Res Ipsa Loquitur

1.     If it looks like a sequel and smells like a sequel…

 

 

 

Chapter One:   And Now Back To Our Program Already In Progress

 Two Months Later

It was going to be a beautiful day, she could tell that already.

It didn’t matter that the early winter breeze floating in from the open window was more than a little cold, or that the first rays of the morning sun barely chased the chill from her smiling face.  She had everything she would ever need to keep her warm.

And that had nothing to do with the blanket draped around her shoulders and everything to do with the body nestled tightly in her arms.

Olivia Benson looked down at the blond head resting against her chest and felt a flash of emotion so intense that it emptied her lungs of air.  Unable to control the tears that stung her eyes, she tore her gaze away and glanced around the room, smiling happily at the stubs of burnt out candles that lined the tables and the mantle; the empty wine glasses and full dessert plates.

Her eyebrows rose at the sight of the cream-colored confections that sat uneaten, their edges now darkened by the open air.  If someone had told her that she would one day find anything she preferred over New York cheesecake, she would have looked at them like they had two heads.  But considering the alternative that had presented itself the night before, the choice had been an easy one to make.

Taking a deep breath, the New York City detective laid her head back against the arm of the couch, stretching her spine as much as she could without waking her lover.  She grinned as muscles she had long thought atrophied stung from overuse.  The passionate lovemaking that had begun as soon as the second blackout hit had gone on for hours, until they had both passed out, too relaxed and happy to even make the short trek down the hallway to the bedroom.

What that meant was that Alex had fallen asleep stretched out on top of her, flawless pale skin pressed softly against every inch of her body, long smooth legs dove-tailed sweetly with her own. 

 

Olivia knew her back would be killing her when they finally got up but oh.... what a way to fucking go. 

Yep, it was going to be a beautiful day.

She could tell that already.

 

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“A cruise?”  Olivia wrinkled her nose as she folded the blanket they had slept under the night before.  “Trapped on a boat for endless days at sea?  I never really saw the appeal.”

 

Alex rolled her eyes.  “The appeal is being able to visit a dozen different cities and only having to unpack once.  Come on, you can’t say it isn’t at least a little intriguing?  Italy?  Greece?”  She sighed when the detective’s expression did not change.  “You know, they have all lesbian cruises now.  We could take one of those down to Moorea…” 

 

Olivia arched one eyebrow.  The idea of spending two weeks with Alex and not having to pretend they were anything other than what they were, two women in love?  Now that was appealing.  “Maybe that last one, after I retire.  But I get to pick the destination.”

 

The lawyer shrugged. “Okay.  I guess that’s only fair since you’ll be collecting retirement about a decade before me anyway.”

 

The movement on the other side of the room stopped and Alex carefully set down the glass she was holding.

 

“What did you just say?”  Olivia’s asked her voice low.

 

“You heard me.”  The blond taunted.  “But don’t worry, I have my own money.  I’m not after your social security checks.”

 

With a growl, the detective launched herself across the room. 

 

Alex side stepped around the couch, using it as a shield between her and Olivia as she laughed.  “Truth hurt?”  She smiled at the sound of the door chime.  “Saved by the bell!”

 

With a feral grin, Olivia stepped up on the cushions and vaulted over the couch, her hand just grazing the back of Alex’s shirt as the lawyer high tailed it down the hallway.  When she reached the bedroom, the blond stopped in the doorway and turned around, wiggling her rear slightly at the detective.

 

Olivia snorted.  “As soon as I get rid of whoever is at the door, that ass is so mine, along with certain other parts of you!”

 

She pulled the door open, the laughter dying in her throat as her eyes widened at the spectacle in front of her.

 

Zoey Merrin stood on her doorstep, her hair sticking out wildly in all directions.  Smudges of grime covered her face and neck and her rust colored t-shirt was marred by a long tear across the bottom where it hung out over dirty blue jeans.  The brown suede jacket she was wearing was three sizes too big and she had her hands tucked under her arms as her eyes darted wildly around the entryway.

 

“Zoey?”  Olivia stepped forward and took the blond by the shoulders, shaking her gently to try and clear the dazed, vacant look in her eyes. 

 

That’s when she saw it.  The collar of her t-shirt…

 

It was white.

 

She slowly pulled the bartender’s arms free, her breath catching as she saw the dried blood caked on her hands from her fingertips down to her wrists.  Opening the jacket, she exhaled a long breath as her worst fears were confirmed.

 

The once white muscle tee was stained red from just above her chest all the way down to the bottom edge.

 

“Zoey!”  She shook her again, a little more forcefully this time.  “ZOEY!” 

 

Haunted gray-blue eyes locked onto hers.  “Olivia?”  She whispered, her voice sounding as though it hadn’t been used in days.

 

The detective tightened her grip.  “Zoey, what the hell happened?  Whose blood is that?”

 

“I don’t know…”  The young woman collapsed against her, trembling wildly as she burst into tears.  “I… I can’t remember…”

 

Stay Tuned….