Chapter 3
The Lieutenant had hoped that Cabot wouldn’t actually apply for the position yet not a week after official word that Barba would be leaving did the DA’s office call Benson to say that they had his replacement. Alexandra Cabot would, once again, being Manhattan SVU’s ADA. The next day Cabot strode into the precinct with her usual confidence. Benson hated that her breath caught at the sight of the woman in her black skirt suit and heels. “Welcome back Counsellor.” Benson greeted.
“Thank you, it feels good to be back.” The women locked eyes for a moment before Benson had to force herself to look elsewhere.
“Everyone, this is ADA Cabot. Cabot this is the squad. Of course, you know Fin. These are detectives Rollins and Carisi.” Before Cabot was done shaking Rollins’ hand Carisi began rattling off about her former cases that he had studied. Benson quietly walked back to her office and shut the door. The reality of Cabot being back in town and at SVU for the foreseeable future hit her. It was something she had never imagined would happen. It was something that, for a while, Benson had thought about happening. She was never really sure if she wanted it to happen or not but she hadn’t thought it actually would. Now, her she was, standing in the squad room as if something had happened.
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2000
Detective Benson pushed her short brown hair out of her face and sighed at the case files in front of her. She shook her head evidence in front of her. Munch had been right, there was something else going on with the case, but she didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t want to believe that there had been a cover-up which led to a known pedophile become the guardian of a child. The grand jury started the next day and Michael wouldn’t admit to being assaulted which meant that he would probably be convicted of murder. The sound of high heels approaching made Benson raise her head. It was late and the squad room had been empty for about an hour when Cragen left. Benson had promised him she was heading home too but hadn’t managed to actually leave. There was something else about this case that she couldn’t shake off. There was more but she didn’t know what it was. Benson was greeted with the sight of a young, tall blonde woman wearing a beige skirt suit. “Hi, I’m Alex Cabot.”
“Oh, hi.” Benson stood up and extended her hand across her desk. “Detective Benson, Olivia.” Benson knew that there was a new ADA assigned to the unit. Benson wasn’t sure what she expected Cabot to look like but she knew it wasn’t this. Olivia felt a flutter in her stomach that she ignored.
“To be entirely honest I didn’t expect anyone to still be here. I was just going to drop off some files for Cragen.”
“Well, I shouldn’t be here and actually if you don’t mind not letting Cragen know I was still here at that’d be great.” Benson let out a nervous chuckle and pulled on her blazer.
“Something about this case bothering you?” Cabot asked. “I mean aside from the obvious.”
“Yes actually.” Benson sighed. “I feel like we’re missing something here.” The two women stared at the files on the desk for a few moments in silence as if the secret was just going to jump out at them. “Well, I really should be going. Good night Counsellor.”
“I’m not looking to hang this kid out to dry.” Cabot’s voice interrupted Benson when she was halfway out the door. Benson turned around and looked at the woman. The confidence that she had walked in with was gone for a moment. “But I can’t change how the laws are written.”
“Okay,” Benson nodded and gave her a small smile. “Have a good night.”