Disclaimer: don't own
Author's note: So, three episodes in season 11 had Huang acting pretty OOC. So I've decided to write a fic about that. Also, it's pretty angsty. But I still like it. :)
Elliot felt unnerved as he watched doctor George Huang tearing into a perp, trying to manipulate him into revealing the location of a young victim.
"Where is she?" George asked.
"I'm not tellin'!" The man yelled. George leaned forward deliberately.
"Because you want her to die? Because you want that added to your sentence so that you won't have to deal with your siblings anymore?" The man's eyes widened.
George continued like nothing had happened. "Yes, I found out about that. I bet you feel pretty ashamed about the way they were better than you when you were children. I wonder how they would feel, knowing their tormenting of you as a child caused you to go out and vent your anger on innocent children."
"Shut up." It sounded more like a question than an order.
"I bet they'd do anything to get the girl away from you. I'm not so sure they'd be as quick to jump to your defense, however."
"They'd help me outta jail!"
"And then what? Then you continue to torture more kids. I think they'd rather let you rot in prison, because as much as they bullied you as a child they never killed you
"Well then why should I tell you!"
"Because it may make the difference between your siblings being repulsed by you and being able to tolerate you."
"Fine! Fine! She's in an old house by the lake I used to go to!" George smirked and left without another word. Fin and Munch left to search for the victim, Olivia grabbed a coffee, and Cragen retreated into his office.
"Doc, can I talk to you?" Elliot asked. George nodded and beckoned for Elliot to follow him into his office. George sat down, Elliot across from him on the desk.
'What can I do for you, Elliot?" George asked. He took a long sip from his coffee mug.
"You've been acting different." Elliot deadpanned.
"Oh?"
"Yes. Cara's sister, your outburst in court earlier this year... you got your license suspended because you treated a kid you didn't even know with an illegal drug!" Elliot said heatedly.
"As if I'm the first in this unit to get into trouble."
"It's just not like you!" Elliot exclaimed.
"Firstly, why does that matter? And secondly, you don't know me well enough to say that." George said coolly.
"It matters because I'm worried about you! And I don't know you well enough, except proffessionally- but this definitely isn't professional you."
"I don't know why you're worried all of a sudden. And did it ever occur to you that I'm tired of acting and being treated like a professional, emotionless robot and I'm finally acting human?"
"I don't think you're some robot. I know you're like us."
"You have a different standard for me, Elliot. Don't try to deny it."
"How so?"
"For one thing, there's what you do- all of you- when someone gets injured. When I got pushed and hit my head on a table and I refused medical treatment, everyone fawned over me like I was a child, and yet you were shot twice and returned the next day- and no one objected.
And breaking rules- Casey Novak got herself disbarred, but no one batted an eyelash, except that they were sad that she was leaving. But you considered her actions justified and backed her up. I did what I had to in order to stop a kid from ending or ruining his life- and I only was told how I would endanger my license. Really, what did you want me to choose? Would you rather I let that kid die, and let Gold walk free? Enzo needed help and Gold needed to go to jail and I was the one who made that happen! But I don't hear a thank you, no, what I hear is 'you're making a stupid choice, risking your license!'
And as for my court outburst- I'm not the first one to do that. But I guess because I'm somehow different, because I don't have emotions or anything that gets under my skin, I just did that out of boredom.
And finally, my interrogation techniques. Everyone does what they have to. Yes, I suppose I usually am more compassionate, but my compassion has limits. Once again, I'm not a robot. I'm human."
"Doc, why the hell didn't you say anything sooner!" Elliot huffed in frustration.
"I shouldn't have had to." George said stubbornly.
"You've changed." Elliot noted.
"Yes, I have. That's very astute of you." George said sarcastically.
"Oh, like you never act like Captain Fucking Obvious." Elliot snarled.
"Well, if I have nothing to contribute but the obvious, you must have some amazing profiling skills. Profile this guy for me, then-" He tossed Elliot a folder. Elliot looked at it blankly. George took in Elliot's confused look.
"Oh wait, you obviously can't, because your captain called me in today and said you couldn't catch him. So if I'm Captain Obvious, why haven't you found this guy yet?"
"That's it! I just came in here because I was worried about you! Big fucking mistake, don't anyone worry about Huang!"
"Now you know what it's like to be a psychiatrist. Welcome to my world! And another thing, my name is not 'Huang' or 'doc'! It's George!"
"Well, fine, GEORGE! Just wallow in self-pity for all I care. Don't even bother trying to get close to us! Stay on the outside!"
"You're the one who pushed me out!"
"How did I do that?"
"Well, let's take a few hours to run over all the times. When I first got here, the Brodus case- and might I add that you didn't even bother to see if I survived getting my head bashed in!- the Walker case- need I continue?"
"You're wrong." Elliot whispered.
"About what?"
"The Brodus case. I panicked when he attacked you. I asked Alex about you the second I got out of that room."
"Then why did I have to find YOU to talk afterwords?" George asked.
"Because I was explaining to the Coopers. And because I didn't think I could look you in the eye again."
"How do you think I felt?"
"You? What did you do wrong?"
"I was the one who gave him the time!"
"I was the one who was pinned to a wall by the table and couldn't get his hands off your throat until you were unconscious and half-dead!"
"So if you blame yourself, why didn't you ever do anything about it?"
"Stop shrinking me!" Elliot roared. Their voices had gotten quiet, but now their voices were getting louder with each syllable.
"Well, that's the only way thing you ever want to talk to me- and even then you often have to be forced."
"Because I don't want anyone in my head, let alone you!" Elliot snarled.
"And what exactly is so bad about me?"
"You don't even care wether I feel ok, you just like seeing me trip up!"
"If that was true, why did I let you in my apartment after you got held hostage by Gitano?"
"You tripped me up then, too!"
"Yeah, but I managed to get you and Olivia to be friends again- I'll bet you're probably more than friends by now!" Elliot recoiled as if he'd been punched.
"What? You-you actually think- you actually think that after all that, after I learned the hard way not to put someone else before the job, I would go and fuck my partner?"
"I wouldn't put it past you." George said acidly.
"You're fucked up, doc!" Elliot hissed.
"Well, then I fit right in here."
"Then why don't you just LEAVE already!" Elliot yelled.
"How do you know I'm not? How do you know I didn't already submit a transfer request to the FBI?"
"You did?" Elliot asked. He intended it to sound like an affirmation but sadness leaked in.
"I haven't yet, but I'm about to." George said shortly. "I'm tired of the animosity between us. Us, meaning everyone and me, not just you."
"Doc- I mean, George. Please stay."
"Why should I? Convince me. Three really good reasons, and I'll stay."
"You're really good at your job-"
"No. Don't try to flatter me into staying. Give me real reasons why I shouldn't use my talent elsewhere."
"The cost of moving-"
"Are you serious, Elliot?" George cried out in exasperation.
"Ok! One, anyone else would have transferred after being attacked, but you managed to stay, and for you to quit over us... that wouldn't be right. And two, we do need you. I'm not just saying that to flatter you. Despite everything I said, we really couldn't profile these guys ourselves."
"And the third reason?" George asked impatiently. He crossed his arms.
"Because..." Elliot trailed off.
"Exactly," George said. "Exactly my point. You can't even come up with three reasons why I belong here."
"Please stay, George!" Elliot begged.
George looked Elliot in the eyes.
"I'll make you a deal. If, in one week, you and I have dealt with and gotten rid of the animosity between us, I will stay." George stated.
"Deal." Elliot said simply.
TBC?