The first thing she registered was a warm, comforting feeling unlike the chill of fear she had hours earlier. Someone was caressing her cheek and hair gently but this touch didn't frighten her. It made her feel safe. It was the touch of someone that loved and cared deeply for her. She was leaning over in a chair and her head was resting on the shoulder that the hand belonged to. Elliot. She snuggled into his neck and ran a hand across his chest, stopping when she hit the breathing tube that reminded her they were in the hospital. The hand that had been stroking her cheek tilted her chin up slightly and another hand grasped the one that had been absentmindedly exploring his chest and held it close to his heart. She opened her eyes and broke out in a huge, tearful smile when she saw the calming swirls of blue that stared back at her lovingly.

"There's those beautiful blue eyes. Hi baby." She lifts her head to pepper his face with small kisses. "I'm so happy you're awake. I missed you." He turned his head and attempted to sit up slightly so he could see her better. He made a gesture towards the tube and his face scrunched up in pain. "Oh, sweetheart I'm so sorry it hurts. I'm gonna go get the nurse ok." He shakes his head as much as he's able and motions toward the remote to call the nurse and her heart warms at the realization that he's in pain and yet he's still concerned for her and wants her close. He doesn't even want her to leave the room for a second.

"You two are the most adorable married couple I think I've ever seen! How long have you been together?" The nurse asked. Olivia blushed and Elliot's eyes perked up. He squeezed her hand and his eyes told her to play along.

"Almost two years."

"Well let me just say that I can tell your relationship is one that will last till the end of time. I know true love when I see it. My husband and I have been married for 30 years." Elliot coughs and groans, struggling against the tube and the pain.

"Shhhh baby, baby don't try to talk just relax. I know it hurts but the nurse is gonna take it out ok? It's alright sweetheart. It's gonna be alright." She kissed his forehead comfortingly.

He coughed a few times when the tube was taken out and Olivia rushed to the sink to get him some water. "Here honey. Take a sip but slowly. Don't go too fast or you'll hurt yourself."

"Your wife is very devoted Mr. Stabler. I'll give you two some time. Let me know if you need anything else." He cleared his throat and swallowed as relief filled his features. He lifted Olivia's hand to his lips and kissed it a few times, bringing tears to her eyes.

"Hey, beautiful." His voice is rough and raspy from the tube and surgery, but its music to her ears.

"Hardly, I'm a mess." She teased but he shook his head.

"No Livia, you're gorgeous." She felt anything but. She felt disgusting. She felt ashamed of herself for letting that monster touch her. She looked away and sniffled.

"Oh sweetie, come here." She didn't deserve his comfort. She didn't deserve to have him wipe away her tears. She might as well have put him in this hospital bed herself. "Look at me, baby. You never have to hide your tears from me. Not ever."

"I feel so dirty El. I can still feel him all over me and I-"

"They should've given you something to change into. Did anyone check you out?" She hadn't even realized she was still wearing the shirt that was now stained with both Elliot and Lester's blood.

"I had to know if you were ok first. Besides it's not that bad, you protected me-"

"Not the whole time. The creep still touched you. He still hurt you." Her heart broke at the look of guilt on his face.

"El, honey you did what you could. None of this was your fault."

"Did he-" he swallowed hard, unable to say the word.

"No, no he just hit me a couple times, taunted me. He had his h-hands all over me and...kissed me. but he didn't rape me. You saved me El."

"I shouldn't have left my gun out in the open like that I should've hidden it. He still would've had your gun but I could've saved us both."

"I'm the one who suggested we make love and didn't think to turn up the volume on the phone. Cragen said he had been trying to reach us for over an hour. We would've gotten away."

"I'm so sorry Liv. I know you don't blame me but I can't help but feel like someone else could've protected you better."

"Elliot you nearly died protecting me." She choked back tears at the reminder that she'd almost lost him. "No one else has ever made me feel as safe as you do. No one could ever fill the hole in my heart if you were gone."

"Come here, my love." Seeing her cry always broke his heart. She was his baby, his world and he wished he could save her from ever feeling pain again. "Does it hurt?" He asks looking at the bruise on her neck where Lester had tried to choke her.

