Okay you demanding A/C shippers, here starts the scenes where they finally interact again. Don't get too excited, it's not a pleasant interaction. Part two to this chapter might be though. If you know what I mean. As for more college-y A/C moments, well, that time has already gone by in this fic. This isn't a college-y story. If you recognize the lines, it's because they were taken from Ghost, which is the time this chapter takes place. Review it or don't, but at least enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Again, if it's recognized, it's probably not mine.

October, 2005:

The force of the blow knocked Alexandra Cabot back a few steps, where Agent Hammond caught her before she fell into a floor lamp. Never had the former ADA been decked so damn hard, and by a girl no less. She had to admit, her successor had a hell of a swing.

The agents stood between the two women as what happened registered in their minds. Casey shook her hand around as if she could shake the pain off, and Alex touched her own lips to find she was bleeding. Neither Hammond nor Philips thought SVU's current prosecutor to be a real threat, but still, they stood in a close proximity just in case she felt the need to express herself once more.

It was quiet and the agents wondered if a silly cat fight would ensue. Hammond mulled over how entertaining it could be, until he got a look at Cabot's busted lip. Nope, that would not be a fair fight at all.

"I could arrest you for assaulting a federal witness right now, Ms. Novak." Hammond finally spoke up. It was an empty threat, and she knew it.

"So do it. Then you'll see what I can do." Casey's threats, as she had just proven, weren't nearly as empty.

"Alright children," Philips broke in. "While watching two women fight is always a favorite past time of mine, I need for everyone to get along. We have work to do. Ms. Novak, do you think you can refrain from throwing any more punches?"

Casey, feeling undeniably foolish, could only respond by seating herself behind her desk.

"Good. Now we're going to take Ms. Cabot over here to get some ice. Call us when your detectives arrive."

Once the trio had left, Casey propped her elbows on her desk and hid her face in her hands. She was absolutely embarrassed that she had lost her temper. But she was undoubtedly angry with Alex Cabot. For two years she had believed the woman to be dead. For two years, Alex had left Casey with the remnants of their strayed friendship, a series of should have's and would have's, and a mess of emotions.

The redhead didn't know whether to be angry or sad over her friend's death, nor did she know how to get over it. She felt utterly ridiculous over how much she had cried over Alex. After law school, the pair had drifted so far a part, but Casey knew they were still friends. She had always felt at least that much.

Still, she couldn't shake the jealousy she felt. Alex had come out of the woodwork like nothing happened, and she would end the case as a hero. Casey would sit idly by as someone else did her job, and did it better. And she'd wonder why Alex had never come out of hiding to say goodbye to her, like she had done for the detectives.

Benson and Stabler sat still in their seats like a couple of school children about to be scolded. Novak stood across from them, still behind the confines of her shined desk when she finally spoke. "We work together. You should've trusted me."

"We made a promise-" Olivia tried to defend, but was quickly cut off.

"You hung me out to dry in court." Casey corrected.

Elliot took a deep sigh. He wanted to comment on the situation, but found it best to leave it be. He was, however, still concerned. "Are we gonna need lawyers?"

"I hope not." Casey said as she motioned toward the door. The detectives turned in their seats and immediately stood when they realized who it was that had just come in.

"You didn't have to come back." Elliot stated with a grin.

"I know." Alex smirked. "But who else is gonna get you out of trouble?" She missed the playful banter and closeness of working with the detectives, but she could see Casey wasn't nearly as pleased in that moment as the rest of them were.

"Before everyone gets reacquainted, they're waiting for us in court." Definitely not pleased.

Olivia sat one cushion away from Alex as they absentmindedly watched infomercials. The brunette had been watching as her friend barely blinked. And then as she spoke, her voice cracked. "Why do you think Casey is so upset?"

Her question had certainly caught Olivia off guard. Why did she care? "I would assume it's because you're here to steal her glory."

"No. She's in this for the right reasons. Glory isn't a priority."

Olivia turned to Alex with a questioning look.

"We were really good friends back in law school." Alex answered. "When I graduated, I moved back to New York and we didn't see each other anymore."

Olivia chuckled at the thought of the young, naïve ADAs in college. "Does this mean you have embarrassing stories to tell? Was she always a fireball?"

Alex laughed, silently thanking the detective for choosing a light-hearted subject. "She was always a fireball." She nodded. "But I'm afraid I can't disclose the events that occurred back then, as they involve me. Besides, our party days were mostly gone by the time we hit Harvard."

"Oh come on, you don't have any dirt on her?"

Alex shrugged. "She was a dork, but she was cute. I liked her. You would too if you gave her a chance, Liv."

"She's kind of a bitch." Olivia stated.

"Who do you think taught her?" Alex smiled coyly. "In all seriousness, I'm glad she's who replaced me. She knows what she's doing. And if she doesn't, she always figures it out."

"Ms. Cabot, do you have any idea who shot you?"

"Oh I have an idea. It's the kind of man who rapes a woman to make her talk."

"Let me rephrase the question: Did you see Liam Connors shoot you?" The defense attorney had become agitated with Alex. She was merely a witness, but she was trying to play prosecutor. And that was frustrating.

"No. But I know it was him."

"Your Honor-" He tried to complain but was quickly cut off by Alex once more.

"It takes a lot of balls to shoot an unarmed woman and a sleeping child." Alex was firm and passionate, ignoring the banging of the Judge's gavel. "Too bad your aim wasn't a little better." She shouted over the gavel. And she got it, the reaction she was looking for.

"You think you're safe? They know where you are! You should've stayed dead!" Liam shouted as he tried to lunge over the desk.

Judge Pretrovsky ordered a recess and dismissed Alex, and Casey sat in awe with a smirk playing on her lips. It was perfect the way the blonde had pushed the defendant's buttons. It was perfect.