I know I shouldn't be starting a new story, but this idea simply wouldn't leave me alone, and I cannot pass up a good challenge. Basically, SVUProductions and I took the same idea and put our own twists on it. She'll be posting hers as I post mine, and hers is titled What Hurts The Most. We just thought it would be cool to take the same idea and each write it our own ways. So don't worry, we're not stealing from each other! Enjoy, and please review!
Disclaimer: Not mine!
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
In the middle of the night, Olivia Benson was startled awake by the ringing of her cell phone. She groaned and rolled over in the bed, sorely tempted to just let it ring. But it was likely that her captain was calling, so she finally reached over and grabbed the offending phone. "Benson." Her voice was sharp and crisp.
"Olivia Benson?"
"Yes." She scrubbed her hand over her face and stifled another yawn.
"My name is Jenny Matthews. I'm a nurse at Mercy General. I have a patient here who has you listed as an emergency contact."
Olivia immediately rolled out of bed and grabbed her pants. "Who?"
"Elliot Stabler."
Instantly the bottom dropped out of Olivia's stomach. Elliot… Something had happened to Elliot. "Is… is he okay? What happened to him?" she demanded anxiously.
"He was involved in a car accident, and he's in surgery. You should come as soon as you can."
Already Olivia was grabbing her shoes and keys. "I'll be there in ten minutes." She closed the phone and shoved it into her pocket. Then she put her shoes on and raced out of the apartment. Elliot was hurt. She felt sick as she jumped into her car and raced out of the parking lot in front of her apartment building.
As she raced toward the hospital, she wondered if anybody had contacted Kathy. Three months ago, they had divorced and Elliot had moved out of the house. Since then, she had been trying to work up the courage to tell him just how she felt. She had loved him for years, but the wedding ring he wore always prevented her from telling him.
Now, there was a chance he would never know.
After an agonizing ten minutes, Olivia finally pulled into the parking lot of Mercy General. Barely remembering to turn off the engine, she jumped out of the car and raced inside.
A tired looking nurse was sitting at the reception desk, and Olivia couldn't even muster a polite smile as she said, "I just got a call about Elliot Stabler."
The nurse looked at the computer screen. "He's still in surgery. Just have a seat, and his doctor will be out soon."
Growling quietly, Olivia reluctantly sat down and began making phone calls. She tried Kathy first and groaned when it went straight to voicemail. After leaving a short message, she called Cragen, who promised to call Munch and Fin. Then she put her phone away and waited.
Within the hour, the entire squad was in the waiting room with Olivia. Cragen and Fin were sitting on either side of her and trying to comfort her, while Munch paced nearby.
Finally a doctor in bloody scrubs came into the waiting room, and everyone got to their feet. "Elliot Stabler?"
Everyone nodded as Olivia stepped forward. "I'm his medical proxy."
The doctor nodded as he introduced himself. "I'm Dr. James Woodrow. Why don't you come with me?"
Olivia hesitated, knowing that everyone else in this room also cared about Elliot and would want to know what his condition was.
Seeing her hesitation, Fin came to her side and slipped his arm around her slender waist. "I'm coming with her," he told the doctor firmly. And behind them, he knew that everyone else was silently giving their permission. Most everyone was close to Olivia, but she was like a little sister to Fin. And he was very protective of her.
Olivia leaned into him, and they followed Dr. Woodrow back to his office.
Woodrow led them into his office, motioning to two chairs as he closed the door behind them. "Have a seat."
Olivia slowly sat down, but Fin silently refused.
Taking his place behind the desk, Woodrow opened a file and rubbed his temple.
Olivia watched him anxiously, feeling sick.
Finally he spoke. "There was a female passenger in the car. A Kathy Williams."
Her heart sank at his tone. Kathy had been in the car with Elliot...
"We've already contacted her parents, but Ms. Williams didn't survive."
Fin rested a gentle hand on her shoulder as Olivia struggled to speak. "Wh-What about their son, Eli? Was he in the car?" She had always loved children, but when she had witnessed Eli's birth and had been the first to hold him, she had lost her heart forever. And she couldn't imagine losing him, even if he wasn't hers.
"The baby? He was unharmed. He's with the nurses right now."
Olivia lunged to her feet. "Let me see him." He didn't need to be surrounded by strangers. Not when he had just lost his mother.
"You can see him in just a moment. But first we need to discuss Mr. Stabler's condition."
Fin could see the torn look on his friend's face, and he offered a solution. "I'll go get Eli. You talk to him about Elliot." He hugged her again, then left the office.
Olivia turned to face the doctor again.
Woodrow watched her carefully, then got to his feet. "Why don't you come with me, Ms. Benson? I'll tell you about his condition on the way to his room."
Solemn, Olivia followed him out of the office.
On the way upstairs, Woodrow spoke softly. "Mr. Stabler's condition is very grim, Ms. Benson. You should know that."
"Will he live?"
There was a long silence, and her dread grew with every step they took.
"I'll be honest with you, Ms. Benson. I don't expect him to survive the night."
Tears surged to Olivia's eyes. "He's... he's going to die?"
"Patients prove us wrong all the time, Ms. Benson. But it's a miracle that he even survived the ride to the hospital." His words were bleak but spoken with a deep sympathy.
They finally came to a stop in front of Elliot's room. "If he has any other family, I urge you to call them."
She numbly nodded. His kids, his mother... "Can I see him?"
"Of course."
"Thank you..."
Woodrow squeezed her shoulder sympathetically, then left her alone in the hall.
Drawing a deep breath, she pulled out her cell phone and told Cragen what the doctor had told her. He agreed to contact Elliot's oldest children and bring them to the hospital. Once they were finished speaking, she closed the phone and slowly stepped into Elliot's room.
A nurse was standing beside Elliot's bed, a sad frown marring her face as she checked his vitals. She sensed Olivia come in, and she looked up at her. "I'm sorry, but this patient isn't allowed visitors."
Olivia's eyes were fixed on her partner's face. "I'm his medical proxy..."
"Oh... You've already spoken to his doctor?"
"Yeah..." She finally reached the bed and rested her hand on Elliot's.
The nurse nodded sympathetically, making a note in her chart before she slipped out of the room.
Olivia sat down beside Elliot's bed, squeezing his hand gently. "Come on, El," she breathed, running her fingers through his damp hair. "You have to stay with us. Your kids need you." Her voice dropped in volume. "I need you."
There was no response to her plea, and she leaned forward and rested her head on his chest.
"Don't leave me, Elliot."
TBC...
A/N: *hides under rock*
