SUNDAY:

ONE:

“Can’t you say you had the flu?”

“Used it,” Tory sighed as she squished her bag into the seat area of her bike. Closing her seat, Tory took her helmet from Kat before sighing. “What?”

“Spring break?” Kat sighed. “Come on…lie.”

Laughing, Tory stuck out her studded tongue before resting her helmet at her side.  “And then I’ll have to spend summer break with the witch.”

Kat brushed a pink streak from her hair and sighed.  Drew was already gone with his cousins on a camping trip now Tory was going to her mother and new stepfather’s for a whole week. That would leave her alone for the week and it was going to be completely boring.

“You’ll be fine.” Tory sighed. “Call me,” She fired back before hoping onto her bike and revving the engine.  Placing her helmet on her head, Tory backed out of the Stabler driveway before waving a final goodbye before driving away.

Speeding down the street, Tory knew it would be best if she said goodbye to her father…and more importantly Fin. However he knew what they were doing now. After all she considered that squad more of a chaos zone then she was. Still they were really the only ones who got her and they were probably the closest things to actually family members, save for her father, that she had.

Turning she stopped at a light and waited for a moment. Baltimore was going to be boring, she knew that much. So why not visit them? Easy because it would cause a fight between her and her father—again.  

Reaching into her coats pocket, Tory turned on her iPod and allowed the angry music created by Seether to blare into her ears.  Hearing the chorus of her theme song ‘No Jesus Christ’, Tory turned away from the station house and onto her way to Baltimore.

TWO:

(several hours later)

“KIDDIES!” Tory bellowed as she tossed her helmet onto the table. “Troubles here.”

Waiting for only a minute more, Tory heard the bark before hearing the thundering down the stairs. “Milo!” she greeted before bending down to greet the sheepdog-huskey mix mutt. “How’s mummy’s baby?”

“Tory!”

Sighing, Tory walked towards the base of the stairs before waving to her mother. “Hi mom,” She greeted as Milo tagged along behind her. “Traffic on the interstate was a bitch.” Running up the stairs, She embraced her mother in a somewhat forced hug before smiling. “So where’s the new dude, Clive, Cliff, Chris?”

“Cliff...he’s at work.” Her mother sighed before an eyebrow rose. “Your father?”

“The Martian man is still kicking,” Tory stated entering her room. “He’s a sergeant now.” She called back before tossing her bag onto her camouflage comforter. Placing her iPod in its dock, Tory’s room soon became filled with the sounds of Bad Company’s Judas My brother. Swaying to the song, Tory knew she had play the role of a good daughter…only for seven days. Seven days before school started again. She had homework that could keep her busy of course.

“Burt is expecting you!”

Dropping her DVD case on her foot Tory let out a string of curses as she jumped up and down on one foot. Had she just heard her mother right? Burt Gavinston? “You didn’t!” Tory shouted back as she ran out of her bed room and down stairs. Slipping onto the last three, Tory felt herself slide down the stairs and land with her helmet into her back. //Klutz still// Tory thought before chewing on the tongue ring. “Mom!”

“He just wants to talk…after all Karate? Honey, please. You can’t take that to college.”

“I burnt all of my leotards for a reason.” Tory snapped back as the door opened. “I don’t play well with gymnastics anymore.”

“Who doesn’t play well with whom?”

The male voice made Tory turn around.  Seeing the youthful face she raised an eyebrow. The guy was maybe a year old then Fin she guessed. “Cliff?” She guessed pointing a finger at him as if she was guessing.

“Guilty,” he told her after a moment. “Tory.”

“Arrest me.” She stated after a minute before turning back to her mother. “I’m not doing gymnastics. I’ve got homework.”

Running a hand through her daughter’s hair, she sighed. “Take it with you Tory. He just wants to talk about opportunities.”

“I was thinking going to work in New York. Waitressing.”

“What about college?”

Tory turned to look at Cliff as she leaned against a chair. Perhaps having the flu was better than being here in Baltimore getting ganged up on by her mother and the latest stepfather. “I barely get past my classes now.  Why torment myself with college.”

He didn’t even flinch with her comments. Part of Tory could all ready read him as disappointed to some point. “Perhaps you should study.”

Her eye twitched before looking at her mother. //Awkward//Tory thought noticing the how thick the air had gotten around them. It reminded her almost of the day her parents had gotten divorced. “Burt’s calling.” Tory stated before slipping out from between them. Taking the steps two at a time, Tory entered her bedroom with Milo close at her heels.

