AN: Thanks again to those of you who have read/checked out or reviewed so far. Special thanks as always to my good mate Mashnut for betaing this chapter for me :)

Reviews, Comments and Constructive Criticism are always appreciated

Jaxx

Aim Higher Chapter 5:

Jo followed closely behind Alex's Mercedes on her Kawasaki, the ride giving her a little breathing space after her argument with Liv on the roof of the 1.6. It didn't matter what was going on in her life, for as long as she could remember driving, and especially riding her beloved motorcycle, always helped clear her head. She just hoped that she and Liv would be able to convince Alex to persuade Blair to stay in London, without of course letting it slip that the reason was Jo's stupidity. If Blair thought there was a chance that Jo was in danger then her friend would be over here faster than anyone could blink, if only to give her former roommate hell for her choice of career. Of course they would have to tell Alex the truth in order to convince her to even give it a shot… In fact it wouldn't surprise her if by the time they got to these new digs of Liv and Alex' if her friend had enlightened the beautiful ADA as to Jo's foolhardiness. Liv wasn't the type to keep secrets from her lover. Still if it kept her Princess safe even for an hour Jo would do anything.

Alex was a surprisingly good driver, not too safe but not reckless. Jo only had a minor urge to speed off into the evening but she kept that in check. When they arrived in the parking complex of the building Jo had to bite back a loud whistle. The place was pretty damned impressive and that was only the car park. She took off her helmet and gloves before following Alex and Liv into the main building, where they were greeted by the doorman who smiled warmly at them before they headed into the elevator. Liv was watching her former partner carefully, she knew exactly what was going through her mind because she had had the same thoughts when Alex had first shown her the place. Minutes later they were heading along the corridor and Liv was unlocking the front door. When they got inside Jo couldn't bite it back any longer and let out a loud appreciative whistle, receiving a playful shove from Liv and laughter from Alex.

'Gee Spitfire…should I take off my boots or what?'

'Make yourself at home Houdini.'

Jo hadn't been in a place this nice in a long time. It wasn't that the place made her feel uncomfortable, after spending time at Eastland and Langley she wasn't a stranger to nice… especially not when her best friend was the Blair Warner. She had also been inside Alex' old place a few times but being here in this place was a little overwhelming as she looked around and saw the little personal touches – the photographs, the trinkets which showed that this wasn't just Alex' place. It was Olivia's place too. It was pretty cool though, she was pleased things were working out for the two. Abbie Carmichael had performed a miracle getting them to admit their feelings, who knew things would change so fast? Hanging up her jacket and kicking off her boots she followed her friends as they gave her the grand tour. There were still unopened boxes lying around and it was clear that they were still settling in. Many of the rooms had several squares of different shades of paint on their walls; they were clearly ready to make their mark on the place. Liv was in her element talking about DIY and making new shelves for their office.

'I can help ya with that Liv.'

'Damn right you can…Why'd you think I brought it up?'

'Here I was thinking this tour was free…'

'Hehe you missed moving day partner…'

'Touché.'

They sat at the breakfast bar while Alex mulled about trying to decide what to cook. Cooking wasn't her forte but she and Olivia had enough dishes between them in the repertoire that it wasn't too much of an issue. She had actually only started cooking properly since she had started dating Liv, begging her best friend Serena to teach her at least some basic recipes so that she wouldn't have to survive on take outs or force Serena to come over and cook for her whenever Liv came over for a date. Finally settling her mind she ushered the two detectives out of the kitchen so she could cook in peace but not before handing each woman a soda, 'no beer if we're going to see Abbie', placing a sweet kiss on Liv's lips and then getting to work. Steamed salmon and vegetables seemed like a better idea than the greasy take out that Liv had suggested. Not that she was averse to it, just that when she had guests coming to dinner sometimes it was nice to actually cook something. Sure Jo wasn't exactly a 'guest' she was one of Olivia's best friends, which meant by default she was Alex' friend too, and then there was Serena who would be over within the hour, well actually she'd probably be late in truth, she was always late. Serena, her best and dearest friend, who could cook absolutely anything and make it seem effortless, had always been plagued by an innate inability to show up anywhere on time that wasn't work. Fortunately Alex had found that she enjoyed cooking now that she and Olivia had moved in together; it was something she could do which made everything seem wonderfully domestic in their lives which were nothing if not chaotic. The fact that two of their best friends were joining them just made it all the better.

Meanwhile in the sitting room Jo and Liv were sitting on one of the sofas watching the news, well berating the news but then doesn't everyone talk back to the TV? Taking a sip from her soda Jo paused in her outburst.

'Do I have to use a coaster or somethin?' she teased

Liv simply grabbed one from her end of the coffee table threw it to her friend, who caught it with her left hand, before turning her attention back to the news which was just about finished. Jo threw the little leather coaster onto the table before placing her bottle on top.

'Since when do you catch with your left?'

'Since I got a bottle in my right…besides you know I played a lot of sport in School.'

'Yeah… I bet you got some fond memories of that…' Liv's tone was familiar; it was the one she used right before she started her familiar teasing.

'Don't start that again…'

'Hey you're the ones been taking the piss outta me since you showed up… can't take it Polniaczek?'

'Olivia Benson – Language…' Alex' voice reverberated from the kitchen.

'You know I can, just don't start about that OK?'

