Disclaimer: I don't own Law and Order CI

Author's Notes: Blech, I've been so busy lately. School work is really weighing me down. At least Ashly is back at home and safe. They found her about two hours away in Portland the second day she had been missing. I don't really know any details though. Anyway, here's another chapter for y'all. It's short, I know, but I didn't know what else to add for it since it seemed to be a good place to stop. I plan on having some Barek/Logan fluff next chapter, as well as the interview with Tara Veil.

Sacrifice

"Barek, Logan, my office," there was a pause, "now." the last word practically dripped with venom as Deakins vanished back into his office, trusting the two detectives to obey his orders. The two exchanged glances with one another, glad Goren and Eames had gone to lunch, before standing and heading into the office. "Close the door." Deakins commanded from where he sat behind his desk. Logan did as he was asked, and the two detectives took a seat in front of their Captain's desk.

"What's up Captain?" Mike inquired, leaning back in his chair.

"Did you two end up going to see Conner Bergivin?" he asked, his voice flat.

"Yes sir, we did." Barek answered, sitting forward in the chair slightly, slightly frightened with how cold her Captain's blue eyes were.

"What happened?"

"Nothing really Cap. We just talked to him a bit and figured he didn't have anything to do--" Logan began but was cut off.

"Don't lie to me detective." Deakins stated, eyes narrowing. "What really happened?"

"The kid threatened to kill himself..." Barek answered weakly.

"And you two didn't bring him in? You didn't even bother taking him to the hospital and putting him under suicide watch? What were you thinking!" it was more of an exclamation than a question, and it caught both detectives off guard. "Who conducted the interview?"

"I did sir." Barek answered.

"Why didn't you bring him in?"

"I didn't think he needed the extra burden..."

"Well, now he doesn't have any burdens."

"What do you mean Captain?" Logan inquired.

"He's dead." Deakins answered.

"What?" both detectives asked, obviously surprised.

"He stabbed himself and bled to death. The only reason he was found, was because the apartment super got a complaint that his music was too loud and went to get him to turn it down." he stated, frowning.

"Crap..." Mike muttered, running a hand through his short hair.

"You know this can get you both suspended, don't you?" Deakins asked.

"Yes sir..." Carolyn murmured.

"You have really put me between a rock and a hard place. No one knows you two were there, thank the Lord you didn't leave your card..." Deakins paused, "But IA will find out eventually, and then I'll get in trouble for not reporting it. On the other hand, I'd hate to have two of my detectives suspended...especially with this case."

"I'll take the blame for it then Captain." Barek stated, meeting the cold blue eyes of her Captain, sitting tall.

"Wait...what?" Logan asked, seeming slightly confused.

"If anyone asks, Logan was in the car while I went in because I claimed the kid would probably do better without a menacing male standing over my shoulder watching him." she explained, sitting back in the chair.

"Why are you doing this detective? Making this sacrifice." her Captain asked.

"Because my record is pretty clean, Logan's isn't, I'll get off easier and won't have as heavy a sentence as he might with his priors." she tried to ignore the looks her partner was giving her.

"Even though I don't like lying...I need at least one of you working with Goren and Eames if not both..." he frowned, looking at Mike, then at Carolyn. "Alright. I'll have to report you then Detective Barek." he stated. "You both can leave now." he motioned towards the door before pulling some papers out of a pile on his desk. Both Detectives exited the office to find Goren and Eames had returned from their lunch break. Both pairs of brown eyes were upon Logan and Barek as they made their way to their respective desks, sitting down.

"What was that about?" Eames inquired, brows raising in question.

"Nothing." Barek answered calmly, shrugging.

"Conner Bergivin was found dead." Logan stated, frowning as he watched his partner.

"Seriously?" Alex asked. She went to ask again when Logan didn't reply, but stopped when she saw her partner shake his head.

"Something else happened Eames." he whispered, watching his counterpart stare at Barek who was trying her best to ignore Mike. "And I think they need to talk it over before we hear about it."

"Oh..." she sighed. "Alright."

"Come on, we have an interview to prepare for. Tara has offered to come in and answer some questions about what happened that night." he stood and headed towards one of the interrogation rooms, binder in hand. Alex cast one final glance at Logan and Barek before standing and following her partner into the interrogation room.

"Barek, let's go for a walk." Logan stated, and frowned when his partner shook her head.

"No...I don't need to talk to you about that right now." she stated softly. "We'll talk later." and she fell silent again.

"Come on Carolyn..."

"No Logan, drop it."

"Alright..."

With that, the two detectives fell silent.