When the Walls Come Tumbling Down Chapter 21
I don't own SVU or its characters.
Elliot let the hot water pour over him. He wasn't supposed to let his stitches get wet, but that was the last thing on his mind at this point. His body ached, his muscles were sore, and his heart was full. He knew better than to second guess or wonder why, but it was sometimes impossible not to. With Johnston and Frank dead, he was at a loss as to what to do with his anger, his rage.
He had left Olivia at the hospital to return to his apartment for a shower and a change of clothes. His mind drifted while the water soothed his exhausted body. He pictured his partner every time he closed his eyes. He forced his mind to replace the images of her hurt with the memories he wanted to remember of her making love to him. It seemed so long ago that she allowed him to touch her and to love her. He had to really think now to remember what day it was and how long it really had been since he had dropped the bomb on her that not only was he separated, but divorced.
He turned the water off once it had grown cold and listened to the eerie silence of his lonely home. He missed the everyday hustle and bustle of a home filled with five kids. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a comfortable t-shirt before lying back on his bed. His back screamed at him to relax and rest, just for a little while. He stared at the ceiling, feeling is eyes growing heavy. So much had happened over the last few days, he struggled to remember when the last time he had slept for any more than an hour at a time. His head hurt bad as he wondered if Olivia would mind if he was a little longer returning in favor of a nap. He knew she would want him to sleep. She had asked him more than once to go and get some rest. He just hated leaving her, hated leaving her alone to deal with any of this mess on her own.
Elliot forced his eyes open when he realized he was losing consciousness. He didn't want to sleep despite his body's need. He wanted to get back to the hospital, back to his partner, back to the woman he realized he couldn't live without. His body gave out on him as he couldn't stop the darkness from over taking him.
Olivia woke to a quiet, darkened room. She had no idea what time it was or how long she had been out. She immediately looked for Elliot, feeling the disappointment set in when she realized he had left. Her mind told her he probably went home for a bit, but it was her heart that worried her. What if he realized how much of a screwed up mess she really was now? What if he realized he had made a mistake by loving her and needed his distance? What if…she couldn't be his partner anymore? That thought made her sigh out loud. They couldn't be partners anymore. Nothing would be the same. The precinct was gone. Cragen would most likely call it quits even if he made a complete recovery. She had no choice but to call it quits herself, whether she was ready to or not.
She took in a deep breath and pulled herself up to a sitting position. Her ribs were screaming at her with every movement. She briefly wondered exactly how many were broken, but then decided it didn't matter. One was enough to cause tremendous pain and she definitely was feeling her share of pain and then some. She pulled the covers back and let her eyes fall on her legs. She lifted her gown and took in the fact that her leg was gone. She fought the vulnerable feeling that tried to consume her as she let her hands travel the length of her thigh, stopping at the end of the bandaged stump. It was simply gone.
She closed her eyes not wanting to believe that she was actually now considered handicapped. She didn't want to accept that she wouldn't be able to do anything she wanted or needed to do. She thought about how hard it was to get to Elliot back at the safe house. She shook her head at her own thought, the safe house. She hadn't felt safe since she was in Elliot's arms and she had no idea how long ago that really was. The last few days had all run together as she briefly wondered what day it was now.
Elliot could hear her screams. The sound of his strong, tough partner screaming in pain and for him forced him to continue on through the burning building as it collapsed around him. He couldn't find her anywhere, but he could hear her. She was hurting bad and her screams were enough to make him want to die. He looked for her everywhere, but he couldn't see her. He heard her though and it was enough to keep him moving. He had to find her, he had to help her.
Elliot finally found her. They were at the safe house and Frank was preparing to rape her. She wasn't screaming, she wasn't moving. She had accepted her fate and had given up. He forced himself off the floor and fought to clear his vision from the blood that had run into his eyes. He was immediately on the son of a bitch that once again was hurting his partner. He felt every punch Frank landed but knew it was necessary to protect his partner from suffering at his hands anymore.
He heard the gunshot and felt the room suddenly stop spinning. It was quiet as he only was able to hear his own breathing. His eyes traveled from Frank who was now face down on the floor next to him to his partner who was across the room with a gun in her hand. She hadn't given up. She had saved his ass as Frank was going to kill him easily. He willed his body to move, to get to her. She was in so much pain she could barely move. He took in her position and realized how difficult a shot she had just made. Her range of motion was restricted due to her injuries, her sight was compromised due to the severe swelling of her eye. And the death grip she had on the gun was with her left hand. How ironic was that?
His heart burned as the anger flared as he realized just how far Frank had gotten to completing what would ultimately destroy his partner. That is if he let her live. Her body was so broken and bruised. He stripped off his shirt to cover her, he had to do something to protect her.
He could feel his heart rate increase and his breath quicken as her hands traveled him. He could feel her breath on his face as she worked his body with hers. He could taste her when he kissed her and he could feel the warmth throughout his body when he entered her. He watched her as she closed her eyes lost to his touch. She was beautiful in every way.
Her screams startled him as he pulled himself off her. He looked down to see the bruises and the blood. She was in pain and was pleading with him to help her. Her grip on his arms made him realize the extent of her torment. He could feel his heart shattering as he watched her beg him. She was begging him to make the pain stop. Why couldn't he help her.
