Chapter 6: Illusion
Summary: The SVU team attends a police holiday gala and confusion ensues.
Thanksgiving Day passed in a quiet fashion for the SVU team. Despite the crowd gathered for the Thanksgiving Day parade, crime was limited, for once. Olivia hosted a 'Friendsgiving' gathering at her apartment for the team. However, Rafael could not attend due to his mother requesting his assistance at her church serving dinner for the less fortunate.
Once the team wrapped up the Broken Rhymes case, Deputy Chief Dodds breezed into the SVE squad room with an announcement.
"Lieutenant!" Olivia spun at the crash of Dodds' voice, not looking forward to whatever bad news he came to bear.
"Deputy Chief," she nodded a greeting. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"In light of some of the great work that this unit has done this year, 1 PP has cordially invited you and your team to the Police Holiday Charity gala on Friday," Dodds simpered. At the expression of absolute displeasure on the Olivia's face, he stated, "Attendance is mandatory, I might add. They are counting on you to mingle and schmooze to raise money for the charity of the evening."
Resigned to having to play the game for the sake of staying in good standing with the powers that be, Olivia bobbed her head in acquiescence. "Understood, Dodds. Just let us know when and where and I'll make sure the team is there with bells on."
"No need for the sarcasm, Lieutenant," Dodds countered with a chuckle. "Just dress… appropriately. It is black tie, after all."
Channeling Barba at his sassiest, Olivia rolled her eyes so hard she gave herself a headache as Dodds turned on his heel and departed. She was not looking forward to the gala at all.
…
"Hey Liv, have you picked out a dress yet?" Amanda asked as they were leaving the precinct a few days later.
"No, I haven't even thought about it," Olivia admitted. "I was going for the 'out of sight, out of mind' approach." Amanda bobbed her head in understanding.
"Well, since we can't stick out heads in the sand on this, want to join me on a dress shopping adventure before heading home?"
"Sure, if we must attend, we might as well get some new dresses out it."
"My thoughts exactly," Amanda chuckled.
An hour later, the women found themselves combing through racks of chic dresses and gowns at B&B Couture.
"These are all a little… much," Amanda opined, flipping through dresses that were either too revealing or too glittery, or both.
"These certainly don't scream police ball," Olivia replied.
In silent agreement, the women turned on their heels and headed for a less chic shop nearby. It was the right decision as the next shop sold the most beautiful dresses Olivia ever laid eyes on. Everything from the classic black gown to flowing evening dresses in every color and style imaginable were spread throughout the shop. It took both women fifteen minutes to find their preferred dresses and another handful of minutes to try them on.
"Wow, Liv. That color is beautiful," Amanda declared as she exited her fitting room stall and turned toward the mirrors lining the corner of the room to see Olivia staring at her own reflection.
Running a hand over the material gathered at her waist, Olivia turned to face Amanda and her jaw dropped. "And that dress looks amazing on you!"
They continued to gush at each other for a few moments before slipping back into their stalls to change back into their own clothes. It was probably the easiest dress shopping experience for both, despite the bit of sticker shock when they went to purchase their items.
….
The afternoon of the gala, Olivia rushed from the precinct to pick up Noah on her way home. Lucy was set to arrive at her apartment at six o'clock to watch Noah and Dodds insisted on picking Olivia up at half past six to accompany her to the gala. She still was not sure why he was so insistent, but she did not have the energy to fight it. He was the boss, after all.
"Ok sweet boy, momma needs to take a shower and get ready. Will you be okay playing Lego and watching a show on TV?"
"Yes, momma," the young boy replied, his eyes already glued to the television screen. With a chuckle, Olivia bent down and kissed her son's curls before heading to her bedroom.
It had been quite some time since she had the opportunity to get all glammed up, so she treated herself to an exfoliating bodywash and carefully shaved all the necessary areas. Her skin gleamed as she stepped out of the shower and applied moisturizer to her entire body. An hour later, hair perfectly coiffed and makeup applied, Olivia was ready for the dress.
