Chapter Four: Have We Met?
The woman with the black heels stepped into the elevator behind Velez, but he didn't see her at first. He smelled her though- the sweet odor of expensive soap and hair products. They were alone as the machine moved upward, and when he finally glanced over, he saw the shoes; ebony and shiny and fit perfectly. "Have we met?" She shook her head. "Sorry." "I see." He looked straight ahead at her through thick Versaci sunglasses, thoroughly inspecting her. She didn't belong. It was not her building, not her elevator, not her line of work. The drug dealers on all eight floors had never dated a woman like this. It was someone else…with the government maybe.
They got out at the sixth floor, and Olivia's heart was racing. Just shoot him. Everyone would believe he threatened me. But she couldn't do it. She couldn't end the life of anyone without having reason, although he did almost kill Alex. Her thoughts were cut short when an awfully long handgun was placed against the back of my neck. "Don't shoot," she said, hands in the air. "Shut up," he mumbled, his voice laced thick with an accent, held steady by a great deal of composure. There were voices in the hallway behind them. Someone yelled, "Spy!" And then the voices disappeared into the background, growing fainter and fainter as Velez's colleagues hit the back door. Olivia could almost see them jumping out the windows.
He lead her to her immediate left, which was a large conference room. He slammed the door behind her, and slowly waved the gun through the air so that she could see all of it. "Up against the wall," he said, using the gun as a very effective prop to face her adjacent to brick. "Lock the doors." Liv did. She wasn't in any situation to protest. "I remember you," he drawled, smilingly devilishly. "You dated that ADA who gave Gaveria a hard time. Alexandra, I believe. Excuse me, do you still date her?" The brunette scowled angrily and resisted the urge to spit in the Columbian's face. He didn't have the right to say her name. "That's none of your business." "It is, seeing how I was the one who sent that tiny piece of metal through her shoulder. I know you cops think that I'm above standard homicide because I'm at the top of my business, but I still enjoy revenge every now and then. I shot the bitch."
Her hands clenched into a fist involuntarily. White knuckled, she turned to face the barrel of the gun. "Why? I know you couldn't- you don't have a conscience- but do you ever consider the victim or their family? The price everyone pays because they pissed you off?" He smirked smugly and approached her, running his finger down her chest. "No. Before you die, I could have some fun with you. I think I will." Olivia exhaled deeply and prayed. I really don't ask for much, Lord, but if I die, please take care of Alex. The last hour flashed before her; how she had informed McClure of all that had happened, his instantaneous response of sending her and a small crew of agents to take him down, talking to Alex. Telling her she loved her. Telling her she meant everything.
Velez began to unbutton her shirt, when a bullet broke through the window across the room. It shattered the glass and drove through the man's skull, taking with it the drug dealer's life. Olivia sighed in relief, silently thanking the sharpshooters positioned on the other building.
Alex was worried about Olivia. Their last conversation had been awkward.
"Alex? It's me."
"Hey. I just told James. He was upset but…understanding. It could've been worse. I won't push it by saying we're friends, though."
"Oh. That's great."
"Something on your mind?"
"Hmm? No, just thinking about how much I love you. You know that, right?"
"Of course. Are you okay, Liv?"
"Fine. I just…I don't know. Am I still picking you up for dinner at seven?"
"Yep. Olivia, I think something's going on- you don't have to tell me. Just be careful."
"Always. Love you."
"Love you too."
It was growing closer and closer to seven o'clock, and the nightly news flickered on her TV screen. She noticed absent-mindedly the colors sprayed on her wall, when the broadcaster spoke. "Earlier today, the head of a major drug smuggling investigation was taken down. No names are being given, but we have been able to recover some information. FBI Detective Olivia Benson was the lead agent on the case, and is responsible for his arrest. During the action, the drug lord was shot. He is currently in critical condition." Alex sucked in air, holding it briefly. "Olivia…" The doorbell rang.
Olivia grinned back at Alex's worried face, knowing she must have seen the news. "Are you ready to be Alex Cabot again?" The blonde closed her eyes as a smile spread itself on her features. "Oh, yes." Olivia looped her arm around a thin waist as Alex led them to her car, a black Honda S2000. The detective couldn't contain herself as she begged her love to drive. "Just don't get me a speeding ticket." It was a stick shift, and Olivia felt her eyebrows lurch upwards. "I didn't consider you much of a 'stick' type of girl, Miss Cabot." Alex giggled and placed her hand over Olivia's. "Trust me, I'm not."
"So Velez is out of the picture? I'm not in Witness Protection anymore?" Olivia managed a 'yes' through a mouthful of pasta. "Great! Do you know what this means, Olivia? We can go back to New York." The brunette didn't exactly beam with pleasure. "I…uh, I kinda left SVU on bad terms. I quit." Alex knowingly took a sip of her wine. "I know. I called Cragen and explained you were under a lot of stress, and he's willing to take you back." Olivia nodded appreciatively. "Thanks." "No problem. The DA's office is also willing to have me back as homicide ADA. We start next week. Good thing I kept my old apartment…" She glanced at Olivia warily; making sure this is what she wanted. "…will you move in with me?" "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I said no? Damn right, I'll move in with you."
For the first time in her life, Casey Novak was perplexed. She had wanted Olivia gone, let the best thing in her life walk away to someone else…and she had been fine with it. Up until she got news that Liv was returning. With Alex. Why is it that sometimes it takes the force of jealousy to make you realize that you are in love? Casey was taking Olivia back, and if Alex got in her way, she'd better watch out. An angry redhead was a force to reckon with.