June 2017, Chicago

She heard door slam, felt the tiny apartment around her shake with the force of it, and knew he was in a bad mood. Knowing if she stayed in the room she was currently residing in she would more than likely receive a beating she ran to the bedroom as quickly and aa quietly as she could praying to god that he would stay in the front room and cool off for a while. She knew that would never happen. She heard his heavy footsteps through the apartment and cowered under the covers, jumping slightly when she heard the door open.

"Stupid bitch" she heard him say "do you really think yoi can hide from me" he pulled the covers back and forced her onto her back so she could look at him. She could smell the booze on his breath as he continues to speak to her "I will end you"

"No baby, please i wasnt hiding I was sleeping" she told him "I had a headache so I tiurned in early" she carried on explaining

Seeing from the look in his eye, a look she'd seen many a time, she knew he didn't believe her. That look was the last thing she remembered before waking up in hospital 3 days later with the worst pain in her head. She looked down assessing her injuries, seeing the plaster on her arm and could feel by her heavy breathing that she has at least a broken wrist and some bruised of broken ribs. As she took in the scene ariund her she swore that this would never happen again.

9 months later...

Alexandra Nichols entered the small looking precinct at about 8:30 on a Monday morning on the 5th March, her palms were sweating and her heart racing. Today was her first day as a detective working for Manhattan SVU and hearing so many things about the team and their reputation she was nervous and for the first time in a long time it was the good type. She looked around and took it all in knowing she was fat too early, she saw two desk spaces and an office set up for the squad and wondered how such an important unit had such limited supplies.

She heard a thick new york accent from behind her saying "Can I help you Maam?" It took her a moment to realise he was addressing her.

"Ummm yes actually" she said "I'm supposed to start working here today, Detective Nichols" she explained holding out her hand for him to shake "Alexandra" she continued further.

"Ah yes, the new lady detective from Chicago. Well I'm Sonny Carisi nice to meet you, Lieutenant Benson should be in soon so just make yourself comfortable while you wait" he told her.

She had only been waiting what must have been all of 5 minutes before she saw a older brunette woman walking in, bag thrown over her shoulder talking on the phone "Look Barba I don't know what more you want us to do, we gave you everything we had and now the rest is up to you" she heard her say to the person on the other end. Olivia looked at the younger woman as she ended her call with the ever frustrated ADA Barba and took in a few simple details about her, she was petite around 5'4 maybe, long auburn hair and green eyes, she was dressed in a professional suit with an elegant but simple white blouse and pair of comfortable yet stylish pair of black boots. The first thing Olivia noticed after taking in the woman's appearance was how young she looked, she had to be 30 maybe 32 at the oldest, that was young for an SVU detective, but she'd read her resume it was very impressive so she knew she was more than qualified for the job.

Alexandra, tired already of being scrutinised stuck out her hand "You must be Lieutenant Benson, I'm your new detective Alexandra Nichols" she said as she shook the woman's hand.

"Nice to meet you" said Olivia "Follow me and we'll see if we can't get you settled in, oh and Carisi, Barba wants more evidence linking Wilson to the rape" she said as she walked into her office.

Alex followed closely behind and thought she heard Carisi mumble behind her "of course he does" she smirked and carried on following her new CO into her office. When inside she did a quick scan of her surroundings and saw multiple commendations, news paper articles and pictures of an adorable little boy scattering the small space, it wasnt what you expect of a COs office, it was bright and inviting as did it seem was the woman who occupied it.

"So your joining us from Chicago, I see you did 2 years in a crimes against children unit, must have been tough?" Olivia asked

"No tougher than this I imagine Lieutenant" she replied "Besides sometimes it actually felt like good days outweighed the bad... well equaled them anyway" she continued

"So why leave?" Olivia asked "Must have been very rewarding"

"Oh it was" started Alex "but while my career was soaring my personal life was at an all time low so I decided it was time for a change, and now here I am"

Olivia inspected the woman in front of her trying to get a read, failing the she started telling Alexandra where she could set up her desk space as she walked out of the office "You can set up here opposite Finn, hes my second" she told the new detective, as Finn reached out to shake her hand "I'm going to partner you with Carisi to begin with, show you the ropes here at SVU but I'm sure youll be just fine" and with that Olivia went back to her office.

"Alexandra Nichols" she introduced herself to Finn and the blonde whose name she had yet to learn "but you can call me Alex" she said.

"Well I'm Finn and that ray of sunshine over there is Amanda Rollins" Finn joked, as the blonde Amanda glared at him "and well you've already met Carisi, welcome to the team"

She was about to begin thanking him when an impeccably dressed man with dark brown hair interrupted her "Carisi what more do you have for me?" he practically shouted across the precinct "and don't say nothing cause I'm really in no mood for bad news" he continued.

"Sorry counsellor, I mean there's nothing else here, I'm about to take Alex her down to the scene again and see if we can find anything, set of new eyes and all that" Carisi explained, finally drawing Barba's attention to the unknown woman in the room.

"And you are?" Barba asked, with a raised eyebrow, never one to mince his words.

"Oh um, Im Alexandra Nichols, the new detective" She said, suddenly feeling a lot more nervous than she did earlier, this man had something about him that demanded respect and attention it was almost intimidating.

"Well I hope you're better than this lot" he said making his way to Olivia's office

Alex just looked at the people around her with a shell shocked expression on her face, Carisi spoke "And that is ADA Rafael Barba" answering her unasked questions.

"Seems lovely" she responded, Carisi just laughed and told her to follow him.

This is my first shot at an SVU fic so reviews are definitely welcome! Thanks