Watching the dog sit at her feet, Tory sighed as she stuffed her iPod and headphones into her pocket. “Mom’s gotta go drop the bad news.” She told Milo before grabbing her coat. “I’ll be home soon.” Tory added before bending down and kissing her dog on the head.

“I’m going out!” Tory called as she collected her helmet.

“Need a lift!”

Tory halted before turning to see Cliff standing near the steps. “I’m good. Thanks.” She added before fishing her keys out. “Got the bike.”

Cliff nodded before losing his tie. “Hurry home. Dinner is at seven.”

“Can’t—“She trailed off seeing the stern look he was giving her, “I’ll be here then.”

THREE:

Gavinston Gymnastics Academy

Approaching the Academy, Tory felt a knot grow in her stomach. She hadn’t been to this place since she had uprooted her life to move to New York. After all she didn’t have any friends here. This was just something that her mother had wanted her to do. Something to cover up her tomboy life.

Kicking down her bike’s kickstand, Tory removed her helmet before entering. “Anyone remotely human home?” She asked after a moment.

Getting no reply, Tory moved through the main waiting area and watched as the girls pranced around the arena. There was no calm feeling of working with Mr. Wong like there was at the dojo, no sharp objects to fight with. Nothing that calmed her.

//Better get it over with// Tory sighed. Entering the Academy, Tory suddenly felt all eyes on her. “Okay…” She trailed off before seeing the other gymnasts eyeing her. “Hiya guys.”

“What is she doing here?”

“Karla!” Tory sighed. The metal barbell from her tongue showing only for a moment as she rolled her head back. “I've missed you.” She groaned. Moving her helmet to her other side, Tory moved towards the mat and saw that Burt was in a meeting with a mother. No doubt lying about the wonderful improvement that her child was doing.

Tory gagged as she placed down her helmet and approached one of her old friends. “CeCe!”

CeCe turned and looked at Tory with a look of surprise. “Thought you were with your dad in New York?” Asian features brightening, CeCe hugged Tory tightly. “About time you got your ass back here?!”

Giving a small shrug, Tory pointed to Burt's office. “Mom,” she sighed before stepping onto the beam. Sure she was out of shape but that never stopped Tory before. “Think I should throw a double back?”

“YOU WILL NOT THROW ANYTHING!”

Eyebrows raised, Tory raised her arms in a mock start before taking off running. Lunching forward in order to throw the trick, Tory felt the arms around her legs. “HEY!” Tory cried out before feeling herself thrown over a shoulder. “Put me down!”

“Don't think so.”

Glancing at CeCe, Tory sighed Reaching around, Tory sank her fingers into her attackers nose. Pulling up, Tory suddenly hit the ground. “Ow, she muttered. “That's rude.”

“Let's talk.”

FOUR:

“Love the new look.” Burt sighed as he closed the door. Seeing her chewing on the metal bar, Burt shook his head. “Such a classy look.”

“Yadda, Yadda.” Tory sighed propping her feet onto Burt's desk. She never really respected those that didn't respect her. The undercover cop who busted her for drinking, her father, her mother, Burt. They were asses in her book. “I'm not interested in trying to back into this crap.”

Burt sighed before pushing her feet off of his desk. “You had natural talent.”

“I also hold a red belt. That's talent.”

She still was a handful. Oh good, that was always good to know. “Who's bike?”

“Mine.” Tory replied as she stood after a minute. “Look I've got school crap to do.” she sighed. “Not interested.” Glancing out the window, she watched as CeCe threw three back flips and landed perfectly. Sure hanging with CeCe would be a great way to get over the week away from Kat and Drew. “I'll help coach.”

“Like hell you will,” he returned. “You were retired. Rusty.”

“Am not!” Tory fired back before looking at Burt. “I can still stick it easy.” She added. “They all have those dumb ass cookie cutter routines. You never made people look.”

Burt nodded. “Then warm up and show me.”

Glancing over at him, Tory knew what he was planning. But she could never pass down a challenge. Stripping of her coat, Tory tossed to down to the floor below. Jogging down the stairs, Tory stopped. “Are you serious!?” she asked after a moment.

“Sacred?” he called back.

Sticking out her tongue, Tory saw him wince as he saw the barbell. Finishing heading down the stairs, Tory glanced at the wall clock.

6:50

“Shit,” she muttered before collecting her coat. “Not interested Burt!” Tory shouted before grabbing her helmet and running back out.

FIVE:

It was 7:40 by the time she got home. She hadn't planned it that way but that was what happened. Finding the house dark, Tory let out a deep sigh.

“Dinner was at seven.”

