Chapter 7

AN: Thank you for the support. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this chapter. Hope you like it too.


June 16th 2020

Two weeks have passed since Alex told Olivia that she works with Liz Stabler and while Olivia got Liz's number from Alex, she hasn't called Liz yet as she wasn't sure how to start that conversation.

It's Tuesday morning and Alex is in her office when she suddenly hears Liz say, "You're an Idiot," in a very loud and annoyed tone of voice before slamming her phone down. Feeling concerned about what is going on Alex gets up and heads out to where Liz is.

"What's going on, Liz?" Alex asks concerned.

"My twin brother is a complete and utter idiot, that's what's going on," Liz says annoyed. "I can't believe he'd be so stupid," Liz says, sounding completely frustrated.

"What did Richard do?" Alex asks, this not being the first, and she assumes won't be the last, time Liz has been extremely frustrated with her brother while at work.

"He went to a secret party last night, and the genius decided to post it in his Insta stories," Liz explains. "With everything going on I cannot believe he'd do that," Liz explains, feeling beyond pissed at her brother.

"Liz, there is a lot going on, it's difficult times," Alex explains.

"Are you defending him?" Liz asks annoyed.

"No, I'm just saying that maybe taking to Richard will get you more of an explanation than yelling at him and calling him an idiot," Alex explains.

"Probably," Liz admits with a sigh.

"Hi Mami, Hi Liz," Antonio says, walking up to the pair, and the first thing Liz notices is that he is not wearing a mask as he took it off while in the elevator.

"No, not you too," Liz says annoyed. "Please tell me you're taking things seriously, because if not I swear…." Liz starts to say, but Antonio cuts him off.

"I see you've seen Richard's insta," Antonio comments, and Liz rolls her eyes. "And don't worry, Liz, I'm complying with all restrictions," Antonio explains. "I took it off in the elevator," Antonio says, showing his mask.

"Good," Liz says relieved.

"I'm really glad to hear that," Alex says as she doesn't want her son to go through what she went through. "It's good to see you Tonio," Alex says, smiling at her son. "But I am surprised to see you," Alex admits as she wasn't expecting him.

"I know. Mami, I can't keep only staying in that apartment," Antonio admits. "It's reminding me of Colorado and... I'm not okay," Antonio admits, and while Alex know exactly what Antonio is talking about Liz doesn't and she knows better than asking about, what she assumes, is WITSEC time.

"What can I do?" Alex asks, knowing she will do whatever she can.

"I was hoping for a job, or something I can do around here," Antonio admits. "I just need a reason to get out of that apartment, in a safe way, for a little while each day," Antonio admits, as when he was doing online school it was easier to be distracted, but now he has no distracted.

"I'm sure we can figure something out," Alex admits, giving her son a comforting look, and Antonio looks relieved. "Liz, you know more about what's been going on lately, can you think about what needs to be done immediately?" Alex asks, looking at her.

"Oh yeah, I can," Liz says, smirking slightly as there have been some boring tasks she's been putting off so she is glad to have someone else to do them.

"Oh, I hate that look," Antonio comments. "It's the same look you get on your face when we would play truth or dare with Richard, and Jamie," Antonio explains, Jamie being a mutual friend of theirs who moved away just before the start of the pandemic.

"And isn't that always so much fun," Liz says, the smirk on her face becoming clearer, and to Alex's relief as she really isn't sure she wants to know what Liz and Antonio are talking about, her phone rings.

"Oh good," Alex says, checking her phone. "Liv, you have incredible timing," Alex says as she walks into her office and closes the door behind her.

"Everything okay?" Olivia asks concerned.

"It's been an interesting five minutes," Alex admits. "I've had Liz yelling at Richard over the phone and hanging up on him because he's not taking restrictions seriously, which means chances are he'll show up here soon and they'll fight again," Alex explains, knowing it won't be the first time. "Antonio showed up and asked if there was anything he could do around here, because after something that happened when we were in WITSEC he can't bear to stay in his apartment all the time," Alex explains, and Olivia is definitely curious about that, but isn't going to ask right now. "Now they are teasing each other about things I'm pretty sure I don't want to know about which is going to make things even more interesting if Richard does show up because Tonio is closer to him than Liz," Alex explains. "Plus, Kathleen will be here at some point soon because she knows of someone who needs our help," Alex admits.

"Wow," Olivia says amused as that seems like a lot. "So, I guess I should ask what their coffee orders are," Olivia says to Alex's confusion.

"What?" Alex asks surprised.

"I'm in the neighbourhood, I was planning on bringing by some coffee, if that's okay," Olivia says, a little nervous about what Alex is going to say.

"That's more than okay," Alex assures her as she really, really, wants to see Olivia.

