Chapter 3
AN: I have decided that Conviction doesn't exist in this universe, I will cover what happened in those years in future chapters.
Thank you so much for the support for this story. I love writing this soooo much, so I hope you like it too. This is an slow burn story so I hope you like how I handle it.
After listening to the Doctor's Information about what she has to do next, what she should look out for, and what she can do for herself if she starts to get worse symptoms Alex went straight into work Mode. She arranged Deep Cleaning for the Vita Nova office and made other arrangements for a meeting that was supposed to be in person.
Once work is delt with Alex just stairs at her recent call log, and the four contacts she knows she has to call; Olivia, Liz, Rafael Barba, and Antonio. All four of them need to know what has happened, but she cannot bring herself to call any of them as she knows that what she has to tell them will just cause her pain and she doesn't want to do that.
"You've got to do it Alex," Alex says to herself trying to draw courage as this isn't going to be easy for her. Before she can overthink it or psych herself out more Alex picks up her phone and presses the number for Olivia, as while it is going to be an incredible hard phone call it is also the call that feels right being first.
"Hey," Olivia answers and Alex knows that she is going to take away the joy that is Olivia's voice, and she hates that fact.
"Hey," Alex responds.
"Alex, what's wrong?" Olivia asks concerned as she can tell there is something off in Alex's voice.
"Olivia, I've tested positive," Alex says, feeling that it is the best way to do this.
"What?" Olivia asks shocked, as unknown to Alex she reaches out and grabs her kitchen bench to steady herself. "Do you know when you were exposed?" Olivia asks.
"I think it was a few days ago when I met a client at a shelter," Alex says, as that would make sense. "I was wearing a mask, but there were a lot of people and most weren't," Alex explains.
"You met a client? Why didn't you have her come to you?" Olivia asks, needing something to be angry about.
"It was safer if I went to her," Alex explains.
"For her you mean," Olivia says, an edge to her voice. She knew this was going to happen, since the beginning she knew that if Alex had the choice between putting herself in danger and putting a client, she would always choose to protect the client.
"Olivia," Alex says, the way Alex says her name saying so much, and so Olivia sighs, as she knows her anger is misplaced.
"Do you have any symptoms yet?" Olivia asks concerned, as she wants to know how bad this is for Alex.
"A sore thought, a bit of a cough, I feel a little weak, but I'm okay," Alex says, then to completely contradict her point she coughs and as far as Olivia is concerned it sounds pretty bad.
"Alex…" Olivia says concerned.
"I'll be okay," Alex says, saying what they both need to believe.
"Are you isolating at your apartment?" Olivia asks.
"Yeah, until I test negative," Alex explains.
"And you've got no food," Olivia realizes.
"Well yeah, but how'd you know?" Alex asks.
"I know you," Olivia responds. "I'll drop by some groceries and supplies in the morning," Olivia tells her friend.
"Olivia no, you can't come near me," Alex tells her as she won't risk exposing Olivia too.
"Relax Counsellor, I'll leave them at your door, no contact," Olivia tells her.
"Right, right, that makes sense," Alex realizes, knowing that she should have realized that.
"Any specific requests?" Olivia asks curious.
"Not that I can think off," Alex responds as she knows that Olivia knows what she likes so anything she brings will be great.
"Okay, I'll let you know when I've dropped by," Olivia tells her.
"Thanks Liv," Alex responds, sounding thankful.
"And Alex look, I know you have important work to do, but it's equally important that you rest, it's the best way for you to get better," Olivia says, even though she knows that the chances of Alex actually resting is very low.
"I know, I'll try," Alex responds. "I should go, I have other phone calls I need to make," Alex explains.
"Of course," Olivia responds. "If you need anything, and I mean anything, just call," Olivia tells Alex, feeling concerned as she knows Alex isn't good at asking for help so she likely isn't going to call if she truly needs help.
"I will," Alex responds, and Olivia knows she will frequently call to check in on Alex. "Bye Liv,"
"Bye Alex," Olivia responds, before hanging up.
After hanging up with Olivia Alex takes a few moments to collect herself before she calls Liz, as she knows that Liz needs to know next.
"Hey Alex," Liz answers after a couple of rings.
"Hey, I'm not interrupting a study session am I?" Alex asks concerned.
"Nah, Dickie lured me out of my room with Ice Cream and cocktails he's attempting to make," Liz reveals, sounding amused as while her twin brother may annoy her sometimes he is her best friend and these days she is constantly thankful that they are roommates.
