"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 30 chapters. Love and appreciate the reviews and it means so much that so many are reading this sequel.
#### New Community created by Rach5 (Olivia/OFC Stories) featuring stories with Olivia and original female characters or Olivia with female characters from other shows. Thanks Rach5 for creating and please let us know if we are missing some that you like. #####
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"Double Time" Chapter 31
Alex opened her desk draw upon hearing the ring of her cell phone. She grinned widely as she saw the name on the screen. She grabbed the phone and leaned back in her chair.
"Well good morning Colonel Climax," Alex answered with a laugh.
"Huh?" Erin questioned.
"Don't huh me. I saved your other half about an hour ago from a day of endless razzing from the guys. Didn't you notice when she left this morning?" Alex continued.
"I just got up a few ago and I'm still on my first cup of coffee," Erin said a bit puzzled.
"Well Liv was only half awake with still damp hair pulled up slightly in something resembling a loose pony tail," Alex howled. "So I drug her from her desk into the bathroom so she could see the back of her neck."
"Oh Lord," Erin gasped. "God we owe you Alex."
"You go cowgirl, but I don't think you owe me. Because Liv in all her wisdom chose to tell me as she was brushing her hair out over your hematoma that you asked her to go to Texas last night," Alex said still chuckling. "I was done. I laughed so hard, because of course my mind was in the gutter with smartass riding remarks."
"God Alex," Erin laughed. "I think I'm almost blushing myself or at least for Liv. But at the same time I'd like to give her a little grief for obviously not remembering me putting it there. I thought that moment was pretty damn memorable," Erin mused.
"I think you should give her some shit," Alex replied.
"Well hopefully she'll mention it, because I don't want her to know that we talked," Erin countered.
"Really…so does that mean you might be ready to do some ring shopping?" Alex asked enthusiastically.
"Yes!" Erin exclaimed. "And I was wondering if I could take you to lunch and throw a few things off of you. But Alex…I know what you said at Humphrey's, but still if being involved with this is too weird, uncomfortable…"
"Erin," Alex nearly shouted. "Stop, I would love to help you in any way I might be able to. You two are meant for each other."
"Can you meet at 11:30?" Erin asked. "And do you like sushi?"
"Yes and yes. The place by Humphrey's?" Alex followed.
"That's what I was thinking," Erin said. "As long as we're in a sushi restaurant basically no chance of Liv catching us."
"Very true," Alex laughed. "Unless there's a perp in there she's not coming in. So when are you thinking of asking her?"
"Actually now I want to ask her while we're in Texas. I was going to wait until spring and try to come up with something at least half as romantic as Abbie's proposal to Serena, but…"
"Hey Liv, can you give me just a minute?" Alex interrupted Erin as Olivia poked her head around Alex's office door. Olivia nodded and stepped back outside the office.
"Tell her I said hi," Erin said and then caught herself. "Check that, that'd be pretty stupid."
"You need to drink some more coffee," Alex laughed. "And maybe check yourself in the mirror before you go out in public. I'll see you in a 'lil while."
#-#
"So did Cragen have anything pressing for you all?" Alex asked as Olivia took a seat in front of her desk.
"Nah," Olivia shrugged. "Just wants us to catch up on paperwork. Ok'd me taking off next Friday and the Monday for going to Texas as long as I am up to date on all mine."
"I'm glad we've had a slow week. Angie and I have been able to get most of her stuff out of her apartment into mine, which is good because we already have some prospective tenants to come look at hers Sunday," Alex said. "So when exactly are you going to be in Texas?"
"I don't know, probably Friday through Monday. That's up to Erin. I just tried calling her to tell her I took both days off, but it went to voicemail," Olivia said.
"Maybe you wore her out last night and she's still sleeping," Alex laughed as she looked at her computer screen. "God Liv, it's 72 in San Antonio today. Angie and I may have to go with you guys."
"Funny Cabot," Olivia blushed slightly. "What's the seven-day forecast?" Olivia queried. "And Erin and I don't really have anything planned this weekend. We can help you and Angie with moving stuff. Erin's pretty mobile now."
"Obviously," Alex laughed again and then looked back at her computer screen. "Highs in upper 50's, lower 60's through next week. Not too shabby for the end of January. I think Ang and I are okay with the apartment, but maybe we could all get together for dinner tomorrow night."
"Sounds good. Let you know for sure when Erin calls me back," Olivia said. "Can we go to lunch today? I want to talk to you about something."
Alex shook her head slightly. "Would like to, but I already have lunch plans and can't change them. I have time now though."
"Okay," Olivia said taking a deep breath and shifting uncomfortably in her chair.
"Out with it Benson before you make me nervous or your brain explodes," Alex commanded.
Olivia lifted her head and wrung her hands together. "I think…I know I want to ask Erin to marry me while we're in Texas but I don't have a clue the right way to do it," Olivia blurted hurriedly.
"What? Really!" Alex exclaimed.
