Title: Next of Kin

Author: SVUFanatic611

Rating: PG

A/n: WOW! My email was overflowing with reviews! I'm glad you guys liked the previous chapter. I thought that was a good touch! Thanks for all the feedback! Means a lot!

Disclaimer: SVU and its associated characters are not mine.

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Corrine was brought in on a gurney. Her vision was blurred and the only thing she could make out was Olivia. She had no clue what in the world she was saying, but it was typical Olivia; empathetic, compassionate, reassuring. And then she disappeared. Only Corrine and the doctors were brought into a room – a plain, pallid, bland room. That was the last thing she remembered.

Olivia was left in the waiting room, just wondering how Corrine was doing. She wasn't left to her thoughts for long when Elliot walked in. "Olivia. How's she doing?"

"They said she has a good chance of making it." Then Olivia broke down. She couldn't handle it anymore and began to cry again. Elliot hugged her and took her to a chair. "Olivia, what's wrong?"

"It's all my fault." she said in between the flow of tears.

"Olivia, quit blaming yourself. This is not your fault. Don't say it is."

"But it really is this time. I was just too ignorant and didn't give up on the case. If I had just…"

"Quit with the 'ifs', 'Liv." he said compassionately, yet firmly. "We can go a lot of ways if we take the 'if' path. Let's just not go there."

They stayed there for what seemed like hours. Elliot tried to keep Olivia's mind on anything but Corrine, but Olivia had a one-track mind. Finally, a doctor came in to update Olivia on Corrine's condition.

"Ms. Benson?"

"Yes? How is she?"

"Well, she made it. She's definitely a trooper. She hung on and didn't let go."

"Oh, thank God! Can I see her?"

"Well, she is still under anesthetics. She won't be awake for another hour or two, but you can visit her. Just don't tell any other doctor. Visiting hours are over and no one is supposed to be in there. But I can make an exception. Just be discreet."

"Thank you so much. El', would you mind if I went on my own?"

"No, not at all. I'll be here when you get back. Take as much time as you need."

Olivia made her way down the intimidating recovery hallway. She had been down this hallway before, but it was concerning a rape victim. She never thought she would be there for someone she knew. She finally found Corrine's room and walked in. She found Corrine lying on the bed. She didn't look too bad, but Olivia couldn't help but feel guilty.

"I'm sorry, Corrine. I should've listened to Cragen. I should've listened to you. You were right. I got hurt. I traveled in risky, dangerous territory and I got the person I care a great deal about hurt. I hope you can forgive me." She took Corrine's hand in hers and held it. After about two weeks of Corrine's stay with Olivia, this was the one, true moment that she felt really close to Corrine. Then, she felt a squeeze in her hand. She looked up at Corrine, but she didn't open her eyes. That slight squeeze calmed all of Olivia's fears, doubts and worries. She stroked Corrine's forehead and wished her goodnight. She walked out and was greeted by Elliot.

"C'mon, let's go home." she said, sounding exhausted.

"Whatever your heart desires." Elliot replied with a smile.

She smiled and they walked together. "'Liv, are you okay?"

"No, not really…not at all. I'm not going to be until she wakes up and assures me that she's okay. However, I appreciate your concern."

The Next Day

Olivia woke up early and went to the hospital. Corrine had to be up by now. She drove down and made her way to Corrine's room. She walked in and saw Corrine wide awake.

"Olivia! You're here!" she said with a big smile.

"What a greeting! Good to see you up." Olivia replied with a smile equally big.

"How are you?"

"Me? I'm fine. How about your leg?"

"Aww…nothing big…Olivia, where were you when I got home?"

"I was out looking for you." she replied in a soft voice.

"I was at the bench in Central Park, but I decided to go home."

"Yeah, I checked there. I was just a little late."

"How did you know where to look for me?"

"Kathleen told me that you go there a lot."

"Do you know why I sit at that particular bench?"

"No clue. Why?"

"That bench is where we sat after we had lunch the first day I came to New York. I guess it's sort of symbolic. I can't explain it, but when I'm there, everything seems okay. Things are put into perspective."

Olivia was left speechless. What was she supposed to say to that?

"So, Olivia, do you know when I can leave this place?"

"Not for a couple more days, around a week. Even after that, you've got a period of recovery which may not be easy."

"Great…" she said in her sarcastic tone. "Oh yeah, how's Elliot?"

"He's great. He was worried about you last night."

"About what happened last night…the way he reacted to the situation…do they have a course on that? Do they teach you that at the Academy?"

"Some of it, but the other stuff…that was all him."

"Well, I'll tell you one thing. You're lucky to have a partner like him."

Corrine was right. Olivia always knew that. She was always grateful that they had been paired together and how well they worked together. But, it was that one moment, that very moment that Olivia realized how invaluable Elliot and their partnership really was.

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A/n – I have one more major problem that Olivia and Corrine have to overcome. Then I have to conclude the E/O pairing. My goal is to have at least 50 reviews when it's finished. So read and review much! Thanks for everything!