"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
(So sorry for the long delay between chapters again. I'm really trying to find more time to write. I miss having the time to do it, but am trying to do so as I can so I can wrap this story up and hopefully properly. Thank you so much for your patience and continuing to read!)
"Double Time" Chapter 45
Olivia awoke slowly, her eyes not fully opening until the reach of her hand provided nothing but the feel of pillows or covers. She spied the disheveled dark locks of her partner partially cascading over the sheet that was covering her shoulders. Olivia scooted across the bed, surprised how far apart they had moved from each other in their sleep.
After a few soft kisses pressed to her upper back and neck, Erin shifted and pressed back into Olivia's body.
"Morning gorgeous," Olivia whispered, eliciting an approving moan and smile from Erin.
"Mornin' love," Erin said softly, stilling and squeezing Olivia's wandering hand with her own. "You want to shower with me?"
"Like right now? Do I stink?" Olivia laughed slightly.
"No baby you smell and feel delightful."
"Yeah right, that's why when I woke up you were way over here on the edge," Olivia protested playfully.
"I believe I fell asleep here with you so you must have moved…but I need toothpaste, coffee and shower. Maybe I smell. I know I've got morning breath and bed head," Erin mumbled as she crawled out of bed and padded to the bathroom. "And we need to get up."
"We do?"
"We definitely do," Erin said firmly looking at the clock again. "And I really need some coffee."
"I'll just go make the coffee," Olivia sighed pulling on her shorts.
#-#
Olivia knocked lightly on the partially open bathroom door before stepping through and setting a fresh cup of coffee by the sink.
"Thanks babe," Erin smiled poking her head around the shower curtain. "You want to join me?"
"Do you want me to?" Olivia asked hesitantly, bringing the coffee cup over to Erin's awaiting lips.
"That's so good. Thank you," Erin said sincerely. "Sorry about the way I woke up. I thought it was later and that made me a bit frantic."
"Are we not allowed to sleep in on Saturdays here?" Olivia questioned with a smirk as she placed the coffee cup back on the counter and quickly shed her shorts as she brushed her teeth.
"We definitely are, it is just that I, well we have a little surprise here for you this morning…and Abbie and Serena will be here in about 30 minutes…and I don't know…now I'm thinking it's just…I don't know dorky," Erin rambled nervously.
"Well I do get a bit nervous anytime Carmichael is involved in planning," Olivia grinned as she stepped in the shower and wrapped her arms around Erin, "but the surprises you are in charge of I always enjoy."
"I love that you're so biased in my favor, but if this one…"
"I love you and I trust you," Olivia interrupted and then pressed her lips to Erin's.
"Good morning," Erin hummed happily once they finally broke the kiss for air. "And don't worry we will have more alone time this afternoon. Abs and Serena have a meeting with their wedding planner at one."
"Not worried," Olivia quipped. "I love spending time with our friends and I'm glad Serena and Abbie live only a few minutes from us," Olivia added as she finished rinsing the soap from her body.
"I do too. It's great having them so close," Erin said as she wrapped a towel around her torso.
"What should I wear for my surprise?" Olivia asked as she stepped from the shower and grabbed a towel from Erin. "I am dressed for this surprise, right?"
"Yes," Erin winked all four of us will be dressed. "And we will be staying in the apartment so whatever you were going to wear today."
#-#
"Ok, ok Serena," Olivia heard Erin say as she stood silently just to the left of the closed guest bedroom door. "She can borrow…ok have…but no wearing in public."
"Thanks…I think," Olivia heard Abbie protest. "But if she calls out your name…"
"I won't sweetie. It's hottest because you're wearing it," Serena reassured. "No offense Erin, you know I think you rock it too."
"No offense taken," Erin laughed. "Awww fuck, look at this now. Maybe we shouldn't do this…it is kind of dorky."
