Chapter 7
Muffled voices are all around me. I can't make what they saying because of this loud, annoying beeping noise. My head is killing me and I need it to stop. My arms feel like cement. I feel like I'm tied up, oh no, Ray is back. I can't do this again. Please I will be good. I can't handle the pain anymore. Please El, come save me. Then I notice the voices don't sound like Ray. After all this time I must have been found. I need to see El. He has to be here. I try to open my eyes, but the lids are so heavy. Why can't I move? Please someone help me.
******EO****EO******
Elliot looks up for the first time since doctor walked into the room. He can't take this. The look on the doctor's face is solemn and he's afraid of what he will have to endure. This can't be the end, it can't be. He needs her to live for them, dammit, he's being selfish and he doesn't give a shit. They need each other. The doctor comes over and sits in the chair beside him.
The doctor begins, "Detective Benson condition has worsened with all our efforts. We changed the medication to see if it will help; it was the last resort. At this point nothing is working. I'm sorry but there isn't anything we can do at this point. " He wipes his hand down his face and continues, "We are allowing visitors if you want to see her. I have to tell you her physical condition is different from when we brought her in. Her bruising on her face is more profound. There are several machines hooked to her as well. Do you have any questions for me before you see her?"
The doctor just sits there and waits for him to respond. He doesn't' say anything or move at this point. He is still digesting that this will probably be the last time he sees her alive. It's the most horrible feeling of his entire life. He doesn't think he can handle this at all. She has always been his rock. What will he do after she is gone? The tears fall freely down his cheeks as his rocks back and forth.
The doctor gets up and leaves him there to grieve; but before he walks out he says, "When you are ready you can come back and see her."
******EO*****EO********
When Cragen gets to the hospital there is an eerie silence in the hall. Something's wrong, he thinks. As he reaches the waiting room, he sees Elliot is leaning over, with his head down. He walks over to him and before he can say anything. Elliot tells him what they have dreaded since the day they found out Olivia was missing.
He whispers with a sob, "She…she… isn't going… to make it Don. The…doctor…said there wasn't anything else for them to do. What am I going to do? I can't… I… God…" Then he falls to the floor on his knees crying. Cragen goes to him and put my hand on his shoulder and try to comfort him. Cragen is at a loss for words as he stands there trying to comprehend what he has just told. He tries to speak but the words do not come.
Suddenly, Elliot is up and heading out the door. Cragen tries to stop him, but he is gone. Cragen runs after him down to hall calling to him to stop; he continues on. When Cragen gets to the end of the hall, he sees Elliot standing in front of the double doors to the ICU. Elliot turns and looks at him then goes in. When Cragen tries to follow, but the nurse stops him and says only one at a time. He nods and head back to the waiting area.
******EO****EO*******
When Elliot stops at her door, he stands there for what seemed hours looking at her. She doesn't look like the partner that has been by his side for 12 years. She isn't the woman he made love to a few months ago for the first time. He can't believe this is what the end of her life will be. He rests his head on the door frame, closes his eyes, and prays for a miracle.
A few minutes later, the nurse bumps into him on the way in the room. Then he notices the loud beeping sound coming from the machines. Oh no! Not now. Please not now. She can't go now. He needs to talk to her and tell her to fight for us. Running over to the bed on the other side, he grabs her hand and begs her to wake up. He is practically screaming at her to fight. Then all of a sudden he feels it. It's a gentle grasp; he swallows hard and yells at the nurses to stop. Everyone in the room stands still looking at him and then there's a gentle grasp again. The nurse pages the doctor to come as soon as possible.
Gently he strokes her head and whispers, "Liv, you are going to be okay. Everything is okay." He closes his eyes and thanks the Lord for answering his prayer.
The doctor had asked him to leave the room, while they examined her. When the doctor finally comes out his look confuses Elliot. It's not the look he was expecting at all. He leans back against the wall waiting to here more bad news. The doctor motions him to come back in the room; he immediately walks in. The room is quiet and calm. There is a soft light on above her bed. He walks over to the side of the bed and looks at her, waiting for the doctor.
The doctor states, "It seems she is improving with the new medication are giving her. It took a little longer for it to take effect but it's helping her. Her blood work looks better than an hour ago. We are running more tests to…"
Elliot interrupts him, "So what are you saying, is she getting better or worse?"
The doctor looks over at her and says, "After examining her, her vitals are up. Her breathing is steadier than before and she is more comfortable. Her muscles seem to have relaxed which is a good sign she is beginning to recover. I'm sorry for jumping ahead of the situation and giving you bad information. An hour ago she was on the verge of death. It seems the new medication is working. There is one more thing I think you should know, Detective."
Brushing the hair out of her eyes, Elliot leans over and kisses her forehead. When he stands back up, the doctor says something that changes everything as he knows it.
TBC
What will the doctor say? Is it good or bad news? Will Cragen get the rape kit done?
