"Double Time" Sequel to "Stepping Time" (Highly recommend you read Stepping Time before reading 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 laurel hardy) 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 23 chapters. Love and appreciate the reviews and it means so much that so many are reading this sequel.
#-#
"Double Time" Chapter 24
"It's about damn time you brought your ass in here colonel," Fin said with a grin as he got up from his desk and wrapped an arm around Erin's back before she pulled him into a full embrace.
"I know, I know," Erin smiled. "I'll make up for it tonight. I'm picking up some rounds."
"No need to do that. Munch has been watching the clock all day. He's more excited that we're all going to Humphrey's than he was for his last date," Fin laughed.
"I actually do have a date tomorrow night, a third date…with the same woman," Munch cracked as he approached Erin and Fin. "Welcome back Erin. Glad we got you back."
"Thanks Munch," Erin smiled. "It's good to be back. So you didn't invite your new woman to join us tonight?"
"I haven't made it past a first date in months…"
"Years," Fin interrupted. "You afraid we'll scare the new one away?"
"Precisely, and not only do I like this woman, she finds me handsome. So I'm not chancing the possible sex on the horizon," Munch said, looking at Fin.
"Well us women would have talked you up to her," Erin smiled, patting Munch on the shoulder.
"I appreciate that colonel," Munch smirked. "But I wouldn't want the four hottest lesbians in the city awakening any latent bisexual tendencies Evelyn might have."
"I think that was a compliment," Erin laughed, taking a seat on the corner of John's desk.
"It was," Fin shook his head. "My man with all his worries and worst-case scenarios."
"I'm just saying if I was a straight woman," Munch started.
"Christ no alcohol yet and you all started a drinking game already," Angie interrupted with a huge grin on her face. Angie hugged Fin and then placed a kiss on Munch's cheek.
"Hey gorgeous," Angie smiled at Erin. "You got your hair cut. Looks good."
"Just trimmed. Thanks," Erin replied, taking in the power suit with pencil skirt Angie was wearing. "You look great Ang. A lil bit overdressed for Humphrey's perhaps."
"Just came from afternoon meetings. I was going to change, but there's a strategic advantage wearing an outfit like this when playing pool against Alex, sans the jacket," Angie smiled.
"Not just against Alex," Fin offered.
"I have to agree with him," Erin chuckled.
"Aw…thanks you two, but I was actually meaning the four inch heels, gives me a little more reach over the table," Angie smiled. "Alex said she was changing after court, so no heels for her, height advantage gone."
"Special little wager on the pool table tonight?" Erin arched a curious eyebrow.
"Haven't thought of anything exciting yet. But since we're both so competitive the joy of smack talk is usually satisfying enough," Angie said as Erin felt her phone vibrate against her waist.
"They're going to Humphrey's straight from court," Erin said after reading the text. "Munch, Fin you ready to get out of here?"
"Absolutely ladies," Munch nodded and Fin grabbed his jacket.
"Erin ride over with me?" Angie suggested more than asked.
"Sure I cabbed it here."
#-#
"So what's up Ang?" Erin asked as they walked towards Angie's car.
"How are you and Liv going to handle being separated again?" Angie sighed. "I just got today preliminary itineraries for five business trips, three overseas, two of those for 12 days, in the next three months."
Angie hit the remote on her key chain to unlock her car. "Good news though is one of the domestic trips is to DC in April," Angie smiled.
"I signed a six-month lease on an apartment today so you can be my first guest," Erin smiled getting into the passenger's seat. "So I take it Alex doesn't know about these trips yet? You going back to Africa?"
"Congo 12 days, Sudan three weeks later for eight. The other international is back to The Hague for 12 at the beginning of June," Angie stated as she drove towards Humphrey's. "I took this job for a lot of reasons, but being based in New York was one of the main ones."
"Everything okay with you and Alex?" Erin asked softly.
"Yeah," Angie said taking a deep breath and smiling at Erin. "You know ironically it is Alex now pushing me to just totally move in and sell or sublet my apartment. We were talking last night because I knew I would find out about some travel today."
"And," Erin nodded.
"Well…Erin I knew she loved me before, I really did, but she just overwhelmed me last night…Said if I didn't want to be doing this job just to resign and take whatever time needed to find the right position or start something new," Angie smiled.
