Title- The Eye Of The Needle
Author- garrettelliot
Disclaimer- I still don't own them. Tear!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
As George waited for the guard to escort Elliot to the interview room, he wondered how he could get him to open up. After Olivia's death he'd had several sessions with the detective, but hadn't succeeded in breaking through Elliot's ingrained reluctance to talk to a shrink. Huang felt that the blame for Elliot's current situation lay with him. If he'd followed up with the department psychiatrist and discussed El's sessions, he'd have known that things were not progressing in a healthy manner. Perhaps he could have persuaded Stabler to continue therapy or insist that he do so to avoid reassignment to a desk.
The futility of hindsight was foremost in his mind as the guard opened the door, allowing Elliot to precede him into the room. The guard began to turn when Huang called to him.
"Remove the chains please?" George asked.
"Doc, I'm not supposed to do that." The CO said. "The prisoner is supposed to be restrained when not in his cell."
"Detective Stabler is not a danger to me, nor is he a flight risk. This is a psychiatric exam and I want my patient comfortable. Now remove the chains." For once the FBI agent won out over the shrink in George's demeanor.
"Your ass, not mine, Doc." The guard removed the manacles and paused at the door. "I'll be right outside."
"Thank you." Huang said. The door shut and he turned to face Elliot. "Don wants to see you." El shook his head. "Will you at least see your daughters?"
"George, do you think my kids need to be here?" Elliot rubbed his stubbled chin. "No, they're better off without seeing this place."
"That is bullshit and you know it." George exploded. "If you're too ashamed too face them, then say so. But don't give me that protective father crap. You are scared, Elliot Stabler! Why don't you admit it? Scared to let them see you as less than the hero cop. Afraid of the disappointment in their eyes, when they realize that the righteous cop is a murderer." Huang was silently praying that the eminent explosion brewing in Elliot's eyes would be emotional rather than physical.
Stabler had so completely disconnected from his emotions that pushing a break was the only way George could hope to get through to him quickly. He didn't think the man would strike out physically at him but that wouldn't preclude the damage he could do to himself. "I'm glad Olivia Benson isn't here to see what a coward you've become."
Elliot's shoulders slumped and he dropped his head into his hands. As his shoulders began to shake, George heard him whisper. "Liv." As badly as Huang wanted to comfort his friend, he knew that Elliot needed to let out all the pain he'd held inside for the last five years. "Yes, Liv. I think she'd be very disappointed to see how you've dealt with her death. Not at all the strong partner she relied on, are you?" Huang knew he'd pushed too far when El grew very still.
Elliot sat up and pulled himself together. "You can be a real prick sometimes, George. I see what you're trying to do. I don't need to be shrunk. I did exactly what I chose to do and I don't intend to try and weasel out of the punishment for my crime. Tell Don I'll see him." El stood and walked to the door. "Guard, we're done here."
After Elliot had been escorted out of the room, George sat down and rested his head in his hands. Maybe Cragen would have more luck; he certainly wasn't getting through to Stabler.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A/N- Well Elliot just wouldn't talk to Huang no matter what I tried so let's see what happens next.
