A/N: WOW! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed this story. Especially thank you to svuroho, BabouTunt, lizzy43, and bellatisha, among many others! You all have inspired me to stay with this story and see it through.

Please, I am open to suggestions, thoughts, and comments about the story, as it has been a real gift for me to write it. I promise there will be some AO action soon enough! :)

Chapter 7

Time

Alex arrived at her office early the next morning and opened her email. She slowly read the message from Olivia. An overwhelming sadness came over her when she read that the detective didn't want to even be friends with her, but was shocked that Olivia actually admitted to having feelings for her in the past. Whether she still did or not though, was undetermined.

She understood what Olivia was saying. In all the time in WITSEC, Alex tried her hardest to forget Olivia, and not seeing her every day made that much easier, although Alex never fully forgot the stunningly beautiful detective. Tears formed in her eyes and as she blinked, one solitary tear fell onto her black pants. She quickly shook her head and wiped the streak from her cheek. She knew, now, that there would never be anything between her and Olivia. She carefully considered her response, and then replied.

Detective,

I understand. Been there.

Just for the record—I felt it too. Feel better, and take care of that hand.

If I need anything on a case, I can go to Elliot—don't want to make it uncomfortable.

Alexandra K. Cabot

ADA 16th Precinct

Special Victims Unit

(646) 555-3928

Cabot.A

The massive pile of paperwork in front of her seemed insurmountable, especially after this blow to her heart. But, it was just like Alex to dive into work and disregard her personal life, so that's just what she would try to do.

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The next couple of weeks flew by for Olivia. She and Elliot were closing cases left and right, and, unfortunately, it seemed like the summer brought the rapists/child molesters/murderers out in full force. They didn't know what it was, but it seemed like July was always their busiest time. With Munch and Fin helping, SVU was catching all of the breaks in their cases, closing almost all of the open cases they had, and with a high conviction rate at that: Casey had been working her ass off to ensure that all of the rapists, child molesters, and generally dangerous people were locked behind bars. Alex sat second chair for most of the proceedings, still getting used to being back in the land of the criminally insane.

For Olivia, the busy nature of the past few weeks was good—it took her mind off of Alex. She had been thinking about the attorney more and more, although she didn't see much of her. The few times they had seen each other, it was strictly business: Cabot was asking for information on a perp, or Olivia and Elliot were asking for a search warrant. She saw her in court when she needed to testify, but was relieved to see that Casey was sitting first chair, and she wouldn't have to speak directly to Alex, although she seemed to be a distraction for the detective when she was on the stand. One time in particular, Casey had asked Olivia a series of questions involving the defendant storing videos of him raping multiple women.

"And, Detective Benson, did you find these tapes in the defendant's apartment?" The redhead approached the detective, who was seated to the left of Judge Donnelly.

"Yes, we did." As she answered, she noticed a small movement behind Casey.

"Where were they located?"

Olivia's eyes watched the movement as Casey asked this question. The brown eyes strayed over to the prosecutorial table, noticing Alex adjusting her jacket, the top two buttons on her burgundy dress shirt separating for a sheer second, revealing a navy blue bra before she pulled the lapels of her jacket closer together. She was probably cold.

"Detective?" Casey was standing in front of Olivia, her eyes wide and her patience short.

"I'm sorry counselor, we found the tapes in the defendant's breasts." Immediately, her face fell, and she reopened her mouth. "I MEAN, chests. He had many chests—3 or 4 in his bedroom, full of recordings of him raping many different women." The detective paused for a second and cleared her throat before loudly repeating, "CHESTS."

Immediately, Alex's head snapped toward Olivia. She looked at the brunette and began to smile, lowering her head to look at her hands in her lap. It was no secret that she was blushing.

Casey rolled her tongue in her mouth to stop her from laughing. "Ok detective. Thank you."

Casey asked a few more questions and eventually dismissed Olivia. After court let out for that day, she profusely apologized to Casey.

