DISCLAIMER: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and its characters are the property of NBC and Dick Wolf.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: February 22 was designated by margaritaville.com as National Margarita Day. I'm late. I told some folks I would try to write one for this 'holiday', but it didn't happen as planned. So, (better late than never, I hope), this one is for the ladies of Bananigans.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
FEEDBACK: To sunsetwriter[at]mindspring.com
SERIES: Part of the Holiday Shorts series.
Holiday Short – National Margarita Day
By sunsetwriter
"Well, I guess some things never change." The voice with the slightly Texan twang caused Olivia's eyes to widen as she slowly lifted her head from the file she was studying. Sure enough, she recognized the owner of the voice as she strode casually into the squad room.
"Abbie?" Olivia wondered what brought the former ADA, now US attorney, back to the 16th precinct. She was dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase, so Olivia surmised that this must be a professional visit, but she was still slightly unsettled at the sight.
The slow smile that spread across Abbie's face suddenly made Olivia wonder again about the nature of the visit. She had to admit, in the two years since she had seen the lanky attorney, Abbie had certainly maintained her ability to turn heads.
"Hey," Abbie said as she sat down in the chair next to Olivia's desk. She put down her briefcase and crossed her long legs.
"This is quite a surprise," Olivia said. "What brings you back?"
"I've been assigned the Benoit extradition and had to come meet with Manhattan vice." The case she referred to was a recent drug bust involving a man also wanted on drug trafficking charges in Quebec City. Canada claimed dibs on him, but the Manhattan vice squad had him in custody. "I couldn't be this close and not stop by to say hello."
Olivia nodded. She really shouldn't feel this awkward, but she did. She and Abbie had always maintained a good professional relationship while Abbie was working cases for SVU. Then, when Abbie took the job with the US Attorney's office, Olivia took her out for a drink to congratulate her on her new job. One thing led to another and they had ended up back at Abbie's apartment where they spent the night together being anything but professional. Unfortunately, it was Abbie's last week in town and neither of them had fancied a long-distance romance, so they left it as a memorable one-night-stand.
Hoping that she wasn't blushing at the memories this surprise visit had just conjured up, Olivia cleared her throat and asked, "So, how long are you in town?"
"Just until tomorrow," Abbie said almost reluctantly. "I think we've reached a tentative agreement with the RCMP, so my work here is done. I know it's last minute, but I was wondering if maybe you were free for dinner. You know… for old time's sake." The last bit was said in that slightly lower raspy voice of hers, making Olivia realize that this little stop on her whirlwind visit was definitely not a professional one.
Seeing the look on Olivia's face, Abbie quickly amended her invitation. "Or, we could just go grab a friendly drink and invite whoever it is that's taken you off the market." She smiled a genuine smile. "I'd love to meet her."
Olivia looked a little surprised, but she was also honestly relieved. She couldn't help but wonder though, "What makes you think I'm off the market?"
"You're not?"
"Well, yeah, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I mean, yes, but how did you know?"
Abbie smirked. "You didn't flirt back."
Olivia tilted her head. "I never realized you thought I was such a flirt."
Abbie looked around to see if anyone was listening, and then said in a lower voice, "That was always one of my favorite things about you, Benson."
Olivia looked slightly embarrassed, but curious. "What are you talking about?"
"I've seen you unintentionally drive women, and men, crazy with just a smile or a look. I used to think you were doing it on purpose, but then I got to know you and realized that you honestly had no idea how sexy you were."
Olivia tried to laugh off the blush she could feel coloring her cheeks as a result of Abbie's praise. "Oh, please… Besides, you used the past tense. Did you just insult me?" She was glad that the initial awkwardness she felt seemed to be gone.
Abbie laughed. "No. That quality's still there, you just seem… different some how. Like maybe you're saving those rare-but-killer Benson smiles for someone special now."
Still embarrassed, Olivia shook her head. "You ever consider psychology in case the attorney thing doesn't work out for you?"
Abbie chuckled. "Insanity may hit a little too close to home for that. So, do I get to meet her or not?"
"I'm pretty sure you already have," Olivia answered just as her cell phone rang. She picked it up and looked at the small display. "Speak of the devil," she said as she pressed the button and put the phone to her ear. "Hey," she said as she answered the call. "Good. We have an invitation to join an old friend for a drink." She paused for a moment and then said, "Abbie Carmichael." Another pause as she cut her eyes to Abbie with amusement. "Yes, us." After another beat, she said, "I don't know, let me check." She lowered the phone and asked Abbie, "Where do you want to go?"
Abbie shrugged. "Anywhere that serves margaritas."
Olivia said into the phone, "Did you hear that?" As she listened to the response, she broke into a big smile. "Counting on both. We'll meet you downstairs," she responded as she ended the call. Then she looked up to find Abbie smiling smugly and nodding.
"What's that look for?"
"I was right and then some."
"About?"
"A few words with the lady-love and you're downright glowing."
Olivia rolled her eyes and scoffed but didn't deny anything. "Come on, she's waiting on us downstairs," she said as she stood up and grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair.
"What are we counting on?" Abbie asked as she stood and followed the detective out of the squad room.
"She's buying." When Abbie looked curious, Olivia added, "She refuses to drink cheap tequila, which is what I usually buy."
Abbie chuckled, and when Olivia didn't continue, she prodded, "And?"
"And what?"
"You said you're counting on 'both'. What's the other thing?"
Olivia's cheeks reddened slightly, making Abbie even more curious. Reluctantly, Olivia said, "If I'm in anyone else's bed tonight, it'd better be hers." She ignored Abbie's bark of laughter as they got on the elevator.
Abbie pressed the button for the ground floor and continued her taunting. "Not only are you off the market, you're completely whipped."
Olivia scoffed. "In your dreams, Carmichael. Maybe you just have a reputation for sleeping with co-workers…" she teased.
Abbie rolled her eyes. "Very funny. I only slept with one other co-worker while I worked at the DA's office and we didn't actually work together at the time." The elevator doors opened as Abbie was speaking and the attorney stopped short.
Olivia smirked and tried not to laugh. "You remember Alex Cabot, don't you?"
It was one of the very few times Olivia remembered seeing Abbie Carmichael speechless.
Alex tried not to laugh. "Good to see you again, Abbie."
Olivia did laugh. "Small world, isn't it?"
"Getting smaller by the minute," Abbie responded, having recovered her voice. "Good to see you too, Alex." She stood for a moment, not sure what to say. "Wow, how awkward," she finally said to no one in particular. Then she turned and swatted Olivia on the arm. "You coulda told me…"
Olivia grinned. "And miss this?"
Alex grinned along with Olivia. "Oh, come on, Abbie. We're all grown-ups here. Now, I believe you were in search of a margarita."
Abbie nodded. "Well, I guess if doesn't bother you two, it doesn't bother me," she said as they all turned to exit the building.
"Of course not," Alex said. "Three top-shelf margaritas coming up." Then she winked at Olivia. "Then we can all compare notes…"
Abbie's step faltered slightly as the other two laughed. "It might be a small world, but those better be some big-ass margaritas…"
The End