Prompt #116: Till I Met You by Angeline Quinto
If Ever You're In My Arms Again
Part 1
I Love You More Each Day
~oOo~
Olivia just got back to SVU a few days ago from her undercover stint with the feds in Oregon and the workload was already getting to her. She knew that no shit will get done today and it was honestly taking a toll on her, so she decided to go out for some drinks.
"Hey El, I'll leave early." Olivia sighed as she started to pack her things.
"That's new. Where are you going?" El was curious.
"I just wanna unwind and just sleep even just a little bit." Olivia shrugged and went to get her coat.
"Well let me join you, this paperwork will be the cause of my insanity." Elliot stood up and took his coat as well and waited for Olivia at the elevator door.
"Shouldn't you go home to your wife and kids?" Olivia stated as they waited for the elevator.
"Kathy filed for a divorce." Elliot sighed as the bell rang signaling that the elevator car arrived.
The partners went inside the elevator to go to the parking area to drive to the pub they frequent.
"So what's got you all bothered to leave early?" Elliot asked as they both walked towards the pub and to take his mind off his impending divorce.
"Nothing, I just think that we at least need to leave early and just unwind you know," Olivia explained as they entered the bar and went to a booth in the back. They both sat down in the booth and were approached by a waitress.
"Hey! I'll be your waitress for the night and here's our menu. What will be the drinks in the meantime?" The waitress asked and pulled out her paper and pen.
"I would like a pitcher of beer, how about you, Liv?" Elliot checked with Olivia and she just shrugged.
"Beer's fine with me," Olivia answered as she looked at Elliot and smiled.
"Ok, I'll bring the pitcher of beer and beer glasses and will check if you're both ready to order." The waitress stated as she left to fetch their ordered drink.
"So how's the kids?" Olivia stated, trying to start the conversation.
"Well, they're good and they just visited me a few days ago and they're doing well in school," Elliot replied with a huge smile on his face.
"That's good to know and it's nice that you and Kathy are on good terms in regards to the separation." Olivia smiled as they talked more about anything they could talk about.
The partners kept on talking and already asked their waitress to take their order. After a few more minutes, their waitress approached them and they started eating their dinner while they enjoyed the music that was playing.
"Good evening everyone, this is a new stint here in our bar where a live band will be playing and a beautiful young singer will be gracing our mini stage for tonight," the manager of the bar stated as he gave the mic to the singer and the band started playing a song.
"Good evening everyone, I'm Izzie and I'll be singing for all of you tonight and this song is a fun little song. If you all know the song then don't hesitate to sing with me." Izzie started humming and the people start clapping their hands. Olivia and Elliot moved to a table that was near the stage to enjoy the music.
"The shtick of this bar is really good," Elliot commented as he clapped his hands as well.
"She sings really well," Olivia commented as she hummed the song. Izzie kept on singing until the song finished.
"Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the first song. This second song is a love song and I know it's cheesy but I can see that there are some couples here who are enjoying the night," Izzie said as she signaled the band to play the second song.
"To all the couples that are here, I hope you all enjoy the song, especially the couple in front of me." Izzie smiled as she pointed at Elliot and Olivia who were sitting in a booth next to each other. Elliot and Olivia were shocked when the people in the bar clapped and cheered.
"Oh God! We have to go!" Olivia groaned as she covered her face.
"We don't have to go, Liv. I mean we know that we're not a couple and besides, let's just enjoy the night." Elliot laughed as he looked at stage and thanked the singer.
"Elliot! Stop it or I'll leave you here," Olivia threatened as she gave Elliot a glare.
"Ok, ok! I'll stop now." Elliot chuckled as Izzie started singing.
I never dreamed
'Cause I always thought that dreaming was for kids
Just a childish thing
And I could swear
Love was just a game that children play
And no more than a game
Olivia had to admit that the first part of the song already caught her attention and she couldn't help but to look at Elliot and think about the years they've been partners and friends.
"It's a really good song, huh," Elliot commented as he kept on listening to Izzie. Olivia didn't know how to react so she just kept on listening to the song.
