Chapter 2
AN: Thank you so much for a support. Hope you like this chapter. PLEASE, PLEASE, leave a review/comment.
April 2rd 2020
Almost two weeks have passed since Alex and Olivia talked to each other for the first time in two years, and since they have talked, whether by video or voice call, every couple of days.
It is late evening on a Thursday and both Alex and Olivia are at their respective apartments on video call with each other.
"You look as exhausted as I feel," Olivia admits, not knowing that Alex has been working hard over the last couple of weeks to make sure that the husband who breached the restraining order has been locked up.
"Are you saying I don't look good?" Alex asks curious.
"Come on Alex, you know you always look good, I don't think I've ever known you not to," Olivia comments.
"Wow, you flatter me Captain," Alex says to her.
"It's not flattery when it's true," Olivia responds. "Though those bangs you used to have were questionable," Olivia teases.
"Don't remind me," Alex says, with an embarrassed laugh, as she really doesn't know what she was thinking back then. "Do you want to talk about why you're so tired?" Alex asks curious.
"It's…. everything," Olivia admits. "The job is still the job, but there's so much more going on; everything is so much harder, and I know that I don't even know about everything going on," Olivia admits.
"You don't," Alex says. "People are more afraid, which is causing more violence and frustration, and people are being trapped with their abusers with no way out," Alex explains. "I'm not even seeing all of the reality," Alex explains. "I need to figure out better ways to help, especially now,"
"You will, we will," Olivia says, needing to believe that.
"Mom?" Noah asks, and Olivia realizes that her son has woken up.
"Is everything okay, Sweetheart?" Olivia asks concerned, looking over at him.
"I can't sleep," Noah says, walking over to his mother. "Are you talking to someone on Video?" Noah asks curious.
"Yep, a very good friend of mine," Olivia explains, and Alex cannot help but smile. "Would you like to say hello?" Olivia asks curious.
"Yes!" Noah says, looking excited, and he hurries onto the couch.
"Noah, I'd you to meet Alex Cabot, Alex, this is Noah," Olivia introduces.
"Hi Alex," Noah greats, giving a little wave.
"Hi Noah, it's really nice to meet you, your Mom has told me so many incredible things about you," Alex reveals, as when she and Olivia need a distraction from the horrible Olivia has resulted in telling her stories about Noah.
"She has?" Noah asks, looking up at his mother.
"Yep," Olivia confirms. "You know Alex likes Ballet too," Olivia reveals, knowing that anyone who likes ballet is good in Noah's book so she is sure that it will make her son feel better about Alex.
"Like Uncle Rafa?" Noah asks, causing both Alex and Olivia to smile.
"Just like Uncle Rafa, we used to go see Ballet together," Alex explains, saying what Olivia already knew.
"Wow, that's so cool," Noah ask amazed. "Do you work with Mom?" Noah asks curious.
"I used to," Alex reveals. "I worked with your Mom and Uncle Fin, and Aunt Amanda. I went to school with your Uncle Rafa and I've met your Uncle Sonny," Alex explains.
"Wow," Noah asks surprised. "How come I haven't met you?" Noah asks, trying to make sense of things, and his question causes Alex and Olivia to exchange looks.
"When I stopped working with your mom, I started to do other work that keeps me very busy, but I always keep thinking about your Mom," Alex reveals, and Olivia has to look down at that to hide the blush on her face. "And some day. If it's okay with your Mom, I would really like to meet you," Alex explains, not sure if she is pushing too much.
"Can I meet Alex sometime Mom?" Noah asks, looking really interested, though he is pretty sure he won't be able to meet Alex anytime soon.
"You know what, I definitely think you will," Oliva tells her son, as she knows she would very much like that. "But you know what, Buddy, it's past your bedtime so say goodbye to Alex, and go to bed," Alex explains.
"Goodnight Alex," Noah says.
"Goodnight Noah," Alex says to him.
