A/N: ... it's going down and you'll probably be upset with someone when this chapter is over (though, hopefully not me). But before that, you'll get some humor and some "mature" scenes.

Timeline: few months after last chapter, so like summer-ish between S3 & S4.

Word Count: ~4,050 Rating: Mature

BUSTED

"You going to Murphy's retirement party tonight?"

Usually it was Elliot asking questions at the end of their day, but today it was Olivia. Murphy was an investigator in the DA's office. As a former NYPD officer, everyone knew him as he'd been around for what seemed like forever. Olivia couldn't make up her mind about whether to go or not.

"That depends on whether Kathy's sister is still coming to visit," Elliot said. He didn't need to explain what he meant – if she was coming, Elliot was definitely going to the party. If not, he may opt for family time. "Why?"

"Just trying to figure out if I'll know anyone there," she said, knowing Munch, Cragen and Fin all had other plans.

"Cabot will probably be there, won't she?"

Yeah, and that's part of the problem, Olivia thought. To be clear, Alex wasn't a bad thing, quite the opposite for Olivia – but therein lied the actual problem. Olivia was drawn to the ADA and she couldn't do anything about it.

Oh, she had tried. She tried to limit their encounters, compartmentalize. Heck, she'd even been on a couple of dates. None of it was working. She couldn't get Alex out of her head. A night at a pub, everyone drinking, and Alex, could only lead to one of two things: her and Alex would end up in one of their beds (likely) or they wouldn't and Olivia would find herself thinking about the blonde all night (a given anyway).

It wasn't that Olivia didn't enjoy her time with Alex, she did; she was also sure Alex enjoyed spending time with her. But, just like before, nothing had changed. Neither of them were willing to give up their career in SVU to pursue the relationship – or maybe they were just too afraid it could actually work out. So, in the meantime, both of them tried to balance their feelings with their need to be with the other.

"Yeah, I suppose so," Olivia said, finally answering Elliot.

"Regardless of whether I go, you should go," Elliot said. "Who knows, maybe you'll meet someone."

"A cop?" Olivia said. Elliot knew dating cops wasn't at the top of Olivia's list, although when she did date, it was usually another cop.

"Or a lawyer," Elliot said. "There will be lawyers there."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I don't date lawyers."

#

Elliot ended up going to the retirement party after all. This was the informal party – the one where the cops and the lawyers all mostly avoided each other at the pub while they got drunk in honor of good ol' Murphy.

"Get you a beer?" Elliot offered. Fin and Munch were on call for the weekend, so Olivia nodded. While he was gone, another man walked up behind Olivia.

"Olivia Benson."

She turned around to see one of her old friends from police academy who was a defense attorney now. Turns out, being a cop wasn't for him, but being a lawyer was working out nicely.

"Jackson!" Olivia said before giving him a hug. Elliot had come back with their beers and waited for introduction.

"Elliot, this is Erik Jackson, a buddy from academy that crossed over to be a defense attorney," Olivia said. "And this is my partner, Elliot Stabler."

"Pleasure to meet you," Erik said as he and Elliot shook hands.

"Well, join us if you want," Elliot said. The three of them sat at the small table. "So you two know each other from academy?"

Olivia and Erik both nodded. "Yeah, we were study buddies, and probably the only person I counted a friend back then."

Erik laughed. "Well, we were a little more than friends," Erik teased. "Elliot, I tried forever to get her to go out with me. Then toward the very end of academy she finally agreed."

"Is that so?" Elliot said, glancing over to his partner while she smiled and shook her head.

"I got, what? Two, maybe three dates out of it?" Erik asked.

"Two, unless you're counting that night at the laundromat," Olivia said.

"Oh, I definitely count that as one of my best nights ever," Erik said, then laughed when Olivia blushed.

"Laundromat, huh? Perhaps I should leave you two alone to do some laundry," Elliot joked. "Also, I thought you didn't date lawyers."

"He wasn't a lawyer back then," Olivia replied.

"I'm just teasing her," Erik said. "I mean, it was a good night, but things worked out like they should." He lifted up his hand and showed them his wedding band. "I actually have a great family, beautiful wife, two kids."