"She loves you," Erin grinned, patting Angie's hand. "So what do you want to do?"
"The impossible," Angie laughed. "I want this job, because I am passionate about it and it is important. But I guess I want Star Trek too…Beam me home at night or beam Alex to me."
"Think Skype is the closest thing we're going to get," Erin laughed as Angie pulled into a parking space across the street from Humphrey's.
"I did commit for a year minimum in this position, so I think I need and I want to do that. And I really have no reason to whine about biz trips, especially to you and Liv," Angie said.
"It's fine Ang. I'm glad you told me. It is hard especially when you are so far away and when you can call it is 3 a.m. back here. It's tough," Erin replied.
"And you two have to be separated again. Thankfully, same time zone and not a war zone," Angie said as she reached to open her car door.
"Wait," Erin said grabbing Angie's arm. "Liv put in for a leave of absence starting June 1st through the end of the year. She's going to come down to D.C. with me and start on her master's."
"That's great Erin," Angie smiled sincerely and pulled her into an embrace. "Who else knows?"
"Captain Cragen of course. And she told Elliot yesterday. She was supposed to tell Alex at lunch today but Alex…"
"Got called into Petrovsky's chambers," Angie laughed slightly. "I think that woman just loves challenging her. So how did El react? Is she…are you worried about Alex's reaction?"
"Elliot was/is a little less enthusiastic than I had hoped. And frankly I think a little condescending," Erin murmured. "I understand he doesn't want to lose his partner for six months, but this morning he was on her like this was some rash decision and what if we break up. I understand he wants to be protective, but that part pissed me off."
"What'd Liv say?"
"That I'm her partner and it was her idea. And not only is it not a rash decision she had to do quite a bit of convincing to get me on board with it," Erin smiled.
"She loves you," Angie grinned, repeating Erin's words from earlier. "Alex will be sad on one hand. It will be an adjustment to them all not having Liv there, but she'll be happy for you both. I don't think she'll be very surprised though. She talked to Alex about possible career changes…"
"After the helicopter crash," Erin nodded.
"We're going to miss both of you, but I guess we have to lend you two to Abbie and Serena for a while," Angie said then smiled. "Can we go in for some drinks now? I'll kick Elliot in the shin with one of these heels if he doesn't stop pouting."
"Thanks and yes. I do believe it is beer time," Erin said opening her door.
#-#
"You two drive around the block an extra time or two so we'd buy the first round?" Fin questioned as Erin and Angie sat at the group's favorite table towards the back of Humphrey's.
"Of course," Angie laughed. "And Erin is buying second round."
"That's fine. I'll get it now and will only be buying for four. Your third round will be for seven or eight," Erin smirked.
"I think you are buying for eight too," Munch said looking over Erin's shoulder. Erin turned her head just as she felt Olivia's hands slide around her waist.
"Hi gorgeous," Olivia whispered, inhaling Erin's scent as she pressed several quick kisses below her ear.
"Hey sexy," Erin smiled, placing her hands over Olivia's. "Missed ya."
"Come to the bathroom with me," Olivia said softly.
"I'm easy," Erin chuckled.
"Mmmmm…not my original intention, but now that you mentioned it," Olivia smirked unwrapping her arms from Erin's waist and stepping towards the bathroom.
#-#
Alex started to sit down in the seat next to Angie when Angie stood and gestured to Alex towards a small unoccupied table.
"We'll be right back," Angie smiled at Munch, Fin and Casey.
"Alright Novak," Fin said pouring her a beer from the pitcher. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Casey said somewhat oblivious to what Fin was referring to. "I was just getting out of my car when Liv, Elliot and Alex pulled up. So I have seen them all of two minutes. I know the jury didn't reach a verdict today, but Alex said they didn't even begin deliberations 'til almost three."
"Partner you think I'm over the top with my conspiracies. There's nothing odd about two women using the bathroom together or going to another table to chat," Munch countered.
"Usually I'm with you on that partner, but something is up," Fin said and then took another drink of his beer.
"Probably a quickie in the women's restroom and Angie and Alex certainly look like they are doing just fine as well over there," Munch observed. "Maybe just waiting for their turn in the restroom."
