Chapter 9: Women!

Alex stepped off the elevator and walked into the 1-6 like she had a thousand times before. It saddened her to know that she wouldn't be working with this unit anymore. She had so many memories of this place, both good and bad.

"The lovely Miss. Cabot is here." John said with a smile.

The other detectives looked at him strangely until seconds later the one and only Alexandra Cabot came around the corner in the flesh. Fin watched Alex walking in their direction then frowned at John.

"How'd you do that?"

"It's the heels." Amanda said without looking up.

"So what? Women wearing heels walk in here all the time. How'd you know for sure it was Cabot?" Nick joined in.

"Because Alexandra Cabot does not walk like any other woman in heels."

"And exactly how do I walk, Detective?" Alex asked with that familiar smirk on her face. She spared a quick glance towards Olivia's desk, finding it empty.

"In my dreams, Counselor, in my fondest dreams." John said with a hand over his heart.

A chorus of groans erupted as several paper balls were tossed his way. Alex shook her head at the detective's antics and smiled. She was really going to miss her detectives. Yes, that's how she saw them…they would always be her detectives.

"I haven't seen you guys in a while so I came to check up on you; make sure you haven't gotten into any mischief in my absence. I also heard you've been slammed all day so I brought dinner." She placed several Smith & Wollensky take-out bags on a nearby desk. "I can't have New York's finest operating on empty stomachs."

She quickly made her way over to Olivia's still vacant desk as the other detectives pounced on the food. She smiled as she saw the object of her affections returning from the restroom. Her smile was instantly replaced by a look of concern when she saw Olivia's face. The detective's usually healthy glow was looking unusually pale.

"Hey. Are you alright?" Alex asked in a low voice as Olivia came close.

"Yeah. I'm just a little queasy; too much nervous energy and bad coffee I think." Olivia said brushing off the concern as she took a seat at her desk. She tossed the tiny travel toothbrush into the trash and started looking through her desk drawers until she found a bag of mints.

Alex watched her closely as she took a seat in her usual spot, which just happened to be the edge of Olivia's desk. She was pleased to see some of the color returning to the detective's usually tanned skin.

Olivia leaned back in her chair and enjoyed the incredible view of endless legs now on display. Dark eyes started at the tip of one Christian Louboutin spiked heel then made the journey all the way up to the slender thighs barely hidden by the dark pencil skirt. Her eyes continued north taking in the curvaceous swell of breast underneath a soft silk midnight blue blouse. The delicate clearing of a throat made her snap her eyes up only to meet amused blue eyes twinkling behind thin black frames. Alex gave her a knowing smirk. Olivia flushed knowing she was busted but she didn't really care. Olivia had seen the appreciative glances that Alex got every time she walked into the squad room. Today wasn't any different. She had once witnessed a beat cop trip and fall face first while watching the ADA pass by. So who could really blame her for admiring what was clearly perfection. Alex was stunning… and she was hers.

"Aren't you hungry, Detective?" She asked in a low sultry voice.

Olivia shifted slightly and returned the smoldering look. "You have no idea, Counselor."

"Cabot, you're a goddess! I'm starving." Nick said taking the container with his name on it.

Fin grabbed his portion and kicked back in his chair. "Thanks Alex. We've missed you around here. How was the Congo?"

Alex pulled her attention away from the intense brown eyes of her love. She gave Fin a sad look. "Pray for them."

Fin nodded in understanding then tore into his food.

Olivia moved slightly closer to her trying not to draw attention to them. "You ready for this?"

Alex nodded. "I'm all in, Detective."

Olivia gave her brilliant smile. "Me too."

She cleared her throat and turned back to the detectives. "Guys… actually there was another reason for my visit today."

Nick glanced over to his partner and met her eyes. Olivia nodded slightly.

"What's up?" Fin asked.

"I'm being transferred from SVU. I'll be moving over to Major Cases at the end of the month… as the new EADA. I wanted to give you the news myself."

There was complete silence for a moment before Fin grinned and started clapping. The others soon joined in with more clapping and whistling.

"Way to go, Teflon." John said pulling her into a hug.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. I hate to see you go, but you deserve it." Fin said giving her his own gentle hug. She found herself tearing up. It was always something about Fin's soft side that got to her. He was the only guy she allowed to call her sweetheart.