A chill went down her spine as she turned to see Cliff turn on a light. “Traffic was a bitch, sorry.” she apologized. Seeing that he wasn't impressed with her answer, Tory sat. “I didn't mean to be late really.” she added.

“Get up stairs.”

“I'm hungry!” Tory fired back. Standing when he did, Tory's muscles tensed as he approached. There was something in his eyes. She had seen that deadly stare before...in the criminals that her father busted. Something now was definitely wrong.

“Dinner was at seven.” Cliff told her. “Should have been here.”

Glaring at him, Tory thankfully remembered that she had some junk food left from her rest stop. “Where's my mom?” she asked after a moment.

“Went to bed...upset.”

“I'll apologize,” Tory stated before turning and jogging up the stairs. Seeing Milo laying on her bed, Tory tossed her helmet onto her bed before heading towards her mothers room. “Mom?”

Seeing her mother ignore her, Tory moved to her mothers side of the bed. Seeing the large bruise after noticing the bottle of vodka, Tory's eyes widened. “Mom!”

“I fell,” her mom groaned. “I'm fine.”

//out of it// Tory sighed before leaving her mother's side. Exiting the room, she focused her eyes on the steps. Rage grew in her as she realized that falling down the stairs would no kill you unless they fell like she normally did—on her back.

Entering her room, Tory noticed her bag was opened and sorted. “What the hell?” she grumbled before picking up her psychology textbook. Thankful she had a paper to write for the class, and it was the only class she was good at, or she would have beaten the crap out of Cliff. Moving back to her door, Tory locked it before moving back to her bed.

Swallowing she sat next to Milo. Resting her head on the dog's stomach, Tory glanced around at her ransacked things. This was definitely not what she came home for.

MONDAY:

SIX:

Waking with her face on her textbook, Tory heard Milo digging at her door. Stomach growling, Tory stood and fixed her mid-drift. Unlocking the door, Tory followed Milo down the stairs.

Letting him out, Tory noticed the time. 10:17. Thank god that meant that Cliff was gone to work. Turning she looked at her mother as the woman came from the den with a cup of coffee.

Make up barely covered the large bruise. “Oh your up.”

“Gonna get some food before heading to the library. Gotta get my homework done.” Tory stated pouring herself some coffee. Drinking the caffeinated nectar down, Tory grabbed a package of pop tarts before heading back to the stairs. “Mom?”

“Tory.”

She didn't know exactly how to approach the subject. After working with Kat Stabler, Tory knew the way the police worked. She knew that Elliot had warned them over the signs of an abusive relationship, how the hell could her mother not know about them. “Your,” she pointed at her own eye before scratching her chin, “eye.”

Touching the makeup, her mother seemed shocked that Tory would have noticed. “I slipped.”

“You said last night you fell.” Tory replied before producing the empty Vodka bottle from the trash next to the door as she moved to let Milo back in.

“Tory really you sound as paranoid as your father.”

Reeling back at her mother's comment, Tory shook her head before going up to her room and collecting her backpack and heading back down the stairs. “I'm going to the library!” Tory called after a moment before heading out.

Reaching her bike, Tory fished out her keys before getting on her bike and driving off.

SEVEN:

Jude's Diner

Entering the small diner, Tory swallowed before tossing her helmet onto the seat next to her. Glancing around, she ordered a cup of coffee and eggs. Normally not an egg eater, she felt sick.

Who knew what Cliff would do to her mother. What he would do to her! Still the man scared her more then anything else. She was never scared, it never worked that way for her. After all she had faced rapist and later, with Kat's help, an escaped convict. Never had she been scared.

But the way he had stood and moved towards her it made Tory frightened beyond all doubt. Reaching into her backpack, Tory pulled out her textbooks before reaching for her phone as well.

What good would it do if she called her father? The man wouldn't be able to help her. Besides Tory didn't trust him at all. Placing her phone down, Tory watched as the eggs were placed in front of her. Scrambled, Tory wasn't hungry for them.

Dumping pepper onto the eggs, Tory swallowed as she pushed them around with her fork. Eyes flicking to the cell phone, Tory did know there was one person she trusted more then herself. Quickly she dialed the number.

“Stabler.”

Panic surged as Tory heard his voice. “Hey Mr. S.” She greeted after a moment. On his end, Tory could almost feel the surprise vibrating down the line. He had given her his number during Hillary's rape investigation. “Don't let my dad know your talking to me.” She added quickly.

