The Ante

Chapter Nine

By: Lizzie Bundick

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Author's Note: Oh man, the opening scene for Fat, brilliant! I love it! And that's all I'm going to say because I'm not spoiling it for those who didn't see it. Now, onto the chapter! Please read and review.

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Alex Cabot pulls off her glasses and rubs her eyes. She's been reading the same statement for over five minutes and still she hasn't retained it. Apparently all the time she'd spent away from the law had an effect. She sighed.

"Here," Detective Olivia Benson nudged a cup of coffee at her.

"Thanks," Alex smiled as she reached for the cup.

"Why don't you take a break, maybe get some sleep?"

Alex chuckled, "Right."

"You'll do fine, Alex," Olivia tried to reassure her, "Just take a break, give your mind a rest."

Alex though about refusing. She had to remember all of this, she had to know how to lock this bastard in, but maybe Olivia was right, maybe her mind did need a break.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right," She said, closing the file and tossing it onto the coffee table, "But I'm not going to bed."

Olivia laughed, "Okay. Backgammon?" Alex made a face, "Well, I guess that's out."

"What about you?" Alex asked, studying Olivia, "What's going on in your social life?"

"What social life?" Olivia tossed back, leaning her head back against the couch and staring at the ceiling. Alex can hear there's much more behind that statement that Olivia's not saying, now she just has to pry it out of her.

"John told me Elliot and Kathy have separated." If she hadn't been watching so closely Alex would have missed Olivia stiffening slightly. "Liv," But Olivia cuts her off.

"Don't go there Alex. You're the only person I ever talked to about it and right now, I can't go there."

"Well, where else am I supposed to go? It's obviously bothering you."

"It's not about me," Olivia said as she got up from the couch to pace.

Alex wanted to be sympathetic to her friend, but knew that wasn't what Olivia needed right now, "Isn't it? You're hurting because of this just as much as he is."

"No I'm not," Olivia snapped, "He's losing everything Alex. Kathy's going to take the kids. He can't live without his kids."

"He told you this?"

Olivia looked away, "I had coffee with Kathy awhile back. Why didn't you tell me she's hated me all these years?"

"I...I thought you knew," Alex answered, taken aback by Olivia's statement, "You were the woman her husband was falling in love with."

"Alex," Olivia warned, sounding very much like the man they were discussing.

"Oh come on Liv, since the moment you two were partnered together this was going to happen." Alex got up from her arm chair, "You two are meant to be together! I've never seen any two people better suited for each other." Alex could only stare when Olivia started crying silently.

"I can't be the reason his marriage fell apart, Alex. How can I expect him to forgive me if I am? How can he love me if I'm the reason he never sees his kids again? This thing is tearing him up inside and if he ever even thinks I caused it, I'll lose him forever."

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Author's Note: Wow, serious stuff. I guess it's because I'm getting into the really messed up part of El and Liv's relationship. Though an argument could be made that they've always had a screwed up relationship, lol.