"Just don't fuck her on my desk and we won't have a problem, okay?" Cragen glowered at A.D.A. Cabot, as was his custom, but deep inside, he was pink with pleasure at the news.
"And if I hit you for that comment, will I be arrested for assaulting a police officer?" Her reply faced the two-way mirror, her eyes seemingly focused on the intense interrogation in front of her, when in fact, her gaze seemed to settle solely upon the intense female detective inside the dank, gray interrogation room.
Olivia's eyes flashed with the black heat of fury. "Tell me where he is!" she burst out in what was, for her, an unusual display of emotion.
Cragen's inner grin broadened, even as he kept up a stony facade. "Yeah," he mock-griped. Risking a glance at the beautiful lawyer beside him, the Captain lowered his voice a little. "Good choice." With that, he strode out of the room, interrupting the interrogation to call Detective Benson into the hall.
Alexandra watched him leave out of the corner of her eye, her stomach a twisted knot of amusement, annoyance and a twinge of arousal. She moved her gaze back to Elliot continuing in a softer, but equally harsh tone and turned towards the door leading to the hallway. She could see Cragen talking to Olivia, and even if he had a good two or three inches on her, she carried herself to be taller than the mostly overpowering cop. Alex could tell, even through shadow, Olivia was trying to calm herself and succeeding only in maintaining her professional facade. Inside, her blood had to be boiling, anger coursing through. Alex knew the feeling well, and knew she'd be getting an earful when the two returned home that night. She watched Cragen lean in to his detective, and Alexandra instictively tilted her head inquisitively, her curiosity gnawing at her as to what he may be saying; was it about the case or was he letting Olivia know he knew, just as he had bluntly told her?
"You can't keep this up," Cragen finished in what he hoped was a gently reprimanding tone. "You've gotta work out whatever crap's going on in your head." He rubbed his bald head, glancing toward the interrogation room before fixing his gaze on Olivia again. "So fix it."
"Yessir," Olivia muttered, fuming. How she handled *her* cases was *her* business and nobody else's. Twelve years as a cop, five in SVU alone, and now he's gonna tell her she doesn't know her ass from her head? *Fuck that.* Olivia stalked off, a distinctly unprofessional attitude draped firmly across her shoulders. She slammed the door to the interrogation room open and stalked in, facing the suspect once again.
Cragen watched her go, shaking his head slightly. He hoped Alex might tame some of Olivia's more wild tendencies. She wasn't a cop who'd likely be on the wrong end of a review panel. No, Detective Benson was the kind to give herself a stroke from unnecessary stress.
Alex cursed inwardly as she saw Olivia slam the chair towards her before sitting back down. Shit's really going to hit the fan, she thought. The relationship was new, timewise, and situation-wise, but they had fallen oddly in to step. Sure, they were two fiercely independent women, focused on career, and had no fantasies or ideals about love. But they just seem to fit, Alexandra surmised. She inwardly chastised herself and demanded she begin actually listening to the damn interrogation rather than focusing on a very hot (under the collar, that is) Olivia Benson.
Olivia spared a glance at the two-way mirror, knowing that Alex was there despite the detective's inability to see her. Returning her attention to the prisoner, she lit into him verbally, trying to pry the information she wanted out of the uncooperative suspect.
Slamming her empty mug down, Olivia growled low in her throat. Her adrenaline was still pumping from that morning's chase down Columbus Avenue and subsequent interrogation. "He lawyered up while you were dealing with the vic's parents," she finally spat, in response to Alex's unasked question.
Alex leaned against Olivia's desk, biting her lip before responding. "Did you get anything I can use as leverage?"
"Yeah." Olivia allowed herself a tiny, grim smile. "He admitted he knew the girl, and we got it out of him that they'd 'gone out a few times'," she quoted.
Alex chuckled disbelievingly. "Because a 35 year old man 'goes out' with a 15 year old girl. Only in this job." She looked down at Olivia's comparatively haggard face and lowered her voice. "You want to grab some lunch later? Complain about all the bad guys?"
