AN: I don't know much about how the
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the character Jules and
her restaurant! Although L&O and L&OSVU would be nice
to own. Maybe then Serena would still be around and Alex would never
have been shot!
Triangle
by Barnaby
Alex walked out
of the courtroom feeling very pleased with herself.
She had just won one of the SVU's hardest cases to
date. It wasn't hard in a way that she felt she couldn't prosecute it well
enough, it was hard as there was little evidence, however
the evidence was very strong. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't
realise she had bumped into someone. She muttered an 'I'm sorry' and continued
on her way. After a few moments she realised she was being followed. Ready to
snap whoever it was' head off she turned around. The woman who had been
following her spoke as Alex was turning around.
"You know
usually after I've been bumped into I like eye contact to be made so I can see
if their apology is sincere."
"Hello to
you too Serena"
"Alex you
know you really should stop thinking so much when you're walking through a crowded courthouse"
"Hmm, I'll
keep that in mind. Was there something you needed?"
"Would you
like to go for a drink?"
"The occasion being?"
"Jack and I
just won a fairly high profile case and I don't feel like facing Arthur and his
brandy"
"Fair
enough"
They walked to a
bar that wasn't all that far away from the courthouse. Alex went to the bathroom
and Serena ordered their drinks. When Alex returned from the bathroom Serena
was sitting in a booth without her overcoat and suit jacket on. Alex took a
second to admire the view of Serena so relaxed and decided that she may just
need more than one drink to make it out of this session alive and with her
dignity intact.
"Hey Alex,
you gonna stand there all afternoon or are you going to sit and drink?"
Alex ignored the
fact that Serena had just caught her and knew that she needed a snappy comeback
or at least a comeback. "I'm thinking standing here isn't such a bad idea
at least it means I wont have to go back to the
office."
"I know
what you mean. Hey you know that detective you work with ah" she thought
about it for a second before continuing "Benson I think it is"
"Olivia
Benson"
"That's the
one"
"What about
her Serena"
"Well I've
ah... I've heard some stories and I was wondering if you could verify
them"
"Depends on
what they are"
"The one
I'm really interested in is if she really is, you know, one of the girls. Okay
that came out totally wrong. Do you know if she's into women or not? You know
me always the gossip and I totally need to go on a date."
"I don't
know Serena I know she slept with a detective just before I started. You really
think you need to go on a date... I haven't been on a decent date in
years."
"What
qualifies as decent to Alex Cabot huh?"
"Hmm being
picked up for dinner at a decent restaurant, going on a nice long walk, depending
on the season of course, and then being escorted back to my apartment, maybe
have a few more drinks and then my date would be told to leave. I don't do the
whole no kiss on the first date rule but I do not
believe in sleeping with someone on the first date. I mean a kiss is okay but I
refuse to sleep with someone before at least the second date"
"Okay that
was confusing"
"So Serena Southerlyn's ideal date is...?"
"Pretty
much the same but in most of my recent failed relationships I was the perfect
'gentleman'" she used her fingers in the quotation gesture to make her
point. "Flower's as I was picking her up for the date and then insisting
that I pay for dinner. I always escorted them back to their apartments and they
never let me even give them a kiss on the cheek!" Alex giggled at that.
She couldn't imagine Serena 'my opinion matter's' Southerlyn
taking that. She could almost imagine Serena pushing for at least a kiss on the
cheek if she wasn't allowed to kiss them on the lips. "What are you giggling
about Cabot?"
"I can't
picture Serena 'let me have my say' Southerlyn taking
no for an answer"
"Well, gotta abide by a ladies rules if you want a chance at
another date"
"Where'd
you learn that? Jack?"
"Personal
experience actually" Alex only just realised that when Serena was
explaining her ideal date that she used 'her', that she had put gentleman in
quotes and that just then she'd said 'a ladies rules'. Alex was aware that when
she drank she became a little slow to process information but it never took her
that long to 'click' before. "You okay over there Alex?"