"It's not a problem, Olivia. Honestly, it's an open and shut case. But, it was hilarious. I think Donnelly even laughed. As a friend, though, I've gotta tell you—you need to get some action."

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Olivia never went to see the attorney alone anymore. Rumors were flying about Alex and Olivia's relationship—or lack thereof. Elliot was asking almost every day what was up with them, and every time, Olivia gave the same answer: nothing.

She had told Elliot everything from the argument in the doctor's office, to Hope, to the email to Cabot. He understood—Olivia was always grateful for his support, and there wasn't anything she couldn't tell him. He had been a continually supportive partner and friend, even though their viewpoints about some things didn't quite match up. Ten years ago, when she finally came out and told Elliot she was a lesbian, he wasn't very receptive, but he loved Olivia, and came around to be very supportive, much like the rest of the squad.

The partners were driving along West 23rd street, looking for a suspect. Elliot started the conversation very slowly, but eventually built it up to what he was really wondering.

"So, do you love her?"

"Who?" Olivia asked this question, thinking she knew exactly what he would say.

"Hope," Elliot said with a questioning look.

Olivia chuckled. She wasn't expecting that. She hadn't seen Hope since the dinner when Olivia broke things off. "No," Olivia said. "No, I don't love her. She was nice to be with, but now I'm almost embarrassed about that relationship. There was just so much wrong there."

"Yeah," Elliot agreed. "Just tell me one thing—how old was she actually?"

"You know, I honestly don't know, but I once referenced Paula Abdul and she asked if I meant the American Idol judge. I seriously don't think she knew that she was a singer in the 80's. She also didn't seem to know much about anything that happened before 1995. So, I always just put her at 27. She seemed 27," Olivia's voice trailed off. "Or, 27 was easier for me to accept because she could be termed 'late 20's.'"

"But, she wasn't 27, Liv!" Elliot chuckled. He knew it was ok to laugh at her. With the way she talked about Hope, Elliot knew she was over it. This wasn't what he wanted the conversation to be about anyway.

Olivia laughed aloud whole-heartedly. Elliot hadn't heard her laugh like that in a while. "Yeah," she groaned. "There's no way in hell she was 27…probably closer to 23. She once talked about graduating from college and I'm pretty sure it was within the past 2 years, so there's that."

They both laughed for a while, and Olivia noticed how easy it was. She felt like something heavy was coming from her partner, though. She knew Elliot always liked to ease into difficult conversations with humor, and she was ready when Elliot finished laughing and drank his coffee, placed the cup back down in the holder, and put the car in park. They were staking out an apartment complex, but for now, they had time to kill.

"Well, I just figured there was something up. I know how you act when you're in love, and even worse, when you're denying that you're in love," Elliot said. "I just assumed that, since you and Hope broke things off, that might be why you're acting a little…hurt."

Olivia didn't know how to respond. "What do you mean hurt? I'm fine El."

"I know, I know Liv," Elliot responded with a smile. "I just know that since Cabot's back, it must make things weird for you two."

"I've told you—nothing happened between us before she left."

"So you're telling me that you guys didn't fuck? Not once?"

She didn't expect Elliot to be that direct with her, but she smirked unknowingly. She looked out the window of the passenger side and thought about her response.

"Maybe." She smiled at the memory, and Elliot knew she was in deep, even if she wanted to deny it with him, and to herself.

"That's what I thought." He paused, unsure of whether to continue or not. "After she left, I know you were upset. We spent a lot of time together. I think I knew that you loved her then…do you now?"

"No." Olivia answered quickly and directly, with a downward shake of her head. She started to look down at her hands, tracing the healed pink scar on her left middle knuckle. "I can't open myself up to that. It's still difficult when I see her Elliot. I can't allow that to happen," Olivia said as her voice broke.

"No problem," Elliot patted her knee and smiled; Elliot's careful eyes connected with Olivia's tearful brown ones, and they both managed a smile. They focused back on the apartment building and watched for the next few hours. The conversation quickly turned to Kathy, Dickie's soccer team, and catching the guy in the apartment complex.

