Her heels clicked on the linoleum, echoing in the empty hallway of the precinct. Alex paused outside of the doors to the squad room, making sure that her icy exterior was in place. There was no room for vulnerability there.

It was Tuesday afternoon, two days after Olivia's funeral. Alex had taken the previous day off but was anxious to return to work.

She pulled open the door and confidently strode towards Elliot's desk. "Alex," he cried out in surprise, "what are you doing here?"

"The Monroe trial is in two days. I was just stopping by for your notes on the case." She was trying to keep her eyes trained on Elliot, but she could feel the pull of Olivia's desk. Out of habit, she let her gaze wander. She half expected to find Olivia sitting there, her features contorted with a mixture of frustration, intent concentration, and lack of sleep. Suddenly, she would look up. Their eyes would meet, and a smile would light up her face. She would stand and cross the few feet to stand before Alex. She would reach a hand up, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind Alex's ear. And then she would lean forward, coming closer, closer, until their lips would meet.

But what she found instead shocked her out of her fantasy. Gone were the stacks of files from Olivia's desk. Gone were the few photographs that had adorned her desk. The desk was bare. A box sat on the floor, filled with the few personal belongings that Olivia had kept at work.

"Alex," Elliot began, "I was going to call you."

Just then, Cragen exited his office, with a young man right behind him. "Elliot," he called out, "This is Jason Reynolds, your new partner." Suddenly noticing Alex, he motioned towards her. "And this is Alexandra Cabot, our ADA." Jason reached his hand out.

She just stared at him until he withdrew his hand. She coolly turned to Cragen. "Well, you certainly wasted no time in finding a replacement." Venom dripped from her words.

"Alex, it isn't like that," Cragen replied. "Olivia was like a daughter to me. I loved her. I still do."

"Well, you sure have a funny way of showing it." And with that, she spun on her heels and stalked off.