"No, I'm not in pain El I promise." He held her hand and kissed it sweetly and then paged the nurse.

"Yes?"

"My wife was injured too but wasn't checked out or given anything clean to change into-" They exchanged smiles at how quickly they slipped into the 'pretending we're married' role.

"My husband is stubborn and overprotective."

"He just loves you, honey." She smiled knowingly.

"Yes, I do." He smiled warmly at Olivia.

"Mrs. Stabler there's a shower in the bathroom if you want to-" She was hesitant. She wanted Lester's filth off of her but didn't want to leave Elliot. He was the only thing distracting her from a flashback or from thinking about what happened.

"I'll be fine."

"What about a sponge bath?" Olivia laughed out loud.

"I didn't mean it like that baby. I just want you to feel clean and comfortable." He turns to the nurse.

"Just a gown, towel, lotion, some soap and water, and a sponge. I'll take care of her."

"You trying to seduce me, Stabler?"

"Doc says I can't for 6 weeks." He smirked. "I just want to help you feel better. I'm gonna get you cleaned up and then I'm gonna hold you."

"With what, your feet?"

"Ha Ha, my hands still work. I'll just have to be creative." She laughed and her heart warmed. Even as fragile as he looked in the hospital bed, he was still her Elliot and he would always make sure she was loved and cared for.

"Here you go, Mr. And Mrs. Stabler. I'll give you two some privacy."

"Are we gonna talk about the fact that my nurse thinks we're married? Because I gotta say, Olivia Stabler does have a nice ring to it." He put a towel over himself and helped her lay back across his chest, careful to not lay directly on the bandages.

"I think so too." He helped her remove the bloody t-shirt and threw it in the trash.

"I do in fact plan to marry you someday Olivia Benson." He soaked the sponge in the tub of soap the nurse had prepared.

"Where's my ring?" He chuckled.

"I'm not proposing in a hospital, you deserve all the romance I have to offer." He ran the sponge on her shoulders and neck gently. "But someday soon my love, someday soon."

"I'd love that." She placed her hand over his, stopping his loving cleanse of her body. "Don't use the sponge." She smiles at him and removes the sponge from his hand, leaving his hand resting on her arm. "I could use your touch." After Lester's filthy hands were on her, baiting her possessively, she craved Elliot's soothing, gentle caress to make the feeling go away.

"Anything for you baby." He used the hand on his injured shoulder to hold the sponge as he lathered his other hand in soap and lovingly washed her chest and stomach.

"That feels so good." She hummed and rested her head on his shoulder, inhaling his scent. There was nothing sexual about the way he was touching her. He was washing away her wounds, soothing her, loving her skin with his hand. He was ridding her of every disgusting, terrifying threat the monster inflicted on her. It was healing.

"Do you have any cuts? I don't want to get soap in those."

"I think there might be one on my back from when he kicked me on the ground." He cringed as the image of what had happened to her surfaced on his brain.

"Ok. We should look and maybe get you a bandage." He rinsed his hand off in the water and took a cup from his tray, placing water in it and pouring it on her body to rinse the soap off. "I hate to make you do this because my feet probably stink but you'll have to lay the other way so I can reach your legs." She giggled when she laid facing his feet and he tickled her nose with his toe.

"El!"

"Sorry." He smirked, continuing his gentle cleanse of her legs and feet. She rubbed her foot in his face to get back at him and he kissed her toes.

"That tickles."

"Oh, I remember." He chuckled. He rinses her legs and then takes her hand and helps her sit up so she can lay facing him again on her stomach.

"You've got a couple small cuts, nothing too bad but I'm gonna have the nurse bring a couple bandages ok?" He covers her up with the blanket and towel and pages the nurse again for some band-aids.

"You've got yourself a good man, Mrs. Stabler."

"Yes, I certainly do."

"I'm the lucky one," Elliot replied while bandaging the cuts on Olivia's back. He continues his soothing caress when the nurse leaves the room. His tenderness brought tears to her eyes and she knew she was falling even more in love with him than she already was.

