Conditions Of The Heart

(Chapter One: Hurt)

Olivia sat in the waiting room waiting for news on her partner. Elliot had jumped a suspect with a knife and got cut up while trying to get him to the ground. She had tried several times to call Kathy to let her know that he was okay, but something must have been wrong with her phone because she wasn't getting through. Olivia knew that Elliot was going to be okay, none of the wounds were fatal, but seeing him covered in all of that blood had still scared the Hell out of her and she now sat nervously waiting to see him.

"You can come back now," the ER nurse called to her.

Olivia walked to the back of the hall and took a left walking through two big double doors. In this room were several beds with privacy curtains between them, this space was serving as the emergency area for non-critical patients while the hospital did some remodeling.

"Elliot?" She asked as she walked to the first curtain.

"Yeah," he answered her, his voice muffled.

Olivia opened the curtain as Elliot was trying to get his shirt back on.

"I'm sorry," she said turning around and covering her face.

"It's okay. Actually I could use a little help here," she turned back to him and he smiled. She laughed at the awkwardness between them and helped him button his shirt.

"You okay?" She asked quietly, still a little shaken by the events she had witnessed earlier in the evening.

"I'm fine, just a few stitches. I'll be good as new in no time." Elliot assured her.

She took a deep breath and exhaled as he squeezed her shoulder.

"Let's get you home," she said and they headed for the car.

"Would you mind if I just crashed on your couch for a few hours?" He asked.

"Of course not, what's up?" She answered looking concerned.

"Nothing, it's late and Kathy and the kids are already asleep. I don't want to disturb them tonight," he assured her.

"Elliot, I tried to call Kathy from the hospital to let her know that you were okay and I couldn't get through."

"Oh, she got a new cell number. I'll have to give it to you. It will be fine, I will work it out with her in the morning. I just know she will freak out and I don't really feel like dealing with that after getting my ass kicked and spending two hours in the ER," he replied.

"No problem," she said and drove back to her apartment.