Enjoy!

Elliot stepped back out into the chilly night. He climbed into his car and drove the familiar route to the station, hoping to catch a few hours' sleep in the crib. When he arrived at the station, Elliot absentmindedly waved his badge at the desk sergeant before catching the elevator upstairs. He hung his coat on the back of his chair and scribbled a note for John, knowing he'd be the first to arrive in the morning.

Sleep came easier that night for some reason. He'd spent night after night, lying in bed, worrying about his partner. Worried that he, somehow, could be to blame for her recent change in behavior. Worried that, hard as though he may try, he wouldn't be able to fix her this time. But tonight, he pushed all those thoughts out of his mind and finally caved in to exhaustion.

"Rise and shine, Detective."

Elliot rolled over only to find Munch's face inches from his own.

"No wonder you're divorced," Elliot grumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and squinting at the sunlight shining through the precinct windows.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Munch asked, feigning offense.

"If I had to wake up to your face every morning, I'd leave you, too," Elliot said as he climbed out of the uncomfortable bed.

Elliot stretched his arms above his head and yawned as he headed toward the locker room.

"Everything okay with you?" Munch asked, his voice sincere.

Elliot stopped, but didn't turn to face his friend.

"Yeah, fine," he replied.

"Look, Cragen knows you've been sleeping up here. Just thought you might want to know."

Elliot stopped in his tracks.

"How'd he find out?" Elliot asked, looking over his shoulder at Munch.

"Uh, he's a detective?" Munch said, rolling his eyes.

Elliot nodded, mumbled thanks, and headed into the locker room. He let the hot water run down his body. He made the decision, with his eyes closed, rubbing the kinks out of his neck, that he wouldn't let Olivia take advantage of their relationship anymore. He wasn't going to sacrifice his life, his sleep, for his partner when she wouldn't give him straight answers.

He emerged from the locker room wearing his stand-by suit and headed downstairs for coffee. Just as he reached the bottom stair, Cragen exited his office. Elliot prepared himself for the worst. He'd been testing his captain's patience for quite awhile, and his recent behavior didn't help his cause.

"Elliot, can we talk?" he asked, his gentle voice surprising the detective.

"Sure, Cap," Elliot said, filling his mug and placing the coffee pot down.

Munch raised his eyebrows as Elliot passed, but Elliot just shrugged, unsure of what he was walking into.

"Have a seat," Cragen said as he closed the door behind them.

Elliot sat silently, sipping his coffee. He felt like he was back in the principal's office at his junior high. He looked up expectantly into Cragen's eyes.

"How you doing, Elliot?" Cragen asked, his eyes showing concern for his favorite detective.

"I'd be better if I had a decent cup of coffee," Elliot said, smiling.

"You know if there was something going on with you, you could talk to me," he said.

Elliot was getting used to this kind of talk from Cragen. Ever since Kathy left, he'd kept a careful eye on Elliot, making sure he knew he had the support of everyone around him. And to be honest, Elliot never got tired of hearing Cragen say these words. He found comfort in knowing that he could talk to him. But this time, it wasn't his place.

"I'm fine, Cap, I just haven't been sleeping well at home," he said, avoiding Cragen's eyes. Elliot wasn't lying, he just wasn't telling the whole truth. He hoped he'd said enough to satisfy Cragen.

"If you need - " Elliot cut him off before he could finish.

"I know," he said, a slight smile creeping over his face, "and thanks."

The men nodded in understanding and Elliot stood to leave.

"I have to run if I'm going to get to court on time, Casey will have my ass if her star witness is late," Elliot retreated to the door.

"Hang on, Detective," Cragen said, pulling out his wallet. He stuck a five out to Elliot, who eyed it skeptically.

"What's this for?" he said, taking the money before Cragen changed his mind.

"I made the coffee, and you deserve a decent cup this morning."

"Damn right I do," Elliot laughed as he left Cragen's office.

Elliot was headed up the courthouse steps with a steaming cup of coffee in hand when his phone rang, slowing him down even more.

"Aahhh, damn it," he grumbled, searching his pocket for the phone.

"Stabler," he answered without checking the caller ID.

"Elliot, it's me," Olivia sounded quiet on the other end. "I feel like shit, tell Cragen I'm running late?"

"Can't, I'm already running late to court. Call him yourself, Olivia," he said, surprised at the tone of his own voice. He wasn't going to keep cleaning up her messes, it was time she accepted responsibility for whatever was going on with her.

"Oh, yeah, sure, umm, see you later, then," she sounded so defeated.

"Bye," Elliot said, flipping his phone shut. The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach made him feel like the worst friend in the world. He just didn't know what else to do.

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