"Huh? Oh
yeah just reflecting on the fact that I'm slow when I'm drinking"
"You mean
you just realised that I was gay after I asked you about that detective etc.
man Cabot you really are slow when you drink."
"Hmm. Do you really want to go on a date with Olivia? I could ah give her
your number or something" 'why don't you just ask her to go on a date with
you Cabot you fool, you know she's gorgeous' one part of her conscience was
trying to talk her into it but the other was saying 'you work with her stupid,
if Branch finds out you'll both be out of a job'.
"You'd do
that for me? Gee, Alex I almost got the impression you wanted to go on a date
with me. I know there's a risk of Branch finding out but you wouldn't be the
first in that office I've been with. He still has no idea about it"
Alex didn't know
how to respond to Serena's line of thinking so instead of coming up with a
response she picked up her suit jacket and her overcoat, thanked Serena for the
drink and ran. It was almost like Serena had been reading her thought's and that scared Alex. She wouldn't mind seeing
Olivia happy for a change but she really didn't know if Olivia would go on a
date with Serena let alone go out on a date with a woman. If Olivia was into
women then Alex would lose her shot at her to Serena and then again she would
lose her shot at Serena to Olivia. 'Gee triangles really are complicated
shapes' Alex thought to herself as she got a cab back
to her office 'at least I can try to get some paper work done'.
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
The next day
Alex walked into the one-six precinct's SVU squad room
and found just the person she was looking for. Though she and Olivia were friends,
she felt odd asking her if she would date a woman. "Olivia
can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Sure"
Olivia replied and followed Alex into one of the interrogation rooms.
"What do you need Alex?"
"Sorry to
be blunt but have you ever dated women?"
"Where did
that come from?"
"Just
answer it please. A friend of mine wants to know. She has ah seen you around
and thinks she'd have a shot at asking you on a date. I told her I'd ask you if
you were interested and if you were I'd give you her number."
"Yes Alex I
have, a very long time ago. I'm not looking for a relationship right now, you
see we have this really bossy ADA and she keeps us busy, so busy sometimes that
it makes it hard to have a date" Olivia tried to lighten the mood but was rather
unsuccessful "look Alex, your good at what you do I didn't mean that you
work us hard I just tried to lighten the mood and failed obviously"
"It's okay Liv I know you were trying hard. I've had a lot on my mind.
So what should I tell this friend? Should I tell her to expect your call or
should I let her down gently?" Olivia accepted option number one and said
that she would call the 'friend' herself and decide to go out on a date or to
let them down gently. She hadn't quite decided. She knew that if Alex was asking
for a friend then that meant that the blonde
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
The few days
since she'd given Olivia the number went rather unceremoniously and Alex
wondered just what it was that she had done. She hadn't really asked Olivia if
she'd made the date with Serena or not and she hadn't seen Serena to ask.
When Friday
night finally arrived there was a knock on the door. Alex summoned them in.
When she looked up she saw Serena standing in front of her in what Alex assumed
was Serena's favourite suit.
"Just wanted to see if you wanted to go for another drink."
"When's the
date?"
"What?"
"Olivia
didn't call you?"
"She did
but told me rather rudely to look elsewhere. She told me she had affections for
someone else but refused to tell me who. I was rather disappointed you know I
love my gossip"
"Yes,
Serena I do."
"So..."
"Let me
finish this bit here and we can go"
"I'll be
back in ten I need to tell Jack something"
'Okay Cabot
moment of truth do you love Olivia or do you want Serena? You now know they've
both dated women' she was deep in thought when Serena walked in and announced
that she was ready. Alex really wasn't sure which woman she wanted to be with
more. There were risks involved in both relationships. With Serena she could
lose her job all together and with Olivia she'd have to transfer out of SVU.
"Alex snap out of it we're here and so far you're not very good
company"
"Sorry
Serena" 'but I can't do this. I love her but I want you' she couldn't
bring herself to say it although she really wanted to.
"Well snap
out of it. Will it be the same as what you had the other day?"
