I own nothing but my characters and my storyline. The Italics later on in the story will indicate a flashback. I might use them in this chapter but I am not a hundred percent sure but there will be flashbacks in this story.

-Four Months Earlier-

It was a normal day as I walked into the 1-6 precinct. I had been there two weeks and was finally settling in. I had a bunch of paper work for a case that was going to court. I was sitting and working on paper work when I was called into the lieutenant's office.

"Hey Benson, you wanted to see me?"

As far as COs went, Olivia was the best and probably the only CO that I liked. It was easy to get along with her as long as you didn't step on her toes.

"Yeah, come in and close the door."

As I did I saw two other members of the squad. Fin Tutuola was a tough looking guy but was a cool guy once you got to know him. On my first case, I got the chance to sit in a stakeout car with him and he was a cool guy. He had been in the squad a long time and was one of the veterans along with Olivia. Amanda Rollins was the other squad member in there. She was there before I was but hadn't been around as long as Benson or Tutuola had. I didn't know much about her but I guess not many people are super open. As I made my way over to the others my curiosity peaked.

"What's going on guys?"

I looked over at Olivia

"We caught a case and the vic is at Mercy Hospital. Carisi is already at the crime scene so I want Rollins and Fin to go and talk to the vic and get her statement. Shepherd I want you to and talk to the ADA. Novak will be filling in for Barba on this case and others until he gets back into town. I want you tell her That we might need her down here sooner than we thought. Just tell her about the case and inform her on what is going on."

I nodded and then walked over and grabbed the file from Olivia. After that we all headed our separate ways and I headed down to the DA's office.

I knocked on the door and I heard some movement inside before someone called out.

"Come in."

I opened the door and saw a strawberry blonde sitting at a desk working on paper work. I moved toward the desk.

"Casey Novak?"

She looked up and nodded.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm Detective Matt Shepherd for Special Victims Unit."

"Detective Shepherd…. Right, you're here to prepare for the trail of the Sullivan kidnapping case… but we weren't supposed to meet until later today."

I shook my head and handed her the file that I had in my hand.

"Actually, I just stopped by to let you know about a new case that came through today. There isn't much in the file but we are currently gathering information."

She just looked at me and nodded.

"Alright, well I be waiting for more information so that we can proceed with the case but until then just remember that you have to be back here at noon for trail preparation."

I nodded and as I was leaving my phone rang.

"Shepherd…yeah…alright I'm on my way."

I made my way down to the precinct. As I walked in on the floor I made my way over to the board as Rollins was about to brief us about the victim.

"Our victim is Karen Smith. She is a stay at home wife who was raped at home. Her sister found her and called 911."

I was curious but before I could say anything Olivia asked what I was thinking.

"Where was the husband?"

"The husband was at work during the attack but the doctor found multiple previously healed injuries which might suggest that Smith might be a battered woman. We can't say for sure since she has denied that her husband had any involvement of her attack. She claims that she doesn't know her attacker."

Olivia sighed.

"Alright well why don't we got talk to the husband. Matt, you and Amanda go and talk with the husband and see what he has to say."

Rollins and I made our way to the upper east side to a stock trading company. As we made our way up to the floor I was going over the details of the attack. When I heard the elevator ding, I snapped out of my thoughts and walked onto the floor. We walked up to secretary's desk and I pulled out my badge and showed it to the secretary.

"I'm detective Shepherd and this is my partner detective Rollins and we are looking for Mark Smith."

The secretary hesitated before answering.

"Mr. Smith is busy but if you would like to come back in an hour he will be open to talk then."

I nod

"I see well this has to do with Mr. Smith's wife so I think he might want to talk about this now."

The secretary looked at us and then led us back to his office. She knocked on the door and there was a quick answer at the door.

"Mr. Smith these detectives are here to ask you some questions."

He nodded as she walked away. He led us into the room and while he did Rollins spoke up.

"That's funny, your secretary said you were busy but I don't see anything here keeping your attention."

Smith looked at her and just sighed.

"I was hoping I could get an hour of peace before heading into back to back meetings but how can I help the NYPD?"

I began to explain.

"Mr. Smith we are here because your wife was attacked this morning and ended up in the hospital. Did you know anything about that?"

