Chapter 4
Olivia accepted the glass of wine from Alex and took a seat on the small couch in the ADA’s office. They clinked glasses in celebration of Alex winning the first case she took to trial since returning to SVU three weeks ago. “It’s been nice to work with you again.” Alex smiled and took a sip out of her own glass. “We work well together.” Olivia didn’t know how to reply so she just took another sip of wine. The two sat in silence for a few more minutes. Alex placed her wine glass on the coffee table and moved closer to Olivia. She placed one hand on the other woman’s leg and in the next moment Alex’s lips her on Olivia’s cheek and then her lips. Olivia pulled away abruptly.
“I can’t do this.”
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2002
“I can’t do this.” Alex Cabot put down her fork and looked across the table at the detective.
“Can’t do what? Eat your pasta?” Benson replied confused.
“No, no.” Alex sighed. “I can’t sit here with you, every Thursday, and eat dinner and act like everything is okay when it isn’t. It isn’t okay.” Alex’s voice wavered and the confidence that the woman normally possessed was gone.
“It’s not okay? Did I do something to upset you?”
“You didn’t do anything. It’s me. I … I have feelings for you and I thought that I could pretend I didn’t for the sake of our friendship but I can’t pretend anymore.” Alex felt a mixture of relief and fear as the truth came out. “You can go if you want and tomorrow we can pretend this never happened but I just had to say something.”
“I don’t want to go.” Olivia replied. “If we’re being entirely honest I’ve never been with a woman or even considered that I might want to but … but I like you. You make me feel different in a way that I haven’t been able to explain though I think you might have just helped with that.” Olivia reached across the table and took Alex’s hand in hers. “I don’t want to go.”
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“I’m sorry.” Alex moved away from Olivia. “I know we should have talked about what me being back here meant.”
“It means nothing. It can’t mean anything.” Olivia stood up. “Alex, I’m in a relationship.”
“What?” Alex also got up. “With who? Since when? Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I couldn’t. No one knows. We haven’t disclosed yet.” Olivia explained. She and Barba had decided to wait six weeks after his transfer to disclose the relationship to One P.P. and the D.A’s office. They thought that if they did it too soon it would be painfully obvious that the relationship had started when they were still working together.
“Barba.” Alex stated. “You really do have a thing for lawyers.” Olivia shot her a look that ended that line of joking immediately.
“I should go.”
“That would probably be best.”