AN: Hmm, forgive my tardiness with the update, but I wasn't too sure about some things that I had written and I did not want to publish it before fixing them. I still have a few doubts, but it's more like when you take a test, if you didn't remember on the first try, you probably won't remember 5 seconds before you turn it in. It could happen but in this case once I had finished and reading it several times I finally decided to finalize it. If you have any questions or suggestions or whatever please let me know.

Since season 11 has been so disappointing so far, I think that I'm going to forget SVU as a tv show and am going to continue as before, reading fics and no suffering disappointment every Wednesday with the canon show. I mean, I know, they aren't going to pair AO, but WTF are they doing with the characters? Elliot is not a surprise, he is macho cop all the way and every one else be damned, but who is that OLIVIA? is scary. Sigh, Another good show that has gone down the drain.

Don't forget to review.

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Disclaimers see part 1

Chapter 15.2 Revelations

Tears ran liberally down the attorney's face, Olivia had recognized her, she knew she was there. Without being able to contain herself any longer Alex broke down in tears, tears of relief and happiness just knowing that Olivia would be fine. Soon she would be looking into her eyes and hearing her voice. Oh Liv. She took Olivia's hand that she had been holding to her lips and kissed it reverently as tears continued to track down her cheeks and the hours and days waiting in anguish disappeared just knowing that Liv would be well. She didn't know how much time had passed as she cried and held on the Liv's hand as if her life depended on it, just waiting for Liv to wake up once again.

Olivia awoke once again about an hour later but only for a few seconds. She asked for water barely opening her eyes and Alex hurried to put a chip of ice between her lips that the nurse had left earlier in case she woke up again. Even though Liv had recovered consciousness briefly Alex wasn't so sure that Olivia was really aware that she was there.

As she washed her face to clean away the tears that stained her face she felt the cell vibrate and she checked it, it was a message from Munch, "CN ETA 2" Damn, she thought to herself. It wouldn't give her a chance to get out of the bathroom; she would just have to hope that the attorney wouldn't need to use it.

Just as Munch had indicated, Casey Novak came in moments later. Alex observed her carefully from between the slightly cracked door that was fortunately to Novak's back. She narrowed her eyes when si noticed how Novak took Liv's hand in hers.

"Hey Liv, Elliot told me that they would be taking you out of your coma tonight. You have no idea how happy that made me feel. We really miss you at the precinct. I really miss you." She smiled at her own confession. "You know something? I can't believe it this is happening to me. I went home for a few days because I just couldn't think. I felt strange and I didn't know why.

Alex listened carefully to Casey's words and frowned, she didn't like the tone in the attorney's voice. It took all of her self control not to run out of the bathroom and yank Liv's hand away from her. She wanted to make it very clear to Casey Novak, in a cavewoman sort of way, that Olivia Benson was off limits and engaged. With her.

"I've thought a lot about this Liv, and it still takes me by surprise. You don't know how many times I've gone around with this. When I met you there was such sadness in your eyes that I couldn't keep from asking myself who could have hurt you in that way. In your eyes was such desolation, as if you had lost your best friend or lover. I asked myself why. I asked myself who could be so stupid as to hurt you. And I only wanted to make you laugh once again. Ever since I was assigned to SVU many told me that you were SVU's angel and then once I saw you dealing with the victims I understood. You have a huge heart; it's inevitable not to care for you, to admire you.

Alex's eyes filled with tears forgetting completely the jealousy that she felt when she heard Casey Novak describe the first few days of her supposed death, because she knew that the pain in Olivia's eyes were due to her and to find out from someone else how much her Liv had suffered broke her heart.

"I still remember the times you refused to accept an invitation to lunch or to dinner after preparing your testimony or waiting for a verdict. On the other hand, I could see in your eyes that you realized I was just trying to make you laugh. Several times I surprised you looking off into the distance, as if you were asking yourself if it was a good idea to start a friendly relationship with me aside from a professional one." Casey laughed lightly. "Remember the first time that you accepted to go with me to the Knicks game, after listening to me lament that I didn't want to go alone since my friend had cancelled. It was the first of many. Not only did you go with me to the game but you discovered that I lived close by and soon we were run together when the climate permitted.

