Alexandra Cabot was in her third year as a Homicide ADA, and even if she did say so herself she was crushing it, her conviction rate was the highest in the office and whilst she wasn't exactly popular with her colleagues the people who mattered knew her name, especially as her current case was getting lots of media attention. Jennifer Reid was a forty year old mother of three, who murdered her husband and two of her children before calling 911 and "confessing" it should have been straightforward, however, Jennifer was claiming she had been possessed at the time. Alex had no time for such fanciful tales and so instead of her usual morning run and trip for coffee, she was in her office before the sun was up to prepare for the trial.

With a large coffee in one hand and two newspapers and her briefcase in the other, she unlocked her office door and used her elbow to turn on the light, jumping when she realised her chair was already occupied by her boss, Elizabeth Donnelly, "Shit! Why are you sitting in my dark office at six o'clock in the morning?"

"Language, Alexandra." Scolded Liz.

Dropping her stuff onto her desk, Alex wiped the spilled coffee off her hand as she repeated her question.

"Judge Petrovsky called me about your behaviour in court yesterday." Replied Liz.

Forcing herself not to roll her eyes, Alex said, "I did nothing wrong, I can't believe she's even allowing this defence, it's utter crap."

"And, you told her that in a professional and respectful way."

"Mostly."

"So, you didn't call her an "idiot" and imply she should retire as she was clearly "getting soft in the head"? Alex knew Liz well enough to know it was a rhetorical question and she was in deep trouble so stayed silent; "That's what I thought. You were completely out of line, Alexandra."

"I'll apologise to Petrovsky before court starts today," offered Alex, "but I'm not wrong, this defence should never have been allowed."

"Why? It's been used before."

"Are you telling me you believe that pile of crap? A ghost did it." Scoffed Alex, "Look I'm willing to accept that maybe, maybe she had some kind of psychiatric episode, but a ghost, come on it's pure fiction."

"Thats as maybe, but you need to work on your people skills. Which is why I have decided that a few months of night court will help."

Alex didn't bother to hold back her eye roll this time, it was something she heard time and time again, but what did it matter, prosecutors were meant to be tough not friendly. "This is bullshit! I'm the best ADA here and you're sending me to the spook unit. What am I supposed to do there? Everyone knows it's a joke unit."

Ignoring the younger woman's outburst Liz continued, "Serena Southerlyn will be here at nine, you're to bring her up to date on your open cases and then report to Captain Benson at the 1-5 this evening."

"You can't do this." Protested Alex.

"I can, and I have." Replied Liz, softening her voice she continued, "Look, Alex you're right you are a great ADA but unless you learn to control your mouth and work as part of the team, you're never going to live up to your full potential. This unit is different; you will work alongside the detectives on cases that will challenge you. Keep your head down, do a good job and you'll be back here before you know it."

"And if I refuse?"

Standing up, Liz sighed, "Then I'll expect your resignation on my desk by the end of the day."

For a long time after Liz left her office, Alex sat and stared at the wall, resigning wasn't an option for her, being an ADA was the first step on the ladder to becoming District Attorney which would be her launchpad for governor and then the White House. Deciding she would just have to prove to Liz she could play well with others, Alex threw out her now cold coffee and prepared her files for her replacement. She didn't have to like her new assignment but she would make it work and be back in her office within the month.

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Climbing from her car Detective Casey Novak wrinkled her nose as the smell of death hit her, even from this distance she could tell it was going to be a bad day, well, night. Casey had worked for the NYPD's night watch for the last five years. It was a small unit made up of their captain Olivia Benson, her partner Abbie Carmichael, Amanda Rollins, Fin Tutuola, and an ADA, which until a week ago had been Serena Southerlyn, but she had moved on and the position had yet to be filled. Each member of their team had unique skills making them perfect for handling the kind of cases caused by things that went bump in the night. Pulling the collar of coat up she crossed the empty car park to where her partner stood in discussion with the medical examiner; "What have we got?"

Without removing her gaze from the body, Abbie replied; "Male, early twenties, cause of death appears to be exsanguination."

"This makes four in the last week." Commented Melinda Warner as she stood up and removed her gloves.

"Yeah, thanks doc, we can count." Snapped Abbie before she turned and walked away.

"Sorry about her," apologised Casey, "send the report over as soon as you get it."

"Will do."

Waving goodbye to the ME, Casey headed over to her car where Abbie was leaning against the passenger door texting. Hitting the unlock button she said, "I know you're pissed but it isn't Melinda's fault."

"Never said it was." Grouched Abbie as she climbed into the car.

Wincing at how hard her best friend slammed the door, Casey climbed into the drivers seat and muttered, "It's not my car's fault either."

