FF: Involved
I'm pretty sure no one is reading this, so just for the hell of it, going to post the beginning of my SVU fanfic.
This story is set in SVU's season 8, between the episodes Informed (the first one) and Infiltrated (where we see Olivia with the environmental group.)
I'm ignoring Alex's return in the TV show Conviction as I never saw it any way.
Rating: PG-13 probably.
Disclaimer: All owned by Dick Wolf and NBC, not mine.
SVU fic
Involved by Cate53
Persephone Free James was bored. The latest attempts by the environmental protest group with which she was involved to discover the truth about animal testing by some cosmetics company was going nowhere, and Persephone was beginning to think it never would. She ran her hands through her lengthening dark hair, closing her weary eyes for a moment.
"Look T-Bone, we need to get some proof," an earnest young redhead was saying urgently. "They've got those rabbits somewhere, but we can't just blow all their buildings up for God's sake!"
"Jesus Hope, how hard can it be?" T-Bone snapped. "Their labs are hardly top secret government facilities? I say we break in and search the place. We liberate any animal we find. Simple."
"Great plan T-Bone," Persephone sighed. "And then we sit and wait to get arrested. You know we're top of the Fed's list for any attack like that. We need to be a bit smarter, don't you think." She looked around at the other four people in the back of the slightly seedy bar. Well, as seedy as Oregon got anyway.
Chris and Iris looked nervous, as always. They were the newest members of the group, and seemed more into the spliffs and herbal remedies than anything else, although they had proved their worth by hacking into the computer system of a disreputable logging firm and getting the details of their transport schedule. That had enabled them to sabotage the trucks at the secluded parking area the company had in the middle of a particularly beautiful forest. A temporary measure, but it had given them time to publicise the destruction being caused by the loggers and get them investigated. One of the groups' successes, of which there had been a few in the last few months.
Environmental activism took many guises, and it was the less pure hearted, more illegal that interested Persephone. After all, she had given up her life as SVU detective Olivia Benson to try to get to the bottom of this group. Olivia had been Persephone for nearly 4 months, and in all that time, had seen nothing to indicate they were a threat to national security. Yes, they had broken into a couple of labs, hacked one or two computers, damaged a few vehicles, but all for the right reasons - if any sort of law breaking could be seen as legitimate.
The Feds were looking for a link to EDG - Earth Defenders Group - a known eco-terrorist organisation responsible for a wave of arson attacks in the last few years. So far though, she had seen little to indicate that her group were involved in anything so heinous.
She was intending to start making noises about being pulled out from this assignment. She missed Elliot, Fin, Munch, Cragen, and even Novak at odd moments. She definitely missed New York. Benson was a city girl, and always had been. Not that she didn't care about the environment, because she did. She just had never really had the urge to move to the wilds and hug trees.
Hope's voice broke into her thoughts.
"I think we have a way to get the information on Holts Pharmaceuticals without arousing any federal suspicion," she said. "Their lawyers are a local firm in Springfield. Security is minimal, but we don't need to break in. I think we can get all the information we need another way."
Everyone looked at her, intrigued, including Olivia. While T-Bone was impulsive at times, the rest of the group were rather boringly anti-violence, and keen to avoid risks.
"The lawyer who handles the corporate stuff is the one we need, and unfortunately is the most diligent one. She works late, always locks away her files, so breaking in would be tricky. But she is definitely our target. Fortunately, she has a little...weakness." Hope grinned. Her eyes turned to Persephone. "A weakness for tall brunettes."
Olivia felt all of them look at her.
"Really?" T-Bone smirked. "I think I like this woman already."
"Yep, I've only been watching her for a couple of weeks, but I think you're our way in Persephone." Hope pulled out a folder from her backpack. "Jessica McNeill, 34, law school in San Diego, specialised in corporate law. Been with Coleman and Williams for just over a year. Took over the Holts account eight months ago. Lives alone in Springfield, never been married, no boyfriend or girlfriend. Friday or Saturday nights, she hangs out at Crawford's bar in Springfield to meet women." There were a few sniggers and laughs around the table.
"Is she hot?" Trust T-Bone to ask that thought Olivia. Although she did wonder herself. It had been a while since Olivia had dated anyone, and no one significant in years. She tended to stick to men, as it was generally less complicated. Women were too much like hard work she had decided.