"Erin it's not dorky and you can just cover it with the pants," Serena consoled, heightening Olivia's already nearly peaked curiosity. Olivia inched closer along the wall to the door trying to ensure she could hear every word of the conversations in the room.
"No backing out now Mathison," Abbie growled. "I even practiced in the mirror this morning."
"What the hell?" Olivia mumbled quietly.
"I rehearsed too," Serena grunted.
"I appreciate all the effort. I really do," Erin said apologetically. "Do I look all straight?"
Olivia mumbled to herself quietly once again.
"Don't even Carmichael, you know what I am referring to," Erin quickly added. "We should have just already opened the champagne."
"Relax Erin," Serena said encouragingly. "You wear it very well and it's all aligned."
"I'm only wearing this one," Abbie huffed. "You're not getting me in that."
"I only have one of these anyway," Erin quipped.
"You need to pull your collar up. Liv left dental forensics here," Abbie chuckled.
"I'll just take the pictures from the other side," Serena said growing agitated. "How do I look by the way?"
"You look just like you do when you go to court," Abbie replied.
"And by that she means you looking stunning," Erin quickly followed.
"You do babe," Abbie added hurriedly but sincerely.
"Just because I'm dressed normally…"
"I know Serena. You're playing a very important role too," Abbie interrupted.
"You both are. Couldn't do it without either of you. How 'bout I buy brunch after this?" Olivia heard Erin ask in the guest room as her iPhone began ringing in the kitchen. Olivia stepped quietly away from the door to the kitchen to answer her ringing phone.
#-#
"Morning Alex. What's up?" Olivia asked.
"Sorry to interrupt your weekend but trying to get some work done and have a few questions on the Simmons case." Alex replied. "I put them in an e-mail, so when you can find a few minutes…"
"No problem, I'll get it back to you," Olivia answered keeping her gaze fixed on the guest room door down the hallway. "How's Angie feeling?"
"Finally she has gone over 24 hours without a fever and can keep some food down. She's better, but still feeling like crap. She's sleeping now."
"Poor thing. A bitch of a flu bug. How are you doing?" Olivia asked.
"I'm fine. Ang is stubborn and sweet. She's been in the guest room since we got back from the doctor a few days ago. She doesn't want me to catch it."
"She's a trooper. Tell her we're thinking of her. Hey Lex…did Erin, Abbie or Serena tell you about having some surprise for me this weekend?" Olivia asked just as Serena stepped out of the guest room into the hallway and quickly closed the door behind her.
"I know nothing Liv, but whatever it is I want to hear about it later," Alex said.
"And even if she knew Benson," Serena interrupted, "Cabot wouldn't tell you a thing." Serena added as she snagged the phone from Olivia. Serena talked to Alex for just a moment, not revealing any clues of the surprise awaiting Olivia.
#-#
Serena set the phone down and grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled her into the master bedroom.
"This is a really sweet surprise that Erin came up with," Serena said softly. "And I am pretty damn sure you will like it, so detective if you figured it out when you were eavesdropping for I don't know how long, but I heard you when the phone rang…act surprised when we go in, and fake it if you have to. She put a lot of thought into this."
"Now you're making me more nervous than I was before," Olivia gulped.
"It's all good Liv," Serena smiled widely. "You can trust me at least."
#-#
Serena knocked on the guest room door lightly and chuckled slightly when she heard Olivia exhale deeply next to her. They entered the room and Olivia noticed the bed had been pushed tightly against a side wall from its previous position in the center of the room. An American flag was pinned to an open portion of the wall perpendicular to the large walk-in closet.
"Just stand here," Serena said softly. Serena took a couple small steps back and to Olivia's left leaving both facing the flag draped wall. Serena picked up a script that was lying face down on the dresser to her left, took a deep breath and then began reading.
"Good morning everyone. We are pleased you could join us as we recognize Lieutenant Colonel Erin Mathison on the occasion of her promotion to colonel. Before we begin we are pleased to welcome Erin's fiancée NYPD Detective Olivia Benson."
