Note: Here's chapter five! Just a heads up, this one is a bit of a tearjerker.

Warning: Cancer, eventual character death.

Disclaimer: SVU doesn't belong to either of us. We also don't own the song The Last Song of Your life.

To Olivia's relief, she had some days where she had the energy to stay awake during the day. On those days, she focused on spending time with Elliot and Noah, wanting to take advantage of every moment while she could.

In between those days, however, there were days when no matter how much she slept, she never felt rested. Then there were few small signs of her illnesses worsening. Elliot noticed the symptoms she tried to hide— periods of dizziness, moments where she became unsteady on her feet, headaches that he knew were far worse than she let on, even after taking medication. His heart ached with every new development because he knew it would only worsen from here.

As much time as he'd spent in her apartment before, he found himself there even more often. The only nights he spent away were the times he spent with Eli. He spent the rest of the nights with Olivia, curling up in her bed and holding her in his arms until she fell asleep.

On one of the rare nights Elliot spent away, Olivia decided to make dinner for herself and Noah. She finally settled on a simple pasta dish that Noah loved.

Noah was playing in the living room when he heard a scary sound. "Mama?" He slid off of the couch and walked into the kitchen, and he saw his mom asleep on the floor. Worried, he crouched down beside her and shook her shoulder. "Mama." She didn't open her eyes and he got scared. She always woke up when he did this.

He spotted her phone and grabbed it, sitting on the floor beside her. She had taught him how to use her phone in case something bad happened. He went to the little green phone and touched it. A bunch of letters came up and he tried to remember what she showed him. F-I-N was uncle Fin, C-A-R was uncle Sonny and...

He sighed in relief when he saw E-L at the very top. That was Elliot! He touched the name and waited.

Elliot answered quickly. "Liv?"

"Elliot?" Noah's voice was small and scared. "Mama fell asleep in the kitchen."

Immediately worried, Elliot inhaled sharply. "I'll be there as fast as I can. Just stay right where you are."

He grabbed his keys and left the apartment after instructing Eli to call Kathy or one of his siblings since he knew he wouldn't be back that evening. His heart raced with worry as he rushed to his car and drove toward Olivia's apartment complex.

Elliot made it in record time and rapped his knuckles against the door. "Noah? It's Elliot."

He could hear Noah run to the door, and the locks clicked and the door swung open. Noah was still crying and he tugged on Elliot's hand. "She's still sleepin'!"

Panic gripped Elliot's heart as he followed Noah into the kitchen and saw Olivia slumped on the floor, her eyes closed. He hurried to her side and dropped to his knees, instinctively pressing his fingers to his neck to check for a pulse. When he found one, a small sigh of relief escaped him.

"Liv?" Elliot patted her cheek, his anxiety rising when she didn't respond. He glanced back up at Noah, willing his voice to stay steady. "Alright, Noah, I need to get her to the hospital. I'll need you to stay right by my side."

Wide eyed, the boy nodded and put his shoes on.

Elliot slipped his arms around Olivia and lifted her with frightening ease. Noah opened the door and obediently remained close to his side as Elliot led the way to his car. He situated Olivia inside and started the engine once Noah buckled himself into the backseat.

As he made his way out of the parking garage, he grabbed his phone and tapped Fin's name.

Fin answered on the first ring. "Hey, El. What's up?"

"Liv passed out and is unresponsive. I'm taking her to Mt. Sinai now. Noah's with me."

"Shit... I'll meet you there."

Elliot ended the call. His fingers gripped the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. He focused on the road, knowing the streets and shortcuts by heart.

He finally arrived at Mt. Sinai ten minutes later, and Noah remained glued to his side as he carried Olivia into the emergency room. She was immediately swept from his sight, just as Fin walked into the emergency room.

"Elliot!"

"They just took her back." Elliot let out a shaky sigh.

Nodding tightly, he leaned down and hugged Noah when the boy grabbed his hand. "I called Carisi and Rollins on the way."

Elliot nodded, his eyes glancing impatiently toward the door where Olivia had been taken.

"C'mon, El. Let's go sit down." He ushered Elliot to the closest waiting room, and together they sat down to wait on news of the woman who meant so much to them both.

