Disclaimer: I don't own the characters they belong to dick wolf, except the ones I make up.

Alex picked Bethany up from Tabitha's house and they took a cab back to Bethany's cottage.

"Alex what color is your hair naturally?"

"Blonde, why do you ask?"

Bethany was silent for a moment before responding, "I've told you before that when I was nine a man tried to kill me. However I never told you how I escaped."

"Um ok uh…"

"I'm not totally sure of all the events, of that day however what I do know is a woman, very much like you saved me."

Alex closed her eyes, remembering a day almost 5 years ago, it seemed crazy but she wondered if what Bethany was recounting, and what she was remembering were indeed the same event.

Flash back… Alex heard a child's screams, coming from inside a warehouse, she quickly ran towards them fearing for the worst.

"What's going on, I heard screams? Uh o my god!" Alex cried upon seeing a horrible seen

A man was trying to shot a little girl; there was a smile on his face.

"No witness's." he said aiming the gun at Alex.

She quickly ducked has a bullet came streaming towards her, and then ran towards the little girl. The girl appeared to have just fainted, her brown hair stuck to her tear-stained face.

The man turned around in time to see Alex grab the girl, "Come on now, pretty lady, if you let go of the girl I'll let you go, alive."

Alex made a desperate run for the door, but the girl was slowing her down.

"Oh come on, lets not be silly, I have a gun, I call the shots." The man yelled after her, before firing 4 more bullets. One bullet almost hit Alex, only missing her by a centimeter.

She reached the door at last, and managed to get it open. Alex ran towards the road and flagged down a car. The woman driving the car saw the little girl and immediately drove them to the police station.

The next day Alex visited the little girl at the hospital. The girl had been taken there because she had a concussion.

"The nurse said you're the one who saved me."

Alex smiled and nodded her head.

The little girls cheeks turned red, "I may be young but I know that not many people in today's world would do that. Thanks."

"You-you're welcome."

"I promise to repay you for savin' my life someday miss, when I'm older dat is."

"Uh hello Alex, you in there?"

"Yeah s-sorry, um anyways go on."

"I remember telling her afterwards, I promise to repay you for savin' my life someday miss, when I'm older dat is."

Alex couldn't believe it, but what Bethany had just said had confirmed it, Bethany and the little girl that she had saved, were one in the same.

"You and the woman who saved me are one in the same, aren't you?" Bethany swallowed hard before continuing, "I can tell by the expression on your face, I guess now I know why I have to help you, I always stay true to my promises, and I promised to repay you when I was older, now I am."

Alex smiled, "You already have. You have no idea, how happy it makes me to be able to visit New York City and see my friends again."

Alex closed her eyes and pictured her friends and her at the bar. For a second it was like she had never left, like she had never been shot. She inhaled deeply, she knew that soon enough she'd have to say goodbye again, and this time for good. Despite how hard she tried it wouldn't last forever, because nothing did, she learned that when she was shot.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day Olivia came to the precinct early, thinking she'd be the only one there, she got ready to do some paper work.

She was slightly surprised to see Casey talking to Cragen.

"Olivia, perfect you're here early, you've got some paper work to do." Cragen pointed out upon seeing her. Olivia wondered weather or not he'd heard about Alex yet.

"Hey have you head about Al-" Olivia was cut short,

"Sorry Olivia but I'm in a rush, I have a meeting to attend in 15 minutes." He said before hurrying out the door.

Casey gave Olivia a questioning look, "What were you about to say to the captain?" she asked.

"Oh uh nothing." Olivia said, deciding it was best not to tell Casey about Alex's return. She and Casey had become friends in their time in SVU together and she didn't want Casey to feel uncomfortable.

"Very well." She mumbled before heading to her office.

Olivia sighed; she knew Casey would feel jealous if she had told her about Alex.

XXXXXXXX

The next morning Alex called Elliot's number after trying Olivia's, to no prevail.

"He-lo? New York City special victims unit, detective Stabler."

"Hi its Alex."

"Oh hi Alex."

"Do you guys have a busy day today?" Alex asked.

"Uh actually, it's a record, NYC hasn't had a rape in 24 hours." Elliot replied jokingly.

"You mean no ones reported one."

"Ok so what's up?"

"Uh…" Alex wasn't sure what she wanted to do, they had already celebrated her return so what now?

"Hey why don't you come out to dinner with me and the others from the precinct were planning on having a little get-together, so what say you?"

"Uh well…"

"Cragen, Huang and Casey, Olivia, Fin and Munch will all be there." Elliot explained.

"O-ok that sounds great." Alex said, trying to keep her voice level, she was nervous about seeing Cragen and Huang incase they figured out her little scheme. She ran her hand through her hair, even if she was caught tonight, she knew it was still worth it."

A/N: Please read and review, I love to get reviews and constructive criticism, so don't feel shy!