"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 33 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. #####
#-#
"Double Time" Chapter 34
Erin looped the strap of her carry-on bag over her shoulder as she stood behind Olivia as they waited for those ahead of them to exit the plane. She leaned forward slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to Olivia's neck.
"What was that for?" Olivia asked softly as she turned her head back towards Erin.
"I'm glad to be safely on the ground too," Erin cracked a slight smile. "That patch of turbulence…"
"Had you scared shitless too," Olivia finished firmly.
"I was nervous," Erin admitted with a wide grin.
"I know, but you still did an admirable job of trying to hide it and helping me stay semi-calm," Olivia said as they finally started moving towards the exit.
"Well at least on the way back we have a late afternoon flight," Erin commented.
"I don't think that guarantees it will be turbulence free," Olivia countered.
"No but we can down a few drinks at the bar by our gate so we fly buzzed," Erin smiled.
"Very true. Not that I wanted our flight attendants bounced around the cabin when the turbulence got bad, but it would have been nice to have gotten a second drink," Olivia said as they entered the terminal.
"Ironically, we arrived 10 minutes early," Erin chuckled glancing at her watch.
"I would have rather been 30 minutes late than have a thunderstorm propel us," Olivia rebuked. "Hell it is January…thunderstorms really."
"Flying over Arkansas, Louisiana and into Texas it sure can be," Erin said wrapping her free arm around Olivia's shoulders as they continued walking towards baggage claim. "You okay now?" Erin asked softly.
"I am sweetie," Olivia sighed softly. "And the sun is out now," she added as they walked along a long windowed portion of the terminal.
"I love you," Erin smiled. "Thank you for coming with me."
"Love you too," Olivia said as they entered the baggage claim area. "Why don't you get in the rental car line and I'll grab our bags?"
"You sure?"
"Yep, it will get us to the hotel quicker," Olivia smiled.
"Got a 'lil tension you want me to work out?" Erin hummed.
"Mmmm, I think you might have some too," Olivia winked. "I'll meet you at the Avis counter."
#-#
Erin checked her phone for voicemails and text messages as she waited in the moderately short rental car line.
"So I guess we won't be playing any flag football this visit?" Erin heard a very familiar male voice behind her.
"I could probably kick a field goal or two," Erin smiled turning towards her brother and pulling him into an embrace. "When did this happen?" she said reaching up and running her hand over the top of his head. Dylan dropped his head slightly.
"Look, even short you can see damn grey hairs. Guess I got the early grey hair gene from dad. Too much of a pain to keep it long and dyed," he smirked. "Katie hated it when I first cut it short."
"But now?"
"But now she loves it because I had my third interview for a civilian IT position over at Fort Sam Houston this morning," Dylan smiled widely. "They haven't made an official offer but I think I am going to get it…so your rebellious brother might be working for big brother after all."
"Way to go bro," Erin said playfully punching her four inches taller brother in the shoulder.
"Not there yet, but looking good," Dylan replied. "So where's Olivia?"
"She's getting our luggage…"
"How rude of you," Dylan joked. "What carousel?"
"Number four I think," Erin said as Dylan quickly turned and headed towards the carousel.
"Be right back," Dylan called over his shoulder. Although Dylan's unexpected arrival at the airport had most certainly quashed any ideas of even a quickie for she and Olivia at the hotel, Erin was pleased to see her brother looking so well and seemingly happy and optimistic. When things were going well for Dylan, Erin couldn't ask for a better brother, but when he hit speed bumps in life he had a tendency to blame someone or something rather than to look at himself.
#-#
Dylan scanned the crowd around carousel four looking for Olivia. Erin had e-mailed several pictures to him since their relationship had begun and he was confident he could pick her out from memory. He looked to his left and right as he edged through the crowd on one side of the carousel, before spotting the woman he was sure was Olivia on the other side of the moving carousel. He worked his way back through the crowd to the other side of the carousel and then maneuvered his way through that group towards Olivia.
"Excuse me…Olivia?" he smiled tentatively as he moved next to the brunette. Olivia turned her head and looked up slightly.
"I'm Dylan," he added as Olivia said his name at the same time. "You've probably only seen pictures of me with long hair," he smirked.
"Yeah," she blushed slightly. "But wow the eyes, high-cheekbones the similarities are even more striking in person."
Dylan rocked on his heels slightly and smiled widely, "I can't wait to tell Erin you noticed my high-cheekbones. She's gorgeous but she thinks I have a better smile than she does because of my higher-cheekbones."
"And how long has this been going on?" Olivia queried with a grin.
