Disclaimer: I own nothing

Sorry about the name confusion last chapter, it was pointed out several times. I for some reason had Rafael in my head for the baby. Then I decided it sounded Spanish not Italian but I guess it was just determined. As for calling Sofia Sarah. No idea. Maybe I was reading Terminator:SCC I a bit of a Camerah fan. Anyhoo, hope I get this one right. Bit of light stuff in this one.

By 3.00pm Alex had finished a lengthy discussion via speaker phone with her lawyers and Sofia, who was stunned at the help. Alex's lawyers were going to be going after her paper big time due to her 'downsizing' i.e. loss of income etc. Alex had convinced her to go after her ex for paternity. Either he paid up or the shit would hit the fan.

After that Alex called up a decent hotel and organised for Sofia to stay the night. She had shivered in revulsion when Sofia had alerted her to where exactly she had been forced to reside. She refused to let her stay there and had then rung a removalist company and instructed they go in first thing in the morning and move everything to their storage. She paid for it but it was chump change.

Sofia had asked why and Alex really hadn't had an answer to that. Maybe she was going soft, maybe being in love mellowed her, who knew. But she did warn Sofia if she found out she was being anything but 100% honest with her there would be hell to pay.

By 4.00pm everyone was bundled into jackets for the cooling evening air and heading outside. Sofia finally had to prise Rafe out of a doting Olivia's arms as she was bundled into a taxi to head for a hotel. She would be met there by an old friend of Olivia's who would help protect her while she returned to her apartment to retrieve enough clothes for a few weeks in Montana and some baby gear as well.

Sofia promised to be at the airport at 7am the next morning ready for their flight out at 8am. They waved goodbye to her before Olivia turned to Alex and sighed

"I hope you know what you are doing?

So did Alex.

At 4.45pm they walked through the double doors of the one six, not surprised at all to see it full of activity. They hadn't been seen yet and Olivia squeezed Tyler's hand as she looked around and saw a stranger sitting at her desk. She was younger, dark hair, Hispanic. Her fill in, she presumed.

"Howdy all, miss me" she called and within a split second you could hear a pin drop as 4 startled heads turned their way.

"Hey Liv" El smiled the same time as Munch cried

"OLIVIA!" like he hadn't seen her in years instead of a few months.

"Damn girl you look good" Typical Fin she rolled her eyes as Munch and Fin came forward and she offered them up a hug each.

She turned to greet Elliot with a warm hug when a commotion behind her alerted her to the fact the others had finally seen Alex and were greeting her as well. The entire ruckus drew the Captain out of his office and Olivia was so glad to see him, she had missed him and by the smile he couldn't quite contain it was vice versa.

"Hey Don" she deliberately spoke his name, alerting him that she wasn't greeting her Captain and pulled him into a tight hug, sighing when he returned it.

"It's good to see you Olivia, you look a lot better than when you left" he stated pointedly and she nodded in agreement, she felt a lot better.

Once those who knew each other did the meet and greet, it was time for the other introductions. Don went first as he beckoned the other female detective over.

"Suarez this is Detective Olivia Benson" he nodded at Olivia "and one of the best ADA's we ever had Alex Cabot"

"Nice to meet you both" Suarez nodded and offered her hand, shaking firmly and meeting them in the eye. Olivia thought she saw a bit of a challenge there but ignored it. If Suarez was feeling territorial about the job she could have it. She didn't miss it at all.

Olivia turned to where her lover and Tate were squirming somewhat under the stares of her friends and had to grin. Holding out her hand she beckoned forward her lover, Tate hastily following to join Alex.

Taking her lovers hand she turned back to the Captain and her friends.

"Guys I'd like you to meet my partner. Sheriff Tyler Gates" she looked back at Tyler and everyone in that room had no doubt that Olivia was in love. She simply glowed as she watched her lover who stepped forward to shake hands with everyone. All did a quick assessment of the Sheriff and realised in that split second that they liked her. Of course a couple were a bit shocked that the one Olivia fell for was female but to each their own.