"I'll be in in a minute to read you a story," Olivia tells her son, as she just wants to say goodbye to Alex first.
"Okay Mom," Noah says, before heading to his room.
"He seems great, Liv," Alex says to her friend.
"I think so," Olivia admits. "I got to go, bye Alex," Olivia says, and she goes to hang up.
"Liv," Alex says, before Olivia can hang up. "I still get take away coffee from the same place at seven forty-five, if you're ever in the neighborhood, and want to talk in person; maintaining social distance of course," Alex suggests.
"I'll remember that," Olivia says, as she really likes the sound of that though she wishes that they didn't have to maintain social distance.
"MOM!" Noah's voice yells.
"That's my cue to go, Bye Alex," Olivia says.
"Bye Liv," Alex says, before hanging up.
After Olivia and Alex hang up with each other Olivia goes into her son's room while Alex picks up her laptop and starts to do some work.
While she is pretty sure this wasn't as soon as Alex had in mind the following morning Olivia is masked up and standing outside Alex's coffee shop at seven forty holding two take away cups. After waiting a few minutes Olivia sees Alex walking towards her as even with a mask that perfectly matches what she is wearing, Olivia will always recognize Alex Cabot.
Just like Olivia Alex will always recognize Olivia Benson and as she walks towards the coffee shop Alex sees her and she can't help the hugs smile that spreads underneath her mask.
"When I suggested meeting for coffee, I didn't think I'd be seeing you the next morning," Alex says, but it is clear that she is relieved to see Olivia.
"I thought sooner would be better," Olivia admits. "I assume you still take your coffee the same," Olivia says, offering one of the cups to Alex.
"Of course," Alex says, and the two of them start to walk, keeping the necessary distance between them.
"I can't believe that after all these years you're still going to the same coffee shop," Olivia comments.
"It's comforting, I like it," Alex admits in her defense.
"You know when they shut down for a little while in early 03 I thought you were going to cease functioning," Olivia says, sounding amused.
"I wasn't that bad," Alex says, in her defense, though she knows that since then she has been more open to different types of coffee, but she still prefers to have this coffee.
"You refused to drink coffee from anywhere else and had Fin, Munch and Elliot too afraid to bring you files," Olivia remembers, sounding amazed.
"They were being ridiculous," Alex says, rolling her eyes.
"Whatever you say, counsellor," Olivia says amused, remembering that the three detectives, Cragen, Melinda, and George were all glad when Alex's coffee shop opened again.
"You have to admit, it's good coffee," Alex says, as it is something, she certainly missed a lot in the times she has been away from New York.
"That's true," Olivia admits, and the two of them continue to walk together and talk.
A while after she first met up with Olivia Alex is arriving at Vita Nova and as she walks towards Liz's desk she realizes that the young woman looks happier than she has for days.
"Liz? What's going on?" Alex asks curious.
"I just got off video call with Mom," Liz reveals. "All three of them have officially tested negative," Liz explains.
"That's great," Alex says, feeling genuinely happy for her.
"It really is," Liz says, looking thrilled. "And Mom said that Eli has finally stopped asking to go see his friends, he's finally started to realize how serious things are," Liz says. "I forgot what good news felt like," Liz admits.
"Remember this feeling Liz, I don't think we're going to have much good news for a while," Alex admits, as things seemed to keep getting worse.
"Probably not," Liz admits.
"How are your other siblings doing?" Alex asks curious as in the last two years she has spent time with all four of the Older Stabler Children, some more than others.
"They're okay, but Katie and Dickie are both on the front lines, so I'm worried about them. I mean Katheen still needs to talk to clients and not all of them can do online sessions, and Dickie's works all over the city in security, and he's playing everything down so I'm worried about him," Liz admits, hoping her twin brother starts to take things seriously soon, as she tried to talk to him the night before but he just went to his room in their shared apartment and ignored her. "Thankfully both Mo and Carl are working from home so that's good, though she was telling me last night that getting a class of third graders to pay attention on Zoom isn't easy," Liz admits.
