Chapter 18

AN: Thank you for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.


"What's wrong? What's going on?" Alex asks, feeing concerned, as she and Barba run towards Liz.

"So, there is something going Virial, there is a restaurant owner who has a weapon and is holding two hostages," Liz explains as she looks between Alex and Barba.

"We know the hostages, don't we?" Barba asks, dreading the answer, as that is the only thing that would explain the terror in Liz's voice, and Liz nods.

"It's Liv," Liz reveals, and those two little words cause Alex to feel like ice water is running inside of her. "What I'm finding says she went in to de-escalate the situation," Liz explains.

"Of course," Barba says, sounding unsurprised and also incredibly concerned.

"I have to get down there," Alex says.

"No!" Liz says.

"Lex, you can't," Barba tells her.

"Yes, I can," Alex says, as she has never been one to be told what to do, and she starts to head to the elevator, but before she can get too far Barba hurries forward and blocks her path.

"Lex, I know you're worried, and I get it, but going down their will do nothing," Barba explains. "There's nothing you can do for Liv there," Barba tells Alex, saying what she knows, but needs to be reminded off.

"There's nothing I can do here," Alex says, looking terrified. "I just… I just need to be as close as possible," Alex admits. "You're probably right, there is probably nothing I can do there, but I have to go," Alex explains, as she goes to sidestep Barba, but he once again blocks her path.

"Liv would want you safe," Barba reminds Alex, knowing that without a doubt.

"And I can't just stay here when I know she's in danger," Alex admits, looking at Rafael with a pleading look. Seeing the look on Alex's face Barba realizes that not even he will be able to talk Alex out of this as it is a look he has seen before.

"Okay, I'll handle things here," Barba assures Alex.

"Me too," Liz says from where she is sitting having watched the whole interaction. While she doesn't want Alex to be in danger, she's spent enough time around them to know that Barba letting her go says that Alex isn't going to be stopped.

"Thank you, both of you," Alex says, and Barba steps out of the way so that Alex can head straight to the elevator.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to let her go?" Liz asks concerned.

"We had no chance of stopping her," Barba says, with a sigh. "You know how stubborn Lex is," Barba explains.

"Should one of us have gone with Alex?" Liz asks, feeling worried about Alex is going to handle things.

"I don't know," Barba admits, feeling unsure as to whether he made the right decision. "Sends me links to everything you've found so far," Barba requests as he heads back over to his desk.

"Will do," Liz responds.


Not long after she left Vita Nova Alex gets to the restaurant where Olivia is trying to de-escalate the situation. Getting to where the police line is set up Alex desperately looks for someone, she recognizes as she needs answers about what is going on. As she looks at all the people in uniforms, she sees two people not in uniform who she does recognize.

"CHIEF!" Alex calls and both Chief Garland and Kat, the other person Alex recognize, look towards her. Seeing Alex Garland gestures to the officer who is keeping people back to let Alex through.

"What's going on?" Alex asks, and Kat is sure that the Chief won't tell Alex anything as she is extremely shocked that the Chief even let Alex through.

"The restaurant owner took a hostage. Captain Benson arrived to get food when she found the situation, she is attempting to de-escalate, and so far, she has gotten the hostage released," Garland explains to Alex, as while he doesn't completely understand, or know the specifics off, their relationship he knows Olivia and Alex are close.

"So, it's Olivia and the owner," Alex realizes. "What weapons are in play?" Alex asks.

"We know of a knife, possibly a gun, but not much more than that," Garland explains, and Alex hates the sound of that.

"We're talking to the manager to get more information," Kat adds as if the Chief is giving Alex details then she figures it is alright if she does. "He seems to know Olivia, which means the owner does too," Kat explains.

"Yeah, Liv has been coming here since they opened," Alex explains, as she has had food from this place before when she was with Olivia.

"Which means Captain Benson is in the best position to resolve this situation," Garland says.

"Do you mind if I stay here?" Alex asks, as she needs to be as close as possible.

"Of course," Garland says, agreeing for two reasons, the first being that he knows that Olivia would like it, but he also knows that they could potentially need Alex's help at some point.

