Author's Note: I couldn't peg/settle for a particular time or season I wanted this set but Elliot and Munch are still part of the team just to give you an idea.

XXXXX INTRODUCTION XXXXX

Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe after running for the last eight blocks to get to the precinct. Shoving her way past a gentleman who was making his way out of the building, breaking her concentration as she headed for the door. "Hey, watch where you're going!" the man barked absently. She tried to get a grip on her sanity as she reached the elevator and anxiously waited for it to stop on her floor. When the doors finally opened up she rushed out and bumped into a guy who was holding hot coffee.

"Hey what's the rush?" he asked upset until a look of recognition washed over his face as he took a second look at her. "Uh, I'm sorry sir I wasn't paying close enough attention. That's on me," she replied short of breath. The woman stood at about 5 feet 9 inches tall give or take with long dark curly hair down to her backside. Dressed in black leggings, wearing New Balance shoes and an oversized black sweatshirt.

"Nicki? What's wrong?" he asked placing concerned hands on both her shoulders. She met his gaze before responding, "Elliot- I mean Detective Stabler I actually came here to see you." He led her to one of the interrogation rooms away from the crowded and bustling noise of the busy police station. "Sorry about your shirt," she said pointing to the coffee stain down the front of his chest. "I didn't really care for it in the first place," he said shrugging, gesturing for her to have a seat while closing the door.

She smiled at his remark as he sat across from her. "It's been a long time. How have you been kid?" he asked. But Elliot knew from her psyche alone that she wasn't a child anymore he just called her that out of habit. Nicki appeared no older than 25 years of age with her face made up like that, probably a little younger if she wasn't. "I've been better, but lately things are worse off," Nicki replied in a somber tone.

Something Elliot was all too familiar with when it came to questioning victims as those words got his attention. He took in the sight of her lips quivering as her hands began to shake and her voice trembled as she tried to explain herself. He stood besides her taking a knee and gently placed his hands on hers. "It's okay," he said softly. She crumbled in his arms sobbing uncontrollably as she wrapped herself around him.

Olivia was on the other side of the two-way glass looking in as she watched her partner console a distressed young woman. She was about to press the intercom button to listen in until a voice from behind startled her, "Spying are we?" Munch asked with his arms crossed. She turned to face him before responding, "No it's not like that," Olivia said in a defensive tone. He tilted his head forward looking past his wire-framed glasses shooting her a look of un-amusement. The door of the interrogation room opened interrupting them as the mulatto complexioned woman exited with Elliot escorting her out.

He walked her to the elevator where they hugged before she got on and left. Olivia headed towards the direction of the break room where her partner was headed to confront him but Munch stepped in her way. "If it was any of our business Elliot would tell us Liv you know that," he said objectively. She side stepped past him and kept walking anyway. Elliot loosened his tie before shedding the coffee stained buttoned shirt to open his locker so he could retrieve a clean one.

There was a knock on the door followed by a voice that asked, "It's me can I come in?" He quickly slipped on a t-shirt before replying, "Yeah, it's open." Olivia entered and took a seat on the bench. "What's up?" Elliot asked as he removed his tie. She bit her lip contemplating Munch's words before asking anything. "What was that all about?" she inquired. He tossed his tie back into the locker and shot her a confused look over his shoulder. "What was what all about?" he asked agitated.

She could see he was bothered and trying to dodge the question but she wanted answers. "I saw you talking with her," Olivia confessed. He slammed his locker shut upset, "Leave it alone Liv," he warned darting past her. She tailed him hot on his heels as Elliot made his way back to his desk to go over some paperwork. "I'm just trying to understand what's going on," she argued. "Well it's nothing that concerns you so drop it," he said coldly.

Olivia grew frustrated about to cause a scene in the middle of the precinct until Cragen called for her. As she neared his office Munch walked out passed her and she glared at him. "You told The Captain?" she asked unnerved. John warily threw his hands up, "I did what I felt was right," he said. She took a seat as Cragen closed the door with a look of disappointment on his face. In that moment Olivia felt like a kid that got in trouble and was being sent to the principal's office.

She sighed, "Look, I don't know what Munch told you but I wasn't standing there long. I didn't even hear what they said." Cragen sat there with a displeased expression while shaking his head before responding. "That was Elliot's god daughter Nicki Crawford. Her father was his ex-partner when he was still a police officer back in the day. One of Elliot's first cases when he was newly promoted was arresting her father for raping her. Today the man was issued release and made eligible for parole after being locked up for 13 years."

TO BE CONTINUED... Chapter 1 is in progress...