Chapter Text
"Dr. Cabot to trauma one, Dr. Cabot to trauma one." A woman’s voice announced over the hospital speakers. A blonde woman in a long white coat burst through a set of double doors, ran down the hall and into trauma one.
"What have we got?" She asked looking at one of her nurses pulling on the yellow trauma gown and gloves she was handed.
"34 year old female, Detective Olivia Benson. Shot twice. One in the shoulder and one in the abdomen, she’s lost a lot of blood. Unconscious, unresponsive, with labored breathing. " the nurse answered. Dr. Cabot nodded and got to work, attempting to save the detective’s life.
Outside the trauma area in a side hallway was the detective’s partner, Elliot Stabler and squad members detectives Odafin "Fin" Tutuola and John Munch. Elliot was pacing up and down in front of the main door, hands on his hips while Fin and Munch leaned against the walls.
"What's taking so long?" Elliot said kicking a cart causing a loud metal clanging sound to reverberate through the area.
"Elliot, calm down." Capt. Don Cragen said arriving in the hallway.
Elliot collapsed against the wall and slid down to the floor with his head in his hands.
"I can't. I'm the reason she’s in there. I didn't see the gun until it was too late.”
"Elliot we all didn't see the gun until it was too late, you’re not to blame for this." John Munch said attempting to reassure the distraught detective.
"But she is my partner, we’re supposed to watch each other’s backs." Elliot replied standing back up and resuming his pacing of the hallway.
Meanwhile Dr. Cabot managed to stop the detective from dying of blood loss. The brunette was now in ICU, she was still critical but the doctor and the nurses were praying for her to survive the night.
Dr. Cabot went out into the back hallway to find four anxious looking men.
"Family of Detective Benson?" She asked and they nodded.
"I'm Elliot Stabler, Olivia's partner, is she going to be okay?" Elliot asked as he stood in front of the doctor.
"We managed to stop the bleeding, to tell you the truth she lost a lot of blood. She is in ICU and is critical. She might not make it through the night but there is a chance she will and recover fully." The doctor replied.
"Can we see her?" Fin asked her.
"Only for a few minutes.” The doctor answered. “I will take you to the floor.” She turned and lead the way down the hallway towards a bank of elevators. Once on the floor the four men followed the doctor to where Olivia laid. Elliot went in first followed by Fin and Munch. Their captain stayed with the doctor.
"Tell me doc, what's the damage?" he asked looking at the doctor.
"You know I can't discuss it, I have to talk to a family member first." The doctor replied.
"Doctor, Olivia hasn't really got any family, we're her family. There isn’t anyone else for you to talk to.” The connection this man had to his detective was obvious and the pain showing on his face made the doctor sad.
"Okay. She's in a coma right now. The bullet from her shoulder was a through and through, minor damage to the muscle tissue. She’ll require physical therapy but will regain full use of the arm. I can't say the same for the one that entered her abdomen. It entered above her major organs then traveled up into her chest puncturing her right lung and cracking one of her ribs. We were able to control the bleeding and repair the lung but the damage was done. Now we let her rest and hope she recovers. " The doctor said and the captain nodded. "Why don't you go in?"
"Thanks Doc." Cragen replied and walked into the room. Dr. Cabot watched as the four men crowded around the unconscious woman. The brunette had machines hooked up to her and a tube down her throat. She waited for a few more minutes before she had to ask the men to leave. Elliot handed his business card to the doctor.
“Please call me if anything happens during the night." The doctor nodded accepting the card.
"Yes of course." The four detectives left to deal with a group of reporters camped on the hospital door step, trying to get the scoop on Detective Benson.
Alex looked back at the brunette through the glass door before a nurse called her name.
"Coming." She called and took one last look at Olivia before walking away.
The next few days Olivia was still hanging on. People from her squad came to visit her bringing flowers, cards and Elliot's kids brought her a 'get well' teddy. Elliot visited almost every day. He would sit by his partner's side and talk to her about the latest case or the latest gossip from his daughters.
