A/N: Alex's first day back to work and the DA has some new guidelines. Some tension. Some sweet moments. Some getting into the ladies' heads.

Timeline: Three weeks after last chapter

Word Count: ~2,800 Rating: PG

CABOT'S BACK

"Cabot come back to work today?"

Olivia glanced around to see who may be listening before she answered Elliot sitting across their desks from her. It was early Monday morning. Alex had finished her training and come home Friday night. She and Olivia had spent most of the weekend together.

"Yeah," she replied. "Meeting with Donnelly this morning to get brought up to speed on everything. I imagine she'll stop by later to get briefed by us."

"How was the training?" Elliot asked. "Or did you even talk about it this weekend?" He smirked and gave her a knowing look. Olivia, in response, rolled her eyes.

"It seems like she enjoyed it, learned a lot," Olivia said. "Other than a recap of the day or week, we haven't spent much time talking about the specifics of work. And no, not for the reason you're thinking about."

Elliot laughed quietly. "I wouldn't blame you though," Elliot said. "I mean, if Kathy was gone for 6-weeks, I'd die."

"Well, you and Kathy are married, El," Olivia said. "We've barely began dating." Elliot knew that may be true, but he also knew Olivia had strong feelings for Alex.

"Fair enough," he said. He paused for a minute to write something down then looked back up. "You nervous?"

"About what?" she said.

"Well, I mean now, you and Cabot have to figure out how to really make this work – a relationship and working together," Elliot said.

Olivia was nervous about it. She was sure Alex was, too. But she also knew she'd regret it if they didn't at least try. She didn't respond to Elliot with words, just a shrug and went back to her work.

#

Olivia and Elliot returned from gathering some witness statements and were sitting around chatting with Munch and Fin when they all heard the familiar clicking noise coming from the hall in front of the elevator.

"I know that sound," Munch said as he turned around and greeted Alex. "Welcome back. Did Uncle Sam implant any chips into your skull while you were hanging out with the Feds?"

"Not that I'm aware of, John," Alex said. "But they'd probably erase my memory of it if they did." Everyone got a good chuckle. "Glad to be back. Is Cragen in his office?"

They all nodded and she headed off, only to return with the captain a few minutes later.

"As you all know, Cabot has been away doing some training for the DA's office and hopefully that information will help make us better at our jobs," Cragen said. "That said, over the past few months, and specifically during the last 6 weeks, the DA's office feels we've gotten a little loose on the information we're using to acquire warrants – and I agree."

The four detectives sitting there bit their tongues, but the eye rolls weren't as easy to hide.

"Know that this is not coming from Cabot," Cragen said. "And it's not specific to SVU, however Donnelly did complain about some of the warrants and requests going through her office during the past few weeks and said some of fill-ins for Alex felt pressured to make the requests even if they thought better."

"Captain -," Elliot started but Cragen cut him off.

"Save it, Elliot," Cragen said. "I've seen it myself. I don't think it was intentional, but you all can't talk to every ADA the way you talk to Cabot." He paused and looked toward Olivia and Elliot, but mostly Olivia. "And frankly, some of you, could tone that back a little, too."

Olivia clenched her jaws a little bit, feeling reprimanded by the captain, then Alex spoke up.

"I just want to say, I've never had a problem – for the most part – with any of that," she said. "I know I can be equally as hard on you all. So, as far as I'm concerned, that isn't a huge issue." She wanted to make sure the squad – and especially Olivia – knew the complaints about how they talk to Alex wasn't coming from her.

"But I will admit, I've been lax with you all, too," Alex said. "Mostly because I know you're good detectives and I trust your instincts. I know I can go to bat for you. But your captain is right, the DA's office is tightening up across the board. And, from what I heard, you all scared the bejeezus out of some of the younger ADAs." She laughed a little, trying to cheer up the crowd that wasn't liking what they were hearing.

"I know this will make your jobs harder – it'll make my job harder, too," Alex said. "But ultimately, what the DA wants is fewer overturned convictions and 1PP wants fewer complaints. So that means we have to tighten ship."

"And more perps walking around longer," Elliot muttered under his breath.

Alex took a breath and continued talking, ignoring his comment. Cragen glared at him as a father would a child – the look that says cut it out before you get in trouble.

"We're also going to be working closer with the U.S. Attorney's office on appropriate cases," Alex said.

"So, big brother is going to be swooping in and taking credit for our arrests, I see," Munch said.