He washed her hair next, massaging her scalp and kissing her forehead a few times. Then he helped her dry off and rubbed her body gently with lotion. He helped her put the gown on and positioned her so he was cradling her in the bed. His right arm was wrapped around her shoulders and his left hand was on her hip. He couldn't hold her fully with his injured shoulder but it was good enough for her.

"I missed this."

"Me too love." He kissed her forehead softly, then her eyelids; his lips brushing away any remaining tears. He kissed her nose and her temple and moved to her ear. All spots where Lester had either touched her or had his breath on her when he whispered into her ear. Elliot was soothing away. He was replacing the pain with his love. She shivered when she felt Elliot's breath on her neck, but this time it wasn't a shiver of fear.

"I love you. You're beautiful. You mean everything to me. You're strong. You're a survivor. You're the light of my life. I'll never leave your side. We'll get through this together like we always have. I'm your partner for better or worse." He whispered, healing her with his words, soothing and loving her with his kisses. He kissed her earlobe and around the bruise on her neck. He kissed her chin and then her lips. She deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue entrance as he swept her mouth gently. She melted into his embrace, Lester's threatening words and possessive touches far from her mind as the kiss continued. She couldn't taste or feel the monster at that moment, just Elliot. Elliot's love, care, and safety that had almost been ripped away from her forever and he was showering her in it. Reminding her that they had made it. That he was still with her. That they would be ok.

They smiled at each other when they pulled away.

"Do I still have morning breath?" Elliot asked and Olivia giggled.

"You're absolutely perfect." She snuggled into his embrace. "I love you El."

"I love you too baby. Always will."

X

His kids came by that afternoon. Kathy dropped them off but didn't go up to see Elliot. Olivia was upset with her about it but Elliot didn't mind, saying that Olivia and his kids were all he needed.

"Daddy!" His twins ran into the room despite their older sisters telling them to be careful.

"It's alright girls, it's alright. Come on in."

"We're so glad you two are ok," Maureen said. She and Kathleen had tears in their eyes.

"You should see the other guy," Elliot smirked and the whole room laughed.

"I should let you guys have some time with your dad," Olivia said and started to get up.

"Liv you're practically family."

"She is our family or will be when dad finally asks her. Anyway, we love you Liv. Please don't leave." There was a chorus of agreement that brought tears to her eyes. She had a family. Her partner, his kids, their captain, and fellow detectives. They were all her family.

"I agree with my kids on that one." Elliot smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I love you guys so much. All of you. Let me at least get up so you can hug your dad. He's still hurt on that one side."

"I'm fine and I love group hugs, come here."

"Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you. He said as they leaned over to hug him and kiss his cheek. "And love you." He turns to Liv and gives her a peck on the lips.

"Ewww cooties!" Dickie says and everyone laughs again.

"I think dad is immune to any cooties Liv would have by now." Kathleen teased and Elliot rolled his eyes.

"Well, their Captain isn't so keep it PG around me, please. You up for some visitors?" Cragen poked his head in the doorway.

"I guess a few more won't hurt," Elliot smirked as his colleagues entered the room.

"Good to see you're still kickin' ol man." John Munch teased.

"Gee thanks, John." Chuckles fill the room.

"You've got a few years on him John, careful who you call old." Monique Jefferies smirked.

"You've all got a few years on Liv and I, we're the babies of the squad." Brian Cassidy stated proudly.

"Liv's our baby, you've got plenty of grey and just hide it," Elliot smirked and Olivia laughed.

"Alright, kids. At least you still have hair." Cragen pointed to his bald head and everyone laughed.

"Aw Cap you're not that old."

"And that Olivia is why you are my favorite."

"Can't argue with that one." Elliot kissed her head.

X

The group chatted for a bit and then the room slowly cleared as Maureen and Kathleen took the twins to eat and Munch, Cassidy, and Jefferies headed back to the station.

"Did I get him?" Elliot asked Cragen and he didn't need to say the name for the other two in the room to know who he was referring to. Cragen nodded.

"First shot went directly in his heart, if he even had one, and killed him instantly. Even without it the other 4 shots you fired would have paralyzed him. You'll never have to worry about him again. They uh, they found your brother on the scene too, also dead."