Alex felt her heart stop as she heard Novak narrate to Liv what they had done together. No, no, it wasn't true, her mind screamed did she comfort you when you were lonely, Liv?

"I never thought that you would enjoy softball, you don't know how it felt to have someone from the precinct that I could go with and practice softball with and could understand my need to pass hours in the batting cage trying to beat the ball to pieces exorcising the demons. Do you remember that time we went to the King Tut Exhibit inauguration those crazy theories about his death. You made me laugh like I haven't laughed in a long time. You made me remember that after all there always a tomorrow and renewed hope."

Alex was about to come out to demand some answers when Olivia opened her eyes, causing Casey to release a surprised gasp.

"¡Liv!"

"Casey? Olivia asked a bit disoriented and in a scratchy voice from disuse. She looked around looking for someone she was sure had been there before. "Wha…A…?"

"You want some water? Let me get the nurse." Casey hurried out in search of the nurse.

Olivia closed her eyes for a moment; she was so sure that Alex had been there. Tears formed in her eyes, it had only been a dream. Alex had been a just a fucking dream, she was all alone. Alex hadn't been there! Her broken heart screamed.

Alex was about to come out, she could see the pain in Liv's face when she realized that it was Casey and not her at her side. She knew she couldn't. With her heart tightening and wishing with all of her heart that she could run to Liv's side, Alex closed the door carefully and leaned against it, as the tears ran down her cheeks. It wasn't fair. She should be the one hugging and comforting Olivia, assuring her that everything would be alright. Nonetheless, now Alex must hide in the bathroom like some fugitive letting another woman offer words of comfort to the woman she loved. It was too much, Alex squeezed her fists to try to control the desperation that she felt in order not to give in to hearts desire to run to Olivia's side.

"I can be patient, I must be" Alex kept repeating as she tried to listen to what was going on just on the other side of the door

Casey came back with the nurse "Detective Benson, how are you feeling?" The nurse asked coming near with a glass full of ice chips.

"Thirsty, I'm thirsty"

"Let me give you a couple of ice chips, you can't drink water just yet."

The nurse put some chips in Olivia's mouth so they could dissolve slowly.

"Thank you." She looked at her gratefully.

The nurse smiled and after checking that everything was in order she left.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Casey smile with tears in her eyes.

"As if someone had shot me at close range" She tried to jest in a scratchy voice.

"Well that's exactly what happened silly. Oh Liv, you had us all on edge. We thought we were going to lose you." Casey's eyes once again filled with tears and she took Liv's hand again.

"I'm too stubborn for that." She smiled weakly.

"I know. Elliot will be happy when I tell him that you're awake."

Olivia nodded "Hmm, I think I'm gonna fall asleep again. Thanks for coming Casey."

"That's what friends are for Liv, ok I'll be going now so that you can rest, I'll come by early tomorrow before heading in to work." She moved closer and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad that you're back with us Liv."

Once she was alone, Olivia could no longer contain the tears of disappointment that escaped unable to do anything to stop them. She was tired of feeling this way, tired of missing her, tired of those endless days knowing that no matter how much time passed, Alex wasn't there nor would she be at her side again for who knew how long. "Now that you were at deaths door, you even imagine that you heard her voice calling you, begging you not to leave her. She doesn't even know that you got shot, be realistic Benson, she's not here and she never was" she though to herself with growing resentment. She had told Casey that the was tired, not that it was a lie but the truth was that she wanted to be alone, she didn't want to cry in front of the ADA and have to answer questions that she didn't want to answer. Casey had been a good friend once she had managed to get over the obstacles that Alex's "death" had caused in her heart, but at that moment it wasn't Casey who she needed. A wave of pain made her groan involuntarily, the shock of realizing that it Alex wasn't there after all had distracted her enough that she could push the physical pain away and be replaced by a different overwhelming pain. The pain in her heart had been enough to make her temporarily forget the pain that her injuries caused, but now, alone, she could feel it return in agonizing waves. "Fuck, Benson you are so stupid for getting shot". She scolded herself.

