Title: Ships in the Night
Author: Athena
Feedback address: ariadni.mou@gmail.com
Date in Calendar: 21 June 2006
Fandom: Law & Order: SVU
Pairing: Alex Cabot & Olivia Benson
Rating: R
Summary: Coming to Alex's rescue proves to be the catalyst both women needed.

Disclaimer: “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” the characters and situations depicted are the property of Wolf Films, Universal Network Television, NBC, etc. They are borrowed without permission, but without the intent of infringement. This story is in no way affiliated with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Wolf Films, Universal Network Television, NBC, or any representatives of Stephanie Marsh or Mariska Hargitay. This story contains content between two mature, consenting adult females.

Ships in the Night
By Athena


The hour was late when Detective Olivia Benson made her way to one of her favorite hang out places in the City. She had spent the last few hours at Chauncey’s with the guys from the squad. Even though their company was nice, she found herself unable to relax. Turning one last corner she found herself in front of her destination. With an unconscious shrug she entered the bar.

Standing in the shadow by the door she took in the surroundings. A commotion at the bar caught her attention. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise when she realized who the blond woman was. After her initial surprise subsided, she realized that something was very wrong with the scene at the bar. An unknown woman leaned closer to Alexandra Cabot who moved away as if attempting to leave. The other woman grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Alex’s body language told Olivia that she was not a willing participant. Without thinking she quickly crossed the floor.

Marcy watched Alexandra Cabot sitting alone at the bar for a while, making her mind up. The woman was beautiful and feminine, just Marcy’s type. When she was fairly sure that Alex was not with anyone, she sauntered over and tried to strike up a conversation with her. At first Alex had smiled at her and engaged in a conversation. Encouraged by this Marcy moved closer; unable to hide her uneasiness Alex leaned back a little. Trying to play hard to get. Marcy thought. She knew the type. It was always the beautiful women who played these head games. She pushed a little further and grabbed Alex’ arm; Alex’ non-cooperation made her lose her balance for a second and she missed the warning signs in Alex’ ice blue eyes. When Marcy finally looked up she looked right into piercing dark eyes. Standing behind Alex was a stunning dark haired woman in a long dark leather jacket. She glared at Marcy. She did not know Olivia Benson, but the NYPD shield on her belt, and the bulge of the gun she carried made Marcy realize that she was in over her head. She let go of Alex, who took an unsteady step back, right into Olivia’s arms.

“Alex, I’m sorry I’m late. Who is this?” Olivia caught Alex with ease and held her in a protective half embrace.

“Olivia.” Alex gasped.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I mean officer, I didn’t know she was with someone. She said she was alone,” Marcy said quickly. In her nervousness she did not realize that Olivia was not a regular police officer but a detective. That did not matter to her, but the detective’s fierce look did. She did not wait for Olivia’s answer before she turned and left.

Olivia gave her a glare, not even bothering to correct the mistake. Her attention was drawn back to Alex and she immediately let go of her. Without even looking at Olivia, Alex sat down. Olivia quickly took the seat next to her, making it clear to everyone that the incident had passed. Not that there was a whole lot of people in the bar that had noticed the encounter. The bartender came over and took her order. After serving Olivia, she respectfully or maybe out of precaution, kept her distance.

Olivia looked at Alex with newfound curiosity. “What are you doing here Cabot?” she asked over the rim of her drink.

Alex smirked. “Same thing as you I assume, detective,” she said icily.

Olivia blushed. Memories of previous visits to the bar and the women she had met here surfaced uninvited. On many of those occasions some woman had ended up spending the night in her bed. She doubted that was what Alex had referred to.

Olivia’s silence annoyed her, and Alex glared at her. With a slightly irritated gesture she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Olivia had no idea why she was upset. For god’s sake, she had just saved her butt. “What?” She finally asked.

“You had to do that, right?”

“Do what? Get rid of the butch dyke who was harassing you?” Olivia blurted out with a look of surprise on her face. “How about, thank you Olivia for coming to my assistance?”

“It was my business, and you had no right to interfere. I had the situation perfectly under control. Now you have ruined everything.”

“What did I do? Don’t tell me you were interested in her?” Olivia asked surprised.

