Chapter Thirty-One: Novak

Olivia

When my alarm goes off at 10:30, I hear the shower running in the other room, and at first I wonder why you didn't wake me up for work. I vaguely remember waking up earlier, and as my brain unfogs, I definitely remember waking up earlier. The thought of our little workout brings a sleepy smile to my face, and even though I remember now that Hammond will be here for you at noon, I decide to join you in the shower as a thank you for earlier.

My entry into the bathroom makes you turn under the water, and I'm breathless at the sight of your silky whiteness under its cascade. I'll never get used to looking at you.

"Want some company?"

"I've gotta be ready to go at noon"

"I'll keep it perfectly innocent…" I can't stop my wink.

"You'd better not." You reach your hand out of the curtain to pull me in with you, and I'm glad I didn't get dressed.

After a few minutes we both realize we're too tired and sore to try anything really frisky in the slick tub, and we resign ourselves to washing each other's hair and bodies, making our touches linger, and trying at once to see who can make the other more aroused, and more clean. It's an interesting game, and before long the whole thing dissolves into those intoxicating kisses we both love, holding onto each other under the showerhead. I like this closeness to you. I like the feeling of being tucked into your arms, safe. I wish I could stay here all day, I wish I could stay here forever, just… safe.

"I need to get ready Livvy. And so do you." You speak reluctantly against my lips, and I drop my head onto your shoulder, feeling a few tears mix with the water that slides off our bodies.

"What if I can't convince Julie, Alex? Am I supposed to just let it go?"

"You can though. I know you can. Just, be you. Not Detective you. My you."

I sigh against your skin, "I don't know Lexi. What am I supposed to say to her?"

"Tell her whatever you'd want someone to tell me." You pull away a little, using your hand to draw my head up to meet your eyes. "Olivia, I know that you are stronger than Sophie was. Maybe you don't believe me, but you are. If anyone can help this girl it's you. Get her to testify Detective. I know you can."

"I hope so Alex."

"And don't worry about the vodka, I'll get rid of it before I leave." You kiss me gently and then step out of the shower. I stay behind, absent-mindedly rinsing my hair, trying to prepare for my meeting with Julie. When I finally shut off the water and step dripping back into the bedroom, you're already in the kitchen, and I hear the familiar clink of my glass and bottles as you open them and pour them down the drain. It's not as hard to hear as I expected. Maybe that's because I'm still so surprised that I don't remember buying them all. I'm relieved to have the decision taken out of my hands.

But still, there's a piece of me deep down that wants to keep a bottle for myself. Not necessarily to drink, just… to have. I sigh and move to my closet, preparing for the rest of the day.

Alex

By the time Hammond arrives at noon I've finished cleaning up vodka bottles, and the glass you poured is washed and put back in the cupboard. I couldn't resist pouring it back into the bottle first, checking the levels. It's clear you didn't drink any, and I almost feel guilty for checking. Almost.

I skip breakfast, opting instead for coffee in one of your travel mugs and I call out a goodbye to you as I follow Hammond to the car, pausing to lock the door behind me with my key.

"Are you ready to go over your testimony?" Hammond is unusually talkative this afternoon, and I'm not sure if I'm relieved or annoyed.

"I don't know. I'm ready to testify, yes. But I'm a little worried about Miss Novak's ability to handle the case."

"She seems competent enough"

"Maybe I'm just too close to this to be objective. She doesn't seem to have the passion for this that I'd like to see."

"Well counselor, you have to admit you've had enough passion for about five people about this case. If you hadn't, I wouldn't be chauffeuring you around two years later."

I can't help the perplexed look on my face. Hammond turns to catch my eye and explains, "Hate to admit it counselor, but I've actually gotten used to you. The truth is you remind me of my daughter. I'll be lucky if she turns out to be half as intelligent, passionate, and strong-willed as you and your Detective."

"Don't you mean obstinate and annoying?"

Hammond enjoys a rare chuckle. "Well, that too. It seems to have served you fairly well."

"Yes, my obstinacy served me so well that I had to go into hiding for two years without being able to tell anyone but my ex-girlfriend what was happening."

"Ex?"