"Thank you," Alex says, feeling relieved, as if she can be apart of this it will help her.

"Detective Tamin, keep Ms Cabot updated," Garland requests.

"Of course," Kat responds, feeling even more confused about who Alex is, what her relationship with Olivia is, and why everyone seems to know Alex.


A while after Alex arrived at the restaurant she is standing with Chief Garland, which she has been doing since she arrived, when she sees something that horrifies her.

"Snipers already? Isn't that a bit premature?" Alex asks, as she knows that Snipers mean that Olivia is in increased danger.

"Alex is right, can't we hold them off?" Chief Garland asks, as like Alex he knows how much worse the situation can get now that the Snipers have arrived.

"Standard Protocol," The Commander of Hostage rescue says. "The Hostage she released described the EDP as 'out of her mind', told us she had a gun," The Commander explains.

"Okay, Captain Benson's in there with her, trying to walk her out," Garland explains.

"Your captain wouldn't let us put mikes in there, and we can't monitor without them. We're in dark here," The commander explains. "Do we have any sense of what the hostage taker wants?" the commander asks.

"She's upset. She doesn't want to lose her restaurant," Alex explains, as that's what she has gotten from the time she has been on the scene.

"There's nothing we can do for her while she's holding an NYPD captain hostage. We're trying to get a clear shot," The Commander explains, and Alex feels dread rise up inside of her.

"Look, this woman is not a criminal. She's not insane. She's in a crisis. Captain Benson can handle that," Garland explains.

"She's the best person to handle this," Alex explains, and as she does her phone rings. "Excuse me," Alex says, taking a step away, as she sees Barba on the caller ID.

"How are things going? What's going on?" Barba asks as soon as Alex answers.

"Liv's got the hostage release, but she's still inside," Alex reveals.

"Liv can handle something like this, she has before," Barba says, knowing that Olivia has handled a lot worse.

"Rafi the Snipers have arrived," Alex reveals, pain in her voice.

"It will be okay," Barba says, though his voice is shaking slightly. "Do you want me to come down there?" Barba asks.

"No, it's okay," Alex says. "Chief Garland is trying to make sure everyone keeps their heads," Alex admits.

"That's good, Liv's always saying how Garland has sense," Barba says. "If you need anything, I'm…." Barba starts to say.

"I know," Alex finishes. "Thank you," Alex says, before hanging up.


A while after Alex spoke to Barba night has fallen and Alex is waiting anxiously as Garland speaks to Olivia on his phone.

"We'll find him, Captain. Stay safe," Garland says, before hanging up.

"How is she? What did she say?" Alex asks, in a panicked voice.

"She's hanging in there," Garland explains. "Vanessa has a son, Nate. He moved out months ago," Garland explains. "They're not speaking, but Captain Benson thinks if we can find him, it might help end this situation," Garland explains.

"And we're hearing about this now?" the Commander asks annoyed. "What the hell is she even doing in their?" The Commander asks, annoying Alex.

"Establishing repour," Alex says, doing so before Garland has a chance.

"The borough commander's called four time. What do you want me to tell him?" The Commander asks Garland, and Alex is pretty sure that she does not like him.

"I'll talk to him. We already have a small army out here. We don't need another general," Garland says.

"You mean a chief with one more star than you?" The Commander says, and the look on Garland's face says exactly how he feels about the situation. "Sorry Chief. We're all stressed," The Commander says.

"And Olivia would be more than anyone," Alex points out.

"Beloved Neighborhood Chief Taken out by NYPD Snipers, 'I'm sure the borough commander doesn't want those headlines," Garland explains.

"Detective Tamin, find the son," Garland explains.

"We have an address, phone number?" Kat asks, as that would make her job a lot easier.

"Manger might know," Garland says and Kat goes to talk to him.

"Liv is the best person to resolve this peacefully," Alex says to Garland as she knows that without a doubt.

"I know, that's why I'm going to keep holding everyone else," Garland says, before going to handle the phone calls he has to handle.

"Come on, Liv, come on, Liv," Alex mutters to herself as she looks at the restaurant, desperately wanting to see Olivia walk out.