'Til I met you
I never knew what love was
'Til I met you
This feeling seems to grow more
Every day, I love you more each day
Olivia couldn't help but think about how their relationship as partners and friends grew over the years and if she was true to herself, she thought about the one-sided feeling that she had been trying to fight as well. Olivia couldn't help but to think about all the possibilities and what if's, and she was trying not to be emotional.
"Hey Liv, are you ok? I'm trying to get your attention to know if you want more beer but you're zoning out." Elliot took Olivia's hand and held it, trying to check if she was ok.
"I'm fine El, just tired and go ahead and get another pitcher of beer." Olivia smiled as she called for the waitress to order another pitcher.
Elliot looked at Olivia for a few more seconds and took his attention back to the stage. Elliot was trying not to get affected by the song but of course, life will throw you something that'll make you question everything.
I believe you
I believe in every word that you say
I love you all the way
Now I can swear
Love is not a game that children play
So tell me that you'll stay
Olivia was trying to calm herself down because if she was gonna be honest to herself, well, she might just up and leave Elliot, go home to avoid all the emotions that she had been feeling for God knows how long.
'Til I met you
I never knew what love was
'Til I met you
This feeling seems to grow more
Every day, I love you more each day
Olivia took the pitcher to pour herself a glass of beer to calm her nerves and tried to focus on Izzie who was almost done singing. Olivia was sipping on her beer when Elliot held her hand and looked at her.
"What's wrong El?" Olivia asked as she looked at Elliot and he smiled.
"Nothing, I just want to know if you're still enjoying the song." Elliot just shrugged and moved his attention back to Izzie but not taking his hand away from Olivia's.
"After the song, do you want to go back to my apartment?" Elliot invited Olivia; she honestly doesn't know if she should accept the invite.
"Elliot, I…" Olivia tried to say but Elliot interrupted.
"It's fine, Liv, I know you want to rest so I'll just walk you home." Elliot sighed as faced the mini-stage again.
"No, it's fine and besides my apartment is closer so let's just go there. I don't want you driving when you had a drink," Olivia explained as she looked at Elliot whose attention was on the young singer again. Izzie finally finished the song and all the customers clapped their hands.
"She's really good, huh?" Elliot remarked as he faced Olivia.
"She is." Olivia smiled tightly as she picked up her coat and bag, Elliot doing the same.
"Let's go." The partners stood up from their booth, leaving their payment and a hefty tip for their waitress and the singer.
Elliot and Olivia went out of the pub and started walking towards Olivia's apartment, just enjoying each other's company.
"Liv, I…" Elliot mumbled as they reached Olivia's apartment complex. Olivia looked at him, her curiosity at its peak.
"Yes, El?" Olivia said as she gave her full attention to Elliot.
"I just wanna say this because this has been eating me for a long while now and this is now or never Olivia. Every day, I love you more each day." Elliot stated as he held Olivia's face with so much tenderness. Olivia being shocked was an understatement. If she was honest with herself, she couldn't help the tears that were now freely flowing down her face. She gave Elliot a big smile.
"Every day, I love you more each day Elliot," was all Olivia could say as Elliot leaned down and gave Olivia the most tender kiss he could muster. Olivia deepened the kiss as she wrapped her arms around Elliot and when the need for oxygen became more apparent, they slowly let their lips go and smiled.
They stayed outside Olivia's apartment complex just basking in the feeling of finally letting themselves love each other when they heard gunshots aimed towards them. Elliot reached for his gun immediately and saw that the gunman was inside a black Prius. Elliot fired toward the car and he saw that he hit the gunman and the driver, the car swerving onto a parked car.
"Let's go call for backup, Liv," Elliot stated as he put his gun in his holster. Elliot was waiting for a reply when he heard a pained groan next to him. Olivia was hit.
"Liv! Oh my God!" Elliot quickly ran towards Olivia to check her injury, and he gasped as he saw blood gushing out from her chest wound. Elliot reached for his radio which was still attached to his hip.
"10-13! I need a bus!" Elliot screamed Olivia's name on his radio while putting pressure on her wound. Olivia was gasping for breath and it scared Elliot.
