Resistance Chapter 1, a law and order: ci fanfic

WIP

"Resistance"

Usual disclaimers apply.

LOCI Timeline: During Season Seven.

My LOCI Timeline: Post "Past Sins".

A/N: I'm still despairing at the lack of Logan fic out there and still desperately trying to fill the well. And I can tell you, Bobby is very annoyed at me for neglecting him. I've even enlisted the help of InfinityStar by laying down the gauntlet which she has valorously agreed to pick up. Watch for an upcoming Logan-fic from InfinityStar. Exciting, yes? Personally, I can't wait.

Meanwhile, Resistance…

oOo

The OnePP elevator opened with its familiar ping, the doors displaying the bland walls and corridor that led to Major Case's bullpen housing some of New York's finest criminal investigators.

Detective Mike Logan was one of their more seasoned detectives and was feeling buoyant and satisfied with his haul for the day. His suspect in the serial killing of Wall Street corporate lawyers was primed to fold and Logan was anticipating the interrogation where he would turn the final screw.

Allowing Falacci to precede him out of the elevator, Logan herded a cowed Dante ahead of him and up the corridor to the holding cells. He had shoved their perp, still claiming his innocence and threatening unjust arrest, into the back of the police vehicle, but by the end of the ride, Dante had lost his confident bluster and folded into a sniveling heap.

Ballinger, another OnePP veteran, his thin frame and pointed face reminding Logan of a greyhound, approached them from the other end of the corridor, his face split into a wolfish grin.

"Hey! Logan! I hear congratulations are in order." He clapped him on the back and halted, forcing Logan to stop, a hand closing firmly around Dante's upper arm.

"You sly dog, you," Ballinger grinned. "Who would have thought it?" He chucked Logan on the shoulder and continued toward the elevator.

Frowning, Logan looked to Falacci, who shrugged. Assuming Ballinger was referring to his cracking this case, Logan pushed Dante forward and through the double doors, veering right toward the holding cells, while Falacci headed back to her desk.

Logan was intercepted by Patillo, currently between partners and who was assisting Alex Eames while Goren was on suspension. Patillo pushed open a cell door and Logan nudged Dante into its confines, stepping back so Patillo could pull the door shut, a maneuver that was effortless for the big man built like a Mack truck.

"If it isn't the man of the moment," Patillo sniggered, the action at variance with his serious bulk. He tipped his head to the side. "I just can't picture it though. You and diapers. This I gotta see!"

His feet rooted to the spot, Logan's stunned gaze followed Patillo up the corridor. "Whaddya mean?"

Patillo laughed again. "You're losin' your edge…Pops." He disappeared out the door into the bullpen.

"What the hell!?" Logan surged after him, intent on catching up and demanding an explanation. Falacci met him at the doorway and barred his way, nodding toward the cold drinks machine by the wall.

"You'll wanna hear this," she said curtly, leading the way before he could protest.

Striding to the corner of the room she indicated, Logan leaned into her face. "Wanna hear what?" he demanded, itching to punch something. He eyed the drinks machine, seriously considering it. He hated it when people didn't get to the point and Falacci should know better by now.

"There's a rumor goin' round," Falacci said quietly. "Caught on like wildfire. Mel hijacked me as soon as I got to my desk."

"Mel's more full of hot air than a blimp," Logan scoffed, breathing easier. It was well known the office receptionist and resident gossip told more tales than truths.

"Well, this blimp's got Carolyn Barek in the family way and you the proud papa," Falacci said sagely.

"The fuck she has!" Logan's lip curled in a snarl. "No one takes any notice of her crap. And that one's fantasy."

Falacci's eyes were patiently sympathetic. "Normally, but the difference this time is her source works in the Chief of D's office and saw Barek discard a home pregnancy test in the restroom waste bin. She checked the result and saw it was positive."

"Who the fuck goes fishin' in restroom waste bins?!" Logan asked incredulously, alarm prickling at his neck.

"The Mels of the world," Falacci said, her mouth down turned.

His gut tightening, Logan dug out his cell phone and keyed in Carolyn's speed dial. Frowning at Falacci, he willed her to go away, but she shook her head, eyes wide.

