Chapter 7
When the four arrived at the hotel Hammond told them that they had hired a penthouse. It was unusual to do that but since they were with the four of them, this was the best option. There would stay an Agent outside till the next morning when they would move to a safe house. And there would be an Agent inside the penthouse with them. It was Olivia's choice if that would be Hammond or an other Agent. Olivia said that if Dakota was alright with Hammond to stay, he could stay otherwise she wanted a different Agent. As soon as the doors of the elevator opened they could hear Abby arguing with the Agent. It was clear that Abby wiped the floor with her. The three women couldn't help it and laughed out loud. Hammond just shakes his head. Hammond pulls the key card out of his pocket and opens the door. They all walk inside.
"Abby leave the Agent alone. She is only doing her job." Olivia says.
"Liv, what the hell is going on? She won't tell me. She comes to your place and demands that Dakota is coming with her. When I asked what for, she tells me that she can't say it. And then she thought that I would let her take Dakota with her. I told her over my dead body. So here we are." Abby asks.
Olivia walks to the Agent and hold out her hand.
"Detective Olivia Benson. I'm sorry that Tex here gave you a hard time. But she is very protective about Dakota. But I guess I don't have to tell you that anymore." Olivia says, shaking the Agent's hand.
"Nice to meet you Detective. I'm Special Agent Debby Smith. And you can say that again. But on the other side it is good to see she is so protective and don't let your daughter go with a stranger." Debby says.
"Speaking of her, where is she?" Olivia asks.
"In the bathroom. I think she had enough of us arguing." Debby answers.
"Benson! Are ya gonna tell us what the hell is going on or not?" Abby asks impatiently.
Olivia walks over to Abby, motioning for Alex to come to them. Alex walks to Olivia and stands next to the brunette. Olivia turns her head to Hammond.
"Jack, I'm gonna tell her the truth. She won't settle for anything less than that. Is that alright?" Olivia asks.
"How many women do you want to take with you, Detective? You know that as soon as you tell her what's going on I have to add an other one to your list." Hammond answers.
"And you think she walks out just like that without kicking your ass? Feel free to try it. But don't look at us for help." Olivia answers.
"Why don't we all sit down first and try to act like the adults we are?" Casey asks.
Alex and Olivia are taking one of the couches and sit down next to each other. Casey takes the other one and Abby sits down next to her. Hammond and Smith both catch a chair. They all just sit down when Dakota comes out of the bathroom. When she sees Olivia and Alex she walks in a straight line to them.
"Olivia, Alex, why are we here? And why was I dragged out our home?" Dakota asks.
"I will try and answer your questions the best I can. But first I need, I mean we need, to talk with these Agents first. I promise you that as soon as we are done, we are going to talk with you. Ok, honey?" Olivia asks.
"Answer one question first, please. Does this has to do with your job?" Dakota asks.
"Yes it does." Olivia answers.
"Ok. I'll wait. Just hurry up. I want to know what's going on." Dakota says.
"Can you go to bedroom or bathroom for half an hour? We should be ready by then." Olivia asks.
Dakota nods and walks away. Olivia waits until the teenager is out of side before she turns back to Hammond.
"Go ahead, try to make her leave. Or do I tell her what's going on? Your choice." Olivia asks.
Hammond looks around him and then looks at Agent Smith.
"Don't look at me. I'm not going to help you. I've had my share of fighting." Debby says.
Hammond throws his hand in the air, knowing he is defeated before it starts.
"Fine. Tell her what's going on. It's not like I have a choice." Hammond says.
Olivia tells about the case they got and how she ended up here. Abby is silent for a few moments, trying to take it all in. Then she raises her head up and looks briefly at Alex and Casey before looking back at Olivia.
"This is not your fault, Liv. You couldn't know the outcome of the op. You didn't have the evidence to know they were your suspects. You have no other choice than going into Witsec. I know it's gonna be for the rest of your life. But this is the only way to safe your life. And I'm not mad that you never told me about your past. I understand that it's not something you talk easily about. I just hope that you've had someone who you could talk to about some of it. For the record, Hammond is right about adding an other woman at your list. How did you manage to get Hammond so far to let Alex and Casey going with you?" Abby asks.
"I made a deal with him a few years ago. That if I needed to go into Witsec that Lex was coming with me, if she wanted it. And why I didn't go earlier is something between him and me. That, I'm not gonna tell you. I haven't told it to Alex or Casey neither. When I told Alex and Casey what I was going to do, Alex immediately said that she was going with me. I told her that I had a deal about that. Casey said that she was going with us. That she wouldn't go into Witsec all by herself. So when I called Hammond I told him that there were 2 ADA's going with me. I didn't give him a choice. And now he knows why Casey needs to go too. I had Lex to talk with. She didn't know everything she knows now. But in big lines she did know." Olivia answers.
Olivia looks at Alex and gives her a small smile. The blonde ADA smiles back. Olivia looks at the others.