The other detectives followed suit and soon she had received well wishes from nearly every cop in the place. The sight warmed Olivia's heart. She was glad Alex had the chance to see how much she was loved by the 1-6.

Alex waited until everything had calmed down and it was only the six of them again before continuing. "Guys there is still one more thing we wanted to tell you."

"We? What? Don't tell us you've finally fallen for Munch's charms and is about to become his next wife?" Amanda said causing the others to laugh. "What is that… like number five?"

Before Munch could defend himself, Alex jumped in. "Actually…." She moved behind a still seated Olivia and placed her hands on the detective's shoulders. "It's Detective Benson's charms and I'm not sure about the wife bit yet. It's only been a few days. Besides, I'm sure she'd take issue with the obey section of the vows, but I am working on it."

As if reading her mind, Olivia tilted her head back as Alex was leaning down meeting in tender kiss on the lips. Alex stood back up wearing a smug grin while Olivia was blushing slightly.

They both looked up and saw all four detectives with their mouths open in shock. There was a long stretch of silence to follow.

"Damn it!" Munch cursed suddenly as he took out several twenties and placed them in Fin's outstretched hand.

Fin continued to grin as Amanda and Nick all forked over their share as well. Alex and Olivia both knew what that meant. There was always a bet going on in the 1-6. They just never knew they were the actual bet.

"You guys bet on us." Olivia said more as a statement than a question.

They all shrugged sheepishly. Alex didn't seem to mind. As a matter of fact, she seemed rather amused.

"What were the terms?" Alex asked.

"I said Christmas." Nick admitted.

Olivia looked at him in surprise. He hadn't let on that he had any suspicions about them during any of their talks.

"I said that you were already secretly seeing one another." Amanda added. She shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry, but you two argue like an old married couple."

Alex laughed and had to partially agree. She raised a brow at Munch and Fin. "What about you two?"

"I was clueless. I didn't see it. Some detective I am." Munch said sadly. "Shut it Fin?!" He said before Fin could add his two cents.

Fin was smiling and counting out his money. "I bet that you'd hook up as soon as Cabot got home. It was this time around or never." He smiled and handed the money over to Olivia. "Here you go, Liv."

Olivia's eyes widened with confusion as she took the stack of bills. It had to be at least two hundred dollars there. "You're giving me your entire winnings?"

"We all agreed that we'd give the money to Olivia no matter who won." Amanda said to Alex.

"Yeah. We figured Liv would need all the help she could get if she actually managed pull a dame like you." Nick added with a laugh. He dodged the sticky note pad Olivia threw at him. Alex laughed.

"Anybody want to tell me why none of my detectives are working while we have a high-profile case on our hands?"

The detectives mumbled and quickly dispersed. Cragen then saw Alex standing behind Olivia. He didn't smile but there was a softness in his eyes that always appeared when Alex was around. Olivia suspected that the grumpy older man had a secret crush on the blonde.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Counselor. Major Cases is very lucky to have you."

"Thank you, Don. And on that note, I'm going to go and allow you all to get back to work." She looked down at Olivia and winked. "You'll call me later?"

Olivia nodded. "Of course."

"And try to eat something. You still look a little pale. I don't want you getting sick." Alex said with part authority and part concern causing Olivia to blush.

The other detective's hid their grins as they watched their seasoned lead detective taking orders from her girlfriend. Olivia could have sworn she heard someone making a whipping noise, but she chose to ignore it. Alex gave her a quick wave over the shoulder as she strode away. Olivia watched her until she disappeared behind the squad room door. When she turned around, she had four sets of amused eyes on her. She groaned internally knowing the constant teasing was about to begin. 'Here we go.'

"So, I guess we all know who's wearing the pants in this relationship." Munch said.

"And why Benson has been glowing like a damn nightlight lately." Fin laughed.

"So tell us, Liv. Is our luscious Miss Cabot as thorough and intense in every capacity?" Munch asked wiggling his eyebrows.

"You know Alex would have you by the balls if she knew you referred to her as anything luscious." Amanda said. "And I'm betting Olivia feels the same."

Munch turned and saw the deadly glare Olivia was throwing his way. She coughed and loosened his tie. "Women! No sense of humor at all."

TBC...

A/N: I know this chapter is shorter than the others, but I wanted to get this out of the way to get to the good parts. Thank you so much for reviewing. The feedback helps.