Love and Litigation - An Alex Cabot/Law and Order SVU fanfiction

Chapter 13

Relishing the chance to leave work before sunset, Luke decided it was a beautiful night for a run. To save time, he popped into the communal bathroom and changed into his running gear. After trading his suit and tie for a tank top and shorts, he tied his sneakers and headed out the door. He then tossed his duffel bag into the passenger's seat of his truck, put in his earbuds, and set off on his run.

He passed a mixture of different people on his route. Normally he was working during this time of day so the change was refreshing. In fact, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd gotten off work before sundown. 

He passed several food trucks, the smell of tacos wafting through the air making his stomach growl. He repeatedly pushed aside the temptation to stop and grab something to eat. Admittedly, he'd let himself go a bit as of late. Thus the reason why he was trying to fit in more exercise. Staying lean and fit was important to him and God knows he wasn't getting any younger.

After a good two or three miles, he slowed to a walk as he reached his truck. He grabbed a hand towel from the center console and wiped the sweat from his brow. Oblivious to what was behind him, he was completely blindsided by what came next. 

While leaning into the open door of his truck, he felt a blunt force strike his legs knocking them out from under him. Instinctively, as soon as he hit the ground, he quickly rolled over and tried to come to his feet. When he looked up, he could see a masked figure hovering over him before knocking him flat on his back. Sending blow after blow to Luke's ribs and face, the man trapped Luke's hand beneath his boot. Dawson could feel his bones cracking as the man increased the pressure, sending him into a piercing yelp. With one final kick to the face, the assailant vanished out of sight, leaving Luke bleeding on the ground. 

Double-vision hurriedly took over as he lie crumpled on the pavement. His head was thumping like a bass drum, and he was certain he was concussed. Scrounging up the little strength he had left, Luke pulled himself up by his truck door. Nausea overtook him as he collapsed into the driver's seat. No way could he drive. He could barely see his own hand in front of his face. 

Fumbling for his keys, his breath drew shorter and quicker with anxiety. His keys went tumbling to the ground below, and he wasn't far behind. The last thing he remembered was hitting the ground and the world around him going black. 
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Later that evening: 
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The sound of beeping monitors filled Luke's ears. Though his eyes were closed, he could sense a bright light shining above him. And his head. This had to be the worst headache in the history of headaches. 

His eyelids slowly fluttered open to the sight of his friend and Captain, Olivia. He was relieved to see a kind and familiar face. 

"Hey," she greeted him, taking a seat on the edge of his hospital bed. "How are you feeling?" 

"Like I just got hit by a bus." He winced quietly. 

He could feel a cast covering his left hand, but it was unclear to him what else was wrong at this point. 

"A lady was walking her dog and found you. She called 911. Do you remember what happened?" 

"I went for a run--" he paused, looking down at his hand. "He jumped me from behind." 

"Who jumped you? Do you know the person who attacked you?" 

Seeing his struggle to answer, Olivia placed a hand on Luke's free hand and squeezed it. 

"It's alright. We'll talk about it later, okay? Get some rest."

He watched as she exited the room, leaving him alone. He couldn't immediately remember everything about the attack, but it wasn't hard to piece together. Those thugs Amanda owed money to had done this, there was no doubt in his mind. And if they had done this to him, what was in store for her? It made him sick just thinking of the possibilities. 

Shortly after he closed his eyes, he heard a knock at the door. A surprise visitor.