Of course, Olivia knew all of that. She's met his wife after they'd started dating and even went to their wedding. She hadn't kept in touch with Erik in recent years, but she was definitely someone she had a found experience of – even if they hadn't worked out.

She wondered if she'd ever be able to look back on Alex with that thought. She hoped so.

#

Across the room, Alex Cabot was trying her best to keep her mind off Olivia. Much like Olivia, she had also been struggling with her feelings – wanting more, but knowing a future was unlikely at this stage. She, too, wasn't willing to give up her career at SVU to explore the relationship, even if she thought about it. SVU was going to look great for her one day when she inevitably ran for the DA seat. As for Olivia, if it was meant to be, it would, Alex decided.

Of course, none of that meant she wasn't watching Olivia closely while she was talking to the man she vaguely recognized as a defense attorney – a good one, too. They seemed very friendly and when Alex had gone to order a beer, she swore she hear something about some night in a laundromat and it being one of the best nights of his life.

Alex took a deep breath in, reminding herself she and Olivia were not dating, were free to date other people, and that she wasn't allowed to get jealous. After all, Alex had been on a couple dates herself in the past few months. Mostly just to get her mind off of Olivia and not become so addicted to the detective. Sure, they were still sleeping together on occasion, but she could tell Olivia was also trying to distance herself. She's probably bored with me, Alex figured. Their arrangement had to end at some point.

"Penny for your thoughts, Cabot?" Alex looked up and saw Abbie Carmichael.

"Abbie, I'm surprised to see you," Alex said. "This is quite a trip from D.C."

"Well, Murphy was quite an investigator," Abbie said. "One of the best I've had. So, when this came up, I decided I should make an effort, and just spend the weekend and catch up with people."

"Good plan," Alex said. She scooted over so Abbie could grab a seat next to her. The other people Alex had been talking to went somewhere and hadn't returned for a while – not that Alex had noticed.

"So, whatcha staring at over there?" Abbie said.

"What?"

"When I walked up, you were intently staring that way," Abbie said. "What has your attention?"

"Nothing," Alex said. "I was just letting my mind wander."

"Bullshit," Abbie said. "That wasn't a glazed over, lost-in-thought look. You were watching someone and based on the direction, I'd reckon it's that table there." She pointed to the table Olivia, Elliot, and Erik were sitting at.

Alex just shook her head and took a drink of her beer.

"Now, Stabler is married with like 100 kids, everyone knows that," Abbie said. "I don't know that other guy there, the one fawning over Olivia, but I do know you. And I know you appreciate qualities that are a bit more feminine than he has … so if I was a gambling woman, and let's face it, I from Texas, so I am, I'd say you are watching Olivia Benson."

Alex's eyes started to grow wide until she realized it, closed them and shook her head.

"No?" Abbie said. "Why not? She's a beautiful woman. I mean, I didn't work with her long, but I'd imagine, given the chance, I'd be in love with her."

"I am not in love with Olivia Benson," Alex protested.

"Didn't say you were, just that I would be," Abbie said. "But that's an awful defensive answer there, Cabot."

"Did you come here all the way from D.C. just harass me, Abbie?" Alex said, smiling.

"Not just you," Abbie said. "Come on, let's go talk to Olivia."

"What? No," Alex said.

"Cabot, you're sitting here all alone," Abbie said. "Those are your detectives. If you don't come with me, I'm going to assume you are actually in love with her … or Elliot."

Alex scoffed. "Fine." She got up and followed Abbie over to Olivia and Elliot's table. When they made it over, Erik was just standing up to leave.

"I have to get out of here," Erik said. "But, Liv, it's really good to see you again. Call me this weekend and I'll give you the address to stop by." He kissed her on the cheek, gave her a hug and took off.

Alex was steaming internally. From what she could tell, they'd just made plans for a date. Alex may not be dating Olivia, but she certainly wasn't going to lose her to another attorney – a defense attorney at that.

"Who was that?" Abbie said when Erik was gone. No pleasantries needed.