"Since I was a freshman in high school and she was a senior. A new girl moved to our neighborhood…very, very cute. Erin was interested in her at first. She was a junior and played basketball with Erin," Dylan smiled as he told the story. "It's kind of a long story, but it turned out she was coming over to study with Erin a few times because she thought I was really cute…my smile and my high-cheekbones."
"So it is an ongoing rift between you two?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Only in a fun way. It didn't take long before Erin decided Amber, although a good basketball player and quite cute was too much of a ditz for her. I went on one date with Amber and that was all I needed to concur with Erin's assessment," Dylan laughed. "But it still makes her grimace when someone compliments my high-cheekbones."
"Good to know," Olivia responded as she grabbed her suitcase off the carousel. "I want to hear a lot of Erin stories."
"I've got plenty," Dylan winked. "Do you have more luggage?"
"Yeah, that maroon duffel and garment bag coming are Erin's," Olivia replied.
"She still using Aggie luggage?" Dylan questioned shaking his head.
"Beats the Army duffel bag I think," Olivia chuckled as Dylan scooped up Erin's luggage.
"You got a point there," Dylan agreed as they made their way back to the rental car area.
#-#
"I was beginning to wonder if I was going to see you before dinner," Erin commented only half-jokingly as Olivia entered the hotel room.
"Dylan and I ended up having another beer," Olivia said as she joined Erin on the bed, propping up two pillows next to her.
"I love him to pieces when he is like he has been so far today. Not only did I not expect him to come to the airport and have lunch with us, I thought he would have bagged on dinner with us and dad tonight," Erin said lacing her fingers with Olivia's.
"Why did he tell you though on the phone he couldn't meet us 'til dinner because of work when he knew he was off and had the job interview?" Olivia questioned.
"He didn't say it, but I think because I would have told him everything I thought he should do to prepare for the interview, and would have made some phone calls to see if I could pull some strings," Erin sighed. "I hope he gets this position, not just because he and Katie need it financially, but because he will have done it on his own."
"I hope he gets it too, but you would have only been trying to help him. People use connections, networking to get jobs all the time," Olivia said kissing Erin on the cheek.
"I just should get a little better with listening to him sometimes…when he is non-committal or indecisive I just lose patience and bark out orders," Erin replied.
"Don't get me wrong I'm really enjoying your brother so far…getting to know him…lunch was great fun, but Erin when he's being an ass you need to call him on it," Olivia finished bluntly drawing a laugh from Erin.
"I know and dinner could be a fuckin' disaster before we even get the appetizers," Erin smirked.
"And when do we need to leave to pick up your dad?" Olivia asked.
"In about two and a half hours. Do you want to explore the Riverwalk or see the Alamo?"
"I'd rather do that Sunday when we get back or Monday morning," Olivia hummed as she straddled Erin's hips with her knees.
"The Alamo isn't really that exciting," Erin husked as she watched Olivia quickly shed her shirt and bra. "And we were going to work off some of that turbulence tension."
"Mine's gone. I just want to make love with my beautiful partner," Olivia said locking eyes with Erin as she began unbuttoning her blouse.
#-#
"You okay babe?" Erin asked glancing towards Olivia as she continued driving northeast of their downtown hotel.
"More than fine," Olivia smiled recalling their earlier activities and squeezing Erin's hand on the console. "Is this still considered San Antonio?"
"Yeah," Erin nodded. "Downtown isn't very big, but the city itself spreads out pretty far. We're about five minutes away now from dad's retirement community and it is close Randolph Air Force Base. Not a real large base, but a busy one."
#-#
Erin pulled into the main parking lot of the retirement community and quickly found a spot near the entrance to the main building which stood 12-stories tall. Erin explained that the taller building had a separate wing to the rear for skilled care while the first three floors of the main building were dedicated to administration, food services and recreation and social areas. The floors above were assisted or independent living apartments. The majority of the residents were retired military or retired federal workers.
"You ready?" Erin questioned lightly as she pulled the key out of the ignition of the rental car. Olivia took a deep breath and smiled.
"You really think he is going to like me?" Olivia queried again.
"Probably you more than me," Erin grinned placing a quick kiss to Olivia's lips before opening her car door and getting out.
"Okay if we need to go to a retirement home, it needs to be something like this," Olivia said as they walked towards the entrance. "Somewhere warm with grass and I don't know just a lot of space."
"Wait 'til I show you where they hold the walker and wheelchair races," Erin grinned.
"Oh shut up," Olivia exclaimed shrugging her shoulder into Erin's. "I'm just saying this doesn't have that typical…it's just nice."
