Chapter 13

AN: Thanks for the support. As I am incredibly excited for you to read it, I will be posting the next chapter tomorrow.


January 18th 2021

A little over a week have passed since Barba started working at Vita Nova and he seems to be the perfect fit which everyone is glad about. Just like with Liz and Antonio Alex isn't letting him be apart of the less than legal parts of what she does, but she is glad to have him take over some of their increased legal work.

It's early afternoon on a Monday and Barba, Liz and Antonio are all sitting at their desks in the bullpen when the elevator beeps and opens; Liz and Antonio aren't at all surprised when Olivia walks out, and Barba is highly amused when he realizes.

"Hey Liv," Antonio greats.

"Antonio, Liz, Rafael," Olivia greats. "Alex in?" Olivia asks curious.

"Yeah," Liz confirms.

"What? No small talk?" Rafael asks, pretending to be hurt. "Is Lexie the only one who matters?" Barba asks curious; teasing Olivia.

"Hi Rafael, how are you? How have you found working at Vita Nova?" Olivia asks, pausing to look at him.

"I'm good, I like it here," Barba admits, as he looks around, as it feels right for him to be at Vita Nova.

"Consider that Smalltalk," Olivia says, smiling, before heading into Alex's office.

"How often does Liv drop by?" Barba asks curious, as that will tell him a hell of a lot.

"A lot," Liz and Antonio say together.

"So, I see you and Barba haven't killed each other yet," Olivia comments as she walks into Alex's office, closing the door behind her.

"You do realize that Rafi and I lived together for eight years, right?" Alex asks, as she and Barba lived together since their second year of collage to after their first year back in the city, as Olivia sits down. "We know how to work together,".

"I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall in that apartment," Olivia says amused.

"Keep coming by and I'm sure you're gonna see some things you'll enjoy," Alex comments, as Barba is her best friend, and her brother, which causes them to have a very interesting dynamic.

"That an invitation to keep coming by?" Olivia asks curious.

"You know you don't need one," Alex informs Olivia.

"We I am here to give you one," Olivia reveals.

"Oh?" Alex asks interested.

"Have you got time to get a coffee?" Olivia asks curious.

"Yeah, I do," Alex says, as she has a little bit of time before the next thing she has to handle, and she stands up. "After you Captain," Alex says and the two of them head out of Alex's office. "I'll be back soon," Alex says, looking between Liz, Antonio and Barba as they walk.

"Have fun you two," Barba says, and everyone can hear the smirk in his voice, as Olivia and Alex leave.


Four days after Olivia stopped by Vita Nova it is late afternoon on a Friday and Fin is sitting at his desk in the SVU squad room. As he works he hears a very family sound, looking up he sees just what he was expecting, Alex Cabot walking into the squad room.

"Counsellor, its good to see you," Fin says, getting up and walking towards her. As she is extremely curious Kat also stands up.

"Good to see you too, Fin," Alex responds, knowing that if they didn't have current restrictions they would hug.

"You here for a reason?" Fin asks curious.

"Liv stopped by my office the other day, I thought I'd return the favor," Alex explains, and she notices Kat. "You must be Officer Tamin," Alex realizes.

"Um, yeah," Kat says, sounding surprised. "Who are you?" Kat asks, feeling incredibly confused about who Alex is and how she knows about her.

"This is Alex Cabot, she used to be our ADA, the two of us actually started at SVU at the same time, we were the new kids together," Fin explains, to Kat's surprise as she can't help but wonder if this is the Alex that caused Olivia to go running out of her office and disappear for the rest of the afternoon.

"That was a lifetime ago," Alex comments, though she is a little amused by Fin's description.

"Yep, and now you're a crusader for victims of domestic violence," Fin says.

"Crusader?" Alex asks amused.

"With what you do it's pretty fitting," Fin tells her.

"Is Liv here or is she on a case?" Alex asks, but before Fin can answer they hear Olivia's voice as she talks to Rollins and Carisi.

"We'll indite in the morning, and go from there," Carisi say as the three of them round the corner.

"Alex," Oliva greats, looking glad to see her.

"Liv," Alex says, smiling slightly. "Detective, Counsellor," Alex greats, and Carisi is surprised that Alex knows he is a lawyer now.

"Are you here about a client?" Carisi asks curious.