"No, John, we're going to be working together," Alex said. "That's part of what this training was about, to help local prosecutors and assistant U.S. attorneys work better together, and to understand better how the other works. It's good for us."

"Good for us or good for you?" Elliot muttered again. Alex shot a look at Olivia, knowing she had obviously told Elliot about her plans.

"Elliot, one more word from you and you'll be sitting at home the rest of the day," Cragen said. "Like I said earlier, this is not coming from Cabot. This is coming from both our bosses. And if you all don't like it, you know where the door is.

"Further, I don't care if Cabot has a problem with how you talk to her – or anyone else for that matter – I expect all of you to treat her with the same respect you'd give any other ADA coming in here. In fact, because she's your friend, I'd expect you to give her more," Cragen said. "I had to make more than one apology calls on your behalf to Liz while Alex was gone. Next time, it'll be you making it."

When he was done, everyone just stood silently, looking around to see if anyone else was going to speak. When it was clear they weren't, Alex said goodbye and everyone scattered quietly back to their desks.

#

"Captain, we have a witness who saw a man fitting Martin's description around the time of the crime. We're going to head over and see if Cabot can get a warrant to search his apartment," Elliot called out.

"You sure you got enough?" Cragen asked. "Just remember what we talked about earlier."

"Cap, we have an eyewitness that puts him at the scene," Olivia said. "What more do they want?" Cragen nodded, giving them the go ahead to ask.

When they arrived at Alex's office, they passed Elizabeth Donnelly in the hall and said hello. They knocked briefly then pushed through the door when Alex said, 'come in."

"We need a warrant," Elliot said. He handed Alex the affidavit for a search warrant and she read it over for a few moments before glaring up over her glasses.

"No."

"What?" Elliot said, holding back his outrage. "Alex, we have an eyewitness that puts Martin – and only Martin – at the scene."

"No, you have an elderly eyewitness who puts someone that fits Martin's description in the area of the crime scene," Alex said, handing the paper back to him.

"Are you kidding, Alex?" Olivia said. "So, now we can only have witnesses who know the suspect and can ID them by name. Her description fits the build of the suspect and the clothes we know he was wearing that night." She started pacing around Alex's office, and Alex's eyes followed her closely.

"Look, I know you all are testing me right now, see how much I will bend under the new rules," Alex said firmly. "Get another witness or find another way to get a warrant."

"And in the meantime, what, Martin is free to go out and rape someone else?" Olivia said, voice raising.

"No," Alex said back, her voice also getting loud. She ran her hand through her hair. "Keep an eye on him. Scour the streets. Someone else has to be able to place him there besides an 85-year-old woman. Any defense attorney will get that thrown out given she could potentially has vision problems at her age."

"You think we have looked for more witnesses? You think we suddenly forgot how to do our jobs?" Elliot was steamed.

"I'm sorry, I can't get you a warrant with this," Alex said.

"Fine, but if Martin rapes again, it's on you," Olivia said. Alex bit her lip to keep her anger at Olivia's words in.

Olivia and Elliot turned to leave, only to be stopped by Donnelly, who had overheard the entire conversation.

"Cabot is right, you need more," Donnelly said. "And if he does rape someone else, it won't be on her. In case you forgot, it's your job to catch the bad guys. It's our job to prosecute them – in accordance with the law."

Oliva and Elliot kept quiet, nodding to acknowledge what she said, but eager to get out of there. She stopped them again.

"And if I ever hear you all speak to any of my ADAs like that again, you'll be dealing with me for all your warrants from now and your Captain will get a formal complaint," Donnelly said.

Olivia glared back at Alex who had an apologetic look on her face. Then she and Elliot left.

"You held your own there, I see," Donnelly said to Alex after the detectives were gone.

"I am capable of that," Alex said. "I don't need you to defend me, either."

"You think I was defending you?" Donnelly said. "I was defending this office. Those two are good detectives, but God, they can be such babies when they don't get their way. They need a wakeup call."

Alex sat quietly, unsure what to say.

"Frankly, so do you," Donnelly said. "You've let them get by with too much lately. I mean, not while you were gone, but before that. I can't imagine Alexandra Cabot lets anyone talk to her the way you let them talk to you."

"I trust them," Alex said. "And I give it to them just as hard back."

"I expect you do, but Alex, keep in mind your job is not to make theirs easier, or keep them happy," Donnelly said. "Your job is to follow the law. And sometimes, I wonder if your relationship with those two cloud your judgement."

