Chapter 3: The Realization
*Beep, beep*
...Great, I know what that sound means, I'm in the hospital. It's never a good thing but at least I can say that I'm alive. Olivia and the others must be worried, I hope she's okay. God, Kathy is going to kill me! I make her and the kids scared every time I take a new case; I don't know how much they can take.
The steady sounds of the heart monitor continued to fill the room, other than that it was just silence. Elliot's family sat on one side and Olivia sat on the other, none of them made eye contact and just patiently waited. After his surgery Elliot had been given a heavy sedative to ease the pain and he's been asleep for three days. In that time the squad came to visit wishing him the best and leaving sentimental cards and gifts.
"…ugh…" Elliot started. "…Ugh…"
Olivia and Kathy looked at each other and then to Elliot, they both were by his side as he started to stir.
"Elliot?" Kathy asked softly.
He slowly opened his eyes and they fluttered for a few seconds. Everything was blurry for a while before coming into focus; he saw Olivia, Kathy and his kids all with looks of concern. "Hey guys…daddy's a little dizzy but I'll be fine." He looked over to Kathy. "I'm sorry I made you guys worry."
Kathy put her hand in his. "You're safe now."
He flashed a smiled at her and then looked at Olivia. "Liv did I…?"
"You saved me El and I'm so grateful," she gave him a sad smile. "We're glad you're here."
Olivia moved to the side and so his kids could talk to him.
"Dad," Maureen said weakly. "We were scared; we've been waiting for you to wake up for three days."
"Well I'm up now," he tried to ease their fears. "Guys come give me a hug." Elliot tried to pull himself up but realized something felt off, his legs were limp. "…They must've really put me under I can't feel my legs."
Everybody looked away hesitantly.
He looked at them confused before the realization hit him. "No…it can't be…" he tried moving his legs again but he couldn't. "I'm paralyzed?" he couldn't believe himself. "I'm paralyzed?!"
"From the waist down," Kathy said.
"Oh my god," Elliot had a blank stare; he couldn't believe what they were saying. "I'm paralyzed…I can't walk…" he pulled off the covers and saw he was only wearing a hospital gown. He just stared at his legs and tried to will them to work. Tears started to form down his cheek and he clenched his fist.
"Elliot I'm…"
"Just go!" he yelled. "Get out! Everyone just leave!" it was hard for him to hold back his tears. "P-please…"
Olivia wanted to cry as well, he was hurting and she felt it was her fault. The bile in her mouth was building up and she swallowed hard, she didn't want to leave but her feet moved her towards the door. Kathy knew her husband was hurting and he needed time to let this all sink in so she directed the kids towards the door and also left. Once the door was closed and he knew his family had walked away Elliot let his pain and frustration. His crying turned into anger and he screamed at the top of his lungs.
From the hallway Olivia could hear him and she started to cry. Cragen saw her and he and the others walked towards her.
"Olivia," Cragen caught her as she almost fell over. She cried in his arms and he embraced her.
"H-he's a-awake…but he's angry." She sobbed.
Fin stood behind not wanting to look at the pain he caused, he was still blaming himself for this. He didn't have anything to say he was too upset and just watched as doctors rushed pass and into Elliot's room.
He and Munch watched as doctors fought Elliot, he kept yelling and trying to punch at them. One doctor had a needle in his hand trying to keep Elliot still and sedate him. One of the nurses went to close the door so the detectives couldn't see what was going on.
"I think it be best if you all leave, Mr. Stabler needs to calm down and will be sedated for a few hours."
They watched through the window seeing Elliot still try and fight against the sedative.
"I can't watch this anymore," Fin stated and then he walked away.
Munch turned and watched his partner leave still torn up over this.