L.A. Noire Ending

By The Scollard

Summary: A rewrite of L.A. Noire's last desk, where Cole stays the main character after quitting the force to become a private detective. Starting from the end of "A Walk in Elysian Fields" all the through to "A Different Kind of War" the last three cases of the game are shown as if Cole had experienced them, not Jack Kelso. This is for people who liked Cole and wished to see him stay the main character.

Rated T for some minor swearing and violence

A/N: This is a rewrite starting from the end of "A Walk in Elysian Fields" to "A Different Kind of War". This rewrite changes the timeline so that the "Nicholson Electroplating" DLC case takes place in between "The Gas Man" and "A Walk in Elysian Fields" as the second case of the Arson Desk. This is for fans of Cole Phelps and his character, and who didn't like when the game's protagonist changed to Jack Kelso for the last three cases.

Chapter 1: A Walk in Elysian Fields

The street car detached from its rails and skidded to a halt across the rain-soaked road.

"End of the line, you little prick. Come on Cole" Hershel said as they prepared to engage Chapman.

Cole grabbed his pistol and took cover behind the front of the car. He heard the bullets hitting the roof as Chapman fired upon them.

CLICK

Chapman had used up the bullets in his gun. Cole came out of cover and emptied his clip into the arsonist.

"AUGH" Chapman yelled out in pain as he fell to the ground, dropping his revolver.

"Looks like we have our man, Cole. Well done" Hershel said as they stood over Chapman's dead body.

Hershel was turning to leave when Cole spoke up.

"I'm not so sure" the detective said, "Chapman seemed to have his own agenda"

He put away his weapon as he continued.

"There seems to be more to this than a personal vendetta"

"What are you talking about?" his partner replied, his hair soaked since his hat was blown off when they were chasing the streetcar.

"The fires benefit Elysian in some way" Cole said, as he gestured to the body. "I don't see Chapman and Monroe working together."

"You have a point, but the evidence is good for Chapman" Hershel said, "It's hard to be worrying about his side of the story when he's blasting away with that big .45"

Cole shook his head, Chapman had no motive for benefiting Elysian, meaning that the actual arsonist was probably still out there. He sighed as he walked to the car; the red tape the department was throwing at him since the affair with Elsa broke meant that he probably wouldn't be able to catch the arsonist. Even if he responsible for another case of arson, the link to Elysian and the evidence to all their crime couldn't be pursued, and whoever was lighting these fires would just become a scapegoat, with the masterminds staying out of jail. Cole leant on the vehicle's door and thought to himself for a long time, thinking of how his perception of the city and his fellow officers had changed since his days on patrol with Ralph. He would give anything up to be back on the traffic desk with Bekowsky, heck, he even wished he could be on patrol again. Back on those desks, he couldn't see the corruption running through the veins of Los Angeles and its police department. He remembered those days fondly, even during his time as the LAPD's golden boy. Back then, police officers actually stood for something and stopped crimes from being committed. He didn't know what he would do now, perhaps he would just have to let go of this case. An idea popped into his head just then, a somewhat crazy idea, but one he felt was nonetheless a good one. He just had to think it through a bit more.

The coroner's van lay just outside the borders of the crime scene, with Carruthers having just wheeled Chapman's body across the rain-slicked road to where it could be transported to the morgue. Cole heard footsteps behind him and heard his superior's voice.

"Nice work, gentlemen" Captain McKelty said.

Cole turned to look at the captain.

"You put yourself at considerable risk stopping that trolley and probably saved a lot of lives" the Captain said.

He turned to look directly at Cole.

"First the explosion of the century, and now this," McKelty said, "Anyone else but you, Phelps, and you'd be up for a bravery award"

He turned to look at Herschel now.

"We've had our eyes on that slippery son of a bitch Chapman for as long as I can remember" he said, "I couldn't be happier than to wipe him off the scoreboard."

He started walking in a threatening manner towards Cole.

"And I hope this puts to bed that crazy stuff you had going about Leland Monroe" he said, "What were you thinking Phelps?"

"You'll be calling Richard Nixon a crook next." he said as he started walking past them, chuckling.

"No" Cole said.

"What?" McKelty replied in disbelief, his previously jovial demeanor fading.

"No, Captain, I said no" Cole said, "Leland Monroe is a criminal responsible for the deaths of innocent famil-"

"And a good friend of the mayor" McKelty said, "I told you to leave these crazy accusations you have be, Phelps"

He walked closer to the detective.

"And it's not like you're in a position where it's safe to be accusing people of that stature" McKelty said, genuinely angry now. "You're already in enough trouble because of fling with that German whore, but now you want to accuse one of the most powerful, well liked, and well-connected individuals in Los Angeles of murder, are f******g serious Phelps?"

"Yes, Captain" he said, swallowing hard. "I remember when I was first a police officer, when I was stupid and naive enough to believe that people would be arrested and prosecuted if they committed a crime, whether or not they were friends with the mayor, or brother to a politician."

He started getting angrier.

"Yes, I remember when I thought that police officers would uphold and serve the law, not make a mockery of it. I remember when police officers would protect innocent civilians and convict the people who actually did the crime, not charge the person who the captain dislikes, and who citizens have to be protected from"

He was practically shouting.

"Yes, I remember when I thought a police officer was a paragon of society, but no, I have had to see all the corruption, all the filth and evil that resides in this cesspool you call a police department. I have been crushed by the moral depravity and corruption that these so-called officers hold dear. I remember the days when I was just an innocent traffic cop, not yet tainted by this cities stench, but now I am covered in it, stinking all the way to the top of the department. Look at me now, Captain, thrown away because I was not corrupt enough for the Vice desk. So let me tell you what, Captain McKelty, I will bring Monroe's skeletons out, and when I'm done with him and all of Elysian for that matter, I'll do the same to Vice. I'll do the same to Roy Earle and all of his corrupt cronies."

"Who do you think you are, Phelps" the Captain shouted, pointing a finger at the detective "You are an officer of the law, and you will investigate what I say you can investigate, and as an officer of the law , you will not step one foot near Leland Monroe or anybody related to Elysian, for that matter."

Cole tensed in anger. His next words came out quieter, though still easily audible.

"Good" he said, grabbing the Captain's arm and placing his badge firmly in his hand.

McKelty was at a loss for words as Cole started walking away.

"I remember when a detective stood for something good" he said to the Captain, "I'll think I'll try the private occupation to try to improve my opinions of them"

Captain McKelty had finally regained his composure and control of his jaw.

"Well, Herschel" he said, "It seems you finally got your wish. You're working alone from now on."

Herschel sighed.

"It's a shame, Captain" he said, "I was enjoying working with a partner."

He started walking away, but turned back to the Captain.

"Actually, another thing I like is not being part of a pension which can be used to threaten me" he said, "So I'll take my share now".

He took out his badge and tossed it to the Captain. Cole saw what had happened and a smirk appeared on his face. Herschel walked up behind him and grabbed his shoulder, leading him to the car.

"Come on, Cole. Let's catch these bastards" he said.

Captain McKelty simply stood there, dumbfounded, holding two badges in his hand, and two good detectives short.

EDIT: Fixed some minor spelling and grammar errors.