All SVU Characters belong to Dick Wolf

~ Choice ~

It was that conversation that Alex kept in mind as she watched Olivia despair into the rain a week later. While she was filled with even more curiosity and concern than before, she had done it, she spoke to Untouchable Olivia, and though Alex had felt like a bit of a fool just moments earlier, just as her cousin had promised, she didn't regret a thing. When she could no longer see Olivia through the haze of nasty weather Alex turned and headed into the school's main office.

She was dripping wet so the secretary obliged when Alexandra asked her to let her teacher know that she would be missing first period class. She obviously needed to change and though Alex considered missing class serious infraction she needed time to get her head on straight. At the moment all she could think of was Olivia.

When school was finally done for the day Alex couldn't wait to get home. She rarely ever saw Olivia hanging about after school so she waved off her friends and rushed to the waiting Limo as soon as she got outside. Unfortunately though, Paul would only drive so fast and Alex had no choice but to sit back and relax for the ride home.

"Your parent's had to leave for Chicago earlier than expected today, Miss Alex." Paul informed her. The two had settled on Miss Alex amiably when Paul was hired on a few years back. Alex had found Miss Alexandra Cabot (or any variation of it) too formal for daily use, and Paul had for Alex too informal.

"Oh?" Alex was surprised but not too disappointed. Her parent's hardly ever left without saying goodbye to their Daughter, but being a typically unsentimental and overly independent 16 year old, Alex was glad to be in charge wile they were gone. She knew if she missed them they where just a phone call away.

"Yes Miss, but they said not to worry, you would have company"

"Yes of course." Alex smiled but rolled her eyes, assuming that her parents had been referring to the hired help. Cabot Place was never empty and though it was more than big enough, the tasteful Mansion never felt lonely.

Alex stared out the window listlessly as they drove through the rather rundown inner city streets that lay between the her high school and the exclusive nicer old neighborhoods that could still be found close to down town. It was still wet and dreary out; the weather seemed to match the houses that passed by. Alex couldn't help but think of Olivia and as each house passed she wondered if it might be hers. Of course Alex knew it was wrong to assume that her new acquaintance came from a neighborhood such as this, but her instinct told her she was right. Still. Alex dislike her instinct because instinct was the opposite of reason and she was about to turn away from the window when, up ahead she thought she could make out a familiar gray hoodie slouched against a tiny brownstone bungalow.

"Paul! Slow down" She wiped the steam off of her window and peered out of it at the approaching house. Paul obeyed, slowing almost to a crawl and turning to see what had caught the girl's attention.

"Do you know her?" He asked with concern as he noticed the dejected looking lump of teenager that had caught his eyes as well as Alexandra's

"Stop here." Was the only answer he got as Alex undid her seatbelt, not taking her eyes off the window.

"Miss?" Paul slowed to a stop. The Limo was about one house down from where Olivia's sat. "You shouldn't get out here, it isn't safe" but it was too late, she was already out of the door.

"Alex, please." There was a hint of panic in Paul's voice as he undid his seatbelt.

"I know her, it's okay Paul, stay here." Alex said assertively and gave her driver a reassuring smile as she shut the door behind her "Please."

But as she turned away and walked with intent, towards the rundown brownstone, her mock confidence didn't seem like enough. Hash sounds leaked out of the house as she approached it: random crashes and thumps then a wild sounding laugh and some more undistinguishable sounds. Alex swallowed hard as she turned onto the gravel driveway. Her insides where trembling and she wished more than anything that Mia was there in her place, but she was determined. She glanced back at the Limo and Paul's watchful eyes gave her comfort, so she continued on her mission.

On the low porch Olivia was oblivious to anything but the retched sounds coming from behind her, she was accustomed to them but hated them all the same, and they made her cringe with embarrassment. She sat hunched over on the step with her head in her hands, staring through the gravel at her feet. Olivia's head was throbbing and her stomach was in a tight knot. She was filed to the brim with loathing and desperation.

"God… Get me out of here, get me away!" she closed her eyes and begged silently, but stayed glued to the spot. She knew she could leave now (her mother was completely intoxicated) and no one would even notice, but there was no where to go… This was all she had ever known, this was all there was. Knowing no one was there to witness it, or care, Olivia let a couple bitter tears escaped her lashes and fall to the ground. Then, immediately regretting her weakness she straightened herself up and ran her hands back trough her smooth tousled hair, letting the damp air wash over her before she opened her eyes.

"Olivia…" Alex wanted to announce her presence before she was caught standing there but had waited until the very last moment.

Olivia's eyes shot open and it took her a moment to realize who she was looking at. Her eyes were blurred by unshed tears and her senses were dulled by sheer discomfort.

"Alex…" She meant to stand but didn't. She knew she should be on her guard, but wasn't. The tall delicate blond that stood in front of her seemed angelic in stark contrast to everything else around them.

"What are you doing out here?" though she didn't show it, Alex was immediately appalled the lack of tact in her question. Not everything was about the facts,not everything was an interrogation. But she was a lawyer's daughter… Then again so was Mia, and Mia wouldn't have just stood there. So Alex summoned all usual confidence and walked up to the stoop where she perched herself next to Olivia. "Are you locked out?"

This question was heardly better than the last, Olivia thought, but at least she wasn't afraid to answer it and, in spite of herself she inched over so that Alex could have a spot next to her without being too close.

