Chapter Eight
Elliot started going back to work on a regular basis, he originally was only working 2-3 times a week, per Bell's request. But today he finally was able to go back full time.
"Stabler," Bell said, "My office," Bell gestured to her office door where Lieutenant Moening was standing.
"This can't be good," Stabler said to himself, and walked into the office, where Bell closed the door behind her.
"Morning Detective," Moening started with. "Heard you had some family issues to take care of."
"You could say that," Elliot said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Look, Elliot I know one thing keeps happening after another, but I need you to hear this from me." Elliot gave him a confused look. "We want Emma to testify against Wheatley, to explain what he did to her, and how he knew Kathy before the murder." Elliot continued with his confused face. "Look, either you get her to testify on her own behalf, or they will sapina her." he said and walked out the door.
"I have been talking to Captain Benson about your situation, she says it has been going well."
Elliot gave her a slight nod, not totally agreeing with her but not totally disagreeing with her either. "Look, she's my family and she's not testifying. I'm not bringing her into this mess." he said, beginning to walk out of the office.
"Stabler, you don't have that kind of authority, Captain Benson-" As soon as those words came out of Bell's mouth, Elliot stormed out of the room. "You're not dismissed Detective!" Bell yelled.
"The hell I am!" Elliot yelled back. He stormed out of the precinct doors. Washburn and Jet just gave either a look as he walked out.
Elliot drove down to the 1-6 precinct. He knew that the uniformed officers downstairs knew who he was most of the time. But just in case there was a newbie down there he flashed his badge as he walked through the doors. He took the elevator up and stormed into the precinct. He walked past Fin, who knew something was up.
"You know Stabler was showing up?" Amanada asked Fin.
"No clue, but this can't be good." Fin turned his chair around and saw Elliot opening and closing the door, not even knocking.
"Detective Stabler," Chief Garland said.
"Oh, I didn't know you were in a meeting," Elliot mentioned, apologizing for his barging in.
"I'll give you two the room," The Chief said, walking out.
"Everything alright?" Elliot asked, concerned.
"Yeah, just work stuff." Olivia replied. Elliot knew that wasn't true, that there was a bigger reason as to why the Chief had come to talk to her. But he decided it wasn't worth the argument, considering they had a bigger issue.
"You can't let her testify Liv," Elliot blurted out.
"What?" Liv asked.
"Emma, at Wheatley's trial." Elliot clarified.
"Right, Ayanna did call me about that." Liv mentioned.
"And you thought to just not tell me?!"
"Elliot, I was going to tell you, it's just that things have been pretty busy here lately."
"Look, I don't want her involved in this case." Elliot said, sitting down in the chair adjacent to Liv.
Olivia took a deep breath, "El-"
"Liv, seriously she can't testify. I don't want her to be dragged into all of this. She has been out of this whole mess this entire time. There's no need for her to do this."
"Elliot, she was part of this mess the minute she was born and Kathy decided to comply with his demands."
"Don't blame this on Kathy," Elliot said storming up from his chair.
"Elliot," Olivia said, trying to calm him down. "Either way, they're going to have Emma testify, wouldn't you rather have her testify against Wheatley?"
Elliot walked towards the door, as Defense Attorney Trevor Langan walked in.
"Detective Stabler," Trevor said, holding his hand out.
"Mr. Langan," Elliot said, shaking his hand. He looked back at Liv wondering why she had a Defense Attorney here. "I'll see you later," he said to Liv and walked out.
"Fin, Fin," Elliot whispered to Fin as he walked by. "Why does Liv need a Defense Attorney?"
"I didn't know she needed one." Fin mentioned.
"Is she in trouble? Why was Garland here earlier?"
"Look man, things have changed over the years. Liv's a big girl now. Whatever kind of trouble she may be in, she can handle it herself." Elliot looked back at Olivia's office window seeing Trevor handing Liv some papers. "Maybe they're seeing each other or something, but it isn't worth getting involved in her personal life." Fin suggested. Elliot looked away and walked out of the precinct.