Olivia relented for now. Besides it was hard to continue taking the proverbial out of someone when your girlfriend had just told you off for your 'poor choice of language'. She took a swig from her own soda before placing it onto the table on another coaster and leaning back with her feet up on the table. It was only a matter of time before Alex walked in and told her off for that too but it was a familiar argument with a familiar resolution. She would promise not to do it again, if Alex promised not to work in the sitting room. They would agree and then an hour later she would place her feet back onto the table as Alex sat reading over a case file. She looked at her friend, studied her to see what was going on, really going on. This thing with Cassidy, Foley and Russo had really got Jo spooked. That was most likely the reason for her backing out of their familiar routine.

'It's gonna be OK Jo. We'll get 'em.'

'I know. I just…'

'Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. We can ask Alex over dinner…'

'Ask me what?'

Alex had returned to the sitting room in time to hear the tail end of the conversation. Liv looked to Jo who swallowed before nodding her agreement. Now was as good a time as any and at least it wouldn't be too late in London…Alex listened intently as Jo and then Liv explained the situation. She switched her demeanour into ADA mode, thereby allowing her to take in every word that was said without becoming emotionally involved. That way she wouldn't judge anyone too harshly until the whole story was over. Once it was over, with Jo pacing the sitting room for good measure she took a moment to gather her thoughts before giving her answer.

'Jo…sit down please.'

Jo reluctantly sat in her original place on the sofa and began nursing her soda again; oh how she wished it were something stronger. She looked to Alex, silently begging her to make the call.

'I will call her…'

'Thanks Alex…you don't know what this means…'

'Oh I have a fair idea. But there's something you need to do too…'

'Name it.'

'You need to talk to her.'

Jo suddenly wondered if dating Liv had caused Alex to lose her mind. The whole point of this conversation was so that Alex would call Blair, then Blair would be safe and she would never need to know about Jo's stupidity.

'I…wouldn't know what to say…I ain't seen her in a year Alex'

'All the more reason you should talk to her. She needs you to tell her the truth; she needs to know why she's in danger.'

'I can't…she'll hate me.'

'She won't hate you…She'll be upset, but she'll understand. At least think about it'

'I ain't thought about anything else since Eastland…'

Alex nodded sympathetically just as the buzzer went off to indicate Serena's arrival. She got up, placed her hand on Jo's shoulder in a supportive gesture and then went to answer the door leaving Jo and Liv alone in the sitting room once more.

With Serena's arrival the phone call to Blair was temporarily forgotten as Alex greeted her best friend and playfully chastised her for being late, though she noted that she was nowhere near as late as usual. Alex brought Serena into the sitting room briefly and introduced her to Jo who smiled her most charming smile before shaking her hand.

'So you're the one that brought Abbie the baseball?'

'Eh…it's better than a bunch of grapes right?'

Serena was saved the trouble of interrogating Jo any further on the matter when Alex led her by the arm into the kitchen. She was impressed that Alex' culinary skills had improved so much in recent months, but nevertheless she began to help with the finishing touches, she couldn't resist. It was the part of her that had been tempted to throw her lot in and become a professional chef. There were moments when she seriously wished that she had had the guts to do it. If she had who knew what she might have achieved by now? Then again at least doing what she was doing she was helping to put away the worst in society; you couldn't do that from behind a stove. As they always did when the two of them were together Alex and Serena worked efficiently and happily. In no time they were calling the others to the table placing the steaming hot food in front of them. Serena had brought some homemade bread with her and it was the perfect accompaniment. Conversation flowed as they discussed Abbie's news and Serena could barely contain her excitement over their upcoming date.

'Where do you think she'll take me?'

Olivia and Jo shared a knowing look but said nothing. They had a fair idea where Abbie would take Serena if she was as serious about the blonde ADA as she appeared to be. Neither of them was willing to give the game away though.

'She'll take ya bowlin'

'Knock it off Polniaczek. You're scaring the woman…'

'You're right Liv, bowlin ain't Serena's style…Abbie'll take her to the rifle range.'

The two old friends dissolved into laughter before a stern look from Alex caused them to clear their throats in unison and murmur their apologies.

'We're just yankin' yer chain…' Jo was contrite 'Trust me wherever she takes ya it's gonna be class. Carmichael's gonna do everythin in her power to impress ya…'

Serena simply stared at the two detectives for a moment before deciding that was the best answer that could be given. Apparently the two weren't up for giving Abbie's plans away even if they were in on them. Alex began clearing the table as she did so she gave Liv a meaningful look which made it plain that she better start helping because 'a word' was going to be had in the kitchen.

Obediently Liv helped clear the table, telling the other two to stay where they were and that it wasn't a problem before heading into the kitchen behind a particularly irritated Alex.

'Before you say anything, we were just kidding around babe.'

'Don't babe me Liv, you know how serious Serena is about this date.'

'I'll tell Jo to knock it off.'

Alex seemed satisfied with that answer as she took Liv's hand gently, before leading her towards the dishwasher. Apparently it was her turn to load. By the time Liv got back to the sitting room harmony had once again been restored. Jo was talking animatedly about some narcotics case, Serena was listening intently. Jo was a good story teller and she was just getting to the good part when Alex appeared behind her speaking into a cordless telephone. It was the phone that normally resided in their office.

'Jo…'

The tone of her name made it even plainer what Alex wanted. Jo was desperate to refuse, she really didn't want to have this conversation now. Instead though she took the phone from Alex who gestured towards the office, Jo nodded gratefully as she placed the receiver at her ear. As Jo walked away Liv could hear her voice shaking as she spoke…

'Hiya Princess…I…'