Disclaimer: I don't own law and order SVU or any of the characters. However I do own the ones I make up.

XXXXXXXXXX

Shopping…lunch…with Olivia, Alex thought has she got ready to meet up with Olivia. Would this be the day that Olivia found out the truth? Alex knew that Bethany and her mother wanted to return to their house soon and Alex didn't want to overstay her welcome. Therefore Alex had to make this day with Olivia worth it because it could be her last.

XXXXXXXX

Bethany was at Tabitha's house, the two friends were watching TV together. Bethany could hardly believe that they wouldn't be going to school together this year because they always had since kindergarten. What would the kids at her new school be like?

Bethany's thoughts shifted to Alex; over the time they'd spent together Bethany had learned to admire Alex. Truth be told it had frightened Bethany to see Alex sobbing, she had a picture of Alex in her head as the person who had saved her from a crazed murderer but now it seemed Alex was showing signs of depression.

Was bringing Alex for a visit to New York City a good idea after all? Or was she only doing more harm to an already fragile person?

"Tabitha."

"Huh? Yeah?"

"There is a person whom I admire who is feeling depressed right now… I want to help her but… it will be dangerous…"

"Hey why don't I help you? Well be able to help 'er together!"

"You don't understand… my plan is so stupid it could get me killed."

"Listen just tell me what it is, I ain't gonna tell no one."

"You have to promise never-ever to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you 'K?"

"Promise." Tabitha said with a slight hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Her name is Emily formally known as Alex, she used to be a DA and she was the one who saved me."

Tabitha didn't have to ask what Alex saved Bethany from, it was obvious this was the person who saved Bethany from certain death at the hands of a murderer. "Hmm… well if she's tha one who help you then we gotta help her right… I mean if it weren't for 'er I'd be short a best-friend!"

"A few years back she was shot, when she was working on a case that was involved with the drug industry or something… I read in this newspaper that some guy shot her from his car because he was hired by another guy who was mad that Alex was uh you know messing wit' the druggies…urgh sorry for horrid explanation…"

"It's okay 'cause I remember seeing that in tha newspaper… Alex Cabit or Cabot or something like that right?"

"Yeah!"

"But I thought that this Alex person died." Tabitha remarked.

"She went into witness protection."

"Ooh…" Tabitha said slowly, "But then what exactly do you want to do to uh help 'er?"

"Well there's dis guy Velez or something, he's like a huge player in the drug business and he's really the one who hired the guy to kill Alex, so we gotta go undercover and frame him for another murder, I mean he must of killed somebody else by now right? Then Alex can reclaim her old life!"

"Uh well I was 'im I'd try to avoid that…"

"But you're not him! He thinks he can get away wit' it so he's must've killed somebody else by now… or he's planning to."

"Okay how do you plan to get 'im?"

"But Tabi' um I'd rather go myself… you can help wit' the plan but I don't wanna be the one who gets you killed."

"Listen… my mom wants me… is forcing me to become an artist like 'er… ha let's face it I ain't doing nothin' important with my life! I mean I like doing art… but you know… urgh basically I don't care 'bout dying and-and it's my choice!"

"Very well but remember to tell no one." Bethany said, she didn't want Tabitha to get hurt or killed but she wanted some kind of company.

"Yeah-yeah."

"You just want an adventure… but okay listen up Velez has got a bunch of big cruise ships… once they found blood in one of 'em… so what I'm saying is we sneak onto one of them and investigate."

"How exactly do you plan to get on one, I mean it's not like we're gonna get invited to one of Velez's parties."

"I dunno we sneak on well no ones looking I guess… but uh you know there's a party on one of 'em tonight at 8:00." Bethany explained.

Bethany was happy now at least she'd be able to try and do something to repay Alex. She like Tabitha loved a little adventure, know the two friends would get the adventure they craved but Bethany wondered at what cost.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Alex and Olivia were eating outside because it was warm. A waitress came by to take their orders.

"What would you ladies like to drink?" The waitress asked with a phony smile on her face.

"Just water for me thanks." Olivia said.

"I'll have a glass of red wine uh Rebecca." Alex said looking at the waitress's nametag.

"So… do you have an apartment yet?

"No I haven't been having too much luck." Alex responded. It hurt for Alex to lie to Olivia, but they'd all find out soon enough… everyone at the precinct that is. Would Olivia be mad at her? Would Alex be left again with no time to say good-bye? Alex felt like braking down and crying again but for Olivia's sake she decided against it.

"Too bad, I suppose you're staying with a friend or relative then?"

"Yeah you could say that…" Alex said Olivia gave her quizzical look. "Never mind…"

Rebecca returned with the drinks, "Have you ladies decided what you'd like to eat yet?"

Alex looked at Olivia who nodded her head, "Just a ceaser salad for me thanks."

"Same here."

Olivia smiled, "If we we're both going to order ceaser salads we could of gone anywhere." She said jokingly.

"Yeah…"

Olivia began babbling on about everyone at the precinct and how no one had changed since Alex had left, but Alex wasn't listening. Her eyes spotted a car parked at the side of the road. Velez was sitting in the front seat watching her, as soon has he had saw she had noticed him the car drove away.

That wasn't Velez you're just imagining things, she told herself, focus on Olivia and what she's saying.

"Hey Alex-Alex are you there?"

"Y-yeah sorry."

Still if that was Velez she could be in trouble. Whatever, she thought, I have nothing left to live for anyways, besides he wont try anything just yet he'll plan it out for a day or so first by which time I'll already be gone, she reassured herself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Authors note: okay tell me what you think, and yeah please review and criticize if you want 'cause I'm always up for some constructive criticism.