#beth keane

You’d been a little apprehensive about announcing your relationship, not that you were worried about backlash on your end, but rather Beth’s, especially after everything else her presidency had survived. Luckily for the both of you, things seemed to be received rather well and you no longer had to survive off longing glances and lingering touches until you were alone. You no longer had to nearly sneak back to the residence to avoid suspicion from anyone else in the White House.

The dinner portion of tonight’s gala had already wrapped and everyone was thick into making the rounds. You’d been at Elizabeth’s side for most of it, her arm securely wrapped around your waist, linked in yours or a hand on your thigh, thumb reassuringly stroking over the fabric of your dress while politicians droned on.

Upon draining the last of your drink, you leant in, pressing a chaste kiss to her cheek, mentioning that you were going to grab a refill. Her drink wasn’t quite empty yet, but you assured her you’d get her one too, and with a small smile, you slipped from the circle, making your way to the bar.

Elizabeth felt her conscious slip from the conversation she was supposed to be paying attention, unable to keep her eyes off you as you weaved through the crowd. Right now, politics didn’t matter, nothin did. Except you. You were her rock, you’d been her saving grace in a time of her life she wasn’t sure she was going to get through, the time where it seemed everything she’d worked so hard for was about to come crashing down around her. You’d shown her what really mattered without even realizing you’d done so.

So when you leant up against the bar, a polite smile on your lips as you made friendly conversation with the bartender, her eyes were on you. On the way your eyes sparkled in the light as you laughed, your lipstick complementing your features perfectly. Her eyes trailed across your skin, up your neck, your hair pulled up neatly showcased your skin, earrings that she’d bought for you glittering from across the room. She couldn’t help the small smile on her lips, just how happy and content she was to be with you and have you by her side.

Rob suddenly tapped her arm, pulling her back to the conversation and her gaze reluctantly slipped from you. When that conversation finally wrapped and the senator went their separate way, she realized you still weren’t back from the bar. When she looked in the last spot you’d been, you were still there, though there was a fresh drink in your hand, and another woman with you.

She was lavishly dressed, and honestly a little too close for Elizabeth’s comfort, her hand pausing to rest on your forearm as she laughed at something you’d said. The conversation was animated, the smiles rarely leaving your cheeks as the two of you talked. Elizabeth didn’t recognize her, she wasn’t someone who was in one of the inner circles, and she certainly wasn’t another politician, she was too young and fresh faced to have gone through as much bullshit as one does working that career path. She watched as you turned back to the bartender, ordering a pair of shots, clinking the glasses together, your arms wound around the other’s while you tossed the liquor back. Unable to help the feeling slowly melting through her, she turned to Rob with a quiet sigh, excusing herself from the small group that remained and slipped from the room.

Unfortunately, she turned back just in time to see the woman’s hand basically on your cheek, softly tilting your head to the side so she could admire your earrings.

Very unfortunately, she obviously couldn’t hear what the two of you were discussing, the conversation would have relieved all of her doubts right now. Unfortunately, she was now winding down the halls of the White House until she had reached the residence.

*

“These are stunning!” Kim praised.

“Not often you see real rubies, hey?” You asked with a smirk over the rim of your glass.

“I didn’t realize you were born in July?” Her brow furrowed, linking the gem to the birthstone’s month and you felt your cheeks heat.

“Uh..not my birthstone. Hers.” You smiled warmly.

“Oh god that’s fucking adorable. How long have you guys actually been together? Like, including all the secrecy?” She asked with a sly grin and you laughed once again.

“It’s coming up on three years.” With a warm smile on your face you looked over your shoulder to your table, letting out a huff when you noticed Beth must’ve been dragged off to schmooze with more politicians. The game really did never end.

“Well if she manages to find a spare minute tonight, I’d love to meet her.”

“Of course!” You replied with a happy grin, “I should get back, try to track down where she got pulled off to.”

