Cragen didn't have to wait long for the answer to his question. The next morning, just as Cragen started the coffee machine, Elliot marched out of the interrogation room and opened his locker. Pictures of Maureen fell out. "I quit!" he shouted, picking up a tiny box that was conveniently sitting on the floor. He began shoving Maureen's pictures into the box.

"What's up, Elliot?" Cragen said, in what he hoped was a conversational manner. Inside he was groaning. So this is how it starts.

"It's that stupid ADA, Novak!" Elliot seethed, as he stuffed Maureen's prom pictures into the box. "She said I can't beat up on suspects anymore, or she'll have to cite me for excessive use of force!" Baby pictures, all labeled "Maureen" went in the box. "She's only been here a month, who does she think she is!" Elliot stopped to gaze adoringly at pictures of Maureen in a bikini.

Cragen was getting squicked out and had to think fast. "I tell you what," he said slowly. "You stop beating up on the perps, except for the ones who really, really deserve it. I'll try to keep Novak out of the interrogation room. Deal?"

Elliot's face relaxed into a grin. "Thanks Cap'n!" said Elliot, relieved that he wouldn't have to changed his interrogation style. After all, every perp really, really deserved to be beaten but good. Elliot moved to put the pictures back in his locker, but thought better of it and took them over to his desk.

"You'd better bring that box back!" called Cragen. "I think we're gonna need it!"

Just then Olivia rushed in. "I heard Elliot quit," she panted. "I quit too! In solidarity!"

"See?" said Cragen, wandering back to his office.