"No way you're gettin' rid of me, partner, 'til I know for sure."

Logan wanted to stride off and leave her there, but he recognized her persistence and knew she would follow him anyway. Turning his back on her instead, he waited for Carolyn to answer.

"M…Mike?"

The hesitant and soft response from Carolyn had the prickling in this neck seize into a tight band and grip.

"Carolyn? I'm hearin' things in the office that a man shouldn't be the last to hear."

"Um, what would that be?" she bluffed, but Logan heard her resignation.

"Shit, Carolyn! Is it true?" He was finding it increasingly hard to breathe and realized it was because his heart was somewhere in his throat.

"Mike…"

This couldn't be done over a phone connection. "Fuck! Don't go anywhere, Carolyn. I'm on my way." He disconnected without waiting for her agreement and stowed his phone, fumbling at his pocket as his vision blurred and his head started to spin.

"Cover for me, Falacci," he snapped and made for the exit.

"Hey, Logan! Congrat—"

Someone called out to him as he passed and held out a detaining hand, but Logan brushed past them without recognition.

"Stow it!" he snarled.

oOo

Carolyn slumped in the chair inside her boss' office, aware Moran was speaking to her but hardly hearing the words. Even if she had wanted to run from Mike's threat of heading over, her flight was foiled by Ken Moran's request she join him in his office. She numbly obeyed his summons but found it impossible to concentrate on what he was saying.

She felt ill. Ill from the result of the home test she'd bought at lunch and from the knowledge that somehow the news had got to Mike at OnePP so freaking fast.

"Barek!"

Carolyn jumped, startled out of her sludged thoughts and tried to focus on her boss. "Sorry, sir. What was it you wanted?"

"I asked you if our trip to New Orleans was going to be a problem for you?" Moran repeated.

Carolyn groaned inwardly. That was something else she hadn't yet told Mike. The I.H.I.A. Symposium would mean another five day stopover for her with her boss. Carolyn recalled Mike's reaction to the Greensboro Conference with Chief of D's Bradshaw and the resulting 'Holly' incident as a result, and her stomach churned more.

"No, sir, no problem," she said, her voice flat, unable to meet his gaze or dredge up any enthusiasm. It was her job to accompany Moran wherever his responsibilities took him.

"What about your partner?"

"My partner?" Carolyn looked up, confused. Her new job didn't warrant a partner and that's the way she liked it. No more call-outs at ungodly hours either, which Mike still had to put up with.

Moran pulled a file toward him and, opening it, flipped through the pages. Stopping at one, he pointed a finger toward the bottom of the page. "My predecessor, Bradshaw, wrote in his report that the hotel that hosted the Greensboro L.E.I.M. Conference complained to him about some heavy handling late at night by one Detective Logan when he couldn't contact you there."

Carolyn cringed, realizing that Moran was asking if Mike would have a problem with the trip. At this stage, she didn't know. And, damn Bradshaw. The man had it in for Mike and used any opportunity and reason to cite him.

"Chief of D's Bradshaw didn't approve of my relationship with Detective Logan, sir. He made that obvious whenever he could."

Moran eyed her with purpose tempered by consideration. "Your relationships are nothing do with me, Barek, but I do want to know if this one is going to be a problem while we are in New Orleans."

"No, sir. It won't be a problem." Carolyn prayed that it wouldn't.

"Well, I'm not so sure about that," Moran said, looking past her. "It would seem that Logan has been conjured up by the mere mention of his name and is heading our way with the finesse of an icebreaker at the North Pole."

Carolyn spun round, her mouth dropping. Mike was cutting a swathe through the office. Other officers were smilingly approaching him but he was pushing through them, intent on reaching her desk. Seeing it empty, he only had a minor detour to reach her in Moran's office.

"Sir, if you wouldn't mind granting some personal time right now?" Carolyn asked hastily.

Moran waved a hand toward Logan nearly upon them. "Take all the time you need for the afternoon, Barek. I think you're gonna need it."

oOo

Up next…well, I think you can guess at the fireworks.