"Double Time" Sequel to "Stepping Time" (Highly recommend you read Stepping Time before starting this sequel)
The main characters of Law and Order SVU belong to Dick Wolf and NBC Universal. This is meant for entertainment, not profit.* There are several characters I have created. I hope you enjoy, and I welcome feedback.
Author's Note (Especially for laurelhardy) Characters guide-Primary SVU Characters Olivia Benson, Alex Cabot Primary Original Female Characters Army Lt. Col. Erin Mathison, Attorney Angie Secondary SVU and L&O Characters Elliot Stabler, Casey Novak, Abbie Carmichael, Serena Southerlyn Secondary Original Characters Jeff Stockton, Amelia Stockton, Dylan Mathison, Petraeus (Erin's Chihuahua), Senator Rushing, TJ McCoy
Thanks for reading and the reviews for the first four chapters. Love and appreciate the reviews and it means so much that so many are reading this sequel. Thank you again!
#-#
"Double Time" Chapter 5
"You're already really good at other things than just being a cop Liv," Alex said sincerely, sitting down on the couch. "I don't think you realize that… see that like other people do. You're one hell of a victim's advocate, and you would…don't hit me…make a wonderful prosecutor."
"Well I can argue," Olivia smirked.
"A lot of people can argue, debate a subject, but the art of persuasion, takes facts and knowledge along with emotion, often empathy. And you are very smart, but you also have innate qualities and characteristics that can't be taught that can sway people to your point of view, make them act."
"So I would be a good telemarketer?" Olivia quipped, a bit embarrassed and unsure of how to properly accept the huge compliment Alex had just delivered.
"Only if you were calling on behalf of a charity you believed in," Alex said slapping Olivia on the knee lightly. "You are far too honest and have too much integrity to try and sell overpriced shit that people don't need."
"No, a sales career is definitely not for me. And I definitely take it as quite the compliment that you think I have the brains to be a prosecutor, but lord just all the paperwork I have to do as a detective. All that prep work you have to do before you go to court and then during."
"And after…and of course most cases never go to trial so you never get a chance to argue before a judge or jury anyway," Alex added.
"And I think other than interacting and advocating for the victims, being in the courtroom actually arguing a case would be the only part I would truly like," Olivia grinned broadly.
"What's that look for?" Alex questioned.
"Oh," Olivia sighed, running a hand through her hair and then laughing. "Well you know when you first started as our ADA…when I first met you…I hadn't been a detective that long, and since we hadn't had a dedicated ADA and none of the ones that were assigned to our cases were of interest to me on a personal level…"
"So there were no hot ADAs before me," Alex challenged playfully.
"I said of personal interest, not hot," Olivia laughed. "But yes that is true also. And because of personal interest in you and your hotness I did learn and come to respect a lot more what good ADAs have to do…all the work that goes into it and the challenges and obstacles and frustrations."
"And I don't think I would have ever gained the same level of appreciation for what detectives go through if it weren't for a hot, leather jacket clad one that was of personal interest," Alex smiled. "You know sometimes when I would come over to the One-Six I thought my reasons…my excuses for coming over would be so transparent…and then I would get so nervous. And then I would get back to my office and think…"
"That you wanted them to be so transparent that I would ask you out or when I came to your office on what I thought…feared were such transparent intentions that you would ask me out…'em yeah." Olivia laughed. "Pretty sad for a detective and an ADA…but of course there was the co-workers issue, me thinking you were totally straight, and you being the first woman that I felt a huge sexual attraction too."
"And since you never asked me out even when I thought I had mustered enough courage to at least shoot you some I'm very interested looks…Lord," Alex laughed. "For being an adult woman…it was like I was in high school or even lower. Should have just passed you a note…asking whether you liked me or not."
"Hell Lex, I was no better than…probably would have sent the note back with questions…do you mean like or like, like," Olivia smiled and then hesitated. "So can I ask you something?" Alex nodded. "Besides Angie being beautiful, smart and extremely funny…"
"Why am I so smitten with her?" Alex questioned.
"Yeah, that's a good way to put it," Olivia replied.
"Remember when I started as ADA and basically I saw everything with the law pretty much black or white and no gray. I guess I was and still sometimes can be like that in my personal life. She's helped me to see that not only is gray acceptable it is sometimes very good…that being really open and honest, even vulnerable isn't weakness…it's healing…freeing," Alex sighed. "I trust her, because of that…because she has been that intimate with me too, her secrets, fears, thoughts and hopes. And then you throw in that she is damn hot, smart and makes me laugh so much."
"And?" Olivia questioned, noticing Alex biting nervously on her bottom lip.
"Because she was very patient with me…and even though she considers you a friend now too. I don't know if I, even though I trust her, would be secure enough, would be able to handle her being close friends with her most significant ex."
"Yeah, I kind of marvel at both Erin and Angie for that," Olivia smirked. "But I am very grateful for it."
"Me too," Alex said sincerely. "So tell me when you first met Erin…I mean you said you two just clicked from the start."
"Well, it probably helped that it was a social situation and I didn't have a chance to overthink and analyze things…not to mention she knew that I found her attractive the minute we met. I mumbled under my breath something about all women from Texas being gorgeous, and she heard me and at first I was embarrassed that she did, but then we went and played the softball game and then to that sports bar Madison's up there," Olivia smiled.
