This is my first fanfic. I came up with this idea on my way to a soccer game, so hopefully it'll be good.

Conflict Of Interests

New York City Police Department

Special Victims Unit HQ

March 18

Elliot Stabler's forehead was drenched in sweat, despite the fact that it was 20 degrees outside, and the heater inside was less than second-rate. He hadn't slept in 48 hours, and instead of adding sugar to his coffee, he was adding it to his desk and then "drinking" from his pencil holder. Once the lab results get back, I'll be able to get some sleep, he thought. Unless, of course, the data turns out to be inconclusive.

In that case, Elliot and his partner, Detective Olivia Benson, would be back to square one on their current case. March was turning out to be a very bad month for Detective Stabler. New York City had recently seen a sharp increase in violent crimes, and every law enforcement member was forced to work double and triple over time. As a result, Elliot and Kathy Stabler's attempted reconciliation was falling apart, as Kathy continued to accuse him of cheating with Olivia. There was no truth in the allegations, though Elliot struggled to keep unwanted feelings out of his relationship with his partner.

Elliot's eyelids drooped. He was so tired, sooo tired, so-

"Elliot?" Olivia tapped him on the shoulder. Her short reddish-brown hair was slightly disheveled; other than that, it was impossible to tell that she hadn't had a good night sleep in days either.

Stabler lifted his head and ran a hand through his hair, wincing slightly at the receding hairline. "Lab results back yet?" he asked.

"Yes, and you'll be happy to know that this case is closed." She rubbed her forehead. "Wanna get something to eat?"

Elliot didn't answer, because he was slumped over, sound asleep.

A cold hand clasped Elliot by the shoulder. He abruptly sat up in bewilderment, knocking his now-cold cup of coffee to the floor with his elbow. Captain Cragen peered down at him, his round eyes narrowed in their usual expression: annoyance and apprehension, both usually caused by Elliot.

"Morning Captain," he yawned. "Why the hell did you wake me up?"

The no-nonsense captain frowned at the detective, irritation etched across his prominent forehead. "If it's not too much trouble," he said sarcastically. "You and Olivia have another case." He allowed himself a small smile. "And don't bother complaining, either."

"Who's complaining?"

A moment later, Olivia showed up. "It's time to go," Elliot informed her.

"Terrific," she groaned as she put her coat back on.

Not much happened in this chapter, but the rest of it will be better, I promised.