The silky material slid over her skin as she stood in front of a mirror. Rose gold in color, with hints of bronze and silver in the material, the cap sleeve V-neck dress clung to her curves in a delicious way. For the first time in far too long, Olivia Benson felt sexy as hell. Too bad this is being wasted on a work-related function, she thought. She would definitely find another opportunity to wear that dress.
As she turned, Noah burst into the room with exuberance, excited to announce that Lucy arrived with pizza in hand. "Woah, you look pretty, Momma!"
"Thank you, sweet boy," Olivia replied with a loving smile, catching the little boy's hand before he could swipe it across the material of her dress. She was certain those hands were sticky or dirty, or both, the way hands of little boys usually were. "Why don't you go wash your hands before eating and I'll meet you in the living room?"
Leaning against her mattress, Olivia slid a pair of strappy heels onto her feet and took once last look in the mirror. Yes, that would have to do.
…..
"Here, take my arm," Deputy Chief Dodds said once he helped Olivia out of his shiny black luxury sedan in the valet line. "I can't have my best Lieutenant breaking an ankle going up these stairs in heels."
Rolling her eyes, Olivia indulged Dodds' need to feel chivalrous and clutched his arm as they ascended the stairs into the building. Once inside, they greeted other guests with smiles and nods as they progressed through to the ballroom. SVU had their own table, according to Dodds, but he was adamant that the team mingle and schmooze rather than sit amongst themselves all evening.
Dropping her hand from Dodds' arm as they entered the hall, Olivia surveyed the room. There were well dressed members of the NYPD from various divisions and precincts (how strange to see some of them out of uniform) interspersed with other city officials and distinguished donors and guests. Her eyes alit upon Jack McCoy speaking with a few of his staff at the District Attorney's office and she wondered if Rafael would be there. They had both been busy all week and the times they were able to speak were limited to case work.
No sooner than the thought crossed her mind, she spotted Rafael strolling from the bar to Jack's side to hand him a tumbler of amber liquid. Olivia drank in the sight of the ADA in his tuxedo, tailored so well it almost fit him like a second skin. Having already forgotten that he was even there, she was distracted by a gentle pat on the arm from Dodds as he let her know he was going to say hello to a few people.
Nodding with a smile as he departed, Olivia turned her attention back to the striking ADA across the room. They gazes met and Rafael immediately departed his conversation to make his way toward her. Drawn like a moth to a flame, he never set eyes on a more beautiful woman in his life.
"Lieutenant Benson, you are a vision to behold," he charmed, green eyes blazing despite his attempts to restrain his affection and desire. The woman would be the death of him in a dress like that.
"Don't sass me, Barba," she replied cheekily, and he chuckled. "But thank you. You look rather dashing yourself, Rafa."
A blush crept up his neck and he cleared his throat. He was pleased that he spent a few extra minutes styling his hair. It wasn't often that Olivia Benson complimented him on his looks. Fidgeting with his cufflinks, he glanced around the room. "Where is the rest of your squad?"
Delighting in Rafael's evident nervous energy, Olivia replied, "Dodds is mingling, and the rest haven't arrived yet, from what I can tell."
"Did Tucker come with you?" he asked, eyes flickering to that damned ring hovering right at her cleavage at the end of the necklace. God, she was breathtaking.
Olivia frowned, confused at the question. "No, Dodds insisted on escorting me here. I don't think Tucker would come to an event like this."
"Ahh," he murmured, spirits lifting in spite of not really understanding why Tucker wouldn't want to be by her side, especially when she looked this beautiful. "Join me for a drink?" Rafael held his left elbow out for Olivia to slip her arm through and escorted her to the nearest bar station.
Once they each had a glass in their hands, cabernet for Olivia and scotch for Rafael, the pair stood off to the side and chatted amicably. Rafael could not take his eyes off her. Between the immaculate makeup accentuating those rich brown eyes and the way that dress clung to her curves like it was made specifically for her body, he was lost in a world of divine torture. He had to continuously remind himself that he was done pining for her, that she belonged to another man, but his heart just wasn't in it. Especially when she stood so close and kept bumping his shoulder and placing a hand on his arm or shoulder as she spoke. She was unusually tactile tonight, and he was equal parts confused and delighted.