"Sounds like fun," Alex comments.
"Alex, what's wrong?" Liz asks concerned, as Dickie gives her an interested look that she ignores.
"I've just got a call, I've tested positive for COVID," Alex explains.
"No," Liz says, sounding horrified.
"Yes," Alex confirms. "I'm starting isolation immediately," Alex explains.
"Okay, what do you need? What can I do?" Liz asks, wanting to help.
"The officers are being deep cleaned, but once that's done, I need you to bring me some of the secure files," Alex tells Liz as there are files on certain clients that they don't keep electronically they are stored in the office filled by codenames.
"You are not working right now," Liz tells her.
"I have to," Alex tells her. "Liz, you know the workload we have, there is so much that needs to be done,"
"And I'll handle it," Liz explains. "I have my last online final in the morning. Once I'm done, I can handle meetings, and the day to day, if there is anything, I can't do then I will call," Liz tells Alex, sounding incredibly stubborn.
"Liz, I know you can handle Vita Nova, there is no one I trust more with our organization, and I know you can handle anything, but I can't just do nothing until I test negative. I need to do work," Alex explains.
"You're a workaholic," Liz informs Alex.
"That's not new information," Alex tells her. "Look Liz, there are things you will need to handle because I can't, but unless I can't I will still be doing work," Alex explains, and Liz sighs as she realizes that at the moment Alex is healthy enough not to argue, she just hopes Alex stays that way.
"What files do you need?" Liz asks curious.
"Air balloon, ocean, roller skate and orange," Alex tells Liz after checking her list and Liz handwrites those names down.
"Okay, I'll get them once the office is clean," Liz responds. "Do you need anything else? Food supplies? I can drop them by," Liz explains.
"No, just the files," Alex explains.
"Are you sure? I mean I know you don't have much food in your apartment," Liz comments, knowing that all too well, and Alex can't help but laugh.
"Olivia's going to drop some supplies by tomorrow," Alex explains.
"Good," Liz says, sounding relieved, not even surprised by that even though the last she knew Alex and Olivia hadn't talked in a while as she always assumed, they would start to talk again. "I'm guessing she told you that you should rest," Liz comments, as that's what she assumes.
"She did," Alex confirms.
"Well I hope you listen to her even if you don't listen to me," Liz comments.
"Lizzie, I'm fine, I barely have symptoms," Alex assures her, in a gentle voice.
"We both know that doesn't mean anything," Liz responds as Dickie gestures at her, it being clear that he wants to talk to Alex. "Hey Alex, Dickie wants to say something," Liz says, and she puts her phone on speaker, as her brother walk over.
"Hi Richard," Alex says.
"So, just so you know Elizabeth's go that look on her face which says she's going to make someone do something she want's even if they don't want to," Dickie informs Alex.
"Good to know," Alex says.
"How are you feeling?" Dickie asks, a level of concern to his voice as due to how close Alex and Liz are he's gotten to know Alex pretty well over the last couple of years, and he remembers her from when he was a kid.
"I'm okay," Alex says, and she once again has a coughing fit, that causes Dickie and Liz to exchange looks. "Really," Alex assures the twins as even though she can't see them she can practically hear their looks.
"Sure," Dickie says sarcastically. "Coz that sounds real healthy," Dickie comments.
"I should go. I've got to make a couple more phone calls," Alex says, wanting to get the subject off how she is feeling.
"Wow, you've still got the SVU avoidance down," Dickie says amused.
"Alex if you need anything, just call," Liz says, giving her brother an annoyed look, knowing she plans to call a lot to check in on Alex.
"I will, thanks Liz," Alex says. "Bye Richard," Alex says, before hanging up.
After hanging up with Liz Alex debate who to call next as she knows she must call both Rafael and Antonio. Due to how much they both care about her Alex knows that neither phone call is going to be easy. After a little bit of debating Alex calls Rafael as he is more likely to hide his emotions which will make it an easier call.
"Lexie, please tell me good news about civilization," Barba says as he answers as he is trying to get back to New York and is hopefully going tog get a flight in coming days.
"I'm probably not the best person to ask Rafi," Alex responds, and Barba realizes that there is something off about Alex's voice.
"Lexie, what's wrong?" Barba asks concerned.
"I've tested positive Rafi," Alex explains.
