A/n: I was watching Ghost last night when I thought about how much Olivia risked by giving Alex that folder. I wanted to write something different than the usual ship between Elliot and Olivia. I'm not even sure how Elliot is going to react to everything. This at first is going to be building a friendship between Olivia and Casey and I will play by ear from there, but please don't ask to see all E/O.

Rating: PG-13 (T)

Spoilers: Ghost and Loss

Disclaimer: I do not own any Law and Order characters.

el Fantasma

"Due to newly discover evidence I have no choice but to release Mr. Connors without the attachment of double jeopardy and signing the arrest warrant for Detective Olivia Benson on charge of witness tampering," the judge announced with a disappointed look. She quickly looked around the court room at the two New York City IA officers getting up and walking over to the crying detective. Sighing she called a recess as she looked at the other judges.

"Detective Olivia Benson, you are under arrest for witness tampering," the first IA officer said, pulling Olivia up gently and pulling her hands behind her back.

"You have the right to remain silence. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you," the second one read off, leading her outside the court room and out the back to their car away from all press.

Olivia couldn't speak. She felt so numb. Everything had happen so quickly. When she first heard about Connors appeal, it never crossed her mind what had happen in that room would leave it, but some how it did. Suddenly every case she touched was being reinvestigated and every decision she made was being question. She was at first put on desk duty and then suspended altogether for the remainder of the appeal.

Everyone at the 1-6 lost all respect for her except for the three she was closest with. Fin, who was at every part of the appeal but this one because she asked had been amazing. He held strong for her, knowing what she did was purely out of love. Munch showed up every night with either cards and beer, or a movie. Elliot, however, strained their relationship, not sure where he would fit into everything. Cragen took the strictly professional stand, but kept Elliot, Munch, and Fin and as little of work as possible.

The surprising stance was Casey. Everyone knew Casey and Olivia were less that friends and they never really pretended to be more so when Casey showed up defending Olivia the first time IA question her, it surprised everyone.

The drive to the station house was the longest as Olivia sat in the back of the car with handcuffs on and a tear stained face. Not only was she about to lose her job, but she was risking her best friend's new life.

"Detective, I'm sure you are aware of why you are here," the first IA officer asked, taking a seat across from her in the interrogation room. He was tall and slim, but had muscular arms. The other was shorter, losing hair, and chubby. He was leaning on the one-way window with his arms close and mouth shut.

"I want to talk to my lawyer," she said simply. The two officers looked at each other before leaving. The minutes passed until Olivia had no idea how long she had been in there. She then saw Casey at the door with briefcase in hand and a small smile.

"Sorry, I was in court when they called," she said, taking a seat by Olivia.

"It's okay," Olivia said, trying not to breakdown.

"Well, I really wish I had better news, but this is looking pretty crappy," Casey said, brushing back Olivia's hair out of her face.

"I know," Olivia said solemnly before the two officers along with a prosecutor came in.

"Ms. Novak," he said, taking a seat across from them.

What you got?" Casey asked, putting a supporting hand on Olivia's back as she paid attention to her colleague.

"While, I think we can do this with no criminal charges to Ms. Benson. Lost of pension and job," he said, looking at the two women who quietly discussed this.

"Recommendations?" Casey asked.

"No," he said quickly.

"Written that no criminal charges will be filed?"

"With the evidence we have now." Casey and Olivia looked at each other.

"Meaning?"

"If we uncover something new, you will be charged," he said, looking at them.

"There isn't any way I could keep my job?" Olivia asked, knowing the answer.

"We can go to trial..." Casey started but was cut off by the other lawyer.

"But that will mean when you are convicted you will be facing minimum of a year."

"I would like a moment," Casey said, looking at Olivia sympathetically before the men walked out. "Liv, I know you aren't going to like this, but I don't think I can get you out."

"The chances?" Olivia asked with a bit of hope left in her voice.

"The only thing I could do is to get the tape out, then they have nothing since it is doubtful they will be able to call Cabot as a witness. But Olivia, I don't like the chances. I know well enough Martiz is a great attorney and will probably want to make an example out of you if you don't take the deal. I recommend you take the deal," Casey said, looking at the broken woman who was less than a month ago so strong.

"Alright," Olivia said, trying not to cry as Casey waved for them to come back in the room.

"My client will take the deal on one condition," Casey said, looking at Olivia and then at the other attorney.

"What?"

"What case is left out of it. It is for both her and Cabot's safety," Casey said, giving Olivia a shoulder rub.

"I think it will be arranged." He then looked at Olivia before leaving the room and setting up the arrangement on paper.

Casey waited with Olivia for the duration of the process and drove her to the court house to get her car afterwards. As Olivia thanked her and got out of her car, Casey stopped her.

"You know you got a friend here, right?" Casey asked, hoping Olivia thought of her as that.

Olivia looked at the woman before saying, "My place is going to be a bit empty and the last thing I wanna do now is drink alone, so you wanna come?" Casey was all the bit shocked. She had never done anything outside of work with anyone from the squad, defiantly Olivia. However, she had done a lot in the past few weeks she had never even dreamed of doing.

"You sure," Casey let slipped but when she saw Olivia's face drop she quickly changed her answer to a yes and said she would follow Olivia home so they would both have a car.