Too soon, the room filled, and it was time to return to their respective tables for the official start of the evening. "Save me a dance later?" he asked before they went their separate ways.
"Of course," Olivia shot him a dazzling smile and sashayed toward the table where the rest of the SVU team sat.
"Mierda," he drew out the curse in a whisper, forcing his eyes away from the gentle bounce of her ass as her hips swayed with each step. That dress on that woman would definitely be the death of him.
…
Olivia watched with a knowing smile as Carisi led Rollins to the dance floor during a slow number. Whether they acknowledged it or not, the two detectives were definitely into each other. They made a striking pair, Carisi looking like a silver fox and Amanda flaunting a slinky black dress.
Taking a slow sip from her wine glass, her eyes slid across the room to the table where the District Attorney's staff were gathered, seeking sight of Rafael. To her disappointment, his seat was empty, and her eyes continued tracking across the room searching for him. When her surreptitious gaze did not spot him after a full pass of the room, Olivia sighed into her glass.
She was over this event already.
Swallowing the last sip of red liquid from the glass, Olivia rose in search of more. If she had to stay and be socially engaged, then she would need more liquid inspiration. She expertly navigated several small conversations with various guests as she wound her way over to the bar. There, now she could say with honesty that she mingled. As she waited for her drink, Olivia tapped her nails on the wooden bar top.
"Disenchanted already?" Her eyes flicked up to Rafael's smirk as he appeared next to her and waved his tumbler at the bartender.
"I loathe these events," Olivia admitted.
"As do I, but we can make the best of it," Rafael replied. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Olivia smiled with delight. "I would love to, Rafa. Let's just put our drinks down at my table."
Once the drinks were settled on the table and Fin was instructed to keep an eye on them, Rafael escorted Olivia to the dance floor, a gentle hand placed on her lower back. He tried not to revel in the feel of the soft garment beneath his fingers or the heat of her body beneath it.
Another slow song was starting, and Rafael pulled Olivia in close while still maintaining a respectful distance between their bodies, mindful of where they were and who was present. Thankfully, the alcohol was flowing and most everyone's attention was focused elsewhere. Swaying to the music, Rafael led her in slow circles around the dance floor.
"See, this isn't so bad, is it?" he asked, glancing down at her beautiful face. Perhaps he was a fool for torturing himself so, but he loved the feel of her in his arms. He was bewitched, there was no way around it.
"Best part of my evening, Rafa," Olivia murmured as she fought the urge to slide her hand along his shoulder to the nape of his neck. She wanted so badly to tease the hair just above his collar, but she was cognizant of the company they were in. And the fact that he wasn't hers to do that to.
"Glad I could be of service." Rafael had to advert his gaze for fear that she would read the shear adoration blazing in his green orbs. He could not deal with her pitying him for his unrequited feelings right now.
The pair continued dancing and chatting with each other and the rest of the team as the evening progressed. In their down time from dancing, the drinks flowed, and the lines began to blur. Before they knew it, the evening was winding down.
"You and Barba have been dancing machines," Amanda teased as she rose to leave. "You need a ride home?"
"I could say the same about you and Carisi," Olivia jibed right back. "I'll find my way home, don't worry. See you Monday."
"Good night, Liv, Counselor," Amanda nodded as she departed the table to meet Carisi by the door.
They were the only ones remaining at the table as Dodds was still mingling, and the others had left.
"How are you getting home, Liv?" Rafael inquired.
"Well, I arrived with Dodds so I assumed he would make sure I got home," Olivia replied. "But…"
"He doesn't look ready to leave anytime soon," Rafael continued for her, nodding towards Dodds holding court to a group of men. "How about I get you home safely."
Blinking in surprise, she shook her head. "Rafa, you've had too much to drink to be driving."
"Ever the cop, you are," he chuckled. "I didn't drive. I'll order an Uber and accompany you on the ride so I can guarantee you get home safe."
Feeling a little tipsy, Olivia relented. "If you insist."