Three hours later, Elliot and Fin were finally allowed to see Olivia. Carisi had come and picked the boy up after they all decided he didn't need to be exposed to this.

Olivia had been settled in a private room, and both Elliot and Fin had taken up seats on opposite sides of her. The doctor's words rattled around in Elliot's brain as he clung to Olivia's hand.

The tumor was showing more growth and pressing further against her occipital lobe, and the doctors couldn't say how bad the damage was until she regained consciousness.

If she did.

The implication made his pulse quicken with anger, but any argument died on his lips. Elliot listened wordlessly, never taking his eyes off of Olivia's unconscious form.

Fin finally spoke after a while. "I'm glad you're back, Elliot. For her."

Elliot glanced over at him and nodded tightly. "I'm never leaving her again."

"Good."

They stayed at Olivia's side until visiting hours ended. Fin only reluctantly left on the condition that Elliot was allowed to stay.

Olivia remained unconscious through the night, and the next morning Fin came back with breakfast and coffee. Elliot accepted it gratefully and finally stepped away long enough to wash up a bit before coming back to Olivia's side.

This pattern continued for two days. Olivia was never left alone, and Elliot only stepped away if Fin was right beside her, and he was never gone longer than ten minutes.

On the third day after she was brought in, Elliot had fallen asleep in his chair and Fin was browsing some magazine when he noticed Olivia's eyes flicker. He sighed in relief and grasped her hand. "Hey, Liv. Welcome back."

Olivia blinked groggily. "Fin...?"

"Yeah, baby girl. I'm here." He rubbed her hand with his thumb.

"I can't..." She swallowed thickly, blinking. "I can't see you. I can't see anything."

Fin felt his stomach drop at her frightened words. "You can't see?"

She shook her head frantically. "I can't see," she repeated, her voice rising. "Elliot?"

Her voice was enough to wake him up and Elliot sat upright. Immediately alert and relieved to see her awake, he reached over and took her hand into his.

"Liv?"

She grabbed his hand tightly, her breathing rapid and shallow. "I can't see, El..."

Elliot's heart sank at the tremor in her voice. The doctor had warned them her vision would suffer, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. He moved to the edge of the bed and smoothed her hair back. "Fin, get her doctor."

Nodding tightly, Fin let Olivia's hand go and left the room.

Stifling a sob, Olivia practically crawled into Elliot's lap, clinging desperately to him.

Elliot leaned back against the headboard and held her tight, gently guiding her head to his chest. The monitor next to the bed beeped, indicating her rising heart rate. Tightening his arms around her, Elliot raked his fingers through her hair.

"I'm right here..."

The next hour was a parade of doctors and nurses, but Elliot refused to leave Olivia's side for any reason. Her doctors confirmed her vision loss and couldn't say when, or if, she would regain it.

Olivia was numb and silent through it all, and when they were finally alone again, she let a tear fall down her cheek.

"Hey..." Elliot cupped her cheek in his hand and brushed the tear away. "I'm right here if you need anything."

She leaned into his hand, her eyes watering again. "I can't see you," she whispered. "I can't see your eyes..."

"I'm here," he murmured, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."

She sighed tearfully and leaned into the kiss, gripping his shirt in a loose fist. "I love you, Elliot."

"I love you, too. So much." He rubbed soothing circles on her back.

After a while, she finally calmed down. Her arm was loosely wrapped around Elliot and she was drained. "How long have I been here?"

"Three days."

"What about Noah? Is he okay?"

Elliot hesitated for a moment. "I think he's scared. He called me the other evening when you passed out."

A tired sound escaped her. "I was cooking and I just...blacked out."

"I got there as fast as I could and you just... weren't responding. To anything."

She pressed closer to him, afraid to let go. "I...I have to tell him..."

"He's with Carisi right now. Whenever you're ready, he can bring him here."

"What time is it?"

"It's a little after two."

"Call Carisi?" she whispered.

"Okay." Elliot reached for his phone and started the phone call.

Olivia listened as Elliot called Carisi, asking him to bring Noah to the hospital. Carisi readily agreed, assuring Elliot he would be there in less than twenty minutes with the boy.

Elliot set his phone aside and gave Olivia's arm a gentle squeeze. "He'll bring him here soon."

Nodding, she curled into his side. "Thanks..."

