Author's note: This occurs after "Russian Brides."
Left in the solitude of his office, Captain Donald Cragen settled heavily into his chair. Initially, his gaze fell instinctively to the picture of his wife, his mother-in-law, and himself. A link to a happier time (even with his wife's mother involved in their lives), it had frequently supported him during the more stressful moments of his tenure at SVU. And it did now.
But then he averted his meditative gaze.
For now his mind turned to other thoughts. This involved feelings that had emerged during his assignment. They were possibilities, actually.
"You can still be a father."
I know. For example, he already had two "sons" who had been on the force: Mikey1 and Elliot, though the latter was reluctant to contact him lately. And Olivia was like the daughter he wished he'd raised. And of course, there was Alex, who also had qualities of a wife…
Alexandra Cabot, who are you-what are you? Friend, daughter, lover-stop it, Don! You don't need any more frowns from I.A.B.! Besides, it's not she's going to-
Guarding against negativity, he immediately thought about Marie Greevey. This particular change-of-thought was a long habit. Ever since he became a widower over a decade ago, she had been a major factor in his life. Certainly, he had been a surrogate father to her sons and daughter after Max's death. And she had been a source of support after Marge's death-a kindness returned. Further, whenever either of them "needed" an escort (weddings, bar mitzvahs, baptismal, confirmations, and holiday parties), he or she obliged happily. And they always enjoyed each other's company.
So, what are you afraid of?
Eyes widen, he abruptly sat up. Where had that thought come from? Was it a culmination of the conscious and subconscious thoughts that the assignment had unexpectedly dredged up? Or rather, conscious and subconscious thoughts that the devious con artist had so skillfully dredged up, mentally and physically? (Her scent, her lips.)
"She made me." No, more like she played me. Sighing, he leaned back, his hand rubbing across his eyes.
Fin: "Don't do it, Captain… (Don't) take a drink…"
Suddenly, he decisively stood up and quickly moved to put on his coat. It's time for a meeting. And after that, I'll take it one day at a time.
1 Michael Logan, who s mresigned from the NYPD after the eighth season of Law & Order: CI.