Elliot shut his cell phone and took a seat at the table taking a long drawl from his bottled beer.
"You get a promotion and think you're too good to drink from the pitcher?" Munch questioned sarcastically.
"Hardly," Elliot scowled. "Feel more like I got kicked to the curb. Buddy of mine from the two-seven bought me this one. Maybe he'll be my new…" Elliot caught himself.
"New what?" Fin probed. "I knew something was going on."
Munch leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head.
"When did you know John?" Elliot huffed.
"I don't know that I do," John replied firmly.
"Wait a minute," Casey demanded. "This is about Liv isn't it?"
"So you knew too. I've been her partner for twelve fuckin' years…"
"You need to stop right there El, because you are jumping to conclusions without having a clue what the fuck you are talking about," Olivia said tersely.
Elliot looked up at Olivia from his chair. He knew from her tone and then the look on her face that he had crossed a line.
"You know what," he started. "I'm being an ass and I just need to go home."
"You're right. You are being an ass…but before going home join me for a beer at the bar," Erin stated. Olivia turned her head towards Erin and arched a curious eyebrow. "It's okay," Erin said softly.
"Look I'm sorry. I'm not good company tonight and Kathy wants me home anyway," Elliot said after finishing his beer. "You all have fun," he added as he stood up and started walking away from the table. Erin stepped to follow, but Olivia grabbed her arm.
"Let him go babe," Olivia said. "I want an apology when he is sincere. Kathy will let him know what a selfish prick he's being anyway."
"She's right," Alex smiled at Erin. "Besides he's also pissed about how he did in court today anyway."
"He's got me livid now," Erin sighed. "Might be best he did leave." She pulled out a chair and took a seat. At least Alex and Angie were being supportive. Liv had told her in the bathroom that she had spoken to Alex in her office after the jury had gone into deliberations. Elliot had seemed to be coming around but after a phone call from Cragen his overall mood changed once again. Cragen had been in the court room when Elliot testified and he was none too pleased that Elliot had let the defense attorney rattle him. Despite some emotional outbursts from Elliot on the stand both Alex and Cragen were confident the jury would return a guilty verdict, still his conduct was unprofessional and inexcusable.
Erin poured Olivia a beer and Olivia sat down next to her. Alex and Angie took chairs across the table from them. Olivia took an extended drink of her beer.
"You okay Liv?" Fin queried.
"I am. You've seen worse between El and I and I don't think this is all about me," she sighed. "However, I'm hoping you and Munch will have a more favorable reaction to my news," Olivia smirked.
Casey tilted her head, eyeing Olivia. "You too Case," Olivia laughed, "but it doesn't impact you as much."
"Out with it Liv," Fin said firmly.
Olivia ran a hand through her hair and felt Erin's arm wrap around her shoulders.
"I'm going to take a six-month leave of absence effective June 1. I'm going to go to D.C. to be with Erin and start working on my master's. Somewhere down the road I'd like to teach some CJ courses at the college level," Olivia said rather quickly.
"Gonna miss you girl, but I'm happy for you, for you both," Fin smiled. "Think you'll make a rockin' prof down the road too."
"Thanks Fin," Olivia smiled. "I appreciate that."
"Me too," Erin added.
Fin slapped Munch on the shoulder. "I do have a new appreciation for you partner. Going to have to let the captain know how much I like working with you before he gets to thinking pairing me with Stabler for six months is a good idea."
"We'll talk to the captain together," Munch smirked at Fin. He took a drink of his beer and then looked at Olivia and Erin.
"No one can ever take your place Liv. You will be missed incredibly. I might even download Skype to stay in touch. Erin you're a lucky woman."
"I know it," Erin started.
"But so is Liv," Munch finished.
"Thanks John," Erin smiled. "Liv will be back here before me, but we're both coming back."
"Casey?" Liv asked.
"I'll miss you, but I think it is great," Casey gave a slight smile.
"But what?" Erin queried noticing Casey's expression.
"No, I do think it is great and Liv going back to school…I agree you'll be an awesome teacher."
"Your reaction is already 100 times better than El's, so out with whatever you're holding back," Olivia said.
"I was…I was just thinking that…well I was looking at your hands for rings," Casey blushed.