Chapter 1

She took apart her weapon and slowly, methodically packed it back into the hard black case. She continued to scan the horizon, looking to see if anyone had noticed her presence. It hadn't been easy but she'd made the shot. She would clean the rifle when she got back to her safe house. Until then, she would just keep moving. It was safer...for everyone.

It was her last job. She kept telling herself that, but she knew that the "company" wasn't going to let her go. They would let her "rest" and when they needed her specific skill set, they would call her back. She really didn't have a choice in the matter. She has been theirs from the beginning and she knew it. It was better than corning home to an abusive mother every night. Her rifle was her only family now. She took better care of her altered M40 and long range M82 then she did herself.

She sat back on her haunches as she closed the case and listened to the world around her. She was in it, but she wasn't part of it. She never had been, really. This wasn't the life she'd envisioned when she left home and joined the military. But, her upbringing and their training had groomed her for this and she knew it. They couldn't just let her walk away. They gave her a life. They gave her purpose and meaning. She couldn't leave unless they let her.

She was about to head out of her hide when her cell vibrated on her side. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the number. She shook her head. She knew that they already had another target in mind and they were going to get her to move on it quickly. She was their emergency clean up when everyone else failed. She wondered who screwed up this time. They knew she was on the job and hadn`t called in to confirm her kill. It had to be important if they were calling her so fast.

"Yeah?" she questioned as she answered the phone in greeting.

"We need you to come in," the male voice on the other end replied.

"Got another job already?"

"Something like that. It isn't target though. Can you make extraction in twenty?"

"Not a target? You got a mark for me to follow? You know I don't do that. I am strictly in eliminations now. I don`t do spy work. I am not trained for that. I won't do it."

"We can talk about this when you get back. Time is of the essence right now. Can you make your extraction or not? Do we need to move it?" he asked.

"No, I can make it. I was just packing up and ready to move. I'll be at the point in ten."

"Good, I'll see once you come back in. We have a lot to talk about. For now, just rest. I promise you that you'll like this new job. It will be perfect for you."

"Don't toy with me, Gregor. You know I'm about to retire. I'm done with this. This was supposed to be my last job. What the hell is going on?"

"You'll see when you get here. I can`t tell you right now. It isn't secure. But, trust me, Liv, you`ll like this assignment. It is a little more...permanent," he answered and then hung up before she could say anything in reply.

She sat in the tiny apartment, surprised that the world hadn't ended like she'd hoped. She was still alive. She had no purpose, but she was still alive. It was something that she could use to build a new life on, she mused.

She stared around at the blank, normal white walls and sighed. There was no way that she could go back and she knew that, but this nondescript place was now her personal Hell. She had no one to blame but herself and she knew that. She longed for the smell of the City, the sounds, the hustle and bustle. It was the City and its demons that almost killed her, but she couldn't think of another place that she wanted to be. It was near winter and she wanted to see the snow. She wanted feel the vibe that the City gave off, but she was stuck in the middle of nowhere's-ville with a new name.

She wondered how long she would have to stay in the apartment. The marshals had mentioned that they were giving her to a new handler. She wasn't sure that she liked the sound of that, but she was sure it was better than where she was at. She tried to listen in on their conversations so she could prepare herself for this new "handler," but nothing they said made since to her. She couldn't help but wonder if what some code that they were giving her.

She walked around the living room area of the small apartment, a mug of hot tea in hand. She peered out of the front picture window and sipped her tea trying to calm her nerves. As she looked around outside the window, her eyes met that of a tallish woman. After a quick breath, she realized that the woman wasn't smiling at her but she looked angry.

She had been watching her for an hour. Her mark, rather her ward, was probably going to be an issue and she could tell already without having met her. She knew that this was going to be a tough assignment, but she was now realizing why everyone had warned her about Alexandra Cabot.

"How do you make it in WitSec for four years and have to move five times?" she thought to herself.

Watching her now as she stared out the window, Liv finally understood. She was going to be difficult. Anyone who was beautiful and blonde was going to be bane of her existence. Alexandra Cabot was that in spades. Liv shook her head as she walked towards the apartment building. She steeled herself, preparing to do battle with the blonde as soon as she entered apartment.

She decided that she would go in strong and hard. It was the only way that she could keep the upper hand. She read the reports. She studied them for days, trying to get into the head of the illustrious Alexandra Cabot. She was impressed with her reputation, but not her actions. She would have to remain steadfast in her approach to keep Miss Cabot in line and protected. She only hoped that Miss Cabot would agree to do things her way without too much fuss, for both their sakes.