"Okay, okay," Barba says, and Alex recognizes the tone which tells Alex that he isn't okay. "What can I do? What do you need?" Barba asks. "I'm trying to get back to New York, I'll be back as soon as I can," Barba explains, knowing he will try even harder to get back.
"I don't need anything right now. Liv and Liz are already being overprotective," Alex admits.
"I'm not surprised," Barba admits, knowing he wants to talk about the fact that Olivia and Alex are talking again, but now is not the time.
"But if my symptoms get too bad, I might need you to handle some hearings," Alex explains, as with Liz not being qualified for another year Barba is the only persons she trusts.
"Of course, whatever you need," Barba responds.
"Liz will be able to tell you everything if I can't," Alex explains as while Liz and Barba have not met yet they both know about each other.
"Okay," Barba responds. "This is going to be like Law School, isn't it? Where you insisted you could work even with a hundred a one fever and didn't stop until you collapsed," Barba comments.
"Probably," Alex admits.
"And telling you to look after yourself won't do anything," Barba realizes, with a sigh.
"Probably not," Alex admits.
"You are incredibly stubborn," Barba informs Alex.
"So are you, that's why we get along so well," Alex responds.
"I like to think it was shared suffering caused by our charming Harvard classmates," Barba comments, as neither of them really 'fit' with the majority of the people who were studying pre-law with them at Harvard and so they became best friends and where on the outside together during both college and law school.
"That didn't hurt," Alex admits and they both laugh. "I miss you," Alex admits.
"I miss you too," Rafael responds.
"I should go, I still have to call Antonio," Alex explains.
"Of course," Barba says, knowing that is going to be a extremely hard conversation. "I'll call you tomorrow," Barba says. "Bye Lex,"
"Bye Rafi," Alex says, before hanging up.
After hanging up with Barba Alex once again spends a couple of minutes collecting herself before she calls Antonio as even with as hard as her previous calls were this is likely going to be even harder.
"Hello," Antonio's voice answers.
"Hey Antonio," Alex answers.
"Mami, how are you?" Antonio asks.
"Tonio, I go some news earlier tonight," Alex reveals doing so in a gentle tone of voice.
"It was bad news wasn't it?" Antonio asks worried, as he knows Alex well enough to know when she has to tell him something bad.
"Tonio, I've tested positive," Alex explains, and the other end of the phone is silent. "Tonio?" Alex asks concerned.
"I can't lose you too," Antonio says, his voice breaking.
"Oh Sweetheart, you won't," Alex assures him, wishing she could hug him. "I have no intention of going anywhere," Alex assures him.
"You can't promise that," Antonio reminds Alex.
"But I can do everything in my power to," Alex tells him. "Tonio, right now I am feeling okay," Alex explains.
"Good, that's good," Antonio says, though it is clear that he isn't relieved.
"Why don't you tell me all about what you've been doing lately," Alex says, as she wants to distract Antonio so that he doesn't worry about her.
"Okay," Antonio says and he starts to explain all about what he has been doing as Alex listens in.
Hours after hanging up with Alex Olivia still finds herself unable to sleep, not being able to toss and turn in her bed anymore Olivia has gotten up. While she waits for food, she plans to take Alex to cook Olivia is searching through her apartment collecting old movies and books that she thinks Alex will like. Due to how well she knows the Lawyer Olivia knows that chances are Alex won't just sit at home and do nothing and because she doesn't think Alex doing work is a good idea she can offer suggestions for other things for Alex to do.
"Mom?" Noah asks, walking into the living area as he was woken by the noise his mother is making.
"Oh Noah, I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" Olivia asks, feeling guilty.
"It's okay, what are you doing?" Noah asks, looking around and feeling confused. "Mom?" Noah asks, as Olivia is not sure how to answer. Not sure what else to do Olivia gestures to the couch so that the two of them can walk over and sits on the couch, Olivia giving herself a chance to think about what to say to her son.
"Noah, you remember my friend Alex?" Olivia asks, as other than the first video call Noah crashed where he met Alex he has seen, and spoken to her, on several other occasions.
"Yeah," Noah answers. "Is she okay?" Noah asks concerned.
"Alex called me earlier tonight, she tested positive," Olivia tells her son.
"For the virus?" Noah asks, looking afraid and Olivia nods.
"I'm putting together some supplies that I am going to drop by her apartment for her," Olivia explains. "Food, and things for her to do," Olivia explains.
"Alex likes Puzzles," Noah says as he has learnt that. "We should get her some puzzle books, and some links to ballet videos," Noah suggests.
