"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 chapter one)
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.
Author's Note #3 Taking a little bit from Season 12 episode "Pursuit" for this chapter and possibly the next. "Pursuit" is the episode where Sonya Paxton returned for a final time and it happened to air in February. Harding, played by Debra Messing, was the character who hosted a program like "Dateline Predator." In the "Pursuit" episode her sister had been murdered 25 years earlier and Paxton had been involved with that case from the start. I know "Double Time" certainly isn't cannon, but liked Paxton and my muse wanted to incorporate a little bit of that cannon in Liv and Erin's world as "Double Time" wraps up. #-#
"Double Time" Chapter 40
"Jesus Abbie," Erin started before she had even fully opened her apartment door. "I'm so sorry. Running late…obviously," Erin added looking down at her loosened desert boots and partially unbuttoned ACU pants.
"Calm down Mathison," Abbie smiled as she stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind her. "It's not like we can't get Thai here after 7 p.m. And you know they deliver in this town too," Abbie continued as she removed her coat, gloves and boots.
"True," Erin replied hurriedly. "I just…after having to cancel on Tuesday with you and Serena I wanted to be on time tonight at least."
"I am going to open one of these beers for me and one for you and plop on your comfy couch," Abbie said calmly, noticing Erin's continued almost frantic pace.
"Thanks, but I can be ready in a matter of minutes," Erin stated as she scurried towards her bedroom to finish changing. Abbie grabbed two beers from the six pack she brought and put the rest in the refrigerator.
"I'm fine if we just order in. It is snowing pretty good. And…"
"Fuck," Erin shouted when the ring of her cell phone interrupted Abbie. Abbie sat quietly as she listened to Erin's responses into the phone. It was obviously a business call from her frequent "yes sir" and "no sir" replies. Abbie could see Erin pacing in her bedroom from where she was seated on the couch in the living room.
"God damn it," Erin mumbled as she tossed her phone on a pillow and then sat on the bed, briefly burying her face in her hands. When she opened her eyes and looked up she felt Abbie's arm around her back and her hand on her shoulder.
"I'm here Erin," Abbie said softly. "Tell me what's going on sweetie."
"I like the ordering in idea," Erin sighed, trying to keep her composure. "You know this morning was good…hell this afternoon was good until about four hours ago. I mean there's still major good," Erin continued, ringing her hands together and staring down at the carpeted bedroom floor. "Liv is okay. Grafton is in custody. I get to see her tomorrow night," Erin shrugged her shoulders. "Thank God she's okay and they got the bastard."
"She is," Abbie said reassuringly. "Was that your boss on the phone?"
Erin turned her head towards Abbie and sighed. "It was the one-star I'll be traveling TDY with around Afghanistan with for about three weeks."
"Fuck Erin…that's bullshit," Abbie exclaimed angrily. "You just got back and just got the fuckin' cast off."
"Couldn't say it better myself," Erin smirked.
"Why? I don't get it," Abbie huffed. "You're the DADT spokesperson now."
"I'll be doing a lot of that on this trip. An emphasis of the implementation towards certification is ensuring that the troops in combat zones are among the first trained on the repeal," Erin said as she got up and walked to her dresser, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt.
"A lot of that and what else?" Abbie asked turning on the bed to see Erin pulling the sweatpants over toned thighs. "Sorry," Abbie blushed slightly.
"I think my bikini bottoms are more revealing than my boy shorts," Erin smiled and then shook her head. "But I'm sorry, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I guess I'm just…between sports and the Army used to changing…"
"It's fine Erin," Abbie interrupted with a smile. "Serena and I did take your pants off in Nashville."
"And ironically if I still had that damn cast on that I couldn't wait to get off, I wouldn't be going on this trip next month," Erin said extending her hand towards Abbie. "C'mon our beers are getting warm."
"When next month?" Abbie asked grasping Erin's hand and standing up.
"Don't have TDY orders yet, but probably about the 10th," Erin replied as they walked to the couch.
"Do you know how to ski?" Abbie queried with an arched eyebrow.
"Not really well," Erin said and then took a long drink of her beer.
"Still plenty of snow in the Adirondacks. Hell, I thought I was going to die just going down some hills by Serena's parent's house on a tube. I'm sure you could fuck up your leg again on some skis," Abbie grinned. "I know you're government property, so it has to be an accidental break, or maybe just a bad sprain would work."
"I'm thinking if I have about five more beers that idea might become even more appealing," Erin chuckled and then squeezed Abbie's knee. "I'm glad you are here. Thank you."
"I'm glad I'm here too. I like hanging out with you, and truth be told, even as long as Serena and I have been together, I still miss her terribly when we're apart. Even these short little business trips," Abbie commented and then grimaced. "Jesus, I can't believe I just whined about my fiancé being gone for three days."
"It's fine. You and Serena are so great together, it's sweet. But God, I'm dreading telling Liv about this TDY," Erin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Maybe I should just say I'm going to some training exercise in Alaska."
"You have to tell her the truth Erin," Abbie said sympathetically.