"Good, I'll be there soon," Olivia explains. "I know your coffee orders but what do Antonio, Elizabeth, Dickie and Kathleen like?" Olivia asks, it feeling extremely strange not to know as there was a time, a long time, where she knew everything about those kids.

"Liz only drinks Ice Coffee, with almond milk, Antonio's orders the same as me, Kathleen doesn't drink coffee much so green tea is probably a better choice, Richard takes his coffee black," Alex explains.

"Got it," Olivia says. "See you soon," Olivia says, before hanging up.

"See you soon," Alex mutters, with a smile on her face. Once Alex hangs up, she looks out and sees that Antonio and Liz are still clearly teasing each other so she figures it's better not to get involved and rather decides to just wait for Olivia in her office.


Fifteen minutes after she hang up with Alex Olivia is in the elevator on her way up to the Vita Nova feelings, holding a tray of different coffees and feeling incredibly nervous. While she is looking forward to seeing Alex, she is both excited, and nervous about seeing Liz, Kathleen, Dickie, and Antonio. As nervous as she is about seeing the Stabler's Olivia thinks she might be even more nervous to see Antonio because he is Alex's son.

Finally, the elevator doors open, and Olivia is a little surprised, but glad, to see Alex waiting right by the elevator, clearly waiting for her.

"Waiting for me, Counsellor?" Olivia asks.

"More like waiting for my coffee," Alex says, clearly joking, which Olivia knows.

"Of course," Olivia says, giving Alex her coffee.

"Thank you," Alex says.

"So, have things calmed down?" Olivia asks curious, as they start to walk to the main area.

"For now, I don't see it lasting," Alex admits.

"Nice officers," Olivia says as she looks around.

"We try," Alex says. "I'll give you a tour later. I actually took a lot of inspiration from SVU when it comes to the set up," Alex explains, knowing that is the easier way than explaining that she took a lot of inspiration from Olivia, as next to her offices there are three private rooms, formally offices that she has set up as a children's play room, a casual lounge space, and a more formal interview room respectively.

"Glad to hear it," Olivia says, feeling rather proud.

"Olivia," Liz says, as she sees Alex and Olivia walking towards where she and Antonio are sitting.

"Hi Elizabeth," Olivia greats.

"I go by Liz now," Liz explains, and Olivia nods. "It's really good to see you," Liz says, and it is clear that she means that.

"It really is, Sweetheart," Olivia says. "An Antonio, you've grown up, It's really good to see you again," Olivia says, looking at him, and feeling shocked as the last time she saw him he was an eight year old boy, it's almost as jarring seeing how much Liz has grown.

"Hi Olivia," Antonio greats, feeling glad to see her as while he only met her briefly Alex has always talked about her a lot, so he feels like he knows her a lot better than he does.

"Are those coffee for us?" Liz asks curious, noticing how many there are.

"Yep, Alex told me what you both like," Olivia says, handing Liz and then Antonio their specific ones.

"Thanks Olivia," Liz says.

"Thank you," Antonio greats.

"I'm assuming Alex also told you that Dickie's probably going to be here soon and Katie is meant to be here soon so they're who the other coffees are for," Liz assumes.

"Yep," Olivia says, putting the extra coffees down on the desk, and taking hers. "So, Liz, what's it been like working with Alex? I know she can be difficult," Olivia teases.

"Like you're so easy to work with," Alex says, rolling her eyes.

"I love working with Alex," Liz says, recognizing the teasing, and Alex looks proud. "I'm really proud of what we do, we've helped a lot of people; given them hope," Liz explains.

"I'm really glad to hear that," Olivia admits. "Antonio, congratulations, Alex told me you've just finished college," Olivia comments.

"Yep, after four long years it resulted in a virtual ceremony," Antonio explains.

"Tonio, we've talked about this. Graduation is just a ceremony, what you've achieved is so much more," Alex assures him, and from the way she speaks, and her tone of voice, Olivia can see Alex as Antonio's mother.

"She's right, as usual," Liz tells Antonio. "And Dickie and I have told you when we're able we're going to go out and have a great time to celebrate," Liz informs him.

"How about this weekend?" Dickie asks, walking up to them.

"No," Liz, Antonio, Alex, and Olivia say together.

"Relax I'm kid…. Olivia?" Dickie says shocked.

"Hi Dickie," Olivia greats.

"Richard," Dickie corrects. "It's been a long time," Dickie says, feeling incredibly confused as when his sister was yelling at him, she did not give him the heads up about Olivia being around.

"It has," Olivia says, picking up Richard's coffee and handing it to him.

"Have you really not talked to Dad since he left? Coz I don't know if I should believe him," Dickie comments, have never been one to not ask the hard questions, as he takes the coffee.

"You should," Olivia says, and an awkward feeling is clear.

"How about that tour?" Alex asks, wanting to help Olivia. "We'll start with my office," Alex suggests.

