Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em…if I did, the first thing that Cabot would have done was call Liv when she became a Bureau Chief.

Thornier, PA

A young, blonde detective knocked on the frame around the door to his boss's office. "Captain?"

"Come in," she said without even looking up from her desk.

"I was on point last night and was really bored. I started going through the papers from the wire and came across this one from New York," he said as he extended the paper toward his captain. "I took the liberty of contacting them."

She dropped the paper on her desk. "You what?"

He was smiling from ear to ear, thinking he had finally done something right that might impress his captain. "I contacted them—Manhattan SVU. I spoke to a Detective John Munch—really weird guy. I get the impression he's not playing with a full deck. Anyway, their Cap called a half hour later and wanted to talk to you. A Captain…"

"Craigen. Donald Craigen," Liv said flatly.

"Yeah, that's right. How'd ya know that?" He didn't wait for a reply before he continued. "So, they're sending one of their detectives down here. They wanna check out our scene for themselves. Anyway, I thought I'd just let you know that they'll be here in a few hours."

He turned and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him, unaware of the conflicting emotions tumbling around inside of his superior officer.

She was drawn out of her thoughts by the sound of her office door opening.

Anger reflected in her voice she stood as she spoke, "How many times do I have to tell you to…oh hey, babe." Olivia's anger diminished as she moved from behind her desk and ensconced the lithe redhead in a tight hug before kissing her chastely on the cheek.

"Mmm," the woman in Liv's arms purred as she snaked her arms around the former detective turned captain. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

Liv nuzzled the neck of the woman in her arms. "You know I don't mind, Scout. But why aren't you in school?"

The object of Liv's affection pulled back and a full-blown pout crossed her face. "Do you ever pay attention to me when I'm talking?" She turned away from Liv and moved behind her desk, sinking into her oversized desk chair. "Seriously Liv, it never fails that I tell you about these things and you conveniently forget."

Liv sat down in a chair opposite her desk and started rubbing her temples. "I'm sorry. I know I should pay more attention. I've just been…."

"…busy. I know. You're always busy," she leaned forward on the desk. "Maybe we don't need to do this now. You're so busy and I know I don't want to do this alone," she laughed scornfully. "I can't do this alone."

Liv sprang to her feet. "What are you saying? I thought we had decided that we wanted this. That we were going to start trying?"

"Olivia, we did decide that. But with the hours you're keeping and how little time we spend together lately, I just don't think it's the right time. Maybe we need to let you settle into this position a little bit longer and then try."

Liv stood and studied her lover intently, weighing carefully what she had just said. Keeping her eyes locked on those of the redhead, she moved slowly, crossing behind the desk and taking her hands in her own, pulling her to her feet.

Once she had her on her feet, she twirled her around and pulled her back against her, wrapping her arms around her and leaving them to rest on her stomach.

No words were spoken for several minutes as the two women stood there. Olivia was the first to break the silence. "You are an amazing woman. Your students love you. Your friends love you. I love you," Liv kissed the soft spot beneath her ear. "You're still going to go to the doctor today—which is why you are not at work right now. And yes, I'm busy. It's the nature of my job. I'll always be busy—but not too busy for us. Okay?"

Before the woman in her arms could reply, there was a knock at her door. She released the woman in her arms and turned around to face the door.

"Yeah," she shouted to the unwanted intruder.

The door opened cautiously. "Sorry Captain, but those people from New York are here. Want me to send them in?"

Liv looked like a deer caught in headlights. She just stood there, frozen.

"Captain?"

"Liv?"

"Give me a few," she said to the detective before turning back to her girlfriend. "Call me and let me know how the appointment goes?" She kissed her on the forehead before leading her to the door.

The redhead quickly turned around and kissed Olivia on the lips before saying, "I'll call you once I'm done at the doctor's office, baby."

It was only when the teacher had made her way out of the squad room and Olivia turned to where the detective from New York—her former unit—was seated that she saw he was not alone. There, seated beside Elliot Stabler, was the former object of Olivia Benson's affections. For the first time in nearly two years, their eyes met.

In that instant, every decision she had made in the last two years was questioned. Every "I love you" that had been uttered to another seemed like a lie. Every promise she had made was a disappointment waiting in the wings.

Alexandra Cabot had once been her undoing and would be so again if given the smallest opportunity.

Olivia silently wondered how she could avoid upsetting the life she was starting to build.

While she was inwardly cringing, she opened her door wider and said, "Detective, Counselor, welcome to Philly. Why don't you join me in my office and we'll discuss the case?"

When Elliot got close enough, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. She reciprocated, enfolding the detective in a similar fashion. Alex merely rolled her eyes as she stepped past the two of them and entered Olivia's office.