Olivia shook her head. "No, thanks."
Alex narrowed her eyes, more playfully than angry, realizing Olivia was pissed, but also understanding why. "Are you rejecting me, Detective Benson?" She offered a quick wink before gesturing to the interrogation room. "You know where to find me if you change your mind."
"No," Olivia said, calming down a little as she watched Alex's seemingly carefree movements. "Not rejecting you," she qualified her statement. "I'm just gonna work through lunch and clock out early. I'm already whipped."
"Tell you what." Alexandra turned and leaned her palms against Olivia's desk, invading the detective's personal space. Most of the other SVU staff would assume the ADA was simply going over a file with Olivia, but in essence, Alex was offering Olivia a look down her baby blue v-neck shirt under her black blazer. "I have a sushi craving. If you want some bagel rolls, meet me at my place around 7, kay? If not, I'll just see you tomorrow."
"Thanks," she said softly. Olivia wasn't referring merely to the view, or the offer of her favorite dinner. Even more, she was trying to thank Alex for giving her a way out if she wanted it. Olivia was new to the adult-relationship arena, and having a girlfriend took some getting used to. Having someone who understood that she couldn't be "on" twenty-four/seven was priceless.
Alex straightened, but not before giving Olivia another small wink. "No problem. See ya." Alexandra turned, able to suppress the amused grin to a slight, polite, tight-lipped smile to the rest of the detectives in the squadroom. She paused before opening the door to the interrogation room, putting her game face squarely on. She opened the door, offering a Cheshire Cat smile to the suspect and his attorney. "So. Do you prefer pedophile with a capital or lower-case spelling?"
Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" filled the apartment as Alexandra padded around, barefoot. The low-rise jeans had replaced the black skirt and blazer, but the blue v-neck shirt remained. Her hair fell loosely around her face, even though it had started the evening in a clip piled on top of her head. She hummed to herself as she set up her dinner. She forced herself only to make one plate, not to get her hopes up that Olivia would be her dinner companion. But as she added just one more of the infamous bagel rolls to her plate, she had a pretty good feeling she'd be getting a visit tonight. That feeling turned out to be a premonition as a knock resounded against the oak door.
Alexandra jumped slightly, but smiled nonetheless as she moved across the living room to her front door. After checking the peephole, she opened the door, her smile not fading at all. "Hey," she said warmly. "You remembered your way." She stepped aside, letting Olivia in.
"I have a pretty good sense of direction." Olivia stepped into the apartment, relishing the heat that immediately began to nudge the bitter chill of a New York winter out of her bones.
Alex smiled, locking the door behind her. "I just brewed some coffee if you want," she threw over her shoulder, moving into the kitchen and pulling out a plate to set Olivia's dinner on.
Olivia stood in front of the closed door, asking herself why she was so nervous. "No, thanks. If it's not too much trouble, water would be great."
Alex stuck her head out of the kitchen, the same earlier inquisitive look coloring her face. "Why on earth would you be too much trouble?" She waved toward the couch. "Sit down. Make yourself comfortable." She moved back into the kitchen, adding an entire bagel roll to Olivia's plate, and pouring her a tall glass of water from her Brita filter. Still humming, she put Olivia's plate in front of her, handing her chopsticks and plopping next to her on the overstuffed couch.
Olivia had hung her coat on the stand by Alex's door, settling uncomfortably on the couch. She wasn't nervous about being in Alex's home, since she'd been there once already. The ache in her chest was something entirely different, she wasn't sure what it was. Pushing it aside, Olivia smiled her thanks and accepted the plate, balancing it on her knee. "This looks great."
"I got creative. Bad things happen when I'm hungry." Alex offered a smile before devouring a cucumber roll or two. She took a sip of the soda she'd placed next to her food prior to Olivia's arrival. "So what's up? You look...you're quiet," Alex was going to continue with the more humor-laden conversation, but she noticed how far away Olivia seemed to be.
