FF: Banana Split
Pairing: A/O
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. I just like to play with
them for a little while.

*****

"We got a guilty verdict!" Alex jubilantly announced as she strode
confidently into the 1-6 precinct.   The ADA knew the case was going
to be a slam dunk – a rapist attacking a female jogger in broad day
light in a park then leaving behind the used condom with his
fingerprints all over it next to his victim.  `Idiot' thought Alex
when she was going through the case file.  Her detectives barely
broke a sweat with this one.  *If only all criminals were this
dumb.* 

"Good job, Counselor," Elliot congratulated patting the attorney on
the back.  "Well I gotta head out.  It's Back to School Night at the
twins' school.  Duty calls."  With that, the detective headed out
the door for the day.

"Where's Fin and Munch?" the blonde asked Olivia.

Olivia looked up from the file she was reading and said, "They're on
stakeout tonight."

"Oh, um, hey, if you're not busy, um, would you like to go out and
celebrate with me tonight?" Alex asked shyly.  *Smooth, Cabot.  Why
don't you just go over and kiss her while you're at it.*

Olivia was caught off guard.  She stared at the attorney, leaning
against her desk and looking really cute blushing after asking her
to celebrate with her.  *Alex Cabot wants to go out and celebrate
with me?  This is probably going to be the only time she'll ask me
out anyway.  I'll just pretend it's a date, since this is as close
as I'm ever going to get.*  The detective broke into a smile at the
sudden change of nervousness in the attorney's demeanor.  "So tell
me Counselor, what does celebrating with you entail?"  Olivia
figured she'd never have a chance with the beautiful and very
straight ADA anyway, so there was really no harm in some playful
flirting. 

Alex looked at her detective smiling.  She was no dumb blonde, far
from it in fact.  She knew enough to know when someone was lightly
flirting with her.  It also helped in noticing the glint in Olivia's
eye when she talked to her.  For the past couple of months, the
observant ADA had begun noticing little details when it came to one
Detective Benson.  For example, whenever Olivia had a shitty day,
instead of going to a cop bar and drowning her sorrows in alcohol
like she used to, she started going to Alex's office to seek
comfort.  Alex also couldn't ignore the subtle touches whenever they
were near each other and the small glances the detective would give
her when she thought the other woman wasn't looking.   Alex knew
Olivia was interested in her and since the detective hadn't made a
move yet, the blonde decided it would be up to her if they were
going to have chance at a relationship. 

The blonde leaned down low enough so that her mouth was right next
to the detective's ear.  The position also gave the brunette a
pretty damn good view of the ADA's cleavage.  Before she went in,
Alex purposely undid one extra button for the soul purpose of having
Olivia check her out.  "A flat surface, whip cream, and some warm
chocolate syrup," the blonde said huskily into the other woman's
ear.  When she pulled back, the detective had her mouth hanging open
just a little bit.  She licked her lips unconsciously, which
elicited a small chuckle from the ADA.  "And I can't forget the ice
cream, nuts, cherries, and the most important ingredient, the
banana."

"Say what?" Olivia asked confused.

"Banana splits, Detective.  I like to celebrate by indulging in a
banana split from time to time.  Why, what did you think I had in
mind?"

*You, me, naked on any flat surface would be great.  And I can
probably think of a few uses for that whip cream and chocolate
syrup, all of which involve me licking them off you.*  Flustered,
the brunette responded, "Right, banana splits.  That's exactly what
I was thinking." Grabbing her jacket off the back of her chair, the
detective was ready to leave.  *Damn I need some air.  Just when I
think that woman can't turn me on even more, she does.  Geez Benson,
you've got it bad.*  "Well, come on then.  Let's go get that banana
split."

Going to a nearby diner, the two women decided to just have dinner
there.  Olivia was surprised that the usually icy ADA actually
enjoyed having a burger and fries for dinner.  "Wow, Counselor, I
didn't peg you for a burger joint kind of woman," the detective
commented as she slid next to the other woman in the booth they sat
at.

The blonde raised an amused eyebrow at her.  "Oh please," she
said, "I like this place and the company isn't so bad either."  She
smiled at her detective and reached under the table to grasp her
hand.  "Having dinner with you beats any top notch restaurant any
day."

It wasn't lost on the detective that her ADA wasn't going to let go
of her hand anytime soon.  So she just sat there and enjoyed the
feeling.  *I'm in a diner, holding hands with this gorgeous woman. 
And even better, she just told me she doesn't want to be anywhere
else but here with me.  Maybe I do have a chance with her after
all.  Go me.*

The conversation over dinner was light, hardly work related.  They
talked about their childhoods, movies, music, and whatever else they
could think of.  For some reason, Olivia felt at ease opening up to
the ADA.  Alex for her part felt the same way.  It was like two
people who had known each other forever talking.  After they ate,
they were finally ready for that banana split Alex had been craving
all evening, besides Olivia Benson, of course.  "Liv, you wanna
share it with me?  I usually can't finish the whole thing by myself."

"Yeah, ok, that's fine by me."  Olivia ordered and figured they'd
have a few minutes to kill before desert arrived.  The detective had
already decided that she would get over her fears and tell the
blonde how she felt about her.  "Alex?"

