Love and Litigation - An Alex Cabot/Law and Order SVU fanfiction

Chapter 3

A few weeks later:
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It was finally the week Luke had dated on his calendar every year. The annual Manhattan Military Ball was this Saturday night. Being a proud Army veteran, he made sure to attend every year. It was a chance to catch up with old comrades and make new acquaintances. This year, however, would be different. Olivia, his date for the past few years, was at home sick with a nasty stomach bug and wouldn't be able to make it. With both his friend and Casey out of the equation, who would be ask? 

Almost as if it were a sign, he spotted Alex walk into the squad room. Of course! Who better to take than one of his best friends? 

"Hey. You got a second?," Luke grabbed Alex and escorted her out into the hall. "What are you doing this weekend?"

Alex parted her lips in confusion. 

"I will probably be working." 

"Listen, I have this thing--a ball--on Saturday, and I need a date. I usually ask Olivia, but she's sick." 

A smirk played on Alex's lips. 

"So, you're only asking me because Olivia can't make it? Do I look like second-best to you?" 

Alex breezed past Luke, and he quickly followed in pursuit. 

"Oh, come on. There's free food, a full bar, and you'll have an excuse to wear something besides a pant suit." He grinned. 

She stopped short of her office door and turned around, giving him a look. 

"Why don't you ask Amanda? She is your partner, after all." 

"Because I'm asking you." 

Alex considered for a moment before walking behind her desk. 

"The Manhattan Military Ball?" 

Luke nodded. "That's the one." 

She exhaled and sat down in her office chair. Slinging one leg over the other, she twirled a pen between her fingers. 

"I'm not even sure if I have anything to wear." 

Luke continued to stare at her, weighing her down with his puppy dog eyes. Struggling to conceal a smile, she rolled her eyes. 

"Fine. Text me the address." 

"That won't be necessary. I'll pick you up." 

Shaking her head, Alex watched as Luke giddily exited her office. A Military Ball? She'd never been to one of those before. She tossed around several outfit combinations in her head, trying to recall her last night out. Maybe it will be fun, she thought.
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A few days later, Saturday night: 
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Luke pulled up to Alex's apartment complex in his trusty green pickup. Stepping out, he straightened his black bow tie and smoothed out his navy blue Army coat. He had completed his look with a white long-sleeved undershirt, blue pants, and black dress shoes. Alex had asked him to wait for her downstairs, and he adhered to her request. Leaning against the side of his truck, he waited for his date to join him. 

Soon after, he heard a door shut and saw a figure begin to descend the stairway. The sight of his friend momentarily stole his breath. She was clothed in a shimmery purple dress with slight cleavage. He caught a glimpse at her black high heels and silver hoop earrings. He loved how they perfectly complemented her slightly curled honey blonde locks. 

At the sight of his eyes on her, she smiled. It had been quite awhile since she'd dressed up and felt pretty. Speaking of pretty, how great did he look? All done up in his service uniform, Dawson cleaned up pretty well. 

"You look so handsome!" 

"And you look--," Luke helplessly searched for the words, but none felt worthy. "Just, wow."