Dear readers, I present to you: my very first Langson story. I know, it's a shocker. This is a short introductory chapter for starters. Don't hold back in your reviews, I want the good, the bad and the ugly (and the pretty) :)))

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1. Enemies

He loves his job. He really does. It's like a game of chess, requiring wit, intelligence, a clever use of the pieces, the ability to predict your opponent's moves and beat them to the punch. Also, it's about defending people who are running the risk of being wronged severely.

Or so he thought when he first became a lawyer.

Today, he finds himself defending pension plan managers who are accused of fraud. And business men accused of wrongdoings. It's usually about money and he understands money. So he sleeps soundly at night. Most of the time.

But sometimes, his wealthy clients call him in on different matters. Their offspring isn't always on its best behavior and when they get in trouble, the folks call him too.

Those cases are different.

More often than not, his gut tells him that his client is guilty of something, but he is being paid to get them off the hook. Create reasonable doubt at least. So he tries. And oftentimes he succeeds, making him a successful lawyer in high demand.

Most nights he can sleep just fine after a case like that, but some keep him awake. Sometimes for just one night, sometimes longer. He knows this is going to be one of those cases. He knew it the moment he was called and they gave him the address of the station where his new client was being held. The 1-6 in Manhattan, the Special Victims Unit.

...

Her brown eyes dim the instant she sees him come in and he sighs internally.

He admires her and her co-workers for what they do and the passion they do it with. But as soon as he comes in here, they perceive him as the enemy. He can't really blame them. It's his job. It's the job he has chosen so he is the enemy in these cases. He is coming in to get their suspect off the hook. Sometimes, they catch the wrong guy and it's fine. But most of the time, he knows they've caught the right guy. They want justice for their victim and it's his job to get the suspect off or to get him a deal he - or she - can live with.

He prefers deals in these cases. He lies awake when a suspect goes free, knowing that his victim, victims, or their next of kin, will not be able to put their suffering behind them. But he doesn't lie awake long enough because he will just do it again. It's starting to weigh on him, but not enough. He still lets them buy him and the money's good. It's great.

He looks away when he passes her desk, on his way to interrogation room 1. Her partner clears his throat and he doesn't look back. He knows the guy hates him. He is the enemy.

…

Trevor's glad the case won't go to trial. The evidence against the kid is strong so he's suggested a deal, making it clear to his client - and his parents - that he doesn't stand a chance in court. The ADA will crush him. The only way to reduce his punishment is to make a deal and apologize to his victim. The kid had flat-out refused to apologize to 'that slut' as he'd called the girl, and it disgusts him. He is disgusted with the attitude of this man, just a boy really, and the fact that his father actually agrees with him. His father, the mighty bank director. As soon as the attorney leaves the 1-6, he heads for the nearest bar and he's still there when the four detectives of the Special Victims Unit come in.

He sits at the bar and they scoot into the first available booth across the room. John Munch spots him first and just nods at him. He's the most laid back of the four. His partner Odafin Tutuola turns to see who Munch just nodded at and, seeing the defense attorney, he gives him a neutral upward nod. It's an acknowledgement of his presence, nothing more. Trevor raises his hand from the bar in response and then grabs his beer again. His third one of the night, or is it his fourth? Then she spots him and he almost wants to look away immediately. Somehow it affects him when she looks at him in disdain, and she usually does just that. But he can't look away this time because she actually smiles at him. It's just a little smile but he sees it even from this distance. It changes her demeanor completely, it makes her soft and beautiful and it makes him feel … what does it make him feel? It makes him … feel. It's as if he's less numb than before and he swallows hard. The fragile spell is broken immediately when his view of her is blocked by her partner. Who else, he can't help thinking. Stabler makes his way over to the bar with determined strides and stands right next to him to place his order with the bartender.

"Glad you went with a plea deal," he gruffs and Trevor knows he should be glad with any kind of positive comment from this particular detective.

"It's his best option," he replies neutrally.

"Yeah. And his options are all that matter of course."

He should have known it was too good to be true. He and Stabler will never agree on anything. Well, except one thing maybe. He manages not to look back at the man's partner and straightens his back while putting down his now empty beer glass.

"He's guilty and has to pay for what he did. That's what matters," he says firmly and Stabler turns to him with one eyebrow raised.

"Since when, counselor?"

"For what it's worth, detective, these aren't my favorite cases."

"Well, they're not our favorites either but we kinda have to do them to get the scum off the streets, counselor."

Stabler places his order, four beers, and then looks at him again, no doubt to gauge the effect of his words.

"I know. And I defend scum. You've told me. Many times."

"Just to remind you how we feel about you," the man says with a grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

He grabs the beers that are placed in front of him and walks back to his co-workers without another word. Trevor watches as he scoots into the booth next to his partner, who starts whispering to him immediately. There's always been something between those two. He's wondered if they are ever going to take things further, now that Stabler is apparently separated from his wife. So far, he's never seen anything unprofessional between them, just a friendship and a trust that won't break under pressure. He supposes that is a good thing between partners but when he sees them laughing together he can't help feeling … something. He shakes his head and signals the bartender for another beer. Just one more for the road, he decides. He doesn't feel like sitting here all right with them over there.

When he walks out, relieved that he can still walk to the door in a perfectly straight line, he glances at their table once more. She looks at him and it's a completely neutral stare. He knows he should be relieved that it isn't her usual disdainful look, but he realizes he had kind of hoped for another smile. Just a little smile to make him feel like his presence in the world actually means something to a good person. He nods at her and leaves, trying to reason away his disappointment. At least she smiled at you once, he hears himself think. He's pathetic. He just needs to get on with his life and hope he won't get another case involving a special victim any time soon.

…

A/N: Alright, what do y'all think?
It's different, I know. E&O are partners but this is not an EO story. It's a nice challenge and I hope you'll like it!