"Sure," Olivia says, and both she and Alex head to Alex's office.

"So not subtle," Liz mutters, as she has spent enough time with Alex to realise a couple of things, as she watches Oliva and Alex walk into Alex's office, and close both the doors and blinds.

"Are you okay?" Alex asks concerned, as she leans against her desk and Olivia stands near the door.

"Yeah," Olivia answers. "Sometimes I can't even believe I haven't spoken to him," Olivia admits, walking over and leaning against Alex's desk too, not too far from her. "But I'm okay, Ally," Olivia tells her, as while it still hurts, and always will, it is something she has learnt to live with.

"Okay," Alex says, deciding not to push her further.

"Liz, Richard, Antonio, they've all grown up. Ever make you feel old?" Olivia asks curious.

"Before Liz walked onto this floor the last time, I saw her she was ten years old; it's been two years and sometimes there are still times where I struggle not think of her as a kid," Alex admits, knowing that it's something she is working on. "I mean, you should have seen my reaction when I went out to dinner one night with Liz, Richard and Tonio and all three of them order a drink," Alex explains.

"That would have been great," Olivia says amused, being pretty sure she could imagine Alex's reaction.

"Well, when we can go out again, you have an open invitation to join anytime," Alex explains.

"Good to know," Olivia says, feeling glad. "Alex I'm glad you haven't been alone like you were before. I'm glad you have Antonio and Liz, Rafa, and even DI-Richard," Olivia tells her.

"And I'm glad you have your squad, Rafi, and Noah," Alex admits. "Liv, I know you felt like you never had a real family, so I really hope you see that you've built an incredible family; it's what a real family should be," Alex tells Olivia.

"I know," Olivia admits, as what happened with Shelia made her realise that.

"Good," Alex says, and the two of them drift into comfortable silence.

For a few minutes Alex and Olivia sit in silence as they drink their coffee's neither realising that they have moved a little closer to each other, until their silence is interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yeah," Alex says, and Liz opens the door.

"Sorry, Katie's here," Liz informs Alex.

"I'll be right out," Alex tells her, and Liz leaves. "Feel free to stay here if you'd like," Alex offers.

"No, I want to see Kathleen," Olivia says, as there have been a lot of times over the years where she has worried about how she is doing but wasn't sure that she could reach out.

"Okay," Alex says and they both head out to the main area of Vita Nova.

Walking into the main area off Vita Nova both Olivia and Alex see that Antonio, Liz, Dickie, and Kathleen are standing around Liz's desk, clearly talking as they drink the coffees/tea that Olivia brought them.

"Olivia," Kathleen says, looking thrilled.

"Hi Kathleen," Olivia greats, feeling glad when she realises that Kathleen looks good.

"Oh, I really wish I could give you a hug right now," Kathleen admits as she has deeply missed Olivia.

"Me too," Olivia admits. "Raincheck," Olivia tells her.

"Definitely," Kathleen says.

"Add me to that list too please," Liz requests.

"Of course," Olivia says, and Alex can't help but smile at how happy Olivia looks. "I should let you all get to work," Olivia admits as she knows that she crashed in the middle of a workday.

"You don't have to go, if you've got time Antonio and Richard can give you that tour I promised," Alex offers, thinking it would be good for all three of them.

"Well, Fin has got things handled, sure," Olivia says, looking forward to it.

"Great, we'll join once we've talked," Alex says, and she, Liz, and Kathleen head into her office.

"Well start with the best place," Richard explains as he's spent a lot of time at Vita Nova.

"The Kitchen," Antonio explains, causing Olivia to laugh, and the three of them head there, Richard and Antonio bantering as they go.


About five minutes later Antonio, and Dickie have finished showing Olivia around, but Alex, Liz and Kathleen are still in their meeting. Due to a message, she has just gotten from Fin Olivia knows she can't hang around, even though she would very much like to and so she is knocking on Alex's office door as she wants to give them a warning before interrupting.

"Yeah," Alex's voice says, and Olivia opens the door.

"Hey sorry to interrupt, can we talk a sec?" Olivia asks, looking straight at Alex.

"Sure," Alex says, and Olivia walks over to her.

"I've got a message from Fin, I've got to go," Olivia explains once Alex is close enough, doing so in a quiet voice.

"That's okay, I get it," Alex responds.

"How are you doing? I can give you a lift home on my way to meet Fin," Olivia offers as she knows that Alex is still only doing part days.

"I'm okay," Alex says, feeling touched by Olivia's concern. "And I appreciate the offer, but I've got to figure this out, and I Ken and I have a phone call scheduled to discuss a mutual client of ours," Alex explains. "I don't want to reschedule that," Alex admits.

"Tell Ken I said hi," Olivia says, knowing that Alex and Ken have occasionally worked together as Fin told her not long after she and Alex started talking again, and Alex confirmed it. "And you can make a phone call from home," Olivia points out.