A little while after Garland sent Kat to find Vanessa's son Alex is standing with him, Kat, Garland and the other brass when the front door opens.

"Captain Benson coming out!" Garland calls and as soon as he does Alex wants to run towards Olivia, but Kat sticks out her arm and prevents Alex from doing so as while she is still beyond confused about who Alex is and what she means to Olivia she knows enough to know that she should make sure it is safe before letting Alex run forward.

"I'm okay! We're okay!" Olivia calls, and those words fill Alex with relief. "Stand back! Stand down!" Olivia says, and Garland hurries forward. Alex would very much like to do the same, but Kat is still keeping her back.

"You alright, Captain?" Garland asks concerned.

"I'm fine," Olivia assures Garland.

"I'm gonna have to take her in," An officer says.

"I'm gonna go with," Olivia says, as she knows it's important.

"Ira," Vanessa says shocked seeing her manager.

"Vanessa, thank god. I'm so sorry," Ira says as everyone watching cheer and start to applause.

"She's okay," Olivia assures Ira.

"What are all these people doing?" Vanessa asks confused.

"Rooting for you. They didn't wanna see you or the restaurant go down," Ira explains.

"No, the restaurant, it's done," Vanessa says as that's what she has come to realize.

"Maybe not," Ira reveals. "Some customers started a GoFundMe," Ira explains.

"Oh, my," Vanessa says shocked.

"Even Leonard chipped in," Ira explains.

"Thank you, Olivia," Vanessa explains, as she starts to get loaded into the car. "I'm okay. You don't have to come with me," Vanessa explains. "You go home to your son," Vanessa requests.

"Today was the worst day of your life, and you made it through. Remember that," Olivia says as the door to the car where Vanessa is inside closes.

"How are you doing?" Garland asks curious.

"I'm exhausted," Olivia admits.

"Yeah. You saved a life," Garland says. "Take a few days. Let someone take care of you," Garland says, looking towards where Alex has gotten free of Kat and is hurrying towards them.

"Yeah," Olivia says, realizing that Garland at least suspects what's going on between her and Alex, before walking quickly to Alex.

Once Alex and Olivia are close enough, they both embrace. Alex feeling beyond relieved that Olivia is okay, and after everything she just went through Olivia is beyond glad to see Alex.

"Are you okay?" Alex asks in a whisper.

"I am now," Olivia responds. "Let's go home," Olivia says, as they break apart.

"Let's," Alex says, and together she and Olivia head towards where Olivia's car is and make their way back to Olivia's apartment; As they go Alex texts Barba to assure him that everything is okay.


A little while after they left Vanessa Alex and Olivia are arriving back at Olivia's apartment. As they walk in they see Lucy and Noah both on the couch watching TV.

"Mom! Alex!" Noah says, hurrying over to them and hugging Olivia and then Alex.

"Have you had a good time with Lucy?" Alex asks curious.

"Yes!" Noah says. "Alex you've got to see the video I just found," Noah says, leading Alex over to the couch where he proceeds to show her a ballet video. While Noah is excitedly showing Alex a video Olivia and Lucy walk a little away.

"I saw the news alerts, are you okay?" Lucy asks concerned.

"Yeah," Olivia confirms. "Thank you for staying late," Olivia says gratefully.

"I was happy too," Lucy admits. "I'm glad you're okay," Lucy reveals. "What time do you need me tomorrow?" Lucy asks.

"I'm actually taking a few days off. I'll let you know," Olivia explains.

"Of course. Have a good evening," Lucy says, before heading out of the apartment.

After Lucy heads out of the apartment Olivia closes the door, and puts the chain across, then walks over to where Alex and Noah is, and she joins them on the couch.

"Mum, what's for dinner?" Noah asks curious.

"Huh… what do you feel like?" Olivia asks curious.

"Pizza?" Noah asks hopefully.

"I think we can do that," Olivia says, after exchanging looks with Alex.

"Are you staying for dinner too, Alex?" Noah asks curious.

"Yeah, I am," Alex says, as she has no intention of leaving any time soon.

"Good," Noah says relieved, to the amusement of both Alex and Olivia.

