Chapter Two
Elliot woke up at two in the morning, sitting bolt upright and nearly screaming. He had had a nightmare about Olivia. He had dreamed that she had just slipped into a peaceful sleep and never woke up. He tried to calm his pounding heart and got out of bed. He wandered down the hall, pulling his IV behind him. He hoped he'd be able to sneak into Liv's room. He wanted to see her, tell her he was OK. It might help her wake up. He hoped Casey would stay asleep while he was gone, so he wouldn't have to deal with the kind scolding and looks of pity. He carefully peered into the waiting room. No one in sight. He continued on and looked around for a sign telling him where ICU was. He finally saw one and turned right, wondering how odd he must look, wandering around the hospital in a gown and pulling an IV.
He carefully entered, looking around cautiously. Seeing no one again, and wondering if Stephen King had descended upon the hospital, he carefully turned right, figuring he'd check every room until he found Liv. Luckily for him, he didn't have go too far. Fin was standing outside Liv's room, looking very tired. ''Fin, what are you doing?'' El asked, hearing the weariness in his voice.
Fin rubbed his hand over his face. ''I'm keeping watch over Liv's room. During the day, it's not as much of a problem, there's peeps here. In the middle of the night, it's easier for Harris or mystery man to come back.''
El tried to keep the tears of gratitude off his face. It was hard, he was tired and worried. ''Thanks, Fin. I'm really glad that you're here. It means a lot.'' He looked around. ''Yeah, why is there no one here? Don't any of these patients need checking on?''
Fin replied, ''There's one night nurse, and she took a break. All of the other nurses who work night shift are in the pit. I've been here since eleven. What are yo' doin' out o' bed?'' He finally asked, looking more awake.
Elliot swayed a little on his feet from exhaustion, and then said, ''I'm going to talk to Liv. I want to see if maybe I tell her I'm OK, not in any danger, it might help her wake up. She might have given up 'cause she thinks I'm dead. Or hurt or something.'' He paused a moment, and this time, he couldn't keep the tears from his face. ''Fin, she's carrying my child. I have to try this.'' He swiped angrily at his eyes with his free hand.
Fin's eyes about popped out of his head. Jokingly, he said, ''Damn, Stabler, you really know how to knock 'em up, don't you?'' This broke the tension, and they both laughed.
Elliot laughed through his tears. ''Stay here if you want, but I need a minute or two alone with her. Is that cool? You can go and sit over there if you want to be within yelling distance.'' He said, gesturing to some chairs a few feet away.
Fin nodded. ''Sure. I'll be right over here. No one's getting in here, I promise.'' They shared a look, and Elliot hoped his face conveyed how grateful he was that Fin was looking out for the woman he loved. And now, his unborn child.
Elliot, dragging the IV, entered his girlfriend's room. He managed to keep himself from crying again. It was a hard thing, to see Liv hooked up to all those machines. He walked further in after he had gotten over the intial shock, and sat down in the chair next to the bed. She did look way too peaceful, and it reminded Elliot of his nightmare. He composed himself, and said, ''Liv, it's El. I hope you're in there, baby, because I've got some stuff to tell you.'' He paused, and then said, ''Liv, I'm OK. If you're trying to give up because you think that something's seriously wrong with me, then you can get better now. I'm fine. Plus,'' he had to pause, and get up the nerve to say this without breaking down, ''you're pregnant with our baby. You have to wake up. Please, I can't do this without you.'' Elliot stopped talking again, trying to keep himself from breaking down. That wasn't going to convince Livvy that he really was feeling OK. He took a few deep breaths and then said, ''Just wake up, Liv. I can't handle losing you and my child.'' He kissed her softly on the lips, and could swear he felt Liv kiss back, so he did it again. This time, nothing. He sighed and slowly left the room, dejectedly dragging his IV behind him. If he had looked back, he would have seen Olivia's left hand tremble, and then lie still.
Fin was waiting for him outside, looking like he was going to drop on his feet. ''Did anything happen?'' He asked, not really expecting anything to. He just felt that he had to ask.
Elliot shook his head, tears moistening his eyes. ''No, although, I thought when I kissed her, she kissed back. I kissed her again, but nothing the second time. I just want her to wake up. I can't lose her and my child.'' He told his friend.
Fin agreed. ''Yeah, I don't think I could handle that, either. So, I talked to Munch, he said that Lake is terrified that we're going to beat the hell out of him. All he does is sit at his desk and make calls, looking for Harris and his little friend.''
