This is a rewrite of the story that I began, of the same name. I rewrote Chapters 1-3 because i felt like I rushed the initial story along and never really got to say what I was hoping to say with this story. I hope you all enjoy the rewrite. I will continue past chapter three, but this is not going to be a long, 20+ chapter story. At least I'm not planning for it to go that way, but hey you never know.

Title: Ghosts

Pairing: Alex/Olivia

Summery: My take on what would have happened if at the end of Loss Alex only asked to see Olivia, and Olivia decided to go with Alex into Witness Protection.

Spoilers: Loss(5.4) and Ghost(6.16)

Disclaimer: Any and All characters associated with Law and Order Special Victims Unit are the property of Dick Wolf and NBC. No money is being made from this story.


Ghosts

Ghosts are a metaphor for memory and remembrance and metaphorically connect our world to the world we cannot know about.-Leslie Wheat

Captain Cragen briskly made his way over to Olivia's desk, "DEA Agent Hammond wants to see you tonight Olivia." "Here's the address," he said, handing her a small piece of paper. She just continued to stare off into space and wordlessly took the paper from his hand. He wanted to say something to try and comfort his detective, but he knew at this point there truly were no words to help her.

Elliot looked up from his paperwork and regarded Cragen, "For what?" The last thing he wanted was for his partner to have to face the DEA, especially after the resent loss of her lover.

"Something about closing out the case," Cragen replied, turning back and heading for his office. Elliot just shrugged and looked at Olivia.

"You want me to go with you?" he asked. The sound of Elliot's voice seemed to snap Olivia from her reprieve and she shook her head and tried to find her words.

"No," was all she said and she stood, grabbed her coat, and made her way out the squad room doors.

Olivia glanced at the address on the paper one more time as she pulled her car up to the nearly empty lot. The only other cars were a couple of large, black SUV's that seemed to be idling by. Olivia slowly turned off the car and got out, keeping her right hand poised near her weapon. As she made her way over to the SUV's she let out a small sigh of relief when she noticed Agent Hammond exit one vehicle and make his way over to her.

"Sorry, only way to do this," he said.

A confused look crossed over Olivia's face as she asked, "Do what?"

"Won't take no for an answer. Real pain in the ass, this one," he said, still not answering her question. Olivia was about to voice her confusion again when a man in a suit opened the back door to one of the vehicle's and Alex Cabot stepped out onto the pavement.

In that instant Olivia felt like her entire world stopped spinning. She was stunned, speechless, grateful, and more than a little confused. She could feel tears sting her eyes and threaten to spill over as she looked at the woman she loved; the woman she thought was dead.

"I am so sorry about all of this," Alex said. She looked at Olivia and couldn't mask the pain she felt. It covered her usually elegant face and made Olivia's heart ache.

The knot in her throat made it almost impossible for Olivia to form the words to the millions of questions running through her mind. She finally managed to squeak out, "Your funeral's tomorrow."

"And you're expected to attend. For the time being, Ms. Cabot's better off dead. If Velez can get to Zapata, he can get to her," Agent Hammond warned his tone cold and expressionless. The sudden realization of his words struck Olivia like a speeding truck. She knew in her heart what he was saying but hoped against hope that it wasn't true. "Witness Protect." It wasn't a question as much as a statement that Olivia waited for Alex to attest to. With a simple nod of her head Alex confirmed Olivia's greatest fear.

"Until Velez is extradited or otherwise dealt with."

"How long?" Olivia asked, her voice breaking just slightly. Alex tried to think of something to say, anything to soothe her lover but she couldn't. She just shrugged, for the first time in her life at a loss for words. Olivia stood rooted to her spot for a few seconds, her mind and her heart in a war over what to do. This was the woman she loved, the woman she was just starting to build a future with. How her life could be turned upside down so fast she couldn't even begin to comprehend.

Olivia finally found the strength to move and as she took a small step toward Alex both of their resolves broke down. The met in the middle and embraced while they let their tears fall. Olivia's heart broke as she listened to Alex crying into her shoulder. All she could do was hold her body, which had never felt as frail as it did in that moment.

"I love you," Alex managed to choke out through her sobs.

In that moment something happened to Olivia, and she could feel several things finally falling into place. She put her hands on Alex's sides and forced the younger woman to look her in the eye. This was the woman who, just a few days ago she was telling that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. They were talking about exchanging rings and even were in the process of filing domestic partnership papers. Nothing had changed overnight, Olivia still felt this was the one person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with, and looking in Alex's eyes she knew she felt the same way.

"Take me with you," Olivia softly whispered. Alex gazed back into her eyes, trying to find any signs of doubt of fear. A slow smile crept onto her face when all she saw was love, devotion, and longing mirrored back at her. Alex quickly turned back to look at Agent Hammond, a fierce, determined look on her face.