"Can't say I noticed," Hope hissed at T-Bone annoyed. Olivia hadn’t missed Hope's rather badly hidden affection for T-Bone, although typical man, he was oblivious.
"So you think Persephone is her type?" Iris asked, trying to keep the peace.
"Yes, most definitely," Hope declared. "She's never short of admirers, but I've only seen her leave with two women, both tall, slim and dark. However, there have been a couple of others that she's spent the evening chatting to, usually brunettes too."
"So what's the plan? I try to seduce the information out of her?" Olivia asked, not too happy with the idea. Undercover was one thing, but she was no James Bond, using her body for her job.
"No, don't worry Persephone. I'm thinking you could go to see her as a potential client and either work your way into her confidence, or just distract her enough so that we can get access to her files. I'm sure your virtue will be safe. Although, she is pretty attractive, you might..."
"Got any photos?" Olivia asked rather too quickly, making everyone laugh. She grinned. "Hey, I need to see what I'm getting into here!"
Hope passed over the folder. "Not great pictures, but you know I'm terrible with the camera."
Olivia grabbed the file, skimming the information until she got to the photographs. She froze.
Olivia was in shock. She sat staring at the 3 photos that lay on the table in front of her, not able to say anything.
Chris leaned against her shoulder, peeking at the woman in question.
"Hey, she's a fox," he growled, bumping Olivia's shoulder. "You lucky dog."
Olivia shook herself from her trance, smiling at him, and trying to calm her suddenly agitated breathing.
It was former ADA Alexandra Cabot.
Longer, light brown wavy hair, casual clothes, no sexy black glasses, but there was no mistaking her. She was here. And apparently into women. Women who looked rather like Olivia.
"I thought you could drop in to the bar on your way home," Hope went on. "I know how you like to check things out for yourself Persephone."
Olivia cleared her throat. "So, er, we want to find out from this," she glanced down at the name, "Ms McNeill, just what Holts are doing in terms of the location and specifics of their animal testing program. Is that it?"
"Yes, we know they are up to no good, but the company has 5 facilities around the state. What's happening and where, that’s our goal."
T-Bone butted in at this point, clearly wanting to re-assert some authority as nominal head of the group.
"And we need to get a move on with this. If you don't think you can get the information Persephone, let us know and we'll come up with some other method." Olivia was pretty sure T-Bone was relatively harmless, but the thought of any harm coming to Alex was unbearable.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll come around," she grinned at T-Bone and the others. "Where is that bar again?" she asked Hope as she reached for her coat. She could be seeing Alex again within an hour.
Crawford’s was a surprisingly upmarket bar, nestled in a side street in Springfield. Diners and drinkers milled around the area, enjoying Friday night and the pleasant autumn evening.
Olivia wished she had her leather jacket with her, it would have given her a bit of confidence striding into a gay bar alone, although looking at Crawford’s clientele, it didn't appear to be an exclusively gay bar. Couples of all combinations drank, ate and made the moves on each other. The patrons appeared to be mainly in their 30s and 40s. Obviously most of the younger crowd went elsewhere.
Olivia tried to slow her breathing down. It had been over two years since she had seen her. Alex had returned to help put away one of the men responsible for the hit on her. However, others were still at large, so she had returned to the Witness Protection Program afterwards, not even getting a chance to say goodbye this time.
They had never kissed. Hardly even touched to be honest, but Olivia felt something surge inside her when she thought of the beautiful former ADA. Alex Cabot had infuriated her at times, but she had been attracted to her almost from the first. She had often thought Alex felt the same way, the way they looked at each other. But neither had acted on it. There was too much to lose.
Talking of loss, the catalyst for Olivia Benson's feelings had been when Alex was shot and apparently killed. She had felt a terrible emptiness that threatened to overtake her, until that moment when Alex came to say goodbye. It was then that Olivia realised how deep her feelings ran, and how pointless it all was now. She would probably never see Alex again, never have the chance to explore where those feelings would lead them.