They made their excuses and Rafael assured Dodds that he would get the Lieutenant home safely. Before long, they were in the Uber on their way to Olivia's apartment. In their buzzed state, the pair sat close together with their thighs, hips, and shoulders touching warmly. In addition, Olivia continued placing her hand on his arm or leg as they chatted.
Rafael was trying not to read too much into it, but he was definitely suffering from the mixed signals. He forced himself to glance at the necklace with the ring every now and again to remind himself of Olivia's connection to Tucker. But his resolve was weakening every time she touched him or gazed at him with those dark brown eyes. The copious amounts of alcohol they consumed shattering his resolve altogether as he tangled his fingers with hers.
By the time the car pulled up in front of Olivia's building, Rafael was too enchanted and weak of will to deny her invite up to her apartment for a night cap. She slipped her arm around his as they walked into the building and clung to him as the elevator took them to her floor. She was intoxicating his senses and he could not think straight.
"You are home early," Lucy greeted when Olivia led him through the door. "Noah's fast asleep and there is leftover pizza if you need a snack."
"Thanks Lucy, have a great night," Olivia replied as the young woman gathered her things and left. Rafael flushed at the curious smile Lucy flashed him on her way out.
He stood frozen near the door, uncertain what to do or feel. Between the alcohol and Olivia, his senses were overwhelmed. He stared, wide-eyed, as Olivia turned back to him with an endearing smile.
"I had a wonderful time dancing with you tonight, Rafa," she purred, taking slow and deliberate steps toward him.
"Me too," he choked out, leaning back against the door to steady himself. Those drinks were really hitting him now. He loosened his bowtie in an effort to get some air to his lungs.
Olivia wrapped her arms around him in a strong hug and whispered her thanks for getting her home. She pulled back to ask him what he'd like to drink but her words caught in her throat at the look of wonder and something else she could not define in his gleaming green eyes.
Without knowing who moved first, their lips collided in a heated, open-mouth kiss. Within moments, Olivia's hands wandered to the hair at the nape of his neck to finally play with his hair. Rafael's hands traced from her torso up to her neck, the kiss deepening as their tongues tangled.
"Mmmm, I've been thinking about doing this all evening," Olivia admitted breathlessly against his lips. He was irresistible and his kisses were delicious. Rafa moaned, drunk on lust, and captured her mouth again, one long-fingered hand tracing along the front of her throat and down to the V of her dress. His skin was on fire. It was like being doused with a bucket of cold water when his fingers encountered the necklace and bumped against that damned ring.
Realizing what he just did, Rafael practically threw Olivia away from him. Eyes wide with absolute dismay, he wiped the back of right hand across his mouth as if to erase his sin.
Olivia stared at him in bewilderment, completely baffled about what was happening. "Rafa?"
"God damnit, Liv!" he ground out. "What the hell did I just do? You're engaged!"
"I am?" she questioned, too flummoxed to process what was happening and respond appropriately. "To whom?"
Rafael was too disgusted with himself to meet her beseeching stare. "Fuck!" he exploded, not paying attention to Olivia's questions. He couldn't think straight with her so close, intoxicating his senses and making him forget the situation. With a string of Spanish curses rushing from his lips, Rafael scrambled to open the door and fled from the apartment in a panicked run. He bypassed the elevator and ripped open the stairwell door before Olivia even drew a breath.
"Rafael!" she called from the doorway, but he was gone.
"Momma?"
A sleepy voice snapped her attention, and she slid back into her apartment. She would have gone after Rafael, but she could not leave Noah alone. Reaching forward with unsteady hands, Olivia closed the door and secured the locks before turning to her son.
"Hi sweet boy," she said with a watery smile.
"What was Uncle Rafa shouting about?" Noah rubbed his sleepy eyes. "He yelled a very bad word."
"I have absolutely no idea, sweetheart," she admitted sadly. "But I intend to find out tomorrow. Come on, time to go back to bed."
A short time later, Olivia sent a text message to Rafael: Rafa? Are you ok? Call me tomorrow. Please?
