A/N I'm happy that Alex is so supportive for Oliver. Alex and Oliver have found the love of their life. Have someone to love and who loves them. My girlfriend is absolutely the love of MY life. May y'all find that someone too if you don't have them already.
Chapter 22
"You can give without loving, but you never can love without loving." - Robert Louis Stevenson.
Oliver looks at Alex one last time before he looks at Cragen and Liz and back again at his Captain.
"Alex and I are going to get married and I'm getting a sex changing surgery." Oliver blurts out.
It was silent for a few seconds. Liz and Cragen both looked shocked at Alex and Oliver. This certainly was not what they expected. True they didn't know what to expect but this they didn't see coming. Even Alex looked a bit shocked at the Detective. The blonde ADA knows that Oliver is nervous but she didn't expect him to blurt it all out at once. Of course Alex is the first one to react.
"He is telling the truth. Well more like blurting it out because he is nervous. But he asked me to marry him and I said yes. And I say him because I stand behind his decision and I support him. Which I hope, after you got over the shock, you'll do too." Alex says, smiling at Oliver.
"Well I'm surprised and at the same time I'm not. Yes it is soon but on the other hand I know that you belong to each other. So congratulations to the both of you. That's the part I'm not surprised about. As for getting a sex changing surgery, are you sure Olivia, uhm Detective is probably better?" Cragen asks.
"Thank you Captain. Yes I'm sure." Oliver answers.
"Well then I'm happy for you. I admit that I will need some time to adjust to it but I will support you and Alex wherever I can." Cragen says.
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. I'm sorry for blurting it out like this but I'm really nervous." Oliver says.
"Thank you, Don. This means a lot to me too." Alex says.
Alex and Oliver both look at Liz for her reaction.
"Well I'm more surprised about the two of you getting married. I didn't expect for Detective Benson to ask you so soon, Alexandra. However, the two of you are never doing things the normal way so somehow this fits in too I guess. Congratulations Alexandra, you finally tamed the wild horse that Detective Benson was. Congratulations Detective. Normally I would give you the don't-hurt-her- speech but that is not necessary with you. I know you rather kill yourself before you would hurt Alexandra in any way. I know you will always protect her and defend her. So you figured out what to do, Detective. Well I had some time to think about it myself so this doesn't come as a big shock to me. I know that Alexandra will be there for you and support you but if you ever need my help don't hesitate to come to me. You're family now Benson, and we take care of our family." Liz says.
"Thank you Liz." Oliver whispers.
Everyone in the office knows what it means to the Detective. Alex squeezes Oliver's hand and softly smiles at the Detective when he looks at her. Liz and Cragen both see how much they love each other by the look in their eyes. Right then they know what they already knew. Alex and Oliver are made for each other. Now that Oliver seems to be more relaxed Liz decides to ask some questions.
"Detective, if you don't mind asking me, what's your name gonna be and do you know when you can change it legally? Do you guys have set a date when you get married?" Liz asks.
Oliver looks with pride in his eyes at Alex before he turns his attention at Liz.
"As a matter of fact, we're gonna start the procedure to change my name tomorrow. It will take between 8 weeks and 3 months. We don't haven't set a date yet, but we want to wait till my names are changed." Oliver answers.
"That's soon. I can understand why the two of you want to wait till your name is officially changed. Care to share with us what your name is or names are?" Liz asks smiling.
"I haven't changed my first name much but my middle name I chose for a very specific and important reason. Abby and Alex already call me it and Abby even have a new nickname already. It will be legal soon but since this weekend I'm Oliver Alexander Benson." Oliver answers proudly.
Liz and Cragen both raises their eyebrow at hearing Oliver's middle name.
"Oliver I get. Suits you well. Care to explain why Alexander?" Liz asks.
"Thank you. For two reasons, one is because Alex's father is the closest thing I have to a father. He always makes me feel like to him I'm a part of the family, although I don't know if his opinion will stay same now that I'm a guy. The most important and main reason is because of Alex. I wanted to have her name somewhere in my name and the chances are that I will keep my own last name when we're getting married. This way we still are connected by our names." Oliver answers.