"If you will excuse us, Alex and I need to go to talk with Dakota." Olivia says.
Olivia stands up and holds her hand out to Alex, to help the blonde attorney up. Alex accepts her hand and let the brunette help her up. But when she's standing she doesn't let her hand go. Olivia smiles at Alex and the two women walk to the bedroom to talk with Dakota. After they went into the bedroom Abby looks at Casey, raising one eyebrow. Casey smiles and shrugs with her shoulders.
An hour later all the details are discussed. Dakota felt more comfortable with Agent Smith being in the penthouse. So Hammond agreed with her staying instead of him. Hammond stands up to leave.
"Alright, I will be back tomorrow morning at 8 am. We are going to take you all to the safe house then. Like I told you earlier, you are going to stay there for about two weeks. All of you will get your new identities tomorrow at the safe house. Does anyone has a question before I leave?" Hammond asks.
All women shake their head.
"I know it is a lot to take in. If anyone of you should have a question during your stay here, ask Special Agent Smith. Detective Benson, could you walk me to the elevator?" Hammond asks.
Olivia nods and stands up. She briefly looks at Alex before she follows Hammond out of the penthouse. Closing the door behind her. They walk to the elevator and Hammond turns to Olivia.
"You handled it well, Olivia. There was nothing else you could have done. I promise to keep you all as safe as I can. But I can't prevent that Alex and Casey need to testify in court too. I'm sorry. I know you want to keep them out of this but unfortunately, with catching this case, we can't." Hammond says.
"I know. I hate it, but I know I can't change a damn thing about it. And you better keep them safe. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to them. And I will have your ass if it happens." Olivia says.
"I know you will. Listen, I know things can get rough somewhere this night, lawyers like to argue and there are 3 of them inside. But you and Agent Smith have to keep everyone inside the penthouse. Besides you, Cabot is the only one who knows how this really works. The others don't know it. And she would always go with you. Cabot was and probably always will be a pain in my ass. The two of you fit well together. Both stubborn as hell and hard headed. Take care of them and yourself." Hammond answers.
"Watch your mouth, Jack. That's my woman you're talking about. I can kick your ass right now if needed. I don't have to wait till something happens. Which I pray to God won't happen. But it doesn't change the fact that you still can have your ass kicked now." Olivia growls.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to add protective. Don't worry, Detective. I know better than to insult Alexandra Cabot. If not for herself than for you. Now go back inside and stay safe, Olivia." Hammond answers.
"I think you should be more worried about me than her, Hammond. She will kick your ass with words, I will kick it literally. See you at 8 am. Sharp!" Olivia says.
"I'll be there." Hammond answers before stepping into the elevator.
It's 4 am when Alex walks out the bedroom. Everyone except for Olivia and Debby went to the bedroom to try to get some sleep, an hour ago. Abby and Dakota are sleeping in the bed. Casey is sleeping on one of the two small couches in the bedroom. Debby and Olivia are sitting on the couches in the living area, talking, when Alex walks to them.
"They're all sleeping?" Olivia asks, petting next to her on the couch.
Alex sits down next to Olivia and leans against the Detective.
"Yes. Abby and Dakota are sleeping in the bed and Casey is asleep on one of the couches." Alex answers.
Olivia turns on the couch so that she's leaning against the arm, with her arms open. Alex smiles at the Detective. And turns so that she can lay against Olivia between the Detective's legs. Olivia puts her arms around Alex and pulls her closer. Alex leans against Olivia's chest and relaxes. Feeling safe against the brunette's body and in her arms. Somehow Olivia always knows what she needs.
"You're not alone now, Lex." Olivia says.
"I know. This time I have you with me." Alex answers.
"And Dakota, Abby and Casey." Olivia says.
"You've got your own little harem now, Detective." Alex teases.
"We aren't jealous are we, Counselor?" Olivia teases back.
"On the contrary. I have something they don't have. Except for Dakota of course." Alex answers.
"Yes, you do. Always had and always will have. No matter what." Olivia answers.
"Same here, Liv. Same here." Alex says.
"Think you can sleep now, Lex?" Olivia asks softly.
"I'm surrounded by you. I think I always can sleep when I'm in your arms. Safe and protected." Alex answers softly.
Olivia looks at Debby.
"Can you get a blanket, please? I don't want Alex getting cold." Olivia asks.
"Yes, of course." Debby answers.
A minute later Debby is back with a blanket and hand it over to Olivia. The Detective puts it around Alex and tucks her in. Then put her arms under the blanket to hold the attorney in her arms again. Alex lets out a content sigh.
"Goodnight, Lex. I love you." Olivia whispers in Alex's ear.
"Goodnight, Liv. I love you too." Alex whispers back.
10 minutes later the blonde is asleep, safely in the Detective's arms. Olivia smiles at the blonde attorney in her arms. Asking herself how she got so lucky to have someone so precious and beautiful as Alexandra Cabot in her life and in her arms.