Work Text:
“The tox screen came back negative, so I’m determining this as a strangulation.” Melinda sighed, shrugging as she closed her report, offering it to Olivia. “Nothing seemed too out of the ordinary, which is… definitely different from most of the bodies you send me.”
“You’re done for the day, then?” Olivia said, taking the folder of notes from Melinda. “No plans?”
Melinda started back toward her office with Olivia trailing behind. “I don’t usually get a Friday night off, but… no plans,” she echoed, nodding decisively.
“Want to come crash an ADA thing with me tonight?” Olivia asked. “Alex said it’ll bore her to tears; we can meet at my place and take the train together.”
Melinda stopped in her tracks, turning to Olivia. “I’d say we’re a little old to be crashing parties, but… you know what; why not? I’ll see you around eight.”
Eight o’clock rolled around, and Olivia heard a buzz from the intercom. She added a final swipe of lipstick and dashed over to press the button to let Melinda in the building. Minutes later, there was a knock at Olivia’s door, and she opened it, her jaw dropping in shock. “Oh my God, Melinda, that dress! Come in, let me see it,” she cajoled, watching her friend smile shyly in return.
Melinda shed her coat as she stepped inside, giving a quick turn to show off the dress. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
“Not at all,” Olivia said, shaking her head, “you look great, really.”
“Same to you. We clean up pretty good, huh?” Melinda grinned, giving a nod in Olivia’s direction. “Is Alex here?”
“Oh, no; she’s already there. We’re just crashing the social hour part of the evening. She’s going to be grateful to see anyone there who isn’t a lawyer,” Olivia chuckled, walking back to her bedroom. “But if it sweetens the pot at all… there’s apparently free champagne.”
“You had me at champagne,” Melinda quipped, raising an eyebrow as Olivia returned. “Cute heels.”
“I’m surprised I can still walk in them,” Olivia said, buckling the straps at her ankles. “I’m too used to boots now.”
The train ride uptown was fraught with Friday night partiers, but Olivia and Melinda managed to find enough space to stand beside one another, chatting excitedly. “I can’t think of the last time I dressed up to go somewhere—probably senior prom,” Melinda joked, grinning.
“Probably the same for me,” Olivia said, “But I think I look better without the dayglow-pink lipstick.”
They finally arrived and made it to their destination, and Alex emerged from the crowd with two champagne flutes in hand. “Ladies! Thank God you’re here; I was getting tired of hearing ‘good old days at Harvard’ stories.”
Olivia and Melinda took their glasses with thanks and followed Alex back through the swaths of suits and sparkling dresses. Alex effortlessly plucked a flute from a passing tray, turning back to her friends with a grin. “A toast—but what should we toast to?”
Melinda chuckled and raised her glass. “The D.A.’s office for being dumb enough to get us free champagne.”
They clinked their flutes together in a chorus of “cheers” that marked the beginning of their night.