Elliot's body jerked violently as his eyes shot opened. He struggled to get his breath. A dream. Okay, it was only a dream. He slowly let his legs fall over the edge of the bed as he sat with his head in his hands. He wished it was only a bad nightmare but he knew it was real. Olivia had been in such pain and was still struggling with it. None of it had been a dream but a very realistic nightmare.
Olivia watched the sunrise from her bed, totally fixated on how the morning light seemed to tame the angry darkness. She was distracted by the nurse who came in to complete her rounds.
"Good Morning, Miss Benson. How'd you sleep?" Olivia never understood how these nurses seemed to be so full of energy after working a full shift, overnight at that.
"Is that a trick question?" Olivia tried to contain the sarcasm.
She watched as the nurse checked her blood pressure. "How's the pain level?"
"I could use a refill." Olivia glanced to the empty bag hanging on the I.V. pole.
"I'm sorry, but it hasn't been long enough for more morphine. I could bring you some Tylenol."
Olivia glared at the young nurse, trying to choose her words carefully. "I really don't think Tylenol is going to cut it. I've been in pain all night and I'm dying here." Olivia's voice changed from strong arming to pleading.
"I'll check with the doctor, Miss Benson." Olivia watched the nurse as she jotted down a few details and headed out of the room.
"It's Detective Benson." Olivia mumbled to nobody as she once again focused on the morning sun as it brightened her room.
Elliot knocked lightly before pushing open the door. His hands were full and he nearly tripped as he made his way into the room. Olivia couldn't help but smile as she watched the show.
Elliot set two coffee cups down on the side table by her bed. "I know how you need your morning caffeine." He then placed flowers in an empty vase that he had seen in the window sill. "Your room is boring, figured these would help, and every cop needs doughnuts."
Olivia couldn't help but laugh, almost stopping immediately due to pain. "Elliot, every cop does not NEED doughnuts. That's just a myth."
"Oh, well I need doughnuts. I might even share, if you're nice to me." Elliot was pleased to see Olivia smile. Her face was an even uglier shade of purple as bruises tended to get worse before better.
Olivia was pleased to see Elliot looking better. He had obviously gotten some rest and that alone made her smile. Elliot glanced up as he took a bite of a doughnut to see his partner eyeing him. "What? I can't eat hospital crap food. I need real food."
Olivia smiled at him as she thought about the coffee that seemed so far away. Her thoughts were interrupted by more knocking. She glanced at Elliot as the door slowly opened. Elliot tossed his doughnut back into the box when his eyes fell on Tucker and two IAB officers. Munch followed the group in giving Elliot an apologetic look.
"Detective Benson, Stabler. I hope this isn't a bad time." Lt. Tucker kept his eyes trained away from Olivia's face.
"Actually it is." Elliot started. "We were having breakfast, so it you wouldn't mind…"
"Actually, we need to get an official statement from Detective Benson, so if you wouldn't mind…" Tucker had no problem staring Elliot down.
Olivia looked to Munch who simply shrugged at the interaction between the two men.
Elliot moved to Olivia's side when he noticed the dreaded look cross her features. "Can't it wait. It's not like we have a trial date or anything."
"No, it can't. Only her commanding officer may be present, so if you'll excuse us, Stabler." Lt. Tucker pulled out a small notebook and a pen.
"That's if she's being interrogated." Elliot glanced from Tucker to the other men and then back to Tucker. Realization then hit hard. "Are you kidding me!"
Munch moved over and placed his hand on Elliot's shoulder. Olivia looked Tucker in the eye as she quietly spoke to Elliot. "It's okay, El. Let me get this over with."
Elliot leaned down to speak directly to her. "Olivia, fuck them. You don't have to do this. It was a clean shoot all the way."
"I'll get your version next, Stabler. Out!" Tucker gave an order and Elliot thought hard about refusing it.
"It'll be okay." Olivia grabbed Elliot's hand knowing he was planning on causing a scene by going up against Tucker. "Go on down to the nurse's station, tell them no interruptions. I want to get this over with."
Elliot stared into her eyes hating that she had to face this alone. He hated that she was being forced to defend her actions when she should be considered a hero. He knew he would have to deal with Tucker and his boys next. He hadn't had a chance to talk to Olivia about what happened while he was unconscious. He needed to know what she planned on leaving out. He needed to be able to protect her against the brass who always seemed to have a beef with one or both of them.
Much pulled Elliot's arm to get him to comply. Olivia's eyes told him she'd be okay, so he reluctantly left the room with Munch. "Come on, hurry." John jogged down to the nurse's station.
Elliot was confused but followed John. They arrived just as the nurse answered the call coming from Olivia's room.
"I'm sorry. I hit the button by mistake." Elliot could hear the nerves in her voice as he watched the nurse answer.
John quickly gestured to the nurse not to disconnect the call. Elliot now understood why John had made him hurry. Olivia wanted him there to hear the conversation so he would be prepared when they interrogated him. John put his finger to his lips to direct the nurses to stay quiet as Tucker's voice filled the nurse's station. Elliot cleared the area so that just he and John would hear the details Olivia was about to deliver.
Elliot began to pace as Olivia began to speak. He needed to know everything so that he could protect her. His heart raced as he wondered how much he could stand to hear. He hated that Tucker wanted to make her out to be a damaged cop involved in a bad shoot. She was a hero and he hated that she was being interrogated and not celebrated.