A/N- Thank you all so much for the reviews, favorites and adds. I'm lovin' the love. :) Now, I know that some of the reactions and dialogue may seem OOC. However, this is my version of these characters. What I consider to be more three dementional people not just the (at times) two dementional, Dick Wolf version. These are characters that deserve to be fleshed out into full range of emotions people. IMO. Hope this next part makes everyone happy.

Disclaimer- Dick Wolf owns it all, blah, blah, blah.

Special Victims Unit

16th Precinct, NYC

Friday October 6th, 2006

5:00pm

It had been three years and eight days exactly since the last time she'd set foot inside this building and subsequently this squadroom. She thought it would've felt awkward, strange or even uncomfortable but surprisingly, it didn't. It fact, it felt like home. It felt right. She'd been gone too long.

As she made her way down the hall, the only thing different was the way she was dressed. Gone were the power suits and high heels (at least for now) and in their place was casual, comfortable attire. Italian loafers, some faded blue jeans and a Sapphire blue cashmere sweater was the outfit of choice today, yet Alexandra Cabot still looked like she could take command of the courtroom at moment's notice. That's just who she is; confidence, elegance, power and brilliance exuded from every pore no matter how you wrapped the package.

As she entered the squadroom, she was only slightly surprised to find her four detectives not at their respective desks.

They're not yours any more. They have a new ADA. But maybe, just maybe they can be yours again. At least one in particular.

Alex crossed over to Olivia's desk with the idea maybe she could leave her a note but as she stepped closer two things instantly came to mind.

Brilliant, Cabot. Leave her a note? What is this, high school? You haven't seen her in almost two years, she deserves a hell of a lot more than a note. Wait a minute. What the hell? Where's Liv's stuff? And whose crap is this all over her desk?

"Is there something I can help you with?" An unrecognizable voice approached Alex from behind.

Alex frowned, turned around and found herself face to face with a total stranger. A frizzy blonde haired, glassy green eyed, short total stranger. It took Alex a couple seconds to get her bearings but she recovered quickly. "Actually, I was looking for Detective Benson. This is her desk, correct?"

"Well, it used to be. She's no longer with the unit," the stranger explained.

For the first time in she didn't know how long, Alex found herself rendered speechless. Okay, this shit has to stop, right now. Alex Cabot does not do speechless. "As of when?"

"I'm sorry," the stranger questioned.

You certainly are. "Detective Benson is no longer with the unit, as of when?" Alex clarified as she repeated her question. She spoke slower and with a hint of condescension in her tone.

The frizzy blonde caught the tone and narrowed her eyes, "I'm not entirely sure. But I'm her replacement, Dani Beck."

Replacement? Not by a long shot, frizzy."I see. Thank you." Alex replied in a clipped, short tone. She turned on her heel and left the squadroom.

Twenty minutes later, Elliot Stabler entered the squadroom and took a seat at his desk. After a few minutes, he noticed his 'partner' was staring off into space. "Penny for your thoughts?" he inquired.

"Hmmm? Oh, it's nothing. At least I don't think it's anything." Dani replied.

"Okay. You wanna clarify a little bit?"

"Just that some woman came by a little while ago looking for Detective Benson. When I told her she was no longer working here, she got really cold and condescending then suddenly left."

Elliot's eyes got huge, "You said that Olivia no longer works here? What the hell is your problem? She's on assignment with the Feds. She's coming back. You had no right to tell anyone that Olivia no longer works here. Who was this woman that was asking about her?"

"She didn't tell me her name."

"Well, describe her," Elliot almost growled.

"Tall, probably 5'9". Thin, no more that 115lbs., if that. Blonde hair, ice blue eyes. Acted as if she was holier than thou." Dani rolled her watery green eyes as she continued her description.

Elliot shook his head in disbelief. It can't be. There's only one person I know that fits that description…Alex. He held up his hand to stop Dani mid-sentence. "This happened how long ago?"

"Twenty minutes, half hour ago, why?"

"Damn. She's long gone by now," Elliot muttered mainly to himself.

"What? I don't see what the big deal is." Dani commented.

Elliot got up from his desk, grabbed his jacket and turned to leave, "And that's why you don't fit in this unit." He muttered as he stormed out the door.

Elliot pulled out his cell phone and dialed as soon as he was outside the precinct, "Hey, Huang. It's Elliot. Are you at your office?... Mind if I swing by, there's something I hope you can help me with… no, no, no, nothin' like that… It is a personal request though… I'll explain it when I see ya… thanks Doc, see ya in 15."

FBI Field Office

Federal Building, NYC

Friday October 6th, 2006

6:00pm

"Thanks for seeing me, Doc," Elliot said as he entered Dr. Huang's office and sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"No problem Elliot. What's going on? You sounded slightly conspiratorial on the phone. Have you been hanging around Munch too long?" Huang joked.

Elliot chuckled, "No, nothin' like that. I was hoping that maybe you could help me find out some info on someone… of the record."

Elliot looked at Huang hesitantly but hopefully.

Huang sat there in his usual contemplative silence for a few moments and studied Elliot. Finally, he steepled his fingers, leaned forward and spoke, "If this has anything to do with Liv, I'm not sure I can help."

"It doesn't actually, well not directly. I was wondering if, with your FBI resources, you could tell me the status of someone… in Witsec," Elliot looked Huang directly in the eye as if to communicate what he was leaving unsaid.

Huang leaned back in his chair, fingers still steepled in thought and took a deep breath. After what seemed like an eternity to Elliot, Huang sat back up and silently typed on his computer. A couple of moments later, the information Elliot was wanting popped up on the screen. A small, almost unnoticeable smile passed over the doctor's face.