The two of you paused briefly to hug, pressing chaste kisses to each other’s cheeks before you picked up the drinks and made your way back to the table. You placed Beth’s down in front of her seat, glancing to Rob,

“You know where she is?”

“Called it a night.” He replied with a soft sigh and your head tilted in confusion as you frowned. In return, he simply nodded his head towards the bar where Kim was thanking the bartender for topping up her champagne.

“Oh..” Your frown turned into a pout as the realization washed over you, letting out a small sigh. You sunk back the rest of your drink, placing the empty glass down on the table before picking up your phone and giving Rob a squeeze on the shoulder, “see ya Monday.”

“Yeah.” He bid you goodnight with a hopeful smile and you returned it with a little nod as you discreetly slipped from the room, leaving the event behind you.

Elizabeth wasn’t one to necessarily get jealous per-say, even when your relationship was still a complete secret. And you knew that she knew you would never stray from her, you loved her more than anything in the entire world, but something had clearly struck a nerve this evening, and you weren’t about to stay at the stupid gala and wait to find out.

You felt your body relax the further you got from the party, the music and clattering of voices and glassware getting quieter and quieter until the only sound was your heels on the linoleum. Every foot closer to the residence you got, the more at peace you felt, the desire to escape into your own little pod of happiness bubbling in your chest. By the time you were one hall over, your heels were in your hand, bare feet padding against the floor, the coolness of the tile soothing them from a week in stilettos.

Slipping into the residence, you were happy to see that most of the usual lights were still on, a fresh bottle of wine had been pulled from the rack above the fridge and was airing out on the island, Beth hadn’t just shut down and disappeared to bed. You placed your shoes down by the door, following the sound of running water through the bedroom and into the en suite where you paused in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

Elizabeth managed to catch your gaze through the mirror mid face wash, you both waiting until she had pat her skin dry for her to speak.

“You’re home early.” She mused, folding the towel back over the rack.

“Could say the same about you.” You replied, “you not feeling well?” Sure, you technically knew what the problem had been, but you had never been one to press Beth, if she wanted to pretend it never happened, this was one of those things that you would let slide.

“I’m fine.” She gave you a tight smile as she took out her earrings, placing them in the small box on the counter, followed by her usual locket.

“Physically, sure.”

“It’s nothing to do with you little one, I promise.” Crossing the space, she paused to press a loving kiss to your cheek before shifting into the bedroom. “You should go back to the party.”

“Please.” You scoffed, nearly snorting at the idea, “I hate those things enough when I have you by my side.” You let out a little hum, your eyes drinking her in as her fingers undid the button of her suit jacket.

“What?” She asked quietly, meeting your gaze through a mirror once again.

“That suit.” You smiled, “you look absolutely dashing in it. I hope you get the excuse to wear it again.”

“Thank you my love.” She replied, ducking her gaze as her cheeks flushed the tiniest bit. “You have no idea how stunning you are in that dress.”

“Only because you picked it out.”

You moved through the room slowly, slipping the jacket over her arms, pressing a kiss to her clothed shoulder before tossing the garment to the dry cleaning pile. Elizabeth hummed at the gesture, her hands softly gripping your shoulders, urging you to turn so she could slip the zipper of your dress down, leaving a tender kiss on the back of your neck that you nearly shuddered at. You silently moved through the motions, changing out of the pristine gala outfits to the much preferred cozy and warm pyjamas. You sunk into the side of the bed, plugging in your work phone and dropping it onto the bedside table before picking up the container of make up wipes you stored there for the days you were simply too lazy. As you wiped at your face, Elizabeth’s arm wound around your shoulders and she pressed a small kiss to the top your head.

“I’m going to have a glass of wine. Maybe some t.v.”

“May I join you?” You asked, glancing up at her hopefully and she smiled, her fingers pinching gently at your chin.

“Of course little one.”

