Amanda can only see her emotions change from a state of bliss to a state of misery. Olivia asks, "Where is he?" She nods her head along, "I'm on my way." Hanging up the phone she looks up at Amanda with panic, "Elliot was shot."
"Go, Olivia," Amanda shoos her away from the table, "Go."
Olivia, in shock from the news, shakes her head, "I have to pay and-"
"I got it," Amanda waves her hand over the check, "Go be with you 'not lover.'"
Olivia slowly gets up from her seat. Walking to the door, she turns around to see Amanda looking at her. Olivia mouths, 'Thank you.' Amanda nods signaling that she cares.
Olivia speeds out the door dialing Elliot's number. With no answer, she dials again and again. Eventually, she hears, "Hello."
"El?" Olivia's heart sinks knowing that the voice isn't his.
"This is April, I am a nurse at Mount Sinai," the nurse can hear Olivia stutter her breathing, "Do you have any relation to the patient you are calling?"
Olivia breathes in as she hails a cab, "I'm his…" She doesn't know how to describe their relationship with the nurse. Simply going with the easiest answer that nobody would question, "I'm his CO."
"Sergeant…" the nurse flips through papers, "Bell?"
"Captain Olivia Benson, Special Victims Unit," Olivia rethinks her decision. Olivia sharply breathes out and asks, "How is he?"
"Unfortunately, I am unable to discuss anything more over the phone, I would have to confirm your identity in person," the nurse tries her best to make sure Olivia understands.
Olivia rubs the temple of her forehead, "I'm almost there. I'm 2 blocks away." She sighs, "Can you just tell me if he is alive?"
April's breath wavers before she indulges Olivia's request, "He is alive. He is in surgery now. I really can't say anything else."
"I'll be there in 5," Olivia hangs up the phone closing her eyes and leaning back into her seat.
She hears the cab driver say, "I wasn't meanin' to listen in, but I really hope your guy pulls through."
Olivia gives the cab driver a vague smirk and thanks him. The cab pulls to the side of the road and Olivia rushes to the Emergency Room doors. For a Sunday afternoon, the ER was barely full. Olivia rushes to the front desk and flashes her badge, "I'm here for Detective Stabler."
April smiles, "You must be Captain Benson." April stands up and guides her to the seat next to the nurse's desk, "Detective Stabler is almost out of surgery, it seems like a through-and-through wound in his right upper thigh. With some observation and physical therapy, he should be good." Olivia nods her head as she retains the information and she lets out a breath. April suggests, "I can have someone bring you up to post-op." Olivia agrees.
Eventually, another nurse comes to escort Olivia to her 'not lover.' As she walks closer to his room her lungs start to close. Just before she enters she breathes in sharply and exhales steadily trying to regain composure. As she slides the curtain open and closes it behind her, she feels a tear drop down her cheek. At the entrance of his room, she stares at him, still sleeping. She takes a step closer and admits, "You're an asshole, you know that?" Olivia walks around the foot of his bed and sits in the chair next to him, "You can't tell someone you love them, then almost die." Leaning in closer she interlaces her fingers with his and softly kisses his hand, "I'm not ready for you to leave again."
Staring into his soul she sits there in her spiraling thoughts. Suddenly, she feels a squeeze. Olivia refocuses her eyes to see that he is also looking at her. "I'm not-," Elliot tries his best to smile, but can't seem to get over the fact that his throat is drier than the Moab Desert. He croaks, "Water…"
Olivia stands up swiftly and pours a glass of water into his cup, then screws the lid back on. Elliot sucks on the straw getting some sort of lubricant on his throat so he can say what he wants to, "I am never going to leave you." Elliot cups Olivia's face, "I love you."
As Elliot wipes away her tear from her cheek she leans in and softly kisses him. Only slightly parting she whispers, "I love you too."
I hope you enjoyed this quick read! I am hoping to publish more Bensler/EO stories in the future!