A/N: There is just one last chapter after this and the epilogue. Thank you to the faithful few that stuck with this story. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Chapter 33: Doctor's Orders

"Hello Miss Cabot. How are we feeling today?" Dr. Avery Livingston asked as she flipped through Alex's chart.

Alex gave her a piercing look. "Why do all doctors say that?"

"Say what?"

"We? How are we doing?" Alex repeated in a snarky tone. "It's a little strange, don't you think?"

Avery flashed a perfect Colgate smile, complete with dimples. It only made her more attractive which annoyed Alex to no end.

"I never really thought about it, but I suppose you're right. Would it make you more comfortable if I said you instead?"

"Yes. I believe it would."

"Alright then. How are you feeling today, Miss Cabot?"

"Better than yesterday." Alex said coolly.

Avery made a few notes in the chart then started the physical examination. "I apologize in advance if my hands are cold."

Alex lay unmoving as Avery examined her upper body and checked her vitals. "How are your ribs? Any difficulty breathing?"

"Taking deep breaths isn't the best idea, but I can breathe."

Avery ignored the sarcastic remark and made another note in the chart before putting her stethoscope on and listening to Alex's breathing.

"Your lungs sound good. How is your head? Looks like your stitches are healing really well." She said as she checked the tiny row of stitches along Alex's hairline. "Any headaches or dizziness from the concussion?"

"Not really."

"Okay. What about your surgical incisions… any burning sensation on or around the staples?"

"No. It just aches a bit if I move wrong."

This time Avery simply nodded. "Good. Your incisions are healing very well. The staples will be able to come out soon. How does your back feel?"

"Just a little sore."

"Has anyone from Ortho been in to speak with you about the fracture in your leg?"

"A Dr. Ramono came by yesterday and explained what they did in the surgery and what to expect the next few months."

"Are there any other concerns you'd like to discuss with me then?"

"I'd like to discuss the possibility of going home to my family. Is that a concern you're willing to discuss, Dr. Livingston?" Alex said in an icy tone.

Avery grinned and shook her head. "Wow. You really don't like me, do you?"

Alex narrowed her eyes. She hadn't expected the doctor to call her out. "You saved my life, what's not to like?" She responded evenly.

Serena was sitting across the room watching the interaction with interest. She let out a soft giggle drawing Alex and the doctor's attention. "Don't mind me. I'm just watching the Alexandra Cabot Pity Show. It's on every day around this time. It might even be in syndication."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Excuse my best friend. She has mental issues."

Avery turned her full attention to the other blonde in the room. By this time, Serena had stood and approached the bed. She and Avery shared a warm smile. Avery finally shook her head and cleared her throat. She held out her hand. "Avery Livingston. It's nice to meet you."

"Serena Southerlyn. I'm Miss Congeniality's best friend. I'm glad we finally managed to cross paths. I've heard a lot about you."

Alex glanced back and forth between the two women and narrowed her eyes. Was there anyone this doctor couldn't charm? It made her dislike Avery Livingston even more.

Serena glanced at her watch. "Oh, I need to make a quick phone call to Abbie to update her on how you're doing. I'll let you two finish up." She gave the doctor a quick smile as she left. "It was nice meeting you, Dr. Livingston."

"You as well."

Once they were alone, Avery turned back to her patient and bit her lip. "I know you don't really like me and that's fine. I just hope I didn't do anything to offend you in some way."

"No. It's not you; it's me." Alex sighed.

"The old… it's not you, it's me line. I didn't know you cared enough to let me down so easy, Miss Cabot." Avery quipped causing Alex to smile a little in spite of herself.

"I've just been feeling sorry for myself and taking that out on everyone. You were an easy target. Not to mention, you're pretty and Liv likes you…" She trailed off shrugging her shoulders.

"You want to know the real reason I became friends with your fiancé?"

"Olivia is wonderful. It's hard not to like her."

Avery nodded. "She is that, but… she also happens to be the reason I'm standing here today." Avery paused and tilted her head. "Your fiancé saved my life, Miss Cabot."

