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

Chapter 7

Luke had convinced himself that he had surely lost his mind. Asking Alex, the woman with whom he could have no future, to dinner? He's got to be out of his gourd. 

After arriving separately to an Italian restaurant downtown, Luke stood in waiting at the entryway. Soon after, he could see Alex making her way up the walk. 

He opened the door and courteously motioned her in. 

"After you." 

They are seated at a booth in the back corner of the restaurant. As she puts on her black rimmed glasses to view the menu, his mouth goes dry. There's just something about those spectacles. 

After they each place their order, the conversation drifts between work, small talk, and life in general. 
And, gradually, the stress of the day begins to fall from both their shoulders. 

"So, tell me. How are you settling back in after being gone so long?" 

Alex twisted the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. 

"It was a little rough at the beginning. So many things were backed up, but I think I've finally started to find my footing again." 

She offered a gentle smile before taking a small swig of her wine. 

"How about you? How do you like your new partner? You and Amanda seem pretty close." 

"She's the best. Present company excluded, of course." 

"Naturally, but it kind of looks like more than that." 

Luke laughed at the assumption. 

"Me and Amanda? Oh no, no, no. She's like my kid sister. Why does everybody have that same idea about us?" 

As the entrees arrived, Alex pushed her food around on her plate. 

"Maybe because you're both together all the time?" 

"She's my partner."  

"Of course, but to the perfect stranger it looks a lot like two people in love." 

Luke hung his head and shook it vigorously. As he lifted his head, Alex was smiling at him. 

"I do love her. As a friend, as a partner. And we...we've been through some stuff together." 

She looked at him, her interest obviously piqued. To his surprise, she didn't press further. 

"Now that we've analyzed my non-existent love life, it's your turn." 

"There's nothing to tell." She admitted, wiping her mouth with her napkin before placing it back on her lap. 

"So you're not seeing anyone?" 

She arched an eyebrow at him. 

"I'd love to know when I'd have time to do that between catching up here and fleeing for my life in secrecy." 

They both burst into laughter at her blunt honesty. He continued to be amazed at the way he felt in her company. 

The night lingered on as they ate and engaged in further conversation. And as Luke walked Alex to her car, he found himself wishing that time would stand still. He wasn't ready to let her leave just yet. 

"Thank you for dinner. It was delicious. You're going to have to let me pay next time." 

Next time. He liked the sound of that.

"We'll see." He smiled, knowing full well that he'd never let her spend a dime. 

When they reached her car, he opened the driver's side door and watched as she slipped inside. He closed it and 
leaned down, resting his arms on her open window frame. He could smell the scent of wildflowers, unsure if it was from her perfume or body wash. He felt his senses to come to life as he remained there for a moment, taking in as much of her as she'd allow. 

"I'll see you tomorrow, Luke." 

Her words brought him back into reality, like waking up from a dream he didn't want to end. 

"See you tomorrow." 

As he watched her drive away, he tried to come up with ideas in his head. Ideas on how they could be together and make this work. But who was he kidding? He didn't even know if she'd be interested.

Riding in his truck on the way home, he felt a wave of loneliness come over him. Maybe his love story had already been ripped from the book, pages in tatters on the floor. Maybe he really was destined to be alone.