Hours passed. Fin sat in the cold emergency room waiting area surrounded by a constant flow and departure of police. Some came from sixteen's house, most from other houses all over the city. Fin politely acknowledge them but had very little interest in carrying out a conversation. All he really wanted was information. Weather it be about Olivia's condition or from the squad regarding their hunt for the attacker.
Right when he couldn't take another second of waiting a welcome sight entered the waiting area.
"Fin!" Alex called out.
"Hey Alex!" He stood up excepting the hug she offered.
"How are you holding up?" she asked pulling out of the hug.
"I was about to flip out on an innocent nurse because I couldn't take the waiting. Where have you been?"
"Helping to identify who did this?" Alex answered. She took a seat next to where Fin stood gesturing for him to join.
"It was Plummer. I know it was." He said returning to his seat.
"I know and I have been working to secure the evidence needed to prove it. When I left the office it was to hand Cragen an arrest warrant for Plummer. Elliot and Munch are trying to find him now.
"Good. That man deserves to get got." Fin growled. Alex reached over and patted his knee gently signifying that she agreed.
Fin, Alex and the room full of officers continued to wait for news.
After another two hours their wait finally ended with the arrival of a scrub clad doctor requesting that Fin and Alex follow him. Nervously they rose from their seats moving towards the double set of doors. The doctor led them down a short hallway stopping when he reached a bank of elevators.
"Let me start by introducing myself. I'm Dr. Ken Upton, chief of general surgery and the lead surgeon on detective Benson's case. I know you've been waiting for quite awhile so I thought we would walk and talk." The middle elevator door opened. Dr. Upton stepped aside so Fin and Alex could enter stepping in behind them allowing the doors to close. He pressed the ten button before continuing.
"Detective Benson sustained several serious injuries. During the initial exam he found three stab wounds, two in the chest and one in the abdomen. The wound to her abdomen went into the liver causing a significant amount of internal bleeding. We had to give her two units of blood during surgery and a small portion of her liver had to be removed." Alex gasped and Fin cringed at this information. "I know it sounds scary but the liver is very adaptable and will eventually regenerate." The elevator doors opened and the three stepped out. "She will be slightly more susceptible to illness while that happens and there cant be any alcohol consumption either, but all those details can be covered when discharged. For now she'll be staying here in the hospital."
"Ok. What about the two stab wounds to her chest?" They made their way down a general hallway passing several closed units.
"One of the wounds went in to a rib fracturing it but luckily prevented potentially life threating damage to the right lung. The second chest wound was lower and managed to find its way in between her ribs puncturing a hole in her diaphragm. For right now the hole is small and will not require surgery but we will be monitoring it closely." They entered into the last unit on the floor and walked until they reached the middle of the floor. "Here's her room. The pain medicine will make her very groggy so if she starts to fall asleep just let her go." Dr. Upton pushed open the door allowing Alex and Fin to enter after a soft thank you.
Stepping around the curtain they found Olivia in the rooms only bed. Her eyes were closed but opened slowly when the door closed loudly.
"Hey Liv." Alex said softly.
"Hi." Olivia whispered. She grimaced as she attempted to sit up in the bed. "I guess it was more than just bruises."
"Yeah. It was more than just bruises." Fin responded.
"Did you find Plummer? He's the one who killed Derricks." She continued to speak in a whisper but was losing the battle with her eyelids.
"Don't worry about all that Liv. Elliot and Munch are hunting him down like the dog he is. No one blames you for anything." Alex answered. She moved closer to the bed and took Olivia's hand in hers. "The guys and I have everything handled. You rest and recover." Her tone was soothing and gentle. Olivia was Alex's best friend and seeing her in this state was something she never got to used to.
"Thanks Alex." Were the last words out of her before she relaxed completely into the bed and drifted off to sleep.
They lapsed into silence watching Olivia sleep. Her breathing was still labored and her face would occasionally contort into grimaces of pain. Neither wanted to admit how much it hurt to see their friend in such a state.
Their silent vigil was interrupted by the nurses appearance at the door.
"Sorry to interrupt. There are several people out here asking for information and to visit. However the units visitation policy only allows two people at one time." She spoke quietly and politely. It was obvious she had a lot of experience handling families of critical patients.
"That's probably Cragen, Elliot and Munch." Fin said not taking his eyes off his sleeping friend.
"Yeah. They probably want an update." Alex said.
"Elliot's most likely been sedated by now." Fin added. With a deep sigh Alex managed to tear her eyes away.
"Let's go save Cragen and Munch from him." She said.
"Yeah." Fin spoke automatically not making any move to leave. Alex took hold of his elbow gently pulling him towards the door. Reluctantly he allowed her to steer him out of the room.
