A/N: Here is the sequel to a story I wrote almost a decade ago. I have the first three chapters written so far. I'd say to expect something about once a week on one of the stories for SVU. I'm really working to finish these because I've become obsessed once again with SVU.

October 1st 3:20 AM

Olivia Benson's Apartment

"So Emily Jones?" She was wide awake now as she was sure Alex was on the other end of the phone call.

"Oh God Liv." She heard Alex's voice sound more relieved on the other end of the line, "You answered the call."

"Well can you blame me, I'm a sex crimes detective who got a phone call at 3:20 in the morning. It could have been any number of things, counselor." Olivia couldn't help the nickname she slipped into her conversation.

"Mmm. No I really can't blame you. I didn't actually expect you'd be at home though. I just… I don't know why I called really. I shouldn't have."

Olivia nodded, realizing Alex couldn't see her.

"I understand. Except for tonight I've had nightmares for a year."

She heard Alex's inhale, "I'm sorry Olivia, I should have listened to you…"

Olivia snorted, "You wouldn't be you if you had."

Alex half laughed, but it sounded off to Olivia, "I guess I wouldn't would I. But I'm not. Not anymore. Now I'm Emily Jones. God I hate it here Olivia."

"It's not the same with you gone. I just keep waiting for you to walk through the doors of the precinct. Its so good to hear your voice. Even if you never get to come home, just being able to talk to you is…"

"I know Liv, I know." Olivia looked around the darkened room and her eye caught on the clock. It was just past three in the morning and here she was, the most relaxed she'd been in a year, talking to her best friend.

"So what job do they have you doing? Anything as exciting as prosecuting sex crimes?"

Alex snorted. "No, I'm a claims adjustor at this insurance agency here in Appleton. It's such boring work. Every time I hear sirens I almost smile and then I realize where I am and that it's not my job anymore. It's such a small town.."

Olivia tried to think of where Appleton was, but she realized she had no idea. "Never heard of the place counselor. Sounds like the kind of place I'd be bored out of mind with nothing to do."

She heard Alex half laugh, "Yeah, but at least I'd know someone if you were with me."

Olivia hmm'd. "I would have you know, if I'd been a chance…"

"While I appreciate the sentiment Liv, I can't help but wonder if you'd be itching to be a cop. I asked if I could work in any way as a lawyer and was told no. It was too close to my former life."

Olivia grinned, "Well that and they probably knew you couldn't help but end up in some kind of trouble if you were allowed to practice law again. You should see the new ADA-" Olivia stopped short at this comment.

"You know Olivia I would resent that comment if I wasn't sure that it was true. So, this new ADA, what are they like?"

Olivia frowned. How could she describe Casey to Alex? "She's, well she's the opposite of you. Plays softball and she tried to come to the first crime scene we had when she was assigned to SVU. I don't like her, really. She's not as good as you."

She heard Alex laugh. "Does she at least keep you and Elliot out of trouble?"

"She did keep Elliot from being barred from giving testimony ever again. Last year, just after your funeral, there was a schizophrenic who kidnapped his son. Elliot forced Huang to give him some medication by aggravating his delusions and Huang found out."

She heard Alex's surprised gasp. "Elliot really did that?"

Olivia found herself nodding, "Yeah, so she pled out the case so it wouldn't come out in court. Really ballsy given she didn't know us."

"Sounds like something I wouldn't have done." Alex's tone was teasing.

"Well, I'm sure I could have convinced you to." Olivia wasn't sure exactly what she was saying until the words were out of her mouth.

"Oh really detective? And how would you have convinced me of that?" Alex's tone was now lighter, almost flirting with Olivia.

"I'm sure I would have been able to think of something, Al." Olivia reclined, laying back into her pillows. She was finally feeling like she might be able to sleep well for the first time since Alex had left for witness protection.

"Not that I'm complaining about the phone call from you Alex, but what happens when the Marshall's find out about this?"

She could hear Alex's groan. "I didn't even think about that Liv. Honestly I just wanted to call and, like I said, get your machine, get a taste of home I guess. I don't know. I'd guess they'd move me right away."

Olivia's chest contracted. "I know Alex. I don't want you to have to give up what little bit of normalcy your life has now. We don't know how long it will take until you can come home." Her voice cracked as she realized this might be the last time she'd ever communicate with Alex.

Alex's sigh was audible and tinged with sadness. "If I can come home Olivia. We don't know if this will ever be over."

Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat. Her voice came out strangled, "You will Alex, even if its 20 years from now. I will get you home." She closed her eyes and spoke with conviction, "And so you know you can count on me, I won't move from my apartment or change my number until you do."

"Olivia." It was one word from Alex, but the hope and affection in her voice made Olivia smile.

"It's too bad you won't be able to talk to me again Alex. I wish we could keep in touch somehow."

The phone line was silent for a moment and Olivia wondered what Alex was thinking.

"Maybe we can," Alex's voice was slow and deliberate, like she was making a closing argument. "Just, listen to me here, before calling me crazy. You know that child porn ring you guys busted when I was suspended for the Barnett case?"

"What does the James case have to do with us keeping in touch?" Olivia was completely baffled.

"It took forever to figure out where it was all being mailed from right?"

Olivia nodded. "Right, because they were re-mailing the letters so they were all coming from cities all over the U.S."

She ahhh'd in recognition. "So you're saying we mail letters through something like that back and forth?"

Alex hmm'd in agreement. "It was an idea. Just to keep in touch. I definitely can't call you…"

"Do it." Olivia's reply was instant. "Just send me a letter and in it, give me your return address on a separate piece of paper so I can put that in my safety deposit box."

Alex sounded confused, "I didn't know you had a safety deposit box?"

Olivia inhaled sharply. Did Alex know her mother had passed away last month? "I didn't until your mom passed away. She left me one."

She heard Alex's sharp breath and was nearly certain that the blonde had not heard yet. "Ah, I didn't realize that you had been in her will. Hammond only told me that she passed away, not what had happened with everything surrounding her estate."

Olivia could feel herself mouth estate before speaking. "I don't know what's in there, I haven't had time to go to the bank yet, I was planning to later today. I took the day off because it's been a year since… and I didn't want to go to the precinct today."

"It seems like so much longer though; I miss everything about the city."

Olivia nodded, "I miss you. The city isn't the same without you. It just seems emptier, somehow."

"I miss you too Olivia. So much." The words sounded like they carried much more meaning. She heard Alex yawn through the phone.

"You should sleep, I'm sure you're exhausted."

"I'm sure I'll be fine to stay awake a little longer Liv. Besides, if I'll be sending you a letter, I need to make sure we have a plan for this."

"Right." Olivia nodded, knowing the blonde was right. They couldn't afford a mistake with Alex's identity, especially if they were going to keep in contact.

Around half an hour later, Alex and Olivia were satisfied, and Olivia hung up the phone, energized by the direction her night had taken. She looked at her alarm clock and was surprised to see the numbers flashing 5:00.