"Yes
thanks"
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
A few hours and
numerous glasses of alcohol later the two women exited the bar having talked
mostly about their current cases, well at least the parts they could reveal.
Serena walked Alex to her apartment then announced rather sheepishly "I'm
sorry about dinner or lack there of." Referring to their
discussion about dates.
"I'll
forgive you this time Southerlyn" 'what the hell
Cabot, did you just say that?'
Serena leant in
and planted a kiss on Alex's cheek. When she pulled away she saw the conflict
going on inside of Alex growing on her face and moved to reassure Alex.
"If you don't want it, I'll settle for friends but this Alex, is
ultimately your decision"
Unbeknownst to both,
a shocked detective stood in the shadows watching the display. 'That's it
Benson if she says she wants it you lose!'
As Alex leant in
to kiss Serena squarely on the lips she saw something move out of the corner of
her eye. She turned to inspect the figure and knew almost immediately that
figure was the one person she didn't want to hurt. She leant in and whispered
in Serena's ear for her to go along with it and she kissed her hard. The figure
moved a little more which didn't go unnoticed to either blonde. Alex pulled
away to unlock the door and Serena followed her in.
"Who the
hell was out there?"
"Olivia"
"How'd you
know?"
"I suspect
the person she has affections for is me. When I asked her if
she had dated women before I think she thought it was me asking but not for a
friend. What she didn't expect was for me to give her your number. I saw
the look in her eyes that day, it was definitely a
look of relief that I was finally asking her out. Plus I knew it was her, her
build gave her away."
"Triangles..."
"Are complicated shapes. I know" Alex finished for her.
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
Alex was
dreading the walk into the SVU squad room the next time she was actually
needed. She was hoping to avoid the squad for as long as she could but
unfortunately she was needed and there was no way she could avoid going in.
When she arrived at her destination she walked straight into Cragen’s office deeming it best to stay away from Olivia
the best she could.
“Liv what happened between you and Alex?”
“What?”
“She avoided
you. Usually you’re the first one she says hello to unless one of us says it
first.”
“I don’t think
it’s any of your business Elliot”
When Alex
immerged sometime later Olivia needed some answers as to what happened the other
night out front of the
“Alex can I
speak to you”
“If it’s quick
detective, I need to get back to my office”
“Back to your blondie”
“What are you
talking about?”
“I know you know
I was there the other night”
“Once again,
what are you talking about?”
“You kissed
Serena the other night out front of your apartment. I know you knew it was me
in the shadows” she paused trying to get a grip on what she really needed to
say. “I went over there with every intention of telling you just how I felt and
you go and kiss her”
“Olivia I had
too much to drink and Serena… wait, why am I
explaining my personal life to you. You know my job comes first and I like what
I do with this squad, how I make victims feel a little safer at night by
putting their attackers away. Getting involved with you would mean I’d have to
transfer if it got out. Being with Serena however means I just have to be
discreet” her voice was beginning to get a little higher in tone at each
passing word. “Besides Serena and I are friends Olivia, much like you and I. I
wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardise either friendship.”
“Be with her I
don’t care but you and I have to at least work together, so I suggest we try
and be civil about it”
“Whatever Olivia
but you should know, I wrestled with this and I’m sorry but I do love her more
than you. I hope you and I can still at least be friends”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
Serena was
sitting in her office after coming out of another heated discussion with Jack
and Branch when she saw the familiar figure standing in the doorway.
“Hi”
“You wanna go get a drink? My treat this time, you paid for the
last two”
“Okay. I should
remind you of the last time we went for a drink…”
“Serena… shut
up. I told her a few things, she told me a few things and well I picked you
over her”
“Little ol’ me? Alex I’m touched”
“So I heard half
of your discussion with Arthur and Jack. You know you shouldn’t let them get to
you. So what was it all about?”
“Something about
gays”
“Hmm, you told
them didn’t you?”
