Chapter 13
It was six days after Olivia got shot by Atkins. The brunette was still in a coma. She was breathing on her on since yesterday. Alex had kept her word and hadn't left the Detective's side. The guys were all back to work and Alex was alone in the hospital. Doctor Brown allowed more people to visit Olivia. Only 2 people at the time and not longer then 10 minutes at the time. Since Alex wasn't gonna leave Olivia's side it meant one other person was allowed to visit Olivia. The guys made a schedule for who was gonna visit Olivia. They included Liz and Lena Petrovsky in their schedule. One of them would visit Olivia in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. It was 9 am when Amanda knocked at the door of Olivia's room. She was the first visitor today. Alex looked up to the door and saw Amanda standing in front of it and motioned the blonde Detective to come in. Amanda opens the door and walked in closing the door softly behind her.
"How is she doing?" Amanda asked Alex. Pulling a chair to the other side of Olivia's bed.
"She's still in a coma." Alex answers.
"She's not responding to something?"
"No. She is not responding at all."
"How are ya holding up?"
"I'm fine."
"Have ya been eating the last days?"
"Yes. The nurses have brought me something to eat. I don't want to leave Liv alone to get something to eat."
"I know. But it's hospital food it can't be that good. How about I get ya some proper breakfast? I can sit here for the rest of the time when I come back."
"That's nice of you to offer but you don't have to. I don't want to impose."
"You're not. I'm offering it. Now do ya want it or not?"
"Yes, I would like that. A real breakfast would be nice. Thank you, Amanda."
"No need to thank me. It's the least I can do. Now what do ya want?"
"Pancakes and scrambled eggs with toast, please."
"Ok. Ya want something to drink? Coffee, tea or something else?"
"A cup of tea, please."
"Ok. Pancakes, scrambled eggs with toast and a cup off tea. I will be back in 30 minutes." Amanda says standing up and leaving Olivia's room.
30 minutes later Amanda was back with breakfast and a cup of tea for Alex. The two of them had some small talk while Alex was eating. After 10 minutes Amanda stands up.
"Well I'm leaving. If there is anything I can do or one of the guys, just let us know." Amanda says.
"Who is falling in for me now that I'm here?" Alex asks.
"Casey Novak. I don't know her. She just passed the bar exam. I can't believe they assigned some rookie to our unit. Fin and Munch say that she is ok. That she's good. Well not as good as ya are but a good second best. I don't know about that." Amanda answers.
"Casey Novak? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Why, do ya know her?"
"Yes. She was my successor when I left SVU to go into Witsec. She isn't a rookie Amanda. She is the second best ADA in SVU history. You couldn't be luckier then having her assigned to the unit. But it's temporary till I come back. I can't believe that Casey would do that."
"Oh damn. I didn't know that. But from what I've heard she ain't here temporary. Liz said that the case load is big enough for the both of ya. I guess that if Liv come back to SVU there won't be a conflict of interest then."
"She is back permanently? Well there are enough cases to work on for the both of us. Wait a second, what do you mean with conflict of interest?"
"Oh come on Alex, I ain't that stupid. Do ya really think that I don't know Liv and ya are together. The way ya two acted made that clear to me and if I hadn't know it by that I sure would now it when we were in the safe house. Don't worry I won't talk about it and neither does Munch or Fin. But it is a good thing that Novak is with us too now, no conflict of interest. She can take Olivia's cases."
"Yes if you look it that way. It really is a good thing that Casey is back. And thank you for keeping it to yourself, about us I mean. Liv and I. Who else is coming today? And can you add Casey to list of visitors, please?"
" Yes of course. I'll tell the Captain to add her to the list ad your request. Now Fin is coming this afternoon and Cragen tonight. That is if we don't catch a new case of course. I don't now who is coming if we do have a new case."
"Well if you catch a new case, ask if Liz or Casey are available. If and only if you all have to work on that case."
"Sure no problem. I mean it Alex, if there is anything we or I can do, please let us know. You're not alone in this. We want ya to know that."