Elliot asked, ''You guys still don't know who Harris' partner is? Fin, they could be anywhere, waiting for the next opportunity to get to Liv. I can't take that chance. It's not just her anymore, she's pregnant with my child!'' Elliot could feel himself getting hysterical, and couldn't help it. It was all aimed at Lake, and he hoped Fin knew that.
Fin folded his arms and counted to ten. He knew who Elliot was really mad at. It was understandable. ''El, don't worry. I think Lake knows. I just can't make him talk. As scared as he is of me, he's even more scared of you. I think he'd tell you. He'd just have to believe that you really want to kill him, or he's not going to talk.''
Elliot said, ''Oh, you bring that bastard here, I'll make him fucking talk.'' He did look menacing, Fin had to think, but he knew Elliot, so he knew that he wasn't really going to kill Lake. Lake had seen him angry before, he could choose to not let it effect him. However, it was worth a shot.
Fin said, ''Let us keep lookin', and then I'll bring him in in the morning. I want to make sure it's when someone is here, so they can watch Liv. Is that cool?''
Elliot nodded. ''Of course. I'm going to get back, before Casey wakes up and raises the alarm.'' He punched Fin's arm lightly and headed back to his room, but not before blowing a kiss towards Liv's room.
The next morning, El awoke, very groggy. He looked around for Casey. She had disappeared. He rubbed his hand over his face and nearly jumped out of his skin when Fin entered the room. ''Hey, El. Casey wanted me to tell you that she had to go to court, but she'll be back this afternoon. Liz Donnelly sends her best wishes, too.''
Elliot, who was still half asleep, said, ''Is that Casey's boss? I didn't know she cared about what happens to Liv and I.'' He took a deep drink of the glass of water beside the bed.
Fin said, ''Kathy's here, and she brought the kids with her. She said she wanted to come last night, but didn't. She didn't say why. Do you want to see her? Eli will be happy to see you.''
Elliot said, ''Send the kids in, but I really don't have to see Kathy. I really really am just too tired and worried about Liv to care that she's hurt that I moved on.'' He added, ''Also, when are they discharging me? I'd like to actually move around with clothes on.''
Fin said, ''I'll ask Dr. Taylor. And don't worry. I'll tell Kathy to stay in the waiting room.'' He turned to go, and then turned quickly back. ''Do I have to be nice about it?''
Elliot smiled weakly. ''Yes, Fin. While I may not want to see her right now, she is the mother of five of my children. Just please kindly ask her to please just stay away.'' He watched as Fin went a little to eagerly to do so. ''Be nice, Odafin Tutuola!'' He called, smiling. Fin was a really good friend.
Fin entered the waiting room, and counted kids. All five of them were there, Eli playing with his mother's hair. ''OK, kids, you can all go in. Kathy, El has asked please that you wait out here. He's really tired, and the kids are all he can handle today.'' Fin's tone was polite, but Kathy could tell by the look on his face that he was glad to be telling her this information.
Kathy received concerned looks from the two older girls. ''Maureen, Kathleen, it's OK if you guys go in, it's your father. He'll want to see you. I'll be fine. Here, Maureen, take Eli. He loves Elliot.'' She handed the baby to her daughter. The older girls didn't look happy to be there, but Dickie and Elizabeth looked worried about their father.
They all traipsed down the hall, heading for Elliot's room. Fin and Kathy were suprised by Huang, who had come to see Elliot and Olivia. ''Hello, Fin.'' Huang said.
Fin said, ''Hey, Doc. You here to see Stabler and Liv?'' He wondered if Kathy had ever met Huang before. He was just deciding he should introduce them when Huang did it for him.
Huang stuck his hand out to Kathy. ''My name is Dr. George Huang. I work with Fin, Elliot, and Olivia. I don't think we've ever met before. Are you here to see Elliot? Olivia's still in ICU, I'm told.'' Fin liked Huang, but he was really not liking Huang's inablility to be anything but polite. He usually was, unless provoked.
Kathy said, ''Yes, but apparently, I'm not wanted.'' She cast a glare at Fin, and then turned back to Huang. ''I'm Kathy, Elliot's ex-wife. I came to see him, but he only wants to see the kids right now.''
Huang sat down next to her. He could see she was upset. ''And how does that make you feel, Kathy? How long were you and Elliot married?'' He asked.
Kathy folded her arms and cast a curious glance at Huang. ''What is it that you do with my ex-husband and his new girlfriend? Because I don't really think that this is the best place to discuss it.''