“I had to. I
don’t think they have that big a problem with it but they did try and tell
stupid jokes”
“News flash Serena. Branch is a long time friend of the family, ah
he kinda knows about me and I’m still around, aren’t I? He doesn’t have a
problem with it so long as I don’t let it interfere with my job!”
“Whoa, wait
Branch knows your family? Hmm you know there could be a lot of accusations
about that”
“I earned my
position! I did not get it because my father and the current DA were foes in
the courtroom. Besides I worked here before he was the DA” To try and change
the subject she moved to Serena’s side of the table and looped their fingers
together. “Serena I really want to be with you. I have been thinking about it,
yes I know I think too much, but as long as we keep it out of the office we should
be fine. I will not allow Arthur to keep me from what I want and that is you!”
“Maybe we should
skip that drink and just go back to one of our apartments for drinks”
They walked to
Serena’s apartment seeing as it was closer. Although it was an innocent
encounter they were in fact more comfortable. They talked about this, that and
everything and generally got to know one another. Alex told Serena just how the
DA and her father met, how she first realised she liked women and inturn Serena
told Alex all about where she grew up and about how she had fallen hard for
Alex from afar just watching all the little things she does.
Alex was
surprised to hear Serena’s admission and kissed Serena. The kissing turned more
erratic as each second passed. When they broke apart Alex’s shirt was half open
and Serena’s pants were open. Instead of making a move to stop, Alex leant in
and whispered in Serena’s ear that she was in definite need of a release.
Serena led them to the bedroom where they finished un-dressing.
Serena’s hands
were all over her body and Alex was powerless to do anything but lay there and
watch. When Serena’s finger found her clit, she gasped in delight. She didn’t
know that pleasure could quite feel this good. Sure she’d experienced pleasure but
never this good, hell this is bliss compared to those times. When she’d come
again and again she pulled Serena up to her and kissed her soundly.
Serena was the
first to speak “Alex I don’t want to spoil the moment but I love you, I know
it’s really early and we haven’t even discussed anything but I can’t help it”
“Serena. I
haven’t had much of a chance to fall in love with you so I can’t say the words
just yet but give me a chance and it will happen”
They made love
several more times and while Alex wasn’t going to tell Serena she loved her
too, she was certainly feeling it. They fell asleep somewhere in the early
hours of the next day content to just lay together in each others arms. When
Alex woke sometime later she saw the most beautiful sight ever, the feelings
were just too strong she couldn’t deny them. “I love you too Serena”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
What Alex saw when she walked into the
squad room later that morning kind of scared her.
Every detective in the squad room seemed to be in their own little world.
“Okay, what happened?”
“Olivia was shot at last night while
chasing a perp” Elliot explained with a somewhat
solemn expression.
“Why didn’t anyone call me?”
“Because I told them not to” Olivia
stepped in behind Alex.
“Olivia, are you okay?”
“I’m here and alive, aren’t I?” Olivia
replied a little too harshly.
“That is not the point and you know it.
Does this have anything to do with me choosing Serena over you?” Alex was very
aware that she had just said that aloud but didn’t care she was more worried
about Olivia right now than her dignity “does me picking her have anything to
do with you not calling me? Goddamn it Olivia I thought we talked this through.
Olivia just because I chose her doesn’t mean I don’t care about you and your safety!”
“Why Alex all I am to you is just your
colleague”
“Don’t you dare throw this back at me. I
made a choice and I will not be made to feel guilty about my choice of partner.
Stop acting like a selfish ten year old and grow the hell up! When you do, maybe
you could finish this case!”
When Alex stormed out of the squad room
Elliot chose that moment to throw in a “she’s right you know” little did he
know that he wouldn’t walk out of the precinct with his head intact.
“I never asked you Elliot”
“She is right though Olivia you are
acting like a ten year old. Grow up and let her be happy. You know that may
actually be the first time I’ve seen her smile in months! Grow up Olivia and
don’t ruin her good thing! I hate a bitter Alex Cabot on a good day I don’t
want to hate her on a bad day too!”
“That made absolutely no sense Elliot!”
“Got you to calm
down a bit though. Just be happy for her!”