Alex blinked and gave the doctor her full attention. "Saved your life?"

"I was a mess after my partner, Danny, died. It was a couple of weeks after her funeral. I wasn't coping too well. To be truthful, I wasn't coping at all. After a particularly difficult day, I found some pain killers left over from an old sports injury. I saw them in the medicine cabinet and it was like I finally had a way out… a way to stop the hurt. I went out and bought the largest bottle of vodka I could find, came home, and commenced to drinking myself into a stupor. Once I was drunk enough, I started taking the pills. It seemed like a good idea at the time; it stopped the constant aching I was feeling. I had just downed the last few when Olivia showed up at my apartment to check up on me. I heard her at the door, but by that point I was nearly in a drug induced coma. I couldn't move. Hell, I could barely breathe. By the grace of god, Olivia had a feeling that something was wrong and kicked the door in. She found me passed out on my bathroom floor. She got me up and to an ER just in time. Knowing that I was a physician and something like that could have ruined my entire career, she had me admitted under a fake name and somehow kept the whole incident quiet. When I woke up the next morning feeling like death warmed over, Olivia was sitting by my bed… holding a card with the name of a professional grief counselor on it in one hand… and her cell phone in the other. She gave me a choice; either go to grief counseling or she'd make a call to the medical board and turn me in." Avery paused and chuckled. "She said I had a choice, but we both knew I didn't. She had already called and made the first appointment with the counselor for me. She even went with me the first couple of times until I felt strong enough to go on my own. If it wasn't for Olivia Benson, I'd be dead right now."

Alex said in shock. "Oh my god; I had no idea."

"No one does. Olivia kept her word and she never told a soul. She told me that she understood what it felt like to lose the person you love more than anything. She said that her old partner had done the same for her once and she was just returning the favor." Avery met Alex's blue eyes and smiled warmly. "That's why I'm friends with Olivia Benson. Trust me when I say that I am not a threat. That woman happens to adore you."

"Thank you." Alex said softly suddenly feeling guilty.

"No problem." Avery said turning to leave. Alex reached out and tugged on the sleeve of the doctor's white coat, pulling her back around.

"No… really… thank you for everything. You saved my life and gave me a second chance with Olivia and our family. I owe you… so much. I'm sorry for what you had to go through and I apologize for being rude." Alex said with sincerity.

Avery faced her fully. "There's nothing to be sorry about and you owe me nothing, Miss Cabot. This is what I do, but you are quite welcome."

"You should call me, Alex." She said holding out her hand. "Any friend of Olivia's is a friend of mine and I have a feeling… you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other in the future."

"Very well, Alex. In that case, you can call me Avery as well." Avery said shaking her hand. She smiled mischievously. "I think I just might have some good news for you now that you're done biting my head off."

"Really? Do I get more of that wonderful solid lush you all call food around this place?" Alex said with a playful smirk.

Avery laughed. She really did find Alex's sardonic wit amusing. "Actually no. How would you feel about having breakfast at home tomorrow?"

Alex frowned. "What?"

"Let me rephrase that. How would you feel about being released tomorrow morning?"

Alex's eyes widened with hope. "Really?"

Avery nodded. "You've made significant progress the past week and I don't see any reason why you can't continue to recuperate at home with your family." She held up a finger in warning and spoke with authority. "As long as you promise to follow my orders to the letter and take it easy that is."

Alex nodded like a child. "I promise. I'll do whatever you say."

Avery nearly laughed at her sudden enthusiasm. "Well, I see no reason why you can't go home then."

"Avery Livingston, I think you just became my new best friend." Alex grinned with a twinkle in her eyes.

Avery just laughed and shook her head. "Now, why do I have the feeling I should be worried?"

Alex let out a happy giggle. "Oh, you're going to love being friends with me, Doc. Just you wait and see."

TBC...

This wasn't originally in the story, but a comment in the review section gave me this idea, so thank you Bkwrmchar for the inspiration.

Last Chapter... Christmas Miracles (For real this time)