"You really thought about it. I think it's a beautiful thought and gesture. What's Abby's new nickname for you, Oliver? And how do you call him now, Alexandra besides Oliver of course?" Liz asks.
"Carmichael calls me Oli now." Oliver answers.
"Liz, give them a break, you keep asking them questions." Cragen smiles.
"Well I'm a lawyer aren't I, asking questions is what we do." Liz counters.
"Yeah well, Benson and I are cops, we ask questions too. At least I let them breath." Cragen answers.
Alex and Oliver look at each and shaking their heads with smiles on their faces.
"Anyway, to answer your question Liz, I still call him Liv. He said I'm the only one that may call him Liv." Alex smiles.
"Oliver, do you know when you are going to tell it the guys?" Cragen asks.
"Well to announce our engagement we thought of giving a party when we're back in NY again. Just for the guys and a few extra persons. I'm sure that if Alex's parents are ok with what I'm going to do I'll be dragged into some high society engagement party." Oliver answers with a frown on his face.
"I wouldn't be so worried about that, Liv. I refuse to have a big engagement party and a big wedding. So my mom needs to choose. I doubt she wants to skip a big wedding, big for us that is. To her it's small." Alex says.
"I believe that when I see it. As for telling the guys about my transition, I want to do that when it's relatively quiet, no big cases. I know I have some time, but I'd rather have it behind me so that I can focus on my recovery." Oliver says.
"Well, it's quiet now. If you're up to it we could go there after we are done here." Cragen says.
Oliver looks at Alex.
"If you're ready for it we can go to the precinct. If you're not we don't. You have time so you could wait, honey. It's up to you. If you think you're ready and you can handle it than you can tell them. What ever you decide to do I support your choice." Alex says.
"If we go now I don't have to worry about it anymore. I know what they think afterwards. And if it doesn't go well, I have you. And we're going back to the cabin tomorrow so I don't have to deal with them for some time." Oliver says.
"You always have me, Detective. But maybe you are right. You're not going back soon so that will give it time to let it rest and for them to adjust. We are not going back soon. Tomorrow we're going back to cabin and it's just you and me then. So if you want to do it, I'd say we should go." Alex says.
"Alright, let's do it and get over with it then." Oliver answers.
Alex and Oliver talked a bit longer with Liz and Cragen and then the three of them go to the precinct. Cragen had taken a cab to 1 Hogan so Alex and Oliver offered him a ride to the precinct. When they walk inside the squad room everybody is there including Abby who was there for a case. They were informed by Cragen that something had happened to Oliver but he didn't tell them what. All he said that she took some time off to deal with things. He also hadn't told them about the hysterectomy they had done in the hospital.
"Look who are here to pay us a visit?" Fin says and walks to Alex and Oliver to give them both a hug.
"What are you doing here?" Fin asks.
"We had an appointment with Liz and the Captain. We thought we should come here too. There is something I need to tell you guys." Oliver answers.
Abby just came back from the restroom and hears what Oliver says.
"Hey Oil. Good to see you." Abby smirks.
"Hey Texas. Good to see you too." Oliver smirks back.
"Teflon!" Munch yells.
"Hi Munch." Alex greets.
The others come to greet the pair too. After every had said their hello's they all go to stand around Oliver's and Nick's desk. Alex of course sits on the corner of Oliver's desk like she always does.
"So what do you need to tell us? Must be important if you come for it now." Nick asks.
Oliver looks at Alex for encouragement. The blonde gives a short nod and smiles at the Detective.
"All my life I thought something was wrong with me and I couldn't figure out what. Until recently. I don't know how to tell this the easy way so I'm gonna just say it." Oliver says.
The Detective looks at Alex again.
"You can do this, Liv. I'm here and so is Abby." Alex whispers.
Oliver nods at Alex and takes a deep breath.
"I was born with the wrong body. I'm going to get a sex changing surgery." Oliver says.