"Good to see you, too Abbie," Elliot said. "And that was apparently Olivia's long lost love."

"Shut up," Olivia said.

"Oh really?" Abbie said. "Do tell?"

Olivia shook her head and then Elliot spoke up again. "Just ask her about the laundromat."

"You know what, I'm going to the restroom and to get another beer," Olivia said, giving Alex a small glance that Abbie noticed. She certainly did not want to talk about Erik in front of Alex. She got up to leave.

"I'll go with you," Alex said. "I could use a refill myself."

When they were gone Abbie and Stabler got caught for a minute before she decided to ask about Olivia and Alex.

"So, this guy – is he really Olivia's long lost love?" Abbie said.

"Nah. I mean, I guess they dated when they were in academy together, but she's never mentioned him before. He's married now, seems happy," Elliot said.

"Hm," Abbie said. "How's uh, Cabot working out for you all at SVU?"

"She's great," Elliot said. "Stubborn as I'll get out, but she's good at what she does."

"Well, you're pretty stubborn, too. I imagine you go rounds with her," Abbie said.

"Sometimes, but oddly enough, it's usually Olivia," he said. "I swear those two women can get under each other's skin faster than my daughters do and they bicker more than me and Kathy."

"They fight recently?" Abbie said.

"I don't think so," Elliot said. "Why do you ask?"

"When I got here, Alex was staring at Olivia, pretty intently," Abbie said. "Wondered if she was mad."

"Hm," Elliot said. "Who knows with those two." Elliot knew Abbie well enough to know she was getting at something else, but he wasn't about to acknowledge it. Sure, he had his suspicious about Olivia and Alex from time to time, but it had cooled down lately. Besides, there's no way his partner would be sleeping with their ADA and not tell him – at least he didn't think so. Still, the thought lingered in his mind.

#

Alex followed Olivia to the restroom. They didn't speak until they were both washing their hands – all alone in there.

"So, are you seeing that guy?" Alex asked, trying to be as casual as possible.

"Erik? Um, no," Olivia said.

"It would be okay, you know," Alex said. "I mean, you sounded pretty friendly." Alex couldn't help herself that time, just a bit of snark came out.

"Oh, my God," Olivia said, turning toward Alex now. "You're jealous." A grin grew on her face.

"Am not," Alex said, voice pitch raising as she got defensive.

"Alex Cabot is jealous," Olivia said. "A clear violation of our rules."

"I'll have you know, I am not jealous," Alex said. "But if I was, it would be well-deserved. You've barely had any time for me lately – even as a friend. And then tonight, you're all talking about getting it on with some guy in a laundromat."

As soon as Alex finished, maybe even before she was done, Olivia put her hand around the back of Alex's head and kissed her, guiding Alex up against the bathroom counter.

"Lock the door," Alex mumbled, propping herself up on the counter. There were only two stalls in the bathroom, so it wouldn't be suspicious when two people came out, even if the door was locked. Olivia did as she was told, made her way over to Alex and began kissing her again.

They both knew they had to be quick. Alex slid her hand under Olivia's shirt, while the detective began to unbutton Alex's pink shirt, knowing the blonde would have a front-clasp bra. Within a few seconds, Alex's bare breast were staring at her, nipples already hard. Olivia took one in her mouth as Alex leaned back against the mirror and wrapped her legs around Olivia's waist. Olivia used her hands to unbutton Alex's pants while Alex steadied herself on the counter. Alex was trying not to make any noises as Olivia's tongue flicked over her nipples, and then again as her hand slid into Alex's panties, not wasting any time on entering the blonde, who was already wet.

"Fuck, Olivia…" Alex said.

"Shhh," Olivia said. "This place is packed with our colleagues."

Alex bit her lip as Olivia moved her mouth up to her neck and quickly began to stimulate Alex's clit – they both knew they needed to hurry and finish what they hadn't planned to start. Alex pulled Olivia closer as her orgasm began to rip through her body, sure to keep any sounds muffled. When she was done, she collapsed into Olivia, who held her until she could stand on her own, and helped her off the counter.

