Mayday (Elliot Stabler fanfic)

Part Thirteen

The private waiting room was filled with high officers of the FDNY. The room was eerily silent. No one spoke. Everyone hoped that they would hear something soon. One of the chiefs noticed Elliot and walked over to him. Elliot sat by himself, his arms rested on his knees and staring at the ground. Last time he was at this hospital, he had found out his son had died. Elliot was a nervous wreck. He didn't want to get that news like that again.

The chief, who was dressed in his Class A suit, removed his white cap, and sat down next to Elliot. The chief had a bushy salt and pepper mustache that covered his lips. He patted Elliot on the back. "Detective Stabler" He said, which got Elliot's attention. Elliot looked up at him. "I didn't realize you knew Lieutenant Beckett"

"We uh, have been seeing each other recently" Elliot stated.

He chucked slightly. "I didn't think I'd see her with a man on the police side" He tried lightening the mood. "I've know Meghan since she had gotten hired by the department. She's a strong woman. She will push through this, like she had pushed through everything else life has thrown at her" The chief smiled.

Elliot looked over at Chief Donavan "Thanks" He smiled faintly. Chief Donavan nodded and pat Elliot on the back once again.

All of a sudden, the door opened up. Everyone looked over to see the nurse poking her head out through the door. She walked through the threshold and had all eyes on her. She wasn't expecting it. To be looked at by so many people. She was stunned for a moment.

Elliot sat there waiting. His heart felt like it was going to beat through his chest. After hours of waiting for some kind of answer, he was nervous.

"She's awake" The nurse said and a huge sigh of relief was heard throughout the waiting room.

"When can we see her" Sam piped up.

"I can't let all of you guys back there. It'll have to be one at a time. And not all of you tonight" She stated.

Chatter began to fill the room, as everyone tried to figure out who was going to go in there. Elliot looked around and knew that everyone else was probably more imported and closer to her than he was. He had only been seeing her for roughly 5 months in total.

"I think Elliot should go in first" A booming voice came from Chief Donavan. His statement created more chatter. "Hush everyone. Elliot should go"

"I agree" Sam stated which caused the chatter to stop. "Elliot, she would want you in there before she had to talk to higher echelon."

Elliot nodded and everyone else waited and watched as he stood to his feet and followed the nurse. The closer he got to her room, the more it started to eat at him. The nurse put her hand on the door handle and opened the door slowing.

There she was. Meghan laid on the bed, her head wrapped in gauze, leaving only her face exposed. Her hands and arms were wrapped in gauze as well. She had a blanket covering her up to her belly button and she wore one of the hospital night gowns. Once he saw her, there was no more fighting, tears began to flow from Elliot's eyes. Meghan weakly looked over at Elliot.

Elliot sat on the chair next to her and attempted to hold her hands. She winced in pain at first, which caused Elliot to feel guilty about hurting her.

"I'm so sorry" She stated weakly.

Elliot sniffled. "You don't have to be sorry, Lieu" he looked into her hurt eyes. "At least you're still here" He tried to force a smile.

"I really fucked up. I tried so hard" Meghan started to cry.

"Baby, no. I'm sure you gave it your best-"

"I was so stupid. I don't know why it took me so long to notice" She started. "Wait, what happened to Firefighter Stacey" She looked at Elliot begging for an answer.

Elliot knew she cared about others more than herself. He knew she should be worried about her and her recovery. That's just not how Meghan is wired. Elliot didn't want to tell her the truth. He didn't want to tell her that her firefighter died in surgery. He knew that if he lied to her, she wouldn't forgive him. "Let's not worry about that right now. Let's worry about you"

She nodded. She knew exactly what that meant. She tried to brush it off because she knew he was right. She needed to focus on herself at the moment. "I'm sorry we had to cancel tonight's date"

"Stop apologizing. All I care about is that you are right here in front of me, alive." He said and leaned in to kiss her soft lips. "I don't know what I would do if I had lost you" he said as he pulled away. She just stared at him, not knowing what to say. "Meghan, I need you"

She started crying again. "Even with the burn scars?" She asked.

He wanted to tell her so much that he loved her. That he loved her for just being the human being she was. He wanted to tell her that he loved the way she cared for others. The way she pushed herself to be the best person she could be. The way she worked so hard and was so determined. The way she made him feel. The way she showed him that he deserves to be happy. The way she made him so happy.

"I will be here through it all" He said to her. "I'm not going anywhere"

She smiled faintly. "I hope you mean that"

Elliot kissed her check. "Meghan, I didn't imagine that I would be doing this here. But after the hours of waiting, and thinking I'd have to go on without you. I want to just call you mine. Lieu, I want you to be my girlfriend. There's no one else I'd want to have beside me"

She nodded and puckered her lips. He leaned in to his her so gently. "Nothing would make me happier," she said after he softly kissed her lips.