Alex gestured wildly as she verbally leaped at Olivia. “No. But you made it sound like I was your possession. And you showed her your badge. Don’t deny it, I know you did. Do you honestly think that anyone here would dare to approach me now? Not with the prospect of having the wrath of the tall and fearsome detective descend on them if they tried to make a pass on her little femme!” Alex was fuming with anger and indignity. “You have made it quite clear that you don’t like me, Olivia,” she continued. “So why can’t you just stay out of my life completely? You know, not everyone despise me. That you don’t want me in your personal life is quite clear. So please stay out of mine.”

“I never said I despise you. You are one of the smartest people I know, Alex. I challenge you because I know you can handle it, it makes you better,” Olivia said gently as she smiled apologetically.

Alex looked silently at Olivia for the longest moment, looking for any sign of dishonesty in Olivia’s eyes. She found none. Finally she nodded and favored Olivia with that lopsided smile she had come to associate with Alex Cabot. “Apology accepted.”

“I feel a little on display here at the bar, would you mind if we get a table?” Olivia said and smiled.

Alex nodded. She had been thrown totally off guard by Olivia’s strange behavior. She had known for some time that Olivia frequented this particular bar. It had happened by chance one night. She had been seated in one of the many dark corners when Olivia walked in. Alex had watched in silence as Olivia befriended and finally picked up some cute little blonde. What she had not been prepared for, was the intense pain she had felt inside, watching the detective leave with the blonde. Experiencing the same pain all over again sent a shiver through her body.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing, just a flash back.”

“Couldn’t have been a good one. Do you want to talk about it? It might help.”

“No thank you.” Alex said quickly and took another sip of her drink.

“Femme, huh?” Olivia muttered.

“What?” Alex said confused.

“You said that they would think you were my femme. No matter how flattering that comment is, it insinuates that I’m butch. Do you think of me as butch, Alex?” Olivia grinned at her.

“Eh, well, I haven’t given it much thought,” Alex lied. “You do give off a vibe.”

“A vibe?” Olivia laughed. She leaned across the table and grinned at Alex. “A butch vibe?”

“Yes!” Alex said a little annoyed.

“I can assure you that I’m not butch.” Olivia said confidently and leaned back in her seat. “First of all,” she said and pointed a finger at Alex. ”I don’t have any tattoos.” Another digit joined the first. “Secondly, I use makeup on a daily basis.” Another finger. “I wear dresses, at least on occasion.”

Alex leaned over and grabbed her hand. “I get the point. At least admit that you are more butch than me.”

Olivia blushed again as she looked at their joined hands. “Okay, you win.”

“I wasn’t aware it was a game,” Alex said sweetly.

Olivia shook her head. She could feel the heat radiate from the Assistant DA’s hand. Why she had not let go of her hand was unclear to her.

Alex was also very much aware of the fact that Olivia was still holding her hand. Not wanting Olivia to be the one pulling away from her she gently squeezed her hand and then let go. She reached for her glass, but it was empty.

Olivia was surprised at the feeling of loss that came over her when Alex pulled away from her. The gentle squeeze of her hand confused her. Shaking the feeling she waived the waiter over and ordered them another round of drinks. They sat in silence, watching the people on the dance floor, until the drinks arrived.

“Cheers,” she said and tapped her glass against Alex’s.

Alex raised her glass and took a sip. Her eyes never left Olivia’s. Olivia raised the glass to her lips and drank. At that moment an unsteady woman on the dance floor behind them bumped into Olivia, sending her into a coughing fit. Alex tried not to laugh, but the situation and the tension got the better of her. She burst out laughing, a deep belly laugh that Olivia had never heard before.

Olivia coughed and then looked over her shoulder for the culprit.

“She’s gone. Just leave it,” Alex managed to say between laughs.

“Are you done yet?”

Alex covered her mouth and finally stopped laughing. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, right,” Olivia muttered.

Alex reached out and took Olivia’s hand. Their eyes met. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s all right.”

“Would you like to dance?”

Olivia looked at Alex in surprise. “Dance?”

“Yes, dance,” she said and smiled. She got up and reached out her hand to Olivia. “Are you going to make me beg?”