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Four hours later back at the squad room, Olivia opened her computer and started to compose an email. The captain wasn't in his office, but he needed to be informed.

Captain,

We couldn't find him—he didn't go in to the apartment, and he didn't come out. The good news is that he doesn't have anyone right now, but we are pretty certain that he killed Kara Paxson last year. We've been looking at the case file, and it seems legit.

Seems like his MO is abduction and escape. He takes young girls between 8 and 14-usually from troubled families who wouldn't necessarily notice them missing for a little while. He then travels…somewhere. We don't know where, but Fin is running his SSN and comparing them to land/leasing records all over the state and neighboring states. Hopefully that'll turn up something.

Olivia Benson

Special Victims Unit

Benson.O

They had been following Charles Carlson for a few weeks on suspicion of rape and attempted murder, after a young woman came in and claimed that he kidnapped her, drugged her, and took her to a cabin upstate three years ago. Unfortunately, the police didn't have any leads for him, and he was released for lack of evidence, however Olivia and Elliot knew better. They had a feeling. He was a substitute teacher and each of the missing girls was, at one time, his student.

Immediately Olivia's computer made a dinging sound, signaling a new email.

Thanks detective. I'm over at a meeting at 1PP. Let's keep a tail on him and make sure he doesn't pick up a girl. Let me know what Fin finds on the records. Make sure Cabot knows the details—Novak's got too much on her plate. See you in a bit.

Donald W. Cragen

Captain-Special Victims Unit

Cragen.D

Olivia sat back and looked at Fin across the squad room.

"Find anything yet?" Olivia asked as she put her hands on her head and sighed.

"Maybe something, but I'll keep looking to verify. Got a house up in Rochester in his ex-wife's name. We'll figure it out Liv."

The last line of Cragen's email rang in Olivia's head. Make sure Cabot knows the details. She didn't want to go down to the ADA's office, but Elliot was catching some sleep in the crib, Fin was researching land records in Rochester, and Munch was with Cragen at 1PP. She knew she would eventually have to own up and go see Alex.

In the past five weeks since Olivia had sent that email, she had seen Alex about once a week, unless she saw her in court; she would come into the squad room periodically, checking on the progression of each of their cases and speaking with Cragen. Each time, Olivia couldn't help but watch the attorney walk out of the squad room, her pants or skirt hugging the curve of her hips and her backside. Olivia got lost in watching the attorney's slender body as she left the room—she could admit, at least to herself, that she was still attracted to the ADA, but she knew she couldn't let feelings develop again. She never spoke to her, but instead sent Elliot for whatever they needed. But it looked like today she would have to go by herself.

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The ADA was relaxed in her large leather chair with a binder open on her desk, her elbows resting on the open pages. She held her head in her hands, resting her right hand on her forehead, taking off her glasses with her left. She had worked through most of her caseload and was going to spend the next day interviewing witnesses, prepping for her case the next week with Casey Novak.

It was hard for her to stay away from the 1-6, and even more, from the brunette detective. She had visited a few times to check on the cases and speak to Cragen, and each time Olivia said nothing. She watched the detective working while she was talking to Cragen, and she even caught herself staring before she would leave the squad room. Olivia's courtroom faux pas a few weeks ago was good for a laugh, but Alex understood that it didn't mean anything was different, especially given the detective's attitude as of late.

It was obvious to Alex that Olivia wanted nothing to do with her, and that was hard. But, Alex loved her job, and loved helping victims, so she tried to put her feelings aside so that if Olivia ever came to her with something she needed for a case, Alex could help. More recently though, it was always Elliot coming and asking for warrants—he sympathetically looked at her when she would make small talk with him. Alex knew that Olivia was intentionally avoiding her, and asking her partner to come down and request things so that Olivia didn't have to. It was upsetting for Alex: she knew that, at one point, Olivia had feelings for her, and Alex had feelings for the detective now, but she knew they wouldn't be reciprocated, especially after how the detective was acting towards her now.

