Chapter Two

"McClure."
"Captain. It's Benson."
"How are you doin'? Ears still ringing?"
"Not really. But I need a favor."
"Don't get used to this. What is it?"
"You know when I was down…there was a woman there with me- blonde, tall, um…" Breathtakingly beautiful, she thought.

"Yeah. I know who you're talking about. Said her name was Marissa. Marissa DeValle, if I remember correctly. I asked her if she knew you. I guess you guys went to college together or something."

"Did she say anything else? Where'd she go after I got picked up?"
"Funny you should ask. She left me with her address. She wants to talk to you. She came with you to the hospital, stayed all night long, and when you were about to wake up, she left. Address is 642 East Wayne, uptown condo complex. Nice place."

"Thanks Cap. That's all I need."

Olivia flipped her phone closed with a soft click and got out of bed. Screw this. She was checking herself out, and going to see Alex. Pulling on her cargos and a black tee her friend brought her, she managed to sneak out the heavy door and into the reception area. The nurse stationed there arched an eyebrow inquisitively. "Name?"

Liv smiled. "Olivia Benson. I'm checking out." He glanced down at his patient records and looked at her. "You're supposed to stay for observation. Did the doctor already-" "Yeah. He said I could go. Can I sign, please?" The man reluctantly handed her the clipboard and she scribbled her signature furiously. "Thanks."

Alex felt violated. And for that reason, she was furious. She was about to steam roll WPP. She had specifically said that her family and Olivia could have access to her identity. No one had even bothered to call her when her lover requested her new address two years ago. Crumpling the paper she was holding into a minute ball, she chucked it at her windowpane crossly. Now that she had found Olivia, it was probably too late. She almost certainly had a girlfriend and forgotten about her. Oh Liv, I'm so sorry. I didn't know… Her phone rang in the background. She wasn't going to answer it. Especially if it was her mother. She had known all about Olivia's call, and neglected to inform her. Running a hand through her golden tresses, she slumped back in her chair. What a week. Now that the phone was done, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Go away," she whispered, glancing out the window. A cab rested on her curb. She decided to get it.

"Alex. It's really you."

The silence was long. Both women stared at each other, taking in the beauty they hadn't seen for ages. Olivia took a breath and extended the arm not in a sling, offering a single white rose. "This is for you…um…can I come in? I told the driver to keep the meter running, incase you weren't home." Alex shook her head vigorously. "Of course. Yeah. Here, I'll pay him. Make yourself at home." Olivia smiled and walked inside. Definitely Alex. Elegant curtains, bookshelves filled to the brim with law, costly black frames on a mahogany table, soft jazz in the background, and no sign of a new girlfriend to boot. Olivia grinned as Alex shut the door behind her. "How's the shoulder?" "Better. It still-" "I know what you mean."

She took a seat on the couch and patted the space next to her. Olivia sat down. "I don't know where to start." The brunette dropped her head in her hands tensely, on the verge of tears. "Liv, I just found out about you trying to get a hold of me. I thought you were over me and…" Alex brought her head up so that they were looking at each other. The moment they had been dreading and anticipating was upon them and there was no way to avoid it now. The same thought ran through both of their heads: does she still love me? Liv stood up and whispered hoarsely, "Dance with me?" "Absolutely."

She took Alex in her arms and the music seemed to grow louder. They smiled mutually as they recognized the song as 'God Bless the Child', a favorite of Olivia's. Billie Holiday's majestic voice was almost always blaring in her apartment. "This sure brings back memories, doesn't it?" she murmured. It felt wonderful to hold Alex's soft body against hers once more, even if for only a few minutes. It was almost as if they had never parted.

"We had good times together, Olivia. I think those few months were the happiest time of my life."
"It wasn't all fun and games. We had tough times, too. Cases we didn't agree on, conflicting schedules..."
"Don't think about that. We're together. Think about the good times."
"I am, Alex," she managed to choke out. She looked into lust-clouded eyes and quietly continued. "That's all I ever think about." Then she kissed Alex, chastely at first. She pulled the blonde closer, deepening the kiss. Her lips tasted just as sweet as they always had, and until that moment she hadn't realized how lucky she was to find Alex. They stayed together for several minutes, finally parting for breath. "I love you." Alex's face went starch white. "I love you too, Liv, but…god, I can't. It's too dangerous...you'd get hurt..." Olivia's eyes darted back and forth quickly with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I'm engaged."

A/N: My apologies about how long its taken to post. Been busy, lol.