"I'm going to owe you big time tonight," Alex said. "I mean, if you want."

"Oh, I very much want," Olivia said.

They recomposed themselves, straightening out their clothes and washed their hands again. Both of them were flushed, but they could always blame that on the alcohol. They unlocked the door and exited the restroom, thankful no one was outside waiting to get in.

#

"Took you long enough," Elliot said when they returned.

"Had to go to the restroom, too," Olivia said, her and Alex taking a seat at the table. Abbie was gone.

"Thought you were getting beers?" Elliot asked.

"Line was too long," Olivia said. "Where's Abbie?"

"Oh, someone more interesting than me got her attention," Elliot said. "You ok, Liv? You look flushed."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Olivia said. "Probaby just had too much to drink." She glanced toward Alex and gave her an ever so small grin. Elliot noticed and watched as Alex returned it.

Then he saw it – the pink button up shirt Alex was wearing. The same pink button up shirt he had seen strewn across Olivia's end table. He clenched his teeth together and tried to compose what he was going to say to his partner.

"I think I'm going to get out of here," Alex said before Elliot could say anything. "It's been a long week.'

"I think I will, too," Olivia said. "Share a cab?"

"You two don't live in the same direction from here?" Elliot said, getting angrier by the second. Angry at himself for blowing off all the sign he had seen and angry at Olivia for not telling him – trusting him.

"Oh, I guess you're right," Olivia said. "Either way, I'll walk you out."

"Want me to go with you?" Elliot offered.

"No, it's okay," Olivia said. "You have a free night away from home. You should stay, enjoy yourself."

Elliot nodded. He knew he was being blown off, and now, he knew exactly why.

#

Alex and Olivia managed to keep their hands off each other on the cab ride to Olivia's apartment; they certainly didn't want the cab driver who'd probably go back and pick up more of their colleagues that night to tell them about the two women making out in the back seat.

As soon as they made the walk up to Olivia's floor, those rules went out the door, however.

"Alex, if you keep kissing me, I'll never get the door unlocked," Olivia said, Alex's hands wrapped around her, lips on her neck.

"So, we'll just give your neighbors a free show," Alex teased, right as Olivia finally managed to push the door open, pulling the blonde in with her and shoving her back against the front door, closing it.

"You are in so much trouble," Olivia said. She kissed Alex again, fingers running through her hair, using her tongue to probe Alex's mouth.

"Me," Alex breathed. "You're the one that fucked me on the sink of a public restroom. Something I still owe you for." She slipped hands to the front of Olivia's pants, quickly unhooking her belt buckle and pulling it off. She unbuttoned them and pushed them down as Olivia kicked her shoes off. Then Alex spun them around so Olivia's back was to the door.

"Fuck, Alex," Olivia said as her ADA dropped to her knees and began to pleasure the brunette. She gripped Alex's head, mostly just to steady herself as her knees and legs grew week. Then finally – she came; hard and fast, throwing her head back against the door to a thud.

"Ow."

"Did I hurt you?" Alex smirked as Olivia helped her up.

"Oh, you have no idea," Olivia said, laughing.

Olivia went to the kitchen to retrieve water for them, then joined Alex on the couch, curling up with her back to Alex, sitting between her legs. The blonde wrapped her arms around the detective.

"Do you ever wonder …" Alex paused, unsure how to say what she wanted to say, and if she should.

"Wonder what, Al?" Olivia asked. However, before Alex could reply, there was a knock on the door.

"Expecting someone? Perhaps your laundromat man?" Alex grinned as Olivia shook her head.

"Not expecting anyone," Olivia said. She got up and looked through the peephole. Seeing who it was, she whispered to Alex. "It's Elliot."

Alex looked at Olivia for guidance. Should she hide? Olivia shook her head, then cracked open the door.

"El, what's wrong?" Olivia said.

"You know, I was just feeling like I had a bit too much to drink and was hoping I could crash here," he said. "You gonna let me in?"

Olivia paused and glanced back at Alex who shrugged. "Sure," she said, opening the door farther so he could come in.

"Cabot, I thought you were going home?" Elliot said when he saw Alex, no surprise in his tone.