"I'll make the call," Olivia says, feeling incredibly glad that Noah likes Alex being around so much.


A while after Alex and Olivia arrived back at Olivia's Noah is in bed while Alex and Olivia are cuddling on the couch together.

"When did you get to the restaurant?" Olivia asks curious, as she was surprised, but incredibly glad, to see Alex when she got out.

"As soon as what was going on started to go Viral Liz found out, she told Rafi and I," Alex explains. "Once I knew what was going on I headed to the restaurant," Alex explains.

"Barba and Liz didn't try to stop you?" Olivia asks, as she would have expected both of them to.

"They tried," Alex says. "But I needed to be close," Alex explains. "I got to the scene, saw Garland and he let me stay close," Alex admits.

"I'm glad," Olivia admits. "Ally, I want you safe, but I also know you would have made sure to stay close, so I glad that Garland let you," Olivia explains, as she knows that Garland would have made sure that Alex was safe.

"So was I," Alex admits. "How are you doing?" Alex asks concerned.

"I'm better now," Olivia admits. "It was painful talking to Vanessa," Olivia explains.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Alex asks curious, in a gentle voice, as she wants to show Olivia that she is there for her.

"Do you remember me telling you about my brother Simon?" Olivia asks as she told Alex about Simon fairly soon after Alex came back to SVU.

"Yeah," Alex says, not knowing where Olivia is going with this Barba didn't tell her what happened to Simon.

"He died, just before COVID," Olivia explains.

"I'm so sorry, Liv," Alex says, feeling bad for her.

"He overdosed, Melinda said it was accidental," Olivia explains. "I didn't know him as well as I would have liked, but he, and his daughter, were my only family," Olivia admits.

"Liv they may be your only blood relatives, but they aren't your only family," Alex assures her. "You know that, right?" Alex asks.

"Yeah, I do," Olivia admits, as has come to realize that. "You remember, not long after we first met, the rest of the squad had gone, and we were still having drinks?" Olivia asks curious.

"Which time? There were a lot," Alex reminds Olivia, causing Olivia to laugh as Alex is right about that.

"It was pretty early on," Olivia admits. "We got talking about family," Olivia reminds Alex. "It's when you told me about Barba, you said he was your only real family because things with your Mom weren't great," Olivia reminds Alex.

"Right," Alex says, remembering. "You said if we're not counting disappointing mothers then you have no family," Alex says, as she remembers a lot about that night because it was one night where she and Olivia got pretty close.

"You said you don't believe that, because you had seen how the squad was," Olivia says. "You said we were a warmer family than any of the families you had seen growing up," Olivia admits.

"I stand by that," Alex admits.

"From what you've said I get it," Olivia admits. "That was the first time I actually let myself think like that, and I am so glad," Olivia reveals as she knows that simple conversation opened her up a lot.

"I am too," Alex tells Olivia. "Liv, you didn't deserve the way you grew up, but you do deserve the incredible family you have built for yourself," Alex admits. "Our second Christmas at Collage, Rafi invited me to spend Christmas with his family, I won't go into details, but it wasn't great because of Rafi's Dad," Alex admits, not knowing how much Olivia knows about Barba's father so she doesn't want to say too much. "Later on, we were sitting on the roof of the apartment building and Rafi gave me a note book with a quote written inside it said, 'When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching, they are your family,'" Alex quotes. "He said that what I had done the last few days, stood by him without flinching, that I stood toe to toe with his father," Alex explains. "I never forgot that quote. When you hear that, who does it make you think off?" Alex asks curious.

"Noah, my Squad, Rafa, you, Lucy, even Garland," Olivia admits, and even though Alex notices one specific name not mentioned she doesn't comment.

"Exactly," Alex says. "You lost your brother, but that doesn't mean you have no family," Alex assures Olivia. While Olivia have thought about that before it is different hearing it said out loud, and it means a lot to her.

"I love you," Olivia tells Alex, feeling overwhelming joy, and incredibly thankful for her.

"I love you," Alex responds, and the two of them kiss. Once they break apart Alex and Olivia continue to cuddle on the couch together, as after the day they just had neither want to let the other go.