"Hm," the blonde simply replied looking at Olivia.

"I'm just going to come right out and say it.  I like spending time
with you, whether we're at work or doing something outside of work. 
Um, yeah, I really do.  Crap, I sound like a babbling idiot right
now," Olivia said in a frustrated tone.

*I guess I won't be the first one after all to admit my feelings.  I
just hope she doesn't back out now.*  Just like earlier, Alex took
the nervous brunette's hand in her own not only in comfort, but also
to feel close to the other woman.  The only difference this time was
that instead of simply clasping their hands together, the ADA
intertwined her fingers with Olivia's.  That one simple gesture
spoke volumes to the detective.  She scooted closer to ADA so that
whatever she said to the other woman wouldn't be broadcasted
throughout the entire diner, not that they could hear her anyway
with all the people and music in the background.  "I like spending
time with you too, Liv.  That's why I asked you out to dinner
tonight."  Looking directly into dark brown eyes, Alex said, "I like
being with you."

Staring back into blue twinkling eyes, Olivia said in
disbelief, "You do?  You really like being with me?"

"For a detective, I would've thought you would've figured it out by
now.  Why do you think it's your desk that I always sit on?  And
trust me, it's not because it's the most comfortable place to sit. 
Or how come I always ask you to lunch and not the other detectives. 
Liv, I've liked you for a long time.  I was just afraid of telling
you," the ADA admitted shyly.

Olivia was quiet for a moment before she spoke up again.  "So let me
get this straight -  you're not.  And to top it all off, you're
interested in me as in `I want to date you' interested.  Is that
right?"

Before the detective could get a response from Alex, their banana
split arrived.  Before the bowl reached the table's surface, the
blonde already had her spoon in hand, ready to dig in.  Olivia
watched the normally serious ADA turn into this excited kid who just
got her favorite desert.  She was amazed when she saw Alex take the
first bite and close her eyes to savor the sweet desert.  It was
kind of cute actually.  Opening her eyes, the blonde saw a grinning
Olivia Benson staring at her smirking to herself.  Finally
swallowing, Alex said, "To answer your question, Detective, that
about sums everything up.  Is there any other clarification you
need, because I'm pretty sure I made myself clear as to what my
intentions are toward you?"

After a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream and chocolate syrup, Olivia
asked, "So, um, is this a date?"

"Do you want it to be a date?" the blonde responded.  *Please say
yes.  I don't know how I'd ever look you in the eye again if you say
you didn't want it to be.*

"Yeah I did.  I figured, before you told me how you felt, that this
would be the closest thing to a date I'd ever have with you." Again
taking a serious tone, the brunette continued, "Look Alex, I really
like you too.  I've liked you for quite some time, actually.  I was
scared shitless in telling you.  You're a very beautiful and smart
woman, you could have anyone you want.  I just didn't want to
believe you'd want someone like me."

Gripping the other woman's hand firmly, Alex said, "Olivia Benson,
don't you ever think that.  How could I not want you.  You're one of
the most attractive human beings I've ever laid my eyes on.  When I
first met you and shook your hand hello, my knees turned to jello. 
Liv, you have a big heart.  You show compassion towards those who
probably wouldn't normally get it.  And did I already tell you how
beautiful you are?  Both inside and out?  All I'm asking for is one
shot, a shot to see if you and I could do `this,'" the blonde
finished off motioning between the two of them. 

"Well I think we should give it a try.  I know for a fact that if I
don't take this chance with you, I'm going to regret it for the rest
of my life."  Putting her spoon down, the detective put her free arm
around the ADA to let her know how serious she felt towards the
other woman.  "Alex Cabot, I want to be with you."

"Good thing you do, Liv, because I want to be with you too," the
blonde said returning the hug.  "Can I tell you something else?" 
The detective stopped and looked at the other woman expectantly.  "I
like you more than I like banana splits."

Breaking out into a wide grin, Olivia said, "Well it's a good thing
because I'm going to finish the last of this desert.  We ought to do
this again sometime, Counselor."

"So Detective, is that your way of asking me out on a 2nd date?"

"Why yes it is."  Sitting up a little straighter and clearing her
throat, the brunette asked, "ADA Cabot, would you like to go out
with me on another date sometime?"

"Why yes, Detective Benson, I would love to go out with you again."

After a long pause, the two women broke out in laughter.  What
started out as a friendly dinner turned into one of the best dates
both women had ever had in a long time.  The detective was the first
to speak.  "Now we're just being goofballs.  What do you say we get
out of here and finish our date somewhere else?"

"If I have to be a goofball, it's only fair that you be one too." 
They got up to put their coats back on and headed outside after
paying their bill.  "So Liv, what do you want to do now?"

"Since it's getting pretty late and we both have to work early
tomorrow, I was going to escort you home and make sure you got in
ok, if that's fine with you?"

"And people say chivalry is dead.  I would like nothing more."  And
with that the two women got into a cab and held hands until they got
off at Alex's building.  When they got to the building, as promised,
Olivia walked the ADA to her door to make sure she got in ok.  "So
here we are," the blonde quietly said.