"I don't care, I don't give a crap. He's just as guilty as Lester. He tried to take Olivia away from me. He's been dead to me for years anyway."

"I'm the one that shot Matt," Olivia spoke up feeling the need to defend her partner. "I'm guessing IAB wants to talk to us now."

"You both saved your partner's life and countless other victims. Lester Sproles had a revenge kill list 10 miles long and it was cut short. IAB has nothing to say. You will, however, need to meet with the department psychologist before returning to work...if you think you can go back." He looks at Olivia.

"Oh, I'm going back." She says in a determined tone. "I'll talk to the shrink, I'll take a few weeks off while Elliot's recovering, but I'm going back. I'm not letting Lester take that away from me. I'm a cop, it's who I am. Besides I'm supposed to have my partner's back, we can read each other like the back of our hands Cap. I can do my job."

"Never doubted it." He smiled proudly and Elliot squeezed her hand.

"Any idea when I can get out of here?" Elliot asked and a thought dawned on Olivia.

"Wait, where are we gonna go? His apartment's destroyed and I don't think I can go back to mine."

"That was another reason I came in, one-PP has offered to pay for an apartment for you guys to live in together."

"Fine with me."

"Ok." Years ago, she would have been skeptical about moving in with someone so fast, but with Elliot it was different. He was the one for her and she knew she'd never want anyone else.

"You sure Liv?" Elliot asked, slightly surprised she agreed so quickly.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life." She smiled at him warmly.

X

"I don't need a wheelchair, I'm fine."

"You're recovering Elliot, you are not walking out to the car and you are not driving."

"Now who's being overprotective?"

"Just returning the favor," Olivia smirked and helped him into the wheelchair.

"Liv." He started as she began pushing it. "If we're gonna both do this overprotective thing you were injured too. You shouldn't be exerting yourself to push this thing."

"This thing is holding the love of my life. Now hush and cooperate Stabler. You have the right to remain silent."

"I give up that right."

"Of course you do." She rolls her eyes and continues pushing the chair and wheeling him down the hallway. "You know if it was me in the hospital and I had asked to be discharged early? You would have strapped me to the bed so I couldn't leave."

"This a competition to see who is more protective? Come on baby you're pushing steel armor, your arms have to be tired." She laughed.

"You are not that heavy and I won't lie and say I don't love those muscles but that ego is way too big." He gets an idea and smirks.

"Hey, baby stop for a second I need a break."

"You're not doing anything."

"Come here."

"I'm already here El."

"To my side."

"Is it hurting?"

"Please just come here pumpkin." He makes a pouty face and she giggles and gives him a soft glare.

"No food names detective."

"I'm sorry, come here my angel."

"Wow-" She squeals and smacks him lightly on the chest when he grabs her waist, causing her to fall in his lap. He wraps one arm around her holding her in place and uses the other hand to move the wheel and push the chair.

"Elliot!"

"Yes future Mrs. Stabler?"

"You realize this is completely against the doctor's orders?"

"Since when do I care what a doctor says?" She just smiles and shakes her head.

"What am I going to do with you?"

"Cuddle with me when we get to the apartment?"

"If you behave. No strenuous activity for 6 weeks."

"I can handle it. Longer than you can." She raises an eyebrow and he chuckles.

"I will be just fine. Wipe that smirk off your face."

"What? It's my face." He says in mock hurt. "My handsome wittle face."

"Uh huh. Now let me up so I can go get the car."

"You're leaving me?" He makes his best pouty face and she giggles and kisses him.

"Don't tempt me."

"I call shotgun! I wanna sit by the beautiful chauffeur!" He yells as she walks away and she rolls her eyes playfully.

"You're impossible Stabler!"

"Love you too future Stabler!" Her heart flutters as it had 2 days earlier when the doctor called her 'Mrs. Stabler' and referred to Elliot as her husband. That would be a dream come true.

A/N: Some much-needed fluff! Also, I changed my mind and I'm gonna add to this story so this isn't the last chapter. Till next time, thanks for reading :)