"I obviously didn't because if I did I would be there with Karen instead of here in my office."

"Well when we are done here you can go and visit her but first Mr. Smith, how was your marriage?"

He seemed a little agitated at this point.

"My marriage is fine and we are happy together. What are you suggesting detective?"

"I'm not suggesting anything sir, I'm just trying to gather information."

Rollins stepped up.

"Mr. Smith we didn't mean to upset you but we needed to know. We are just covering our bases."

He nodded

"Look, Karen and I are happy. I would never do anything to harm her. If she said anything otherwise, then she was lying through her teeth.

He looked over at me and continued with his aggressive tone.

"Now if you'll excuse me detective I have to go be with my wife."

With that he walked out. As we walked out I looked over at Rollins.

"He seemed a little jumpy when I asked him about his marriage. Maybe he is abusing his wife."

Rollins nodded

"Yeah and maybe he is hiding something else. You want me to drop you off at the precinct?"

I looked down at my watch.

"No, but if you could drop me at the ADA's office that would be great."

She nodded as we got into the car. About 20 minutes later she pulled up to the ADA's office and I got out of the car. I thanked her and then made my way up to Novak's office.

I made my way to her office and saw that her door was open so I knocked on it. She looked up and got up to meet me at the door. She motioned to the couch that was in her office.

"Please have a seat detective."

I made my way into her office and sat down on the couch. I watched as she made her way over to her desk and watched as she picked up a file before sitting down on the opposite side of a table from me.

"Mr. Shepherd..."

"Please, it's Matt."

"Ok...Matt, the defense is going to dig things up and try to discredit you on the stand. I know you've been in other trials so I know all of this sounds familiar but if there is anything that the defense might find out about that could work against us please let me know."

I sat there knowing that there might be a couple of things but there is no way that they would be relevant to the case so I didn't bring them up.

"No, I think we are all good."

And with that we spent the next couple of hours we prepared for my first sex crimes trial. After that I was getting ready to leave when I turned back around to Novak.

"Hey Casey, I took up your lunch hour so how about I buy you a late lunch?"

She hesitated a bit but then gave a nod.

"The rest of my day is going to be full of paperwork so sure, why not."

We made our way down the street to a small diner that wasn't too far from the DA's office. Once we were settled in with drinks and food on the we continued our conversation about the case.

"So Matt, any new developments in the Smith case?"

"Not much, Karen Smith seems to be a battered wife who is afraid to say that her attacker is her husband. We went and spoke with the husband but he of course denies ever touching her and so now all we have is a woman who was raped but claims that it is a stranger rape and that's what we have to on until we find other evidence. After this, I am going to head back to the precinct and then canvas the neighborhood and ask the neighbors about the couple. If she is a battered woman, then someone knows something."

She nodded

"You should be careful because you might not get anything. Start with the neighbors and the move on to coworkers and any family members that might say something."

Our food had arrived and with that the conversation went from work to Novak surprisingly talking about other things. She is an avid softball player and went to Harvard law but I had already picked that up just from sitting her office earlier. Then the conversation turned to me.

"So tell me about you."

I looked up at her before responding.

"That sounds like more of a date type of question, are you trying to hint at something counselor?"

She just laughed and shook her head.

"I just thought I should know a little about you since we are going to be working together for a little while. I know a little about the other detectives but since you are the newest detective I'd like to know a little about you."

"Alright, where to start. I grew up in small town in Texas. After school I went into the military and did two tours overseas before I worked as a police office. Then I was promoted to detective. I worked in homicide down there before being transferred up here to the big apple. After a couple of years, I was transferred to SVU and here I sit in front of you today. Oh and I like long walks on the beach and romantic dinners."

She laughed at that last part.

"No, seriously though Casey, I'm just a normal guy who is just doing my part."

She nodded and that seemed to hold her over for now. Which was good because I wasn't ready to divulge all of my secrets just yet. I wasn't even sure how long I was going to be at SVU but as long as I didn't make the mistake of getting to close I would be just fine.

I know the story is starting off a little slow but it will get a better as it goes along in the story. I will eventually try to answer any and all questions that might arise throughout the story and if I miss any please just let me know.