"Double Time" Sequel to "Stepping Time" (Highly recommend you read Stepping Time before starting this sequel but including a brief synopsis of where Stepping Time ended below this chapter)
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 #1 (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
Author's Note #2 Once upon about 20 or so chapters ago, the chapters were somewhat synching with the actual months. Now however-incredibly behind, but thankfully two very welcome developments have happened in the real world. Gay marriage legal in New York and DADT certification-so on Sept. 20, 2011 gays and lesbians will finally be able to serve openly. Besides being incredibly happy with both, referencing both here because currently in Double Time it is only Feb. 2011 and DADT certification and gay marriage in New York are not yet realities for Liv and Erin and the others.
#-#
"Double Time" Chapter 37
"Take your hands out of your pockets and show me the damn ring," Alex smirked as Olivia entered her office.
"Easy counselor," Olivia smiled widely. "Besides you saw it before me anyway."
"Not the same, but it was nice to be part of the planning," Alex smiled as Olivia extended her left hand. "Looks gorgeous Liv. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks so much," Olivia said pulling Alex into a tight embrace. "You're an amazing woman, an amazing friend. And not surprisingly you did a superb job of keeping our proposal intentions secret."
"Definitely tougher than keeping professional stuff quiet," Alex smiled as she stepped back to her desk. "I almost slipped with Erin and I thought the woman at Tiffany's was going to tip you off, because she was talking about Erin when we were in there."
"You did great Alex."
"So does it seem real?" Alex asked. "Has it sunk in?"
"It does. Real and magical at the same time." Olivia smirked and then continued. "The real of course also includes having to come to work this morning. And that Erin leaves for D.C. in five days."
"But she'll be going as soon-to-be Colonel Erin Mathison-Benson," Alex countered.
"Her wanting to take my name, that still doesn't seem real…but by sometime this fall it will be," Olivia added.
"Got some dates narrowed down?"
"September or October. Looking good that by then we'll be able to get married in New York and DADT repeal better be certified by then too," Olivia said. "And I'll still be on my leave of absence."
"So do the guys know yet?" Alex asked as she grabbed her coat.
"Nope. Came here first. I guess I should probably get to the precinct," Olivia said. "Where are you headed off to?"
"Going with you," Alex grinned. "I have a meeting with Munch and Fin in about 30 minutes anyway."
"I was hoping you were going that way," Olivia said pulling Alex's office door open.
"You nervous?" Alex asked following behind.
"Hoping that Elliot will be happy for me," Olivia shrugged. "I know the captain and Munch and Fin will be."
#-#
"So is dinner still on for Friday night?" Munch asked hurriedly as Olivia and Alex strode into the squad room.
"I don't see why not," Olivia cocked her head questioningly, stopping in front of Munch's desk. "Something I should know."
"No, Evelyn is just looking forward to seeing everybody again…so as long as it still is on…I get at least one more date with her," Munch smirked.
"John I do hope you are a little more self-confident when you are in her presence," Alex cracked.
"Absolutely, I save my insecurity attacks for my friends," Munch mused. "So did you and the good colonel avoid falling in the murky waters of the Riverwalk?"
"We stayed out, but we pushed a few in," Olivia joked as she walked to her desk.
"Hey Liv," Fin said walking back to his desk. "I'm not going to be able to stay for dinner Friday night. But thinking maybe I could meet up with you and your girl before for a couple of drinks."
Olivia slipped off her jacket and hung it over the back of her chair. "That sounds good Fin, I'm up for drinks and pretty sure my fiancé will be as well," Olivia smiled widely and extended her hand.
Munch and Fin both moved briskly from their desks to Olivia's, sincerely congratulating her.
"What…did Liv bring donuts?" Elliot questioned loudly with a wide smile as he entered the squad room and saw Fin and Munch hugging Olivia.
"I didn't think of donuts but I'll be happy to buy a round or two after work," Olivia smiled again as Elliot approached and Fin and Munch moved to the side.
"What are we celebrating…the start of February?" Elliot mused, but then took notice of the ring on Olivia's left ring finger. He stopped in his tracks and locked eyes with Olivia. "Over the weekend?" he questioned. Olivia nodded yes. "In Texas right…I mean you didn't already like make it legal in Mass?"
Alex took two steps closer to Olivia's desk, glaring at Elliot.
"We're engaged El," Olivia shrugged, unsure of Elliot's tone and meaning. "I proposed to Erin in Texas…well we both proposed actually."
"Congratulations," Elliot smiled, quickly closing the distance between them and pulling Olivia into a firm hug. "I…I'm happy for you and Erin?"
"Really?" Olivia asked hopefully pulling back from the embrace and looking directly at her partner.
"Yes, yes, I really am," Elliot exclaimed sincerely.
"Then why did you ask if they went to Massachusetts?" Alex interrupted.
"I was kind of hoping…I don't know to be involved somehow…I mean at least have time to get a wedding gift…not one after the fact," Elliot countered evenly, although internally he was annoyed by Alex's questioning.
"That's true," Fin interjected. "So have you two set a date?"
"In the fall. Hoping marriage will be legal here by then. We'd like to get married in New York. If not we'll do it D.C.," Olivia replied.
#-#
"What are you smiling about?" Olivia asked thoughtfully.
