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

Chapter 14

Alex had rushed to the hospital as soon as she heard about Luke's attack. With every step she took, her heartbeat pulsated in her ears. She didn't even know how badly he'd been injured. The only thing she knew was that she had to get to him.

Readying herself beforehand, she took a deep breath before knocking on the door to his room. With no response, she slowly entered. He managed a small smile as soon as he saw her.

"Alex." He greeted her weakly, his voice hoarse and spent.

She pulled up a chair beside him, trying to hide the horror threatening to display on her face. He was in rough shape. One eye was nearly swollen shut, and there were contusions on his face. His left hand was fixed in a cast and there were traces of blood on one ear.

"My God, Luke."

That was all she could think of to say. She was too stunned to say anything else. The sight of him broke her heart, and she was sure he could tell by the look in her eyes.

"You didn't have to come."

Of course I did, she thought. Where else would I be? Her best friend, the guy she cared about probably more than anybody else in this world, needed her whether he knew it or not.

"Of course, I did," she uttered softly. "I had to make sure you were alright."

"Oh, this? You should see the other guy."

He offered a tired smile, wincing as he tried to inhale.

Soon after, the nurse came in to check on him. He was given a full run down of his injuries. Two broken ribs, a concussion, and a broken hand. Not to mention his severely bruised ego. After the nurse left, Alex turned away trying to conceal her heartache.

"Hey."

She felt his fingertips brush against her wrist, and she turned to face him.

"I'm alright. I'll be back at it in no time."

She smiled, unconvinced of his assurance yet amazed by his resilience.

"I need you to do me a favor."

"Of course."

"I need to see Amanda."

Surprised at his request, she questioned him further.

"You mean she hasn't been by yet?"

Luke shook his head.

"Can you call her? Please."

Pulling out her cell phone, she stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be right back."

Dialing her phone as soon as she exited the room, she waited for Amanda to pick up.

No answer.

After two more failed attempts, she sent a text message and waited for a response. Where could she be? Her partner was attacked, and she was nowhere to be found? Either she was next on the assailant's list or she was the worst friend ever. As she impatiently fished her phone out again, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. It was Amanda making her way down the hall.

"Finally, I've been trying to reach you." Alex breathed.

She could tell Amanda had been crying. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy.

"Sorry. How is he?" Her voice was veiled in panic.

"He's putting on a front, but he's pretty banged up. You should prepare yourself."

A silence lingered in the air as the ladies steadied themselves. They don't know each other all that well but knew enough to know that they both meant a lot to Luke.

"I'm going to go back in and tell him goodnight. I'll hold him over until you get yourself together, okay?" Alex's tone was empathetic as she slipped back into Luke's room.

She walked straight to his bedside, gently brushing his face with the back of her hand. He managed a half-smile.

"You have a visitor so I'm gonna get going. If you need anything, anything at all, have them call me."

She leaned down and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek, wanting desperately to stay but knowing in her heart she had to go.

With one more glance over her shoulder, she exited the room.