Yeah, I know I shouldn't be starting another story. But don't worry, it's almost finished. I was going to make it a oneshot, but it didn't seem to fit. That, and I'm evil. ;) So there will be one more chapter. Enjoy, and please review!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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Olivia Benson knew something was wrong when her partner got to work. She usually showed up at least a half hour before he did, but today he was late and looking run-down. She watched him as he sat down across from her. His eyes were bloodshot, and his normally clean-shaven face was stubbled, as though he had not picked up a razorblade in days.

"Good morning, El."

He grunted softly in reply. He felt like hell, and he wasn't sure why. He was probably coming down with something.

She looked at the open file in front of her, occasionally stealing glances at her newly divorced partner. He was pale and there were bags under his eyes, and she tried to attribute it to the stress of the divorce and their job. He was fine. But something still troubled her.

As the hours slipped by, Elliot started to sweat. Something was definitely off. Maybe he needed to consider taking a few days off to get over whatever this was. Probably the flu. It had been making the rounds for at least a week now. He swiped a shaking hand over his face.

Olivia kept a careful eye on her partner. He was definitely acting strange. He was probably getting sick. When they got off work, she would convince him to stay home a few days. She would stop by his apartment after work to check on him, and he would be fine. Maybe she would even bring him some chicken soup. And after some rest and relaxation, he would be back on his feet.

Around lunchtime, Elliot closed his file and leaned back in his chair, absently loosening his tie. "What do you want for lunch, Liv?"

She set her pen down. "I can make the lunch run, El."

He stood up, shaking his head as the room started to dip. "I've got it."

Olivia got to her feet and moved around their desks. "El? What's wrong?"

His face paled, and he rubbed his left arm. "I'm okay..."

She reached out and touched his shoulder. "You don't look okay, Elliot. Maybe you should sit back down."

He grasped her arm as his knees buckled. "Liv..."

Suddenly he collapsed into her arms, and Olivia's eyes widened as she grabbed Elliot and sank to the floor of the squadroom. "Someone, call a bus!" she yelled, cradling her partner to her chest. "Now!"

Munch and Fin hurried over to them. "What happened?" Munch demanded, pulling his sunglasses off and revealing his concerned eyes.

"I don't know! He just collapsed." Olivia gently patted her partner's cheek. "Elliot, wake up."

Munch grabbed a phone and called for a bus, while Fin knelt down beside Olivia and checked for Elliot's pulse.

Olivia continued to gently shake Elliot in an attempt to rouse him. "Come on, Elliot. Wake up," she begged.

Fin suddenly felt sick. "I lost his pulse."

Without hesitating, Olivia laid Elliot on the floor. Then she began performing CPR on her beloved partner.

She couldn't lose him. He was her best friend, the other half of her heart and soul. And since Kathy had left him again, she had been working up the nerve to tell him just how she felt. He had to know.

She pressed down on his chest, then blew another breath into his mouth. "Breathe, El," she begged, tears filling her chocolate eyes. "Breathe!"

Finally his body trembled and he took a shallow breath.

"Thank God..." She lifted his head into her lap and gently stroked his hair.

Every detective in the squadroom gathered around them. Once Elliot was breathing on his own again, Cragen barked, "Give him some room! Back up!"

Quietly the other detectives backed up a few feet, but no one returned to their work.

Finally the paramedics hustled into the squadroom, and Munch guided them over to the fallen detective.

Olivia had been holding Elliot in her arms and speaking softly to him, and when the paramedics gently pried Elliot from her arms, tears of fear and pain flowed down her cheeks.

"Pulse is weak and rapid. Let's get him out of here." The medics gently placed Elliot on a stretcher, then fitted an oxygen mask over his face.

As they readied Elliot for transport, Olivia locked eyes with Cragen, silently telling him that she would not be separated from her partner.

He nodded, knowing that there was no use in telling her that she had to stay. Besides, she was also Elliot's medical proxy, and knew his medical history better than anyone else there.

Taking Elliot's hand, she walked alongside his stretcher as he was taken out of the squadroom.

Once they were gone, Cragen turned and looked at his remaining detectives. "Everyone, get back to work."

Olivia clung to Elliot's hand as the ambulance rushed to the nearest hospital. This couldn't be happening. Elliot was her best friend, and her heart. In the weeks since his divorce had been finalized, she had been trying to work up the nerve to tell him just how much he meant to her. But every time they were alone, every time she had ample opportunity, she had backed out for one reason or another.

Now she was starting to see that that was a terrible mistake.

She reached out and rested her hand against his cheek. "I'm so sorry, Elliot," she whispered, ignoring the curious looks of the paramedic. "I'll fix this, but you have to be okay." She took his hand and brought it up to her mouth. Then she lightly kissed his fingertips.

He didn't regain consciousness, and when they reached the hospital, she quickly followed the paramedics as they rushed Elliot into the ER.

When she could go no further, she kissed Elliot's hand, then watched with tear-filled eyes as Elliot was rushed away.

For a moment, she couldn't move, or even breathe. She was not naive. It was very possible that she had just seen Elliot alive for the last time, and she hadn't revealed the most important secret she had to him.

He didn't know that she loved him.

TBC...

A/N: I know, I know! Evil! There is one more chapter, and I'm not going to give anything away. You'll just have to review. LOL. Thanks for reading!