"Yeah, here we are.  Um hey, about the 2nd date, what about this
Friday?  It's ok if you already have plans – we could do it some
other time, the date I mean, not `do it' as in sleep together, not
that that would be a terribly bad thing, it'll be good in fact…"

Without warning, the ADA leaned in and kissed the babbling brunette
soundly on the lips.  When she pulled back, the detective still had
her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open.  "Liv, I would love to
go out with you this Friday.  And about us sleeping together, don't
worry Detective, we'll get there,"  the blonde finished in a flirty
manner. *Hopefully soon with the way I'm feeling right now.*

Olivia stepped closer to the blonde and wrapped her arms around the
other woman's waist to pull her closer.  Instinctively, Alex wrapped
her own arms around the Detective's neck.  With their lips mere
centimeters apart, Olivia whispered, "Now, I'm going to give you a
proper kiss goodnight."  The two women stood in front of Alex's door
making out until they finally had to come up for air.  Alex's lips
were red and a little swollen and Olivia's were pretty much in the
same state.  "Well, I guess I better get going.  I'll see you
tomorrow."  She gave Alex one more kiss and pulled away to head home.

Before she got to the elevator, Alex yelled out, "Hey Liv, wait a
minute!"  Concerned, the Detective turned around and went back to
Alex.  "Can you call me when you get back to your place so I know
you got home ok.  I know I'm a worry wart, but I just want to make
sure you get in safely."  Alex kissed her one last time after the
other woman reassured her she would call as soon as she walked into
her apartment.  The ADA didn't want Olivia to go and was even
tempted to ask the Detective to stay the night, but wasn't sure if
that was a good idea or not. 

A little while later, Olivia walked into her darkened apartment. 
She flipped her phone open to call the ADA like she promised.  Not
even finishing the first ring, the ADA answered.  "Honey, I'm home."

"Smart ass," the blonde laughed.  "Are you ok?"

"Aside from missing you already, yeah I'm fine.  Shouldn't you be in
bed, Counselor?"

"I'm getting into bed right now.  I just didn't want to go sleep
without hearing from you first."

The Detective's heart fluttered knowing there was someone out there
who genuinely cared about her well-being.  What made the feeling
even better was the fact that that someone was Alex Cabot.  "Thank
you for caring about me," the brunette said sincerely.  "Hey listen,
are you still going to be up in the next 30 minutes or so?"

"Yeah why?  What's wrong?" the blonde asked with concern.

"I have something to take care of really quick.  Can I call you
back?"

"Sure.  Well, I guess I'll talk to you later then?"

"Uh-huh.  Talk to you later." 

Approximately half an hour later, Alex was sitting up in bed going
over a case file, waiting impatiently for her Detective to call
back.  When her phone began to ring, she flipped it open immediately
to answer Olivia's call.  "Hey Liv!  Did you take care of whatever
you needed to take care of?"

"Yeah I did," Olivia answered.  There was a short pause before she
said,  "Um, hey Alex, could you open your door?"

The ADA got up and padded into her dark living room.  *Why does she
want me to open the door?  What the hell's going on?*  When she got
to her door, she heard a soft knock coming from the other side.  *No
way, it can't be.*  Alex looked through her peep hole and saw Olivia
standing there with her phone in hand.  She undid the locks and
threw the door open.  There standing before her was Olivia Benson,
dressed only in her dark blue hooded NYPD sweatshirt, blue flannel
pj bottoms, and a pair of flip flops.  Her cropped hair was a little
spiky and the ADA could tell she just took a shower.  She took the
grinning Detective's hand and pulled her into a tight hug.  Only
then did she realize the other woman wearing a back pack.  "Liv,
what are you doing here?" the attorney asked while bringing the
brunette into her apartment.

"I wanted to come and say goodnight personally," the brunette simply
said.  "And I missed you."

"Liv, it's almost midnight.  Are you telling me that instead of
going to bed, you came all the way back here because you missed me
and wanted to say goodnight?" the ADA asked before smiling.

Olivia held the other woman close and began placing small kisses all
over the blonde's face and few on her neck.  She stopped what she
was doing for a moment to answer the other woman.  "Uh-huh."  She
kissed the blonde for quite some time before pulling back to look
into sparkling blue eyes.  "Hi."

"Hi yourself."  The two women continued to stare lovingly at each
other before Alex spoke up again.  "I wanted to ask you to stay
earlier, but I was afraid to.  So I'm going to do it now.  Would you
like to spend the night here with me?"

Giving the blonde a smug smile, the Detective motioned to her back
pack.  "I thought you'd never ask, Counselor Cabot." 

When the two were in bed with Olivia spooning Alex from behind, the
ADA whispered a goodnight to her dozing Detective as she took
Olivia's hand resting on her hip and brought it to her lips to kiss
before placing it over her heart.  In response, the brunette held
her tighter and nuzzled the back of Alex's neck.  *You did good,
Cabot.  Who knew all this would happen with a craving for a banana
split.  Thank God for them.*

The End…