"Sorry. I'm kind of out of it tonight." Olivia offered a slight smile, before popping a piece of sushi into her mouth and chewing silently.
Alexandra nodded, understanding more than most. Deana Carter began lamenting about first loves and strawberry wine in the background as Alexandra attempted not to drop her food on the floor. Argue in front of juries, make people break down on the stand, that she could do. But using chopsticks dexterously was still on the to do list. They sat in silence for a few minutes before she continued softly, "You can tell me, you know. I mean, if you want to," she finished hastily. "I'll listen."
Turning her head for a split second, Olivia met Alex's eyes and nodded. "I know." After a long silence, she leaned over, putting her half-full plate on the coffee table. "It's just the usual job stuff," Olivia said with a soft sigh.
"Pedophiles and rapists and murderers, oh my?" Alex replied, putting her own plate next to Olivia's and leaning back into the plush cushions of the couch. "It can be rough."
"Most days I can handle it." Olivia stared off at the far wall. "Days like today..." She trailed off, shrugging. "I just need to forget they ever happened."
"But you can't?" Alex prodded gently. "At the end of all that frustration, there's still a victim out there who's hurting, is that it?"
"You got it."
"Sucks," Alex replied succinctly. "So what do you do when you get angry? Run? Box? Curse and jump up and down so hard your neighbors call the super and ask you to replace their ceiling tiles?"
Olivia chuckled softly despite her mood. "Sometimes I go to the gym and kickbox," she said, still focused on a spot on the wall. "Sometimes I sit and brood about it." She sighed softly. "And sometimes I get drunk, have the most bruising sex possible and wake up next to someone I barely know and can't stand in the light of day." Olivia turned to Alex with a wry grin. "That's why I'm here instead of McMurphy's - I didn't feel like having a hangover tomorrow."
Alex met Olivia's smile with an understanding one of her own. She looked around her apartment, pretending to mull Olivia's preferences over. "Well, I don't really have anything you can kick. I do have some liquor, but it's probably decades old. As for the rest of it," she tilted her head, her blue eyes dancing in a way unfamiliar to them both, "that's all up to you."
Shaking her head firmly, Olivia finally gave Alex a real smile. "I couldn't do that to you," she said, a tint of disappointment to her voice. "I know how I get when I'm pissed off."
"And how do you think that is?" Alex prodded gently, genuinely curious, but refusing to push Olivia past her safety boundaries.
Turning to face Alex, Olivia tucked her legs up underneath her. "Well, for starters, when I get like this, I'm really rough. I meant it - verbally, physically. I'm not abusive," she clarified quickly, "it's just working off steam."
Alex nodded, matching Olivia's posture. "Seems to me it's almost allowed," she commented with a shrug. "The things you see, the things you have to explain away...it's rough, and sometimes you need an outlet."
Nodding, Olivia was relieved that Alex seemed to understand. "Agreed, but the girls I end up with during these moods..." she trailed off. "Let's just say they know what to expect."
Alex took another sip of her drink, her tongue darting out to catch a drop of soda before it fell off her lips. "That doesn't make you like them," she finally said. "You're not vicious, or a monster. You're just trying to stay sane. I have a great deal of respect for you, for surviving as long as you have."
"I'm not saying I'm anything like the sickos we catch." Olivia's wry grin had returned. "I was saying that you're not one of those girls."
Amused, Alexandra leaned back against the arm of the couch. "What makes you say that?"
Chuckling, Olivia waved her hand at Alex's outfit. "It's in your bearing," she said. "You're a good girl who's into nice and pretty."
"Hey, now," Alex protested, her eyes alight with the challenge. "You don't know everything about me, yet, Olivia," she replied.
Olivia took the bait, replying immediately, "I know you well enough to know that you don't pick women up in bars, and you'd never let someone vent their pent-up shit at you, no matter how good a lay she was."