"Thank you, Amanda. And thanks for the breakfast and tea."
"That's ok. Ya need to eat good, otherwise Olivia is gonna kick our asses if she finds out. Well I really need to go now. See ya soon and take care, Alex."
"See you soon. Bye Amanda."
"Bye Alex."
And with that Amanda left Olivia's room and closed the door behind her. Alex took back her spot in the chair next to Olivia's bed. She took Olivia's hand in hers and talked to her again. Hoping that somehow the brunette would hear her, knew that she was there. It was 3pm when Alex was talking to Olivia again and didn't hear the knock on the door or that it was opened.
"I know you always want me safe but why did you do this, Liv? Why did you risked your own life?" Alex asks.
"To safe yours like she always will do."
Alex turned her head and sees Casey standing in the door opening.
"Hi Casey."
"Hi Alex."
Casey walks inside and closes the door.
"No offense, but how do you know that?"
"None taken. Because if our Badass Detective hasn't changed since I left that is what she always will do. After a rather difficult almost violent start we became close. That's how I know it."
Alex looked at Olivia and back to Casey.
"Liv never told me the of you were involved." Alex says with the pain clearly in her voice.
"Don't worry Alex. We never were involved, not that way. We became close friends. There is, was and always will be only one ADA in Liv's heart and soul and that is you. Why did you think our start was so difficult and almost violent? Because I made the biggest mistake you can make if it comes to Olivia Benson. And that was the way I introduced myself."
"How can you screw up that?" Alex asks surprised.
"Simple. Shoot yourself in your foot when she asks you who the hell you are and answer with "I'm your new ADA, Casey Novak. I'm the replacement of Alex Cabot.". If looks could kill I'm pretty sure I was dead now. I've learned the hard way that ADA Alexandra Cabot is irreplaceable in Liv's eyes. After a while she trusted me but she will never trust any ADA like she trusts you, Alex."
Alex had the good grace to blush at that answers.
"No way. I certainly am replaceable. Although I have to admit that it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do." Alex answers.
"Probably, how about certainly? She literally said "Nobody can replace Alex Cabot.". Her words." Casey answers with a smile.
"Wow. Casey, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I should have kept my mouth shut when I saw the look on her face when I told her I was the new ADA. Anyway, we got over that. After a while I learned how important you are to her. She would do the exact same thing again if she had too. Well enough about that. How is she doing?"
"She's still in a coma. She died 3 times on the table but they were able to get her back each time. Truthfully the Doctor still don't know if she ever wakes up or how she will be when she does."
"She will make it, Alex. Why do you think they were able to get her back 3 times. Because of you. She will fight to come back to you. It may take a while but she will come back. I just know she will."
"How can you be so sure of that, when even the Doctor don't know if she will wake up?"
"Because the Doctor don't know her. Not like you and I do. I've never met anyone so stubborn in my whole life as Olivia Benson. Let me tell you something. When I joined the SVU she was broken, devastated. I heard about her long before I was assigned to SVU. How she was this strong, tough and dedicated Detective. She wasn't when I met her. She wasn't herself for a very long time. I saw the look in her eyes when you came back for the Connors trial. The few days you were there I saw the real Olivia Benson. That was when I knew you are irreplaceable, how much you really mean to her. We talked a lot in our friendship but very often our conversation somehow came up to you. When we talked about you, I saw her eyes lighten up. She had a sparkle in them when she talked about you. Because of all that I know she will make it, that she will come back to you."
"I know it was hard for her but I didn't know it was that hard."
"Even when you were gone she would everybody's head off when they said something about you that she didn't like. She has always defended you and she always will. Get used to it Counselor, you are the only person that counts for her."
"As she is for me. That is why I won't leave her side. I won't leave this hospital until she will be released."
"I know that. I wouldn't aspect otherwise. All I can ask of you is to take care of her. Which I know you will do."
