Alex was so tired of waiting. Days had turned into months and she was sick of feeling sorry for herself. Everytime the phone rang her heart beat faster. She was hopelessly distracted at work and sleeping brought its own difficulties.

Everyday was the same, she got up from a restless nights sleep. Went to work, went to court, dealt with the same worthless low life's and then went home. She used to love her job but everything was different now, she missed the old team. She hasn't spoke to Elliot in days and she tried to avoid the station as much as possible.

She decided a change was in order. Instead of going straight home Alex dropped into a quiet bar near her building. She took an empty stool at the bar and ordered a whiskey. She was perfectly content on sitting there on her own without being bothered but she didn't think she was going to get her way.

She spotted a man at the other end of the bar. He was also sat by himself but he was looking straight at her and smiling. She looked behind her checking he wasn't interested in someone in that direction before she returned with a small grin. He was good looking enough and his suit denoted a decent profession. He was probably waiting for his wife after work.

She went back to her drink, quietly contemplating things. A few minutes later Alex was interrupted again but this time by the bartender, he held a drink in his hand for her.

"This is from the guy over there", he put it down and went back to his business. She observed it for a moment and couldn't help but smile; it had been far too long since something like this had happened and it was nice. She looked over to find he had gone and thought maybe shed missed her chance to thank him before he appeared next to her, leaning on the bar.

"Did I get it right?", Alex stared at him blankly before she realised he was referring to the drink he had delivered.

"Spot on actually, thank you", Alex felt nervous; a new feeling for her in these types of situations.

"I'm George Stewart. I work at an accounting firm down the street", he had a warm smile and kind eyes and Alex felt herself becoming interested.

"I'm Alex Cabot, I work in the district attorneys office. Why don't you sit down and ill buy you a drink", she hadn't expected herself to invite him to join her but he seemed a pretty good distraction.

"Thanks, ill have the same as you", he joined her and sat awkwardly for a moment. "You look like you've got something on your mind, anything a complete stranger can help with. I'm a good listener".

"It's just a case I'm working on, I can't really talk about it. So you're an accountant", she quickly tried to get the subject off herself.

"Yeah and it's just as boring as everyone makes out. So how comes you're here alone?", he was certainly charming she'd give him that.

"Well I could ask you the same question. I just came out for a quiet drink after work", she hastily downed her drink and ordered another one for both of them.

"I was stood up actually. Damn blind dates never work out do they", this surprised her. Someone like him didn't seem the type to need to go on blind dates.

"Oh I'm sorry", she tried to sound sincere but she was also curious.

"Well it turned out alright in the end. I met you", she couldn't help but laugh when he used that line, the look on his face told her he was serious but used a cheesy line on purpose. This encounter with a stranger was actual turning into something promising.

He excused himself and went to the bathroom giving Alex some alone time. Was she really going to do this? He might not even be interested. But was she interested? It felt like it. Alex found herself asking the question of Olivia. All evidence suggested that Olivia had moved on so why shouldn't she? Did Alex expect herself to wait forever? Olivia might not even come back and if she did would she be the same person who Alex loved? There were a lot of questions she needed answers too but in the mean time she decided to have some fun with this guy, maybe ask him to dinner he seemed nice enough.

As if on cue he returned phone in hand clearly annoyed. "I'm sorry Alex I have to go back to the office", she thought he was blowing her off but he quickly continued. "How about another drink sometime or dinner?", he smiled waiting for an answer and she didn't hesitate to give him one.

"Dinner would be nice", Alex reached into her bag and retrieved her card then finished her drink in one gulp and walked out with him.

They both paused on the pavement for an awkward goodbye. He seemed unsure and Alex found that endearing.

"Can I get you a cab?", he finally said gesturing towards the road.

"No thanks I live about two blocks ill walk", she went to leave but he wasn't finished.

"It was nice meeting you Alex Cabot, ill be talking to you soon", he walked backwards away from her as he spoke then with a wave he turned and headed off into the darkness.

The walk back to her apartment took her a few minutes and her encounter with George had put her in a reasonably good mood. She finally felt like she had something to look forward too, whatever might or might not happen between them; she definitely needed a change.

The next few weeks were filled with dinner and lunch dates. Drinks and brunches. Alex and George became close very quickly. He was exactly what she needed, the exact opposite of Olivia. He was kind and consistent and not afraid of telling her how he felt.

One night after a particularly romantic dinner she lay in bed wide awake, for the first time in their relationship she realised something was missing. She liked him a lot but not in a earth shattering life changing way she had felt for Olivia, he was just a distraction for her and she felt guilty for using him. She still loved Olivia that wouldn't change but maybe if she stuck with George she could grow to love him too, Alex would have to take that risk.

Winter was setting in now and one morning Alex examined her calendar, for some reason her thoughts turned to Olivia. It had Been four months since she left and as far as she was aware there had been no sight of her.

George had just dropped her off after lunch, she knew he was growing impatient with her but she couldn't yet bring herself to sleep with him. She knew why that was but did not want to admit it to herself just yet.

She took her mind off things by paying a visit to svu. Elliot was working away and she distracted him momentarily for a quick catch up. He was working on a case she would have to be involved in soon.

Her visit ended quickly and she turned to leave. Her phone started bleeping in her bag and she stopped watching where she was going for a second.

Someone bumped into her and her briefcase fell, emptying its contents all over the floor. She quickly knelt down to scoop everything back up whilst simultaneously scolding the person who bumped into her.

She didn't look at them until she stood, they held her phone in their out stretched hand and she stopped dead when she realised it was someone she recognised. Olivia was back.

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