"And so you had a group of people and of course Casey too," Alex commented.
"And Erin and I we were talking a lot and then we got to playing pool and it was just a lot of fun and I felt very comfortable with her. She flirted with me a bit and I found myself doing the same. She was confident, but not arrogant…and of course her wit…her sense of humor," Olivia smiled, remembering when they first met.
"Erin's just got an energy. I don't know an aura…and a very contagious laugh," Alex added.
"She does. And you know how you were talking about Angie with that openness and honesty and vulnerability," Olivia started. "I mean the first time Erin and I went out…went to dinner and I was just asking questions…pretty general background questions…but still questions that I myself would normally dodge or evade. Not that it was easy for her because she told me about Sheila being killed that first…that first date. I'm going back to that comfort thing…but I don't know I guess since she was just so open and honest…"
"It got you to as well," Alex smiled, arching an eyebrow. "Amazing how that works, huh? Same thing for me with Angie. I would tell her things and not only would she not run away we would get closer."
"Yeah," Olivia smirked. "And I could tell when Erin talked about her Army career how much she cares about the soldiers she leads. And I saw how she agonized over picking these soldiers from support units to go on raids and other dangerous missions over there, be a part of her unit. It's an awesome responsibility and they were never just files she was looking at in making her decisions."
"Just like victims are never just another body or another stat to you Liv."
"If they ever become that to me than it is definitely time for me to hang it up," Olivia sighed.
"But that's not why you asked my opinion about a possible career change though, is it?" Alex asked softly.
"No, but for the first time in my career…I think if early retirement was an option I would take it," Olivia replied seriously. "I mean it was so hard when you were in witness protection…not knowing if you were okay. And then you having to be given a new ID, a new location after Connors' trial."
"Well you know now that I couldn't shake the fears…that I was still traumatized until I finally went and got help…seeing Dr. Southerly, talking to George, to Angie and to you…now I know how to live with what happened," Alex said, squeezing Olivia's hand gently. "Liv, have you talked to George or your therapist about your shooting?"
"Yes, actually I have talked to George a few times and I'm seeing my therapist twice a month now, starting last month. And I was a bit nervous how I might react getting off desk duty and out there again, but so far it hasn't been a problem…and I have had to draw my weapon twice since then…"
"So why are you thinking of changing careers Liv? Has Erin asked you too?"
"No, she hasn't. Not even suggested," Olivia said, leaning back into the couch. "You know there were times, where Kathy would call El when we were out on cases and I thought this woman needs a hobby and to stop worrying so much."
"And now you know how hard it is when you love someone and you don't know if they're okay, if they're coming home," Alex finished.
"Yes, I definitely can sympathize with that a lot more. I mean you've been shot, I've been shot, Elliot a couple of times…And if Erin still had five or six years 'til she could retire that would probably mean at least one more deployment to Afghanistan or some other combat zone…and I don't think I could deal with that…deal with it well. I don't know how these families do it when their spouse, father, daughter whatever has been deployed four, five times like some have."
"So you're wondering if it is fair to Erin for you to do another five years until you can retire?"
"Essentially," Olivia sighed. "I'm not sure."
"I would echo what I said earlier…that I do believe there are many things you are good at already. And just like Casey found a second career working with and for vets…a job she loves more than she ever imagined," Alex replied, "I think you could do something like that on behalf of crime victims and not only succeed, but also find it rewarding…"
"But?" Olivia questioned, noticing Alex's hesitation.
"But would you be considering a career change if you hadn't met Erin…if you were single?"
"Not before I got my twenty years," Olivia replied quickly.
"I didn't think so," Alex said.
"That's no help," Olivia laughed slightly. "So what do I do?"
"I think for right now you breathe. You've been though an emotional roller coaster the past 16 hours or so. And hopefully Erin will be able to call from Landstuhl tonight. And when she is back in the States and her leg has healed a bit…just ask her, how she feels, what she thinks. It is very tough to be a cop's partner. But she also knows you are just as much a cop as she is a soldier. You're not on a time clock, where you punch in and out…it is part of you."
"It is. But you know basically all my life I have put some pretty sturdy emotional walls around me, around my heart…and you were penetrating them and then you were shot…taken away. And until this year really Elliot was the only one who would sometimes get by them or see over them…and I thought that that was good enough. I had my work, a great partner and friend to work with and great colleagues," Olivia stammered slightly.
"And now you have and realize there is so much more," Alex smiled. "Know that feeling too."
"Yes, and not just with Erin. Our friendship now…this whole close circle of friends. And I'm scared shitless of losing it. My whole identity, how I identified myself was basically Detective Benson and it is definitely still a part, a big part, but not everything anymore."
"We both got smart this year," Alex smiled, picking up her phone to read a new text message. "And you know we both took risks and confronted fears to do it."
"From your woman," Olivia smiled looking at Alex as she read the message.
"Yep…Be here in ten…could use some help bringing stuff up." Alex grinned, getting up from the couch to get her coat and boots.
"I'll help too," Olivia said following.
"No need, it can't be that much."
"Alex…Thank you so much," Olivia said sincerely.
"No problem. I'm glad we can talk like we do," Alex smiled.
"That we're open and honest," Olivia queried.
"Yep," Alex winked, heading out the door to meet Angie.