"I might as well be" Olivia answered, looking at nothing in particular and sertainly not at Alex, her eyes were still misted over and she didn't want it to be noticeable.

"They kicked you out? Or you don't you want in?" Alex on the other had abated her discomfort and looked intently at Olivia.

"Would you?" She half looked at Alex, as a loud smash erupted from the house. But Alex didn't answer, and though her expression stayed the same Olivia noticed that the rest of Alex's body tensed at the sound of breaking glass.

" This is no place for a Princess " Olivia scoffed, feeling a bit of distain fire up her usual defensiveness "What do you think you're doing here anyways" She met Alex's eyes now and tilted her head to the side as she put a cigarette to her lips in feigned interest. She hoped Alex wouldn't have an answer again, which would only prove her point.

"Princess?" Alex was not about to be condescended upon when she had only cared enough to go out of her way. " I'm here because I saw you out here and its only 5 degrees out, so I figured if someone is going to sit outside and freeze their ass off there's probably a damn good reason! I came to make sure you were okay and I'm no idiot so I can see that your not. You were right this morning; I don't know you. I doubt anyone does because you always acting like such a damn bitch Olivia, but you don't know me either, and I'm no more a princess because I have money, than you are trash because you have to live with it!" Now Alex was on her feet " Take that as you will, and Excuse me for wasting your time and my effort."

This was Not Olivia had expected but she was used to having to defend herself. She was on her feet a moment after Alex was.

"I guess we are what we are then, Princess" Olivia's eyes cold and accusing.

Alex knew her own words had backfired but she wasn't about to let that incorrigible girl get the last word in.

"Fine, stay here. It's you choice. Sorry for giving a damn!" Alex snapped back as she turned to go.

As she watched Alex stalk off, listening to the sharp crunch of pebbles under her heals, Olivia felt a wave of regret come over her. She knew Alex wanted to help, and though she didn't know how, or understand why, could feel a twinge of hope rise in her as she saw Alex stop and turn to face her again half way down the drive. Alex just stood there for a moment looking back at Olivia, the she shook her head bewildered and then waked back decidedly.

"You didn't even light it." She stood closer to Olivia than she ever had before, looking her straight in the eyes.

"What?" Olivia didn't budge but she looked around in confusion and crossed her arms over her chest. Alex was far to close for comfort; she couldn't remember the last time someone in his or her right mind had gotten that close to her.

"The cigarette…" Alex explained, matter of factly. "The one you put to your lips when you called me Princess. You didn't even light it." She felt calm and in control for the first time since arriving and this time Olivia had no answer. She simply cast her eyes to the grown and ran a hand though her hair… Alex noticed that though Olivia's clothing smelled of vodka and smoke, her hair, though untamed, was soft and clean, her skin and her breath smelled naturally sweet.

"You do know you have a choice, right, Olivia?" Alex words came out gently yet with such conviction that Olivia looked up into those clear blue eyes with uncertainty.

"What choice would that be?" Her voice was softer now too, but was full of suspicion

"Do you want to go back in there?" Alex nodded at the house

"What does that have to…"

"Well?" Alex cut her off before she could argue.

"Hell no." Olivia answered defiantly

"Then your choices are to come with me, or stay here and freeze and starve all evening" Alex look her straight in the eye, crossing her arms over her chest as if daring Olivia to accept her offer.

"What? What are you, Child Services or something?" Olivia glared

" Jesus, No, Olivia!" Alex rolled her eyes, partly amused, partly, horrified, and partly annoyed. "Come home with me, in that." She pointed to the limo.

"Are you serious?" Olivia looked at the limo and then back at Alex eyeing her with even more bemused suspicion.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because…" Alex was at a loss. Then she remembered what Mia had said, and knew her only option was honesty, even if it wasn't a very good reason. "Because I want you to."

"You do?" Olivia hardly believed what she heard, and that was obvious. But by the way her deep chocolate eyes searched Alex's Alex knew she wanted to.

"Yes."

Once Olivia was satisfied with Alex's honesty she broke her gaze and bit her lip looking away. She could feel her eyes filling again, what was she supposed to do? This was impossible. After a moment she looked to the ground, her hair spilling forward again, as it always did. Alex wanted so badly to sweep those long dark bangs aside but knew it would be to intimate a gesture. So instead she placed a hand gingerly on Olivia's arm

"It's safe, and you're more than welcome too. It's not a trick or an imposition…Please" Alex did her best.

Olivia glanced at the hand on her arm. She could feel the uncertainty in it, but understood and more than appreciated the gesture. She let out a tense breath.

"Okay… okay sure" She nodded, making sure to blink back her tears before meeting Alex's eyes again.

"Good" Alex smiled "come on, let's go then." She was anxious to get back to the warmth and safety of her limo.

"I'll be there in a minute" Olivia turned towards her front door

"I thought you weren't going back in."

"I need to get some stuff."

"I'll wait here for you." Alex offered in spite of herself

"No." Olivia gave her a sharp look "Go to the car and wait there. If I'm not out in five minutes then leave"

"No!"

"Fine, I swear I'll come, just go to the limo"

Alex hesitated, but finally did as she was told. There was not too much more she could do. Besides, she couldn't help feeling that Olivia had been right: this was no place for a Princess. Alex could feel Olivia watch her as she rushed back to the limo and as she got in saw Olivia disappear into the house… She waited for what seemed like an eternity.

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