A/N: I saw this episode a week or so ago and figured there was a story there. I am doing it as a pre established A/O. Hope everyone enjoys and reviews are welcomed
When Detective's Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler of the Special Victims Unit at the 16 walked into the bullpen there was no hiding the exhaustion and frustration that was written all over their faces. Their current case had been heading south since they began and no matter what they did it seemed as if there was no saving the case.
The case involved a young man by the name of Sam Cavanaugh that was molested by Roy Barnett. The case was brought to their attention when his mother had discovered what happened. With the help of Sam they were attempting to get him to confess at the train station but instead Sam gave him a warning and he attempted to run.
Alex Cabot their ADA had met with Sam to go over his testimony in an attempt to save the case and place the serial pedophile where he belonged. Behind bars. Everything was going great until later that night when Alex received a call from Elliot telling her that Sam had attempted suicide. She had rushed to the hospital only to have his mother attack her.
With the victim unable to testify in court their case was gone. The constitution gave the accused the right to face their accuser. For as long as Cavanaugh was in a coma that wasn't going to happen. This hindered his right to a speedy trial as well. All those factors combined led them to where they were now, in a desperate search for new evidence.
"Did you tell her what we were looking for?" Alex asked in only what could be described as controlled anger.
Was that before or after she started screaming for security?" Elliot asked back as he hung his jacket up.
"Does it matter? Write her a note and slip it under the door. Leave a message on the answering machine."
"Alex do you think she really cares about helping us make the case?" Olivia asked frustrated with how the case was turning out.
"Make her Care!" Alex ordered as she glared at Olivia.
"We still have this other victim Ben Tucker." Cragen stated hoping to diffuse the tension that was mounting between Cabot and the squad.
"Never in a million years" Cabot said as she looked at Cragen as if he had grown two heads
"Why?" Stabler asked
"You were sitting across the table from him. Do you really think he's a good witness?"
"Make him a good witness." Elliot said throwing Alex's words back in her face.
"I can't make his priors disappear. His case would never get past the grand jury."
"So you suddenly only take cases you can win?"
"I try the cases I am handed by this squad. You don't like the evidence I got find me some more. I can't do your job too." Alex spat out at Stabler.
"You can't do my what…?" Elliot asked feeling his anger reaching its breaking point.
"Out of line Alex." Cragen stated hoping to stop the fight that was starting.
"No! I'm not out of line and I don't work for you! You work for me at my discretion. Your sole propose in this process is to bring me a case I can prosecute, not one I have to fix!"
"Fine then you tell us counselor how can we help you put this man away. What would you like us to do?"
Alex looked around the room and locked eyes with Olivia. She could tell by the look in her eyes not only had she crossed more lines than she should but had lost the case no matter what she did.
"Nothing. You've done all you can." Alex admitted before walking out of the bull pen.
Stabler stared after Alex for a few minutes before turning to Olivia.
"What the hell was that? We work for her at her discretion. Bring her a case she can prosecute not fix. We wouldn't be in this mess if she hadn't pushed Sam. He may still be able to testify."
"El he was unstable from the beginning. He denied everything for weeks until that day he broke down in the victim's room. This is not her fault."
"ISN'T IT." Elliot screamed as he closed the gap between them leaving their faces a mere inches apart.
"SHE DIDN'T FORCE THE PILLS DOWN HIS THROAT." Olivia screamed back bracing herself for one ugly argument.
"SHE MINE AS WELL GIVEN HIM THE PRESCRIPTION. WE WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WASN'T FOR HER."
"OH REALLY SO SHE MADE ROY BARNETT SEEK HIM OUT AND MOLEST HIM. JUST HOW THE HELL DID SHE FORCE HIM TO MOLEST SAM."
"I'M NOT SAYING THAT. I'M SAYING SHE PUSHED HIM TO FAR TOO FAST. PUSHING HIM TO WEAR THE WIRE THEN CONSTANTLY GOING OVER HIS TESTIMONY. WHAT THE HELL WAS SAID LAST NIGHT WHEN THEY MET TO GO OVER HIS TESTIMONY."
"I HAVE NO CLUE."
"OH REALLY. YOU TWO DIDN'T SHARE THAT AS PILLOW TALK LAST NIGHT." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he regretted them.
"FUCK YOU STABLER." Olivia screamed with a vengeance as she pulled her back and delivered a well deserved smack across Elliot's jaw.
"THAT'S ENOUGH." Cragen ordered as he jumped between two of his best detectives and pushed them apart. "Both of you calm down otherwise I will suspend you both do you understand. You can either find a way to work together or can permanently work apart. You decide."
Both detectives stood staring at each other before they turned their backs and stormed out of the bull pen in opposite directions. Captain Cragen was content to let them storm off and cool down. He had seen them get into shouting matches before but he had never seen them go to blows.
"Get back to work and find something useful." Cragen said to Munch and Fin as he stormed back to his office and slammed his door behind him.