"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 six chapters. Love and appreciate the reviews and it means so much that so many are reading this sequel. Thank you again!
#-#
"Double Time" Chapter 7
"Morning Liv," Angie called from the kitchen as she saw Olivia walking towards the kitchen from the guest bedroom. "I'll pour you some coffee."
"Thanks Angie," Olivia said softly, still trying to fully awaken.
"There are donuts and coffee cake on the table too," Alex smiled, stepping out of the bedroom freshly showered and dressed.
"I guess you two have been up for a while. Aren't you supposed to sleep in the morning after Christmas?" Olivia murmured.
"We've only been up a little over an hour," Angie countered. "And it is almost 10."
"I bet Carmichael won't be up here until right before kick-off," Olivia smirked. "Too much tequila even for her last night I think."
"And you'd be wrong," Angie laughed. "She and Serena have already been up here and gone."
"Gone?" Olivia questioned. "I thought they weren't going back to D.C. 'til tomorrow night or Tuesday."
"Not gone, gone," Alex stammered a bit. "They went shopping for a little bit. You know there are great deals the day after Christmas."
"Carmichael hates shopping…more than me even…I think," Olivia mused, sipping her coffee.
"But she's getting married…so good deals to be had. And they went early so they could be back in time to watch some football," Angie added.
"I don't remember them talking about shopping last night, but I did a few shots myself," Olivia said, picking through the box of donuts.
"Well…and remember you and El and Fin were playing Counter Force on Wii for I don't even know how long," Alex smirked.
"True…," Olivia sighed. "And thank you both for hosting and all you did. I know everybody had a great time and I had a lot of fun too."
"And I really think Abbie and Serena are going to come back up for New Year's Eve since Erin will be here by then," Angie smiled widely.
"I hope Erin calls again today."
"I bet she will, Liv," Alex said, patting her on the shoulder. "Were you having good or bad dreams last night, cause you have serious bedhead going on my friend."
"That bad," Liv grinned. "I brushed my teeth without the light on and then just walked towards the smell of fresh coffee. I slept really well though."
"Good," Alex replied turning her head towards the sound of Angie's voice. "Everything ok babe?"
"Yes," Angie smiled. "Abbie and Serena have what they set out for and just want to know if we need them to pick up anything on their way back."
"Liv?" Angie queried.
"I'm good, thanks."
"I don't need anything now," Alex winked at Angie and Angie nodded. Angie ended the call and put her cell phone on the kitchen counter. She grabbed the coffee pot and walked to the table, quickly refilling Olivia's coffee cup and then hers.
"How long until they are back?" Alex questioned.
"A good 35 to 45 minutes," Angie said.
#-#
"Ok I am just going to say it now and get it out there," Abbie stated boldly. "I am so going to cry when I see Liv's reaction."
"So she really doesn't suspect a thing?" Erin smiled, stretching her foot to knee casted leg across the backseat of Abbie's car.
"No," Serena smiled, turning her head towards Erin from the front passenger's seat. "And I think you did right by not telling her there was the slight possibility you'd get back today, because otherwise she would have just been disappointed if it didn't work."
"And she would have been worrying the whole time your flight was in the air, whether it was this one or the one she still thinks you are probably coming in on Tuesday," Abbie commented. "She definitely missed you yesterday…well we all did…but she relaxed some and I think enjoyed Christmas as much as possible."
"And Abbie slowed down on the shots, distributing them to Liv anyway, when Alex got the e-mail that you were on the flight to Dover," Serena chuckled.
"I'm not even hung over babe," Abbie smirked.
"Good, because I am definitely ready for a few shots and to throw down some beers," Erin smiled.
"I bet there were a few bottle or flask carrying folks on that bus ride from Dover," Abbie cracked.
"Well, I'm sure there were a few, but like you saw it was mostly military. And most going home on leave somewhere in the region. And God it is good to be home," Erin sighed.
"It's great to have you home finally," Abbie smiled. "So what kind of pains meds do they have you on? Not sure how much liquid celebrating…"
"I've got Vicodin if I need it, but I took two Ibuprofen in Dover," Erin interrupted. "And honestly the pain isn't that bad right now and when I do get it…now with the cast…it is shooting pain from my ankle through my toes."
"So how long with the cast?" Serena asked.
"Go up to the hospital at West Point in a couple of weeks and they'll cut this one off and run another MRI. If it is healing well, they'll recast it, and then probably another four weeks. If it isn't, I'll probably need the plates and screws after all," Erin sighed. "And by the way Carmichael no matter how drunk you or I get…the cast is off limits. Basically, it is now a part of my uniform so not even a smiley face."
"Well fuck," Abbie laughed. "I already got a box of Sharpies from Alex."
#-#
"Hey Angie," Erin smiled. "I like the apartment. Very nice."
"God, I'm not usually the sappiest soul," Angie smirked walking briskly towards Erin and kissing her on the cheek. "But I'm about to cry. We were so worried."
"I was a 'lil worried about me too," Erin grinned trying to lighten the mood. "But I'm all good now. Alright if I hop on over to the couch."