"Excuse me?" Alex said, suddenly defensive.

"You push the limits for them," Donnelly said. "Listen, I know your plans. I know you want to get out of here, be a federal prosecutor, then maybe come back and take your shot at the DA's chair in the future."

"How do you -,"

"How do I know that? I know everything," Donnelly said. "And it's the right path for you. We both know a position will be opening with the feds in SVU next year that you'd be perfect for. The rest of it, I just guessed at, but I know you and I know you want to end up in the big chair – you have a good shot at it, too."

"But?" Alex could tell by Liz's tone there was a 'but' coming.

"But, right now, you're too close to your detectives," Liz said. "Especially Benson and Stabler."

Donnelly got up and left. Alex put her elbows on her desk and ran her fingers through her hair – fearful she was going to have to soon choose between the job she loved and the woman she was falling for.

#

"Hey, come in."

Before work ended, Olivia called Alex to see if she wanted to have dinner and watch TV. It had been the plan anyway, but after Monday, Alex wasn't sure Olivia would want to see her.

The brunette came in and followed Alex to the couch while they waited on take-out dinner to show up. Alex already had a wine bottle with two glasses out on the coffee table and poured a glass for Olivia.

"I wasn't sure you'd still want to see me after today," Alex said. "After all, since I'm guilty of letting a rapist go free." She smiled when she said it, showing Olivia she didn't have any hard feelings, even if it had stung at the time.

Olivia sighed and smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, about that … I'm sorry," she said. "I just …"

"I know, Liv," Alex said. "You get passionate about this job. I do, too. I'm not offended."

"You sure? Cause the look on your face," Olivia said.

"Oh, I was offended," Alex said. "I wanted to rip your face off, but I also knew you didn't mean it."

"I didn't," Olivia said. "And I will do my best to dial it back at work. Otherwise, Cragen and Liz will have my ass."

"Liv, you know I didn't complain about that," Alex said. "I've never complained about it."

"I know," Olivia said. "But Cragen is right. We push you too much sometimes."

"I can take it, but SVU really was the talk among those who had to work with you all while I was gone," Alex said. "I would have thought it was some sort of ritualistic hazing they were subjected to."

Olivia laughed. "No, I guess we just treated them like we treat you every day."

"Well, I hadn't noticed anything, so it's good to know I'm tougher than they are," Alex said.

"Oh yes, my tough-as-nails-ADA," Olivia said. She leaned forward and gave Alex a kiss and gently put her hand on the blonde's cheek. "I'm so glad you're back for good. Those were a long 6 weeks. Alex, I missed you and I think …" I love you. Before Olivia could decide whether to utter those three words, the delivery driver knocked loudly on the door, startling both of them out of their 'moment.'

#

Olivia lay in Alex's bed in the early morning hours, eyes still closed and nuzzled up against the blonde. She had missed Alex. And she was pretty sure she was falling for her – probably in love with her. She'd had other opportunities after dinner to tell Alex, but couldn't get up the courage again. Even if they had known each other much longer, the relationship was still very new. Saying it too soon may freak Alex out. And they still had a year to play it safe before Alex could be out of SVU. Then there was the issue of figuring out how to work together. Day one of this new arrangement had mostly been a complete failure, but she was happy they could put it all aside that evening and just enjoy being together.

Alex was also awake, thinking about Olivia. She was sure Olivia was about to tell her she loved her tonight before she was interrupted. However, Olivia didn't say it later, and Alex gave her plenty of opportunities to do so. Of course, Alex had yet to say it either, so she didn't exactly blame Olivia. Alex didn't know why she just couldn't say it herself, but had to admit, she was also scared. Maybe Olivia wasn't there yet. Alex knew relationships wasn't exactly Olivia's thing, so she didn't want to rush her. It was still early in their relationship.

Then there was Liz's words lingering over her. You're too close to your detectives. Why yes, she was. In fact, she was laying naked beside one right now – something Liz would have her ass over. Between Liz's insistence she remain professional and her training with the federal prosecutors, Alex knew her and Olivia dating was a big mistake – at least from a professional standpoint. In fact, an ADA in Brooklyn had just been re-assigned to a terrible assignment after a defense attorney brought to light she had been sleeping with one of her detectives, who also was demoted back down to patrol. Alex didn't want to give up Olivia, but didn't want either of their careers to be in jeopardy, either.

She had to figure out how they could keep this up for another year, each day falling harder for her detective, and not put everything they had worked for at risk.

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