Alex sighed, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "On the latter point, you may be right -to an extent," she modified hastily. "Part of being a friend, or even more than a friend, is being a ventee. But no, no one has simply sat and cursed out their boss to me, at least in recent memory." She scooted minutely closer to Olivia before making her next point. "On the former point, however, you are incorrect. I have picked up my share of women in bars, thank you."
"Martini bars don't count," Olivia teased.
"I don't drink martinis," Alexandra shot back. "Well, much."
Olivia laughed, her entire body relaxing. "Right." She grinned broadly. "But you know I'm right. You've probably never had truly angry sex in your life."
Alexandra thought hard, and then smiled softly. "Once," she replied. "Girl got so freaked out she magically turned straight. It was the weirdest thing."
Still grinning, Olivia shook her head. "I just can't see it, sorry. I don't think your angriest angry sex would be enough to make anyone cringe, much less run." Her tone practically dared Alexandra to contradict her.
Alexandra shrugged, offering a sly smile. "I'm not the angry one."
Neither am I anymore, Olivia thought, but she replied aloud, "You couldn't handle it, just trust me, Alex."
"So what makes it angry sex in your mind?" Alex queried. "I mean, is it just the roughness of the physicality? Or is there something more emotional attached to it, that if it weren't there, would make it just raunchy sex?"
Stifling another chuckle, Olivia thought a long time before answering. "It's definitely emotional, as well as physical. I get very...well, insane's really the only word for it. I've thrown women up against walls - again, not in a violent way," Olivia grinned to temper her words. "I'm just not usually like that."
"I know," Alexandra replied softly, the memory of Olivia's hands on her body, gentle, deft and erotic, remaining a vivid image in her mind. "My opinion? Sometimes you just need to be raw, let go."
"Like this?" She leaned forward, grasping Alex's face firmly between her hands. Olivia pressed her lips to Alex's, thrusting her tongue into the other woman's mouth without waiting for a welcome.
Alex met Olivia's tongue deftly, circling and tasting the sushi both had consumed. Alex moved herself closer to Olivia, slinging one leg over Olivia's hips, welcoming her closer.
Breaking away, Olivia grinned wickedly. "You're walking on the edge here, Cabot, you know that?"
Alex licked her lips, looking up at Olivia with heavy-lidded, but determined, eyes. "Does that bother you?"
"No. I just want to make sure you know how it's going to be." Olivia's eyes darkened at the prospect of releasing her frustration over the day from hell. Her voice was lower now, and gravelly. "I'm not going to be gentle. I'll try not to hurt you, but...just so you know going in."
Alex pulled Olivia's mouth back towards hers, meeting in a bruising kiss. She cupped Olivia through her jeans before breaking away. "Do what you will."
Growling softly, Olivia raised up on her knees, leaning over Alex. Her lips crushed the blonde's, her tongue demanding entrance again while her fingers tugged impatiently at Alex's shirt, yanking it skyward. Olivia's mouth drew hard kisses down her collarbone before she turned her attention to Alex's breasts. Her teeth closed around one tender nipple, biting it gently at first, then with increasing pressure. Despite her earlier promise of no mercy, there was a part of Olivia that couldn't bear to hurt the beautiful woman underneath her.
Alex let out a low moan, sliding her hands around the detective's waist, her hands deftly lifting the back of Olivia's dark green shirt and sliding up her smooth back. Alex felt boldly feral, touching all she could; running her nails up and down Olivia's back, thrusting her hips to meet Olivia's, and finally moving her hands to cup Olivia's breasts, massaging her nipples until they became taut in her hand.
Groaning, Olivia pushed Alex's hands away roughly. "Thanks, but no thanks," she growled. Her mouth claimed Alex's, and Olivia leaned forward until the blonde was well beneath her. Bringing her knee up, Olivia thrust it against Alex's warmth, trying to guage how far she could take this.
Alexandra's sharp gasp was completely swallowed by Olivia's dominant mouth. She rested her hands on Olivia's ass, wrapping her own leg around Olivia's calf, nudging Olivia's knee further between her legs.