"It's a long story. It doesn't really matter now anyway, that's all behind us." Mostly. "And anyway… it has nothing to do with this trial. Who's the other witness? Do you know?"

"A little boy. He witnessed one of Valez men murdering his parents, and then caught a glimpse of the guy as he himself was being shot. They shot him through a pillow and must not have had a taste for it, gun was off center and the bullet just grazed his skull. He was lucky. Your detective and her partner were part of the crew that found him about a month ago."

I can't stop the look of surprise.

"She's been a little preoccupied, plus I don't think she knows he's a witness yet. Maybe she hasn't put the pieces together yet."

"Maybe." I know better. You probably meant to tell me at first, but I distracted you with all of my questions, wanting to clear the air. And then the Patterson case happened and I can see how you got sidetracked. It's not like you to miss those kinds of connections. Usually you're the first one to notice correlations. Part of the reason you're good at your job I suppose.

I wonder if you're ready to talk to Julie. I wonder if I'm ready to talk to Novak… again.

Olivia

When Elliot arrives, I've stolen some of your coffee from the pot, deciding I need the jolt of caffeine for a change. He raises his eyebrows at the sight of my coffee cup, he's used to seeing me chugging orange juice.

"Rough night?" There's a wink in his voice and I shot him a nasty look. "Sorry. Did you get any sleep, or did Alex make you talk all night?"

"By the time she got here I was pretty much done using my brain. Last thing I remember for awhile is heading face down towards the floor."

"Passed out? Jeez Benson, I knew you were stressed but.."

"Not sure how she got me to the bedroom, but when I came too she was wiping my face with a washcloth. I'm fine now though. We had a long talk afterwards, and then again this morning."

"Are you sure you can do this one?"

"Look I know you went to Don and told him you were concerned." I can't help sounding angry.

"Liv. This has been a big week for you, and this case is understandably difficult."

I cut him off, "I can do this Elliot. If I don't, who will? I'm the only who can talk to this girl."

"I can talk to her."

I sigh, wishing that were true. "No. Not this way. I have to do this. For Sophie."

"All right, let's do it."

I take a few deep breaths before ringing the bell at Julie's parents where she's been staying until she finds a new apartment. She answers the bell herself, face stained with tears. "I had a feeling you'd be here."

"Miss Naysom…"

"Patterson. Julie Patterson. We were-- we were going to Canada to get married next year."

"Julie. We have a few more questions we need to ask you. Can we do this here? Or would you rather…"

"It's fine. My parents know about everything. They were the ones paying for our wedding. My mom was going to go with Sophie when she was ready to tell her folks."

Julie opens the door wider to let us in, sniffling back more tears as she leads us to a fancy living room-- the sort of room I'd expect to see in your mother's house-- and I'm struck again by how much this case reminds me of us. A well-dressed woman with finely coiffed hair sticks her head into the room as we sit down, "Julie, is everything all right?"

"It's fine mom, these are the detectives who are working on Sophie's case." Julie's voice breaks at her lover's name, as her mother comes in to place one hand on her shoulder, extending the other to Elliot and myself in a firm handshake.

"We're so sorry to bother you at home Mrs. Naysom. We'll try to make this is as quick as possible."

"It's quite all right, we were all very attached to Sophie, looking forward to having her in the family. We want to do all we can to get justice for her death. Those men are murderers. We want them punished."

"Well, Mrs. Naysom, as much as I agree personally, the bottom line is that Sophie is the only one responsible for her death as far as the law is concerned." The refined woman harbors an expression of intense anger as I quickly continue, "But I can personally guarantee that those three little rodents will pay for what they did to her."

"I certainly hope so detective. You can't imagine how difficult this has been for us. Sophie was practically our daughter-in-law. We wasted a lot of Julie's teen years fighting over her choices, and we all feel as though we've been cheated by this."

"Actually, I do understand. And that's why I'm so determined to help the ADA make a case against those men. But I need Julie's help to do it." I turn my attention from mother to daughter, noticing her fatigue and stress in the dark circles under her eyes. I'm familiar with the feeling. It's hard to sleep with a dead lover. "Julie, I need you to tell me everything you remember from the night Sophie was attacked. I know how terrifying it must have been for you, but Sophie told me that you were there and you're the only one who can help her now."

