Olivia walked into the bar with Amanda after what felt like the longest week ever that Chief Garland had topped off with the reaming them both about their last case. It had started to feel like an endless cycle at the end of each week. Liv hoped that it would turn a corner soon, but she was also not going to hold her breath on it either.
The bar they were at Phoebe had recommended, it was not as dark and dingy as the usual place that they would go, and it was also located centrally between the three precincts and the courts, so it was the same amount of hassle to get there for everyone. At the very least, it did not smell like stale beer and sweaty men, so that was positive, she guessed.
"Is Noah with lucy tonight?" Amanda asked to try and gauge how long Olivia would be out with everyone.
"Yes, Lucy has taken him up to sat at her mem place tonight and tomorrow. They have some family in from out of town and Noah like their kids". "Are the girls with the sitter, no they are with my Mom, much to my horror, but they wanted to go and see her. They are back Sunday, so at least Sonny and I will have a weekend together if he isn't too busy with work". Olivia could see the smile on Amanda's face that told her even if he had been busy; he would not be anymore.
They made their way across the bar to meet everyone after Phoebe waved them over. There was undoubtedly a mix of people tonight. The few times they all gathered together, it always became an open invitation. Phoebe's team was there, the SVU guys and Carisi, Elliott, Ayanna, and Jet, who looked like a child forced to socialise with her parents.
It looked like Fin and Elliott were heading to the bar to get the next round. "Liv, Amanda, what are you having," Fin asked her as he walked past the two of them when they arrived at the table. "Beer for me and a red wine for Liv, please", Amanda replied for both of them with a laugh. "Thanks", Liv shouted over her shoulder as she dumped her bag and headed towards the ladies. "We were late leaving at 1PP, and Liv has been busting to go since we jumped into the cab", Amanda throughout as a comment for Liv's abrupt departure from the group
As Olivia made her way over to the bathroom, thankfully, she was able to see the sign for them without too much hunting. Liv wished that she had been able to go home, shower and change before tonight to try and was off the shit week that had been and put herself in a better mood. At least everyone was in the same boat. You really could tell a cop in a crowd, but when you put a group of them together, they did all stand out.
Olivia was quick in the bathroom stall to wash her hands and run some cold water lightly over her face. She grabbed a paper towel and gently dried her face trying to keep what remained of her makeup that went on at 6:00 am this morning in place. As she took a deep breath in and slowly released it. There was a brunette next to her washing her hand that made eye contact in the mirror with her. The woman would have been similar in age to herself, maybe a bit younger, well dressed in tight black jeans, a plane with a t-shirt and a structured blazer. It was what Olivia would have put on herself if she had had the chance to go home.
"Was your week that good" the woman politely asked her.
"Is it that obvious".
"No, you just look like you could do with a wine or two".
"I could not agree with you more". Liv politely smiled at the Brunette, made her way to the door and held it for Olivia to pass.
"My husband said the same to me about my week just before, so I know the feeling. I guess sometimes shit days are just obvious". The stranger said with a smile on her face.
"Thanks," she said on her way through the door and back into the bar. When Olivia made her way back to the table, they smiled at each other. "Have a nice night."
"You too". The Brunette replied as she continued to walk across to a both with an older woman in it. The strange this was that Olivia thought she knew the woman but could not place her.
Out the corner of her eye, she could see Fin and Elliott coming back to the table with a tray of drinks each. They were both laughing with a mad behind them that she was not yet able to make out. It only took a few more steps when she realised that they were talking to Brian Cassady. There was no doubt in her mind
"Look who we found at the bar". Elliott said to Liv as he put the drinks down at the table, and Cassady walked past him to hug Liv hello. She welcomed the embrace, knowing that they had finally found all of their differences behind them after seeing each other last. They had finally made it back to an even ground since then. Olivia felt that they were both able to say their peace and move on at this point. There is no point in holding a grudge against each other. The embrace must have lasted longer than would seem acceptable.
"What are you doing in town? I thought that you went back to Florida again and had started to work in private security".
"I have. I am just out here visiting my Mom her birthday tomorrow, and we came in for a long weekend to celebrate with her".
"Oh, of course, it is your Mom in the booth over there. I recognised her but didn't know where from. It just his me it is from that I heart NYC photo frame that you had". Cassidy laughed solidly from his belly at her comment, knowing the argument they had had over that stupid photo frame. "That would be the one that you threw at my head, yes".
"Who is the brunette" she enquired.
"Ahh, funny story that that is my wife".
"What the fuck Cassidy? Don't you think you should lead with that one first. You got married in the last two years since we spoke. You could have even sent a text message, hey Liv, I got hitched".
As if the Brunette could tell they were talking about her, she made her way over to where they were all standing. Elliott still trying to catch up on what the hell was going on between Liv and Cassidy and the Brunette, trying to figure out who she had spoken to in the bathroom.
"This is my wife Laura, Laura this is Olivia Benson and Elliott stabler. We all worked together at SVU". Laura's hand reached out to shake their hands. "Well, it is nice to put a name to the stranger in the bathroom". The women both laughed at the comment. You could see the cogs in Laura's head ticking as the realisation hit. "Olivia Benson, Liv, your Liv".
"Well, I would say that my reputation proceeds me, but in this circumstance, that may not be the best thing to say considering the history" in her peripheral vision, Olivia can see that Elliott has become very interested in the conversation. With a thousand things running through his head all at once. The main one being if Olivia and Cassidy together again after he had left.
"Well, I guess we all have the one that got away". At the comment, Olivia half choked and half laughed. "No, that is not the case at all. Bri never looked at me the way he just looked at you, trust me. What would you say? Brian and I were what the other person needed at the time".
"Stabler, with the look of shock on your face, I am guessing that you two had not made it that far in your catch up session to know that Liv and I dated for a while back in what was it"
"How long? Were you two together" Elliott asked, looking at Olivia for an exact answer.
"We can talk about this later as that is a whole can of worms I am not opening here. You're an asshole. Bri, wipe that smirk off your face". Olivia could see that Laura was not quite sure what the joke was, but Olivia knew Brian was going to take great pleasure in explaining it to her later. "It was great to see you, Brian. So nice to meet you, Laura. Congratulations to you both; I could not be happier for you". Olivia Genuinely said to them both with a warm smile.
Brian leans down and said something softly into Laura's ear, and she w=made her polite goodbyes and went back to the table with Brian's Mom.
Olivia can quickly tell that Elliott wants to punch Cassidy in the face but does his best to be an adult. 'It was good to see you again, Cassidy. Congratulations. I should head back to everyone at their table.
Brian leant down and whispered in Olivia's ear. "I am sorry about that, but it was too easy. I could tell he didn't know. He was too nice and didn't look like he wanted to punch me in the face as he does now. I am happy for the two of you. But I will say I would love to be there when you tell him about Tucker because that one will be even better. Brian laughs to himself, thinking the whole this is just fucking hilarious. "You really can be an asshole some time Bri, now give me a hug and go back to your beautiful wife. I am happy for you".
They embrace and go their separate ways. Olivia can see the smirk on Fin's face from where he is and burst out laughing when she mouths Fuck you to him, and he laughs harder. Fin looks at Elliott, who has just downed his beer in about 30 seconds flat, as everyone around them looks at him. Half knowing what just happened, and the other half are entirely in the dark.
