Can't Leave It Alone

by: Liv-x-Case-Benson

Ch. 5

In the former prosecutor's eyes, the next few minutes were pure hell. She'd stood and caught Olivia as she collapsed with blood running down her neck which only seemed to intensify, as she pulled her behind the desk and partially shielded her.

The other detectives had been on high alert from their lieutenant's strange behavior so when they saw her collapse a few shots were fired in the general vicinity.

The next thing Alex knew, paramedics were loading Olivia onto a stretcher and trying to stop the bleeding. She looked down, realizing her hands were wet. For a moment, she was confused, then she knew. Alex had tried to keep Olivia alive on pure instinct, not caring for herself.

She stood up, running after the paramedics.

"Go ahead and go with her!" Fin said. "We'll catch up with you later."

Alex nodded, going after them.

Amanda stood. "Okay, I'm going to play it safe and go get Noah. We don't know exactly what's going on."

Fin nodded. "Carisi and I will deal with I.A.B. for now," he said, making the call.

"Miss Cabot, you riding?" one of the paramedics asked.

She nodded, quickly getting in.

"What happened?"

"I...I don't...we were just talking and then…" her eyes never left the brunette, taking her hand.

"We'll figure out more later."

Olivia came to, briefly, as Alex checked a text. "..Noah…"

"Amanda has him. He's okay."

She nodded, trying to stay conscious. "I didn't even see it…"

"L...Olivia, stop. Even if I was still working the D.A.'s office, I couldn't work this case."

"What do you remember, Lieutenant?" one of the paramedics asked.

She ran a hand over her face as someone pressed something to her neck. "We...all of us were talking. I felt something sharp, stumbled back, my vision went black after that. I felt someone pull me somewhere. I must've passed out."

"You did. I caught you. But you should rest," Alex said.

She nodded. "Don't...don't leave again."

"I won't."

Olivia rested back, closing her eyes.

Alex was asked to wait as they took care of Olivia so she paced the hallway.

"Alex!" Fin said, going towards her.

She stopped, waiting. "Is it my turn to be grilled by I.A.B?" she asked with a wry smile. "They just took her in to patch her up."

Fin shook his head. "Rollins winged his shoulder. He'll be alright."

"I'm supposed to care about the man who-wait, it wasn't a bullet…"

"It couldn't have been a bullet and-"

"-have her live. Not in that area," Alex said, she said with an uneasy look.

He rested a hand on her shoulder. "Memory coming back to haunt you?"

She nodded. "A sick role reversal."

"Relax, no marshalls, no WP," he said under his breath. Then he smiled a bit. "She'll never let you leave like that again."

"He was after me."

"Yes and he's also in custody for assault on a cop with a deadly weapon. We mean it, Alex. This guy will not get to you as long as you're here."

She smiled too. "I could imagine someone trying - or at least wanting to - beat the crap out of me because she was hurt because of me."

"And we'd hold him back."

"But what hit her? Nobody saw it."

Fin pulled his hand back. "Let us take care of it. Doctor's walking out."

She looked toward the door.

"Ah yes. Your lieutenant will be fine. I've flushed and stitched the wound. I also extracted something metal, likely the cause of the injury. I've sent that and my report to your M.E. just to be safe. She's resting, but you can see her now if you like."

Alex nodded, walking in quietly and pulling up a chair beside the bed. Olivia had a couple stitches down her neck with a bandaid to help secure them. She sighed. "I'm sorry Liv. You weren't supposed to be hurt."

"You didn't," she said quietly.

"Still because of me," she said, avoiding her eyes.

Olivia gently turned her head, opening her eyes. "No it's not. I'm going to be fine."

"But you're hurt and…"

Olivia sat straighter, taking the blonde's hand that was close to hers. "Stop beating yourself up about it, Alex. It happened. And it's over. I'm going to be fine."

Alex finally looked her in the eyes. "You're sure?"

Before she could answer, Noah ran in. "Mama!"

Olivia smiled, hugging him. "Hi. How was your day?"

"Good. What happened to your neck?"

Olivia carefully sat him beside her. "Noah, do you remember me telling you that sometimes people can get hurt, even when you're protecting them?"

He nodded.

"I...I should just…"

"Alex stay there."

"Was Alex with you when you got hurt?" Noah asked.

"Yes Noah," Olivia said. "Actually, she might have saved me from getting injured worse."

Noah's eyes widened, but Alex shook her head. "Really?" he asked.

"Yes Noah. Alex, would you please see if I'm able to leave?"

The blonde nodded, standing and going in search of the doctor.

"Are you really okay?"

"I'll be just fine. I promise."

Alex returned ten minutes later with the brunette's discharge papers. "You just need to be careful not to open it. The doctor said it was deep," she said, handing Olivia the papers to sign. "Also, you're wanted back to talk to people. Fin just called."

Olivia sighed, signing her name. "Alright. Alex, will you please take Noah home and stay with him. I'll call for a ride."

"I really am sorry Liv."

"Please stop. You didn't do this. Just because you want to be back in my life, it doesn't mean this had to happen."

Alex nodded. "Okay, come on Noah."

"Will you be home tonight?"

"Yes Noah, now please go with Alex."

He nodded, leaving with her.

Olivia stepped off the elevator into what was best described as organized chaos. People were everywhere, taking the scene, talking to the detectives, but it wasn't loud. No one was shouting.

She sighed, seeing Tucker right in the middle of it as she walked over. "I was told you wanted to speak to me?"

He nodded. "Let's go into your office."

She nodded, walking back and closings the door once they were inside.

"How are you feeling?" Tucker as as the brunette sat behind her desk.

"A little stiff and sore. Otherwise fine."

He nodded, sitting opposite. "What happened?"

Olivia sighed. "As I've told everyone who's asked. All of us were talking, I felt pain in my neck, stumbled back and collapsed into blackness. I felt someone pull me out of the way, then nothing until I was in the ambulance repeating what I just told you."

"You didn't see anyone? Hear anything?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

"Any idea who would've wanted to hurt you?"

She chuckled a bit. "I've been in this job for 19 years. Who, that I've helped put away, wouldn't take a chance?"

He nodded. "Anyone in the past few days?"

Olivia bit her lip. "Well, he might not hurt me, but there is a reason Alex Cabot is back in town," she said, explaining what had happened.

"So, it's reasonable to say he might see you as a threat," Tucker said.

"Anything's possible," she said, wincing as she turned her head.

"You should be home," he said, standing.

Olivia nodded, getting up as well and leaving her office after him.

"Need a ride home, Liv?" Carisi asked.

She nodded. "Please. I've had enough drama for one day."

He nodded and they left.

Olivia relaxed a bit as they pulled up to the house.

"Do you need anything? Food?" Carisi asked. "I can pick something up."

Olivia shrugged. "I'll let you know. Thanks for the ride," she said as she got out and closed the door.

"No problem."

Olivia nodded, opening the door a few minutes later.

"Mommy!" Noah said, running over to hug her.

She smiled, hugging him as she closed the door. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yes, we're fine," Alex replied as she walked out from the kitchen. "How about you?"

"Good, more or less."

"Are you sure?" Alex asked.

Olivia nodded, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Yes Alex. I think I just need to lay down for a bit, okay?"

The blonde nodded. "Okay Noah and I can find something to do."

"I'm sorry…"

Noah shook his head. "You need sleep," he said, hugging her again.

"Okay," she said, going to lay down.

A/N: Thanks to everyone that's read/reviewed so far. Sorry it took so long for this chapter. I've had a lot of things going on, but I will not abandon this story.