Author's Note: Blizzard warning!
Abbie stood in the small waiting area of Lupe's. She felt her phone vibrate. It was a message from Alex.
"Hey, running a bit behind, but leaving the office in a few. Olivia should be there any minute."
Abbie rolled her eyes. Alex was even more committed to her job than she was.
"No problem," Abbie texted back.
Abbie looked up and saw Olivia enter the waiting area. As soon as Olivia saw her, she enveloped Abbie into a huge bear hug.
"Abbie, it's been too long. But it's so great to see you!" As Olivia spoke, Abbie noticed a hint of vodka on Olivia's breath. Olivia released her grip and smiled at Abbie, awaiting her response.
"I know, but my job has kept me so busy. I see you've already started the party," Abbie smirked.
"Eh, just a little stress release from today," Olivia explained. "We are going to rock this town!"
Abbie could tell by the glazed look in Olivia's eyes and her exaggerated speech that the "little" stress release Olivia had referred to was actually quite a large amount. This would be interesting; she'd never seen Olivia drunk.
The two women were seated and they started to look over their menus. Their server came over and introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Mauricio and I'll be taking care of you today. Would you like to start off with one of our legendary margaritas?"
"So, I don't think I even have to ask this, Liv, but...margaritas?"
Olivia grinned. "Yes! God, you're brilliant!"
"Yes I am," Abbie agreed. She smiled at Mauricio. "Can we please have a regular margarita pitcher? With salt, of course."
"Coming right up." Mauricio proceeded to the bar to get their pitcher.
"So, what's been going on with you hotshot?" Olivia inquired. "I've missed you!"
Abbie smiled. "I've missed you too. Not much has been going on with me. I work a lot, but it's rewarding."
"So, are you seeing anyone?" Olivia blurted out, rapidly changing the subject.
"Haha. The only serious relationship I have is with my administrative assistant. And we're just friends."
"Come on, really?"
"She's 56, married, and has grown children."
"Well, that's disappointing. But I get it, Abs. I'm the same way. But I feel myself changing. I'm really starting to hate being married to my job."
"That wouldn't have anything to do with a certain attractive blonde, would it?" Abbie teased.
Olivia blushed. "I can honestly see us spending the rest of our lives together. I know it's early in the relationship, but I'm in deep, Abbie."
"That's sweet. For what it's worth, I think you'll make a great couple."
Mauricio returned with the pitcher. He poured a glass for each woman. "Are you ready to order yet, or do you still need more time? No rush at all."
Abbie answered him. "We're actually waiting for a third, so we'll just enjoy our margaritas for now. Thanks."
"You definitely have the right idea," Mauricio said, as he retreated to another table.
"Let's make a toast," Olivia said. She and Abbie raised their glasses and Olivia continued. "Cheers. To old friends and new adventures."
"Cheers!" Abbie chimed in.
Abbie took a long sip from her glass. "This margarita is unbelievable! It is hitting all the right spots."
Olivia gulped down her drink and poured herself another. "Yep, that it is. My day has improved tenfold by consuming this."
"You might want to slow down there, champ," Abbie remarked. She didn't want Olivia going too overboard.
Olivia laughed sarcastically. "My mom was a drunk. I have amazing alcohol genes. This will barely affect me."
Abbie shook her head. "If you say so."
"Hey, Abbie, want to help me?" Olivia changed the subject again.
"Help you with what?" Abbie asked.
"I want to propose to Alex tonight."
Abbie choked on her drink. She had a small coughing fit, but soon regained her ability to talk. "I think it's a little soon, don't you?"
"Yeah, but she's amazing. I figure I can quit the squad, she can quit her job, and we can move to a cheap place like Texas. We can get jobs at Wal-Mart or something."
Abbie cracked up. This was a side of Olivia Benson she had never seen before.
"Texas is the greatest place in the world, so you have no objection from me on that end. But I think Alex may have some other ideas on what she'd like to do with her life."
Olivia reached for another pour from the pitcher. "You're probably right. Maybe I can just quit the NYPD and she can support me while I lay on the couch and eat bon-bons all day."
"You, quit? Yeah, right. I can see you lessening your workload, but you are an awesome detective. You've done so much for the people of this city. And you love your job."
Olivia's mood quickly changed. Her smile was replaced with a scowl and her eyes darkened. "Not anymore. I'm so sick of the scumbags I have to deal with. I've given everything to this job, and what do I get? Assaulted, tormented, abused, and heartbroken. I'm done, I'm quitting tomorrow!"
Abbie took Olivia's hand. "Whoa, Olivia, slow down! Don't make any hasty decisions." Especially hasty drunken decisions, Abbie thought to herself.
Olivia was getting agitated. "Abbie, I can't do it anymore. You have no idea what it's like. You have no idea what I've gone through!"
Abbie was definitely not expecting Olivia's rapid shift from happy and carefree to bitterly depressed in the blink of an eye. She shifted her chair until she was next to Olivia. "You're right. I don't. But if you need to talk, or need support, I'm here."
Olivia started to cry. Abbie awkwardly hugged Olivia and tried to console her as best as she could. She could feel the other patrons staring at them. "Liv, honey, it's going to be OK. Would you like to get some air?"
Olivia nodded and continued to cry into Abbie' shoulder. Abbie caught Mauricio's eye and he rushed over.
"She just received some bad news," Abbie lied. She grabbed some money from her wallet and handed it to him. "Will this be enough for the pitcher?"
"Yes ma'am. More than enough, let me get your change."
