A/N: This is my first Law and Order:CI story, so I hope that I can A) Finish a story for once n my life and B) Try and measure up to the great writers who's stories I have read. Let me know what you guys think...If I should continue or what. Thanks for reading of course.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Alex had just woken up recently when she heard the door bell ring. She was still lying in bed slowly letting herself wake up, which was something that didn't happen very often. Bobby had gone to work earlier that morning, promising Alex he would only work a half day. Alex was on leave for a few days because her brother had just died yesterday morning. He was on duty, writing a traffic ticket when the suspect took out a pistol and shot Steve point blank in the chest. He was prononunced dead at the scene.

She stood up, letting the coldness hit her for just a second before she wrapped herself in her bathrobe to try and keep in the warmth. As she walked down the hallway to her front door, the doorbell began to ring incessantly, frustrating Alex.

"I'm coming! Hold on." She yelled, sighing as she kicked some of hers and Bobby's clothes from the night before out of her way.

She looked through the peek hole before opening the door, cops instinct. She has lived in this neighborhood for almost 4 years, but she never knew who had a grudge against her, or even Bobby.

But there was no psycho serial killer on the other side of the door seeking revenge. No, It was her Captain Danny Ross, and the Chief of D's.

She felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach as soon as her eyes focused on who was standing outside her door. Her eyes fell to the sparkle on her finger that caught her eye and she momentarily let the tears form in her eyes. She knew what they were here for. The same two people showed up when her husband Joe died, except with different names.

She composed herself as much as she could, because she was not going to let the news they were about to give her make her break down in front of her captain and the Chief of D's. She was not weak.

She unhitched the lock on the door before opening and putting on her best face to the two people she least wanted to see at this exact moment. They both nodded at her, before her captain spoke.

"Detective Eames," He spoke roughly, and Alex knew immediately that he didn't quite know how to reveal the news to her. Instead he asked, "May we come in?"

Without answering, Alex opened the door further stepping out of the way to let the two men in. They entered, but stood politely at the door, making sure they stayed on the carpet that welcomed their visitors.

She let out a long sigh as her Captain introduced the well known Chief of D's to Alex and she shook his hand because she knew she had too. She listened to Ross stumble over his words giving condolences on her brother, Steve. She took the sympathy from them, knowing that neither of them knew how to tell her their news.

"Captain?" Alex interrupted him as he was asking her how she was doing. "Please. I'm doing just fine, but I know that you and the Chief of D's didn't come all the way out to Rockaway to ask if I was doing alright."

Ross nodded, knowing that Alex never beat around the bush. "Detective, we received some news today regarding your husband Joe Dutton."

Alex was severely blindsided. She had prepared herself to hear that Detective Robert Goren had taken a shot to the chest this morning and was in Mercy Hospital, with no brain activity. She and Bobby had just solved Joe's case about a week ago, what else could they possibly have to tell her?

"This isn't about Bobby?" She asked, just to make sure.

Ross looked surprised. Even the Chief of D's looked surprised. "No Eames. Goren is at 1PP probably waiting for you to call. He himself wanted to come with us, but he stayed with our guest."

"Guest?" She looked to the Chief of D's who still had yet to say a word.

"Joe Dutton." The Chief of D's finally spoke up. Of course whatever he had to say was going to throw Alex for a loop.

"Joe Dutton?" She asked surprised. "What do you mean? We just solved his case a week ago. He's dead..."

Ross turned his gaze to the floor sighing as the Chief of D's kept his eyes locked on Alex.

"Isn't he?" Alex added. The look on both of their faces told Alex that they were indeed telling the truth. She would have fell backwards if it wasn't for the couch behind her that she now found herself leaning on for support.

"He was in Witness Protection, Detective." The Chief again chose to speak. "He was placed in WPP when he was shot at nine years ago. After you and Detective Goren found evidence as to who had killed your husband, he was immediately contacted to know that he was allowed to return to New York."

Alex's breath had caught in her throat and she now found it hard to breath. Joe was alive? Her breath's were getting shorter and shorter, and she felt herself becoming light headed.

"Joe returned to New York this morning around 6 a.m. and showed up at Major Case around 9 a.m, two hours ago. He spoke with Detective Goren as to your where abouts. He is very eager to see you, as you would imagine."

As the Chief finished, Alex knew that whatever she had planned for her life in the future had just become ten times more difficult. She turned around to face the couch, putting both hands on the back to brace herself. Her breath's kept getting shorter as her mind replayed the conversation that had just happened.

Her eyes started rolling to the back of her head, and before she knew it darkness took over. Joe was alive.