Grinding her knee against Alex, Olivia trailed crushing kisses over her pale skin. Her teeth slipped against the delicate flesh, leaving a light pink trail in their path. Everywhere her mouth went, Olivia branded Alex with tiny marks, a physical expression of her aborted frustration.
For the first time ever, Alexandra wouldn't mind the biting New York cold, as her colorful array of turtlenecks would hide the vicious pleasure being inflicted on her body. Alex moved her hands along Olivia's waist, her long fingers dipping below the denim to move along Olivia's hips. She continued to thrust against Olivia's knee, increasing the pressure enough that she let out a staccatoed gasp, followed by another moan. She tangled her hand in Olivia's hair, the breath beginning to seep out of her.
Olivia felt her reserve beginning to slip, her inhibitions dying with the pleased sounds coming from her lover. Olivia felt the ache beginning in the pit of her being as she crept downward, licking and biting Alex's yielding skin. Her hands reached for the waistband of Alex's jeans, deftly unbuttoning them and unzipping the fly. Meeting Alex's eyes for the first time since they'd started, Olivia saw her own dark desire reflected there. "Get these off," she instructed Alex.
Alexandra's blue eyes, now a shade of grey as her arousal colored them, met Olivia's and never wavered as she peeled off her jeans and panties in one fell swoop. She lay bare beneath Olivia, the room silent, save for Alexandra's heavy breathing.
Breaking eye contact, Olivia bent Alex's legs at the knees and lowered her head. She savored the taste of Alex's skin, scented by sweet apple lotion, marking the inside of Alex's thighs as she had her breasts and collarbone. Finally, Olivia's mouth found the wetness she was seeking, and she plunged her tongue inside without warning.
Alex stiffened and nearly screamed as Olivia's mouth dominated her. She dug her fingers into Olivia's shoulders and then moved to the edge of the couch, gripping the leather with all of her remaining strength. She bucked slightly against Olivia's mouth, her eyes closing as a series of small moans, sighs and whimpers finally escaped her.
Her tongue thrusting rhythmically inside Alex, Olivia's fingers sought out her lover's clit, teasing it between her forefingers. Rolling it gently, Olivia then gave the little nub a sharp tug.
Alexandra hissed and exhaled deeply, extending her arms towards Olivia's body, brushing her fingers along Olivia's shoulder. "God," she moaned, the first word uttered in what seemed like an eternity.
Moving her tongue, Olivia thrust her fingers in their stead, her mouth circling Alex's clit.
The whimper that escaped Alexandra this time, the one that sounded desperate and unfathomably aroused, was one she'd never experienced before. She ground her hips against Olivia, trying to take her fingers deeper, encouraging harder contact.
Hesitating for the briefest of seconds, Olivia relented, slamming her hand against Alex, driving deeper than she thought possible. Her teeth attacked Alex's clit, tugging and biting it mercilessly.
The force of Olivia's hand inside her sent Alexandra's head almost off the armrest of the couch. She felt her pulse quicken and felt herself start to shake, impending signs of orgasm. She could hear her wetness as it slid against Olivia's fingers, and the sensation, coupled with her own hands tugging hard on her nipples, sent Alex halfway screaming into oblivion.
Normally, Olivia would've slowed down and let Alex recover, but tonight the fiery mood wouldn't let her. Thrusting even harder, Olivia watched Alex's face as she drove her fingers home.
Alexandra's eyes flew open, watching Olivia's steely velvet eyes, determined, she was sure, to get her to disturb even deaf Mrs. Keller three doors down. Her heart rate tripled as she maintained the marathon pace Olivia had started, and she could feel sweat beading across her body. As Olivia curled her fingers back, Alex's eyes closed roughly as she came again, this one leaving her a shaking, sweating mess on her couch.
More satisfied with that, Olivia drew her fingers away, wiping them discreetly on her jeans. Climbing up, she hovered over Alex with a mile-wide grin. "I was wrong," she uttered the words like an epithet, leaning down to kiss Alex's neck. "You're tougher than I thought."
