Author's Notes: Prohibition ended in 1933, but I'm going to let them drink as I haven't set a specific date. The only thing harmed during this fic was my pride, during an unfortunate incident with a half-full coffee cup and my carpet below the computer. Any frustration at the number of animal references should be directed at ADANovakfan's fanfic Olivia's Gift, jk.

Links to images, inspirations, and songs relating to this fic; can now be found at my new forum, Babydykecate's Images for her SVU Fanfic (can't you tell I was feeling imaginative ;). Links for this chapter include pictures of the hotel and the women's outfits; as well as an audio clip of the song. Cate.

Olivia continues to watch Casey throughout the day; catching her pointing out the errors in several of Munch's arguments on the Depression Conspiracy. The ADA has proved to be a formable opponent for the guys, much like Olivia. Olivia almost laughs when Casey shoots Munch a death glare, her ever color-changing eyes a deep green. She is lost for a moment in the contrast of Casey's champagne skin to her fiery red hair. Then she remembers what's been pulling at her mind all day, the card. Olivia begins dialing Marquesa's number, while desperately thinking of what to say.

"Hello?" Marquesa's throaty voice fills the phone.

"Hi, Marquesa, it's Olivia."

"Olivia, I had hoped you hadn't forgotten me," Marquesa teases.

"No, I can't say I have," Olivia chuckles.

"Did you call just to hear my voice, Detective, or did you have grander plans?"

"Well, um, we have a Policeman's Ball every year and-"

"Yes"

"Wha-"

"I said yes, Detective. Now tell me when it is; and what you want to see me in."

"This Friday, 8pm at the Pierre Hotel, and wear anything. I'm sure you'd look good in a paper bag."

"I think I can probably find something a little nicer. Now promise me, you won't let me leave without a dance with you."

"I won't."

"Say it," Marquesa insists.

"I promise I won't let you leave without a dance with me," Olivia repeats, uncomfortable in her new position around Marquesa's finger.

"Thank you, Detec-tivvve," Marquesa drawls, "I'll make sure to wear something that will keep you attentive."

"I'm sure I'll be all eyes. See you Friday, Marquesa."

"Take care of yourself, Detective, or I'll have to," and with that Marquesa hangs up.

Bing Crosby's voice resonates thru the room.

You came to me from out of nowhere, you took my heart and found it free.
Wonderful dreams, wonderful schemes from nowhere, made every hour sweet as a flower for me.

And if you should go back to your nowhere, leaving me with a memory,
I'll always wait for your return out of nowhere, hoping you'll bring your love to me.

Olivia is sitting at the bar of the Hotel, sipping a glass of straight gin. The alcohol burns her lips, raw from the frost that hit the city suddenly that night. She has the desire to smoke; something she hasn't done since she was an 18-year old kid, anxious to appear cool in gay bar. Tonight she wants one to steel her nerves; and let's be honest, appear cool. Instead she takes another sip, willing her mind to stop the cascade of images of all the women in her life.

As she reaches to fix the red rose in her lapel, her eye catches a glance of red at the top of the grand staircase. There in her full glory is Casey. She's wearing a floor length, fur-trimmed ivory velvet coat; which causes her to be impossible to ignore. Olivia can practically feel her chin hit the floor. Casey notices Olivia staring, and smiles like a cat that got exactly what it wanted. Then Casey raises her head regally, and slowly descends the stairs, her coat curving around the stairs like a snake. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she meets Olivia's eyes again with a smoldering focus.

She struts towards Olivia and asks, "Care to buy me a drink, Olivia?"

"Y-yes. You'd-, what would you like?" Olivia manages to get out.

"I'd kill for a Champs Elysee," Casey replies.

Olivia turns to the bartender, "a Champs Elysee for the lady, please."

As Olivia pulls out the stool for Casey, she asks, "Would you be more comfortable if I helped you out of your coat?" Secretly praying the answer is yes.

"No thank you, I'm still warming up from outside," she replies with a twinkle in her eye.

Olivia has the sneaking suspicion that Casey is up to something.

"So how are you settling into your new job?" Olivia asks, trying to focus on Casey's face. Every other day, the problem would be not focusing on Casey's face, but the coat is causing new problems for Olivia. The naturally tall ADA is elongated to extreme lengths, making her seem even more otherworldly than normally. Her long, flowing sleeves exaggerate her movements and the fur collar that crosses at her waist frames her face and draws attention to her chest (which Olivia did so not need done for her).

"It's heartbreaking, the cases you guys deal with," she replies as a haunted look crosses her face, "But couldn't have asked for better or more challenging (to which she adds an eyebrow emphasis) colleagues."

"Are you surviving the boys all right?" Olivia asks, referring to the sometimes sophomoric Elliot, Munch and Fin.

"Oh, they're all talk and no bite. A puppy before he gets his teeth. I've played on an All-Men's Softball Team for years, not much fazes me anymore. Besides, I grew up playing with the boys."

"So you've seen every-"

"Oliv-via, you missed my en-trance." Marquesa whines. Olivia had been so captivated by Casey; she had failed to notice that Marquesa had joined them in the foyer of the hotel.

Marquesa is dressed in skin-tight sequined black dress that glitters in the light cast from the chandeliers. The neckline is piped in a canary-yellow trim that continues to the back. Marquesa's back is partially exposed by the v-back that ends in a tie, connecting the ends of the selves. Her bright-red lipstick matches her nails. In a word, she is stunning.

"Who the hell are you, might I ask," Casey fires, making it clear it isn't really a question. Olivia might have laughed at repeated phrase, were the tension not so thick you could cut it with a knife (or maybe Marquesa's talon-like nails).

"I'm Olivia's date," Marquesa states with a very tight, smug smile.

"Well, aren't you special?" Casey retorts.

"Kill me now," Olivia thinks. "Marquesa, would you like a drink?" Olivia asks, trying her best to appease the moll; who clearly isn't thrilled to have found Olivia talking to another woman.

"No, Olivia, I wouldn't," she replies, her voice hard. "I'd. Like. To. Dance," she firmly spits the words. Olivia observes that Marquesa appears to be executing her best efforts in staking claim of Olivia.

Then Marquesa trusts her arm into Olivia's and drags her up the stairs and towards the ballroom. Olivia swears it's the equivalent of a 5-year sticking out her tongue. Olivia would love to look back at Casey; to give her some hint that she isn't an entirely willing participant in the latest punch in this boxing match. But then again, she doesn't feel much like dying tonight.