A/N: The dialogue in this particular prologue is not mine. It was taken from the episode "Invaders". However, the thoughts of Alexandra Borgia are my own. I intend no copyright infringement, but I wanted this part to be as accurate as possible. Please don't sue, I'm just a poor college student.

A/N2: This story will be graphic. It chronicles Alex's last moments before she was brutally murdered. I'm telling you upfront that it may be disturbing, and currently I'm planning on going into detail. If you don't want to deal with that, I suggest you stop at the prologue.

Spoilers: Invaders. If you haven't seen the episode, you probably don't wanna read this.

Disclaimer: The characters of Law and Order are not mine. Do you honestly think that I would be writing on if they were?

Prologue

"No, I'm on hold," Alex said as she unlocked the door to her apartment. "I've been holding for fifteen minutes." She tried to keep her exasperation out of her voice. Be professional. Why is it so damn hard to be professional with these stupid bureaucrats?

She set her bag and coat on an end table next to her couch. "I'd like to-" She struggled to contain a frustrated sigh. "My name is Alexandra Borgia, I'm with the District Attorney in Manhattan, and I've left three messages." Alex was beginning to get sick of playing the run-around with these guys. Feds can be so... exasperating sometimes.

She took out some leftovers from her refrigerator and practically threw them in the microwave. "Well, I'll speak with any drug enforcement agent in Washington Heights." She pressed the button on the microwave and leaned against the wall. How much longer am I gonna have to put up with these idiots? "Yes, I'll hold." Again. "Thank you." Watch, I'll spend all night on the phone with these jackasses and still get nowhere.

A knock at the door interrupted her silent venting. Alex crossed the small room and unlocked the door. She opened it to see two men… a white and a black. Like from the Dyckman Street homicides. Oh, God.

The white one pushed his way into her apartment, grabbing her by the chin. She grunted, trying to fight back, but he was just too strong. He pushed her into her bedroom and shoved her to the floor. He roughly grabbed her hands and head as she used the only weapon she had. Her voice. Scream, Alex, dammit, scream! She yelled at the top of her lungs. Please, someone, hear me! But no one came. The black man quickly taped her mouth closed, and they hauled her to her feet and out the door.