“Guess your right. Still doesn’t mean I
have to have her called the minute I get shot at, besides I’m fine and there
was no reason to worry her”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
On the way to the District Attorney’s
office Olivia was trying to figure out what she’d say to Alex. She really
needed to apologize and make things right with the
Arriving at Alex’s office door she
noticed that it was locked. Fearing what might be going on in the office she
stepped away until she bumped into something or someone.
“She went home early tonight detective”
came the voice of Liz Donnelly.
“Right. Thanks Liz”
“You know she stormed in here today
mumbling something about you being a selfish bratty ten year old. Know anything
about that detective?”
Instead of replying Olivia just walked
away. She couldn’t believe she’d infuriated Alex that much, sure she knew she’d
hurt Alex with the way she had acted but obviously Alex was fuming when she got
back to the office.
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
“You know I can’t believe her Serena. It
was not an easy decision to make and just because I chose you is no reason for
her to start shutting me out of her life. For god’s sake we have to work together!”
“Calm down Alex. I’m sure she was hurt
and feeling like you were the bad guy in all this”
“She told me to be with you.
Unbelievable”
“C’mere and
relax. Forget about it.”
“I still have to work with her Serena”
“And I still have to work with Jack but
we can’t have everything the way we want”
“What do you mean you still have to work
with Jack?”
“Nothing. I don’t really wanna talk about it”
“Okay but I definitely want to know what
happened there”
“Let’s just say that the other day when
I kinda spilled that I was gay he finally realized
why I rejected him”
“Right”
They continued to sit on the couch just
enjoying each others company and watching some silly movie on the TV. Just when
Serena started to nod off she was startled by the door.
“I’ll get it. It is my apartment. You
just relax” Alex opened the door to see a very flustered detective. “Liv what do you want?”
“To talk”
“You did enough of that at the squad
room today”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair I know. I thought
about what you said and Elliot made me realize you were right. I was acting
like a selfish bratty ten year old” she noticed Serena sitting on the couch “hi
Serena”
“Hi”
“If you don’t mind detective I’m a
little busy”
“No need for the venom there councilor,
at least I tried to apologize”
“Fine now do you
mind?” She gestured towards the door indicating to Olivia that she wanted her
to leave.
“A little rude
there don’t you think Alex?”
“Your point
Serena…”
“Remember you
have to work with her. Go easy”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
Alex tried to
avoid going to the precinct for as long as she could. Serena was right she and
Olivia did have to work together but if Alex didn’t have to go to the precinct
out of necessity then she didn’t. When the time came for her to go to the
precinct she couldn’t get rid of the feeling that was stopping her from being
happy about it. Going to the precinct didn’t have the same feeling that it once
did. She used to get a feeling of knowing, knowing
that the squad had found something for her to use to put another creep in jail
but now all she felt was dread, dread that she had to face Olivia again.
“Councilor”
“Captain”
“Must we do
formalities Alex?”
“You’re the one
that started it”
“Okay enough”
“What did you need
Don? I’m really busy”
“Yes I know,
that would explain why you have been avoiding coming down here. Come in to my
office we’ll talk there” they moved to Cragen’s
office. “What is going on Alex? One of my detectives and our
“All I am going
to tell you is that it has to do with the outburst last week”
“So it’s that
you chose Serena over her”
“She’s the one
with the problem with it Don. I tried so hard but then she decided that all she
wanted me to be was ADA Cabot and not Alex. So from now on everything will be
formal. I will only be called for legal purposes and I will be doing everything
by the book, no more short cuts”
“You know we appreciated
those short cuts Alex. You helped put those guys in jail because of those short
cuts. You did that for the victims Alex, not for us”
“No Don I did it
for this squad. You were desperate to put those guys in jail and the only one I
put away for a victims sake was Barnett!”
“What happened Alex?”
“I was about the
same age as Sam. My tutor decided he wanted to have a little fun one afternoon.
Fill in the blanks” Alex explained why that particular case had upset her after
Sam had been rushed to hospital.
