Tarnished

Prologue

Elliot Stabler's Home

Queens

7:56 PM Friday

Elliot and Olivia walked into the house after spending a few hours at work. Elliot knew that it would be a long time before either of them completely got over what happened over the last weeks. Christian has lost two parents, one is shot dead, and the other is going to prison, most likely going to death row.

Elliot hoped that Christian would get help dealing with his anger issues so that Josephine wouldn't have to suffer any longer at his hands.

It was a tough case all around, and Olivia felt completely drained both physically and emotionally.

"Want something to drink?" Elliot asked as he helped her take off her coat and hang it up in the closet under the stairs.

"A glass of wine would be really nice," she sighed as she sat down in the nook.

"Coming right up," Elliot said as he took the bottle down from on top of the fridge. He grimaced when he noticed that it was half empty. "Okay, I know I just bought this wine."

"Maybe Maureen had a drink…or two…or three or four," Olivia corrected. "We should go check up on her."

Elliot and Olivia went upstairs. They heard her moaning from within her room, and impulsively, Elliot opened the door, and what he saw next would be the source of weeks of nightmares.

Chris and Maureen were making love in her bed, which she'd had since she turned fifteen, under his roof. Elliot felt his chest tighten and Olivia just turned away and walked down the hallway. It was definitely awkward to see his daughter spread eagled and on her back with a man on top of her.

"Get the hell off my daughter!" Elliot yelled, making Chris jump and fall out of the bed.

Maureen screamed and covered herself with the sheets. "Dad! Don't you ever knock?"

"Not in my own house," he said, out of breath. "What are you doing?"

Maureen got up and Chris grabbed a pillow and covered himself as he stood up.

"Mr. Stabler, I can explain," he said nervously.

"You've got ten seconds," Elliot warned.

"No, Chris, I can handle this," Maureen said calmly. "Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm married and I have every right to make love with my husband when I please."

"Not in my house," Elliot said, now irritated. "I thought you were mad at him."

"Well not forever, daddy," she sighed, blushing furiously. "Dad…this is embarrassing enough. I'm still your baby, but I'm not one anymore, okay?"

"Obviously," Elliot huffed.

"Dad!"

"Elliot!" Olivia scolded from the top of the stairs and he rolled his eyes.

"Stop hyperventilating, Chris isn't going to hurt me, ever. No worries, okay?" She asked with a grin.

Elliot took in a deep breath and glared at Chris.

"Dad," Maureen growled.

"Alright," he sighed. "I'm sorry. Just, cut her some slack, will you?"

"Yes sir," Chris said respectfully.

"Thank you," Maureen smiled. "Next time, try knockin' dad."

Elliot nodded and Maureen closed her door.

Elliot headed downstairs where he saw Olivia sitting at the foot of the steps. He sat down next to her and sighed.

"You should have knocked-"

"I know, don't remind me," he interrupted, rubbing his hands over his face. "I'm trying to erase the images of my daughter on her back, thank you."

"Aw," Olivia sympathized. "Poor traumatized daddy. Besides, it's not like you and Kathy haven't…been seen."

Elliot just looked at her.

She sighed and kissed him softly.

"All better?" She asked.

He smirked. "Not quite, but I'm getting there," he quipped.

Olivia smiled before leaning in to kiss him again.

They were happy to know that life goes on.

Arcadia Botanical Garden

Arcadia

8:45 PM

It was a temperate night, perfect for where they were going.

John wrapped his arm around his date's shoulders and held her close as they walked into the garden. He wanted to take her here after dinner because he knew that she'd appreciate the experience, and it was free.

"John, I really hope that the lights flashing in my eyes are fireflies."

"It's fireflies," he confirmed.

"Good, I know I'm not drunk," Casey chuckled as she walked a little ahead of him. "Those were some damn good margaritas."

"In the face of all this beauty, and she marvels at intoxicating margaritas," John said sarcastically.

She laughed and came back over to him, linking their hands.

"Well, at least I know you didn't have ulterior motives," she grinned. "This is beautiful."

The garden had tall trees, and they were covered in lights. It smelled sweet and earthy from all the flowers and greenery growing, and of course, the fireflies were a sight to behold. Casey fell in love with it immediately. She hadn't seen fireflies in a long time, not since her childhood in Virginia, and it was refreshing seeing so much greenery in one place.

"I love it here," she said as they walked further into the garden.

She gasped when she saw a mossy statue. The statue was of a man and woman, the man had his arms wrapped tightly around the woman, and he was kissing her neck, and the woman had a face that indicated that she was overcome, with her hair partly down, an arm around her man's neck, and her other hand holding a rose.

"This is absolutely…" Casey couldn't find the words as they stopped walking. "It's amazing, John. Doesn't it inspire you?"

"Yeah," John said, looking at her. "It makes me wonder if your face would hold the same look of rapturous joy if I did that to you."

Casey grinned. "You wanna find out?"

END