"You've got that right. Amanda told me you are reassigned to SVU. Welcome back, Counselor."
"Thank you. Liz asked me if I would be interested to come back to SVU. To co work with you. For some reason only Manhattan SVU had only one ADA. And you and I both know how big the case load is. So when Liz asked me I was glad I could return to SVU. I am looking forward to work with you. With the best ADA SVU ever had."
"Oh come, Casey. You are just as good as I am, at least. Liv will be thrilled when she finds out that you're back. She always speaks very highly about you."
"You know Alex, perhaps deep inside, but you know too that Liv is coming back. You keep saying when and not if, when you're talking about Liv. And when she comes back to SVU, the perps won't know what hit them when they hear they are founded guilty. The three of us on a tag team will be a very good combination."
"I guess you are right. Perhaps deep down inside I know it. I just don't dare to hope it. I'm scared or afraid that she won't make it. And you are right, they don't know what hit them. The two best ADA in the history of SVU and the best Detective of NYPD together is certainly a good combination."
"Yes it is. Now I have to go. I will be back as soon as I can and allowed to. Take care of Liv and of yourself. If there is anything you need or I can do for you just name it."
"Well there is something you can do for me. Would you mind go to my apartment and get some fresh clothes and something to read? I haven't changed my clothes in 3 days. And I would like to read to Liv."
"Sure. No problem. What do need me to get for you?"
"Just some jeans and bottom down shirts. Some underwear and bra's. Toiletries. A few books and my my mp4 player and the speakers. The clothes are in my walk in closet. Toiletries in the bathroom. The books are in my office as are the mp4 and speakers."
"Ok. Consider it done. I will be back tonight. Do you have your keys here? And what is your address?"
Alex walks to her coat and pulls out the keys.
"Here are the keys. The address is 40 W 86 st. Top floor. As for the books. Pick out a few John Grisham books. Liv loves them and so do I."
"Ok. If nothing comes up I'll be here around 8 pm. Do I need to bring us some take out too? We can eat together if you like."
"That would be nice. Take something you like, I almost like everything. 8 pm is fine."
"Ok 8 pm it is.."
Casey bows to Olivia's ear and whispers in it.
"Hey Liv, it's Casey. You do know that some hot blonde by the name of Alex Cabot is waiting for you to wake up? So come back soon, she needs you. I'll be back tonight."
'See you tonight, Alex."
"See you tonight, Casey. Thank you for coming by and for going to my apartment."
"No problem. Just take care of your girl, Cabot."
"I will. Bye, Casey."
"Bye, Alex."
After Casey left, Alex turns back to Olivia.
"So I'm irreplaceable huh, Detective? Good to know. But did you really need to bite Casey's head of the first time you two met? Well I'm glad you and Casey became friends. I know how rear you let somebody inside. I'm so sorry that you had to go trough such a hard time after I … I got shot. I didn't know it was that hard for you. I promise you to never piss off the head of what ever powerful drugs cartel there is. I just wish you come back to me. I miss you and I need you. I love you, Liv. I know it takes time, but I never was the most patient person there is, was I? I want to go on a date with you, Olivia Benson. Sooner rather then later. So you better wake up, Detective. I can't go on a date with you all by myself, can I? Ok, I know that even if you wake up right now it's gonna take a while before you will be able to go on date, but hey a girl can dream. I can wait until you are ready for that. But I really really want you to wake up. I miss those beautiful brown eyes and that 1000 watt smile on your face. I just miss you. I want to lay down in your strong arms and feel safe, loved and wanted. And the only person I feel that way, are you. Nobody else has ever made me feel like that and no one else will be able to make me feel like that ever again. There is only one Detective Olivia Benson and I'm happen to be very much in love with her."
Alex leans over to Olivia and kisses her lips softly. Then she settles back in her chair to look at the brunette. After half an hour she stands up to go to the toilet in the bathroom of Olivia's room. Alex is in the bathroom when she thinks she heard her name whispered. She runs out the bathroom.
"Lex?"