The Ante
Chapter Twelve
By: Lizzie Bundick
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Author's Note: And now, how will Elliot take to his new partner? I'm gonna give you a hint and say not well, lol. After all, she's not Olivia.
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When Detective Elliot Stabler entered the Special Victims squad room the first time he noticed was the cardboard box sitting on Olivia's desk. He knew immediately what it meant. Cragen had assigned him another partner. He only hoped this one wasn't another Blaine.
"So, who's the new member?" Elliot asked John Munch as he hung up his coat.
"An old friend of our glorious Captain," John said, pointing to the closed office door. "She'll be out any minute."
"A woman?" Elliot said in surprise.
John nodded and looked over the rim of his glasses, "What? You want Blaine back?"
"No, no, it's just," Elliot trailed off. He didn't think Cragen would put him with another woman. Partnering with another woman was like cheating on Olivia. He glared at the box sitting on Olivia's desk. It had been empty for so long. Every time he'd looked up and see her chair was empty he could hope she would be coming back. Now there was someone there. Another woman.
He missed Liv like hell. Some part of him was being eaten away every time he remembered she was gone. And apparently wasn't coming back if Cragen had assigned him another partner instead of sticking him with John or Fin or Briscoe.
"Elliot, my office!" Cragen called, making Elliot glare hard at the box across from him. He got up and crossed the pen, studying the woman who was in Cragen's office.
She looked to be about Munch's age, with salt and pepper black hair and bright green eyes. She looked like she couldn't take on a three year old, but the look in her eyes screamed cop.
"Detective Elliot Stabler, your new partner, Detective Andrea Vivano," Cragen said, letting the woman step forward and offer her hand.
"Nice to meet you," She said offering a hand, "Call me Andy."
"Just Elliot," He said, shaking her hand briskly. She seemed to easily accept his brush off. Olivia would have badgered him. She always knew when something was wrong and would become such a pain in the ass until he told her exactly what his problem was. And he missed that.
"Andrea and I worked together a couple of years back," Cragen was saying, but Elliot was listening with only half an ear. He hated coming in here now. All too easily he could see Olivia walking in here and requesting a new partner. Asking for a transfer.
He clenched his fist together, trying to ignore the anger the thought brought up. He still didn't understand why he'd allowed Fin to stop him from thundering over to Olivia's apartment.
"So, bring Andrea up to speed with your latest case and get crackin' Detectives."
"Yes sir," Elliot said stiffly.
Andrea sarcastically salute Cragen, "No problem Boss Man." Elliot opened the door for her and let her walk out first. He shared a look with his captain that clearly said "I don't care how good she is, she isn't Olivia."
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Author's Note: Everyone remembers Nick Briscoe from first season right? He was Lennie Briscoe's nephew or something like that. Just thought I'd mention that before people think I've lost my mind and meant 27's Briscoe. Please, read and review.