With a soft nod, she left you to finish your task at hand, moving out to the outer part of the residence. You followed suit not much longer, thanking her for the drink as you settled beside her on the couch, tucking the fuzzy blanket securely around you. Your arm lay across the back of the couch, a simple act to encourage her to sink into your frame, and when she slowly did, you wrapped it around her, kissing her temple and nuzzling into her skin.

About halfway through the first episode, she found her voice.

“Who was she?”

“Hmm?”

“The girl at the bar.” She replied, her voice small and unsure, “it looked like you knew each other.”

“Kim…” you replied, your lips brushing against her hair again, “she’s an A.D.A out in New York. The one who always tried to drag me to CrossFit, remember?” You nudged softly at her body, reminiscing on your time before she was elected when you still lived in Manhattan, “we were sorority sisters back at NYU, haven’t seen her in years.”

“Oh.” You could feel her body relax against yours as her memories of the stories you’d told came back to her. “She’s very pretty.”

“Beth…” you practically snorted, squeezing at her gently, “she’s far too dramatic. And straight.” You nudged at her head gently so you were able to leave a kiss on her cheek, “and you know you’re the only one for me.”

“I know.” She sighed wearily, “I’m more than aware of how much you love me, and I love you just as much if not more. I just…I get caught up in my head sometimes I guess…”

“What’d’you mean?” You murmured, making sure she was nestled perfectly into your embrace.

“That you could do better than me.”

“How on earth could I do better than the president of the United States?” You teased in an attempt to raise the morale, causing Beth to sigh into her wine glass.

“I see you looking so absolutely gorgeous at all these events and galas, the looks you get, the flirting that you either don’t notice or pretend not to…even now, with everyone knowing you’re taken…”

“It’s kinda sounding like you might be a little jealous my love.”

“I know you’re not going anywhere…but my horribly damaged brain sometimes just thinks that I’ll never be good enough for you, no matter what I try.” You frowned, your hands softly stroking up and down her skin, waiting for her to continue, “Andrew hated me, our relationship was nearly damaged beyond repair when he took his second tour…and that destroyed any shred of hope with my ex. I was never able to be what they wanted me to, I couldn’t meet their expectations.” She let out a small sigh and you felt her body nearly tremble in your arms, “then the whole mess with my first term? I certainly wasn’t good enough for the country, and I guess I just sometimes worry that I won’t be good enough for you…and I don’t really know if I could survive that.” You felt your chest get heavier at her admission, your hands continuing to dance over her skin, lips pressing reassuring kisses to her hair as you tried to figure out if she had more to say or not. “Thoughts?” She suddenly asked meekly, her head twisting so she could actually catch your gaze and that movement alone brought a small smile to your cheeks. Your hand reached over, caressing at her cheek tenderly,

“I think you being able to assess all of that on your own, and to have the courage to be so open and to the point with me means that therapy is really working for you.”

“Aside from that?” She asked dryly, raising a brow to you and you chuckled, leaning down to leave a kiss on the tip of her nose.

“I think that no matter what I say, your mind is still going to create those false scenarios because of your past.” You kissed her forehead this time, “you know I love you. You know more than anyone how much I love you, and how incredibly happy I am to have the whole world know that I’m you’re girl. Everyone I see, I nearly jump at the opportunity to point you out or introduce you to. And the reasoning behind that is because you are my absolute everything. You are my heart Elizabeth. You are everything that I need and more, and you well surpass being good enough for me. And if you ever doubt that it’s probably because you just think I’m that cool, which…trust me…you’ve seen me walk into walls and drool in my sleep…I’m overrated.”

Elizabeth chuckled, leaning in to kiss at your collarbone and you hummed at the motion, tilting her head up to find her lips with yours.

“Thank you.” She murmured softly into the kiss and you smiled.

“Of course baby.” You kissed her again, this one held a moment longer, “and I mean it.”

“I know.” Her eyes fluttered open to gaze up at you, a reluctant, but happy smile on her face, “sometimes I just need to hear it directly from you, so I’ll forever be grateful that you understand the…complicated mess my past can bring.”

