Elliot and Olivia had been working on a joint case and while Liv had been a little apprehensive about it, she knew her personal feelings didn't mean as much as getting justice for the victims she fights for every day.
"Detective" She says with the smile she just could not hide
"Captain" He says mirroring the same smile she wore.
The two spoke about the case but the smile never left their face, they both stated they were not ready, but they both silently kicked themselves for not being ready. They wanted this, Olivia was scared to get hurt again and Elliot was scared to fail her again which left him feeling hopeless.
"It's good working with you again, partner"
"You too" She smiled before they parted ways.
Days had went on and the two of them continued to work on the case, and while there was no opportunity to flirt, Elliot felt a sense of calmness just being around her again. But when they went to the prison and when he saw a gang banger getting a little too close to Olivia he stepped in.
"Are you the reason that a mother and her child were seperated? Why I had to go pick up a scared young boy?" Before he could even answer Elliot grabbed him and slammed him into the wall.
"EL! Elliot!" She yelled as she stepped in front of him. Calmness. The feeling washed through his body whenever she was close.
"He's not worth it"
"I'm glad you have someone protecting you, captain, you deserve it."
The two walked away leaving Oscar Papa behind.
"I really wish you didn't do that" She said but as soon as they got out of the room Elliot grabbed her arm gently and pulled her to the corner, "Liv, when are you going to realize how much I care for you, I want to protect you"
"But you don't need to"
"I've never needed to, Liv, I know you can handle it, but I want to. You don't always need to carry everything on your shoulders."
"I've had to for so long, Elliot, I'm used to it" He saw her eyes fall but reached down to grab her hand "I'm sorry you've had to, and even though I know you are tough enough to do it, you can lean on me. I want to be here for you, and for Noah"
No other words were said as they looked at each other before Olivia pulled her hand back. Olivias phone beeped and she read the message from Fin.
'Sighting at Waverly Diner-Heading there now. 8 min ETA'
'We're right around the corner, I'll head there now with Elliot, meet you there'
"Sighting at Waverly Diner, you coming?"
"Right behind you, partner"
The two made their way into the diner acting liek regular patrons coming in for some food. They sat in a booth and looked around at their surroundings.
"White shirt, black jeans 3 o'clock at the bar" Elliot said as he pretended to look at the menu
Olivia strategically sat across from him as there was a mirror behind his head so she could see in front and behind her.
"He's got a gun, Fins about 3 minutes out"
"Let's get these people out of here" But before they could act, the suspect sat up and pulled his gun out.
"Police, freeze! Drop your weapon!" Olivia said confidentially
"Not a chance, bitch, you drop yours"
"You know I can't do that, drop your weapon and we can all walk out of here without a body bag"
"I'm not putting it down"
"Look man, if you don't put it down we wi-" Elliot was cut off at the sound of a gun shot and the grunt from Olivia dropping. Everything had flashed through his mind. Gitano, his wife, his children without a mother, her son, her son without a mother, him, him without her. Her. He didn't care about his badge, his only concern was her. He turned around and got on the ground and saw the once white shirt turn red. He faintly heard Fin yell "We got him" but all he could hear was Olivia, his Olivia softly say "I'm hit" As she squeezed her eyes shut trying to not let the tears fall as she held the bleeding wound on her side. He quickly grabbed his radio and yelled "Officer down 10-14, Waverly Diner. Hurry up!"
"Liv, Liv, Liv listen to me. Listen to me, you're gunna be ok, you're gunna be ok, baby. Help is on the way ok?"
"It hurts" She said softly and Elliots heart broke, she was not the type of woman to ever express pain, even though she had just been shot, he needed tough as nails Benson to come through and fight.
"I know, let me see." He said softly as he brushed the tear that escaped and she slowly moved her hand exposing the wound.
"You're gonna be ok, baby" Elliot said as he used his larger hand to apply pressure to the gun shot. He looked in her eyes lovingly and was surprised when he felt her grab his hand that was covering her wound and held it tight.
"What's Noah doing today?" Elliot asked as he sat with her trying to take her mind off of the pain.