"I don't imagine it would be," Alex admits. "I'm glad they're okay,"
"Me too," Liz admits, and as she does Alex's phone goes off and so she checks it. As she sees the message Alex can't help but smile.
"Antonio says hello," Alex tells Liz.
"Tell him hi back," Liz responds. "How's he doing?" Liz asks curious.
"Frustrated, like I expected he hates being cooped up, and he's annoyed about doing his last few weeks of undergrad online, and hoping he won't have to start law school online, but he's staying home," Alex explains.
"Good," Liz says relieved. "I'll give him some tips for online law school," Liz says as that's what she is currently dealing with.
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that," Alex says, before heading to her office, while Liz texts Antonio.
While Alex is talking to Liz Olivia is arriving at the precinct where Fin, Rollins and Kat are all at their desks.
"Morning," Olivia says as she heads towards her office. As Olivia heads to her office Fin notices the coffee cup she is holding, and he recognizes it, due to recognizing it, Fin gets up and follows Olivia into her office, while Fin follows Olivia Kat and Rollins exchange looks, neither having any idea what is going on. "Did you need something, Fin?" Olivia asks curious, as she puts her bag on her desk, and takes off her mask.
"Potter's Coffee," Fin notes, and Olivia has to resist the urge to roll her eyes.
"Whatever you want to say just say it," Olivia says, suspecting that she knows exactly what the Sargent is going to say.
"I only know one person who drinks Potter's Coffee, you got something you want to tell me?" Fin asks interested.
"It's good coffee," Olivia responds.
"Really? That's all you're gonna say?" Fin says, sounding shocked, and Olivia sighs as she realizes she isn't going to get away with not explaining.
"I met Alex for coffee this morning," Olivia explains, like it is no big deal.
"Since when are you two talking again?" Fin asks curious.
"Since I called her a couple of weeks ago. We've been talking every couple of days, decided to meet for coffee this morning," Olivia explains, Fin knowing that that explains why Olivia has seemed to have more happy moments over the last few weeks, even with everything going on.
"Wow," Fin says, knowing it is a big deal even if Olivia won't admit that, and Olivia rolls her eyes. "So how is my favorite Lawyer?" Fin asks curious, and Olivia gets an idea, and so she starts to write something down.
"Why don't you ask her yourself," Olivia says, handing the piece of paper over. "I know Alex would love to hear from you," Olivia says, knowing that because she and Alex have talked about Fin.
"I might just do that," Fin says, as he and Alex always bonded over the fact that they started SVU at the same time, taking the piece of paper. "But she's good, right?" Fin asks, trying to hide his concern.
"As good as any of us are," Olivia responds, and once she does Fin nods and heads out of Olivia's office.
Many hours after she arrived at work Alex is alone at the office, as Liz had an online class, working when her phone rings. As she is so focused on the work she is doing, trying to get something done, Alex doesn't even check the caller Id before answering.
"Cabot," Alex answers.
"It's good to hear your voice, Counsellor," a familiar voice says, which causes Alex to stop typing.
"Fin," Alex says, sounding glad. "It's been a while," Alex admits, smiling slightly.
"Too long," Fin informs her.
"Liv give you my number?" Alex asks curious.
"Well when she walked in this morning with a coffee cup from Potter's I knew there was only one reason why that could be. I asked how you were, Liv suggested I call," Fin explains.
"I'm glad you did," Alex responds. "Liv tells me you're seeing someone," Alex comments.
"My love life, that come up for any specific reason counsellor?" Fin asks curious, clearly teasing.
"I'm not taking that bait Sergeant," Alex informs him.
"What bait would that be Counsellor?" Fin asks, clearly daring Alex to say something specific, and Alex just rolls her eyes.
"Fine, if you don't want to talk, I'll get all the details from Liv," Alex responds.