The realisation of that missed opportunity had hung over her ever since. Alex's return to New York for that trial had been weird. Seeing her again had been wonderful, but there was a guarded look in her eyes, and she managed to slip a boyfriend into the conversation within minutes of them talking. Clearly their time had passed, if there ever had been a time for them Olivia realised. It had been helpful in a way. She had been keeping an idealised picture of Alex Cabot in her head, and hearing about her bedroom exploits with some guy should have helped her to move on.
Now here she was, butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of seeing her again. So much for being over her.
Olivia leaned into the edge of the darkest part of the bar, nursing a beer. It was almost 10pm, maybe Alex was having a night in tonight? In one way she was glad. Seeing Alex flirting with some woman would probably be painful. And to think, she really was into women. Did she swing both ways these days? Not according to her file, which listed no men among her drinking companions. Olivia wondered how recent her conversion to the fairer sex was. If only..
There was a movement over by the door as a glut of people arrived all at once.
"Guess that play's finished, back to work," she heard the barman say to a handsome young man who had been chatting to him. About ten people headed to the bar, clutching programs for "Death of a Salesman" at the Springfield Playhouse. Near the back of the group, a pair of women chatted as they waited to be served.
Olivia shrank back into the shadows.
It was her.
God she looked beautiful.
Damn, but that woman with her was attractive too. Short dark hair, slightly butch but beautiful, she even wore a leather jacket. 'Hmm, wonder if I should read something into this,' she thought.
Olivia watched them closely, trying to determine if they were a couple. Body language said attracted, but not attached. They still appeared to be in the courting stage. She hoped that meant they hadn't got too close yet. Alex laughed at something the other woman said, slapping her lightly on the shoulder. Olivia couldn't help but notice how happy and relaxed she looked. Alex seemed to have a nice life here, and she couldn't begrudge her that.
As the women drank and chatted, Olivia watched carefully. It looked like a first date, maybe a second, but that was all. She sincerely hoped it wasn't serious, and not just for jealous reasons. She wouldn't be able to convince the group if Alex was known to be dating someone else.
At about 11 o'clock, the women got up to leave, but much to Olivia's glee, Alex left in a taxi, alone, while her leather clad clone headed downtown, looking to be on the prowl for some action. She debated following the woman to get some dirt on her, but decided against it.
The hours until Monday when she could see Alex again seemed to stretch out way into the distance. Olivia decided to head home and plan her strategy.
This story is set in SVU's season 8, between the episodes Informed (the first one) and Infiltrated (where we see Olivia with the environmental group.)
I'm ignoring Alex's return in the TV show Conviction as I never saw it any way.
Rating: PG-13 probably.
Disclaimer: All owned by Dick Wolf and NBC, not mine.
SVU fic
Involved by Cate53
Persephone Free James was bored. The latest attempts by the environmental protest group with which she was involved to discover the truth about animal testing by some cosmetics company was going nowhere, and Persephone was beginning to think it never would. She ran her hands through her lengthening dark hair, closing her weary eyes for a moment.
"Look T-Bone, we need to get some proof," an earnest young redhead was saying urgently. "They've got those rabbits somewhere, but we can't just blow all their buildings up for God's sake!"
"Jesus Hope, how hard can it be?" T-Bone snapped. "Their labs are hardly top secret government facilities? I say we break in and search the place. We liberate any animal we find. Simple."
"Great plan T-Bone," Persephone sighed. "And then we sit and wait to get arrested. You know we're top of the Fed's list for any attack like that. We need to be a bit smarter, don't you think." She looked around at the other four people in the back of the slightly seedy bar. Well, as seedy as Oregon got anyway.
Chris and Iris looked nervous, as always. They were the newest members of the group, and seemed more into the spliffs and herbal remedies than anything else, although they had proved their worth by hacking into the computer system of a disreputable logging firm and getting the details of their transport schedule. That had enabled them to sabotage the trucks at the secluded parking area the company had in the middle of a particularly beautiful forest. A temporary measure, but it had given them time to publicise the destruction being caused by the loggers and get them investigated. One of the groups' successes, of which there had been a few in the last few months.
Environmental activism took many guises, and it was the less pure hearted, more illegal that interested Persephone. After all, she had given up her life as SVU detective Olivia Benson to try to get to the bottom of this group. Olivia had been Persephone for nearly 4 months, and in all that time, had seen nothing to indicate they were a threat to national security. Yes, they had broken into a couple of labs, hacked one or two computers, damaged a few vehicles, but all for the right reasons - if any sort of law breaking could be seen as legitimate.