Ignoring her friend, Abbie replied; "Rollins ran his picture, his name was Aaron Jenkins, son of Police commissioner Jenkins."

"Shit."

"Yeah," agreed Abbie as she consulted her phone again, "Benson is making the notifications, she wants us to head to the clubs near where victim two was found, and show his picture around to see if we can get an ID."

Pulling into traffic, Casey glanced sideways at her friend before asking; "Want to talk about it?"

"Nope."

"I know Serena leaving is hard…"

"I said I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on, we've been friends for what feels like a thousand years if you can't talk to me then who can you talk to?" Asked Casey.

Abbie sighed before replying, "She moved out and that's the end of it. I can't give her what she wants."

"Abbie…"

"No, let's just focus on our job and stopping this son of a bitch."

Casey knew her friend well enough to know the conversation was over and they drove in silence. Reaching the Loft nightclub near where their second victim was found they badged their way inside and whilst Abbie went to speak to the security staff, Casey headed to the bar, wincing at what passed for music as she went.

"What can I get you?"

Showing her badge, Casey replied; "I'm Detective Novak, I was wondering if you recognise this person?" Handing over a picture of their victim she watched carefully as he examined the picture.

"Yeah, his name is Sam, he had a trial shift here last week. I haven't been able to get a hold of him to offer him the job. Is he okay?"

Taking the picture back, Casey opened her note book and asked, "Do you have a last name and contact info?"

"It will be in the office, I'll get it."

"Thanks, I'll come with you, it will be easier to talk away from the noise." Following him back to the office Casey sent Abbie a text letting her know where she was and that she had a possible ID.

"Here you go, Sam Blake."

"Thank you. What did you make of Sam?"

"He was nice, said he moved here from DC after a bad break up and was staying with an old school friend whilst he found a job and somewhere to live."

"Did he mention a name?"

"No, sorry?"

Making a note of the information she asked; "That's fine, did he mention if he was seeing anyone new?"

"No, I got the impression he was enjoying the single life."

"Okay, he mention any hobbies or anything like that?"

"Not really a hobby but he was really into vampires, kept trying to convince me they were real," rolling his eyes he added, "and, that he was some kind of Vampire hunter."

Giving him a small smile, Casey asked, "Can you think of anything else?"

"No. I gotta ask, what's this all about?"

"I'm sorry to tell you someone matching Sam's description was found dead near here on Monday evening."

"Oh god." Giving him a second, Casey took out the pictures of the other victims and asked if he recognised them. "No, sorry."

"That's fine you've been really helpful." Taking one of her cards from her pocket and passed it over to him. "I have to ask you to keep this to yourself until his family can be notified and a formal identification is made, but if you think of anything else, call me."

"I will. Thank you."

Having called Liv to update her, Casey had just hung up when Abbie appeared, as they walked back to the car Casey filled her in on what she had learned. "And, Liv said that Jenkins had several books on vampires on his bookshelf, specifically hunting them. She wants us to head back to the station and fill the others in."

"Great. Anything else?"

"Yeah, we have a new ADA so she wants us on our best behaviour."

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After a stop for coffee the two detectives returned to the squad room, Casey had just finished updating the crime board when Liv returned accompanied by an attractive blonde she didn't recognise.

Accepting the coffee Abbie handed her, Liv introduced the newcomer to the room, "This is ADA Alex Cabot, these are detectives Novak, Carmichael, Rollins and Tutuola." Giving everyone minute to get aquatinted, she drew their attention back to the murder board and the updated information, "So all four victims fancied themselves as vampire hunters."

"Seems that way." Agreed Casey.

"So they're all delusional, do they have anything else in common?" Asked Alex.

"You don't believe in vampires?" Asked Casey.

Meeting the detective's gaze Alex replied, "No. Nor do I believe in unicorns, ghosts, the tooth fairy or Father Christmas. If you do, you're in the wrong line of work."

Quirking an eyebrow, Casey replied "Or you're narrow minded."

"Bite me."

Smirking, Casey replied, "You could at least buy me dinner first."

"In your dreams."

Before Casey could reply, Amanda said, "If you two have finished, I think I have something. All four of our victims visited the same bookstore in the days before their deaths."

"Good work," Praised Liv, "Abbie, I want you and Casey to check it out, and take Cabot with you."

The detectives in the squad room listened in amused silence as the three women made their way to the elevators with Casey and Alex still bickering. "Want to place bets on how long it takes Carmichael to bang their heads together?" Joked Amanda.

"She better not, I don't need more paperwork." Replied Liv as she headed towards her office, saying a silent prayer her detectives would behave.