Juliet and Juliet?

Chapter 24

The dull, tinny sounds of overhead blades echoed in Alex Cabot's headset as she relaxed in the rear cabin of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter. She was exhausted yet wide awake after the events of the previous day.

The body tucked into her side snuggled deeper in slumber and she smiled. She readjusted the arm she had around Olivia Benson and stroked her side comfortingly. Her hand brushed gently over the shirt covering the gauze which was in turn, protecting a bullet wound the detective had received after being shot by a rogue law enforcement agent. Alex sighed and closed her eyes, forcing herself to shut it all out and focus instead on their current destination.

They had given their statements to Captain Cragen, who had been shocked at the revelation that FBI Agent Dean Porter had planned everything in an attempt to woo Olivia. Lieutenant Tom Goldie, Tactical Team Leader, had not. Goldie had revealed several clashes with the FBI agent which had left him feeling uneasy. Alex had smiled when Goldie hugged Olivia fiercely, a man she had only met once, but who now held her in high regard due to her courageous actions throughout the day.

Alex had excused herself as Olivia, Goldie and Cragen animatedly discussed the events of the day. She retreated to the kitchen of Sam's diner to place the necessary calls, ensuring all would be ready for their arrival at the cabin. Suzy had been slicing the latest batch of gingerbread as she entered and offered to leave but Alex had shook her head and asked her to stay. She called the Cabot family pilot and asked if it was too late to log a flight plan from Manhattan to Bear Mountain via a pick up in Hamilton. She had laughed as Rob had reminded her he was on call 24 hours a day, or had she forgotten why she paid him. She then called the Gatehouse at the cabin.

"Gatehouse," a tired female voice had answered around a yawn.

Alex smiled, "Hi Martha, sorry, did I wake you?"

The voice at the other end of the line yawned loudly, "Lex? That you? Lord, it's almost 1am in the morning, of course I was asleep...are you alright?" the voice asked with concern.

Alex nodded her head automatically, "I'm fine, but I'm heading up to the cabin, should be there in a couple of hours. Rob's bringing us, can you light up the landing pad?" she asked.

"No problem, I'll be waiting at the cabin for you..both," she replied having picked up on the 'us' comment.

"No need, we're tired and probably going to head straight to bed," she answered.

Martha felt movement beside her and put her hand over the receiver, "Lex is coming up..and she's bringing someone with her," she said to her husband Jonathan excitedly. Jonathan yawned and threw back the bed covers.

"I'll go switch on the lights," he said sleepily and headed for the bathroom.

Alex heard the male voice in the background, "Did I wake Jon up? I'm sorry Martha," she said with sincerity.

"Sshh, I'll go start a fire and put some food out for you and your...guest. Should I..." she paused briefly, "...turn down a bed in one of the guest rooms?" she asked tentatively.

Alex considered it for a second and then replied, "Yes."

"Oh."

"But make sure it's the room next to mine," Alex added.

"Aah."

Alex laughed, "We're just friends and she, is injured so, can you take out the big medical kit for me?"

Martha gasped, "Are you hur-"

"No, it's a long story but Olivia got shot."

"Olivia? Detective Olivia?" she asked.