“I was there for half of it.” You reminded her, smoothing back her bangs, shifting the longer pieces behind her ear, “and I promise you, I will never judge you for any of it, then or now. That’s what real partners and lovers do.”

“You’re too good to me.”

“Ah…” you warned with a playful smile and a raised brow, and she nearly rolled her eyes.

“You treat me impeccably well, and I will always thank you for it.” She corrected and you smiled as she shifted on the couch so she could properly kiss you, her hands cupping at your cheeks, “I love you little one, forever and always.”

“And I love you my darling. Forever and always.”

You let out a watery laugh, feeling the mix emotion tears begin to well up in your eyes as you typed out a quick response. You knew being back would be tough at first, but before you knew it, it would be like you’d never left in the first place.

*

The first week officially back at work was mainly spent in an array of meetings and interviews, after representing such a high level client, and dabbling into the political side of law, as guessed, you were the number one contender for the still open executive position. You gave it a couple of days to marinate, debated back and fourth over salary and benefits, tossing down the fact that you’d gotten more than a handful of offers to stay on at the White House, a few firms out there, and a couple in the city who were far above your current pay grade. In the end, you were given the job, and granted the upgrades that you wanted, as long as you continued to take SVU cases in the meantime while the shuffling in the department continued for a bit, and you got your feet back under you in the world of sex crimes.

The first thing that caught you off guard was walking back into the 16th precinct, Elliot’s desk empty, a new small blonde detective practically trailing after Olivia as they walked you through the case. The perp hadn’t lawyered up yet, but he was a pretty high up Wall Street guy without a criminal record, so it was unlikely he’d blown his funds on a tax evasion issue previously. You talked with him briefly, and then went through everything the squad had on it. Anthony Stewart, well enough liked business man, one young son, and deceased wife. Problem being, he was the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, and their son was the only eye witness. Character witnesses and friends had made statements that Anthony was abusive, and there were a couple of police calls to their apartment, but they had been sent away, or marked down as noise complaints each time. You thanked the team for everything they had, giving them warm smiles as they welcomed you back to the department and gave you congratulations on the promotion. You were introduced to the blonde, Amanda, and told there was to be another new detective coming in the next couple of weeks.

The rest of the day you prepped for Stewart’s arraignment, and reluctantly picked up a couple of files from Alex’s office on your way out. Despite having a couple of her own arraignments prior to yours the next morning, she was coming down with something and wanted to be able to focus on her case that was already on trial.

*

You couldn’t help the coy smile on your lips as you slipped through the barrier up to the prosecutions stand the next morning, catching Liz’s eye as she took the bench. Even if it was just arraignment, there was something comforting knowing that your first day back in the courtroom was in hers.

It was a breeze through the first couple of cases, you had two of Alex’s, and had taken over a small handful from a couple of first year attorney’s you’d caught mid panic attack outside the courtroom. You explained this was a one time offer, that you’d help them out in the future, but they would always be taking the reigns from here on in. You barely noticed the change in counsel when it came up to Stewart’s case.

“Next case.” Liz called.

“Docket ending 43758, people v Anthony Stewart, one count rape, one count murder in the first degree.”

“How do you plead?” She turned her attention to the defendant,

“Not guilty.”

“People on bail?” She raised a brow in your direction and the near smirk on her lips made you question what she knew about the case, or, perhaps the defence.

“We request remand your honour.”

“Defence highly objects your honour.” A voice cut in and you held back the instinctual eye roll, “Mr Stewart has no prior record, ties to the community and is a single parent to his four year old son who requires his care.”

“He wouldn’t be a single father if he hadn’t murdered his wife.” You shot back, your brow raised toward the defence table. It was then your head titled in realization at who it must be that you were finally going up against.

“Your honour…” her jaw tensed as her gaze rerouted back to Liz who chuckled lightly.