They turned to Alex next who was teasing her blushing lover quietly.

"Sorry she's a shy one" she apologised to her friends causing Tate to groan and pull her ever present hat lower on her head to hide her flaming cheeks. Olivia chuckled when she heard Tate grumble about Alex going celibate for a while. Yeah right.

"All, this blushing handsome beauty is my partner Tate Chandler. She'll come out of her shell eventually" and in one quick move grabbed Tate's hat and pulled it from her head "Ah there she is"

"Alex" Tate whined "No fair you know I feel naked without my hat"

"Then say hello and you'll get it back" Alex rose a challenging brow. The others watched fascinated by the byplay, unbelieving this relaxed, smiling and joking woman was their ex ice princess ADA.

Olivia just grinned and relaxed into Tyler's side as Tate rolled her eyes and turned to Elliot.

"Hey Elliot, good to see you again"

"Tate" Elliot nodded "Still working on the blushes I see"

"Damn blood capillaries" Tate muttered before turning to Fin and Munch and offering a hand. Neither was quite sure how to take the rather young woman in front of them, unlike Tyler. They would have to reserve judgement for later. That's why they were both surprised by the firm handshake and the even green eyes that met theirs. "Good to put faces with the names I've heard" Tate smiled and she jumped miles in their estimation as they turned speculative glances at Alex while she moved on.

"Sir" she offered her hand to Don "it's good to meet you, Alex holds you in high esteem"

"Really" Don grinned and shook the hand firmly "That's nice to know, she was usually yelling at me to keep my detectives in line"

"Hardly" Alex droned overhearing the comment "I don't usually ask the impossible"

"Hey!" all four detectives in question protested causing everyone else to smirk. Tate greeted Suarez last of all, shaking her hand politely, not really caring for the once over she was receiving and pulled away cautiously before returning to Alex. Alex didn't come down in the last shower and sent the Hispanic woman a warning look as Tate snatched back her hat and plonked it back in its rightful position.

"So are you guys full steam ahead or can you meet us at O'Malley's for a beer?" she asked and everyone turned to Don in unison.

"Fine go, but be back here at 0700 tomorrow" he grumbled and turned to walk off to his office

"Oh no you don't Don" Alex grabbed his arm, stealthily linking her arm with his "You're coming too, no arguments, even for just an hour"

Don sighed but gave in, he knew when he was beat. Besides once they started drinking it wouldn't be too hard for him to slink away and return to work.

The rowdy cops at O'Malley's let out a mighty cheer upon seeing the return of Olivia and Alex. Olivia received a lot of back slaps and Alex a lot of smiles as they walked through the packed bodies until they found the corner table which was pretty much permanently reserved for the group from the SVU 1 6.

Jugs of beer were ordered, Alex ordered a cocktail and Don a lemonade. The drinks and laughter flowed freely. The bar staff contributed with snacks of wedges and other nibbleys from the kitchen to keep them semi sober.

Tate, the big girl's blouse, was still afraid of the Cougar, i.e. Suarez. Suarez was still giving her the eye and she had to beg with Tyler to come to the toilets with her and protect her. Tyler just laughed but stood and told everyone they'd be back and headed off with her.

When Tyler came out of the stall and saw Tate backed up against the sink while Suarez leant into her she had to roll her eyes at the audacity of the women.

"Oi, slut, go find someone who isn't taken" she grabbed the woman's shoulder and hauled her backwards just as Alex and Olivia came in laughing.

The laughter died when they saw the tension in the room. Both women were smart and could put 2 and 2 together. Olivia grabbed Alex when her temper spiked, pulling her to the side. She shot the Hispanic woman daggers and growled

"I don't know what your problem is but you had better be gone when we get out"

The woman merely smirked, blew Tate a kiss and sashayed out of the bathroom. Olivia had to grab Alex tighter as she lunged at the brunette.

