Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters on Law and Order: SVU. Dick Wolf does. Sadly... I wish I did though.

Author's Note: This is my first published SVU fanfic. Just to let you guys know, I love E/O and it will occur eventually in this story. If you don't like it, fine. Be that way. Anyway, please enjoy & if you get the chance, review!

Undercover
Prologue

February 12
Manhattan Courtroom 3

"... I hear by sentence you to five years at the Sealview Correctional Facility." The judge stated solemnly as he stared impassively upon the familiar, pale-faced woman before him. She glanced back warily, her matted brown hair falling into her downcast eyes, before quickly diverting her gaze from meeting the judge's, trying to discourage any eye contact that might reveal her identity to the wizened judge.

The accused, Katrina Rae Lewis, stood defiantly beside her court appointed lawyer, ADA Casey Novak. She blanched visibly for a moment, before regaining her composure with ease.

Casey stood stiffly beside her client, her strawberry blond head bobbing once, signaling her silent acceptance of the judge's verdict. She slowly turned on her heel to face her client.

Casey's large hazel eyes silently took in her client's appearance. This is was not the same person that she was used to seeing in the Special Victim's Squad room almost every morning.

Olivia Benson's usually neat appearance was replaced by a dirty, navy blue tank top, a faded pink jacket and ragged blue jeans. All were too thin for the brisk weather of Manhattan in February.

"Olivia," Casey breathed her voice a whisper as her gaze struggled to greet her best friend's unfamiliar cold brown eyes. She swallowed with difficulty, her own green eyes starting to brim with tears, which she wiped at quickly, before any could spill over.

"It's okay Casey," Olivia replied softly, not trusting herself to meet the younger ADA's eyes. "It'll be okay," She whispered again, her voice thick with emotion.

"Come with me," A familiar gruff voice stated softly, gently turning her away from Casey. Olivia opened her mouth to protest, until she realized who was standing before her. It was none other than her close friend, and coworker, Sergeant John Munch.

Olivia blanched again as she met the familiar piercing gaze of her colleague. "Munch?" She stammered hopefully.

"Be strong, Liv," He replied gently, keeping his voice low so he would not be over heard, "It's all a conspiracy anyway," He added as the ghost of a smile flitted across his otherwise emotionless face.

A small smile started to appear upon Olivia's wan face until suddenly she felt the unfamiliar icy metal of handcuffs clasp tightly about her thin wrists. She squirmed momentarily, unaccustomed to wearing the metal clasps that she often placed upon other people.

Then, as she was led away from the court and towards the police cars outside the building, she lowered her head in shame, and shivered as she glanced down at her own hands that were locked between the metal, sealing her undercover fate as Katrina Lewis.