Alex cleared her throat, turning her head to catch Olivia's mouth gently with her own. "Remind me of that when I'm in traction."
Chuckling, Olivia returned the kiss, then sat up on her heels.
Alexandra remained on her back for a moment, then sat up cross-legged, her emitted groan evidence of the soreness she'd feel for at least a week. She watched Olivia's face and moved slightly closer to her, still leaving the upper hand with her lover.
Smiling broadly, Olivia leaned in for a gentle kiss, belying the entire experience they'd just shared. "That was good," she murmured.
Cupping Olivia's cheek with her hand, Alex smiled, responding with her own tender kiss. "Very good," she agreed. Moving her hand to the back of Olivia's neck, she asked, "Do you feel better?"
"Much," Olivia breathed.
"Good," Alex murmured, moving still closer to Olivia. Wrapping her arm fully around Olivia's neck, she moved in and trailed gentle kisses down Olivia's neck and collarbone. Her hand moved lightly across Olivia's breasts as they had earlier, the touch light enough that Olivia could shrug it away if she wanted to.
That was just what Olivia did, with a gentle smile of apology.
Alex shook her head, shrugging off Olivia's remorse with an understanding smile and teasing wink. She sat back, pulling the afghan draped over the back of her couch and wrapped it around herself like a cape. She wanted to say something, but the only words that came to mind were somehow meaningless and trite. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw their half-eaten dinners and her arm sneaked out from underneath the afghan to grab a bagel roll. She popped it in her mouth and offered Olivia a broader, brighter smile. "Worked up an appetite."
Grinning, Olivia reached for her plate, scooping Alex's remaining sushi onto it, alongside her own. Resting it on her knee, she offered it to her lover. "My favorites," she chuckled softly. "Sex and sushi."
Alex nodded, choosing a cucumber roll next. "It's starting to become one of mine."
Olivia practically strutted into the office the next morning, her attitude much improved from the previous day. Striding into the bullpen, she greeted her partner and settled down to work. It wasn't long before Alex found her, ostensibly on business.
Alexandra nodded her good mornings to Munch and Fin before approaching Olivia and Stabler's desks. "Good morning," she greeted the pair, the welts on her neck itching against the wool of her gray turtleneck.
"Good morning," Olivia replied coolly, her eyes searching Alex's neck for any pink peeking out. She was unbearably proud of herself. "I'm glad you're here. I wanted to talk to you about the Jensen re-trial, if you have a couple of minutes."
Alex checked her watch briefly and nodded. "I'm not due in court for an hour or so," she replied. "Lead the way, Detective."
"We can use the Captain's office. He's out this morning." She stepped inside and waited for Alex to follow before closing the door. Making sure the blinds were drawn, Olivia locked the door and pushed Alex up against it. "You were incredible last night," she growled.
Hoping the crashing of her briefcase against the linoleum floor didn't echo as loudly as the instant arousal in her ears seemed to be, Alex leaned towards Olivia and caught her mouth passionately. "So were you," she replied.
Olivia could only moan a reply as she pushed Alex's turtleneck out of the way to admire her handiwork. "Very nice," she grinned, kissing in-between the marks. "Are you as aroused as I am?" Olivia moaned softly.
Alex tilted her head towards Olivia's mouth, her hands trailing along the hem of her red v-neck sweater. "More, I think."
"God," Olivia breathed. Tugging on Alex's hand, she led the blonde over to the desk. Sinking into the chair, she patted the edge of the desk. "Hop on up," Olivia teased, her eyes alight.
Alex tilted her head back and laughed, quietly enough so that only they would hear, but freely enough to declare her delight. Doing as she was told for once in her life, Alex pushed some of Cragen's "filing system" out of her way and sat, legs spread, on the edge of the knock-off cherry desk.
Grinning wickedly, Olivia murmured, "We only have a few minutes, so..." Trailing off, she lowered her mouth and got right to work.
The End