"No," Alex says, giving Olivia a look.

"Let's talk," Olivia says, and Alex walks over to her.

"So, are you here because you needed to get away from Barba?" Olivia asks curious as they head towards Olivia's office.

"Why do I need a reason? Why can't I just be here because I wanted to see you?" Alex asks.

"That's sweet," Olivia responds, as they enter her office and close the door behind them.

"What was that?" Kat asks surprised, having never seen Olivia like that with anyone.

"Standard Alex and Olivia," Fin says, neither he nor Amanda surprised by how Alex and Olivia are acting, while Kat and Carisi are.

"Why did Liv ask about Barba?" Carisi asks curious.

"He's working with Alex now," Fin says as he goes to his desk and sits down.

After walking into her office Alex and Olivia walk over to the couch and sit down together. Even though it is a big couch they sit pretty close together.

"So, you're just here for company?" Olivia asks curious, suspecting that their might be more that Alex isn't saying.

"Had a tough morning, felt the need to get out of the office for a little while," Alex explains, and after her morning all she wanted was to see Olivia.

"I'm sorry," Olivia says, knowing that it must have been a pretty tough morning for Alex to actually admit that. "Do you want to talk about it?" Olivia asks, and Alex shakes her head. "Can I help?" Olivia asks.

"Not at the moment," Alex admits.

"Okay, you know I'm always here," Olivia assures her.

"I know," Alex says as the two of them drift into silence as they sit together, unconsciously moving even closer together.

For a little while Alex and Olivia sit together until there is a knock on the door.

"Come in," Olivia says, as she squeezes Alex's leg and then stands up, just as Chief Garland walks in. "Chief," Olivia greats.

"That's my cue to go," Alex says, standing up.

"Before you go, Alexandra Cabot this is Deputy Chief Christian Garland," Olivia introduces, as she figures that it is about time.

"Pleasure to meet you Chief," Alex says, as she has heard very positive things about him not just from Olivia but from her connections.

"Ms Cabot, I can honestly say it's a genuine pleasure," Garland says. "I know all about the advances you've made in sex crimes legislation, and I have heard about the work you're doing with victims of domestic violence," Garland says, as his wife is a big fan of Alex's, which has caused him to become one as well. "You've very impressive," Garland explains.

"Thank you. Please call me, Alex," Alex requests.

"Are you here about a client Alex?" Garland asks, wanting to make sure he isn't interrupting something important.

"No, just seeing a friend," Alex answers. "I'll text you later," Alex says to Olivia, who nods, before leaving Olivia's office and allowing Olivia and Garland to talk.


February 7th 2021

Sixteen days have passed since Alex stopped by SVU and as both Alex and Olivia have been busy, they haven't been able to see each other, but they have spoken.

It's mid-morning on Sunday and Olivia is having a great day with Noah. As Olivia tickles her son, causing both of them to laugh, there is a knock on the door.

"Who's that Mom?" Noah asks curious.

"I don't know," Olivia admits, as she is not expecting anyone. "Wait here," Olivia says to her son and she gets up and heads to the door. Getting to the door Olivia looks through the peep hole and she can't help but smile when she realizes who it is. "Hey," Olivia says, opening the door and revealing Alex. As soon as she sees Alex the first thing Olivia notices is that she is holding a picnic basket.

"Happy Birthday Liv," Alex greats.

"Thanks," Olivia responds, letting Alex into the apartment and closing the door behind her. "You do know it's freezing out their right? Not exactly picnic whether," Olivia says.

"Alex!" Noah says excited as he hurries over to Olivia and Alex.

"Hi Noah," Alex says, giving him a one arm hugged. "I know it's cold, I thought the three of us could have a picnic in your living room," Alex explains.

"That sounds awesome!" Noah says excitedly.

"It does," Olivia confirms. "What kind of food did you bring?" Olivia asks curious.

"Every one of your favorites I could get," Alex answers as she puts the basket down on the coffee table.

"Wow," Olivia says, feeling impressed and touched as she knows that's a big deal.

"Hope you're hungry," Alex says and she, Olivia and Noah proceed to have an enjoyable picnic together, celebrating Olivia's birthday, and living every single second.