Huang smiled at her, still being polite. Fin rolled his eyes, but nothing short of an earthquake could have moved him from this very spot. This was going to be interesting. ''I'm a psychologist. I work with them on certain cases. Elliot and Olivia are really happy. I'm not saying this to hurt you, please don't think that. You just look like you need to talk to someone about the situation.'' He personally had seen the love between Olivia and Elliot for years. He had seen it as soon as he had met them. If Kathy had ever seen them interact together, then she had to have seen it, too. Huang thought that it was meant to be. There was nothing that could have stopped it. It was inevitable.
Kathy shrugged. ''I'm fine. I was a little angry at first, but I have been expecting something like this since Elliot and I were seperated. He and I only got back together because of Eli. I've known that for awhile now. I'm really OK.'' She seemed insistant, it could have been the look Huang was giving her. Fin knew it was just his listening expression, but Kathy didn't.
Huang nodded. ''And did you ever ask Elliot about it? It might have made you feel a little better.'' He hadn't expected to be having such a discussion on a day like this, but it was interesting.
Kathy shook her head. ''No, I never wanted to have my suspicions confirmed. I didn't want to hear that he loved her. I already knew. I've seen the looks they've given each other over the years. I had already been made a fool. I didn't want to make it worse.'' She was willing the tears to stay back. She didn't want to cry in front of this man she'd never met.
Fin said, ''Doc, I'm going to go and see how Liv's doing. You want to see her before you talk to Elliot?'' He was glad that Huang had come. He was going to suggest to Dr. Taylor that they let Huang's evaulation count for his psych consultation. Dr. Taylor had spoken to him earlier that morning, and had told him that Elliot was going to need one before he was discharged. Fin just didn't want to tell him that yet. He had to find out a way to tell him gently. El was not going to like that he had to have a psych evaluation. He figured that it might be a little easier if Huang did it. Elliot already knew him.
Huang said, ''Yes. That might be a good idea. I want to see how well Olivia is before I talk to Elliot. I take it you want me to evaluate him for you?'' He had guessed that El would need someone from psych to sign off on him because of the situation.
Fin smiled briefly. ''That's why they gave you the degree. I'm going to make sure Liv hasn't gotten any worse, and then talk to Dr. Taylor. I haven't told El yet that he's going to have to have his head shrunk. I think he'll take it better if you are the one to give it to him, you know?''
Huang nodded. ''Sure. That's fine with me. I'm going to make sure that Kathy's OK. Come and get me when you want me to see Olivia.'' He turned back to Kathy.
Fin headed off to ICU, finding himself praying that by some miracle, Liv had woken up. He knew that El wasn't going to be able to deal with this for much longer before he completely shut down. Not that he blamed him. It was a lot to deal with. He just really wanted Liv to wake up. He had told her that last night before El had come along.
Dr. Taylor was standing outside Liv's room, looking confused. He heard Fin approach and said, ''I'm glad you're here, Fin.'' He was holding Liv's chart.
Fin asked, ''Why? What's going on, Doc?'' He folded his arms. He could feel his heart pounding with anticipation. Maybe Liv had woken up. Was it too much to hope?
Dr. Taylor said, ''There's some brain activity that wasn't there before. I want to get someone that Olivia knows to come back in and talk to her. See if it does anything. I think she's improving.''
Fin said, ''Well, this friend of ours is here to see Liv. He's a psychologist, too. Dr. George Huang. He hasn't seen her yet. Will that work for you?'' If it didn't, he'd just go and get Elliot.
Dr. Taylor nodded. ''Sure, that's fine. I wanted to talk to you about Elliot's evaluation. We don't have anyone free at the moment to do it, and he's not going to be happy with staying any longer. I just don't feel right about discharging him when he's still so distraught. Plus, this is a lot to deal with, and I want to make sure that he's going to be able to handle it.''
Fin said, ''I wanted to talk to you 'bout that, Doc. I was thinking that Huang could do it. Elliot's not going to take lightly to having to endure a psych evaluation, and he knows Huang. He'd be more perceptible to talking to Huang. Is that going to be cool with you guys?''
Dr. Taylor nodded. ''Sure, I know Huang. He and I went to med school together. I'll push the paperwork through for psych. We'll have Huang come and see Olivia first. Why don't you go and see if he's ready.''
Fin nodded and went back to the waiting room where he'd left Huang and Kathy. When he got back, the kids and Kathy had left, and Huang was sitting patiently, reading a magazine. ''Hey, Doc, you can go and see Olivia now.''
Huang put down the magazine. ''Then I'm talking to Elliot, right?'' He stood up. He didn't mind talking to Elliot. He did want to make sure that he was OK.