A/N: Just an Epilogue to go and this one is all wrapped up. Hope you've all enjoyed it. :)
Chapter 20
Once at the hospital, Barba was wheeled toward the emergency section while Olivia was taken upstairs to the floor she'd been on for her recovery, into an empty surgery suite. The physical therapist was there and so was the local specialist, Doctor Bettcher. They had the specialist from Buffalo, Doctor Cappacino, on video conference.
"Couldn't stay out of trouble huh?" Cappacino chuckled trying to lighten the somber mood in the room.
"You know me Doc, never a dull moment," Olivia smirked despite the pain.
"Well at least your sense of humor isn't bruised. I need you to describe the pain you are in and what exactly happened before the pain occurred," the doctor said. Olivia quickly went into detail.
"All right boys, remove the neck brace. It sounds like you need an MRI but I think we're dealing with a herniated disc. The good news is most people can live without surgery. It'll take more therapy but you're already in therapy so that's not a problem. However if you've re-aggravated of your existing condition, I may need to get myself down to New York and perform surgery.
"Doctor Bettcher, after the MRI, get her in an ice bath and pump anti-inflammatories into her. Send me the film and I'll take a look at what we've got," Cappacino said.
"Will do," Bettcher nodded before the nurses quickly wheeled Olivia away.
"Doc, surgery?" Elliot asked.
"That is worst case scenario. The reason I want the MRI first rather than the ice bath is because it will tell me what we're dealing with. Doctor Bettcher is more than capable of handling anything but as my patient I want to make sure that I perform the surgery myself, if it is necessary. If it is not, you are in capable hands, Detective Stabler," the doctor explained.
"Thanks," somehow the doctor's words did not make him more comfortable. The call ended and Doctor Bettcher spoke up.
"Surgery would only be required if the disc is squashing something severely. Given that Olivia has a weak spot in her spine already, it is a possibility. However if it is further up or down her spine, the ice bath is just extra precaution. Her swelling would go down very quickly. Now I must tend to the MRI results, so please have a seat in the waiting room," Bettcher smiled. Elliot nodded and headed back out into the waiting room. There he found Fin and Munch along with the Captain.
"How is she?" They all asked almost at once.
"MRI and then they'll let me know," Elliot said, collapsing into a chair.
"Got here as quick as I could," Amaro showed up almost out breath. He'd just run up the stairs two at a time after his patience ran out waiting for the elevator.
"Has anyone called Rollins?" Fin wanted to know. When he got no response, he pulled out his phone and quickly dialed his partner. Walking away from the group, he filled her in and told her to hold off on bringing the kids.
"Is the nightmare finally over?" She asked him.
"Lewis is in custody. There is no way he's skating. The DA's office wanted his head before but now that he practically broke Barba's kneecaps and killed that Corrections Officer, he's toast," Fin explained.
"Good. Let me know the moment you know about Olivia," Amanda told him.
"Will do. My place later?" He asked.
"Definitely," he could hear her smile on the other end of the phone.
"Catch you later then," with that the phone call ended and he returned to the group.
"Where'd Elliot go?" He asked.
"MRI results are in," Munch said.
"She's going to put me into an early grave," Cragen shook his head.
"Thought that was my job," Fin chuckled.
"Thought that was Elliot's job," Munch said. To that they both laughed while Nick raised his eyebrows.
Elliot emerged a few minutes later, a smile on his face. They all took that to mean good news and eagerly awaited his version of events.
"No surgery. She'll have to stay overnight but they're releasing her for therapy starting tomorrow," he was so relieved.
"Any new medications or complications?" Cragen asked.
"No, the pain meds they have her on now are strong enough. But they figure she'll be back in a wheelchair for a little while until she can gain some extra strength in her back. It's not the normal procedure with a herniated disc but given that her situation isn't normal, they want to be cautious," Elliot explained.
"So how much does this push her rehab back?" Munch asked.
"Probably an extra three months," this made Elliot frown. She had told him that it had been worth it. Lewis would never get out of prison and that was that. She would recover and be the best stay at home Mom she could be. Secretly both of them worried about the rent and the bills. She would be getting her pension and her disability checks but they weren't sure if that would cover all their expenses even with his paycheck.
"She's alive and she's going to be fine. That is something you have to take away from this. You have your family back and that is what matters most," Cragen said.
"You're right," Elliot nodded.
"All right good. Now I want to see you and your transfer papers first thing Monday morning, you got it?" Cragen smirked.
"Yes, sir," Elliot smiled.
"You mean he's coming back?" Fin's eyes got big. They had had their differences before but after all the time away from the unit, how could he fit in.
"Well Nick needs a new partner and I'm short an experienced detective. IAB wasn't too thrilled but they really can't complain considering the situation," Cragen explained.
"Almost like the good old days," Munch said.
"I get to keep Rollins as a partner right?" Fin asked, eyeing his former partner.
"Moi in the field? Methinks not unless I have to. I don't have that far to go until I retire," John told them.
"Everything stays the same. Now, Elliot go be with Olivia and we'll see you Monday," Cragen smirked as Fin and Munch started into a debate about how Munch was always the better partner.
To Be Continued…