Doctor Cabot walked into her patients room one afternoon to check the monitors and vitals. The room was filled with all sorts of different flowers. The doctor smiled, she checked the monitors and drips then documented them on the chart. After placing her pen back in her pocket, the doctor went over to the window sill and smelt the beautiful flowers.
"Their her favorite." A voice said behind her, startling the doctor. She quickly turned around and saw Elliot standing in the doorway.
"Oh, I didn't mean to…." Alex started as she pointed to the flowers.
"It's okay, doctor, how is she doing?" Elliot asked walking over to the bed.
"She seems to be comfortable and her body is slowly healing." She answered. Elliot nodded.
"Do you know when she is going to wake up?" He asked unable to hide the desperation in his voice. The doctor felt sorry for him as it was apparent he blamed himself for Olivia’s current condition.
“No. I don’t. Her body has been through a lot. It takes time.”
"Do you know she wouldn't be in here, if I had backed her up?"
"You shouldn't blame yourself." The doctor replied. Elliot looked at his partner again. He noticed one of her fingers move.
"Did you see that? Her hand moved."
"It could be a muscle spasm, it happens sometimes." Alex quickly answered.
Elliot and the doctor watched Olivia's fingers for it to happen again. Elliot nearly believed it was muscle spasms when it happened again. They both looked up at the brunette woman’s face and saw her brown eyes flutter open.
"Liv? Liv can you hear me?" Elliot asked moving closer to Olivia's face. Olivia started breathing heavily, her nostrils flaring as she tried to take in breath on her own. Her hand quickly went to her mouth trying to remove the obstruction. The doctor, moved quickly to the bedside, reached up and pushed the nurses call button then tried to calm the detective down.
"Lay still for a moment and try to breathe with the machine Olivia. I’m doctor Cabot and you’re in the hospital. Your partner Elliot is here with you.”
"Hey Liv, thank god you’re awake." Elliot said taking Olivia’s right hand. “Just focus on me and let the doc sort you out.” Olivia’s vision, hazy from just waking, continued to sharpen allowing her to recognize the basic features of Elliots face, calming her slightly.
“Good Olivia. I am going to turn the ventilator down and listen to your lungs. If everything is good I will remove the tube. Keep breathing with it.” Doctor Cabot explained as several nurses entered the room. “Let’s switch to AC mode, with a Tidal of six, and a peep of eight.” She instructed. Olivia turned to the voice speaking. She did not comprehend what the voice was saying but the melodious sound was beautiful and soothing. As her vision returned to normal Olivia was stunned at the beautiful blonde in the white coat currently reaching over her. She followed the white coated sleeve of the doctor to her chest where the perfect hand with slender fingers and French manicured nails held a stethoscope just over top of her right breast. She quickly looked back to the doctors face and was immediately lost in the blue oceans of her eyes.
“Heart rate is elevated, ninety eight, but respirations are normal at a rate of fifteen.” A nurse to the right said.
“Ok. Lung sounds are equal and clear bilaterality.” Doctor Cabot responded removing the stethoscope from Olivia’s chest.
“What’s that all mean doc?” Elliot asked still holding Olivia’s uninjured hand.
“Her injured lung is inflating and deflating as it should, which is good, and she is breathing without the help of the ventilator.” The doctor answered. “Let’s ready suction and prep for removal.” Doctor Cabot left the bedside to wash her hands and glove up while the nurses started gathering supplies.
“Hear that Liv. The doc’s going to take that annoying tube out.” Elliot said giving her hand a squeeze. Olivia was abruptly pulled from her trance by a pressure to her hand. The slight jump caused pain to radiate from her left shoulder, through her chest and into her abdomen. The pain was so intense white spots danced in front of her eyes, a ringing filled her ears and the thought of breathing escaped her.
“Easy Liv. Don’t jump around like that.” Elliot scolded softly. He watched her closely for a minute rubbing soft circles on the back of the her hand.