"Liv doesn't know all the details," Fin comments.
"I doubt that," Alex says amused, and Fin knows she is right, but then her voice turns serious. "Are you happy Fin?"
"Yeah Baby Girl, I am," Fin responds, and Alex is glad to hear that.
"Good," Alex responds.
"What about you?" Fin asks curious.
"I don't know, I'm surviving, I think right now that's the best I can ask," Alex admits.
"Nah, it's not," Fin says and as he does Alex notices the time.
"Fin, I've got to go, I've got something I need to handle," Alex explains.
"Of course," Fin responds, purposely not asking about what she is going to do. "Stay safe Counsellor,"
"You too detective," Alex responds.
"Alex," Fin says, before she can hang up. "if you ever need help, you know who to call," Fin reminds her.
"I know," Alex responds before hanging up. Once Alex hangs up with Fin she starts to collect what she needs and sends a message to Liz saying, 'I have to handle something, if you don't hear from me in 90 minutes you know what to do,' as she does. After sending the message Alex continues to do what she has to do until she gets a message back from Liz that says, 'I know, be careful,'. Once she has everything, she needs Alex heads out of her office.
A couple of weeks have passed since Alex talked to Fin for the first time and while she hasn't talked to him as much as Olivia Alex and Fin have exchanged a few phone calls. It is Sunday evening and after a very long day Alex is very much looking forward to the videocall she is going to be apart of.
Wincing as she walks over to the couch, due to an incident when trying to help someone, Alex sits down with a glass of wine, sets up her computer, and waits. For a couple of minutes Alex waits until the first-person signs on.
"Hello Alex," George Huang greats.
"George," Alex says, smiling slightly as she is very glad to see him. "How are you?" Alex asks.
"Good, how are you?" George asks curious.
"I'm okay," Alex says, fighting back a wince as she moves positions, but before George has a chance to question her further Olivia signs on.
"Last one to the party I see," Olivia comments, though she is glad to see her two old friends.
"Please, the party is only just beginning," Alex comments.
"How are you doing, Liv?" George asks curious.
"I'm okay," Olivia confirms.
"And how's Noah?" George asks.
"He's good, incredible, amazing," Olivia says, and both Alex and George can't help but smile at the pure joy in Olivia's voice. "And I know that this isn't the same as the wine nights we used to have, but it's nice, it's been too long," Olivia admits.
"It has," Alex says.
"It really has," George confirms, and the three friends start to catch up with each other, all three of them very much enjoying their time together even though it is on video call.
May 4th 2020
A few weeks have passed since Alex, Olivia, and George had their video call which ended up lasting more than four hours. For the three old friends it felt like all the old days where they would have monthly wine nights together full of laughter and bonding.
It's Monday night and as Liz has had finals Alex has been handling the work load herself for the two weeks. While Alex certainly misses working with Liz they have always had an understanding that when Liz needs to focus on her studies all she has to do is ask, but she is also feeling glad that Liz will be back at work in a few days.
Arriving back at her apartment Alex heads straight to her kitchen and she isn't completely surprised to find that she doesn't have a lot of food.
"Great," Alex mutters to herself, trying to wrack her brain to figure out what she is going to eat, but before she can figure out what she is going to eat her phone rings. Not finding anything odd about her phone ringing at the late time Alex just walks over and picks up her phone.
"Cabot," Alex answers.
"Miss Cabot this is Doctor Gregory, I have the results of your recent COVID test," the voice on the other end of the phone says.
"Yes? What are my results?" Alex asks, not being able to help but fear the worse, as she hasn't felt well and had symptoms that could be COVID.
"I'm sorry to inform you that you've tested positive," Doctor Gregory responds. "You must immediately self-isolate at your home with any people who live with you until you test negative. Contact traces will also be in touch to determine your exposure and close contacts," Doctor Gregory informs Alex, who is barely hearing what the Doctor is saying.