"I know, I want to do it here though," Alex explains.

"Okay," Olivia says, realising that Alex isn't going to go home. "Don't push yourself too hard Alex, please," Olivia tells her as from what she has seen today Alex is barley back on her feet after being so sick and she doesn't want Alex to jeopardise that.

"I won't," Alex tells her. "I'll call you later," Alex tells her.

"I'd like that," Olivia says. "Bye Liz, Kathleen," Olivia says to them.

"Bye Olivia," Both Liz and Kathleen say.

"Bye Alex," Olivia says, in a quiet voice, just to her, before leaving.


Hours after she left Vita Nova it is late but despite the time Olivia is still at her desk doing paperwork. As she does her work Olivia's phone rings and she is very glad when she sees that it is Alex on the caller ID because she was expecting Alex to call sooner.

"Hey, I was starting to think you forgot about me," Olivia answers.

"Impossible," Alex answers. "I had a nap when I got home, it lasted longer than I planned," Alex explains.

"How are you feeling?" Olivia asks concerned.

"Still a little tired, but okay," Alex answers.

"Good," Olivia says, sounding glad. "How was the rest of your day? Anything else interesting happen?" Olivia asks curious.

"Well, Tonio and Richard went to get takeout a block away but were gone for an hour," Alex explains. "I thought it was better not to question," Alex admits.

"Probably," Olivia says as from what she observed Dickie and Antonio have a rather interesting dynamic.

"And I got really good news from Ken. Someone we both helped is doing really well, he's finally back on his feet after multiple abusive boyfriends," Alex explains, purposely not going into too many details. "I'm really proud of him, so's Ken," Alex explains.

"Alex that's great," Olivia responds, being able to hear the pride in Alex's voice and she can tell that she isn't proud of herself but proud of what this client has achieved.

"Yeah, it is," Alex confirms.

"Were you able to help Kathleen with what she needed help with?" Olivia asks curious.

"Not yet, I'm working on a plan," Alex explains, and those words concern Olivia.

"Alex, I know you've lost faith in me, but I can help," Olivia assures her.

"Liv, no, I've never lost faith in you, I will never lose faith in you," Alex assures her, not being able to believe that Olivia thinks that. "I lost faith in the system, but I've always known that if I need help, I can call you," Alex assures her.

"Not just about work," Olivia tells her, feeling like the fact that they are being more honest with each other is a very good thing.

"I know," Alex says, and Olivia is pretty sure that she can hear the smile in Alex's voice. "How about you Captain, how's your day been?" Alex asks curious.

"Long, and not likely to end anytime soon," Olivia admits.

"Have you at least eaten?" Alex asks concerned.

"Are you, of all people, really going to give me a lecture about not eating?" Olivia asks amused.

"Yes, I am," Alex says, in a determined voice and Oliva just shakes her head.

"Relax Counsellor I ate an hour ago," Olivia assures her.

"Good," Alex says relieved. "I can let you go if you want, I know you'd want to get home in time to see Noah before he goes to bed," Alex says.

"He's already in bed, and I've already talked to him," Olivia explains. "So, I am all yours counsellor," Olivia tells her.

"I like the sound of that," Alex admits. "Oh, so you want to hear how Richard and Liz fighting about Richard not following resections ended?" Alex asks as she is sure that Olivia be interested in this.

"Definitely," Olivia says, wondering if she is going to have to talk to him herself now that they have seen each other again.

"So, Richard kept saying how it wasn't a big deal, Liz got angrier," Alex says and the way Alex phrase that makes Olivia wonder if Liz has Elliot's anger. "Tonio and Kathleen were both on Liz's side and tried to get him to see how serious it is," Alex admits. "Then I told him how he didn't want to end up how I did, and explained how I'm still having side effects," Alex explains.

"How that go down?" Olivia asks curious.

"I think I was getting through to him," Alex admits. "Then Liz said that she'd have you arrest him if he doesn't comply with restrictions and Kathleen pointed out that you've done it before for her own good, which this would be," Alex explains. "That worked," Alex says.

"Of course, it did," Olivia says amused. "I don't like being used as a threat, but if it got Richard to see how serious things are, I'm all for that," Olivia admits.

"I thought you'd feel that way," Alex admits.

"You know me so well Counsellor," Olivia comments.

"I like to think so," Alex admits, and as she does, she gets an email notification. "Hey Liv, I actually have to go, I've got to make an urgent phone call about a client," Alex explains, she would really like to keep talking to Olivia, but she isn't able to.

"Sure, remember what I said," Olivia says.

"I will," Alex responds. "Bye Liv,"

"Bye Ally," Olivia responds and after hanging up with each other both Alex and Olivia get to work as they both have very important work that they need to get done.