"It is," Erin smiled at Olivia. "I'm really glad we were able to get dad in here," she said as she pulled open an entrance door for Olivia. "We go to the right to sign in to go…"
"God it is good to see you, Em," Erin's dad said loudly as he quickly strode to her and pulled her into a firm hug.
"It's good to see you too Dad," Erin said kissing him on the cheek and then trying to pull away from his embrace to introduce him to Olivia.
"Let me hug you a minute longer," he whispered. "I was an ass about all that general shit. I'm so proud of you already and am so glad you're home."
"Thank you dad," Erin murmured trying to contain her emotions at his unexpected words. He had almost always supported her, but the amount of times he had ever told her he was proud of her was now five.
"Love you Em," Daniel Mathison said releasing his daughter from the embrace and turning his attention to Olivia. "Detective Benson it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said pleasantly, first extending his hand and then pulling her into a slight hug. "You've made her really happy and that makes me happy," he whispered softly before pulling away.
"Thank you sir," Olivia smiled and noticed Erin chuckle.
"Call me Dan or Daniel, but never sir," the balding but well-built man smirked. "I earned my living in the Army."
"Forgot to tell you that," Erin grinned. "Never call an enlisted man sir or you get some bullshit response like that, like us officers don't do squat."
"I don't know seems to be pretty true in police work too," Olivia laughed.
"You're right Em, she is a keeper," Daniel smiled.
Olivia blushed slightly and told Daniel that he could call her Olivia or Liv. They had about 30 minutes before they needed to leave to meet Dylan and Katie at the restaurant so Daniel took them on a mini-tour of the community introducing them to staff and fellow residents alike. Daniel was approaching 70, but Olivia was struck by how much younger he looked and the rugged handsomeness he still possessed. She was also awed by the fact that not only did he introduce his daughter with tremendous pride to others, but her also…"My daughter Colonel Erin Mathison and her girlfriend NYPD Detective Olivia Benson."
Sometimes he said girlfriend and sometimes he said partner, and whether all he introduced them to, comprehended the full nature of their relationship was not of his concern. He was simply proud of his daughter and seemingly her as well.
"Hey I was wondering if it was okay if my friend, well the woman I am dating now," Daniel grinned, "meet us at the restaurant for dinner? It's fine if you want it to be just family, I'm having dinner with her tomorrow night."
"Sure she can join us dad," Erin said looking quizzically towards Olivia as they waited for the elevator to his apartment on the third floor. "But dad shouldn't you have given her more than a few minutes' notice?"
"She was originally supposed to go to her granddaughter's basketball game tonight, but the poor kid has the Chicken Pox," Daniel shrugged. "I've talked to her about both of you a lot and she'd really like to meet you two."
"How serious is this Dad?" Erin smiled as they stepped out of the elevator.
"Not nearly as serious as you two," he smirked. "But I think you'll both like Betty…For starters she's the one who told me not only what a stupid jackass I was in telling you should stay in to get a star, but that I should stop trying to make Dylan something he's not."
"What number is Wonder Woman on your speed dial?" Erin laughed. "I'll call and invite her myself."
#-#
"So how much prep time do you want before leaving to serve pancakes and sausage for four hours?" Erin grinned as she rolled over to request a wake-up call.
"We have to be there by six, right?" Olivia asked as she adjusted her pillow.
"And leave her by 5:40," Erin added.
"4:45," Olivia said evenly.
"At least we can still get about six hours of sleep," Erin said after hanging up the phone. "God, I'm exhausted."
"Me too," Olivia sighed. "But other than the flight, today was awesome."
"I'm glad you thought so too," Erin smiled.
"I did indeed Em," Olivia chuckled softly.
"Oh shut up," Erin giggled.
"I like that your dad calls you that. It is cute."
"It's just my initials…not that original, but he has called me that since I was little," Erin said snuggling into Olivia. "It's better than him shortening my first name to Er, like error or something."
"I need to come up with a nickname for you," Olivia said stroking Erin's hair with her hand.
"You already have two," Erin said pressing a kiss to Olivia's neck.
"I do not," Olivia protested.
"Okay maybe just one. You call me babe a lot."
"That's a term of endearment. And I call you babe a lot too," Olivia countered. "What was the other one you were thinking?"
"Fuck," Erin laughed. "But that's just because I love your potty mouth when you're about to come for me or make me come. You say fuck more than Erin or babe then."
"I love you fucker," Olivia whispered capturing Erin's lips with her own and thinking that if all went as planned "Em" Erin Mathison would be her fiancé in less than 24 hours.