Hearing Elliot excuse himself, Tory heard a door click shut after a moment later. “What's up Tory?” he asked. Knowing the girl was in Baltimore, Elliot swallowed wondering why she was calling him. It wasn't like he didn't mind her calling him, but they were working a case involving a possible dirty cop. Their only allies were two undercover cops. He couldn't be bother truly with her problems if it was just a simple problem.

She sighed before leaning back in the booth. “I think I have a situation.” Tory muttered. Eyes flicking up as the door opened to the diner, she nearly breathed a sigh of relief seeing that it wasn't Cliff. “It involves my mom.” Tory added.

On his end, Elliot sat slowly on the table. “What do you mean?” he asked after a minute. Normally Tory's only mentions of her mother weren't pretty. If she was worried about her mother, Elliot knew something was wrong.

Taking a deep breath, Tory began to ramble the story about Cliff. Starting with the wiggins she got at their first meeting, she included his little posturing event and then her mother's black eye. After a moment Tory decided then to add in the fact that her things had been sorted through.

Listening, Elliot complied everything he could about the facts. Tory was never one to make up stories—unless it was to get out of school. “You still in Baltimore?”

“Yeah,” Tory stated. Sipping her coffee, Tory leaned back in her chair. “Listen, it's nothing really.” She returned after a moment. “I've got homework.”

“Wait,” Elliot argued before seeing Fin enter the room. Holding up his finger, indicating for Fin to hold for a minute. “Let me call you back.” Hearing Tory sigh a fine on her end, Elliot hung up and looked at Fin. “What's up?”

“Shaw and Payne are here.” Fin stated before looking at Elliot and his phone. “Who was it?”

“CI,” Elliot stated after a moment. Raising an eyebrow at Fin he followed out to the group. Looking at Munch, Elliot swallowed. “Hey Cassidy.”

Seeing her nod, Elliot glanced at Cragen. Tory's phone call kept turning over and over in his head. “Capt, a word.”

Cragen nodded before letting Elliot lead him back to the interrogation room. “I've gotta take some time off.”

“We've got missing witnesses and suspects. I need you on this.” Cragen returned. Swallowing, he looked over at Elliot. “What happened?”

“Maybe nothing.” Elliot returned. “I need to really take the time off.” Locking eyes with Cragen, Elliot didn't waver. “Trust me, if it's nothing I'll be back.” he told Cragen.

Watching Elliot fidget with the phone, Cragen nodded. “I want you back here if its nothing.”

Nodding, Elliot swallowed before leaving the room. Dialing the phone, Elliot fixed his jacket before hearing Tory answer. “I'm on my way.”

EIGHT:

(Several hours later)

Entering the gym, Tory swallowed before jogging up to Burt's office. Flicking her eyes to Burt, Tory swallowed. “I'll take it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Helping the girls win meets.” Tory returned. “But I'm wanting to practice in the old gym.”

Burt leaned back into his chair before looking at Tory. Her skill was desirable. If she was to truly willing to help, then Burt knew he needed her skill. “Deal.” He told her before tossing her the keys.

Taking the keys, Tory jogged across the compound as she watched the car drive down the rode. Swallowing her muscles tightened as the car stopped. Eying the driver, Tory sighed in relief seeing Elliot exit the car. Flashing a small smile, Tory nodded. “Hey Mr. S.”

Removing his sunglasses, Elliot looked around him. “Tory,” he greeted after a moment. Watching her unlock the old gym, Elliot followed her in. “What else can you tell me?”

Tory sat on the beam before shrugging. “He gives the bad vibe you told us.” Smirking, Tory swallowed before leaning back on the beam. “I swear he hit my mom.” Tory added.

Nodding, Elliot looked at Tory. “Did he hit you?” he asked sitting next to Tory.

Casting a swift glance to Elliot, Tory shook her head. “Thought he would last night.” Tory returned. “Mr. S, he's nuts.”

Pressing his lips together, Elliot knew he had to look into this. It screamed at him. She had assisted him several times, even when it was ratting against her best friend. He owed her. “Don't aggravate him.” Elliot told her. “But don't let him know we are on to him.”

She released her hands from the beam using only her legs to hold her. “Snap. Not--”

Glancing at her, Eliot heard a thud as she suddenly fell off of the beam. Looking at her, Elliot saw Tory wince as she pushed herself up. “You okay?”

“My butt broke the fall.” she muttered, finally remembering how hard the floor was. “Thanks.”

Elliot nodded before lowering his eyes to his watch. “I'm at a motel just outside of town.” he told her after a moment.

Dusting off her back and butt, Tory glanced at him. “Got it,” she sighed. “And what will you be doing?”

Flashing a quick smile at her, Elliot stood. “Stirring the pot.”