LOST AND REDEEMED 6

"I'm worried about her mental state" doctor Stevens spoke. She slightly bowed her head, deciding what to say, "She's not responding..."

"What do you mean, doc?" Elliot asked suspiciously. His head was spinning. He was sick of the noise in his ears.

"She's in a catatonic state. She won't talk, won't cry, won't scream, and won't even move actually. She's not functioning at all. I suggest she's in shock and..."

"She's in shock," Elliot repeated, "But she'll be fine, won't she?" he was anxious, he was feeling lost, he was unhappy, he was nervous, he was tense, he was curious, he was impatient, he was depressed, he was scared... He was... He was everything... He was nothing, without her, he mentally added.

"To be honest detective, I don't know."

"She hates hospitals... She hates hospitals..." Elliot kept saying, "maybe if I could just take her out of here..."

"Well..." the doctor cut in, "I don't think this is a good idea, detective!" she smiled slightly, "we should wait."

"Can we... Can I... Can we see her?"

"Sure, this way..."

Elliot put his hand on the door and weakly pushed it open, not knowing what to expect, not daring to expect anything. He opened the door only to see his partner lying in her hospital bed, staring into the emptiness, pale and obviously in pain. The woman he had known for almost ten years, one of the most strongest and most beautiful people in the world, his dear partner, seemed so calm but extremely depressed at the same time. It was odd.

One thing only Liv could do, he thought.

She was chilled, breathing harshly in one minute, and then she was peaceful but clammy. There was a neck protector around her neck. Her face and arms were bruised. He couldn't dare to imagine the rest of her body. She was just there, before his eyes, injured, beaten and weak, in her bed, and suffering so much. He just wanted to hold her and cry for the rest of the day.

Elliot was furious and terrorized.. He felt extremely cold yet he was sweating underneath. He sucked in some air and held it. He breathed in again, a huge gulp of oxygen. He rested his head on the door frame behind him with a soft thud. His thoughts were spinning untempered through his head. His mind was numb, he looked down at his feet. It was minutes later he finally found the courage to approach the bed and sit on the chair beside his dearest Liv.

Donald Cragen, who was not so brave about entering the room, slowly walked inside after Elliot. He suddenly burst in tears as he saw the person whom he loved as a daughter in such a vulnerable state. He couldn't help but sob loudly. Olivia flinched at his voice. He couldn't take it anymore and slowly walked out of the room, entrusting her to Elliot.

Elliot turned his head and looked at Olivia's empty eyes. "Liv.." he wispered. She didn't seem to notice. He felt some kind of strange relief. Seeing her, no mather how bad and desperate she looked, brought him a solid feeling of security. For the first time in days, he finally rested his head, just near hers, and closed his eyes...

"Elliot" there was a weak whisper...

"Elliot!" again. His eyes flipped open first, blinked, then just stared.

"Wha..." He rapidly pushed himself up.

She was looking at him with teary, red eyes. She was weak and tired but yet she smiled.

"Liv! You alright?" he asked, standing up in a hurry. He panicked suddenly, "I'll go get doctor Stevens!"

"No!" she moaned, "El, wait!" She raised her hand and faintly reached for him, "Don't... leave..."

He turned around and grabbed her hand.

"Oh, Liv! I was so scared! So... so much scared!" he cired.

She kept smiling as a single tear escaped from her eye. "I'm fine," she whispered.

Elliot chuckled to the statement, "Yeah yeah, you are..."

"I thought I was gonna lose you, Liv. I was terrified! I don't know how life would be without you!"

"But you have me now." she kept looking him in the eye.

"Yeah, I do!" he put his hand on her forehead and slowly removed the hair from her face.

"I love you!" he suddenly said, caresing one of her cheeks, "Oh Liv, I love you so much!"

She didn't respond. He regretted what he had said, "I'm sorry. I... I didn't..."

"No, don't be sorry." she spoke. Her face flinched for a second, and then light up with a sensuous smile, "El, you know I love you, too." She was clearly in pain and discomfort. She tried to fake another smile but she failed.

"Liv, what's wrong? Tell me where is hurting?"

She moaned as the pain flowed through her body. Tears seeped from the corners of her eyes. "Oh God!" she cried out.

"OLIVIA!"

"Don't cry!" she ordered boldly, grinding out. She whimpered. Eyelids fluttering, and her grip slowly loosening she began to lose her consciousness, "I love you..."

"No, no, no, no! Olivia! NO! Just stay with me, Liv! LIV!" Elliot screamed.

The last trace of color disappeared from her cheek, she slowly gave her last breath.

"O-L-I-V-I-A-!"

Again, he opened his eyes to the reality from his nightmare and saw her eyes were wide open and she was depressed from his tense voice screaming her name. She started kicking and moving really quickly and suddenly, almost in crazy, jerking movements. Beeping sounds suddenly covered the room as doctors rushed to her side. Her breath became more irregular as if gulping her air. She noticed as strange silhouettes surrounded her. She panicked. She was not capable of controlling her own body. She kept screaming, flinching with every touch before yelping out in pain. She just wanted to die.

Suddenly, she heard his voice again, calling her name. She was just focused on him. And she felt his soft touch on her cheek. The hand on her face was like her link to life. There he was, strong and confident, willing to protect her against any harm. He was her shield. As he kept caressing her forehead, whispering her name, miraculously she calmed down. Her eyes were closed now. She kept trembeling and groaning, but then she was finally calm. Her face was so peaceful, the pain and stress of the day left her when sleep took over her weary body. Her chest rose and fell softly with her breath, a small smile on her lips. Elliot stared at her in wonder, amazed at how strong and innocent she looked when the ravages of her life were freed by peaceful slumber...

Doctor George Huang, who was standing in the door frame, watching everything from his spot, was extremely amazed to see the connection between his two dear friends.

"You know what, Elliot" he spoke smiling, "I think YOU should take her home..."

tbc...