One Heart
Summary: see ch1
Disclaimer: Not mine
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update, my mailbox was full, and I didn't think anyone was reviewing! ENJOY!
Life or Death
Elliot's children, Kathy, Olivia, Cragen, Munch, and Fin all sat quietly in the waiting room of the hospital's emergency room. No one was saying anything.
The twins were both curled up against there mother, with Elliot's two older children sitting next to them. The four of them were silently crying.
Olivia sat supporting her head on her thighs with her hands. She covered her face with her hands so that she wouldn't have to look at anyone; and so that no one could see her steadily falling tears.
When James entered the room from the ER, where he personally was working on Elliot, the entire room turned their worried, tear filled eyes to him.
"Well?" Olivia asked standing.
"It was touchy there for a while, but he pulled through." James smiled.
Olivia's knees buckled from under her when she heard the news, and Fin had to catch her.
"Oh thank God." She breathed as Fin lowered her to a chair.
"He's in recovery now. He's asking for all of you." James smiled. "Now we only allow family in the recovery room, so I guess that means all of you." He added.
"We can see him?" Cragen asked.
"Just stay quiet, and make it quick." The doctor answered.
The group all crowed past him and into the recovery room. Kathy stopped behind the group for a moment to talk to James.
"Thank you so much." She said through a tear stained face. "If we had lost him, I don't know if I'd ever be able to forgive myself."
"Kathy, this wasn't your fault." James comforted her by wrapping his arms around her. "And you don't have to thank me, I've known you and Elliot for years, I wasn't about to let him die on my table." He smiled as he rubbed her back gingerly.
When she finally pulled away he added, "Go see him."
Kathy smiled, and then reluctantly retreated to the recovery room to join everyone else.
When she got there all four of her children were huddled against their father on his bed. His co-workers were closely packed around the bed.
"I'm really sorry Daddy." Kathleen sighed.
"Kath, I have already told you that you did nothing wrong. You didn't make Brian do what he did." He comforted her.
"I was so scared." She whispered.
"I know you were babt, but we're all fine now." Elliot assured her.
"Yeah Kathleen, did you really think some puny bullet was gonna be able to hurt Dad?" Dickie asked astonished, making everyone in the room smile. "Speaking of bullets, can I have the one they took out of you Dad? Please?" He asked eagerly.
"Uh, sure son." Elliot said, a little unsure as to why he wanted it.
"Cool! I can wear it on a chain, and tell everyone that my Dad survived a speeding bullet!" The 13 year old boasted. "Thanks Dad."
"Whatever makes you happy kiddo." Elliot smiled.
"Alright kids, now you all heard James, he said make it quick. We have to let your Dad get some rest." Kathy piped in. "Say your good nights, we'll visit tomorrow."
"Night kids. I love you." Elliot said to each of his children as they hugged him and made their way out of the room.
Kathy then took her turn to approach the bed. Everyone else in the room discreetly walked away from the bed to give the two some privacy.
"I am so sorry Elliot." Kathy finally said.
"Kath." Elliot said, trying to stop her.
"No Elliot. I'm so sorry. I, I should have known. I put my entire family at risk. I should have known." She breathed.
"Kath." He began taking her hand in his. "You couldn't have known. None of us knew." He assured her.
"Elizabeth knew." Kathy sighed.
"I guess next time we listen to her, huh?" He said quietly.
"Get well El. We all still need you healthy down here." Kathy smiled as she squeezed his hand, and then left the room.
"Good night." She smiled as she left.
"We really should be going too." Cragen said. The men had all said what they needed to before Kathy had entered the room. "The doctor did say you needed your rest."
"Get well man." Fin said.
"Yeah, can't wait to see your ass back at the house!" Munch replied.
"Night guys." Elliot waved from his bed as Munch, Fin, and Cragen left.
Olivia was the only other person left. She was staring aimlessly out the window into the city below.
Elliot just watched her in silence for a moment before calling her to him. "Hey, Liv, you okay?"
Olivia turned to face him, for the first time revealing the tears rolling silently down her cheeks.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked concerned.
"I should have seen that gun sooner Elliot." She said, wiping the tears away. "I'm your partner; I'm supposed to prevent things like this from happening."
"Olivia, you did see the gun, and because you did, you saved Kathleen's life. Don't blame yourself." He answered in a soft tone.
Olivia just crossed her arms in front of her chest and continued. "I never should have given him the chance to discharge his weapon. I messed up."
"No you didn't. Everyone survived, and the vic got away completely unharmed. You did good." He smiled.
"Yeah, and my partner got shot in the chest. But hey, all in a good days work, right?" She scoffed.
"Olivia." Elliot said in a soothing voice. "Come here." He said extending his hand. When Olivia refused to budge he said it again in a more orderly tone. "Come here."
Olivia finally gave in and took his hand, which lead her into the bed next to him. She curled up against his chest and he wrapped his arm around her frame.
"Look, Olivia, we decided when we started seeing each other that we were gonna have to be able to choose the vic over each other. I'm happy that you did what you did because this time the vic was my daughter. You did what you had to, what I expected you to do. Now, I'm fine, do not blame yourself for anything." He said kissing the top of her head.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I've never been so scared." She confessed.
"It's gonna take a lot more than a bullet to the chest to tear me away from you." He assured her. "I'm sorry I scared you."
"I love you." She told him sincerely.
"I love you to." Elliot answered, bringing his lips to hers for a gently kiss. "We should get some sleep. It's been a long day.' He added.
"Sounds good, but the doctors better not say anything about me sleeping right here, because I'm not moving." Olivia smiled. She was far too comfortable to move.
Both Olivia and Elliot soon fell asleep in each other's arms.
TBC... tell me what you think! One more chapter tp wrap up this story, and the next one should be up soon. hopefully by this weekend! (Be sure to tell me what you think about the way I took this story, and any ideas about where the next one should go!)