"You mean other than cuddling naked with my gorgeous fiancé, why am I smiling?" Erin inquired and pressed a kiss to Olivia's neck.
"Yep…why else?"
"Because the only thing that sucks, and yes it really sucks is that I have to leave in four days," Erin replied.
"That is a really big suck," Olivia sighed.
"It is, but wow, I'm scared to jinx it, but everything else…Dylan, my dad, Elliot. I mean we seem to have support from everybody who's important to us. Dylan got a good job, my leg is almost healed," Erin recited.
"You're right," Olivia chuckled slightly. "Ever since we made up from our fight, most everything seems to have fallen remarkably in place. People are acting like we want them to," Olivia laughed.
"And most importantly you agreed to marry me," Erin smiled.
"Not quite how it happened," Olivia grinned, rolling Erin onto her back and hovering above her. "You agreed to marry me which means I had already decided to marry you."
"And now you're going to top me, to try and prove your point?" Erin teased with a wink.
"Actually it's not that complex," Olivia chuckled. "I'm topping you because you are absolutely delectable and I'm horny."
"Really?" Erin husked as she trailed her fingers down Olivia's back.
Olivia smiled as she bent her elbows and skimmed her breasts over Erin's while simultaneously rocking her hips into her. "Would you like me to continue?" Olivia grinned as she once again hovered above her lover.
"I did accept your proposal first," Erin conceded as she pulled Olivia down to her.
3 a.m., Saturday, February 5
Erin turned on her side on the bed after reaching a sleepy hand for the sleeping body she expected near her and finding nothing. She opened her eyes and glanced towards the red numbers on the digital clock on the nightstand. They had only fallen asleep a few hours before having had a dinner out with Kathy, Elliot, Alex, Angie, Casey, Jeff, Munch and Evelyn before returning to the apartment and making love, watching a movie snuggled together, and making love again.
Erin rubbed her eyes and slid her legs off the bed grabbing her t-shirt from the floor and slipping it on before standing up. Olivia heard the knob on the bedroom door turning and adjusted the volume on the TV set.
"I'm sorry babe," she said as Erin stepped into the living room. "I swear they still make the commercials louder."
"How long have you been up?" Erin asked groggily as she took a seat on the couch lifting Olivia's outstretched legs over her lap.
"Golden Girls mini-marathon on TV Land. Just starting the third one," Olivia chuckled softly.
"Couldn't set the DVR?" Erin questioned teasingly.
"Couldn't really sleep," Olivia said turning her head towards Erin.
"Really detective," Erin laughed. "As much as I enjoy this show as well…I'd be a 'lil hurt to know that my fiancé would rather sit on the couch alone then sleep next to me on our last night…our last night together for about three long weeks."
"I tried to sleep," Olivia said softly as she pulled her legs of Erin's lap and then gestured for her to scoot between them and rest her head on her chest. "But I couldn't and wanted you to get sleep since you have to drive and all."
"It should take less than five hours," Erin reassured, standing up from the couch and grabbing Olivia's arm. "Let's watch the Golden Girls in the bedroom."
"You sure…you really should sleep," Olivia questioned, hesitating to get up. Erin leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to Olivia's lips. "I'm sure," Erin said. "I'll sleep better, even with the TV on as long as you're holding me."
Erin fell back to sleep within 30 minutes of them making it back to the bedroom. Olivia alternated between watching Erin sleep and the Golden Girls until she finally fell asleep about 90 minutes later. She was dreading the goodbye, even knowing that it was only short-term.
#-#
Erin slid her body further under the sheet and blankets positioning herself between toned olive colored thighs. She pressed gentle kisses to each thigh just above the knees as she slid her arms under them and spread them further. As Erin continued her trek she heard a faint moan followed by an indiscernible murmur. Erin extended her tongue as her lips met their destination.
"Oh God Erin," Olivia moaned, lifting the covers and looking down at her lover. "Feels so good."
Erin purred as she locked eyes with Olivia. Olivia arched her hips and tangled her fingers in Erin's hair, pulling her tighter against her now swollen and soaked center.
#-#
It had been three hours since Erin had finally driven away. She had only left an hour or so after they had originally planned, but 30 minutes or so of that delay was spent right outside Olivia's apartment building at Erin's car, talking about nothing and anything to delay saying goodbye. Olivia had gone for a run since, started some laundry and tried to start reading a new novel Alex had recommended. Instead she found herself sitting on the couch flipping through the channels already tempted to call Erin to see how the drive was going. Calling wouldn't make the separation any easier and with light snow projected along Erin's route to D.C., she didn't want to add any distractions to her driving.
The rasps of three quick knocks on her door startled Olivia from her thoughts and for a second she had hoped Erin had forgotten something and returned.
"Dumbass Benson," she chuckled sarcastically to herself as she headed to the door. She looked through the peephole and saw Elliot standing on the other side.
"Hey," Olivia said softly as she opened the door. "Everything okay?"
"Yep," Elliot nodded entering the apartment. "Just thought maybe you could use some company. I brought beer," Elliot smiled as he set the brown bag he was carrying on a kitchen counter and grabbed two bottles from it, before putting the rest in the refrigerator.
"Thanks El," Olivia smiled sincerely, grabbing the offered beer. "Thank you for being here."