Abbie shook her head. "It's fine, keep it. Thank you."
Abbie guided Olivia out of the restaurant. As soon as they got outside, Abbie saw Alex walking towards them. When Alex noticed Abbie's arm around Olivia, she quickened her pace.
"Abbie, what happened?" Alex demanded as she reached the two other women.
"I honestly don't know. Olivia and I were just drinking some margaritas and catching up. She was incredibly upbeat and cheerful for awhile, and then her mood rapidly disintegrated. She had a meltdown inside, so I took her out here."
Alex let out a deep breath. She reached in to hug Olivia. "Hey, baby, it's me. Come on, let's get you home."
Olivia didn't respond but she clinged to Alex. Alex looked over at Abbie. "Abbie, this isn't anything you've done. Olivia's drinking has been out of control. I thought she was managing it, but clearly, I was wrong. Can you hail us a cab? I'll explain everything when we get to my place."
Abbie walked to the curb and expertly flagged down a taxi. The women all squeezed into the back seat.
Alex and Abbie got Olivia into Alex's bed, where she promptly passed out.
Alex closed the door to the bedroom. She and Abbie walked into the living room and sat next to each other on the couch.
Alex straight ahead, blinking back tears. "I'm really sorry that our reunion dinner turned out like this."
"It's not your fault, Alex. Please don't blame yourself."
"But if I were there earlier I could have-"
"Stop, Alex," Abbie cut her off. "You wouldn't have been able to do anything. Olivia was already past the tipping point when she got to the restaurant. I thought we would just continue the fun with some margaritas. If I had known how bad her problem was, I would have never ordered that pitcher."
"Wait, she was drunk when she got to the restaurant? Something must have happened at work today. Goddammit, Elliot promised to keep an eye on her!" Alex yelled. She angrily pawed through her purse until she found her phone. Abbie could tell that Alex was about to call and ream into Elliot. She snatched the phone from Alex's hands.
"Alex, don't. Elliot is a good man and he truly cares about Olivia. You know he'd keep his word. He probably has no idea what went on."
"You're right," Alex said. "I'm not being fair to him. He wouldn't have let this happen."
"I feel terrible, Alex."
"It's not your fault either, Abs. I didn't think to warn you because...well...because..." Alex couldn't finish her sentence. She started crying .
"Oh, Alex," Abbie leaned towards her and wrapped her into a tight hug. Abbie gently rubbed Alex's back and silently held her as she cried.
After a few minutes, Alex broke the embrace. "Abbie, I've been lying to myself. Or more accurately, I've been trying to convince myself that Olivia's drinking problem is not as severe as I know it is. A small part of me wanted to believe that being there for her would be enough. But it's not."
"Hey, listen to me Al. Olivia is one of the strongest people I know, and if anyone can get through this, she can. Plus, she has a great woman to support her."
"I know, but I am out of my mind with worry," Alex replied.
"I can tell how much you care about her. Which is good, because she's going to need your support. But listen to me, Alex." Abbie grabbed Alex's shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes.
"Judging by what you've told me, this problem is beyond you. You can't fix this on your own. Olivia needs professional help."
"You're right," Alex admitted. "And we've discussed it several times. She said that if she slipped up one more time, that she would agree to counseling."
"Tomorrow morning, we'll search for an addiction specialist. I think that's the best way to start the process. From there, we can see what the counselor recommends."
Alex sighed. "Don't get me wrong, Abbie. I know this is the right thing to do. But I'm scared. I don't want to lose her. Even though she promised to go, Liv was not happy with the idea at all. What if she resents me forcing her to go see the counselor and never forgives me?"
"That's a tough one," Abbie conceded. "But Olivia is on a dangerous path. Alex, I'm not trying to be dramatic, but this could kill her."
"I know," Alex whispered.
Abbie continued. "From what I heard tonight, Olivia is absolutely crazy about you. I sincerely doubt that she wants to lose you either. I'm pretty sure that she'd do anything you asked."
"Thanks, Abbie," Alex said.
"You're welcome. And remember, I'm always here for you two. Even though I may not be in town, you can always call me. If I have to, I'll drop everything and catch the next train up. I'll do whatever I can to help the both of you"
Alex hugged her friend again. "You don't know how much that means to me, Abbie."
Abbie gave her a small smile. "I think I do."
Alex returned the smile. "I'm going to check on Olivia. I'll be right back."
"Sure," Abbie said. She took out her phone to check some emails, but was quickly interrupted by Alex screaming.
"Liv? Liv! Abbie, she's not responding!"
Abbie tossed her phone onto the couch and ran into the bedroom.
"I can't get her to wake up!" Alex yelled.
Abbie checked Olivia's breathing and pulse. "Her breathing seems really labored, but it's there. And she has a pulse."
Alex frantically shook Olivia's shoulders. "Get up! Get up, Liv!"
Olivia didn't move.
"Alex, I think she may have alcohol poisoning. I'm calling an ambulance!" Abbie raced into the living room and quickly dialed 911.
Alex could barely make out what Abbie was saying to the dispatcher. She kept shaking Olivia's unresponsive body. She didn't notice that Abbie had hung up with the dispatcher and was now standing next to her.
Abbie grabbed Alex's arm and turned her away from the bed. "Alex, look at me for a second. I'm going to run downstairs to greet the ambulance. They'll be here in five minutes. Stay up here with her!"
Alex nodded. As soon as Abbie left, Alex collapsed onto the bed next to Olivia and sobbed hysterically.