"She just watched Sonya die yesterday. And now I'm supposed to tell her that in a few weeks I'll be flying around in Blackhawks all over fuckin' Afghanistan again," Erin said angrily as she bolted from the couch and strode to the kitchen. "I'm sorry Abbie. I'm not meaning to take this out on you."
"Don't apologize," Abbie said firmly. "I would be worried if you weren't pissed off about it. Liv's going to be pissed off, but at the Army not you. I'm pissed off, but I'm glad you told me and that you are talking to me about it."
"I hate it Abbie. Just the worry I went through this week with this Grafton psycho. I thought I was done putting her through it. I mean I knew a TDY there or Iraq was possible, but not probable…not so soon after, and certainly not such a long one. Thought if there even was one, it would be three or four days in country maximum."
"Why is it so long then?" Abbie asked curiously.
"Because about a week of it will be back at Camp Phoenix in Kabul. Don't exactly have a normal change of command when you are Medevac'd out. Some intelligence briefings and after action reviews and shit."
"Please tell me you're not going out on any more missions though? At least that," Abbie asked, shaking her head in frustration.
"No…shouldn't have to kick down any doors, winning hearts and minds," Erin laughed sarcastically. "Not on this adventure. That is a benefit. One less possible way of getting killed."
Erin cocked her head and smiled at Abbie. "You want to get drunk? 'Cause I do. What time you have to be at the office tomorrow?"
"I'm not saying I don't want to, but you have to work tomorrow and then drive," Abbie countered.
"I have to work until two and then I'll be riding a train. I can very well do that slightly hung over," Erin rebuked as she strode to the kitchen. "You're not in court tomorrow are you?"
"No…actually I was going to work from home," Abbie admitted shyly.
"Good for us! Then you can just crash here. Tequila, rum, vodka, whiskey…pick our poison," Erin said enthusiastically.
"You pick, but how about just one shot for now and we order that Thai?" Abbie suggested.
"Don't be a pussy Carmichael. I've drank with you enough to know two beers and a shot and you're not even remotely buzzed."
Abbie walked into the kitchen and poured two shots of whiskey. "These are mine," Abbie grinned. "You got more shot glasses?"
"We could just refill, but yes I do," Erin said reaching into a cabinet for two more glasses. "Is there a method to your madness Abs?"
"Hopefully," Abbie laughed. "But to be honest, I'm still working it out in my head."
Erin smiled widely and chuckled as she poured herself a shot of vodka and a shot of tequila.
"What?" Abbie elbowed Erin in the shoulder.
"Let's do a shot first," Erin said. After they finished their first shot Erin leaned against the counter and looked at Abbie. "I guess I just appreciate your honesty…that you're not saying that everything is going to be fine, all that stuff that well-meaning people say when they're trying to be helpful but don't know what the fuck to say."
"I'd like to think that even though I don't know what the hell to say, I'm still well-meaning," Abbie smirked and then turned stoic. "I hate it Erin that you have to go back. It scares the shit out of me. And frankly I feel a bit guilty. Serena and I both bitch if one of us has to work late and it alters plans like going to a frickin' movie. And that I get to work from home tomorrow and you…you and Liv. I take this nice little cozy life me and Serena have for granted."
"Don't take it for granted, but by all means enjoy it. And it's not like you don't have your own challenges and frustrations with your work and things…"
"Yeah, we had to call the exterminator last week 'cause there were ants in the pantry," Abbie cracked. "Why don't we do this next shot, grab a couple more beers, sit on the couch and you tell me what you're feeling. I have absolutely nothing to bitch about except you and Liv having to go through this again."
"So you're going to stay and drink with me?" Erin asked hopefully.
"Hell yeah, you're one of my closest friends," Abbie smiled. "But I am going to order us dinner."
"Thank you," Erin said sincerely, pulling Abbie into a hug and placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. "I know getting drunk won't solve anything," Erin whispered as she loosened her embrace.
"I trust your judgment Erin," Abbie said as she held Erin's arms. "If it will help you tonight…"
"I don't know that it will help. I just," Erin said softly and then dropped her head. "I just didn't think I was coming home alive the last time," she added shakily and Abbie felt a tremble in her arms. As Abbie wrapped her arms around her to pull her into another hug, Erin's phone rang.
"That's Liv," Erin said recognizing the ringtone. "Thanks Abs," Erin added as she stepped back and quickly downed her second shot before sprinting to the bedroom to grab her phone. "Go ahead and order if you will."
"Hey baby," Erin answered her phone enthusiastically, her composure fully restored. "Are you home now?"
Erin walked back into the kitchen and reached into a drawer and handed the menu of her new favorite Thai restaurant to Abbie.
"Yes all good here. Abbie is hanging out with me tonight. We're just ordering dinner now," Erin said seemingly happily and then took another swig of her beer. "And best of all, no offense to Abbie, I'll be up there with you tomorrow."
A/N So sorry once again for the long wait in between chapters. This chapter still ended up somewhat long, but trying to write shorter chapters than usual so that the updates aren't so few and far between. Thanks for sticking with the story through all the delays-each time I think real life will slow down and allow for some writing time-something seems to come up or my muse goes AWOL.