Okay, here's the next chapter! Enjoy, and please review! Oh yeah, and I don't own the beautiful song No Place That Far, by Sara Evans. But I do think it describes their relationship beautifully...
This chapter is for Kelly Of The Midnight Dawn, onetreefan, and LivNel4ever for their wonderful reviews!
Disclaimer: They ain't mine. How is that new?
Cragen, Munch, Fin and Dr. Carlos were talking quietly in the hallway when Olivia appeared from Elliot's room.
"Is he?" Cragen asked, bracing for the worst.
"He's awake!" she exclaimed, and Cragen's jaw dropped.
"I need all of you to stay out here. I'm going to examine Mr. Stabler," Carlos announced, disappearing into Elliot's ICU room.
The men surrounded Olivia, and Munch said, "What happened?"
"I don't know. I felt someone touching my back, and I looked at him and he was awake and watching me," she said happily, and Fin whistled lowly. "I always knew he was a stubborn son of a bitch. I'll never doubt it again." Olivia laughed softly, and the group talked for several minutes until Carlos reappeared.
"How is he?" Olivia and Cragen asked simultaneously.
"He's incredibly weak, but I believe he will survive. Your partner is an amazing man, Miss Benson."
"Yes, he is," Olivia confirmed quietly.
"I want to keep him in ICU tonight, but if all goes well, we'll move him into a private room tomorrow where visitation is unrestricted."
"Can I go back in there with him?" Olivia asked, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Normally, we would restrict visits to fifteen minutes per hour, but given the circumstances, the hospital will make an exception."
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
A half hour later, Olivia was sitting in an overstuffed chair beside Elliot's bed, watching her partner intently.
He was watching her as well, and the dry erase board that served as their means of communication rested on his stomach. Carlos had told them that they would try and remove the tube the next day, but he didn't want to rush it with the state Elliot's lungs were in.
Elliot's hand on hers made Olivia look up, and she smiled and leaned forward, slipping her hand into his. She saw him scribble something on the board, and she smiled when he held it up and she read it.
"Sing to you?" she asked, and his cerulean eyes danced as he squeezed her hand. "Okay, fine. But only for you," she teased, squeezing his hand back. She thought for a moment, and another smile graced her lips as one song came into her mind. She stared into his eyes as she cleared her throat and began to sing.
I can't imagine any greater fear
Then waking up without you here
And though the sun would still shine on
My whole world would all be gone
But not for long
If I had to run
If I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far
It wouldn't matter why we're apart
Lonely miles or two stubborn hearts
Nothing short of God above
Could turn me away from your love
I need you that much
If I had to run
If I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far
If I had to run
If I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far
Baby there's no place that far
As Olivia finished the song, she felt her heart melt at the content smile on Elliot's face.
His grip on her hand loosened, and she kissed his forehead and touched his cheek, whispering, "Go to sleep, El. I'm not going anywhere." His hand reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she wrapped her hand around his and kissed his fingertips, smiling as his eyes slid shut and his hand went limp.
She watched him for a few more minutes before kissing his cheek and going back to her room.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
This is too easy, he thought as he slipped into the hospital room.
Eying the sleeping figure in the bed, he quickly made his way to the machines beside the bed. Too bad your little partner isn't here to save you.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
"Elliot!" Olivia cried out as she bolted upright in her bed. Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she thought, Relax, Liv. He's fine. He's right down the hall, sound asleep.
But something just didn't feel right, and after a brief struggle with herself, she climbed out of the bed, walked out of the room, and headed to Elliot's room.
He's just fine. You'll see.
TBC...
A/N: (ducks flaming shoes and pots while diving for cover) MWAHAHA!! Cliffhanger!