Elliot:

"Brighter"

The rain was disconcerting. But then again, it always was. Maybe it had something to do with the colours - or lack there of – or perhaps it was simply the dreary wet it brought about. Whatever caused it, I hated it, that feeling of a broken spirit, of a day gone wrong.

And it didn't help when the rat squad showed up either.

Don't get me wrong, I hated dirty cops as much as the next person. It was an insult to the badge, to serving, protecting, and everything we stood for. At the same time, talking to IAB, it was like turning over your brother. When it was the right thing to do, most would do it.

You still didn't have to like it.

So when David Webster's ugly mug came into my line of sight, I made sure my own face was set in a scowl.

"Detective Stabler."

"Lieutenant," I spat coldly. "What can I do for you?"

"Anything to get me in and out, eh? Don't wanna be seen associating with me, do you Elliot?"

"You're damn right I don't. I have better things to do than waste my time smelling rat."

"That's not very nice."

"I'm not really a nice guy. But you know that already, don't you Webster? So, quit wasting my time, and tell me what you want."

"Alex Cabot. Where is she?"

I felt the puzzled look cross my face but did nothing to stop it.

"I haven't got the slightest idea. Probably at the courthouse, or her office, you know, where she belongs. I'm not her keeper. Or her boyfriend. You might ask him."

"How much do you know about Detective White?"

"Who?" I questioned, and then it dawned on me. "Oh. Chris. Not much."

"He's been dating your ADA for four years and change, and you don't know anything about him?"

"We've gone out for drinks a few times, but besides that, I hardly see him. He works out of the 2-7. Alex doesn't parade her personal life before us. And we're mostly grateful for it."

"You think of Ms. Cabot like a sister, no?"

"I do yes. And I don't see how any of this is your business."

"If someone were my sister, I'd want to protect her."

"Alex can take care of herself. She doesn't need a babysitter. All I can tell you about Chris is he drinks dark beer, and smokes Marlboro Menthol Lights. Which according to an old Marine Corps buddy of mine are white chick cigarettes. Cabot isn't a stupid woman. If White is dirty, she knows. And she also wouldn't cover for him."

"I don't like your tone detective." His emphasis on my rank.

"I don't have time for this lieutenant. If you don't mind, I should be finding a rapist."

Nonchalantly, Webster waved a hand, as if dismissing me from my own desk. I didn't fight the urge to roll my eyes at his back.

By the time he'd gone, I'd lost the train of thought I'd been carrying before he showed up. It was time for coffee, I decided, and time to regroup.

"It stinks in here."

I laughed, and turned to face my partner.

"Webster just left, Olivia. You've got a good nose." I joked, smiling softly.

"What the hell did he want?"

I shrugged. "Something about that cop Alex is dating."

"He's dirty?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"I'd like to think she'd realise something like that."

"So would I Liv… So would I."

Her sigh was soft, and not meant for me to catch, but I did anyway. "You think there's a chance he's dirty. That she's missed it."

"I've spent more time with him than you have. Sometimes, I get this vibe… like… something's off. Almost like he's high or something. It hurts me to say it, because I know it will hurt Alex, but I can't say it's not possible."

"What… what do you think we should do then?"

She pursed her lips, ran a finger through her choppy brown hair and closed her eyes. "I think, honestly, we need to stay out of it. Just distance ourselves from the whole situation."

"How will that help?"

"Think about it El. If he is dirty, and if anyone's in a position to figure it out, it would be us. By doing that, we'd break Alex's heart. We're better off doing nothing."

"I… you're right. You're always right."

"Well, of course. That's why we solve so many cases. You didn't think it had to do with your skills… did you?"

"I may have deluded myself into thinking that… just for a moment. Or at least our combined efforts."

"See how wrong one person can be?"

Laughter rang out from both of us, a low guttural sound; her eyes sparkled with the noise.

"I'd love to know where this sarcastic streak came from."

"I learnt it from the best."

"I taught you nothing, Liv."

She laughed again, and I realized how truly stunning she was.

"So cocky, El." She wagged her finger at me, and I had to resist the urge to catch it and put my teeth on it, just to play with her. "Let's go. We have work to do, and this coffee is gross, so we need to stop somewhere and get something decent."

"I was thinking the same thing."

"One of many reasons we work so well together."

Yes, I agreed privately. One of oh so many.

"Elliot, take a coat. It's raining."

And my rainy day got better.