After Oliver spoke it's getting silent in the squad room. Every one needs some time to think about it. Oliver looks anxious around at his colleagues before he looks at Alex. Alex moves over a bit and takes Oliver hand in her own and squeezes him before she let go again. Fin is the first one to react. He walks to Oliver.
"So you finally figured out we are the better part huh. Welcome to the gang the call men." Fin says as and he slaps Oliver on his back.
As Fin steps back Munch walks to Oliver.
"You always had the biggest balls of us all. But I really thought you were gonna say that you and Teflon finally got together. Just know I still have your back, Benson." Munch says.
Munch steps aside and stands next to Fin.
"Thank you guys, this means a lot to me." Oliver says.
Nick and Elliot are still standing on their spot both shocked. Elliot more than Nick is. Amanda walks to Oliver after Munch stepped aside.
"Thanks a lot dude, now I'm the only female here. Just promise me ya ain't gonna be such an asshole as the rest of them can be." Amanda says.
The female Detective hugs Oliver carefully knowing that something happened to him and what ever it is she don't want to scare him off. Oliver just nods. Stunned and overwhelmed with the positive reactions from his colleagues. Suddenly Elliot gets out his shocked state and walks to Oliver and grabs his arm and drags him to the other side of the squad room before he let go.
"I know you've been through a lot in your life. This not you. This not who you are. You're not crazy. You're just confused. I know I'm not your partner anymore but talk with me. I can help you so you won't be confused anymore. You don't really want to do this." Elliot says.
"You are wrong. This is who I am. What I am. I'm not confused Elliot. And talking with you is not gonna help. This is what I need to do. I don't ask for you to understand it. I ask for you to try to accept it. I know you won't be as supportive as Alex is. All I can ask for is to try to accept it." Olivia says.
Elliot laughs cynically.
"You aren't like this! This is wrong, this is sick. I never can accept it and I don't need to. You're not like this!" Elliot says, raising his voice.
"No Elliot, you are wrong. There is nothing wrong with people who are not like you, straight. I finally know what it was and I'm gonna be happy for the firs time my life." Oliver says, trying to keep his voice down.
"Alex won't support you. She is an Ice queen who doesn't give a damn about anyone but herself! And she's never sticks around long enough to be there for you! She always leaves when it gets to hard. She always has done that and will always! Once she finds out that you're have gone crazy and you go through with this insane idea she walks away from you and leave you alone. Afraid for her political career!" Elliot yells.
"That's enough, Stabler. Don't you dare talk about Alex like that. You're an egoistical son of a bitch. You're a jealous asshole. Alex didn't have a choice but to leave twice. Her life was in danger and you know it. Talk like that about her again and I'll kick your sorry ass." Oliver growls.
Oliver turns around to walk away but Elliot stops him by yanking him at his arm and turn him around. Fin and Nick walk to the other side where Elliot and Oliver are but they are too late.
"So you're a tough guy now huh? Let's see how tough you really are." Elliot growls.
Before Oliver can react Elliot slams his fist hard into Oliver's stomach. Before Elliot can hit again Fin and Nick grab him by his arms and drags him away from Oliver. Oliver clutch his stomach and screams out from pain before he drops on the floor. Elliot tries to free himself to go after Oliver again but Fin and Nick hold him tight at his arms. As soon as Alex sees that Elliot hits Oliver in his stomach she runs to the Detective who is now laying down on the floor. Curled up and holding his stomach. Abby runs to Oliver behind Alex.
"Liv! Liv, honey, are you alright?" Alex asks worried.
"Lex, it hurts" Oliver whispers.
"What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" Alex asks.
"My stomach hurts. Something is not right." Oliver whispers.
"Pull your hand away. Let me look at you, honey." Alex says, with fear in her voice.
Slowly Oliver pulls his hand away and Alex's gasp as she sees the blood coming through his shirt. Abby sees it too and turns around.
"Call an ambulance! Oli is hurt!" Abby yells.