When the Walls Come Tumbling Down Chapter 12

I don't own SVU or it's characters.

A/N: Wanted to give a shout out to Jennylyne for her help on the last couple of chapters. The woman is crazy (I mean that in a good way)! Awesome writer, I love her stories. P.S. Is writer's block supposed to come at every chapter? Anyway, on with the story…

Elliot could feel every turn and every bump in the road on his way to the hospital. His head was throbbing and he felt as if his heart was bleeding out. He kept forcing his exhausted eyes open in hopes of avoiding the images of his wounded partner that invaded his mind. He was failing miserably as all he could hear was her painful screams and the pleading in her voice when she called for him. He hated himself for not being able to protect her. Once again he got to her after Johnston, when it was too late.

He forced his thoughts off of her and back to the precinct. It was literally a war zone and he had no idea who survived and who didn't. Olivia would be even more devastated if Cragen didn't make it. Elliot knew the squad at the one-six was like her family; Cragen being the closest thing she ever had to a father. He slammed his fists down on the stretcher as anger was suddenly the only thing he felt.

"Lie still, Detective." the paramedic that was tending to him was a young woman who had strikingly similar eyes to his partner. Elliot stared at her as she talked to him. He didn't hear anything she was saying, but was mesmerized by the way her eyes comforted him just by looking into his. Olivia was able to do that to him and it was almost as if the young medic was in some way here because Olivia couldn't be.

"Where's my partner?" Elliot kept his eyes trained on hers.

"There were quite a few officers already transported out. Was he hurt bad?" Her voice was similar as well. Elliot assumed that caring, comforting voice came with the profession.

"She. Olivia Benson." Elliot focused on her name badge. "Taylor. What's your name?"

"Jessica."

"That's nice. Pretty name." Elliot closed his eyes as Jessica carefully cleaned the blood from his face.

Jessica smiled before she answered his earlier question. "I think Olivia is probably already at the hospital."

Elliot opened his eyes quickly. "Do you know her?"

Jessica placed her hand on Elliot's shoulder. He didn't realized he started to sit up. "Yes. You need to stay still, your head is still bleeding pretty bad."

Elliot relaxed into the stretcher. "She's hurt pretty bad."

"I know." Jessica's voice was soft as she kept her hand on his shoulder. "You're not doing too well yourself."

Elliot sighed. "Have you heard about Captain Cragen?" Elliot spoke with his eyes closed.

Jessica didn't have an answer for him, but it didn't matter. Elliot had finally relaxed enough to succumb to unconsciousness.

Olivia was bordering hysteria as she was loaded into the ambulance. She had been given morphine to help with the pain, but nothing was giving her relief. She frantically grabbed at the paramedics pleading for them to get Elliot for her. Once inside the decision was made to restrain her to the stretcher and administer a sedative. The paramedics were gentle enough, careful not to cause her any more pain than she was already dealing with. Olivia fought them despite the pain as her arms were strapped down at her sides. She was confused and disoriented and scared. Olivia Benson was scared to death.

It didn't take long for the sedative to work, and slowly Olivia settled down. Her face was streaked with sweat and tears. Her arms still covered in blood from shattered glass and her leg… She fought to keep her eyes open but eventually gave up and let the blackness consume her.

The emergency room was buzzing with activity as victim after victim was brought in from the 16th precinct. Fin had made his way in after being assured for the third time that Manny Johnston was dead and none of the casualties were William Frank. He grew increasingly agitated when nobody would stop to help him. He decided he would head into the back where somebody would be forced to address him, when he stopped dead in his tracks. Captain Cragen was being wheeled in with an oxygen mask covering his face. Fin hurried to his side stopping the stretcher.

Cragen raised his hand motioning for Fin to come closer. "Liv?"

"She's here, Cap?" Fin prayed that would be enough for now and was relieved when it was.

"Get that looked at now, Detective." Cragen tried to use his captain's voice as he pointed to Fin's head.

Fin was pushed aside as they wheeled Cragen back into the emergency room. He looked around at the chaos and wondered if Olivia had been brought in yet. He tried to get answers, but was told it would be a few minutes by everyone he asked. Fin marched hit the button to the automatic door and marched into the busy emergency room. He found Elliot waiting on the doctor. He had what seemed to be a four inch gash down the side of his face and another two inch one on his forehead. Fin slid into Elliot's bay trying not to startle him as he noticed his eyes closed. Elliot sensed someone come in and his face showed at least a little relief.