"I'm here, Olivia, the ambulance is on its way. Hold on." Elliot didn't know if he was assuring Olivia or himself but either way, he was not doing a good job. Olivia held Elliot's hand tightly.
"I love you more each day." Olivia mumbled as her eyes started to close. Elliot tapped Olivia's cheek to wake her up but to no avail. He could also feel Olivia's breath slowing down.
"No, no! Stay with me, Olivia! I can hear the ambulance already!" Elliot screamed as he held Olivia's hand so she could feel that he wouldn't be going anywhere. Elliot raised his free hand to check Olivia's pulse and it was getting fainter by the second.
The ambulance finally arrived and they quickly took over the situation, getting Olivia the medical attention she needed when Elliot heard the one thing he didn't want to.
"She's losing blood! I need more assistance here!" One of the paramedics shouted and they all worked on Olivia until she was finally stable enough to be driven to Mercy General.
"Sir, do you wanna ride with her? Are you hurt too?" One of the paramedics tapped Elliot's shoulder to get his attention.
"I'm fine! I need all of you to save her! Please!" Elliot rarely cried in front of anyone, even Olivia but he was desperate, he didn't want to lose Olivia.
"We will, sir. Let's go! We don't have time," the paramedic stated as calmly as they could and guided Elliot towards the ambulance.
"We'll be greeted by nurses out front so she can be wheeled in as soon as we arrive at the door," a small blonde woman ordered her team as they worked on Olivia.
"Sir, do you know her blood type?" the same blonde woman asked Elliot.
"We have the same blood type, A positive," Elliot quickly informed the young paramedic. She took a note of the information so she could inform the doctors and nurses that would be working on Olivia.
Elliot couldn't help but reach out for Olivia's hand and gave it a squeeze, hoping that Olivia would squeeze back but no movements came from the injured woman. The ambulance stopped and they opened the door to transfer Olivia to another gurney to go to the operating room as soon as possible.
"Her vitals are dropping! Let's move!" Elliot heard one of the doctors shout as they went to the operating room. All Elliot could do was watch as they wheeled her away. Elliot fetched his phone to call the squad to let them know what happened and that they were at Mercy General if they wanted to come.
Elliot went to the nurse's station so he could fill up the forms that would be needed when he was approached by one of the nurses.
"Sir, you said to one of the respondents that you and the patient have the same blood type. We will need you to donate a bag of A positive as soon as possible since she lost a lot of blood on the way here," the nurse stated as Elliot finished Olivia's forms and he immediately nodded to the nurse.
"Where do you want me to go?" Elliot asked and the nurse just informed him to follow them. He was directed to one of the available gurneys and another nurse came in to collect the blood.
"This will be quick but don't stand up immediately, and I also asked one of my colleagues if they had a spare shirt that you can use so you can change while waiting for your partner, Detective," the male nurse informed Elliot as soon as the machine started collecting his blood for Olivia.
Elliot was left alone with his thoughts and he couldn't help but think if this would be the last time he would ever see Olivia, and he couldn't help the tears run down his face. He wiped his tears and closed his eyes and made the sign of the cross, starting his prayers. At this point, if he could switch places with Olivia he would but that was not how Olivia would want it. He kept his eyes closed and continued with his prayer when he heard the curtain moving and saw his captain with full worry in his eyes.
"How's Liv?" Don asks as he looks at Elliot's state, Elliot's covered in Olivia's blood and Don knew that it wasn't good.
"I don't know yet, Don, all I know for now is that Liv needs blood for the operation," Elliot answered as he sighed and looked at the bag that was already full of his blood.
"I'll take this blood immediately for your partner, here's a box of apple juice to at least help you with the blood loss and the shirt that I borrowed from one of the nurses." The male nurse handed the items to Elliot and quickly left with the bag of blood to the operating room where Olivia was fighting for her life.
"She's strong, son. I know she'll pull through from this." Don rubbed Elliot's shoulder to try and comfort not just Elliot but himself as well.
"I know, Don, and can you grab my phone, I want to at least let my soon-to-be ex-wife know I'm still alive and say goodnight to my kids." Elliot sighed as he gave Kathy a call and talked to his kids for a bit.