She straightened her shoulders, stretched her neck and began the journey across the parking lot to the apartment. Alexandra was watching her the entire time. Liv imagined that her cobalt blue eyes were laser beams aimed right at her as she scowled back up at her. She was angry with her and just because she was near the window, in the full light of day, where anyone could see her, kill her. She was a sitting duck and she didn't even know it. Liv could see it on her face.

"I'll have to teach her to be a little more self-aware. This is going to be fun. Hampton is going to owe me big time for this assignment. No wonder the marshals didn't want her anymore," Liv stated to herself as she climbed the stairs leading to apartment 3304.

She stopped in front of the door and stared at it. She put her hand in her jeans pocket and felt around for the keys. As she stared at the door, she decided that she would knock. She was going to test Alexandra. She wanted to know exactly what she was up against. It was the best way, she told herself. She knocked on the apartment door and waited.

She was disappointed several minutes later when Alexandra opened the door and was face to face with her. Liv's scowl returned as Alexandra stood there in looking fabulous in faded jeans and a local university sweatshirt. She watched as Alexandra scanned her up and down, slowly, before she said anything to Olivia.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Why did you answer the door?" Liv demanded.

"It is a social norm to answer the door when someone knocks on it," she replied.

"Not for you any more it isn't. Now, get inside. We have some things to discuss Miss Cabot before we move in the next few weeks," Liv stated pushing past her.

Liv turned around, shut the door and bolted it. She ran the security chain and then checked out the peep hole for good measure. When she turned hack around, Alexandra was standing them, hands on her hips, just watching her.

"Look, I don't know who you think you are, but you will not speak to me that way," Miss Cabot told her.

"It doesn't matter who I am, Miss Cabot. What matters right now is that you stay alive. I am here to make sure that happens. I've read your file. You are no longer under the jurisdiction of the FBI and the Marshalls. You are in mine. I don't play by the same rules. Then sooner you realize that, the sooner we will get along," Liv told her.

"You don't work for the Marshalls?"

"No, ma'am, I don't. I am not entirely sure why I was chosen for this assignment, actually your file explained a lot to me, but that isn't the point. The point of the matter is you have to stay alive. I am quite skilled in that area and I plan to deliver you to your court dates. Until then, Alexandra Cabot is dead and doesn't exist. Can you understand that?"

"I am not dumb. Yes, I understand that I will be issued a new name and identity. I just hope that this time it won't be something mundane in Podunk."

"No, it isn't."

"So, what is my cover this time? Hmm, suburbanite? Insurance salesperson?"

"Nothing so illustrious, I'm afraid," Liv told her.

"Then what?"

"It remains to be seen. I haven't been given full disclosure yet. I was asked to report to you and see if I could actually keep you alive. It seems that the Marshalls fear you have a death wish."

"I do not have a death wish."

"Then, can you explain to me why you were standing next to the window in broad daylight where anyone could see you and shoot you?"

"I like too the city. I like looking out windows. It helps me think."

"Well, you are going to have to break that habit, I'm afraid. Windows are off limits. You can't be protected through glass. I'll make sure to add to the provisions of the new safe house we will be going to, wherever it may be."

"You can do that?"

"Right now, as long as I agree to keep you alive, I can do whatever I want. Cost is not a problem with my superiors as long as you are able to testify. Look, I don't know what you got in to and I don't care. You are my newest and last assignment. Once, I deliver you back to the US Courthouse in New York, I finally get to retire."

"You aren't a Marshall. You don't work for the FBI. Who do you work for? And, retire? You can't be older than thirty-five. What are you talking about?" Alex asked her.

"My name is Olivia Benson. I work for the government. Technically, I belong to no one. I am ghost. But, we generally just call my organization the 'Company.' Like I said, this isn't a normal assignment for me. This is a little out of my comfort zone. And, thank you for the compliment. I have been doing my job for quite some time. My age is not relevant at the moment, however."

"So what is?"

"Keeping you alive, Miss Cabot."

"And, then you are going to retire?"

"If they will let me, yes, I plan on retiring. I have seen enough in my years to know that I am done. I have done what they have asked of me and then some. Your case being one of those things, but it isn't part of what I normally do."

"I take it that usually you would be the one tasked with eliminating me," Alex said.

"Usually, that would be correct, Miss Cabot, but I have many skills."