"You think it is too soon," Olivia said bolting from her chair and pacing in front of Alex's desk. "Or maybe this is too over the line…"
"Liv sit down," Alex interrupted. "No I don't think it is too soon and no it is not too whatever you were going to come up with. Do you remember the ass chewing I gave to Elliot yesterday? Or that Angie is all but totally moved in with me?"
"Okay, okay. It just could be weird," Olivia stammered still pacing.
"I think our group is well past that," Alex laughed. "But I will be pissed if I'm not part of the wedding party. Now sit down please. I hate when you pace."
"It helps me think," Olivia countered, reluctantly plopping back into the chair.
"Yeah but it won't make for a very romantic proposal," Alex countered. "So how far along are you in planning?"
"Ummmm," Olivia grinned. "I'm on step one, talking to you about it. I've thought about it certainly before now, but I think since I'm going to meet her dad…I mean even if he won't give his blessing, I still want to ask him."
"I think that's good," Alex nodded in agreement.
"I mean I know that's quick," Olivia sighed. "Meet him on Friday and ask him on Saturday, because I'm thinking I want to ask her when we go to the coast. We're going down to Corpus Christi," Olivia rambled.
"A beach proposal. I like that," Alex smiled. "But more importantly think Erin would love it. You know Angie is a beach girl and she and Erin we're talking a lot about loving beaches and the ocean when we were putting the photo albums together for Cassie's parents and Kelly."
"Yeah her mom used to take her and Dylan down to the coast a lot when they were kids. And speaking of her dipshit brother," Olivia sighed, "I may tell him in advance, but I'm not asking him. He's so jealous of her accomplishments that he won't even come to see her get promoted in March," Olivia ranted.
"I don't think that's standard protocol anyway Liv," Alex grinned. "From the little I've heard from you and Erin about Dylan I totally agree with you anyway." Alex paused a moment, her grin replaced by a solemn expression. "And Liv, if you don't receive the desired response from her dad, don't freak out and bail on asking her. It's about you and Erin and what you two want."
"Well he does have dementia…early stages. I'm not sure how he'll be while we're down there," Olivia shrugged. "So…you'll think she'll say yes?" Olivia asked nervously.
"Would I be sitting here helping you plan if I thought she'd say no?" Alex rebuffed. "So have you picked out a ring?"
"No, but I know she likes the Lucida diamond shape from Tiffany's, because Serena was going back and forth between Lucida and round," Olivia said. "I know her ring size is 7 because that gold ring she wears on her right hand sometimes from her mom fits me. I just don't know whether she would prefer gold or platinum."
"Which do you like better?" Alex queried.
"I prefer gold, but I want to get her what she wants," Olivia replied.
"I was just wondering in case you two wanted the same rings or similar rings," Alex deflected.
"I just want her to say yes," Olivia smiled.
"But when she says yes, she's going to want to know what you want," Alex challenged, cocking her head.
"I really like that Lucida too," Olivia said as she felt her phone vibrate. She looked at the text from Elliot and grumbled. "Guess the captain is wondering why I'm not at my desk doing paperwork."
"I think you have a pretty good handle on this already Liv," Alex smiled.
"Not really," Olivia laughed. "I have no idea what I am going to say when I propose."
"Keep it simple…save the stress for writing the wedding vows," Alex grinned.
"Oh thanks Alex. You know you and Angie are next, especially since you two are officially living in sin now," Olivia smirked.
"And I might be calling on you to use some of your detective skills soon," Alex declared.
"Whatever I can do," Olivia said sincerely as she opened the office door.
"Hey Liv," Alex called causing Olivia to stop and turn. "Congratulations. I'm really happy for you two."
"Thanks Alex, but wait 'til she says yes," Olivia winked.
"Go do your paperwork before Cragen yanks your days off," Alex said sternly.
#-#
Alex locked her office door as soon as Olivia left and quickly called Angie on her cell phone. She glanced at her watch after Angie's phone immediately went to voice mail.
"Shit, conference call," Alex mumbled to herself remembering Angie's morning schedule. She disconnected the call without leaving a voicemail, instead opting to send Angie a text message saying she should be home early. Alex knew if she said to call her as soon as she was done with her conference call she would be barraged with text messages from Angie wanting to know what was going on. And she didn't want to try to explain the morning's events via text or e-mail.
Alex tried to focus on some work in the 45 minutes she had until she needed to leave to meet Erin for lunch. Instead she found herself looking at the Tiffany's website eyeing not only the rings Olivia described, but also ones she thought Angie would like.
#-#
Alex took a deep breath as she neared the entrance to the restaurant. She was determined to keep the confidences of both Olivia and Erin, while using the information she received from each of them to help the other. She had already successfully gotten a lot of information from Olivia to assist Erin, but she knew she would have to continue to use her courtroom skills to not inadvertently tip either of them off of the other's plans.
"Game face," Alex muttered softly as she heard Erin's voice from behind.
"Hey you," Alex smiled as she turned to greet Erin.
"Thanks so much for coming Alex," Erin said opening the door to the restaurant.
"No problem," Alex smirked. "I can't wait to hear exactly what you are planning."