Alex Eames had never met Robert Goren. She never knew of his existence. Not until her partner and closest friend died and she never thought that she'd be happy in the job again. Never thought the dark mood that filled her days could be lifted… until that day…

2 months previous…

Elle Healey walked up to her partner Alex Eames.

"What have we got today?" she asked Alex quietly, eyes full of bags. Alex raised an eyebrow, at the state of her partner and shook her head a smile playing on her face.

"There was a party in town, I HAD to go to.You should've come." Elle explained, her forehead creased, asigh escaping her lips.

"50 years old homeless guy by the name of 'Smidge' found murdered in a back alley on 316 West. We've to get over and work the scene." Alex explained picking up her coat.

They often got funny looks. No one expected them to get on as well as they did, they were too different. Elle was a party animal, liked to socialise and always the life and soul of any party but she was also, hard working, independent and knew exactly what she wanted in life. Her auburn hair and willowy elegance often attracted looks from other male officers on the team but she was strictly professional at work. She could party all night and come in to work and be fine, perform properly and she always got results. That's what Alex admired. Her sarcasm and dry humour, matched that of Alex's perfectly.

"I just got in!" Elle playfully moaned. Alex rolled her eyes. They walked out of the precinct down to Elle's car and clamoured in.

"How's Olivia?" Alex asked. Elle's flatmate Olivia Benson, worked sex crimes. One of the most unenviable departments in the force.

"Fine. She's been really happy recently. New honey." Elle told her. They often went out together, but more so Elle and Olivia or Elle and Alex.

"Oh yeah I heard…ok pull in here," Alex said interrupting herself. Elle complied and they walked over to the scene. Alex pulled her coat tightly around her body as the wind blew. The clouds overhead darkened, casting gloomy shadows over the area. The body was lain in the middle of a cordoned area. Flat on his back, a small puddle of blood surrounding his chest. His eyes open wide and unforgiving. Alex walked over to the ME who was examining the body at the crime scene, Elle walked around the perimeter, getting 'a feel' for the environment as she often said.

"You get an idea as to how long he's been dead?" Alex asked, pulling her notebook out of her pocket. The ME frowned.

"From blood, I'd guess no more than 12 hours, but I'll obviously be able to give you a more precise time when we get him back. From what I can see there appears to be no head wounds or other injuries but we will no everything for definite at the lab." She explained speaking quietly to Alex, thoughtful.

"Of course. From what I can see…" A sharp, ear piercing scream filled the air. Silence followed. Alex swung wildly around to the point of the noise. Elle's eyes were wide, her hands holding her a point on her chest. Her face creased in to agony and fear. Alex ran over as she staggered backwards to the wall and slid to the floor. Alex bended down, her eyes watering, examining the damage. The wound in Elle's chest was spewing crimson liquid, lots of it gushing from a hold in her chest.

"Help!" Alex screamed. "Help." She noticed a CSI running over, another on a cell phone.

"Come on, Elle, stay with me…" she begged as hot wet tears slid down her face. Her voice trembled. Elle smiled faintly. "You're gonna be ok…" She grabbed Elles' hand.

"I don't think so Al, this is really hurting…" she managed her face twisted with pain, her breathing becoming staggered. Her eyes started to shut as a single tear slid down her face. Alex's hand was smeared in blood, as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Don't you dare leave me Elle. Please…what about Olivia? Huh? We need you…Elle please there's still so much left to do…please…" Alex begged hysteria rising through her body.

"Hurry that ambulance up." She yelled behind her. Blood was sliding down Elle's mouth and chin. Her face pale. She struggled to get her breath.

"I'm sorry Al' we've… had… a good one, Bye to Olivia too…" she spluttered…she mouth managed a small smile, so faint it was noticeable to only Alex. She closed her eyes, feeling the last ebb of life drain away.

"No, no, no..oh god no," Alex cried, tears streaming down her face. People began to whisper. "NO!" she shrieked as loud as she could. Silence came upon them again…

Elle Healey was dead…