After the call, Elliot and Don moved back to the waiting area and there was the whole squad waiting for them.
"What happened, Elliot?" Casey asked as soon as Elliot sat down on one of the available chairs. He rubbed his face and gave a deep sigh. This night would forever be ingrained in his brain.
"Olivia and I were just walking home from the pub, we arrived at her apartment complex and talked when we suddenly heard gunshots. I quickly reached for my gun to fire at the car and I hit the driver and the gunman when I asked Liv to report the ambush, I just heard a groan and that's when I saw that Liv was shot," Elliot explained as he just stared at the wall the whole time, he's still reeling from what happened and he didn't know if this was a targeted ambush or just a random incident.
After a few hours, a doctor came out of the operating room and quickly approached the group.
"Miss Benson's family?" the doctor asked and they all stood up, Elliot walking towards the doctor.
"That's us. How's Olivia?" Elliot asked the doctor with urgency like knowing Olivia's state was his only lifeline.
"Miss Benson is out of the surgery and in the recovery room already but I just want to let you all know that the bullet had hit a part of her heart and all we have to do now is wait for her to wake up." The doctor explained as Elliot just stared at the doctor.
"What do you mean wait for her to wake up?" Don asked the doctor, asking Fin to help Elliot sit down in a chair.
"What I mean is that Miss Benson is in a coma and we're waiting for her to wake up. I know that this is not the news you want to hear but due to her injury, it will take her a bit of time to wake up." The doctor further explained before he excused themself to approach one of the nurses that would be assigned to Olivia.
"In the meantime, all of you can wait here for a few more hours. You can quickly visit Miss Benson after we transfer her to one of the rooms in the ICU ward." The doctor left and the group just stared at each other with nothing else to say.
"I'll stay if you all want to go home," Elliot stated with a wavering voice.
"We'll stay here," Don replied while giving Elliot's shoulder a squeeze.
The group went to the hospital's cafeteria to get coffee or sandwiches while Elliot went to the restroom to get changed. Elliot was washing away the blood on his hands as he let his tears flow. Elliot let himself slide against the wall as he kept on crying. He heard the door open and he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, son. Let's get you cleaned up so we can wait with the others," Don stated as he helped Elliot stand up at the sink and cleaned the rest of the blood off Elliot.
They waited for a few more hours when a nurse approached the group and informed them that Olivia has now been moved to ICU. They thanked the nurse and almost ran towards the elevator to reach the ICU bay. Casey approached the nurse's station and asked what room Olivia was in.
"Miss Benson is in room 406, go straight towards the hall and look to your right," the nurse stated as they thanked her and started walking towards the room.
All they could do was gasp as they saw Olivia in the room with a ton of wires and tubes that were connected to her.
"Let's go." Fin softly opened the door to go in and he stood near the door. Casey took the seat next to Olivia, Don stood at the foot of Olivia's bed and Elliot sat on another chair next to Olivia. Elliot took Olivia's cold hand, trying to warm hers.
"Hey Liv, we're all here. Wake up." Elliot heard Casey say as her tears ran down her face.
"Liv, I'm here. I'll protect you," Elliot said as he lifted Olivia's hand that he was holding and gave it a kiss. Elliot didn't care anymore if their colleagues saw it, he just wanted to let Liv know that he was here, and he was not going anywhere.
After a few minutes of visiting Olivia, the others left while Elliot stayed. Elliot was alone now and his thoughts were running wild.
"Olivia, you have to wake up now. I'm here and I'll always protect you." Elliot sobbed as he held Olivia's hand.
"I remember the day I realized that I couldn't let you go. It was when Gitano was pointing his gun at my head and all I could think of was — don't let this monster hurt Liv. That's why I kept mouthing to you that it was ok. Olivia, I don't know what I'll do if something bad happens to you and I was there to protect you but I can't. We're just starting our story, Liv, I don't want to end it this quickly," Elliot kept on speaking as he just held Olivia's hand in both his, hoping that Olivia would feel that she was not alone, that Elliot was there waiting for her.
The author of this SVU Love in the Air story will be revealed in March