Alex waited impatiently for five minutes before leaving the bathroom to make sure that Casey had definitely left. As soon as she could she rapidly emerged from the bathroom to Liv's side.

"Liv" She heard Alex's voice calling but she refused to open her eyes, it was just a dream, she couldn't stand it, no more. "Liv" Alex's voice repeated.

"You are a hallucination." Olivia said in a tormented whisper.

"Liv" whispered Alex, stroking her face, "Liv, open your eyes for me Liv. Please."

Could she dare believe that it was true and not just a product of the strong medication that had her all doped up? Olivia could feel Alex's hands on her face and in fear slowly opened her eyes, afraid that after all it was only a dream. Her eyes opened slowly and there in front of her were the most beautiful blue eyes that she had ever seen. The face of an angel, Alex…

"Hi," Alex said between tears and laughter. "I've missed you so much."

"Alex it's you, really you?" Liv's chocolate eyes shown with life and disbelief, filling immediately with tears of happiness.

Alex caressed her face, a smile of happiness painted on her face. "Of course it's me Liv."

And without being able to hold back any longer and without caring she gave her a soft kiss on the lips, that was only a brush but enough to make her presence feel more tangible.

"I love you Liv." Alex murmured against Olivia's mouth, whom with her free hand caressed the attorney's hair and looked into her eyes.

"I love you too Alex, so much, but how?" She asked still not believing that her Alex was there, really there with her.

"Elliot, I'm not sure how he managed but he got Hammond to bring me back to your side." She pulled away slightly but not too much, just enough so that she could look into Olivia's eyes.

"Hammond, Alex, but Velez." Her eyes opened wide and she almost sat up wincing as pain shot through her damaged body. "Alex, but you…"

"Liv" She quickly placed her hand on her shoulder to prevent her from sitting up. "Nothing matters to me if you aren't here with me. NOTHING" Her eyes once again filled with tears when she recalled how she felt when Hammond told her the real reason for her presence. "Do you know how I felt when he told me what had happened? I felt that I would die thinking I would get here to late. You know that you are my life. Do you know that Olivia Benson? Without you life doesn't matter anymore. My life is nothing without you, please forgive me for having left you, and forgive me for not being at your side."

"No, no Alex, don't cry, please don't cry." Olivia begged. "I love you Alex, and if that means you have to be far away to keep you alive then I…"

"Liv, my life isn't a life without you at my side. I'm not going back to WitSec, I am never going to leave your side ever again. Look what happened, I almost lost you." She exclaimed vehemently.

"Then I'll resign." Olivia declared seriously.

"What!" Alex pulled back in surprise. Olivia couldn't mean that…

"Yes, Alex, resign from SVU, being a detective, or whatever, but I don't want to be far from you either. I'm only living half a life without you. I'm lost when I'm not at your side. But your life is in danger and if to have you I have to leave everything behind so be it. You are the only important thing." The detective said with conviction.

"Liv you don't…" Olivia shook her head cutting off anything else that Alex might say.

"Alex, you are my life, I was dying without you." There was certain desperation in her words. She was very serious.

Alex pressed her lips together; she knew it was the truth, because she felt the same way.

"We'll talk later, rest now, I'll be here."

Olivia moved slightly and made a grimace of pain.

"Damn, that hurts." She groaned and paled slightly.

Alex pushed the button for the morphine drip and watched as it took affect.

"Sleep, I'll be here when you wake up. She gave brushed her lips softly against Liv's.

" 'love you 'Lex." Liv whispered feeling her eyelids closing. For the first time in almost two years she could finally close her eyes knowing that Alex would be there when she awoke.

"I love you Liv, always." Alex declared and it was the last thing that Liv heard as she fall asleep. Alex was there, with her, finally.

TBC

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