February 24th 2021

Two weeks have passed since Olivia's birthday and in that time, she has worked case, involving another jurisdiction SVU, that she found particularly difficult. It's a little before lunch on a Wednesday and Alex has just finished a meeting with Liz who recently celebrated her birthday, when her phone rings.

"Cabot," Alex answers.

"Alex," Olivia says, and as soon as she speaks Alex knows there is something off about Olivia's voice.

"Oliva? What's wrong?" Alex asks worried.

"One of Noah's pod mates tested positive… and he's got a fever," Olivia explains and Alex knows why Olivia's voice sounds the way it does, and she doesn't blame her one week. "I'm really scared, Ally," Olivia tells her, as she knows how bad this can get, and that terrifies her.

"It will be okay, Liv," Alex tells her, even though they both know it's not likely.

"What if it's not?" Olivia asks, sounding worried, and Alex isn't really sure how to answer that and so she changes the subject.

"Do you have supplies? Do you need food?" Alex asks.

"I don't know, I've been focusing on Noah," Olivia admits.

"Okay, I'll get some stuff, leave It at your door," Alex tells her.

"You don't…" Olivia starts to say.

"Don't start. You did so much more when I couldn't leave my apartment, let me help," Alex tells her, as she desperately needs to help.

"Okay," Olivia says. "Thanks Alex," Olivia says. "I should go, I want to check on Noah," Olivia explains.

"Okay, I'll call when I'm at your door," Alex tells Olivia before Olivia hangs up.


A little while later Alex has collected a whole lot of things, including food, that Olivia and Noah like, and has put the bags outside Olivia's door. Once she puts the bags down Alex calls Olivia as she takes steps back from the door.

"Hello," Olivia answers.

"Hey, it's me. I just put the bags outside your door," Alex explains.

"Bags? Alex, how much stuff did you get?" Olivia asks surprised, though she realizes that she shouldn't be.

"Enough," Alex answers. "How are you both doing?" Alex asks.

"We're okay," Olivia admits, and as she does Olivia realizes something. "Alex, Noah wants to talk to you if that's okay," Olivia explains.

"Of course, that's okay," Alex responds, and Olivia is incredibly glad to hear that.

"Hi Alex," Noah greats.

"Hi Noah, your Mom said you're not feeling well," Alex says, in a gentle voice.

"Yeah, I had to get tested," Noah says. "I didn't like it,"

"Yeah, I don't like it either," Alex admits. "Soon your mom's going to get some shopping from the door and you'll find some chocolate that I brought for you," Alex explains to Noah.

"Really?" Noah asks excited.

"Really," Alex says.

"Mom Alex brought chocolate!" Noah says excited and Alex hears Olivia take the phone.

"You made a little boy very happy," Olivia informs Alex.

"Well, I hope you're as happy with things I brought," Alex tells her.

"I'm sure I will be," Olivia responds, and she opens the door, looking to where Alex is standing. "Thank you," Olivia says, clearly grateful.

"No need," Alex assures her. "I have to get back, but I'll call in a little while," Alex explains.

"That would be nice, bye Alex," Olivia says.

"Bye Liv," Alex says before hanging up.

(Line break


Not long after she spoke to Olivia Alex is arriving back at Vita Nova, as he knew where she was going, Alex isn't at all surprised to find Barba waiting.

"How's Liv? How's Noah?" Barba asks, clearly concerned.

"They're okay. I talked to both of them and saw Liv from a distance," Alex explains. "They seem okay, which was a relief," Alex admits as she and Barba walk.

"That's good, that's good," Barba responds. "Have they been tested?" Barba asks.

"Yeah, they're waiting on the results," Alex says as they get where the desk area, where Antonio and Liz are.

"So, for now we just have to wait," Antonio realizes.

"I'm not good with waiting," Alex admits.

"We know," Barba, Liz and Antonio say together as they have all seen that, causing Alex to roll her eyes.

"I feel like I need to do more, that I owe it to Liv and Noah to do more," Alex admits.

"You've already done so much," Antonio tells his mother.

"Antonio's right, but if you really feel like you have to do more, what would have helped you when you were on lockdown?" Liz asks, and Alex gets an idea.

"Thanks Liz," Alex says, as she gets an idea. "When Harriet gets here send her to my office," Alex says, before heading straight there so that she can put her idea into motion.

"What was that about?" Antonio asks, looking at his godfather as he figures that if he doesn't know then Rafael will.

