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.


Fifty

Olivia looked at her watch, again. '6:45'. A minute past the last time she looked. Friday, the last day of the week. One day down of desk duty, twenty-nine to go. All the DD5's from the last six weeks have been updated, crossed, entered into the NYPD database and filed in the row of ancient beige file cabinets. Next week she was planning on going through the old rape kits and making sure they had been processed.

"You still here?" Elliott said has he entered the squad room. Munch and Finn not too far behind. Elliott started to take his jacket off and then thought better of it.

"Yeah, just about to head out." Olivia said raising her arms over her head for a much needed stretch.

"We're going to Sanchez's for beer and fish tacos. You up for it?" Elliot asked. Finn and Munch gave him a confused look. He quickly gave a "no" nod.

"Yeah, join us won't you?" Munch reached down and pulled Olivia's chair out for her to stand. She turned and gave him an odd thank you look. "I look forward to my partner picking up the check."

"Well if Finn is buying I'm in!" Olivia grabbed her coat from the back of her chair and headed out the door behind Elliott.

"I'm just gonna hit the head." Elliott said pushing open the men's room door.

"Ten he's calling Kathy." Olivia said.

"A beer he comes out with a red face and a stutter." Munch added

"Hell no. He always calls Kathy before we hit the bar and she always lets him have it." Finn placed his finger in his collar and pulled. "Makes him mad or embarrassed I don't know which."

The three started laughing when Elliott came out. "What's so funny?" The threesome looked at one another.

"Finn was showing us how he hooked a big fish today." Olivia said.

"Really? Kid was no taller then Dickie and maybe 120 pounds." Elliott started down the stairs. His cell phone was in his hand. Has he reached for the railing, the display lit up. 'ALEX' was clearly displayed. Munch quickly stepped next to Olivia to block her view of Elliott's phone.

"So, let me know if you need some help there. Stairs are never fun with two good legs." Munch added to his distraction attempt.

"Yeah, here take my arm, let me help you." Finn offered almost knocked Olivia off of the stair she was stepping to.

"NO!" A resounding answer from the remaining three. Olivia paused and turned on the stair. "I mean no thank you, Finn, you have done enough." Olivia attempted to pick up the pace. Seeing Alex's name gave her reason for needing fresh, cold night air and quick.


"Fine." Alex said slamming the phone back on its cradle. "If Mohammad won't come to the mountain, then I shall to the great detective." She turned the light off at her desk and grabbed her coat and briefcase. She quickly made her way to the elevator and was luck enough to reach it before the doors closed. She assessed her car mates. A couple she knew two she'd rather not know and then from the back came a familiar voice.

"Cabot is that you?" Liz Donnelly commanded.

"Judge Donnelly nice to see you again." Alex said for the benefit of the fellow passengers.

"Enjoying your return?" Liz said stepping closer to Alex has the elevator reached the bottom floor and people began to exit.

"Well, the first day back and I have two murder cases. Both involved the rape and strangulation of hookers. " Alex was in a hurry to get to the 16th before it was empty of detectives.

"Not a bad start. Already working late I presume." Liz was not asking a question; she knew Alex's dedication to the law. And to its victims.

"Actually I am headed out to the 1-6 now to find Detective Stabler. He owes me some information on a new collar from today." Alex said

"Why don't you just call him? Its past six already I am sure there is no one left." Liz was doing her best to stall.

"I just tried. No answer. But that doesn't mean they have left." Alex turned and headed down the stairs of the courthouse. "I'll see you next week, Liz."

"Yes, perhaps for dinner?" Beginning her descent not far behind the younger woman.

"Sounds good." Alex said just over her shoulder. Liz was only a step behind her. "My place though. I think we have eaten at your place enough for at least a year."

"Five years!" Liz said with a chuckle. "I will call you on Monday to make plans. Have a good weekend, Alex."

"I will you do the same." With that Alex took the last few steps down and hailed a taxi.

Liz waited for the taxi to pull from the curb. As her car pulled to a stop and the chauffer go out to get the door, "She's on her way." Liz said into the phone and hung up.


Elliot shut his phone. "Damnit!" He said looking at Munch and Finn. They were all about to pile into Elliott's car.

"What's up?" Munch asked. "Kathy reconsider letting you out?"

"No, I didn't finish the DD5 on the Carry Brand case. Warner and the Captain need it to add their reports." He crossed his fingers on the hood of the car.

Olivia looked at her partner and then at the other two. "Well, you guys look like you need a drink more then I do. Besides, I corrected all of your spelling mistakes on that one and filed it." She looked back at the precinct building. "You guys go ahead and I'll catch up. Shouldn't take me more the ten-fifteen minutes tops to print it out."

"Are you sure?" Elliot asked trying to conceal his smile.

"Yeah, sure. Besides you guys will have had a few by the time I get there. It will make it easier to take your money playing darts!" Olivia turned and headed back up the precincts front steps.

"You're the best." Elliott shouted to her. She just waved over her shoulder. The remaining threesome piled into the car.

"You and Donnelly know what you're doing right?" Munch asked.

"Yep. Operation 'enough already' is well under way." Elliott said looking in the rearview mirror before pulling from the curb. He saw Alex exit the cab. He nodded in her direction. Munch and Finn turned and watched her begin her ascend up the precinct steps.

"I don't care what anyone says." Finn started. "I can watch her walk up stairs all day long."

"Better not let Olivia hear you." Munch said. "That might get YOU a bullet in the ass."


Can you just smell the heated confrontation coming?