Hi guys!
I don't know where the idea for this came from, but I've enjoyed writing it, so I wanted to share it with you.

Before you start reading, keep two things in mind:
-English is not my native language, so the writing is not perfect. However, this is a great way to practice!
-This is my first fic ever.

I wanted to preserve the characters the way I see them, but in this universe Elliot didn't leave. The events therefore take place approximately in season 13.

So please be kind :)

(Also published on another platform)

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters

It was a regular Thursday morning. The sun was hiding behind the clouds that touched the roofs of New York's tall buildings. Although the clock wasn't much yet, the traffic was loud. Busy people dodged each other on the street, being careful not to spill coffee. The weather forecast promised snowfall, but so far only a sharp frost pinched people's bare faces.

One of these rushed people was Olivia Benson. She had stayed up late, because Brian Cassidy had come for an unexpected visit in the evening, and the visit had dragged on into the wee hours of the morning. Because of the visit, she had overslept in the morning and she had to step up her steps to make it to an important meeting. At the same time the phone rang.

"Benson."

"Hi, Olivia," there was an irritated voice.

"I'm sorry Captain, my alarm betrayed me. I'm on my way, give me a couple of minutes."

"Okay, hurry up. The meeting is about to start."

Olivia pushed the phone back into her pocket, cursed and started jogging. This was certainly not the best day to oversleep.

People in Captain Cragen's office had already found their places when Olivia finally rushed in the door. Sweat dripping from her forehead, and she felt very embarrassed. In addition to Cragen, the office included Fin, Munch, Elliot, a couple of unknown men, and Cassidy. After a moment of surprise, Olivia felt her embarrassment grow even more as Cassidy grinned at her from across the office. Olivia imperceptibly tried to wipe the sweat from her face as she closed the office door.

"I'm sorry I'm late,", she apologized, and sat down on the nearest chair next to Fin. She added an apologetic look to Cragen, who nodded briefly and then began to speak.

"Now when everyone is present, we can start with a quick introduction. Here are Officers Michael Brown and Seamus Johnson from the FBI. And of course, Brian Cassidy," he kindly nodded in the direction of the familiar man. Cassidy raised his hand and grinned.

"Howdy, long time no see."

"As you know, SVU has been cooperating with FBI and the Narcotics Division for a long time. We are talking about a case in which an organized group is suspected of human trafficking, in which children are brought across the border into sex slavery. The base of the group seems to be New York, from where children can be sent around the country. The activity also involves drug trafficking, as it is easy to bring all kinds of goods with children."

"If you manage to bring the children across the border, you also manage to bring a package of drugs," Munch said.

"Exactly. FBI and the Narcotics Division have learned that the criminal organization may have links to Ottawa, Canada. The Canadian authorities have noticed signs of similar activity in the city. Detective Cassidy can continue here."

"Thank you, Captain. Nice to be with the old gang again," Cassidy started and glanced at Olivia. "So, my group and I have been researching this drug / human trafficking group for months. The closer we get, the more activity seems to increase. In addition, we have a reason to suspect that someone is leaking information to the organization," Cassidy rubbed his neck, and seemed frustrated at first sight.

"A police officer?" Fin asked in disbelief.

"Possibly," Brown replied. "We used to get closer to the members, but now the people talking to the people in undercover will be found dead soon after. We don't know who or how, and that's why we've been in this 'one step forward, two steps backwards'-situation for some time. But now the situation has changed," Brown looked at Cragen.

"I'm sure you remember Timothy Smith, the incident from last month?" Cragen looked at his group.

"Unfortunately," Elliot growled and clenched his fist. The 10-year-old girl had been found almost lifeless in Smith's basement, where he had kept the girl in custody for more than a month. Eventually, the girl had been found by a maintenance man who had come to repair the apartment's water heater in Smith's absence.

"It turned out that Smith was apparently part of this organization. We haven't found out his connections in the U.S., and because Smith was killed in prison, the clues were short. However, we found some connections to Canada and the Canadian authorities have been very interested in our findings," Cassidy looked pleased. Olivia could only smile, because even after all the years the man was still the same. Olivia looked up, glancing at Elliot. They clearly seemed to think the same thing. Watching Cragen, Cassidy reminded of a little boy who introduced his father to a bicycle he had been tuning himself.

"And now we get to the purpose of the meeting," Johnson continued. "The Canadian authorities have apprehended a few suspects, but as most of the criminal activity has taken place on the U.S. side, they do not have enough knowledge and expertise to handle the case. That is why they have asked us for help."

The detectives looked at each other in amazement, then Cragen and then Cassidy, who seemed to burst with enthusiasm if not allowed to tell his announcement soon.

"So… What would a trip to Canada sound like?"