Author's Note: I am playing with the canon time line here with Alex being around for this. Theoretically, there are spoilers here for "Undercover". Work with me and all will be explained.

In the back of her head, Olivia replayed the conversations from earlier in the day. The dark eyes of Ashley Tyler reflected a hopelessness that she had seen so many times before. She had seen the same fear in the faces of so many victims, but never once had she felt the anger and hatred directed at her. Not as focused and direct as it came from this girl. It wasn't personal, of course, but it was the fear of authority. The badge she held, the symbol of authority that she prided herself on, was what made this kid afraid. This kid had already learned that anyone could be untrustworthy. She learned that those who were supposed to save you could let you down, and that protectors could be tormentors. They were lessons that Olivia knew she too had learned at too young an age. Olivia desperately wanted to prove to her that it wasn't always the case.

She suggested she go undercover because in her head, it was the only way. It was the only way to catch this bastard. It was the only way to protect this poor kid and get her rapist. She knew in her heart, deep in her heart, that this was how they would catch him. She knew she could do it; her safety wasn't her foremost concern. Her concern was finding this guy. A pinpoint focus had formed in her head. She could see only the end now, and her plan formulated around that goal.

She had begged and pleaded, finally getting Cragen to reluctantly agree. He didn't want to send her in; she knew that. She would show him that she was strong enough. Her only true obstacle now was convincing Alex.

Either way, it was already a done deal. But Olivia was determined to not let Alex know that.

She waited for Alex, feeling like a caged animal. When the door opened and the tired attorney stumbled through, dropping her leather case and stripping off her jacket, Olivia pounced on her. With a smile, Alex let Olivia push her up against the door.

Olivia wasn't using sex exactly. She felt aggressive. She felt the need to do something in a hopeless situation, and knowing that, in all likelihood, in the morning, she would leave for an unspecified time, wanting Alex and needing to touch her was like breathing. Of course, she still had to tell Alex her plans…

As she held Alex close, Olivia kissed her in all the right places, taking in her scent, tasting her skin. She was so beautiful. Olivia realized just how deeply she loved this woman.

Alex fell exhausted into Olivia's arms. "Jesus Christ, I don't know how you do that," she said gasping, laying her head onto Olivia's shoulder, her arm instinctively wrapping around her lover's naked body.

"Thanks," Olivia said simply, a big grin on her face.

Alex looked at her for a moment, catching the grin that lit up Olivia's face. "You going to get a big head?" Alex asked her, smiling placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Nope." Olivia said, giving her a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad I can make you happy."

"You do," Alex sighed, cuddling herself as close to Olivia as she could.

"I'm glad," Olivia said, reaching for her lips, kissing her gently.

Alex pushed herself into Olivia, and cuddled closer to her warm body. "Love you," she said. Her eyes were starting to close, covered by the weight of the blankets and Olivia's limbs.

"Love you too," Olivia said, sounding far more awake. "Hey Alex," She said, shaking her body slightly.

"Mmm." She asked, trying not to outright dismiss whatever Olivia wanted to tell her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Mmhmm"

"You know the case we're working? That 16 year old we found in the park last week?"

"The night you left me here all alone?" Alex pouted.

"Yeah." Olivia smiled at her play frown.

"I volunteered to do something today and I think we should talk to about it."

"OT?" Alex asked. Overtime was something Olivia agreed to all the time. Alex was used to it; dedication to her job was part of what made Olivia who she was.

"Sort of." Olivia said. "It's an undercover assignment."

"How long?"

"Not long." She said, though both of them knew she couldn't make that promise exactly.

"Where are you going?" Alex asked sleepily, still pulled into Olivia's body.

Olivia took a deep breath. "Sealview." She said, trying to sound as confident as she could.

"Oh, okay," Alex said, pulling herself into Olivia closer.

"You're okay with that?" Olivia asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah. I mean, you know how to take care of yourself right. You'd be a good prison guard. You'll be cute in a uniform."

Olivia sighed. "Um, sweetheart?"

"It's okay Liv. You'll be good. Go to sleep, babe. I'm sleepy." Alex whined.

"Okay," Olivia said, putting her head back against the pillow. "But there's just one more thing. I'd be going as an inmate, not as a guard."

Olivia gasped as Alex suddenly pushed off of her chest and sat up in the bed, flipping on the light and staring at her. "You want to do what?" Alex asked incredulously.

"I can do this Alex." Olivia insisted, sitting up to adjust to the fact that Alex's body was no longer there.

"I have no doubt that you can do it, Olivia. I just don't think it's a particularly good idea." Alex said. "Sealview isn't exactly a day care center."

"Alex, I have to go. I'm the only one who can do it."

"You're going in alone." Alex stated rather than asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"They're going to put Fin in too." Olivia said, with a shrug.

"What if something happens to you and he's not right there? He can't be with you all the time. Sealview is a women's prison, so unless Fin has a secret, he's not going to be an inmate with you."

"No, but he'll have contact with the outside."

Alex looked at her appraisingly. "This is a horrible idea."

"I need to do this." Olivia insisted. "A girl was raped, Alex. Her mother is being tortured. There are crooked guards in there. We need to find them. She deserves justice."

Alex looked at her with an evaluating stare. "I don't like it."

"But you understand."

"Understanding and approving are different." Alex said.

"I know."

"But I know you, and I know you're going to do it anyway."

"Not if you don't want…"

"Don't, Olivia. Don't say things you don't mean." Alex warned.

"I do mean it, Alex. I won't if you don't want me to."

"I don't want you to." She said simply, "But I know you."

"Alex," Olivia said, reaching for her hand .

"I trust you to know you can do your job. If you think it's safe, then I believe in you."

"Thank you," Olivia whispered. "This is something I need to do."

"I know." Alex said. "When do you go?"

"In the morning," Olivia whispered.

Alex sat still for a moment before reaching out and turning off the light. Laying back into the bed, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Olivia. "Then let's spend tonight together," she said, with a sigh. She closed her eyes knowing sleep wouldn't come, as she held Olivia close to her, listening to her breathe and praying for her safe return.