The Bet
Chapter Three
By: Lizzie B
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Author's Note: Wow! Thanks for the response readers! I'm so glad you all love this fic. The Ante is still in the works, can't seem to get the first chapter right, but as soon as it's finished, I'll post it, don't worry.
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"It looks like your victim had a pretty fancy meal right before she died," ME Melinda Warner said, standing next to the waist high metal slab. "Lobster bisque, a Greek salad, and prime stake."
"So, she definitely didn't have her last meal where she was found," John said, studying the girl's pale face.
"Anything else?" Fin asked, doing his best to hide the fact that he hated the morgue.
"One thing," Warner reached behind her and picked up a small hand held black light, "Your victim went partying before she died. Get the lights for me Detective Munch?" While John went to turn off the light Warner reached under the sheet for the girl's left hand.
"Club stamp," Fin said, watching the words "BET ME" appear under the purple light. "Never heard of this one though."
"Bet me," John grinned at his partner over the dead girl, and together they shared a moment of mental chuckling.
"You two want to explain what's so funny about a stamp on a dead girl's hand?" Warner asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She was protective of everyone who came into her morgue and having two seasoned detectives laugh over a body was not proper.
John cleared his throat and looked chastised, "Just an inside joke, Doc. Fin and I have a little bet going so things like this…" He trailed off, realizing his excuse wasn't going to make any sense to the ME.
"What? About how many cases you can clear?" Warner did not look happy, so Fin stepped in.
"Come on Doc, you've worked with John and me before, would we do that?"
She nodded in agreement and the hard expression fell away. It was quickly replaced with one of curiosity, "Then what is it about?"
"Why, wanna join?"
"John," Fin rolled his eyes, "Soon you're gonna have to make a chart to keep track of everyone you've invited into this."
"The list's at home," John smiled charmingly at the ME, "Only two hundred bucks and you too can be part of the Elliot and Olivia Bet."
"You bet on your co-works?" Warner's expression clearly said she found the two SVU detectives, John in particular, much weirder than when they had walked in.
"Yup, so far Dr. Huang's got the longest time. He says ten years before Elliot and Olivia jump into the sack." John was enjoying being bookie for The Bet. It was like his own little conspiracy that he could run. Of course he had to be careful about who he let in. Like the unresolved sexual tension between Elliot and Olivia no one talked about The Bet around the two. John, and everyone involved, would be in serious trouble if they were found out. But, he figured the ME could keep a secret.
"What?" Warner spluttered, "That's, that's insane. They're just partners."
John and Fin looked at each other perplexed. That was certainly not the response they'd expect. So far, everyone who worked closely with Elliot and Olivia had noticed. Warner was the first one who didn't seem to pick up on it all.
"Come on, Doc, you haven't noticed at all?"
Warner glared, "I pay more attention to dead people, they're easier to figure out," she muttered, "Who else is involved with this?"
"Cabot, along with me, Fin, and the shrink," John listed, "So far we're limiting it to only people who work in Special Victims." Everyone paused when Fin's cell phone went off.
"That's' Cragen, he wants to know why we're not back at the station yet," Fin said after he hung up.
"So, you want in, Doc?" John offered, studying the ME.
"I'll get back to you," Warner picked up her report and handed it over, "Here, your Captain will want it."
"Thanks, until next time Doc," John saluted with the file while Fin just nodded. Once they were gone and she was all alone away, Warner covered the girl's face and shook her head. Elliot and Olivia, no way that would ever happen. There just wasn't that chemistry between them. Warner mentally paused as she made her way to the next body, but Munch and Fin would notice something like that before she would. Maybe there was something there. Maybe next time she worked with them, she'd look a little closer and pay more attention to those living around her instead of the dead.
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Author's Note: Yeah, I didn't bring Warner in on the bet yet, but aren't you glad she made an appearance? lol. I'm still open for suggestions on events in SVU that would effect The Bet, feel free to share your opinions! Please read and review.