“That explains
that but how did one of my best detectives and our
“One word or
rather one shape; triangle”
“Okay, I
understand. Professional from now on right”
“Right”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
“You coming for a drink Liv?”
“Nah Fin I think
I’m just gonna go see what Alex is doing”
“She doesn’t
want to hear from us unless it has to do with work”
“I’m sorry Cap,
why?”
“She told me
earlier that we are not to contact her unless it is to do with a case. There
will be no more short cutting and all formalities will
be in place!”
“This my fault?”
“She said it had
to do with the incident last week”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
“ALEX”
No luck.
“ALEX COME ON I
KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE”
“Go away
detective”
“We need to talk
and cut the formal crap Alex”
Alex opened the
door to her apartment “one do you mind not yelling my neighbours will complain
and I have a headache and two I said go away, unless of course you’re here for something
work related and then you could have called me” she was about to shut the door
when Olivia’s foot prevented it.
“You and I know
that you are only pulling this formality crap because of what happened between
us”
“Yes and now to
prevent it happening again I am prohibiting any further contact that is not
work related detective”
“Fine your loss”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
“Hello?”
“Alex it’s Cragen. Ah now don’t go off
on me but this is not work related, well not technically anyway. It’s Benson, she
got herself in a bar fight and needs some help”
“Call someone
else”
“Alex c’mon. Get over whatever it is and help out”
“I told you not
to call me unless it was work related. Detective Benson getting herself into a bar fight does not count! Now call someone
else”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
“Sorry, she
wouldn’t fall for it” Cragen relayed.
“At least you
tried”
“Did you really
expect Cabot to fall for that Liv? You know she’s
smart, girl. She either meant what she said or she really didn’t fall for it”
Fin said.
“I didn’t expect
her to fall for it but I did expect her feelings for me to show and then she
would help out a friend but obviously we no longer have a friendship.”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
Over a year had
passed since Alex and Olivia’s little spat. Serena and Alex had moved in
together even if it was only after a year. Alex was back on good terms with the
squad and Olivia had even found someone. All in all everything had almost gone
back to the way it was before the whole ‘triangle’ stuff happened.
“Hey Liv are you and Jules coming over for dinner Friday night?”
“Uh, yeah sure,
I think she’ll be done in time. Owning and running a restaurant is busy stuff”
“I still can’t
believe how you guys met.”
“Do you even
remember it Elliot? You were pretty out of it!”
“Yeah, she saw
you, you saw her, you asked her out and now almost a year later you guys are
strong”
“Well Elliot I gotta say if only one thing good came from my little spat
with Alex it was Jules”
“You know Alex
and Serena are coming over Friday too right”
“Yeah and I’m
cool with it”
“Okay, you know
what? I was pretty out of it that night you and Jules met. Care to remind me?”
“She came out of
the office to lend a hand at the counter because it was rush hour. She saw me and
I saw her, our eyes met and I knew that I needed to at least get to know her
better. I went back there a few days later and we talked over a complimentary
meal. I eventually asked her to go out to dinner, away from her restaurant and
she accepted. Eventually we got to the point where we are." Seeing the dissapointed look on her partners face she continued
"You were expecting details weren’t you. God you are so predictable Stabler. I refuse to feed your fantasies.”
“Aww c’mon Liv help a man out”
“NO”
xxxoooxxxoooxxxoooxxxooo
Olivia and Jules
walked up to Elliot’s apartment only to be met by Alex and Serena.
“Hi Olivia, oh
and you must be Jules”
“Yeah”
“Oh sorry, Jules
this is Serena and you know Cabot”
“Hi Alex”
“Hi. Should we
interrupt whatever manly fantasies he’s starting to have?”
“Definitely” the
other three replied
Dinner went
smoothly. The four ladies decided to go to Jules’ restaurant for drinks. After
a while Olivia proposed a toast “to happy endings!” There was a round of ‘to
happy endings’ and the night ended smoothly.
¬ Return to SVU home