"I'm not leaving without Olivia." It was a statement that left no room for arguments or compromises, and Hammond knew it. He had known from the moment he started making arrangements for Alex to be placed in the Program. He wasn't going to suggest it, but when Alex insisted on meeting Olivia before she left, he knew she would be coming with them.

"I already figured she was coming, but we need to move out. Olivia if you will give me your keys I'll take care of your car."

Olivia and Alex shared a small smile as they both made their way over to the black SUV. As Agent Hammond shut the door behind her, Alex grabbed onto Olivia's hand and looked once more into her eyes. They both rested back into their seats taking comfort in the fact that they knew that as hard as it was likely to get, they would always have each other.

Agent Hammond handed off Olivia's keys to one of the Marshalls and gave him instructions on what to do. After that was done he swiftly made his way over to the caravan of SUV's, climbed in, and gave the OK to the lead driver. As the vehicles started to move Alex snuggled into Olivia and took refuge in her lovers' arms as he watched her home fade into the background. Olivia tightened her grip gently around Alex as she watched New York pass her by; content that she had made the right decision.

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Elliot walked into the bullpen and dropped a coffee cup on Olivia's desk before placing one on his own, along with a box of donuts. He knew that Alex's funeral was later on today and that his partner was not going to take it well. His heart went out to her and he thought back to just a few weeks ago when she asked him to help her pick out a ring for Alex. I know it won't be legal but I'm going to ask her to marry me, she has told him. Sighing, he sat in his chair and wondered when his partner would show up for work. He wished she would take some time off, but he knew even suggesting it to her would be like adding gas to a fire.

Captain Cragen made his way over to his desk just as Elliot was taking a sip of his coffee. When Elliot looked up he noticed the gruff look on the Captain's face. If he didn't know any better he would have sworn the old man had been crying. He was about to ask what was wrong when Cragen turned to him and motioned for him to follow. Now Elliot knew something was wrong. He cast one last look down the hall in hope that Olivia was here and he wouldn't have to deal with Cragen alone. Finally giving up he set his coffee down and made his way over to the Captain's office.

"What's up Captain?" Elliot asked. Don Cragen sighed heavily as he sank into his desk chair and regarded one of his best detectives. He knew what he was about to tell him was going to be devastating, but he also knew there was nothing he could do to shield him from it. Pushing aside the lump that had formed in his own throat he began.

"Elliot, there is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it. Last night, on her way back from the meeting with the DEA Olivia was in a car accident. Another car skidded out and hit her car head on. She…" He paused for a second to try and collect himself. Then, pushing down the emotion in his throat once more he continued, "I got the call from the hospital this morning before work. She didn't make it Elliot."

Elliot sucked in a ragged breath as he felt his world start to spin and crash upon itself. The words Cragen has just spoken to him didn't make any sense. Olivia was dead. No. Olivia couldn't be dead. He had just seen her last night. He brought her coffee; he was going to help her through Alex's death. She couldn't be gone. First Alex, now Olivia, this couldn't be happening.

Elliot just turned and left the room; only half hearing Cragen telling him to take as much time as he needed. He was on auto pilot as he walked back to his desk, threw his gun in his locker, and grabbed his coat. He looked at Olivia's desk, at the coffee that was quickly turning cold and he couldn't help feeling completely useless and lost. He violently threw open the bullpen doors as he exited the room and made his way down to his car.

Cragen called Kathy as soon as he left and when he pulled into the driveway she was waiting for him. He couldn't hold it in any longer. As soon as the door closed behind them he broke down in her arms. Kathy just held him as she felt the sobs wreck his body. Elliot, for once in his life, just let his wife hold him; comfort him as he cried for his lost partner.

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(Somewhere in the United States)

Olivia awoke to a persistent knocking coming from the bedroom door. Reaching for her gun, which she always kept on the table near her bed, she felt her heart begin to race when her hand met an empty, flat surface.

"Ladies, time to wake up. We're moving you to your permanent location today, so get a move on," the deep male voice from the other side of the door said. It was at that moment that Olivia slowly started to realize just where she was and what was happening. Glancing down she noticed that Alex was still sleeping soundly on her back, her arm still resting on her stomach.

"Alex, baby it's time to wake up," Olivia said gently. A small smile crept onto her face as she watched Alex begin to stir and slowly open her eyes.

"We need to get dressed; one of the Marshals just said we are leaving soon." Olivia chuckled a little when she heard Alex huff and finally manage to sit upright. Olivia followed suit, tossing the covers off her body and pulling on the jeans and t-shirt she had left out last night. Once she was dressed she helped Alex tend to her healing shoulder.

"Your too good to me, you know that," Alex said as she placed a chaste kiss on Olivia's lips. The brunette just smiled and picked up their coats and the one small bag that held what little personal affects they were allowed to bring.

"Morning ladies," Agent Hammond said. He was seated on the couch in the third safe house they had been to in the past two weeks. Olivia was starting to wonder if they would ever settle into a fixed location, and she could tell the constant moving was also getting on Alex's last nerve. She prayed Hammond would place them somewhere before that last nerve snapped and everyone saw a side of Alex Cabot they wouldn't soon forget.