"Yes and you and Liv can stay here, hell 'til you report to Washington if you want," Angie exclaimed.
"Serena and I are going to stay up at Alex's tonight and probably tomorrow night too," Abbie added.
"Thanks Angie and you two too, but we can probably go back to Liv's tomorrow. I mean I definitely want to be here now to see you all…while you are still in town," Erin said looking at Serena and Abbie. "And since Jeff and Casey are coming over later too. Just don't want to impose long Angie."
"Shut up Erin," Angie smiled. "You're not imposing. Besides Liv has to work Tuesday through Friday and Jeff is bringing Petraeus over here…so it makes more sense to be here so Alex and I can take him out when he needs to."
"Petraeus coming over was supposed to be a surprise for Erin, honey," Alex smiled entering the apartment. "Awwww, welcome home Erin," Alex said striding to the couch and embracing Erin.
"Thank you for everything you did," Erin whispered into Alex's ear while returning the embrace. "You're a great friend."
"You're going to make me cry," Alex sighed softly. "I'm so glad you're home."
"So what's the plan?" Abbie smiled, handing Erin a cold beer.
"Thank you my friend," Erin smiled. "So what is my woman doing?"
"She was just going to dry her hair," Alex said. "I'll go up and get her and just tell her that we're going to watch football down here."
"I'll bet she'll want to know why when the same size TV is up there," Abbie countered.
"Better surround sound here," Angie smirked. "I'll go with you."
#-#
"What else do you want me to bring down Alex?" Angie asked, grabbing some chips, dips and a small vegetable tray.
"I want some of my Michelob and Serena wants some of that Chardonnay," Alex replied casually.
"What are we doing?" Olivia questioned.
"We're going to watch football at my apartment," Angie replied.
"Wouldn't it be easier to watch up here, rather than haul stuff down there?" Olivia smirked sarcastically.
"Better surround sound at my apartment, and Abbie and Serena ordered pizza for lunch," Angie made up. "Liv, I've got the beer and wine, will you bring the chips and stuff."
"Okay sure," Olivia said getting up from the couch and grabbing the bags Angie pointed too.
#-#
"Hurry up," Abbie said smiling as she stepped into the hall. "The game is about to start."
"Jesus Carmichael," Olivia barked. "I didn't think you cared about the early games." Erin lifted herself from the couch at the sound of Olivia's voice and leaned against the side of the armrest. She bit her bottom lip, trying to choke back tears that were suddenly threatening to overcome her.
Angie and Alex stepped through the partially open doorway first as Abbie garnered Olivia's attention by snagging the bags from her hands.
"Hey you," Erin gasped, immediately drawing Olivia's attention away from Abbie in the hallway.
"Oh my God," Olivia cried, standing frozen in the doorway momentarily as she stared in almost disbelief at Erin.
"Hi baby," Erin smiled. "I'm thinking you might be able to come here quicker, than…"
"I love you again Abbie, all of you," Olivia shouted as she quickly closed the distance to Erin, cupping Erin's face in her hands.
"Kiss her already Liv," Abbie cracked, drawing an elbow from Serena. Alex wrapped her arms around Angie's waist, resting her chin on her shoulder as they both looked on with tears in their eyes.
"Yeah, kiss me babe," Erin whispered. Olivia crashed her lips to Erin's as tears began to flow freely from both women. Erin slid her arms around Olivia's back pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. She slid the tip of her tongue across Olivia's bottom lip and was quickly granted entrance. They were lost for long moments in the taste and feel of one another again, finally breaking their kisses for longer than mere seconds at the clicking noises from Serena's camera and the need to regain their breath and wipe away tears.
"Just thought you might want a few reunion pictures," Serena said sheepishly.
"And don't worry, Angie had me pack up my cameras when Serena and I vacated the bedroom this morning," Abbie cracked. "Changed the sheets and bedding for you two also."
"Thanks Abs," Olivia smirked, her arms still wrapped tightly around Erin. "And thanks Serena."
"We have some great friends," Erin smiled. "So you weren't suspicious at all?"
"I was surprised that Abbie would go shopping early in the morning the day after Christmas, but Serena has gotten Abbie to do a lot of surprising things," Olivia grinned.
"And you two," Olivia said turning her head towards Alex and Angie, "seemed extraordinarily happy and bubbly this morning, but I just attributed that to…well other things."
"Well there were the other things too," Alex laughed.
"And speaking of other things," Abbie smiled and looked towards Alex and Angie and then Serena. "We're all going to go up to Alex's to watch football."
"Casey and Jeff will be coming over about 3:30," Alex added as the foursome headed out of Angie's apartment.
"So there's probably not pizza being delivered down here then?" Olivia called.
"No," Alex smirked as she was closing the door. "But there's some food here and there will be plenty upstairs when you two choose to come up."
"I still can't believe you're here," Olivia said gazing into Erin's eyes and stroking a hand under her ACU jacket and up her back. "I love you, babe."
"I love you too," Erin murmured, pressing her lips to Olivia's once again.