I don't own these characters. No offense is intended and no money is being made!

Day Off

As I was bought into the land of the living by the sun shining through a crack in the curtains, I immediately wished for unconsciousness again. It was still early and my head was pounding, my mouth was drier than the Sahara desert and my whole body ached. Yep. I had a hangover.

Opening my eyes, I cursed the bright celestial body that had encroached on my blissful slumber. I heard a creak by the doorway of my bedroom but didn't have to the energy to care. If it was a burglar, they could just take what they wanted.

In fact that would have been more palatable than the harpy who boomed a greeting at me. "Morning sweetie."

"Damn you Benson!" I groaned as my girlfriend sat on the bed, chuckling huskily "What did let those Neanderthals do to me?"

We had spent the previous evening with her squad, celebrating the conviction of a particularly unpleasant man. I knew something had gone awry around 10:30pm when Munch returned to the table, pitcher in hand, evil grin spread across his face. I don't remember much after that.

Sudden realisation dawned, today was our first Saturday off together in weeks. And it was looking more and more likely I would be spending it in bed.
"I hope you didn't plan anything special for today. I feel like the living dead."

The detective smiled, gently brushing hair from my eyes then shoved a glass under my nose. Eyeing the off white contents suspiciously, I pulled myself into a seated position then settled back into the pillows. "What's that?"

"Ancient Roman hangover cure. Sheeps lung and owl eggs. I blended them to make it easier to swallow."

My stomach roiled and I very nearly tossed my cookies all over the bed until Olivia's melodic laugh rang out. Detective Benson had a very sadistic sense of humour sometimes.

"Relax sweetie. It's just banana, honey and yoghurt. I promise it'll help though. Now drink that and drag yourself into the kitchen. I made pancakes." She left the room still chuckling as I glared at her back.

Twenty minutes later, I was freshly showered and sat on my couch eating pancakes and bacon, a big glass of water within arms reach.

"So...what exactly are we going to do today?" I asked Olivia as she shovelled a huge forkful of food into her mouth. She glared at me but continued to chew, albeit quickly.

"Stuff."

I narrowed my eyes. "What sort of stuff, detective?"

"You know...stuff." she said with a shrug.

So she wants to play rough. I could play rough; after all it was my job.

"How will be travelling to this so called stuff?"

"Who said we'd be leaving the apartment?"

"So we're staying here?"

"I never said that."

Ooooooo you have all the answers huh?

Knowing full well that questioning the seasoned cop would bear no fruit, I went to plan B. Placing my breakfast gently on the coffee table, I allowed my glasses to slip slightly down my nose. Just enough to look over them. Shifting my position, I stared intently into her eyes. Once satisfied her attention was fully on me, I leaned into her space and placed my hands either side of her waist.

I was less than an inch away from her nose when I issued my whispered demand "I want information. Now."

Olivia swallowed hard and I watched as she wet her dry lips. "Or what?" she choked out.

With that I dug my fingers into her sides and began tickling her mercilessly. She tried to twist free but between her giggling and the plate in her hands, any effort she made was useless.

"Ok! Ok! I give!" My fingers paused "The sooner you finish breakfast, the sooner you'll find out."

"It's nice out today." I commented. The sun was out and the temperature was perfect as we stood on the top deck of the ferry that would take us over to the Statue of Liberty.

I was excited. It was the first time I'd done something touristy in years. So despite the fact a hyper group of smurfs were dancing an Irish jig in my head, I'd jumped on the boat.

"Yeah. I love the city in spring. Everything seems so much brighter after the perils of a harsh winter." For the strong, silent type Olivia really did have a lovely way with words.

The boat pulled up to the dock on Liberty Island and for some, unknown, reason I got the urge to hum a Jackie Wilson tune as I stared up at the statue.

We wandered around the island for a few hours. Olivia had no problem asking strangers to take our picture, resulting in some odd images. In most of them, the detective was pulling a silly face. We visited the little museum inside her plinth and then sat nursing a coffee whilst admiring the Lower Manhattan skyline.

Having decided to visit Ellis Island another day, we arrived in back Battery Park. To say I was thankful to be on dry land was an understatement. The rocking of the boat made me feel more nauseous than I had been all morning.

"Do you feel up to using the subway?"

Just the thought of being crammed in a train made me dizzy.

"Can we get a cab?" I asked in my most pathetic voice, drawing a smile from the detective.

I sat in the back of the carriage, glad for the gentle breeze blowing through Central Park. As the day wore on my hangover was becoming worse, not better. I really wanted to go home to my bed. Catching Olivia's surreptitious glances, however, I'd tried to perk up.

After leaving Battery Park, Liv had suggested we visit the newly opened High Line garden. We looked around the little shops; I bought some new jeans. Finally, my stomach made itself known so we jumped in another cab and headed over to Midtown. We grabbed lunch at Carnegie Deli then walked the few blocks to the Central Park, where we ate in comfortable silence.

After an hour or so of people watching, Liv had suggested we take the carriage ride back to the west side of the park and then back to my apartment. I was more than happy with the suggestion, even if she requested we take the long way.

I felt a strong fingers lace with my own and looked over at my detective with a smile. It was our first real public display of affection "Thank you for indulging my whims today sweetheart."

I smiled and shifted so I could rest my head on a broad shoulder "You're welcome. Besides I had fun. Sorry for being such a loser." Letting go of my hand she put her arm around me, pulling me close.

"You haven't, sweetie. You haven't at all."

Putting the key in the lock, I felt a sense of relief. I was thankful we were finally home and I could crash on the couch with some Advil.

I cracked the door open and was greeted by the most heavenly of smells. I looked at the smirking woman behind me with wide eyes. Opening the door fully, I could see a table had been set up by the large window in the living room.

"Welcome home Miss Cabot, Miss Benson." A tall, thin man with a shock of grey hair made his way towards us from the entrance of my kitchen. "May I take your coats?" Taking the garment from my unresisting hand, he led us to the table and pulled out our chairs.

We sat and listened while he related our menu for the evening. The food sounded delicious and I felt my mouth starting to water. The waiter left with a small bow. I turned to the detective "What...when...how?"

"Let's just say I owe Munch a favour." she replied with a chuckle before asking "How's the hangover?"

I smiled and continued to look at her. The setting sun was bringing out the chestnut highlights in her dark hair and burnishing her tanned skin. The dark eyes were filled with love.

"What hangover?" I answered getting a huge, beautiful smile in return.