"Where are we off to this time," Olivia replied.

Hammond gave both women a reassuring smile as he held up two file folders. "You're going to your new identities." He passed the first folder to Alex, "Your new name is Emily Peterson." Then, turning to Olivia he passed her, her folder, "Your name is Rachel Sanders."

"What are our stories?" Olivia asked.

"Those folders contain everything from birth certificates and drivers licenses to a full summery of where you two are coming from. It also gives you a background that both of you will be expected to learn and remember. If there is any type of slip up or if you run into anyone you used to know you have to contact the Marshal's immediately and we will relocate you. Do you understand?"

Both Alex and Olivia nodded their heads and went back to looking over the files that contained their new lives.

"Alright then, we're off to Wisconsin. Let's get a move on."

Alex and Olivia exchanged a somewhat nervous glance at the last statement. Alex mouthed is he serious, Wisconsin to Olivia, who merely shrugged her shoulders and followed Hammond out to the cars. At this point she was just glad that they wouldn't have to stay in safe houses anymore. The whole experience was starting to wear on Olivia, but she knew she needed to be strong for Alex.

"What is it Olivia. Your making that face so do not even try to say it's nothing," Alex said.

Olivia let a smile touch her face as she looked back at Alex. She still couldn't get over how well Alex knew her. Sometimes she thought Alex knew her better than she knew herself at times.

"Just this whole thing seems so surreal, you know. I keep expecting to wake up in New York and find that this has all been a bad dream," Olivia finally confessed.

"Do you regret coming?"

Olivia's head whipped around at the words spoken so softly she almost missed them. "No," she said with conviction and strength in her voice. "I never will. This is where I belong, right by your side. No matter where we go I'll always be right where I'm supposed to be as long as your there with me."

Alex felt her heart melting and her eyes tear up at Olivia's confession. Ever since they had left New York Alex couldn't stop worrying that Olivia might regret her decision. More than once she wondered if she had made the right choice in asking to see Olivia before she left because as much as she told herself she had only done it to let her lover know she was still alive she knew the truth. She had asked to, no demanded to see Olivia because she had hoped her lover would ask to come with her, and in the end she had. Now, hearing Olivia didn't regret following her, Alex felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"I love you Olivia Benson."

"I love you Alexandra Cabot."

Their names echoed on inside their minds as they walked, hand in hand, out the door and into the waiting SUV, the vehicle that would take them to their new life, their new identity.

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(Two Years Later)

(New York City)

Captain Donald Cragen sat back in his seat and picked up a file from his desk. He was halfway done with the first sentence when his office door suddenly flew open and a man walked in, closing the door quickly behind him. His shock quickly turned to confusion as he recognized the man as Agent Hammond.

"What the hell are you people doing?" Agent Hammond barked, anger clear in his voice.

Captain Cragen just regarded him with a cool exterior, "Agent Hammond. Most people knock first."

"You should have called me before your detectives arrested Liam Connors for the murder of Alex Cabot."

This comment caught Cragen off guard. He remembered Agent Hammond's involvement in the case, almost two years ago, that had left both his ADA and one of Agent Hammonds colleagues dead. He couldn't understand why this new development would upset him so much.

"Connors blew up one of your agents. I didn't expect flowers, but I thought you'd be pleased."

"If Connors goes to trail, I'm called to testify. What am I supposed to do?" Hammond questioned.

"Do your job," Cragen said, his anger rising as he stood. He couldn't understand why Agent Hammond was trying to make this so difficult.

"That's exactly what I'm gonna do. I just came to tell you that you're on your own. I'm not gonna ruin my career by committing perjury. Do we understand each other, Captain?" Hammond said, anger rising in his face.

Cragen shook his head as several things began to fall into place. If Agent Hammond wasn't willing to testify to Alex's death for fear of perjury then that could only mean she was alive. "She's alive."

"You son of a bitch. You stashed Alex in witness protection."

Agent Hammond's anger started to recede as this statement. He looked at Cragen for a minute before saying, "You didn't know."

"No, I didn't know," Cragen spat. He couldn't believe Alex had been alive all this time.

"I'm sorry Captain, someone was supposed to tell you about everything after they left," Hammond said.

Cragen just shook his head until he felt the words sink in. They? Who else was he talking about?

"What do you mean after they left, Agent Donovan is alive too?" he asked.

Hammond just shook his head, silently cursing the Marshal that was supposed to deliver this news to Cragen two years ago. "No, when Alex Cabot went into Witness protection Olivia Benson went with her."

All Cragen could do was blink back his eyes as he felt his body sink back down into his chair. Olivia was alive; Alex was alive. Suddenly he remembered the situation that had brought Agent Hammond here and asked the other man, "So, what do we do now?"

Hammond just sighed, "Come with me Captain."