The Feds were looking for a link to EDG - Earth Defenders Group - a known eco-terrorist organisation responsible for a wave of arson attacks in the last few years. So far though, she had seen little to indicate that her group were involved in anything so heinous.
She was intending to start making noises about being pulled out from this assignment. She missed Elliot, Fin, Munch, Cragen, and even Novak at odd moments. She definitely missed New York. Benson was a city girl, and always had been. Not that she didn't care about the environment, because she did. She just had never really had the urge to move to the wilds and hug trees.
Hope's voice broke into her thoughts.
"I think we have a way to get the information on Holts Pharmaceuticals without arousing any federal suspicion," she said. "Their lawyers are a local firm in Springfield. Security is minimal, but we don't need to break in. I think we can get all the information we need another way."
Everyone looked at her, intrigued, including Olivia. While T-Bone was impulsive at times, the rest of the group were rather boringly anti-violence, and keen to avoid risks.
"The lawyer who handles the corporate stuff is the one we need, and unfortunately is the most diligent one. She works late, always locks away her files, so breaking in would be tricky. But she is definitely our target. Fortunately, she has a little...weakness." Hope grinned. Her eyes turned to Persephone. "A weakness for tall brunettes."
Olivia felt all of them look at her.
"Really?" T-Bone smirked. "I think I like this woman already."
"Yep, I've only been watching her for a couple of weeks, but I think you're our way in Persephone." Hope pulled out a folder from her backpack. "Jessica McNeill, 34, law school in San Diego, specialised in corporate law. Been with Coleman and Williams for just over a year. Took over the Holts account eight months ago. Lives alone in Springfield, never been married, no boyfriend or girlfriend. Friday or Saturday nights, she hangs out at Crawford's bar in Springfield to meet women." There were a few sniggers and laughs around the table.
"Is she hot?" Trust T-Bone to ask that thought Olivia. Although she did wonder herself. It had been a while since Olivia had dated anyone, and no one significant in years. She tended to stick to men, as it was generally less complicated. Women were too much like hard work she had decided.
"Can't say I noticed," Hope hissed at T-Bone annoyed. Olivia hadn’t missed Hope's rather badly hidden affection for T-Bone, although typical man, he was oblivious.
"So you think Persephone is her type?" Iris asked, trying to keep the peace.
"Yes, most definitely," Hope declared. "She's never short of admirers, but I've only seen her leave with two women, both tall, slim and dark. However, there have been a couple of others that she's spent the evening chatting to, usually brunettes too."
"So what's the plan? I try to seduce the information out of her?" Olivia asked, not too happy with the idea. Undercover was one thing, but she was no James Bond, using her body for her job.
"No, don't worry Persephone. I'm thinking you could go to see her as a potential client and either work your way into her confidence, or just distract her enough so that we can get access to her files. I'm sure your virtue will be safe. Although, she is pretty attractive, you might..."
"Got any photos?" Olivia asked rather too quickly, making everyone laugh. She grinned. "Hey, I need to see what I'm getting into here!"
Hope passed over the folder. "Not great pictures, but you know I'm terrible with the camera."
Olivia grabbed the file, skimming the information until she got to the photographs. She froze.
Olivia was in shock. She sat staring at the 3 photos that lay on the table in front of her, not able to say anything.
Chris leaned against her shoulder, peeking at the woman in question.
"Hey, she's a fox," he growled, bumping Olivia's shoulder. "You lucky dog."
Olivia shook herself from her trance, smiling at him, and trying to calm her suddenly agitated breathing.
It was former ADA Alexandra Cabot.
Longer, light brown wavy hair, casual clothes, no sexy black glasses, but there was no mistaking her. She was here. And apparently into women. Women who looked rather like Olivia.
"I thought you could drop in to the bar on your way home," Hope went on. "I know how you like to check things out for yourself Persephone."
Olivia cleared her throat. "So, er, we want to find out from this," she glanced down at the name, "Ms McNeill, just what Holts are doing in terms of the location and specifics of their animal testing program. Is that it?"
"Yes, we know they are up to no good, but the company has 5 facilities around the state. What's happening and where, that’s our goal."