After a minute Olivia’s eyes remained fixed and unblinking. Elliot became worried when he realized she wasn’t breathing. “Breathe Liv. Come on. Take a breath.” He pleaded. Moments later a high pitched alarm filled the room. The staff, busy getting supplies, hadn’t noticed Olivia jump and were unaware of any problems until then.
“Sp02 is dropping. Doctor she’s not breathing.” A nurse called out. Doctor Cabot immediately returned to the left side of the bed placing her stethoscope to Olivia’s chest.
“Turn the vent back to SIMV, with a tidal of ten and a peep of six.” The doctor instructed. The nurse closest made the adjustments and the machine immediately began pushing oxygen into Olivia’s lungs again. “Elliot what happened?”
“I squeezed her hand and she jumped a little. Next thing she’s staring into space and not breathing.” Elliot answered.
“Ok. It must have been a pain response to the sudden movement. Let’s give her a one hundred micrograms push of fentanyl for pain.”
“That sounds like a lot doc.” Elliot stated watching a nurse hurry from the room.
“It’s seems like a lot, but it really isn’t. Plus it’s short acting and wont suppress her respiratory drive. I want to take that tube out sooner than later, this should make it possible.” Cabot explained.
The nurse returned to the room with the medication and after a quick med check for safety pushed the liquid through Olivia’s IV port.
Slowly the ringing quieted and the white light grew dimmer. The pain was still present but, more of an annoyance. Olivia felt air being pushed into her lungs artificially and the obstruction still present in her throat. The faces of Elliot and the beautiful blonde came back into focus. A hum of voices and movement seemed to surround them. One of the sounds from the room was a pleasant cheery tune, which Olivia realized followed every breath she took.
“Ok. She’s breathing again. Is the machine off?” Dr. Cabot asked.
“Yes. Everything looks normal again.” The nurse answered.
“Ok. Elliot I’m going to take the tube out. You’re going to need to step out for this.”
“Yeah. Come get me when its over.” Elliot placed a soft kiss on the hand he had been holding, returned it to the bed, then made his way into the hallway.
Dr. Cabot hovered over the detective and looked into her brown eyes.
"Detective Benson, when I tell you to cough, cough and I'll pull the tube out. Blink if understand.” the doctor asked and Olivia blinked.
"Okay, ready, one two, three. Cough." Olivia coughed and Doctor Cabot pulled the tube out of her throat. Olivia started coughing frantically. One of the nurses grabbed a plastic cup filled with water and held the straw to lips.
"Drink up." She instructed. Olivia accepted the straw greedily, slowly sipping the cold water. Her sore throat welcomed the liquid. Doctor Cabot looked Olivia over again listening to her lungs, while the nurses checked her vitals, drips and began removing the unneeded equipment from the room.
"What happened?" Olivia croaked reaching out for the blonde doctor.
"You were shot, Detective Benson. You’re in the hospital. I’m Doctor Cabot.” Olivia’s brain was working hard to remember any part of being shot or what lead up to being shot but her mind just kept flashing random images in front of her eyes.
“Is Elliot here? I think I remember seeing him. Or maybe I heard him. I’m not really sure.”
“He has been here almost every day since you were brought in. He’s just out in the hallway. I will bring him in as soon as I’ve finished my exam.” Doctor Cabot answered. Olivia looked briefly to the door then back to the doctor. She watched quality as the blonde went about inspecting her wounds and giving orders to the one nurse still in the room. As she watched Olivia couldn’t help but marvel at the doctors beauty and the grace with which she moved.When the doctor reached Olivia’s shoulder wound a burning pain erupted casing her to hiss and withdraw.
"We’re going to give you some morphine for the pain." The doctor said and she looked at the nurse, who nodded and left the room. “I gave you a short acting pain medication a little while ago, when you first woke up, but this one will last longer. It will also make you drowsy.”
“Yeah. I’ve been down this road before. I won’t fight it, I need the rest.” Olivia stated. The doctor smiled into her arm at the detectives cheek. The nurse returned with a syringe and vial and began prepping the injection. Once it was ready, the doctor and nurse did their safety check before administering.
