You and I [A Bensler Fanfiction]

Thirty

Olivia ran into the ER as tears blurred her vision. She kept looking around for Christine, but she couldn't make out any identifying features on anyone's faces. She was starting to panic, but stopped when Cragen grabbed her arm and squeezed it gently.

"Do you want to find Christine or just ask a nurse where Elliot is?" Cragen asked, as he steered Olivia away from a fast moving gurney.

"Nurse," Olivia sniffled. Cragen nodded and pulled her towards the nurse's station. He cleared his throat and spoke to an older nurse for a few minutes, then turned to Olivia.

"Liv, he's upstairs in surgery. The nurse said we can go and wait in that waiting room for news. So we should get moving."

Everything was a blur for Olivia as her boss led her to elevators and down hallways. All she could think about was if Elliot would make it through this, or if she'd lose him. They had just gotten back together and just welcomed little Marley into their family. Everything came into focus when Christine yelled Olivia's name.

"Where the hell have you been?" Christine demanded, as she stomped towards Olivia.

"I was at home with the kids because no one called me! I had to get Don to call his contacts with the FBI just to find out a car had hit him!" Olivia yelled.

"That's a stupid-"

"I gave birth three weeks ago, and the kids had their first day of school today, so I was busy! But I'm here now, so you can go back to wherever the hell bitter bitches come from!" Olivia spat. Christine stepped closer and shoved Olivia hard, causing her to fall onto the floor.

Before Christine could continue her attack, Cragen grabbed her arms and pushed her back towards the seats as security raced over. One security guard helped Olivia to her feet.

"You are nothing to him, Olivia. I'm still his emergency contact, and clearly he never thought to change it. You don't need to be here, Olivia. He's mine and I'll take care of him."

///

Olivia stepped slowly towards Joseph and Bernie Stabler. For some reason, Christine had only been called when Elliot was injured, but his parents were also listed as his emergency contacts.

"Hi, sweetie. Are you okay?" Bernie asked, as she tried to stay calm.

"This isn't about me... Christine is inside trying to get me to leave, but I can't. I love Elliot and need to know what happened to him," Olivia sniffled. Bernie reached out and drew Olivia into a tight hug before leaning back and kissing her forehead softly.

"He'll be fine. My son is strong and has a lot to live for," Bernie smiled, her blue eyes filled with tears.

"We need to go in."

They walked into the hospital and to the surgical waiting room. When they arrived, a doctor was asking for Elliot's family. Joseph quickly spoke up, stating that he was Elliot's father. Christine scowled and went to stand, but the security guard beside her ordered her to sit down.

"Mr. Stabler?" The doctor asked.

"Yes, I'm Joseph Stabler and this is my wife Bernie. This woman is Olivia Benson, my son's girlfriend."

"What about-" the doctor started, but Olivia interrupted him.

"That is his ex-wife. We've been so busy over the last few weeks that he forgot to change his emergency contacts. She isn't wanted here. Trust me."

"Okay. Well, Elliot is in the ICU right now. From what the FBI agents told me, he was the first one to be hit. He broke his back, three ribs are fractured, his left leg is shattered, and he has internal bleeding."

"B-broke his back?" Olivia whispered, as Joseph wrapped his arms around Olivia's and Bernie's shoulders.

"Right now, we just have to wait and see what happens. He will be sedated for a few days, then once he wakes up, we can evaluate the situation again."

Olivia blinked away tears and scrubbed a hand down her face. She couldn't believe how they were happy this morning and everything was fine. Now Elliot was in the ICU with a broken back that may take away his ability to walk.

///

Until Elliot woke up, Olivia wasn't allowed to sit with him. Joseph promised to keep her updated on Elliot's health, but only if she went home and got some sleep. Cragen drove Olivia home and the moment they parked in the driveway, Christine pulled in behind them.

"Leave me alone," Olivia frowned, as she climbed out of the sedan and walked to where Christine stood.

"You have my child, Olivia. I can't just let you keep her when Elliot is in the ICU. I'm her mother-"

"The mother that hasn't checked in on her daughter since they moved here," Olivia huffed.

"Avery doesn't care about that, Olivia-"

"Mama?" Avery asked as she walked down the front steps. She had her backpack on, and her siblings were following her down the stairs.

"Hey, baby!" Christine exclaimed. Avery looked at her mother, her face covered in disgust.

"Mama, what is Christine doing here?" Avery asked, as she quickly ran to Olivia and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Olivia leaned down and kissed the top of Avery's head before sighing softly.

"It doesn't matter right now. Amanda is going to take you and your brothers to school. When you get home, we need to talk about some stuff. So please, have a good day and I'll see you later," Olivia replied. She made her rounds and hugged her three eldest kids, before taking Marley's carrier from Amanda and walking towards the house.

"I never want to hear Avery call you mama again, do you hear me?!" Christine yelled. Olivia turned around and smiled as Cragen stood near the sedan, just in case either of the women attacked each other again.

"That isn't up to you, Christine. And regarding Avery's custody, there was a clause in the agreement that allows Bernie and Joseph to gain custody of Avery if anything were to happen to Elliot. You will maintain your normal amount of custody, which is just visitation. Now, get the hell away from my house and stay away from the hospital. I'm his partner, not you."