"You look ridiculous," laughed Amanda.
"I look like a person who doesn't want to be caught dead here," replied Olivia as she pulled tightly on the strings of her sweatshirt. Accompanying the NYPD sweatshirt, was a pair of dark motorcycle aviators, black jeans and boots.
More laughter followed. "Come on. Don't be such a prude," she dragged the brunette by the arm further into the building.
"I'll let you call me whatever you want if we can leave right now, please."
"Ten minutes, babe. For me?"
Liv couldn't deny her, especially not with that look on her face. "Alright. Ten minutes."
"I'll protect you," joked the blonde before she placed a quick kiss on her partner's lips.
"Yeah, I bet you will."
They walked around the large, opened space filled with human-sized plastic cages scattered throughout the room. Each cage containing a naked model, posing for their respected artist. The place was crowded. Overflowing with people, mostly hipsters and other artsy types. Definitely not Olivia's scene. But Amanda was totally into it. Liv watched her partner's eyes light up at the scenery. She had to admit, seeing the blonde so excited about anything made her happy. Even if she was completely out of her comfort zone. Amanda's eyes were wide as saucers. This type of establishment was nonexistent in Loganville. She'd been wanting to experience an interactive live, human art show, for as long as she could remember. Work and trepidation kept her away since arriving to New York but after a near death experience, she wasn't going to put it off any longer. The enamored detective was happy with her decision to finally check out, Views.
"Wow," said a still stunned Olivia, when they walked upon a particular cage.
"I know right. It's beautiful."
Liv looked at the other woman in confusion. What they were witnessing was borderline obscene in the brunette's mind. "It is?"
Amanda finally tore her eyes off of the art to address her partner. "Yes, it is. You've got to look beyond what first meets the eye. Humor me for a minute."
"Ok…"
Amanda stepped behind Olivia and removed her sunglasses, "Hey!"
"Shhhh, trust me." The blonde then proceeded to remove her tightly strung hood, that was covering half of her face. Now that Olivia was 'freed', the detective spoke softly in her ear. "Take a good look. No detail is too small."
"Ok."
"Good. Now close your eyes." The brunette skeptically followed the command. "Clear your thoughts of everything except the image you just saw."
Olivia took a deep breath and focused on her instructions. "Clear."
"Great. What's the first thing that pops into your head that you can remember about the image?"
"Uhm, the dirt covering just about everything in the cage."
"Good. What else?"
"The look on the woman's face. It almost seemed inhuman. She looked doll-like and still but at ease."
"Yes. Tell me one more thing."
"Uh, I think I saw a bloody knife by the table that was behind her."
Amanda smiled, when her partner remembered that particular piece. Such a cop. "Mmhmm, now with everything you just said. What do you think the artist is trying to make you, as the viewer, see?"
"An unkept bush?"
"Oh!" Amanda shoved her playfully, while shaking her head. Olivia burst out into laughter at her own joke. "Really? You're the worst and a lost cause. Come on, your ten minutes are up, let's get out of here."
"Noooooo, I'm sorry. No more bush jokes. I don't want to ruin it for you. Let's see more."
"I saw what I came here to see. Seriously, it's fine. We can go."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Here," Amanda put Liv's sunglasses back on her face along with her hood. The blonde smiled at the sight, "Ridiculous." She led the way out of the risqué gallery with Olivia on her arm.
"Fuck the police!" Was shouted at the ladies by a random, small group of hipsters, just as they made it to the exit. They looked over at the group of unhappy people, who were giving them the middle finger salute.
"What the hell?" The seasoned detective was taken aback by the unwarranted outrage.
It was now Amanda's turn to laugh. "You wore an NYPD sweatshirt to a sketchy, elusive, nude art expo. Filled with wannabe rebels and 'woke af' millennials. What'd you expect?"
"I don't know. Not this," shrugged the brunette.
The expletive chants continued, "Fuck the police!"
"I plan to!" Exclaimed the blonde before she planted an unexpected kiss on the disguised detective. A few of the chants, turned into whistles of appreciation at the affectionate display. She grabbed Liv's hand and flicked off the remanding chanters with her other hand, as they exited Views.
"Oh my god, you're insane!" laughed Olivia.
"You have no idea," a devious smirk was on the woman's face before she kissed her again. "Seriously, thanks for coming with me. This helped take my mind off tomorrow night."
The mention of the impending ceremony at One Police Plaza, filled both women with nerves. It had been decided that they're heroic efforts in combating Cameron Tyler Lawrence would be awarded. The detectives were going to receive the prestigious Combat Cross along with forty-two other officers.
"Glad I could help. Actually, helped myself in the process. I'll be happy when it's over with."
"Me too."
"Damnit!"
"What's wrong?" inquired a curious Amanda.
"I forgot to pick my uniform up from the Cleaner's, for the ceremony tomorrow night."
"Hmm. Lucky for you, I picked yours up along with mines. I knew you had a session with Huang after work and probably wouldn't make it before they closed. I meant to tell you earlier."
Olivia smiled at the thoughtfulness of the other woman, who meant so much to her. She pulled her in close by the hips, "You're the best."
"Yeah? Prove it…"
The brunette kissed the seductress before responding accordingly, "I plan to."