"Where's Liv?" Elliot grabbed Fin's shirt.

"I don't know. Can't get any answers. Cragen was just brought in." Fin's expression told Elliot that he didn't know how bad he was hurt either.

"Frank?" Elliot stared Fin down.

"Johnston's dead. Frank's gone."

"Find her! Get uniforms on her!" Elliot tried to get up, but Fin stopped him. "Fin, stay with her, please."

"I will, El." Fin assured him as he cursed himself for overlooking the threat that was still in all their faces.

"Shoot the fucker when you find him. Don't kill him, Fin. Hurt him. Hurt him bad!" Elliot called out as Fin shuffled through the emergency room daring any of the hospital staff to stop him.

Fin found her eventually. She was being attended to by several doctors. He immediately approached them demanding answers. A younger doctor pulled away and attempted to usher Fin back out to the waiting room.

"I ain't leaving. How bad is she?" Fin looked the doctor's shoulder trying to get a look for himself.

"She's sedated right now. We were told she was hysterical in the bus and they were worried about further injury." the doctor seems helpful enough.

"Yeah, well that's no surprise. Our house got blown the fuck up. She's been through more hell than any one person ever deserves." Fin shook his head as even the doctor seemed to feel for her.

He walked with Fin a few feet from Olivia and lowered his voice. "Has she been on the force long?"

"Detective 12 years now. Why?" Fin's features hardened instinctively knowing bad news was coming.

"They're prepping her for surgery. Chances don't look too good that they will be able to save her leg."

Fin stared at the doctor as if he were the one to shoot Olivia. His heart sank with his words. He finally nodded realizing what he as telling him. "I can't leave her. The animal responsible is still at large."

"No offense, Detective, but I think she's pretty safe here. Especially with this many cops milling around here."

Fin glared at him forcing himself to keep it together. "The mother fucker blew up our precinct to get to her. The whole house full of cops. And he did." Fin motioned towards Olivia. "She ain't safe until he's dead."

The doctor took in Fin's words. "You can't go into the operating room, Sir."

"Get me a mask, I'm not leaving her." Fin ordered staring the young doctor down.

Elliot sucked in his breath as the needle was inserted into the open wound on his face. He had had plenty of stitches in his lifetime and he knew this to be the worst part. Just as soon as he relaxed the needle was inserted into his forehead.

"Sorry. I know that hurts." the young doctor appeared to be not even old enough to be out of school.

"Not nearly as bad as what my partner is dealing with." Elliot mumbled more to himself.

"I'm sorry, sir. It's terrible what happened."

Elliot stared at the kid doctor. "First gig?"

"Been on staff for six months now." the young doctor smiled while keeping his confidant demeanor.

"I need a favor, kid. I mean Doc." Elliot grimaced as he caught himself. The young man smiled at Elliot before nodding in agreement.

"I need to know about my partner. Olivia Benson. I need to know what's going on with her. I also need to know about our captain. Donald Cragen." Elliot knew the doc would help him.

"Benson's heading into surgery. They're going to try to save her leg. Cragen's at x-ray. Possible fractured back." Elliot gave the doctor a questioning look. "I was just helping with Benson. I've never seen an injury like that?"

Elliot figured as much. If he's only been on staff six month. Elliot had never seen an injury like that either and he has seen way too much in his career. "I know it's a guess, but what are the chances of saving her leg?"

The young doctor seemed to age within the short few moments it took him to form an answer. He nodded his head at Elliot before speaking. "I know I don't have the experience that most of these doctors around here do, but…"

"I want to know what you think?" Elliot's heart was pounding against his chest.

"I don't think there's any way. But we do have remarkable surgeons on staff here…" Elliot held his hand up stopping him.

"It's okay. I know it's bad, I saw it already." Elliot closed his eyes as the doctor finished stitching up his forehead.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Elliot nodded, refusing to open his eyes for fear of tears escaping. He couldn't cry in front of this young kid. His partner didn't deserve this. He watched her struggle to come back two years ago, and it was painful for him to watch. He knew it was hell for her. Now, Maria was dead, she would probably lose her leg, and most likely her career was over. The tears slipped down his face as he wondered how she would handle all of this. How they would handle all of this. He prayed she would let him help her. He prayed he would be able to help her.

He listened to the commotion throughout the emergency room. He wished it was enough to drown out the sound of her screams that he knew would always be in his head.