That's why Alex was surprised to hear a soft knock on her open door—she knew only Olivia knocked on an open door. Alex looked up from her highlighted documents to see the brunette detective standing in the doorway. She looked absolutely stunning: she wore a tight, hip-hugging pair of dark blue denim jeans with a long sleeve white V-neck shirt. The fabric of the shirt was made to be so sheer that the lawyer could see through it, to the black camisole she was wearing underneath it. The detective's bare collarbone was protruding from the deep cut of the shirt, her olive skin showing through. She wore a necklace with a small pendant on it, but not the one Alex had given her so many years ago. This pendant Alex recognized as a small gold square with writing inscribed on it in another language, but Alex wasn't ever close enough to read it. Olivia was leaning on her forearm in the doorway when Alex said the first word to the detective.

"Hi." It was a soft, timid welcome. Alex was lost in the moment: she was convinced that the detective's body had never looked more fuckable. Her hipbone stuck out from under the fabric as the detective leaned on her forearm above her head. Alex imagined walking over to the detective and placing her hand on the bare bit of flesh, delicately tracing lower and lower on the detective's body with her fingers. But, she quickly snapped out of it, not wanting to ruin anything before it even started. She cleared her throat and began to speak.

"Detective Benson…what can I do for you?" The ADA was extremely nervous, but tried to speak through her shaking voice, hoping Olivia wouldn't notice. The detective stepped into her office and stood behind a chair, pacing slowly as she explained.

"Hey." She paused and flashed a small, closemouthed smile, just as Alex did, almost as if she felt sympathetic towards Alex. The attorney hoped that she was looking at her just as she had looked at Olivia moments before, but then she started speaking.

"I just came down to keep you informed of a developing situation. We're following a guy, Charles Carlson. He's suspected of a rape and attempted murder from a few years ago, but he's been in the wind since then. We found him holed up in Queens and have been tailing him since last Wednesday. He has displayed erratic behavior in the past few days and we are worried he may take another girl. There has been a girl missing from the tri-state area that we are trying to link to him." Olivia paused as she went from cop mode to colleague mode. "He's just a bad guy, and I know he's good for this."

Alex took a minute to think over the information. "Ok, I believe you. Do we have any evidence linking him to this missing girl?"

"Besides the girl who said he took her and did horrible things to her, no, not really. But there are too many coincidences. He lived less than a mile from the school where she was taken—the same school that the complaining witness attended when she was taken. He was a substitute teacher during the same time when these girls went missing."

"Alright, detective. What do you need from me?"

"Nothing. Captain just wanted me to keep you updated, in case we have to jump."

Alex nodded her head in understanding. "Makes sense. If you need me, you know how to reach me." It was hard for Alex to be so direct with Olivia, but she knew that's how she needed to act around the detective.

Olivia looked up at the ADA and their eyes connected. Neither could deny that there was still some attraction, but as hard as Olivia was trying to deny any friendship, Alex didn't want to say anything, but rather, let Olivia take charge.

"Yeah, thanks." The brunette detective said as she waved and left the room.

Olivia couldn't deny the feeling—seeing Alex, and actually speaking to her, for the first time in a few weeks made her completely elated, but she didn't want the ADA to notice. A smile crept onto her lips as she walked back to the precinct. She reached her desk and Elliot gave her a questioning look. He immediately knew the look—she had seen Alex, and he would remember to bring this up later.

Olivia sat down in her chair and took out her phone. She thought it was probably a bad idea, but texted anyways.

Hey. Sorry that was so matter-of-fact. Thanks for giving me some space. It was nice to see you.

A short minute later, her phone buzzed on her desk.

No problem. It was nice to see you too.

Olivia sat back in her chair. Although she was still wildly attracted to Alex, she felt a little better having some contact with her, but she knew that they could never be anything more than friends—which was more than what she was open to a few weeks ago.