The following night…
Officers from every precinct, unit and squad were in attendance on one of the biggest nights for the NYPD. The Medal Ceremony was held at One Police Plaza. The Mayor of New York was the designated speaker and would be awarding the officers with their medals. The evening was going better than expected. It was a big fancy shindig which usually equaled boredom. However, listening to fellow officers' stories of their ordeals made the evening bearable for the female detectives of the 1-6. Just when they were getting comfortable with being in the surreal environment, details of their ordeal had become the Mayor's talking point.
"…Or like Detectives Benson and Rollins who brought down a serial rapist, while facing imminent danger. Even though faced with mortal danger, they persisted and got the job done. Their sacrifice and heroics are appreciated today and every other day. They're NYPD's finest. True heroines."
Due to the alphabetical seating arrangements, the detectives weren't seated together. After that statement by the Mayor, both glanced in the other's direction. Being praised so publicly was strange but it did feel good, to be appreciated and thanked on such a huge platform. The night was going great and it was about to get better, when the Mayor finally finished his lengthy speech, all of the honorees stood. One by one, their names were called and they shook the Police Commissioner and Mayor's hand while onlookers watched.
"Detective Olivia Benson."
The nervous brunette, took a steadying breath and strutted across the stage like she owned it.
"Congratulations, Detective."
"Thank you, Mister Mayor." Click. Liv could feel the emotion thick in her throat. It was so overwhelming, standing there in front of her peers receiving the department's second highest honor. She walked off stage back to her seat and got it together. She didn't want to miss her partner receive her medal. After a few other honorees were called, it was the southerner's turn at glory.
"Congratulations, Detective."
"Thanks, Mister Mayor." A tear streaked down the detective's face, as he placed the medal around her neck. Everything came rushing back to her all at once. Everything that she had to endure and go through to get where she was standing, presently. Her miserable childhood, the loss of her brother, the attack…all of it. She'd gone through the thick of it and made it well beyond the other side. Olivia looked on with love and pride, while her partner got her just due.
After the drawn-out ceremony, the female detectives went in search for the other. The task proved to be more difficult than expected. Every turn they made, was an admiring person, showering them with praise and congratulations. Amanda was still accepting compliments when she spotted the person she wanted to see the most, on the other side of the room. Before she made a beeline to her partner an unexpected but familiar voice stopped her.
"Congratulations, Rollins."
She turned towards the person and suppressed a sigh. Asshole. "Thanks, Amaro."
An uncomfortable silence fell between them before Nick spoke up. "What you guys went through…you deserve that medal and more."
She was truly shocked. His honest, nice, words totally surprised her. "Uhm, th-thank you."
"You're welcome," the detective gave a sad smile and turned to walk away.
"You know we don't have to do this, right?" Rollins' question stopped him from leaving. He turned back around before she continued. "It doesn't have to be contentious between us." She let that statement breathe before making the next one. "I know you care." Amaro's eyes were on the ground, while he listened. "So, do I…"
He stood there, silent for a while, taking it all in. "I know." He walked off after that. It was something in the way he said, 'I know' that bothered the female detective. Like that was the problem. Ugh, asshole.
"Congratulations, again Detective Benson."
"Thank you, Chief."
"Tonight basically secured your next step up, to a much deserved promotion."
Olivia looked confused. "Sir?"
"You don't want to be a detective forever," asserted Chief Dodds.
"I don't think I'm ready for the desk, Sir."
"Well, you're not a spring chicken anymore. You need to get ready, the clock is ticking."
What the hell? Always the professional, she held her tongue and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind, Sir."
"Good. Enjoy tonight. I'll be in touch soon." The Chief walked away, without giving his words a second thought.
Asshole.
"Congratulations, Detective Benson."
Olivia turned around with a huge smile on her face. "Congratulations, Detective Rollins." They looked at each other, beaming with pride and relief. It still didn't seem real to Liv. They made it through. Now, they're living a life neither could imagine, together. Screw it. She pulled the blonde into a warm embrace, right there in the middle of the room. She whispered in her ear, "Congratulations, baby. You deserve this." Reluctantly they pulled away from each other, very aware of their surroundings.
"Quick photo ladies?" inquired one of the many photographers. That question definitely snapped them back into reality.
"Sure," responded a surprisingly cheerful Rollins. They posed for the picture, side by side. Arms wrapped securely around the other's waist Click. A few of the other interviewers and photographers followed suit. Trying to get a picture or sound bite from the honorees.
"Well, well, well. I see they just give away awards up here in New York…" That thick, southern drawl, made the hairs on Amanda's neck stand at attention. When she turned to the haunting voice, she blanched. It took her a minute but she finally found her voice.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I see some things never change. Zero respect for authority. I'm here because I had to see this with my own two eyes…"
Olivia was on high alert. Whoever this dude was, Amanda was not seem happy to see him. Liv could feel in her gut, that something was off with him. Her partner and the mysterious man was having an epic stare-down. Hoping to break the tension or to at least get his name, she introduced herself.
"I'm Detective Olivia Benson, her partner. And you are?"
"Chief Charles Patton. Amanda's mentor and more. Nice to meet you."
There's going to be a canon tweak with Patton. Not following the show's storyline at all because I hated it. Thanks for reading.