back the Hard Way
*Author: Farwalk
*Fandom: Law & Order: SVU
*Pairing: Eventually Olivia and Alex
Disclaimer: don't own them. Law and Order SVU and characters belong to Dick Wolf.
Forty-Nine
Rain painted the windows has Alex looked out at the early morning of the city. People darting in and out of the cover of the colorful front door awnings, taxis splashing through the streets and the dog walkers straining to keep their charges under control.
"A beautiful day in the city." Alex said smiling.
"What did you say?" Parker said has he walked towards her. He stopped just behind her and wrapped Alex in a hug.
"A beautiful day. The city sparkles on days like this. It gets a bath. " She placed her hands on top of his arms that were wrapped gently around her shoulders.
"A bath huh? Well it's going to take a lot of Oxy Clean to scrub some of the stains out." Parker chuckled and placed a kiss on Alex's temple. She leaned back into him and patted his right arm.
"Breakfast?" Parker asked.
"Already ate. I have an early morning today." Alex turned and broke the embrace. "But you may lounge all day." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I think you earned it."
"I too have things to do today." Parker said following her down the stairs.
"Well then," reaching the bottom of the stairs, Alex picked up her coat and began putting it on. Parker stepped forward to help. "I guess I will see you later. Thank you." She took her briefcase from Parker.
"Maybe."
"Well, maybe or not, have a good day." Alex gave a wave when she went out the door.
"10, 9, 8, 7," Parker began to put his own jacket on. He pulled his bag from behind the table in the front hall. "4, 3, 2, 1" He opened the door and saw the elevator close with Alex inside. He took an envelope from his coat pocket and left it on the table. Taking one last look at the photo of Alex, he entered the hallway, locked the door and headed for the elevator.
The windowsill had always been a safe haven. She could look out the window for hours and watch the life moving forward. Far removing her from being entangled in it. She had been entangled enough over the last 12 years. The coffee was still a bit too warm for her to drink, but it made a nice hand warmer while she waited. With gentle blows she did her best to cool the wonderful brown liquid that brought her to full awakeness. As she blew, her eyes followed the small drops of water that landed on the window. Starting small and becoming long, thin bands of water.
"Life." She said out loud in the empty room. "Just like life. Starts small stretched thin." She took a glance at her watch and stood suddenly. A little too suddenly. "Damn it!" A sharp pain ran across her back. Powerful enough to stop her from moving any further for a few minutes. She rubbed the sore area and caught her breath. She gently made her way to the couch and placed her cup on the side table. She braced herself before bending and grabbing her badge and gun from the coffee table. Badge secure, gun holstered, she grabbed her coat and keys and headed out the door. She hesitated to take the stairs down the four flights has usual, she opted for the elevator. Her body just wasn't ready for that much exercise in the morning.
"Cabot." Alex flipped open her phone has she exited the taxi.
"Its Don."
"What can I do for you Captain?" Alex began the climb up the courthouse steps. "My first day officially back in the SVU started about," Alex took a quick glance at her watch. "It hasn't started, but go ahead."
"This isn't a case call, Alex." Cragen fidgeted with his pen. He had practiced what he would say, but now it seems a little rehearsed. "I need you stay away from the squad for a while. "
"Okay Don. Can you give me a reason?" Alex had her ideas on why, but she wanted to hear it from him.
"I think you know. It's her first day back. She assigned to the desk. So she's already going to be a little on edge." Don looked up, through his office window he saw the other officers start to gather at the door. "Look Alex, I don't know what happened. That is between the two of you. But she's like a daughter to me and I don't want her hurt by you anymore."
"I have no intentions of hurting now or anytime soon. Not that it is any of your business, but I happen to love her very much." Alex entered the building and took a minute to get her bearings.
"You have a funny way of showing love. Here is how I show it. Stay away from her Alex." Don hung up the phone and headed to the squad room.
It is hard to end this story. It has so many direction.
