When a Tornado Meets a Volcano

Disclaimer: I do not own any Law and Order stuffs. (Shame, I know.) I also do not own any lyrics to 'Love the Way You Lie' By Eminem ft. Rihanna, which the title of this fic and all of it's chapters are composed of.

Introduction: A Steel Knife in My Windpipe

The honorable Judge Elizabeth Donnelly sat quietly on the bench as the twelve jurors of a particularly difficult case shuffled back into the courtroom, their deliberations having just concluded. She was nervous, though her face didn't show it. Nervous for many reasons, too, but mostly nervous for the two prominent detectives who sat among the other observers, watching in anticipation almost as great as her own, as the deciders of a man's fate began to reclaim their seats. She knew the pressure they were under, and was trying desperately not to feel for the two of whom she'd become rather fond. With each of the jury members appropriately stationed in their box, Donnelly quietly cleared her voice and directed her attention to the presiding juror who stood before her court.

"Mr. Ackerman," She began in her collected voice, the voice she used sparingly, as it was the voice that she used when attempting to cover her unease. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"

The middle-aged man with the receding hairline and thin, wire-framed glasses nodded solemnly, giving Elliot a twinge of hope that maybe, just maybe, the jury had swung their way. His partner shot him a sidelong glance as he gulped softly but audibly at Ackerman's response of, "We have, your Honor."

After it was placed in her hand, Donnelly tore open the folded piece of paper that held within it the verdict, scanning it briefly before looking back to the twelve jurors before her. Her eyes flickered briefly to the two detectives present in the courtroom, a gesture that they and their friend Alex could only hope was a good sign as the judge continued on, "In the case of the people versus Franklin Hartford, docket ending 534, on the count of aggravated sexual assault how find you?"

Ackerman lightly licked his lips, looking over at Hartford as he read, "We find the defendant not guilty."

Elliot's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "They'll get him… They have to…" He assured himself, looking passed Olivia's concerned gaze as the rest of the sentencing unveiled itself.

"And on the count of sexual misconduct against a child, how find you?"

"We find the defendant… not guilty."

With a quick sigh and a raised eyebrow towards her young friend and prosecuting ADA Alex Cabot, Judge Donnelly nodded and excused the jury, thanking them for their time before turning to Hartford. "You're excused as well, Mr. Hartford."

The small, pointy-faced man smirked as he stood and reached for his lawyer's congratulatory hand. As he offered his thanks for a job well done he seemed preoccupied, his gaze directed not at his attorney, but at detectives Benson and Stabler. Hartford's smirk softened to a light smile as he made his way towards them, brushing past Alex and extending his hand to Elliot, "It was fun, detective. I know you tried really hard, but sometimes you just… you just get the wrong guy, don't you?"

"I get the wrong guy?" Elliot scoffed, face reddening with anger as he stood to his full height and towered over the scum standing before him. His eyes burned as he brushed his dry tongue over his equally dry lips, his barely controllable rage seeping out through every pore of his skin. "Let's get something straight, asswipe, I didn't get the wrong guy. I know exactly what you did, you lying sack of shit and you know as well as I do I'll get your ass locked up."

"Harsh words, detective Stabler… And unfounded words at that. What with double jeopardy in place, how do you expect to ever 'get my ass locked up'? You seemed to have a really difficult time with that in this little… incident."

In a flash Elliot's hands were gripping Hartford's shirt and the court officers were descending upon them. Donnelly ordered for both Stabler and Hartford to be escorted out of her courtroom, and Olivia yanked Elliot away from the small, cowering man before the often over-zealous officers had the chance.

"Elliot, let's go." She whispered, giving Alex a pained look as she pulled her partner towards the door. "I'll talk to you later, Alex."

Her friend snapped her briefcase shut and nodded with a look that could have been sadness, but knowing Alex was more likely disappointment, as Elliot ripped his arm away from Olivia and shrugged his shoulders in an attempt to adjust his shirt, never taking his eyes off of Hartford. A growl escaped him as he grabbed up his blazer and stormed towards the door, too angry to bother waiting for Olivia to catch up with him.

\/\/\/

A/N: I've never written a Law and Order fic before, and I'm actually kind of surprised my first one is a Bensler (I'm usually just the big ol' Bobby/Alex type).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, I'm doing my best to make sure all the legal jargon is correct, and if it isn't and you notice this please let me know. So far I've just been watching the episodes that I remember going to court in hopes of recreating something that's almost appropriate .

Reviews and constructive criticism is always appreciated :]