"Here we go, Miss Benson." The nurse said as she injected the liquid drug into Olivia’s drip. Once finished Doctor Cabot asked the nurse,
"Can you let Detective Stabler back in please?"
"Sure." The nurse replied walking over and opening the door indicating to Elliot he could come back in.
"You okay?" Elliot asked reaching the bedside.
"I'm still here." Olivia croaked.
"Only just" Elliot replied. Olivia rolled her eyes followed by a large yawn.
"Elliot…" Her eyes fluttered close but opened straight away then closed again. The drug had kicked in.
"I think visiting time is up." The doctor said quietly and Elliot nodded.
"I'll come back tomorrow to see her." He told the doctor.
“Sure." Doctor Cabot replied.
Elliot leaned down and kissed Olivia’s forehead. "I’m glad you’re okay, Liv. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." He whispered in her ear. Olivia’s eyes were closed again, but she managed a smile and a hand squeeze. He turned to the doctor.
“She’s going to be okay now isn't she?" He asked.
"She should be fine now that she's out of the coma and her breathing is stabilized" The doctor answered. Elliot nodded thankful that his partner was going to be okay. He bid his good bye to the doctor before leaving the room. Dr. Cabot checked on her patient on last time to make sure she was going to be comfortable then left to do her rounds.
****************************************************************
"Good morning, Detective." Dr. Cabot greeted entering Olivia’s new room. She had organized for the detective to come out of ICU and into a normal room overnight.
"Good morning, Doctor." Olivia replied looking away from her television. Dr. Cabot grabbed Olivia’s chart and began looking it over.
"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked. Olivia laughed.
"My shoulder is burning." She answered. Doctor Cabot nodded and looked down at the chart.
"I can give you something for the pain, if you like?" She said looking up at her patient.
"Can you throw in a massage as well?" The detective asked playfully.
“I’m afraid there will be no rubbing of the area until you no longer have an open wound detective.” The doctor answered with a laugh. "I'll be right back with those pain meds." She returned the chart to its holder and left the room. Olivia went back to watching her television show.
The doctor returned quickly with the pain meds and went about preparing the injection.
"What’re you watching?" the blonde asked looking up at Olivia's television.
"I have no idea. Some day time tv show. I don't really watch that much television during the day." Olivia answered. The doctor nodded and injected the meds into Olivia's drip.
"So, doctor, is there a Mr. Cabot?" Olivia asked.
"There was, but he died when I was 7." The doctor answered smiling.
"I mean…" Olivia started but the doctor stopped her.
"I know what you meant, am I married?" Olivia nodded. "No, I'm not. I was but we got a divorce." the doctor replied.
"Kids?" Olivia asked.
"Two boys. Jake is four and Dylan is two." She answered deposing of the syringe and removing her gloves.
"Wow. They must keep you on your toes." Olivia said.
"They do, but they are pretty good so that makes it easier." The doctor replied. "How about you detective? Married, kids?"
"Me? No. Elliot's the one with the kids." Olivia answered.
"Yes I know. I met them when they came to visit you.”
"Really? You met all five of them?” Olivia asked surprised and disappointed she had missed them.
"Five? No I met two of them. A daughter and son. They looked really similar in age." Doctor Cabot replied.
"That would have been the twins, Elizabeth and Dickie." The doctor laughed.
"Dickie?"
"That's his nickname. His real name is Richard." Olivia replied smiling. "You have a beautiful laugh, doctor." She said.
"Hum. I see the meds are kicking in."
"No, it's true." Olivia replied grabbing the doctors hand. Both of them jumped when they felt a spark and the sound of the doctor's pager. Olivia let her hand go and watched as the doctor grabbed the black beeping device,
"Shoot, I have to go." She said backing from the brunette.
"Wait." Olivia called. The doctor stopped turning to face the detective. "What's your name?" she asked.
"It's Alex." the doctor said and exited the room. Olivia smiled as she looked at the closed door; she knew something special was going to happen with Doctor Alex Cabot.