“Don’t worry Ms Calhoun, it appears Ms Summers has let her attitude reign free over her break.” You let out a silent scoff, glaring at the bench as Liz continued to speak, “how about we settle on $150,000 and Mr Stewart submits his passport and drivers licence?”

“We object your honour, my client is concerned about his son’s wellbeing.”

“The court will find a family relative for the child to go with, or will find suitable housing otherwise.” Her gavel banged, “next case.”

You gave her a nod of gratitude as you were finally able to pack up your stack of files, slipping your bag over your shoulder, not surprised when Ms Calhoun nearly hung back so you were making your way from the courtroom together.

“It appears I need to up my game on this case.” She smirked and you let out a small laugh.

“Donnelly siding with me doesn’t mean anything.”

“Oh but being the attorney freshly back from D.C post winning the highest and most publicized case of the past five years….does…I’ve heard all about you.”

“And Heather has told me plenty about you.” You paused, ducking over the side of the hallway to shake hands.

“On a first name basis? That’s impressive.”

“I only escaped Washington and about eight job offers from her thanks to secret service.” You joked and Rita laughed, “and about five of your business cards if I ever wanted a pay raise.”

“My firm is in need of another senior attorney and definitely pays better than the city ever could.”

“Never in a million years Ms Calhoun.”

“Don’t play coy.” She smirked, “outside the courtroom you can always call me Rita.”

“If that’s what you’d like.”

“I mean, there are a few other options..” she grinned and you barely caught the innuendo before she had swiftly slipped back into work mode, “how about we meet for drinks later this week? I can try to persuade you into taking a deal?”

“Just because I accept the drinks doesn’t mean I’ll take the offer.” You swiped the card from her fingers with a grin, “but since you’ll be footing the bill, what do you say to Temple Court?”

“I’d say that you have very good taste.”

“I have been told that in the past…sometimes rather relentlessly.”

“Well…” Rita’s eyes flicked down and then back up, dragging over your form, “that somehow doesn’t surprise me.”

“Being brazen really does run in the family doesn’t it?” You teased and she laughed, raising a curious brow, urging you to continue, “I do believe the phrase ‘if I wasn’t married’ was uttered on about a weekly basis.”

“I still sometimes find it hard to believe Heather turned out to the be the strictly monogamous one.” She laughed, “but…hey, she’s the one missing out.” You felt your cheeks burn at the way her eyes drank you in once more and you nearly faltered in your footing as you turned to continue moving through the halls.

“I’ve got a lunch to get to.” You gestured over her shoulder and she shot you a warm grin.

“And I’ve got a case to win.” She winked, “I’ll see you Friday.”

*

Across the street at Forlini’s you had already ordered a couple of appetizers, a glass of wine for yourself and a gin and tonic for Liz, knowing her lunch break was on a tighter schedule than yours.

“You’re back in the city what? Less than two weeks and you’re already flirting with defence attorney’s?” She greeted with a smirk and you audibly scoffed this time.

“And hello to you too. I missed you, how’ve you been?”

“Oh please.” She laughed, wrapping you in a hug as you shifted to stand to actually greet her, pecking each other’s cheeks softly, “you know I mean no harm.”

“Yeah and I can also read into your subtext.”

“Believe me…I have been waiting years for Rita to end up against any of you girls in the courtroom. It’s a formidable match no matter what, and I just know someone would end up in contempt if it was her and Alex.”

“How come it’s taken so long? It doesn’t seem like she’s new to it.”

“She started out prosecution.” Liz hummed over a sip of her drink, “then built her client list from there. Not that it was hard, the Calhoun name means something in this city, she’s got a lot of celebrities and sports stars on there. I guess cases just didn’t cross over until now.”

“Any tips?”

“Oh you’ll be absolutely fine sweetheart. You just locked up multiple people responsible for a political near massacre. Rita will be nothing compared to that.”

“I dunno, she’s still related to Dunbar, and they’re rather feisty.”

