Love ToriRenee161 and Cfhonan who are regular reviewers on this story, you're both great and you make me smile loads, this wasn't what I originially planned with the story when I started it with the accidental anorexia but it kinda fell there and went with it. Anyway thanks both of you again and everyone else who drops a read and a review every now and again THANK YOU! honestly, you all help me keep writing with your reviews and now on with the story...
Everyone sat in silence at the hospital waiting for news on Olivia. Munch and Fin had been to the school to get Nathan so he was also with the gang waiting to find out what on earth had happened and caused her to collapse.
Elliot was sure he knew what was wrong with her and if his suspicion was correct he'd ring his Captain's throat for causing it. Cragen was also thinking the same thing, he was full of self-blame that he couldn't stop his knees from bouncing nervously.
"Family of Olivia Benson?"
"That's us." Elliot replied getting up and holding his arm around Nathan's shoulders protectively.
"Miss Benson collapsed due to a combination of dehydration, lack of food and severe exhaustion, her body just couldn't handle it anymore and that's why she collapsed, the body is basically in resting…"
"Is she in a coma?" Elliot asked firmly.
"Of sorts, it isn't your typical coma basically the body has gone to sleep as has the brain and we don't know for how long this will be because it all depends on how long it takes for the body to fix itself. We've put her on an IV saline and feeding tube to try and help the body along but it's really just a waiting game." The Doctor explained. "I am concerned however at the lack of sleep Miss Benson's been having, does anyone know why she hasn't slept in about five days?"
"Well there was court, getting custody of Nathan here and then…" Elliot turned to look at Captain Cragen with such fury in his eyes that is unnerved the aging man. "Then her boss had her filling out so much paperwork that she had to stay up till the early morning to get it done and then as her head hit the pillow her alarm would go off and it was the start of a new day."
"I'm sorry…" Cragen began.
"It's not me you should be apologising it's Liv but seeing as she's in a coma that's impossible!" Elliot yelled but Munch and Fin stepped in to calm him down some.
"Can I see my Mom?" Nathan asked timidly.
"Only if it's ok with your Dad." The Doctor said looking at Elliot.
"Come on son." Elliot said not bothering to correct the Doctor at this time, there was no point.
Don Cragen watched the two walk off and felt such a stab of guilt that he fell into the chair and dropped his head into his hands, he should have known Olivia wouldn't give up and let Nathan go but because he wanted her to he had caused her to collapse and end up in the hospital.
Nathan grabbed hold of Elliot's hand as they walked into Olivia's hospital room. Apart from the heart monitor, IV and feeding tube Olivia just looked like she was sleeping.
"This is all my fault." Nathan hiccupped.
"No it isn't." Elliot reassured.
"But my nightmares…"
"Has nothing to do with it Nathan, if she would have only been getting up to deal with your nightmares she would have been fine but Captain Cragen had her doing lots of paper work which she would do while you were sleeping so she wasn't getting any sleep at all, she won't blame you either Nath I promise." Elliot reassured.
Nathan nodded and slowly made his way over to her bed. He still couldn't believe that she had ended up in hospital and seeing her in the bed looking so peaceful he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"I'm sorry Mom." Nathan whispered as he slipped his hand into hers. "I hope you're better soon."
A soft moan passed through Olivia's lips that scared him a little but then it gave him some hope that she wouldn't die like his father, mother and aunt Gina, even if they had been killed not like Olivia.
"Mom, please wake up." Nathan said giving Olivia's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Nathan?" She questioned with a frown.
"Right here Mom, right here." He told her gently, he just wanted her to wake up and tell him she was ok.
"Nathan." She groaned again and her eyes fluttered open slowly, no one was sure if she was waking or if it was just a reaction but when she looked directly at Nathan and gave his hand a squeeze then they knew she was awake.
"What happened?" She croaked turning to look at Elliot who was sure she hadn't even noticed him but it was obvious that he was wrong.
"You were exhausted, dehydrated and lacking nutrients Liv." Elliot explained coming closer to the bed.
"Ugh." She groaned and closed her eyes again.
"You're going to be ok Mom." Nathan said giving her hand another squeeze.
"I know." She whispered. "Sorry if you got scared mate." She whispered giving his hand another squeeze.
"I'm never scared." He teased before leaning over the cot side and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"So when can I get out of here?" She asked turning to look at Elliot again.
"Liv…"
"I know I know but what about Nathan?" She asked knowing that she had no family that could take care of him.
"He can come to mine or I can stay in yours whichever is easiest." Elliot replied knowing that the last thing Olivia needed was additional worries when she was here.
"Mine is closest to school." Olivia said as she subconsciously stroked Nathan's hand with her thumb.
"Ok I'll stay in yours." Elliot said.
"You can use my bed El, Nathan's room is finished, the new drapes and duvet is on the bed ready to be put in place if you can do that then that would be a big help." Olivia smiled she was really grateful to him.
"I'll sort it Liv, you get some rest you look zonked." Elliot told her softly giving her cheek a gentle stroke.
"Take Nathan home El, I don't want him hanging around here." Olivia said. "Love you Nathan."
"Love you too Mom." Nathan said kissing her once again before allowing Elliot to lead him outside.
"How is she?" Don asked quickly.
"She's tired, I think she's gone back to sleep, I've said I'll take Nathan but …"
"I'll stay Elliot don't worry she won't be alone." Don reassured. "I'll send everyone else home and tell them to come back tomorrow."
"Thanks Don I appreciate it." Elliot said shaking his hand even though he wanted to throttle him, he needed the man with Olivia.
"I'd do it anytime you know that." Cragen reassured and he watched Elliot and Nathan go before he made his way to Olivia's room knowing that for now Elliot had forgotten for now that it was all his fault.
He closed the door quietly and slipped into the seat beside a sleeping Olivia and slipped his hand into hers.
"I'm so sorry Liv. I'm so sorry this is all my fault and I don't know if you'll ever forgive me for what I did but I know that this is all my fault. I wish I never thought that you couldn't do this with Nathan, that boy loves you and you love him and I am not going to get in your way if you'll let me I'll give you all the support that you need because I'm your father figure, I am the man who is supposed to be there for you and support you in every way and I am not going to be the one to stop you. When all this goes to court I am going to be the person stood behind you cheering you both on. I promise that you'll never be allowed to do any of this alone, you don't have a choice anymore Liv I'm behind you ever step of the way because I love you." He was in tears by the end.
"I love you too." She said finally opening her tear filled eyes.
"Liv." He whispered getting to his feet.
"It wasn't your fault, you were right Don I couldn't… can't do it all…" She cried.
"Yes you can, with the right support you can do it Liv, Nathan… Nathan needs you now, you can't turn your back on him." Don reassured.
"I'm just so tired…"
"Then close your eyes and go to sleep Liv, I'll be here when you wake up." He promised.
"Ok." She whispered. "I love you Don."
"I love you too Liv sleep tight." He whispered but she was asleep as soon as the words left his mouth.