Elliot is silent beside me, notebook out and pen ready. I have to trust he'll take the notes that I would, I need to focus my attention on the victim who was left behind.

Julie's mother kneels beside her chair, and puts a hand on her arm, using the other to smooth her daughter's long black hair back behind her shoulders. "Talk to them baby, it's what Sophie would want. What if they get out? If you don't stop them, no one will."

I watch Julie's shoulders fall, the stiffness leaving her body as she settles sadly into the chair and begins to talk. I can't help but wish Sophie had been so open. Maybe then this wouldn't be necessary.

Alex

The meeting with Novak is about what I'd expected. She's business-like as usual, and I still feel a little concerned with her missing passion. Hammond waits outside as we discuss the case and the questions she'll be asking. When we both feel comfortable with the coming testimony she settles behind her desk and shakes her hair out of her face.

"Was it hard?"

"Was what hard Miss Novak?"

"Casey, please. Coming back. Being here?" She gestures at her office.

"You must be a very good ADA, you're office is much nicer than mine ever was."

She scoffs lightly. "Sometimes I wonder if they're trying to inspire me to further heights."

"Meaning what? The office is supposed to inspire a passion for your job?" I hope that doesn't sound as petty as I think it did.

"I suppose. How did you do it? How did you do this job? I've been here almost two years and I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing."

"I was lucky. And so are you. You have the best detectives on the force working out there. And it helps to have someone to come home to."

"Did you? The office rumor is that you had a relationship with Trevor Langan."

I can't help but laugh. "Trevor Langan and I went to law school together. He's an arrogant prick and a sleazy but effective defense attorney. And he's not even remotely my type. But what about you? Doesn't Serena offer a little… understanding at the end of the day?"

Casey looks surprised. For someone who listens to the rumor mill, she certainly seems shocked that she's in it. "Word gets around counselor, remember?"

"Things at home haven't been… very calm since Arthur fired her. She's understandably upset, and not entirely sure it's not a political thing. She's been on a tear cleaning the house, talking about moving to Washington. She won't talk about how she feels about leaving, just keeps going on about the political climate, and the state of the world. It's been a little tense."

Sounds familiar. "Olivia was always like that. Talked about everything but what was really bothering her." Before I can stop it, I realize I've outed you to a woman you despise and I slap my hand over my mouth, hoping maybe the lawyer is as dim as you've been telling me.

"Olivia? Guess Trevor really isn't your type." You're half right… it takes Casey a minute to put two and two together, "Wait. Detective Benson? That Olivia?" She reads my face and continues, "Not to worry counselor, your secret is safe with me. I always sort of wondered about her anyway. All those dates and no relationship to speak of. Although I had sort of chalked it up to being a consequence of the job."

"It wasn't always the easiest relationship to maintain," that's an understatement, "but since I've been back she's been… different." I'm trying to avoid the elephant in the room, but Casey broaches the subject,

"I'm sure she's told you I've been rough on them about the Patterson case."

"You've done all but terrorize Elliot and Olivia about it. Do you really think they're slacking off on this?"

"You know as well as I do that my case is only as good as the evidence I've been given. This one touches on a personal matter as well and I'm sure you can understand my desire to have this end the right way."

"And I'm sure you understand that my girlfriend is already walking a very thin line and your constant and unnecessary pressure isn't helping her nerves."

"Look, Miss Cabot, you of all people should understand my position. I have three 20 year olds sitting in a holding cell. I have had to fight the judge and opposing counsel at least 3 times a week for a month to keep them there without an actual prosecuting witness. The only thing that's keeping them there is the hate crimes charge that I have to refile and attempt to justify every other day. And knowing what I do about your relationship preferences, you should also understand why I'm so determined to win this case."

Now I get why you don't like her. And I'm sort of getting a vision of my early days on this job. Was I really this annoying?

"There is more to this than a case Novak. Olivia is wrung out on this one. You have to back off."

"I'm sorry if your girlfriend is stressed Alex, but I need her to grow up and be a detective on this one. She still has a job to do."

I don't stick around to hear the rest of her argument. Turning on my heel, I storm out of her overfurnished office and whip past a confused Agent Hammond, who follows me quickly, but knows better than to ask what happened.