"Why the sudden interest in this particular person?" Huang asked catching Elliot completely off guard.

"Umm…uh… Unless I'm crazy, I think she came by the station less than an hour ago and was told some wrong info herself. If it's who I think it was, I need to correct that mistake and fast," Elliot explained.

Huang nodded and his smile grew a little, "Now, I believe this goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, I'm telling you this in the strictest of confidence and completely off the record."

Elliot nodded his agreement and waiting for Huang to continue.

Huang took out a small notepad, jotted down some information and passed the slip of paper to Elliot, "She's out of the program and back here in the city. From the looks of it, she's been home for a little over a month."

Elliot rose from his chair and made his way to the door. Huang also rose from his chair and walked over to the door, "Tell Alex I said 'Hello' when you see her."

Elliot smiled, "Will do Doc and thanks a lot."

Home of Alexandra Cabot

413 W. 87th St. Pent. C

Friday October 6th, 2006

7:00pm

'She's no longer with the unit…I'm her replacement…replacement…no longer with the unit'.

The phases kept spinning over and over again in Alex's mind.

That's insane! Who was that frizzy haired twit? And who the hell does she think she is saying she's Liv's replacement? What twisted Twilight Zone version of New York did I return to?

Once again, Alex's thoughts were interrupted by the intercom's buzzing. She stopped pacing her living room like it was a courtroom, put her glass of wine down on the table and crossed over to answer the intercom, "Yes, Oscar."

"You have a visitor, Ms. Cabot. A Detective Stabler," Oscar responded.

Once again in shock that someone from her past had found her so easily, Alex hesitated before replying. But it's Elliot. Guess frizzy told him I came by. I didn't tell her who I was. Stop over thinking, Cabot. Let him in. She pressed the button on the intercom, "Send him up, Oscar."

Minutes later, Alex answered her door and Elliot stood on the other side of the threshold, a huge, cat-that-ate-the-canary grin spread across his mug.

Without a word but an equally big grin, Alex waved Elliot into her home.

"Man oh man. You are a sight for sore eyes, Counselor," Elliot exclaimed as Alex shut the door and turned to face him. Without a second thought, Elliot scooped Alex up into a warm but fierce bear hug. Alex couldn't help but yelp in surprise as she returned the embrace as best she could.

"Holy crap, Elliot. Put me down you big bear," Alex laughed as he did as she requested. "You got bigger. I wasn't sure that was possible."

Alex gestured for Elliot to take a seat as she went into the kitchen. She returned moments later with a beer for Elliot, who was now seated in her over-stuffed chair angled to face the couch. She grabbed her glass of wine and took a seat on the couch.

"I've… uh… had some extra time on my hands to work out more. You look fantastic. If you didn't have eyes for Liv…," he shook his head and let his statement trail off not wanting to embarrass himself or Alex any further.

Alex's eyes widened in shock and surprise, "Wow, you just said a lot while still saying very little. The floodgate of questions I now have, I don't know where to start." She shook her head and took a drink of her wine.

"Well, I'll try to answer some before you ask them. I'm guessing the first thing is, how did I know where you were? Huang. After the exchange you had with Dani, I knew I needed to correct yet another of her mistakes. So, I talked to the Doc, he says 'Hello' by the way, and he unofficially filled me in," Elliot started to explain but paused to gauge Alex's reaction before continuing.

Alex nodded and gave Elliot the green light look he was hoping for.

He continued, "Kathy left me. We're probably gonna get divorced, so I've had a lot more time to myself as of late. I've known since before Velez you liked Liv. And before you say anything, no it's not obvious. I'm a detective and I'd like to think a damn good one. That and I'm pretty sure I know you. Even though we've had our fights and differences, I came to think of you as my other sister towards the end. As far as the foot in mouth statement, what can I say, I'm a guy and I've always had a weakness for blondes. But, please don't think anything of it, okay? You've always been a knockout, Alex. I think it's safe to say everybody in the squad has had a crush on you at one point."

Alex sat there for a few moments letting everything Elliot had just told her sink in. She drained the last of her wine, sat the glass down, leaned back into the couch and let out a deep sigh.

"Well, first off, I'm really sorry to hear that about you and Kathy. Second, thank you. I'm extremely flattered by everything else you said. You are a damn good detective Elliot and an amazing friend. Liv and I are both lucky to have you in our lives. Speaking of which, what the hell happened to her? 'She's no longer with the unit'? That frizzy headed, twinkle brain is her replacement? I'm sorry, but 'Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do'."

Elliot almost snorted beer through his nose at Alex's last few remarks.

"I'm really sorry you had to go through that, Alex. I guess since Dani is my temporary partner, it falls on me to cover and correct her mistakes. Liv is not gone from the unit. Let me make that very clear. She's been loaned out to the feds for some eco-terrorist, undercover thing, but she is not gone. She's coming back. I'm sure of it, Alex. SVU is her home, you know that. I don't know when she's coming back but I know in my heart she'll be home soon," Elliot explained.

Alex sat up on the couch and let out a sigh of relief, "God, that's good news. I was starting to wonder just what episode of the Twilight Zone I came home to."

"Soooo… when Liv comes home, you gonna tell her how you feel?" Elliot inquired.

Alex rose from the couch gathering her empty glass and Elliot's now empty bottle and headed for the kitchen, "You know, you are the second person to ask me that."

Elliot rose from the chair and followed Alex towards her door when he saw her grabbing her jacket. "Oh, yeah? Who was the first?"

"I'll answer both questions over dinner. Come on, Elliot. I'm buying," Alex smiled as the duo left her penthouse.