He rested his chin on top of her head. "Is there anything else I can do for right now?"

She was quiet for a long moment. "Just...don't leave me."

"I won't. I promise."

Nodding, she tiredly laid her head on his shoulder.

Twenty minutes later, Carisi stepped into the room with Noah in his arms. "Hey, Lieu. Got a delivery for you."

In spite of all her fear and uncertainty, Olivia raised her head and smiled. "Noah..."

Elliot remained in place, keeping his arm tucked securely around her.

"Mommy!" Noah wiggled in Carisi's arms and Carisi carried the boy over to Olivia's bed.

"Take it easy, kiddo," he cautioned, helping Noah sit down on the bed.

Elliot moved over to give them room, but remained close by in case Olivia needed him.

Noah carefully went into his mom's arms, hugging her tight.

"Oh, sweetheart..." Olivia hugged her son tight, kissing his head. "I'm here."

As Elliot watched, his expression softened but he felt tears prick the back of his eyes. He blinked them back and watched them closely.

Noah snuggled into her, his little arms clinging to his mom. "Are you okay now, Mom?"

Her breathing hitched a bit. "Noah...I need to tell you something, baby."

Sensing her worry, Elliot rested a soft hand on her shoulder.

"What is it?" Noah cocked his head a little.

Fumbling just a bit, she cradled Noah's face in her hands. "I'm sick, baby."

His brow furrowed and he leaned closer to her. "Sick? Do you have a tummy ache?"

A breath escaped her. If only it was that simple... "No, it's not a tummy ache. It's called cancer. It's a disease that makes someone very, very sick."

Elliot gently rubbed her shoulder, remaining quiet but hoping the gesture gave some comfort.

Noah considered her words carefully. "But you're gonna get better, right, Mom?"

A lump formed in Olivia's throat and she hugged Noah tighter. "I don't know, baby," she began carefully. "But what I do know is I love you. And you know what else? Fin and Sonny love you very much. And Elliot...Elliot just met you and he loves you."

Elliot nodded, a sad smile forming on his lips. "That's right."

"See?" She kissed his head softly.

Noah's eyes welled up with tears. "But... you gotta get better."

Olivia's eyes watered as well and Elliot sat on the bed, resting his other hand on Noah's shoulder.

"I'm trying, baby. But...I might not." She stroked his cheek lovingly. "But Elliot, Fin, and Carisi will be here to take care of you."

Elliot's hand smoothed over her hair. "She's right..."

Tears spilled down Noah's cheeks and he buried his face in his mom's shoulder.

Elliot sat on the bed again, pulling both of them close.

Olivia tried to soothe her son, her own heart breaking. "I love you, sweet boy..."

"I love you..."

Noah spent the afternoon with them, but when it was dinner time Olivia reluctantly let Carisi take him after kissing him goodbye. The door closed and she buried her face in Elliot's shoulder, letting go of everything she had been holding back.

He held her tight, rubbing her back and gently swaying back and forth. "Let it out..."

"I'll never...see his face," she whispered brokenly. "Your eyes..."

Elliot hugged her tight, tears pooling in his eyes. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but he knew in his heart that it wouldn't. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She lifted her head and managed to kiss him softly.

He returned the kiss, his lips tender against hers. "What can I do for you?"

"Just...just stay," came her quiet request. "Please."

"Okay." Elliot shifted on the bed until he was curled protectively around her.

Olivia sighed as she settled into her best friend's arms. After a while, she spoke quietly. "El...would you ever consider taking Noah?"

His response was immediate. "Of course I would. Is that what you want? I know you've already talked to Fin and Carisi."

"They would both be amazing, and Noah trusts all three of you. But I know you would keep Fin and Carisi in his life..."

"I would," he assured her.

Nodding wearily, she curled even closer to him. "And I know you wouldn't let him forget me."

"Never." Fighting hard to keep his voice from shaking, Elliot rested his head against hers. "I want you to get some rest."

She nodded tiredly, twining her fingers with his. "Stay with me?"

"Of course." He kissed her head softly.

Reassured, she relaxed into him as her breaths became deep and even. Elliot remained awake until he knew she was asleep, safe in his arms. Only then did he allow the tears he'd been holding back to fall.

*hides under rock* Don't hurt us! Reviews are appreciated!