"That's a great idea Buddy," Olivia says, with a smile. "But it's late, you should go back to bed," Olivia informs her son.
"Okay Mom," Noah says, and he gets up and heads to his room.
"I'll be in in a minute," Olivia tells her son as he heads back to his room.
The next morning after Lucy arrived to stay with Noah while Olivia is at work, Olivia went to the grocery store to pick up the groceries she ordered for Alex, and once she collected them, and all the things she packed the night before Olivia heads to Alex's apartment.
Once at Alex's apartment Olivia leaves everything at her front door and then walks back down the hall so she is near the elevator. Once near the elevator Olivia pulls out her phone and calls Alex.
"Hey Liv," Alex says.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Olivia asks concerned, as there seems to be something off about Alex's voice.
"I'm fine," Alex says.
"Al…" Olivia starts to say.
"Okay, I'm feeling a little weaker," Alex admits, as woke up feeling like she hasn't slept for days.
"You need to rest," Olivia tells her. "Open your door, I've left supplies," Olivia explains, and she waits.
A few seconds after Olivia told Alex to open her door she does and even with Alex wearing a mask and the how far away Olivia is from her, Oliva can see that Alex looks sick.
"Thank you," Alex says, sounding glad, looking towards Olivia.
"You never have to thank me," Olivia assures her. "Noah suggested somethings, so I have included them," Olivia explains.
"Thank him for me," Alex responds, smiling slightly, not that Olivia can see that.
"I will," Olivia responds. "I'll call again in a few hours, but you should go back to bed," Olivia informs her.
"Maybe," Alex responds.
"Alex you're not going to get better if you don't rest," Olivia reminds her.
"I'll remember that Doctor Benson," Alex teases, and Olivia rolls her eyes. "I should get all this inside,"
"And then get to bed or I'll do something about it," Olivia comments.
"That's an empty threat when I'm contagious," Alex responds.
"You really want to challenge me?" Olivia asks giving Alex a look. As she realizes that Olivia might be serious Alex knows she has to fold as she won't risk Olivia getting sick.
"No, I guess not," Alex admits. "You win, I'll rest,"
"Good," Olivia says, though she knows that it is more of a win for Alex.
"I should get all this inside," Alex responds.
"Okay, I'll call later," Olivia says before hanging up, and even though they have hung up Olivia watches Alex take everything into her apartment.
A little while after she watches Alex take the supplies, she brought her into the apartment Olivia is arriving at the sixteenth precinct.
"Anything I need to know?" Olivia asks as she walks through the bullpen.
"Just the usual Captain," Rollins informs her, and Olivia just nods and heads straight to her office, closing her door behind her.
"Is something wrong?" Kat asks concerned as while she may be new to SVU she knows that Olivia is acting unusual.
"I don't know," Rollins comments.
"I'm gonna find out," Fin says, getting up and heading to Oliva's office.
Once he's at the door Fin knocks and Olivia gestures from him to come in. Walking into Olivia's office Fin finds her sitting at her desk looking at an old picture that Olivia keeps in her desk a picture of both of them, Alex, Elliot, Cragen, and Munch from a thanksgiving they all worked together. As he knows what the photo is Fin can't help but have his concern grown as he knows that Olivia doesn't look at that very often.
"Liv?" Fin asks, as he sits down across from Olivia.
"I got a call last night, from Alex," Olivia says.
"Okay," Fin says, sounding confused as a normal call from Alex doesn't explain Olivia's behavior.
"She's tested positive Fin," Olivia reveals, looking up at him, pain clear in his voice.
"Damn it," Fin says, closing his eyes.
"When we talked last night Alex had a cough, but she seemed okay," Olivia explains. "But this morning I dropped supplies from an apartment and even from a distance I could tell that she isn't okay," Olivia asks, clearly worried.
"Alex is tough," Fin reminds Olivia.
"But she's also stubborn and will keep working from isolation rather than resting," Olivia says concerned. "She put herself in danger because it was the best option for a client," Olivia explains.
"You can't be angry at Alex for doing the same thing you would," Fin tells her.
"I know," Olivia says, with a sigh. "I'm scared for her, Fin," Olivia admits, only doing so because it is Fin, as even though years have passed where she and Alex haven't talked she doesn't want to think about living in a world where calling, or seeing her, isn't a possibility.
"I know," Fin responds and the two old friends drift into silence as they sit across from one another, both thinking about their old friend who they both desperately hope will be okay.
