"Miss Cabot," he began, "this is Abbie Carmichael. I've asked her to show you the ropes around here until you get your footing."
Did someone just suck all of the oxygen out of the room?
Hello, Alex," Abbie said, holding out her hand.
"Hi, nice to meet you," I fake. Sonofabitch! I can't believe that Branch would pick Abbie of all people to fucking supervise me.
"Alexandra," Branch chimed in, "Abbie is going to take you down to the SVU precinct to meet your squad."
"There's no need for that, Arthur," Abbie chimed in. Arthur? She's so buddy-buddy with the man that she calls him Arthur? I don't stand a chance. "Miss Crab-ot was down at the precinct this morning." She finished with a smirk.
Did she really think that was funny? Crabot my ass.
"Still, Abigail, I would like to ensure that Alexandra gets acquainted with each member of her new squad, and since you have such a good relationship with them all, you should have no problem helping her fit in." Branch said, oblivious to the insult.
"Really, sir. She doesn't have to," I spoke up, "I fit in fine down there. I even went to lunch with Detective Benson this afternoon." I swear I saw daggers flying out of Abbie's eyes as soon as those words left my mouth.
"On second thought," Abbie said, malice lacing her voice, "I don't have any meetings scheduled for this afternoon, I would be happy to take Alex down to the precinct."
"Great," Arthur said, "I hope you ladies become fast friends."
Abbie and I both faked a smile at each other and then at Branch.
"Good day Miss Carmichael," he said, looking at Abbie and then to me, "Miss Crabot."
Great! She got him saying it!
"Cabot, sir," I said as we walked out of the room, and I could hear Abbie laughing ahead of me.
"That wasn't funny," I said when I caught up with her.
"Yes it was," she said simply as she turned in the direction of the SVU precinct.
"Could you be any more immature?" I quipped, making it seem like I was a hell of a lot braver than I thought I was.
"Could you be any more of a bitch?" She insisted.
"Oooh, ouch!" I called back to her, catching up as we walked into the precinct.
We walked into the squad room, and I swear as soon as Olivia saw us, her eyes widened and she looked as if she wanted to run for the hills. Quite honestly, I couldn't blame her.
Abbie walked straight over to Olivia like she ruled the world and kissed her gently on the cheek, all the while staring at me.
"Hey, Abs," Olivia said shakily, "uh, hey Alex."
"Hi, Olivia," I said with all of the cheeriness I could possibly muster.
"What brings you lovely ladies here this afternoon?" Olivia asked, looking at Abbie.
"Arthur wanted me to show Miss Cabot around to make sure she wouldn't get lost or anything," she chuckled.
I faked a smile. Just remember, Alex, you're doing this for Olivia. Once she likes you enough, you can both kill Abbie and get off on justifiable manslaughter, right?
"I'm sure she can manage just fine, Ab," Olivia said, smiling, "she even managed not to break a bone while we were walking to lunch today."
I smiled widely and chuckled. Abbie rolled her eyes.
"I'm actually glad you came down here, Alex," Olivia began and my heart jumped. Because she's finally realized she's in love with me? Because she wants to run away with me right now? Because she needs help killing Abbie? Seriously, Cabot, why are you obsessed with killing Abbie all of a sudden?!
"…here are some files you need to look over before you start."
"Oh, right," I said somewhat dumbly, "files."
I look over some of the pictures in the files she handed me and I barely resist the urge to vomit.
"Yeah, I know the feeling," Olivia said lightly.
"You have to be a strong person to work in Special Victims," Abbie added lamely, still holding on to Olivia.
"How do you do it?" I asked Olivia, and I know my voice wavered slightly, but I'm not sure whether that was still the shook from the gruesome pictures or seeing the compassion in Olivia's eyes.
"I wish I could tell you that it gets easier, but it doesn't," she said quietly.
Why I decided that now would be the perfect time to 'make a move' is beyond me, but I sure as hell went for it.
"Hey, Olivia," I said gently, "would you be willing to, um, meet me later and help me go over these cases?" I smiled. There you go, Alex--work that charm.
"Actually," Abbie interrupted snidely, "she's busy tonight."
"Oh, sorry," I said dejectedly.
"Don't be," Olivia said and I swear I saw a wink accompany it, "I actually have a little time now if you want to go over a few things?"
"Sure," I said, perhaps a little too eagerly.
"Thanks for coming down here, babe," Olivia said and quickly kissed Abbie, clearly giving her a hint that it was time for her to go.
Abbie, regretfully taking the hint, left with a cutesy wave to Olivia and a scowl to me.
"Sorry," I said again once Abbie left.
Olivia smirked and picked up her phone, quickly dialing a number.
"Hey, sweetie," she said, "look, I'm sorry but Cragen just came in and informed us that we have three new cases to deal with, so it looks like I'm going to have to cancel tonight. I'm sorry!...ok, you too. Bye!"
I was stunned. "Did you just blow off your girlfriend, detective?"
"Perhaps," she said with a smile, "so where were we?"