Olivia grinned. “Tempting,” she said and took Alex’s hand.

Alex was a good dancer and Olivia found herself enjoying every minute. Alex smiled and took her hand leading her into a series of twists and turns. When the music stopped Alex’s chest was heaving. Catching her breath she leaned on Olivia. The music started again and this time it was slow and sensual. Alex moved closer and wrapped her arms around Olivia’s neck. Olivia slowly raised her hands and put them on Alex’s hips. She swallowed hard. Being this close to Alex Cabot did things to her body she had not been prepared for. The slight panic the thought brought on caused her pulse to beat so hard she thought her head was going to explode. They started to move to the music. Olivia closed her eyes and without thinking she pulled Alex closer and wrapped her arms around the Assistant DA’s slim waist. Alex sighed, her warm breath caressed Olivia’s ear. When she brushed her cheek against Olivia’s it sent shivers through Olivia’s body.

As the song came to an end none of them wanted to be the first to move away. Finally Alex pulled away. Without a word she took Olivia’s hand and led her back to their table. Instead of sitting across from each other Alex pulled Olivia down next to her on the couch. In the shelter of the darkness she took Olivia’s hand. Alex leaned closer to Olivia. She pressed her lips against Olivia’s.

Olivia moaned. When Alex planted little kisses on her neck she leaned her head to the side, giving her better access. Then she felt a warm hand on her thigh. She stiffened and placed her hand on top of the roaming hand as she realized what they were about to do and where.

“Olivia,” Alex whispered in her ear. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s go,” Olivia whispered.

Alex smiled and reached out her hand to Olivia. “Coming?”

They had taken a cab to Olivia’s place. Neither of them had said anything during the short ride. In the cover of darkness Alex had put her hand on top of Olivia’s, gently caressing her soft skin. Olivia had glanced her way but did not remove her hand. Alex smiled at her.

Olivia paid the cab driver and they quickly went inside. The second the elevator door closed behind them and they were alone Olivia reached for Alex. She put her arms around her slender companion and kissed her. Alex rubbed her body against her and Olivia suddenly felt roaming hands inside her jacket. She moaned and buried her hands in Alex’s hair. Then the elevator stopped. Reluctantly Olivia pulled away from the protesting blonde. She took her hand and together they hurried down the hall. When they arrived at Olivia’s door she quickly unlocked the door and they went inside. Olivia turned on the side table lights as the door closed behind them. She shrugged out of her jacket and reached for Alex.

“I want you,” she whispered between kisses.

“Oh, Olivia,” Alex moaned as she worked the buttons on Olivia’s shirt.

Olivia led her into the bedroom and they embraced again. She could not get enough of Alex’s mouth. Her kisses were intoxicating. Soft lips and sweet breath. Olivia gently pressed her tongue between Alex’s lips and moaned as their tongues touched. Alex was an amazing kisser. She finally pulled away and tried to catch her breath.

“I’ve wondered what it would be like kissing you,” Olivia admitted with a grin.

“You have, huh?” Alex teased. “And was it what you expected?”

“Much better,” Olivia whispered. She kissed Alex’s cheek and her ear. When she ran her tongue up the edge of Alex’s ear the Assistant DA let out a loud moan and she swayed a little. Olivia chuckled and pulled her closer. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

Alex finally gave up her battle with Olivia’s shirt and pulled it out of her pants. She grabbed the front of the shirt and pulled. Buttons went flying and the shirt finally opened and revealed Olivia’s laced bra. Alex hissed. She touched Olivia’s stomach and gently caressed her abs moving higher and higher. When she cupped Olivia’s breasts Olivia closed her eyes and arched up to meet Alex’s soft touch. Alex smiled and kissed the top of Olivia’s left breast. Olivia moaned and buried her hands in Alex’s soft hair pressing her face against her chest.

“More,” she whispered.

Alex pushed the shirt off of her shoulders and reached for the clasp to Olivia’s bra. A moment later it landed on top of the discarded shirt on the floor. Alex bent her head and gently kissed Olivia’s right nipple. Olivia cried out softly. Alex closed her lips around the hard nipple and sucked greedily.

“Yes,” Olivia hissed. “Oh Alex, it feels so good.”