"Steady Alex" Olivia warned

"Ice Queen" Suarez taunted with a smirk and Alex snarled

"Whore"

"Whoa babe" Tate stepped forward to help Olivia control Alex as the door swung shut behind the woman. Alex turned towards Tate and Olivia let her go, chuckling as the couple hugged tight and Tate started blurting out.

"I swear Alex I tried to get away from her, she's like an octopus" Tate shuddered in terror "She has no shame"

Alex smiled reassuringly and pulled her lover's head down to kiss her tenderly. "I love you Tate, I know you didn't do a thing to encourage her."

"I love you too" Tate sighed

"Good" Alex kissed her again and pulled away "Another hour or so and we can head home. We have to be up early tomorrow for the flight home"

"Yeah" Tate groaned, "Great"

Tyler laughed and clapped her friend on the back, pulling her out of the toilets, glad to see that the Hispanic woman had gone. As they sat back down with the group they became aware of several pairs of eyes on them. Tate gulped, she had a feeling the Spanish inquisition was about to start.

Meanwhile in the bathroom Olivia and Alex were very much aware what their partners were facing. They were doing everything they could to stall, including Alex fixing her minimal makeup.

"Think we've let them be tortured for long enough" Alex smiled as she put her lipstick away.

"Hmm, maybe. How about we detour by the bar and buy one last round?" Olivia grinned throwing an arm around her friends shoulder. Alex curled her arm around Olivia's waist in return and gave her a squeeze.

"Thankyou"

"What for?" Olivia raised a brow questioningly

"Everything, nothing" Alex shrugged and Olivia smiled, understanding perfectly.

Early the next morning they were running late as it took all three of them to convince Tate she was going to be fine. Alex in the end had to make all sorts of promises of what she would do when they got home to get her to move. Basically the ranch would have to fend for itself for a few days, Tate was going to be occupied.

Once at the airport and checked in they hit a cafe where they had some breakfast, Alex encouraging Tate to eat even though she was as white as a sheet.

They were just finishing when Sofia approached them carrying a grumbling Rafe. She had no issues when Olivia offered to take the boy, walking back over to Tyler who was once again awestruck by the beauty of her lover with a baby. Not that she was suddenly feeling clucky, she enjoyed being an aunt and doing the pass back.

Sofia noticed the paleness of Tate and smiled at her.

"Not a flyer I take it"

"We weren't meant to fly" Tate grumbled and Alex took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Sofia chuckled.

"Technically it is the safest mode of transportation" Sofia offered

"Not helping" Tate growled and started dragging Alex out of the cafe away from the others. Sofia shook her head and checking that Rafe was safe with Olivia went to the counter to get a take away of decaffeinated coffee. She sighed, she couldn't wait for Rafe to get on solids so she could enjoy her coffee again.

They all headed for the departure lounge ready for boarding. Alex was snuggled into Tate, talking quietly and reminiscing about the last time they were together at this airport.

Olivia was cooing over the baby with Tyler and Sofia was sitting back watching with a smirk. Looks like she had instant babysitters at the Ranch.

Once the call was made for first class passengers to board everyone stood up except a confused Sofia. When Alex noticed she wasn't moving she turned around eyebrow raised.

"You coming?" she asked the reporter

"Seriously?" Sofia stood on hesitant legs. First class? She never expected that.

"Seriously" Alex nodded then turned back to lead Tate slowly towards the gates. Luckily one of the air hostesses' was the same as the flight to New York and when Tate balked at the door to the plane gently encouraged her inside.

"Alex" Tate gulped when she was firmly strapped in her seat

"Yes love"

"I love you, you know that right" Tate shot her a look and Alex nodded "Good, because I think this is the last time even you will get me on the plane"

Alex's smile just widened and Tate had a feeling she'd be getting on a plane quite a bit in the future.