Okay, at the request (and threats) of many reviewers, here's chapter two of When All Else Fails.
This chapter is dedicated to KaydenceRei, Rachel, and Infinitystar, three great writers and friends!
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. Yeah yeah yeah, I know.
Cragen, Munch and Fin were in front of the building when they heard the screams. As they barreled into the room from where the sound originated, the sight before them made them stop in their tracks.
Elliot was lying on the floor, surrounded by a growing pool of his own blood. And in that horrible second, Cragen believed that his detective, the man who was like his own son, was dead. He felt the tears sting his eyes, but suddenly he felt a hand on his arm.
"Cap, look!" Fin hissed, pointing at Elliot. Cragen followed his stare, and he inhaled sharply in disbelief. Did he really just see what he thought he saw? He rubbed his eyes, then stared again. There it was! Elliot's chest rose slightly, and Cragen's heart leapt. He was still alive!
"Munch, get the bus in here, now!" Cragen bellowed, running to his injured detective's side. "Elliot? Elliot, can you hear me?" Cragen demanded, and joy filled him when Elliot shuddered and moaned.
"Where's Liv? I... want... Liv," he mumbled, and Cragen's heart broke. He couldn't tell him that he had no idea where his partner was, or if she was even alive.
"My stomach hurts," Elliot groaned, and Cragen looked down at Elliot's stomach, immediately seeing the knife protruding from his abdomen. He knew he couldn't move it because the damage could worsen. So he did the only thing he knew to do. Yanking his jacket off, he wadded it up and eased it under Elliot's head, forcing himself not to look at the blood covering Elliot's face.
"Cap, paramedics are here," Fin said, and they watched as the medics rushed to stabilize Elliot.
"There's no sign of Olivia," Fin said, and Cragen shook his head. Whoever had done this was going to pay. And he was going to pay with his blood.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
Oh God, oh God, oh God, Olivia screamed silently as her attacker dumped her unceremoniously on the floor.
"Now now, Olivia," the man cooed, stroking Olivia's hair. She jerked away from his hand, and the man raised his hand and slapped her across the face. "You will learn!" he snarled, and Olivia's eyes widened as he fumbled with his pants, cursing as he finally yanked them down to his knees.
"Time to play," he sneered, grabbing a fistful of Olivia's hair and yanking her towards him.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
Cragen looked into the window of the ICU room and sighed sadly.
"How's he doing?" Munch asked, standing beside his captain.
"He's stable. That's all they can say." Munch removed his sunglasses and rubbed at his eyes, saying, "I wish..." He sighed. "Olivia should be here."
Cragen remained silent, staring at his wounded detective.
"We're gonna get her back," Munch said quietly, uncertain as to whether he was trying to comfort his captain or himself.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
One Month Later...
"Captain Cragen, it's been nearly a month, and Mr. Stabler is still on life support. He's not improving. Maybe you should consider turning the life support off," Dr. Carlos said gently, warily watching the captain.
"How much longer?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Give me a number."
Carlos sighed and scrubbed his hand over his face. "His brain activity has shown no improvement. Barring some kind of miracle, by the end of this week."
Cragen nodded solemnly and thought, Please, God. I can't do this. He deserves to live.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
When Olivia heard the door slam shut, she counted silently until she heard the car start. Then, she waited five minutes before standing up and grabbing the key from under the pillow. With a trembling hand, she shoved the key into the lock, holding her breath as she gave it a twist. The tumblers clicked easily, and she nearly passed out with relief as the doorknob turned in her hand.
Giving it a violent shove, Olivia flew out the door and ran through the woods, searching desperately for a road. Every sound she heard made her run faster, and she didn't stop until she tripped and crashed to the ground.
Suddenly she had no strength, and even as she heard footsteps approaching, she just closed her eyes and surrendered to the comforting darkness.
The last thing she heard was a male voice exclaiming, "Oh my God! You're Olivia Benson! Don't worry, honey. You're safe now." And then she knew no more.
TBC...
A/N: (ducks flaming shoes while running for cover) Eeepp!!! I'm gonna go hide until ya'll are done with the anger thing! Leave a review, and let me know how I'm doing!