Alex moved her hand to cover the other breast causing Olivia to moan again. Then she was gently but firmly pushed away.

“What?” she said confused. Then she saw the need in Olivia’s eyes. She understood. She took a step back, away from Olivia and started to undress. Olivia watched her as she removed her clothes. In no time they were both naked. Olivia sat down on the bed and opened her arms. Alex walked without hesitation into her warm embrace. As Olivia’s arms circled her waist and soft lips touched her skin Alex closed her eyes and sighed in contentment.

“Mm Alex,” Olivia mumbled.

Alex looked down at her dark head, wondering for a brief second when she had buried her hands in Olivia’s soft hair. She gently cupped Olivia’s chin and made her look at her. She smiled at Olivia’s raised eye brow. “Make love to me Olivia,” she whispered softly.

Olivia suddenly realized the significance of the situation and her smile vanished. “Are you sure this is what you want Alex? There is no turning back once we cross this point,” she said softly with a hint of a tremble in her voice.

Alex gently caressed her cheek. “I’ve wanted this for a long time Liv. I’m a big girl; I know what I’m doing.”

Olivia chuckled. “I gather this is not your first time with a woman then?”

Alex pursed her lips. “I would say that’s an accurate assumption, detective,” she whispered huskily causing the little hairs in the back of Olivia’s neck to stand straight up.

Olivia ran her hands up and down the back of Alex’ legs, enjoying the feel of her soft skin as she placed a soft kiss on Alex’ stomach and smiled against her skin when she heard Alex gasp. She looked up at her again. “I want you to know Alex that even though some people would call me the queen of one night stands behind my back, that this is so much more. I don’t think I could do this if I knew it was only that – only sex.”

Alex saw the raw emotions in Olivia’s eyes and leaned down and placed the softest kiss on her lips. “I know Olivia. I’ve heard the rumors,” she looked Olivia in the eyes. “and I’ve seen it happen,” she added softly. She felt Olivia tense in her arms.

“When?” Olivia choked out.

“At the club a couple of months ago; some cute little blonde,” Alex unable to look at Olivia, looked away. She flinched when she felt Olivia’s soft fingertips touching her cheek.

“Alex, I’m sorry you saw that. Had I known…” she sighed.

Alex looked seriously at her. “Had I known how it would hurt seeing you with her; I would’ve left the moment you walked in.”

Finally understanding what Alex was trying to tell her she pulled her down on her lap and wrapped her arms around her. “How long have you felt like this?”

“Felt like what?” Alex asked innocently.

“Don’t Alex,” she pleaded softly.

Alex nodded silently. “Ever since that night in the hospital during the Cavanaugh case when you wrapped your arms around me to protect me,” she finally admitted in a soft whisper.

Olivia touched her cheek again and they looked at each other. She smiled and slowly pulled Alex’ head down for a kiss. It started slowly, hesitantly as if testing if the spark was still there. It did not take long before they both pulled apart slightly out of breath.

“To be honest with you Alex, my first thought was that this would be a one time only deal. In the morning we would both realize that this wasn’t meant to be, make some mumbled excuses about too much to drink and part ways. It wasn’t what I wanted, but at this point I would take whatever you would give me,” Olivia admitted softly.

Alex nodded silently. “And now?”

Olivia smiled. “I have a feeling that this is the beginning of something good, something I’ve waited a long time for.”

“Me too, darling,” Alex said against her lips as she kissed her again.

Olivia pulled Alex with her as she stretched out on the bed. What had started as drunken sex had in a short moment turned into gentle love making. She wanted to show Alex just how special she was. She caressed Alex’ soft curves and pulled her closer; then rolled them over so she came to rest on top. Alex smiled up at her in anticipation. Olivia kissed her smiling lips as her hand found a soft breast. She heard Alex whimper as she rolled the nipple between her fingers. She moved to close her lips around it and Alex gasped as her body arched up against Olivia. When Alex moved, Olivia slipped her leg between hers and she could feel just how ready Alex was. She moaned.

“Oh god, Alex, you’re so wet.”

“I need you Liv,” she whispered, her need evident in her raspy voice.

