Ch 7

See notes in Chapter 1.

"What is it Doctor? Is something new wrong with Katie?" Elliot's mind was full of mixed up thoughts. Most were picturing his worst fear coming true. He had a huge knot in his stomach at the thought of never seeing Katie wake up.

However the Doctor rushed to assure him that nothing was wrong. "Actually, Mr. Stabler, Kathleen is awake. However, I would like to keep her for a few more days for observation."

"Of course Doctor. Can I see her?" Elliot was ecstatic that she had woken up.

"She needs to rest, so make it brief. And Mr. Stabler, there are some things that she can't recall about how she got here. I thought you should be the one to tell her." The doctor walked away to go see his other patients.

Elliot and Olivia went into Katie's room. "Hey Sweetie, welcome back."He crossed the room to Katie's bed so he could hug her.

"Hi Dad. Hey Olivia." Katie said casually as though nothing had happened.

"We missed you Katie."Olivia said.

"I heard everyone talking but I just couldn't wake up. It was so frustrating. I wanted to just scream at everyone that I was awake." Katie told them.

"Hey I'm going to give you guys some alone time. It's almost two 'o clock, so I'm going to go get the twins. It's great to see you awake Katie." Olivia gave her a hug and was standing up to leave when Elliot stopped her.

"Liv I'll go get them. I've barely seen them and I want to see the looks on their faces when I tell them their sister has woken up."Elliot smiled over at his middle child.

"I'll walk you out El." Olivia was already walking toward the door before Elliot could insist that he didn't need a baby-sitter.

Once they were in the hallway Olivia turned to Elliot.

"El, you know I love your kids as if they were my own, but I think they would like to see their father. I know you've been busy with this whole thing, but I want you yo know you can feel free to stay at my apartment with the kids. It's not like you've spent much time at Fin's anyway."

"I know Liv. I've missed the kids too. Thanks for the offer. I am looking for a place now. Well I was before this all started. I don't think Katie will want to go back to the house after what happened anyway. But it could take awhile to find one so I might be at your apartment a lot."

"That's fine Elliot. You better go or you'll be late. Drive safely." She said leaning up to kiss his cheek."Bye El." With that she turned and walked into the room. She knew she was dangerously close to telling Elliot that she loved him. She knew he had a lot to deal with right now and she wasn't ready to expose her feelings. She knew Elliot cared about her, but she wasn't entirely sure how much he cared.

Elliot was shocked and pleasantly surprised at Olivia's kiss on the cheek. He knew she was probably just doing it as a friend. What if she wanted more though? He could definitely see himself as dating her. He stopped walking. Why am I thinking about a relationship, when my divorce was just finalized a few weeks ago and my child just came out of a month-long coma? He thought to himself. Sure Olivia was gorgeous there was no denying that, but Elliot wanted so much more than one night of sex with her. He wanted to be with her in every possible way. That is what scared the hell out of him. He was about to be raising three children was he really ready to jump into a new relationship? He got in the car and drove to Lizzie and Dickie's school. He could tell his children were shocked to see him sitting behind the wheel of the car.

" Hey Dad. Where's Olivia? Not that I'm not glad to see you. It's just that I was getting used to her picking us up." Lizzie told him.

"Yea." Dickie piped in from the backseat.

"Well I had something to tell you so Olivia is with Katie at the hospital." He answered his youngest daughter.

"Well what is it?" She asked her curiosity was obvious.

"Katie's awake." He answered smiling.

"Can we see her?" The twins asked in unison.

"Of course you can." He answered.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital Olivia was talking to Katie.

"So Olivia I owe you a big thanks." Katie said smiling at her.

"For what?" Olivia asked. She was surprised at the statement.

"For helping the twins and my dad through this. I know if it weren't for you my family would be a wreck right now. I've heard all the time my dad has sat in here and cried and I heard you soothing him."Katie told her.

"Well your welcome Katie. I don't know if you know this, but I love you kids and I care about your father. I was glad to help anyway I could."Olivia smiled at her.

A few minutes later Elliot arrived with Lizzie and Dickie in tow.

"Hey Katie." Lizzie ran over to hug her sister.

"Hi Lizzie. I missed you." Katie told her sister.

"Hey sis." Dickie said trying to pretend he wasn't as emotional about this as everyone else was.

"Hey Dickie. I missed you to."Katie said.

"Hi Olivia." Lizzie said after hugging her sister. She then came over and hugged Olivia. Elliot was happy to see everyone finally smiling again. He realized then that this is how he wanted the rest of his life to be. With Maureen included of course. He had tried calling her dorm room, but no one answered and her cell was off.

"So how was school you guys?" Olivia asked Lizzie and Dickie.

"Fine." Dickie answered.

"Fine." Lizzie echoed her brother's response.

Olivia laughed. "I'm glad to see you so excited about school."

Katie and the twins talked for about another hour before Elliot interrupted.

"Hey guys. I'm sorry to have to cut this visit short, but Katie needs to rest and I'm sure Lizzie and Dickie have homework. Liv, Can you take them back to the apartment and I'll be there later."

"Sure. No problem Elliot" She said.

Elliot walked out into the hall to say goodbye to Olivia.

"Thanks for everything." Elliot said before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. He then turned and went back to Katie's room, leaving a surprised Olivia standing there.