Chapter 5: Awake

Six weeks later and she was still in a coma. There was just something about today that made them think, 'well, maybe today will be the day she wakes up'. Even thought it was the same thought that they were and had been thinking for the past six weeks.

Fin and Munch had been there bright and early. Earlier then they usually would be. But again, maybe it would be today. There was just that kind of hope floating in the air. Cragen arrived about an hour after Fin and Munch had. Fin and Munch were the first ones to go in and visit her. They had to be back at the precinct to catch for the day.

"Baby girl, you can't wake up with out me here. No one cares if you wake up and Munch isn't here." Said Fin.

"Oh, so now I don't matter? See how you like working alone tonight." Cracked John. He was joking with his partner. He knew well enough that they both tease each other, up until the point that they wanted to strangle each other. But it never would come down to that. Hopefully. It hadn't happened yet. Both said their goodbyes and were soon out the door. As Fin and Munch were leaving Elliot walked in. And with Maureen and Kathleen not far behind him.

"Fin and Munch just left, if you want to go and visit, Elliot." Said Cragen.

"Not right now. Maureen and Kathleen wanted to come and visit." Said Elliot. And they did. He had told all of them. Dickie and Lizzie said they would come another day. So Maureen and Kathleen opted to come with him. Maureen said she would first go first.

"Mar, before you go in there. I'm telling you right now, she's not going to look like the same Olivia that you're used to. She's pale, she has a ventilator in helping her breathe, she's hooked up to every machine and monitor possible." Said Elliot. She knew what had happened but with what her father had just told her, it was already starting to get her upset. But it wasn't going to stop her from seeing her.

She walked into the room and sat in the chair that remained by the side of her bed. Her father was right. She didn't look like the Olivia she knew. But if just talking to her, helped in anyway shape of form, then she was more then willing to help.

"Olivia, please you have to wake up. I can't stand seeing you like this. I'm sorry, I know I should be crying. But you have done so much for me, Kathleen, Dickie and Lizzie. We need you. Dad needs you. You really do have him scared and shaken up. Kathleen is here too. Dickie and Lizzie said they would come and see you too. We love you, Olivia." Cried Maureen. She couldn't sit there anymore and watch someone she loved and cared about, just lie there, helpless. It was just too much. So she went back out in the hall and sat with her father and Captain Cragen. Sending Lizzie in.

She was actually scared. She knew she told her father that she would be okay. But she hadn't expected the sit in front of her, and instead of sitting and talking to her, she left the room with tears falling freely from her eyes. The minute Lizzie came back, both her father and Maureen looked at her.

"Lizzie? What's wrong?" asked Elliot.

"I can't." cried Lizzie.

"Can't what?' asked Elliot.

"I can't go in there. I want to but I can't take it. Seeing her like that." Cried Lizzie. Maureen was the first to her feet and immediately embraced her younger sister.

"Come on, I'll go with you." Said Elliot, getting up from the chair he had been sitting in. Both walked down the hall and slowly made their way in the room.

"Why don't you sit by her and talk to her. She can hear you." Said Elliot, who remained behind the door with his back up against it. Lizzie slowly sat down in the chair. Knowing that she could hear her, she felt slightly more at ease in the room. So she told him to leave. And he did. But he remained right outside the room just in case.

"Livvie, please, please, wake up. We love you. I love you. You helped me get help after getting into trouble. You talked to my grandmother into talking to me. I would be sitting in a jail cell right now, if you hadn't stuck your own neck on the line. I owe you so much. Please, wake up." Begged Lizzie. She closed the door quietly behind her and walked back to the waiting room where her sister and Captain Cragen remained.

Now it was his turn. What was he suppose to say? He knew she could hear him. And if said the wrong thing or something that he shouldn't, he would be able to take it.

"Liv, PLEASE, sweetheart, f you hear me, then please wake up. We all miss seeing you're face, you're smile and those deep chocolate eyes of yours. God, I love you." Said Elliot. Did he just say that to her? Great, if she wakes up, she's going to be scared shitless. But he couldn't exactly take it back now. Wait, did he even want to take it back? No, he wasn't going to take it back. He didn't regret saying it. He actually needed to say it. He had spent the last six weeks to figure out how he really felt about her. And he was finally satisfied with the conclusion that he came to.

Realizing that Cragen wasstill out there waiting to visit and talk with her, he kissed her on her forehead and continued to walk out the room. By the time he made it back to the wating room, both the girls had cried themselves to sleep.

"I'm fine here. If you want to see her." Came the whispered voice.

"Not that it's any of my business but did you finally tell her?" asked Cragen. Wait, how did he know he was in love with her? Was he making it that obvious to everyone but himself?

"Like I said it's none of my business, Stabler. But if telling her how you feel is going to help her wake up then I hope you said it. Not to mention, it's about bloody time." Said Cragen.

"I'm going to take them home. Call me if anything changes?" replied Elliot.

"Get some sleep yourself, Stabler. You'll be the first person I call if anything changes." Said Cragen as the three of them walked out of the hospital.

Olivia's perspective

I could have sworn I hear Maureen and Kathleen. I know I heard him trying to comfort Lizzie. God, this is getting so damn frustrating. All I want to do is open my damn eyes. Did he say what I think he said? Of all times that I wanted to hear those words and I can't even look at him when he says. Literally.

Trying once more to open her eyes, she was rather surprised when she finally managed to open her eyes. The lights were dimmed, she had wires and machines attached to her, and she was in a hospital bed.

The minute he walked in the room, and seeing her finally awake, he ran to the chair on the side of the bed.

"It's about time, Liv. You don't know how happy I am that you're finally awake." Smiled Cragen. And he was. If she was awake then this was good. Feeling the need to let the nurse know that she was finally awake, he stepped out in the hall and told the night nurse.

Both returned to the room. Him sitting in the chair where he had been and the nurse examining her.

"Let me just page, Dr. Stenson." Replied the nurse. Within a matter of ten minutes, the doctor walked in the room.

"Glad you could joins us, Ms. Benson. Nurse, let's go ahead and take the ventilator out." Said Dr. Stenson. Taking the ventilator out, she quickly gagged as the tube was finally take out of her throat.

"Liv, I'm going to step outside the room and call everyone." Said Cragen, as he stepped outside the room.