Serena paused and smiled at Olivia who was now standing straight as an arrow, heels together and arms extended along her sides. She gave Serena a quick thumbs up and grin before closing her hand. Serena nodded and continued.
"Honorary Brigadier General Carmichael will officiate today's ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, General Carmichael."
Abbie strode confidently from the closet in her borrowed Army Combat Uniform. She abruptly halted and executed a crisp right-face so as she faced Olivia she was centered almost perfectly with the flag behind her. Erin quickly followed from the closet in her dress blue uniform. She marched behind Abbie, executed an equally crisp right-face and then stood at attention.
"Welcome Detective Benson," Abbie said sincerely but professionally, staying in character. Olivia nodded and smiled, swallowing hard at the emotions that were pouring over her as she glanced towards Erin. Abbie nodded to Serena who began reading again.
"Attention to orders: Department of the Army, US Total Army Personnel Command, Order Number 41-5.
The President of the United States has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Erin M. Mathison. In view of these qualities and her demonstrated potential for increased responsibility, she is therefore promoted in the Army of the United States from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel. Promotion is effective 1 March 2011with date of rank of 1 March 2011."
Serena paused for just a second before continuing.
"Detective Benson will you please assist Honorary General Carmichael in pinning on your fiancée's new rank?"
Serena quickly stepped to the dresser and opened a top drawer grabbing the two colonel shoulder straps and handing one to Olivia and one Abbie. Serena snapped pictures as Olivia and Abbie slid the full-bird straps onto the shoulders of Erin's uniform.
"I love you baby," Olivia said softly. "Thank you."
"At ease colonel," Abbie smirked, elbowing Erin who was still standing at attention, but with a big smile on her face. "We're done with the formal stuff now."
"More pictures though," Serena added loudly.
"Thank you," Erin sighed in relief and then kissed Olivia. Olivia broke the kiss quickly and punched Erin in the arm playfully.
"I can't believe you thought I might think this was dorky. No more pictures 'til I change quick. I'm glad I showered, but faded jeans and bare feet don't cut it for this."
#-#
Erin glanced at her phone while they were eating a late breakfast at Abbie's favorite greasy spoon. She smiled and chuckled as she read the text from Angie.
"What?" Abbie asked.
"I guess Angie's feeling better. She wants to know if I have another uniform for Alex or at least a beret I can send back with Liv."
"Alex in combat boots?" Olivia laughed. "I can't imagine that."
Erin chuckled again reading the next text message from Angie.
"Angie is just reassuring me it would be for private use only inside the confines of their apartment."
"As she should, we had to," Abbie affirmed.
"God if I had had any idea of the appeal of the uniform to lesbian lawyers I would have been hanging at law libraries in my twenties," Erin quipped.
"Like you needed any help Mathison," Abbie laughed.
"It's definitely not just the uniform, we see a lot of them around here," Serena added with a smile.
"And with that we better go and meet our wedding planner," Abbie said as she started to slide out of the booth.
"Hey wait. Thank you two so much for helping Erin. Doing all that was very special," Olivia said sincerely.
"It was fun and had to try something to try and make up for the actual one being held in Kabul," Abbie shrugged.
"This one was better. Much more fun and I wouldn't have been able to have Liv acknowledged as my fiancée or kissed if it would have been at the Pentagon. Not to mention as you all saw in the video sent the general who pinned me wasn't nearly as hot. Neither was the narrator," Erin smirked looking at Serena.
"Our pleasure. We'll see you guys around 6:30. Definitely grilling some shrimp and steaks. I love spring here," Abbie said as she did step from the booth and Serena followed.
#-#
"We've got the best friends," Erin smiled after Serena and Abbie left.
"We do and speaking of them, I was wondering…now it is my time to be nervous," Olivia smiled.
"What?" Erin asked squeezing Olivia's hand.
"What would you think of inviting Alex, Angie, Serena, and Abbie on our cruise, our honeymoon cruise?"