"I was, but, like you, I was feeling a little woozy, too," Alex said, smiling. "I guess Olivia gets to host all the drunks tonight." Elliot just stared at her, and nodded.

"Water?" Olivia asked Elliot, hoping to change the subject. He nodded and took a seat next to Alex on the couch, ensuring Olivia would have to sit on the other side of him.

"What were you all doing before I got here?" Elliot said. He had noticed Olivia's belt and shoes out in the middle of the floor, but didn't say anything … yet.

"Just, you know, girl talk," Olivia said. Elliot nodded, then turned to Alex.

"Nice pink shirt," he said. "Liv, don't you have one that like?"

"Um, I don't think so, El," Olivia said. "I don't wear a lot of pink."

"No, I think you do," he said. "Remember when I picked you put that night when the young girl was killed. It was laying right here on the end table. Heck, I was pretty sure you had some guy in your bed that night the way it was strewn around."

"I don't know," Olivia said. "Like I said, it was just laundry. Maybe Alex left it here."

"Like the Harvard shirt?" Elliot said. Alex's head snapped toward Olivia, eyes wide.

"You know, girls," Olivia said.

"Uh huh," he said. "Or … maybe there is something else to it."

Both women sat quietly as he got up and started walking around the living room, almost like he was interrogating them.

"What do you mean?" Olivia said, knowing they were likely busted, but not giving in.

"I mean, I'm not the smartest man, especially when it comes to women, but I like to think I'm a pretty good cop and detective," he started. "So, let me tell you what I think is going on."

Again, silence from Alex and Olivia.

"I think the two of you are together," he said. "I mean, at first, I noticed small things, easily explainable. Because, after all, my partner wouldn't keep something like sleeping with the ADA from me.

"But then, there were more things. Things Alex would know that we hadn't told her yet. Confusing the age of the girl was a big one. Then I started testing thing. I'd go ask for a warrant and Alex would tell me know. A few days later, I'd send Olivia, same evidence, and she'd somehow get a yes."

The ladies again exchanged glances. Apparently they hadn't been as careful as they thought.

"The lingering looks between the two of you. The increasing intensity of the fight. Oh my god, those fights. I can't tell if you want to hit each other or well … do other things. You're like a married couple. Then there was the different stories when it came to the two of you. Alex would tell me one thing, and Olivia would act like she had no idea what I was talking about, or vice versa.

"And the moods that seemed to coincide. When Olivia was in a good mood and looking like she just got laid, you, Alex also seemed to have the same demeanor … never mind the few hickeys and marks I've noticed on both of you, usually around the same time."

By this point, both Olivia and Alex put their heads down.

"Should I go on? Or are you just going to be honest with me for once?" he said.

They looked at each other. Alex gave a defeated shrug and Olivia knew it meant to fess up if she wanted.

"El … I don't know what to say," Olivia said.

"You don't know what to say?" Elliot said, his anger finally to the boiling point. "Maybe the time to say something is before the two of you started fucking."

"Hey!" Alex said. "Why is it any of your business who Olivia sleeps with, or me for that matter?"

"Oh, it's not my business. Olivia can sleep with the entire state of New York and it wouldn't be my business … unless it happens to be our ADA!" he said. "Do you two have any idea how bad this could be in the wrong hands?"

Silence.

"Of course, you do, that's why you didn't tell anyone," Elliot said. "Could you not have disclosed? I mean, that would give some protection to our cases."

"Elliot, we just weren't sure yet if we were ready for that," Olivia said. "We're still not."

"Then why didn't you at least tell me. Why didn't you trust me?" he said. "I'm your partner. I'm the one person who could actually protect you both from this."

"Elliot, please, we needed to figure things out on our own," Alex said.

"Cabot, I'm not talking to you," he said. "I don't care about you or what you do. This is between me and my partner."

"Don't talk to her like that," Olivia said. "Elliot, you are being unreasonable. I can't be expected to tell you everything."

"Well, this … this one thing, you should have told me."

With that, he turned around and left, leaving Olivia and Alex there to figure out where they went from here.

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