Chapter Four
Waking up in the silhouetted room of the hospital is not how she had planned to spend her morning. She was going to get up and go to work. Maybe stop by the bullpen to see Olivia but that's all changed now. The pain in her heart returns as she blinks away the drowsiness from sleep and looks over at the shell of what used to be Olivia Benson. In its place is a meager and frail woman who has just been through hell and back. Alex has to pull all her strength in order to put on a brave face for the woman she loves.
A soft sound from the doorway makes her turn and she sees a very familiar looking man. He has a handsome face with dark hair and deep almond colored eyes. The look he gives the unconscious detective next to her shows his concern and Alex has to fight not to show her confusion. After several seconds of watching him watch Olivia, she finally asks the question that's been nagging at her.
"Where do I know you from? Do you work with Olivia?" She masks her features so not to give away the jealousy she feels at the prospect that this man is Olivia's boyfriend or worse…her husband?
At the sound of her voice Simon startles away from his inspection of his sister and turns to the blonde next to her. "Oh…sorry. I didn't know you were awake." He says apologetically. "I didn't wake you did I?"
"No you didn't" she lies. "Do I know you?" she reiterates.
"No um we've never met, but my sisters told me a lot about you." He smiles softly. She can almost see a hint of mischievousness in his eyes beyond the pain and fear that cover his features.
"Your sister?" Confusion sets in again. "Who's your sister?"
"Oh god sorry. Hi. I'm Simon. Olivia's my sister." He says holding out his hand in introduction.
Taking his hand in hers she gives it a firm shack as best she can from her position, refusing to release the woman in her arms, as recognition sets in and she finally knows why he looks so familiar. 'They have the same eyes. Her father's eyes'. "Alex Cabot. It's very nice to meet you" she says all professional.
"Likewise. Um do you know what happened to her?" he asks hesitantly he doesn't want to be the one to tell her if she doesn't know. It would ache too much to voice it right now anyway.
"Yes. I've been with her all night. I'm sorry I didn't think to call you." The mask slips and sadness feels her voice.
"Its okay, Elliot called me. I left as soon as I could." He looks over the marred and bruised flesh of the once angelic face of his sister and tears leak through the depths of his eyes as he realizes the horror and pain she was forced to endure. "She looks so broken" he chokes on a sob as the reality sets in and the denial he reveled in is replaced with the irrefutable truth that she was violated. He covers his face with his hands and tries to block out the images of the tarnished version of the usually hard-ass detective, who now looks like a small child who's lost their innocence.
The always calm and cool ADA Cabot breaks at the sight of the pain and heartache etched into the face of the man in front of her. She allows her own tears to fall. She allows herself to break, if only for a little while. She cries softly, and buries her swollen and tear trekked face in the hollow of Olivia's neck.
Neither notices the slight movement of the sheets or the fluttering of Olivia's eyes.