"He uhm-", she took in a deep painful breath, "He went to the Guggenheim today with his class, they are learning about Thannhauser" She said before wincing slightly. "Then he has dance practice"
"That's awesome, when is his next recital?" Elliot asked with genuine interest
"Uh, June. June 24th"
"Well be sure to save a seat for me" He smiled at her and she could cry, the sweet softness he was showing her made her heart swell. But before she could respond a group of EMT's ran in.
"Sir, we need you to move"
"No please don't leave me" Olivia said surprising him and herself.
"Liv, I promise you I will never leave you. Never again" He told her and this time she believed him.
They put Olivia on a stretcher and Elliot stayed by her side as they made their way to the hospital. Olivia reached her hand out for his and he quickly grabbed it as the EMT's began to work on her. With all of the chaos surrounding them, the look they shared was peaceful, it was home. Something neither of them had experienced in a long time.
When they arrived at the hospital Olivia was rushed into surgery leaving an anxious Elliot to do what she had done so many times during their partnership, pace, wait, think of the 'what if's'. A couple of hours later the surgeon came out and Elliot stood up immediately.
"She is fine, the bullet missed all vital organs and it was a clean through and through. She is in recovery, she will be a little bit sore but she will heal up nicely. Elliots shoulders dropped, he let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding as he thanked the doctor.
"She's resting in room 6313" Elliot chuckled softly as he made his way to her room.
He watched her sleep peacefully, something she probably never gets to do very often. He sat in the chair next to her bed and thanked God for not taking her.
He texted Fin and let him know she was ok and now resting. Fin was relived but he was also caring for Noah who came to him when he heard about his mom being shot on Instagram. Unfortunately news travels fast and someone decided to post the video of Olivia being shot on Instagram. Elliot asked Fin to drop him off and he would watch him till Liv woke up to which Fin agreed. Fin was still working the case and even though Noah was more important, he needed to get justice for his best friend.
30 minutes later Fin came by with Noah and checked on Olivia.
"I'm so glad she's good. When she wakes up, tell her to never pull a Stabler again"
"What's a Stabler?" Noah softly asked
"When something dumb happens" Fin explained
"Oh..Isn't that your name?" He asked Elliot
"Yep it was named after this dumb ass" Fin laughed
"Language" They heard a soft scratchy voice as they all looked over at a groggy Olivia who was waking up.
"MOM!" Noah ran over but was hesitant to touch her.
"Come here, sweet boy" She moved over and allowed Noah to crawl into the small hospital bed with her.
"I was so scared"
"I'm sorry, my love. But I'm ok. I promise"
"Glad to see your doing good, Liv. Could've been worse"
"Yeh it could've"
"Yeah you could've been shot in the ass like Munch" He laughed making everyone else but Noah laugh
"I think I would've preferred that, there's more padding" She joked
"Nah, Stabler would've been pissed if anything happened to your ass that he loves so much"
"FIN!" She scolded
"And that's my cue, see ya later, Liv. See ya little dude, bye Stabler"
"Are you hurting?"
"A little bit, but having you here makes everything better" She told her son as she cuddled him. She knew this wouldn't happen much longer and she treasured these now rare moments.
"I saw it on Instagram" Noah said sadly
"Oh baby, I'm sorry that must have been horrible to see"
"It was"
"But, Elliot took good care of me and made sure I was safe and he talked to me about you which made me feel better"
"Thats good"
"How was the museum?"
"It was cool, can I see your wound?"
"It's all wrapped up, so nothing to see" But her boy gave her those eyes so she covered her lower half with the blanket and raised her gown to show her waist where the bandage was.
Elliot glanced over but saw scars covering her body and got confused but before he could say anything Noah interrupted his thoughts.
"Do you have a pen?"
Elliot found a sharpie and handed it to Noah. Noah drew a heart on the side of the bandage careful not to hurt her.
"Thanks baby, it feels better already"
The two laid cuddled up and Elliot decided he should give the Bensons a time alone. As he stood to get up Olivia looked at him.
"You're not leaving right?"
"I just thought you would want some time alone"
"I'm ok, Noah?"
"I'm ok with it too"
"Well take a seat Stabler"
Silence passed and little giggles from the Bensons would make Elliot smile from time to time.
"Mom?"
"Yes baby?"
"Did Uncle Munch really get shot in the ass?"
"Language!" She said through soft laughter before nodding her head yes.
TBC?