“If I remember correctly, you’re rather feisty yourself.”

You scowled at Liz’s reply, pulling a laugh from her as the conversation lulled for the two of you to put in entrée orders. You busied yourself with a couple sips of wine as Liz got properly settled at the table, shooting off a couple of quick texts before your attention was turned back to each other.

“All silliness aside…” Liz started, “you are happy to be back, yes?”

“God yes.” You exclaimed with a sigh of relief, “I haven’t been that stressed since I wrote the bar!”

“I can only imagine. Being so close with Keane and knowing what was at stake must not have helped either.”

“You don’t even know the half of it.” You rolled your eyes, “you think the New York court system holds back from the press? You wouldn’t believe how much of this was hidden and redacted. I’ve signed more NDA’s in the past month than I have in my entire life.”

“Well you’ve got a nice easy one to warm yourself back into.” She teased with a squeeze at your hand and you laughed.

“Just a casual rape, homicide, no biggie.” You paused for a sip of wine, “enough about me and this bullshit, how’re you? I’m kind of surprised you stuck around after everything…”

“Oh if you think I was going to let Dale fucking Stuckey be the end of me as a Judge? You’re not who I thought you were.”

“Aside from work then.” You shook your head at her, “you got that penthouse full of baby A.D.A’s or what?”

“Alexandra spends most of her time not at work there, but it’s rather empty otherwise.”

“Oh. I always thought she was more of a lone wolf?”

“After everything she doesn’t really like being alone.” Liz shrugged, “and the penthouse has more than enough room to give us each our individual space while having the comfort of knowing someone else is around, that we’re not alone.”

“I get that.” You let out a low sigh, your gaze getting lost in your wine. After spending a year in the residence with Beth, Casey and a dog, and multiple guests roaming through daily, having your apartment all to yourself again had been rather lonely the past few weeks.

“You know your room is ready and waiting for you…just as you left it.”

“Liz, you really don’t”— she cut you off with a raise of her hand as you looked up at her.

“There’s absolutely no strings. A lot has happened, and a lot has changed over the past year, I don’t expect things to just pick up good again, or where they left off. Things can remain platonic between us, I have no expectations, but I do know how much the winter months can make things even lonelier, and that apartment of yours has terrible heating and we’re about to go into a bad cold snap.”

“Oh now you’re just teasing…you know how much I loved that fire place.”

“Oh come on now…it’s more than just that…admit it, it’s nice to not come home to an empty house at the end of the day.”

“You are completely right on the nose.” You let out a little sigh, you elbow resting on the table as your hand propped up your chin, “you sure I wouldn’t be intruding?”

“Not at all.” Liz smiled warmly, “I can have a car arranged to help you move some stuff back in over the weekend?”

“Let me talk to Alex first, at the very least. Not that I think she’d mind, I just haven’t seen her yet, it’d be nice to catch up before we’re suddenly sharing a living room again.”

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you.”

You were about to reply when your phone blared from within your bag, letting out a small groan, you quickly picked it up, flicking the screen on. Your eyes scanned through the texts before huffing, starting to pack up your things as you spoke.

“Cragen…duty calls.” You reached into your wallet and Liz swatted at your hands, scoffing at your attempt to cover your half.

“Please…the least I can do is cover lunch.”

“You sure?”

“You’re back on the city’s dime, aren’t you?” She raised a brow and you laughed.

“Thank you.” Ducking to kiss her check quickly, you flashed her a smile, “I’ll call you once I’ve met with Alex.”

“Good luck with Calhoun.” She called after you and you rolled your eyes at her as you moved through the restaurant.

It was safe to say that your return to New York was turning out to be smoother than expected. Then again, after the rough landing and year you’d had in Washington, the rest of this was going to be a breeze. As long as you could get through the trial without letting Rita fluster you too hard, you were sure you’d have another win under your belt. And if you couldn’t? Well, she’d owe you another drink, that was for sure.