Olivia understood Alex need for release and after a slow dance down Alex body covering every inch of her beautiful body with soft kisses she gently pushed Alex legs further apart. She looked up at her and met Alex’ eyes. Her pupils had dilated and her eyes had a much darker shade of blue than usual. The look in her eyes was almost feral, causing a shiver to go through Olivia’s body. Looking into Alex’ eyes she slowly lowered her head and tasted her. Alex eyes fluttered shut and she whimpered. “Oh god Liv, please don’t stop.”

Olivia smiled as her skilled mouth and hands focused on giving Alex what she needed. Olivia knew she was a skilled lover, but she realized that she had never been as emotionally involved as she was at this very moment. The feeling was so profound it scared her for a brief moment. She looked up at Alex and what she saw reflected in her eyes eliminated all her fears. This was what she had been waiting for; this was what they both needed.

Olivia cradled Alex’ head on her shoulder. Her beautiful lover was half draped over her body in a comfortable relaxing hug. Once in a while a shiver would go through her body causing Olivia to smile. Alex caught her smiling and raised her head.

“What are you grinning at?”

“You,” she said and kissed her.

“Hasn’t anyone told you it’s not polite to laugh at your lover just after you’ve made love to her?” Alex joked.

“Nope, and I wasn’t laughing, I was smiling.”

“Feeling proud of yourself?”

“Immensely.”

After another moment of silence Olivia chuckled softly. She tried to cover her mouth but it was too late.

“Hey, that was a laugh,” Alex said accusingly.

Olivia grinned. “I was just thinking about what the neighbors must think. I’m normally very quiet. You’re loud woman,” she said and started to laugh again.

“What’s wrong with that?” Alex said and looked down at Olivia.

“Nothing, I absolutely love it. I was just thinking that the neighbors might not.”

“Well, they better get used to it,” Alex mumbled and settled back down on Olivia’s shoulder.

Olivia turned and looked at her. She gently cupped Alex’ chin and made her look at her. “You really mean that?” she whispered.

Alex could more feel than hear Olivia’s fear of rejection. She gently caressed Olivia’s cheek. “I do. If you want to, I’d like to give this, us, a try.”

Olivia nodded. “I’d like that too.”

They settled back down to their comfortable arrangement only to have Olivia start laughing again a moment later.

“Now what?” Alex said playfully.

“I was thinking about the guys.”

“Oh crap,” Alex exclaimed.

“Exactly.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Well, we could just tell them, which of course would be no fun at all.”

“Right. So we shouldn’t tell them?”

Olivia looked at Alex and smiled. “I don’t think I could handle keeping you a secret. I’m far too happy.”

“I had no idea that you were this sappy romantic Liv.”

“I know. It doesn’t go with my image so I try to keep it quiet. Only you know, so if it gets out – I know where it came from,” Olivia said and winked at her.

“Funny. So what should we do about the guys?”

“We could have fun with it. Maybe I should make a bet with them about if I could get lucky with you,” Olivia thought out loud.

“I think not. That would not be ethical, Olivia,” Alex said in her best lawyer voice.

“That’s what you get for sleeping with a lawyer,” Olivia rolled her eyes.

“I think we should start to flirt openly with each other at work, then have a huge fight, then back to the flirting, and then make up with a big kissing scene at work,” Alex said with a grin that made Olivia very nervous.

“I don’t know if I can do it Alex. If you start flirting with me at work I might have to drag you into that little interrogation room in the back. You know the one without the two-way mirror?” Olivia leered at her, getting lost in the idea.

Alex nodded. “I guess I’ll just have to walk in there on Monday, grab you, kiss you senseless and let them figure it out. Sounds good?”

“It’s got potential. I think we might have to practice the kissing part,” Olivia said and nuzzled Alex’ neck.

“You’re insatiable woman,” Alex said with a chuckle that quickly turned into a soft sigh and then a moan. “God Olivia, you’re driving me crazy.”

“Good.”

An hour later Olivia was spooned up behind Alex in bed; her hand rested gently on Alex’ stomach as the woman slept peacefully in her arms. A smile played on Olivia’s lips and she sighed softly. She burrowed her face deeper into Alex’s soft hair as sleep overtook her.