Through Thick and Thin

7. You're Safe Now

Stabler Residence

The next morning...

Just like Elliot told Captain Cragen, he couldn't sleep at all last night. He just kept tossing and turning, praying Olivia would be found unharmed.

If she was hurt in any way...

He couldn't even think about it. It made him sick to his stomach instantly.

Finally rolling himself out of bed, he made his way into the living room and found all of his siblings, his mother and the gang sitting on the couch and the floor, silent. He made himself a bowl of cereal, coffee and sat next to Fin on the couch.

"Have you heard anything?" Elliot asked softly, knowing the answer was probably "no." He was right.

Bernie shook her head and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Uncle Don is doing everything he can to find her, honey. We just have to stay positive." She whispered as he rested his head on her shoulder.

Elliot heard a sniffle and he looked over to see his sister, Jessica, wiping her eyes. "Jessi?" Elliot asked.

"I'm so sorry for saying all of those things about Olivia. I was just jealous because I just broke up with Nick and I was pissed that you found the love of your life so quickly." Jessica said and Elliot walked over to her and pulled her into a hug.

"It's okay, Jessi. I know you didn't really mean it. Just don't say any of those things in front of her. She's feisty just like you and she might kick your ass." Elliot teased and everyone chuckled, except Bernie.

"Hey! Watch your language, young man!" Bernie scolded and his siblings all "ooooh"ed.

"Sorry, Ma," Elliot apologized just as the house phone rang and Bernie went to answer it.

"Stabler residence, Bernie speaking." She said into the phone. Her eyes widened after the person on the other end spoke.

"Ma?" Elliot asked as he walked over to her, worried and scared.

Bernie hung up the phone and grabbed Elliot's hand. "Uncle Don and the team found Olivia." She whispered with tears in her eyes.

Elliot's eyes went wide. "Is she okay? Are they taking her to the hospital? Where did they find her?" He asked frantically.

Bernie wiped her eyes and sniffled. "They're bringing her to the hospital right now." She whispered.

"Ma, what is it? Is she okay?" Elliot asked, terrified.

Bernie bit her lip then took a deep breath before answering her son. "She needs surgery but Uncle Don didn't say why." She whispered as she tried not to cry in front of her frightened son.

Elliot's eyes widened again and he ran to the front door, putting his shoes on. "I need to be there for her."

"You gotta let them do their job, man. If we get to the hospital right now, we'd have to wait, anyway. Just come back over here and have some food." Fin said gently as he brought him back to the couch.

"I can't eat. I can barely breathe. I need to be there when she wakes up. She needs to be okay, Fin. She has to be." Elliot said as his eyes filled with tears and his voice cracked slightly.

"She will be, bro." Fin said as he patted him on the back lightly and nudged the bowl of cereal towards him and Elliot finally took a small bite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten minutes ago at the warehouse...

"Wakey, wakey," Olivia heard a voice say. She opened her eyes to see Ed sitting on the edge of the bed. She tried to move but noticed that her wrists and ankles were still tied to the bedposts.