Almost Paradise

Summary: Alex thought she was used to being out of Witness Protection. Then her husband shows up. Slight crossover with Conviction.

Notes: With all the sad Alex stories I've been posting, I needed a chance for Alex to be happy. She deserves it. Slightly AU in that Alex has been in Witness Protection for about six and a half years, and she did not get out (and get the Bureau Chief position) until April 2010. It will all work out. Also AU in that none of the "Ghost" stuff happened. And she's not engaged to Robert.

Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jim, the events of SVU, the events of Conviction, or anything else that Dick Wolf owns. I do however own Eric.

"Jim, it's Murder Two," Alex Cabot stated plainly as she walked over to her mini-refrigerator. Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jim Steele was lingering in her doorway. She could only assume it was about his latest case. She retrieved a small half-pint water bottle from her fridge. She offered one to Jim, but he declined. She shrugged and opened hers. After taking a sip, she continued. "Don't be afraid to stand up to Lionel Granger. You can prove murder two, so go for it," she told him. "No deals on this one, either."

Jim shook his head. "Good," Jim said. He moved into her office a little bit. "I'm just checking up on you," he told Alex. "Making sure you're ok," he added.

Alex shook her head slightly. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked him. She could feel her cheeks flushing. Of course she was not ok. She had only been out for a couple of weeks, and she was already having doubts about it. The way she left things as her past identity. She had not had a chance to explain any of her actions. She could not just pick up the phone and call either. She hated it, but she did not need to let Jim know any of that.

She barely knew Jim anymore. He had changed a lot while she was in Witness Protection. He was dating Jessica Rossi. He was more serious now. She sighed. Everything was different.

"You've changed, Alex," Jim told her plainly.

Alex shrugged. "It's been almost seven years, Jim," she told him. "We all changed."

Before Alex could say anything to persuade Jim to go out the door, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. It was security from the main floor. She had to answer it. "Excuse me," she told Jim as she hit the speaker phone button. If this was a serious threat, it could affect other ADAs. Jim had a right to know. "Cabot," she said to the security officer.

"Hey, Ms. Cabot," the officer said. Alex recognized his voice as David. David was one of the older security guards. He was there when Alex first started working there. In fact, he had guided her to Branch's office when she interviewed. "We have this crazy guy, Eric Oswald. He's demanding that he sees you. Says you know him." He chuckled. "Probably some angry citizen who say your face on the news. Do you want us to show him out?"

Alex shook her head. "No, it's ok," she said. "I know him. Send him up." With that, she hung up the phone.

"Let me guess," Jim started. "Old boyfriend?"

Alex shook her head again as she took a sip of her water. She would then looked over at her fridge and pulled out a larger bottle of water. She would need it. She could already feel her face getting warmer.

"Alright, I give up," Jim said. "Who is he?"

Alex's eyes were focused on her office door. "My husband."