Once out in the hall they found the remaining members of the squad huddled together. All were visibly upset but none looked as upset as Elliot. His face was unreadable, stoic but all the signs of a recent break down were visible.
"How's she doing?" Cragen asked.
"Asleep. They got her on a bunch of pain meds." Fin answered. "Doc says she'll be alright though."
"That's good. She's a fighter." Cragen responded.
"Any updates on the case? Did you find Plummer?" Alex asked trying to prevent an awkward silence.
"We checked everywhere. His apartment, his ex-wives, work, family. Not a sign of him." Cragen answered. This information disappointed Alex and Fin. They had hoped for Olivia's sake he was no longer a threat.
"I'm not surprised. He knows we're on to him. His best option is to go underground." Munch added.
"Well when he comes above ground we'll be waiting for him."
"He wont get away again." Elliot growled.
"Just as a precaution I am having a detail posted outside Liv's door." Creagen said.
"No need Captain. I'm not going anywhere." Elliot said raising from his seat. "I'm staying with Liv. I don't want her to wake up alone and I sure as hell wont let Plummer get near her again." As much as Cragen hated the idea of Elliot hanging around the hospital all night, not eating or sleeping properly but he knew there was no point in arguing or pulling rank.
"Ok. We'll come by tomorrow with breakfast."
"Keep her safe El." Munch said.
"And try and get some sleep." Alex added. Elliot couldn't find any more words so he just nodded. After several more forced smiles, handshakes and pats on the back the squad departed while Elliot made himself comfortable next to Olivia's bed.
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Days past. Olivia recovered under the watchful eye of the hospital staff and members of the squad. Under Cragen's orders she was rarely left alone and every need was tended to. Olivia was not overly happy with this.
"ELLIOT STABLER! I can feed myself! I got stabbed in the chest not in the arms!" Elliot froze midway towards her face with a spoon full of red Jell-O. "I can feed myself and I am not eating Jell-O." Olivia yelled out surprising the urge to slap the spoon out of his hand. His features softened as he continued to hold the spoon out.
"Liv I just wanted to help." He responded defeated.
"And I appreciate that help but I'm fine. Some rest and relaxation and I will be chasing bad guys right next to you. Now please put the spoon down before I shove it down your throat." Elliot knew from experience the look she was giving him was not one to take lightly. Finally lowering the spoon he shrugged his shoulders.
"Ok. I get it. Your fine, like always." Olivia knew she had been harsh and could see the hurt in his eyes.
"I need to get out of here!" she exclaimed exasperated. "I'm going stir crazy. The lack of food is not helping much either."
"You need to not rush." Elliot said through a mouthful of Jell-O. "There will always be sex crimes."
"Tactful. Thanks El." She said.
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"Ok. Home sweet home!" Alex said pushing open the door.
"Finally." Olivia said happily following her through the door. "I thought I was going to have to break out of that place."
"Well don't start the celebration yet. Doctor Upton gave you express instructions to take…it…easy. You know sleep in for once, stay in bed all day." Alex scolded.
"Not you two. I've been reminded by the doctors, nurses, Cragen, Fin, Munch, Elliot and every other male in my life. Can't you be on my side? Just leave me some water and food, tell me your cell phone is always on and to call if I need anything." Alex stopped putting groceries away and looked up. She could tell from the look of pleading on her exhausted face that she was serious.
"Liv you have plenty of food in you fridge. Here is a bottle of water and a package of your favorite crackers. Sit on the couch, sleep, heal." She finished putting the reaming food away before bringing over the water and crackers placing them on the coffee table. "My cell phone is always on. Call if you need anything." Olivia couldn't help but smile at the ADA's cheek. Not something Alex normally gave.
"Thank you and I promise I will not try to run a marathon, repel off a building or even attempt any stairs. I'll be good." Olivia said honestly.
"Glad to hear it. I'll be back tomorrow! Bye Liv." Alex pulled on her coat and said her goodbye's.
"OH! Hey Alex. Do me a favor?" Olivia called before Alex could close the apartment door.
"Yeah?" She asked sticking her head back in.
"Tell Elliot if he gets tired of sitting in the car to come up. He is welcome to crash on my couch." Alex smiled and laughed as she exited the door. "You know him to well Liv." She said just before the door closed.
Finally alone for the first time in a week she allowed the emotion of everything to hit her. The fear. The pain. The anger. The frustration. She had always known that her squad was the closet thing to family she ever had and was thankful for them. What she didn't know was that one day she would relay on them so heavily for survival. Elliot was always the one being ruffed up leaving her to sit by his hospital bedside and keep his wife and kids calm. Feeling tired from the trip home from the hospital and exceptionally more comfortable on her own couch in her own space she easily drifted off to sleep.