"Lex got an idea," Rafael says simply before heading to his desk as he wants to call Olivia himself then get back to the work he has to do.


A while after Liz gave Alex an idea of something that could help Olivia and Noah Alex is sitting in her office when her phone starts to ring.

"Cabot," Alex answers, without checking her phone, as she continues to hurriedly type.

"Negative," Olivia's voice says, causing Alex to stop typing.

"You and Noah have tested negative?" Alex asks, sounding thrilled.

"Yeah, and his fever has broken," Olivia explains. "He's okay, Alex," Olivia reveals, sounding beyond relieved.

"Liv, that's so great. It's really good news," Alex tells her, feeling incredibly glad.

"I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I feel like I can breathe," Olivia admits, and Alex can't help but smile at how Olivia sounds.

"I'm really happy for you, Liv," Alex tells her. "And I heard that that's not the only good news you've gotten today," Alex says. "Congratulations on your award," Alex says to her.

"What? Do you have Google alerts enabled on me or something?" Olivia asks amused, as she only recently heard about it, so she has no idea how Alex already knows.

"I'm going to plead the fifth on that one," Alex responds, causing Olivia to laugh. "Look Liv, I know you don't like awards, but you deserve them," Alex responds. "You've achieved so much, you inspire so many people, you deserve to be celebrated," Alex explains.

"It doesn't feel right, not with everything else I've got going on," Olivia admits.

"Olivia, that doesn't effect that," Alex tells her.

"Doesn't it?" Olivia asks. "I'm getting a woman in law enforcement award while being sued and accused of racism," Olivia explains. "It doesn't feel right,"

"It is right, Liv," Alex admits, and she hears Olivia sigh.

"If I have to go, please at least tell me you're gonna be there," Olivia says, as that would make things so much better.

"I haven't gotten an invitation," Alex admits.

"You just did," Olivia tells her. "Please Ally, come with me; I don't want to go alone, and you'll make things better," Olivia tells her, as being with Alex always makes everything better.

"Okay," Alex says, not being able to refuse Olivia. "I'll come,"

"Thanks Alex," Olivia responds, feeling much better about the award now that she knows Alex is going to be with her.


March 5th 2021

Eight days have passed since Olivia asked Alex to attend her award night, and the night has finally come, but rather than being on her way to Olivia's event Alex is at Vita Nova with spread out on the largest table they have, going through documents, and photos as they want to be incredibly clear on everything.

"There is so much here, this has got to work in our favor," Liz says, as Alex checks her watch, as she needs to believe that.

"If I've learnt one thing over the last twenty years, it's that we can never be certain of anything when it comes to these cases," Alex admits, and Alex checks her phone as she is expecting a message from Olivia and/or Fin any minute.

"Have you got somewhere you need to be?" Liz asks, noticing Alex's actions and suspecting where Alex has to be, but she also knows that she cannot bring it up as she can't reveal how she knows.

"Not when we have an emergency hearing first thing in the morning," Alex responds, knowing that she will make it up to Olivia for missing her event later.

"You sure?" Liz asks.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Alex responds, and as she does Liz's phone starts to ring.

"Hey Dickie," Liz answers, sounding glad but then as her bother starts to speak the smile disappears from her face. "What?' Liz asks shocked.

"Liz, what's wrong?" Alex asks worried as a horrified look comes on Liz's face.

"I'll be right there," Liz says, before hanging up.

"Liz, what happened?" Alex asks concerned.

"It's my mom," Liz says, sounding shocked, and horrified. "She's in town, with Dad, and their car blew up," Liz says, looking like she is struggling to believe what happened.

"What?" Alex asks shocked, not sure what's more shocking Elliot being back in New York, or the car bomb, but she does know that she has to call Olivia as soon as she gets Liz to the hospital.

"Dad's fine, Mom's on her way to the hospital, Dickie said Dad said it's bad," Liz explains, looking like she is in shock. "I've got to go," Liz says, looking at Alex.

"I'll drive you," Alex says, as she knows it's not a good idea for Liz to try to drive herself.

"Thank you," Liz says, and they both stand up. "Alex, I can't lose my mom," Liz says, tears coming to her eyes. Having no idea what to say, whatever she can to help Liz, Alex just hugs her and as she does Liz starts to cry harder as she feels safe to do so.