Wildfire

She's Mad

Elliot's deal with the Dowd's was going very well. They were enjoying having her around and Elliot and Liv were enjoying being partners again. Well, working together again. They already cracked two cases in the month since they've been back together. Rebecca was getting used to being in the house with Elliot and Liv. Even so far as to call Elliot dada. 

It made his day the first time he heard that. He's had five kids before her, and one after, you'd think he'd be used to getting called dada for the first time. However, this was different. She had to trust him first instead of simply learn how to say it. Eli was enjoying being a big brother to her, even at his young age. He'd started to walk and babble to her, almost telling her how to do it. She'd grin and almost try, but stop and chicken out. 

Kathy didn't hear about it until Richard had spoken to Elizabeth about Rebecca one day when they were at a basketball game with the family. To say she was mad was an understatement. The next day when Elliot came by to pick Eli up for the weekend, she cornered him. "Having yet another baby with someone else?" She hissed. 

Elliot rolled his eyes. "We were separated. I didn't even know she was pregnant," Elliot defended himself. 

She scoffed. "I can't believe you. Liv wasn't enough?" 

"We fell in love. Patty and I were simply a fling, nothing more. You know that Liv and I are forever."

Kathy rolled her eyes at him. "That was part of our vows," she pointed out to him before shoving him out the door and slamming it without giving Eli to him. 

Elliot stood there for a moment. Then knocked again. "What about Eli?"

There was no response. Sighing and shrugging, he headed back over to the house. Liv was playing with Rebecca while Easton kicked on the ground next to them. When he entered without Eli, she frowned. "Where's Eli?"

"Kathy's. She's pissed that I fathered Rebecca." He shrugged and sat down on the couch, smiling at Easton. "Hey, buddy."

"She can't keep him from you," Liv pointed out as Rebecca threw a stuffed animal at Elliot. Dodging and catching the animal, he pointed it at her. "Don't throw your toys," he said stern enough to make a point. Then he handed the stuffie back to her as she took it and hugged it. 

"She can't, but she will try."

On Monday, Liv and Elliot went into work and was met by Tucker and the brass. Cragen was behind them all as they stood there to greet them. "What's all this?" Elliot asked. 

"We've received information that Detective Benson's son is yours, Stabler." Tucker looked pleased as he said it. Dodds looked very annoyed to be there and bothered. 

Elliot swallowed. How did they find out? "If he is?"

"Relationships between partners are forbidden. You two obviously know that," Tucker responded. 

"Is there proof that we are in a relationship?" Elliot asked, stepping in front of Liv in a defensive move. Liv rolled her eyes in her head. Like that helped the situation.

Tucker crossed his arms and looked sternly at them. "The child is proof enough."

Cragen took that moment to step forward. "With all due respect, I think that just means that Detective Stabler fathered a child for Detective Benson so that she could become a mother."

"I got denied adoption and this job doesn't exactly let me have a boyfriend," Liv backed her Captain. 

Dodds looked skeptical while Tucker just knew they were lying. "Why is your address the same then?"

"The baby has to have a sitter," Elliot said in an obvious tone. 

"Well, we're going to do some interviews to determine if you two are fit to stay partners," Tucker said in a sly tone. 

They left in a huff, Tucker with a smile on his face. Elliot wanted to smack the it right off. "Well, that's going to be a fun time for you two," Cragen said, worry all over his face. 

"What do we do?" Liv asked, looked back as they entered the elevator. 

"Get ready for the interviews." 

The interviews didn't go well. Tucker had it in for Elliot and LIv ever since the Marcosi case years ago. Tucker completely destroyed them. No doubt they were going to get split up and or lose their pension. It was week before anything was said about the interviews. 

After Elliot had finished with an interview with a suspect, Cragen called him into his office. Liv was already on the couch, worried. Elliot took one look at Liv and then the sorrow look on Cragen's face. "What happened?"

"So, Dodds and 1PP thought long and hard about this. Since you two have been partners for 12 years, and have one of the best close out records in the state, they didn't want to split you up." Elliot and Liv gasped in shock. "However," Cragen continued, "since you two deceived everyone, you two will be suspended. Without pay for two weeks."

"We have two children at home, we got to get paid," Liv said, getting up, breathing heavy. 

Cragen held his hand out for her to stop. "Hold on. I mentioned that. They said they are willing to let you two do it in turns. So, first Elliot would be suspended for a three weeks no pay, and Liv would be two with no pay after Elliot returned." 

Elliot narrowed his eyes. "So, I get a week added?"

"You've been an ass to 1PP for a while," Cragen explained. 

Elliot shrugged in agreement. "Okay," he turned to Liv and hugged her. "Who told though?"

Cragen sighed. "I've heard them mentioning Kathy's name," he whispered.