T-Bone butted in at this point, clearly wanting to re-assert some authority as nominal head of the group.
"And we need to get a move on with this. If you don't think you can get the information Persephone, let us know and we'll come up with some other method." Olivia was pretty sure T-Bone was relatively harmless, but the thought of any harm coming to Alex was unbearable.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll come around," she grinned at T-Bone and the others. "Where is that bar again?" she asked Hope as she reached for her coat. She could be seeing Alex again within an hour.
Crawford’s was a surprisingly upmarket bar, nestled in a side street in Springfield. Diners and drinkers milled around the area, enjoying Friday night and the pleasant autumn evening.
Olivia wished she had her leather jacket with her, it would have given her a bit of confidence striding into a gay bar alone, although looking at Crawford’s clientele, it didn't appear to be an exclusively gay bar. Couples of all combinations drank, ate and made the moves on each other. The patrons appeared to be mainly in their 30s and 40s. Obviously most of the younger crowd went elsewhere.
Olivia tried to slow her breathing down. It had been over two years since she had seen her. Alex had returned to help put away one of the men responsible for the hit on her. However, others were still at large, so she had returned to the Witness Protection Program afterwards, not even getting a chance to say goodbye this time.
They had never kissed. Hardly even touched to be honest, but Olivia felt something surge inside her when she thought of the beautiful former ADA. Alex Cabot had infuriated her at times, but she had been attracted to her almost from the first. She had often thought Alex felt the same way, the way they looked at each other. But neither had acted on it. There was too much to lose.
Talking of loss, the catalyst for Olivia Benson's feelings had been when Alex was shot and apparently killed. She had felt a terrible emptiness that threatened to overtake her, until that moment when Alex came to say goodbye. It was then that Olivia realised how deep her feelings ran, and how pointless it all was now. She would probably never see Alex again, never have the chance to explore where those feelings would lead them.
The realisation of that missed opportunity had hung over her ever since. Alex's return to New York for that trial had been weird. Seeing her again had been wonderful, but there was a guarded look in her eyes, and she managed to slip a boyfriend into the conversation within minutes of them talking. Clearly their time had passed, if there ever had been a time for them Olivia realised. It had been helpful in a way. She had been keeping an idealised picture of Alex Cabot in her head, and hearing about her bedroom exploits with some guy should have helped her to move on.
Now here she was, butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of seeing her again. So much for being over her.
Olivia leaned into the edge of the darkest part of the bar, nursing a beer. It was almost 10pm, maybe Alex was having a night in tonight? In one way she was glad. Seeing Alex flirting with some woman would probably be painful. And to think, she really was into women. Did she swing both ways these days? Not according to her file, which listed no men among her drinking companions. Olivia wondered how recent her conversion to the fairer sex was. If only..
There was a movement over by the door as a glut of people arrived all at once.
"Guess that play's finished, back to work," she heard the barman say to a handsome young man who had been chatting to him. About ten people headed to the bar, clutching programs for "Death of a Salesman" at the Springfield Playhouse. Near the back of the group, a pair of women chatted as they waited to be served.
Olivia shrank back into the shadows.
It was her.
God she looked beautiful.
Damn, but that woman with her was attractive too. Short dark hair, slightly butch but beautiful, she even wore a leather jacket. 'Hmm, wonder if I should read something into this,' she thought.
Olivia watched them closely, trying to determine if they were a couple. Body language said attracted, but not attached. They still appeared to be in the courting stage. She hoped that meant they hadn't got too close yet. Alex laughed at something the other woman said, slapping her lightly on the shoulder. Olivia couldn't help but notice how happy and relaxed she looked. Alex seemed to have a nice life here, and she couldn't begrudge her that.
As the women drank and chatted, Olivia watched carefully. It looked like a first date, maybe a second, but that was all. She sincerely hoped it wasn't serious, and not just for jealous reasons. She wouldn't be able to convince the group if Alex was known to be dating someone else.
At about 11 o'clock, the women got up to leave, but much to Olivia's glee, Alex left in a taxi, alone, while her leather clad clone headed downtown, looking to be on the prowl for some action. She debated following the woman to get some dirt on her, but decided against it.
The hours until Monday when she could see Alex again seemed to stretch out way into the distance. Olivia decided to head home and plan her strategy.