Disclaimer: Dick Wolf owns Law & Order SVU. I only own this story idea and any characters that I create.
A/N: I got rid of the POV's instead incorporating them into the story. I hope that is okay. I will be working on Bound next. Happy Trails will be updated over the weekend cause it is a big chapter! Thank you for reading!
Resurrection
Chapter 3
Olivia swallowed hard. Her throat felt like straw. She fought against the heaviness of her eyelids forcing them to open. She blinked at the the tile ceiling. She blinked again turning her head to the right, seeing a monitor and IV pole. She closed her eyes again. She felt the warmth of a hand, his hand in hers. She opened her eyes again turning to the left. Elliot was slumped in the chair pulled next to her stretcher. His arm was stretched across the stretcher, in a rather awkward position, his fingers entangled with hers. He lifted his head the minute she shifted.
Elliot swallowed hard looking at Olivia's wide dark eyes. "Hey," he whispered softly. "You really scared me," It was the first words he had really spoken to her since the apartment, since they had been together. They seemed rather inadequate.
Olivia worked her lower lip between her teeth. He looked devastated. "I'm okay," El," she managed to croak out despite her dry and aching throat. She was okay at least physically she didn't begin to want to deal with the emotional havoc that they had both caused.
The nurse came over interrupting. "How are you doing Ms. Benson? You're vitals look really good. Your doctor thinks we can probably let you go later this morning," she said.
Olivia nodded her understanding. "Can I have some water?" Olivia asked.
The nurse nodded.
Olivia looked over at Elliot. "You should go home, El," she whispered.
"I can't," Elliot said running a hand down his face.
Olivia squeezed his fingers. "Yes, yes you can El. Kathy is probably worried sick about you," she urged. Kathy. They had both betrayed her. Olivia could feel the guilt seeping into her bones, her soul. "Please just go El," Olivia moved to pull her hand away.
Elliot gripped it tighter. "I am not leaving you," he whispered.
"Not your decision," Olivia said still trying to extricate her fingers from his.
"Don't please, Liv," Elliot pleaded. "I am so sorry,"
Olivia made the mistake of looking at his face, his eyes. Tears were brimming in them.
She stopped struggling. She closed her eyes. They were burning along with her throat. She felt the dampness on her cheeks as tears began to make their way silently down. She heard his sobs followed by his fingers warm and welcome on her face brushing away the tears.
"So sorry, Liv," he choked out. "God, I never meant to hurt you,"
Olivia nodded unable to open her eyes and see him crying. She didn't think she could take it.
"Olivia," Elliot whispered lowering his head as he kissed her forehead softly.
Olivia felt the warmth of his lips against her forehead and they felt oddly right. She felt him gently press kisses to her closed eyes, her nose, and her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open and met his. It was too much in that moment. Olivia felt like she could not breathe as his blue eyes held her steady in their gaze. They didn't say anything at least not verbally. Olivia felt like she had been waiting her entire life for this moment.
"I love you, Olivia," Elliot whispered the words coming out so easily, so true. It was the easiest thing he had ever said in his life. He lowered his mouth to hers. His lips grazed hers. It was gentle and ever so light. He leaned down again and captured her full, soft upper lip between his.
Olivia lifted her other hand uncaring about the IV and slipped it around the back of his neck. Her fingers gripping the skin there. She moaned softly against his mouth. His lips were incredibly soft against hers so different than the hardness of the rest of his body. She felt the tip of his tongue warm and alive in her mouth as he tentatively explored. She met him with hers, stroke for stroke, unabashedly.
The sprang apart at the sound of Olivia's nurse clearing her throat. She smiled. "You're water,"
Olivia felt the heat flood her face. "Thank you," she whispered taking the cup from her.
"You're welcome," The nurse replied. "We will be moving you to outpatient recovery after the doctor comes in to examine you,"
"Okay," Olivia nodded.
The nurse looked at Olivia's monitor jotting down some vitals before she walked away.
Olivia looked at the small pink cup filled with water.
"Let me help you sit up," Elliot whispered sliding a hand under her back and assisting her into a sitting position.
"Thanks, El," Olivia said. Elliot's hand lingered on her back. She sipped the water slowly. Her eyes fell on the bandage around her wrist. It didn't hurt right now but it did feel a little achy. Actually several places felt a little achey when she sat up.
"You need to get some rest," Elliot whispered.
"Only if you do," Olivia challenged him.
Elliot smiled. "Later. I need to go get you something to wear home," he said as he eased her back onto the stretcher. "Make some calls," he added softly.
Olivia nodded she imagined one of those calls would be to his wife, no doubt.
"I will be right back," Elliot whispered. He leaned down softly kissing her mouth.
Olivia responded to his touch once again any good intentions flying right out the window at the feeling of his mouth on hers. "El," she whispered softly as he stepped away.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I love you, too," Olivia whispered closing her eyes giving into the emotional and physical exhaustion weighing on her.
Elliot closed his eyes, relief washed over him. The weight in his chest suddenly lifted and he could breathe. Elliot walked out of PACU into the hallway. He was exhausted both emotional and physically. He pulled his phone from his pocket quickly glancing down at the phone calls. Several were from Kathy. He sighed as he hit the redial button and stepped into the elevator.
Olivia sat in the big pink oversized reclining chair. The nurse had placed a boxed lunch in front of her and her discharge paperwork to the right. She looked at clock nervously wondering if she should call a cab. The doctor had emphasized repeatedly that he wanted no pressure or lifting placed on her wrist. He had also indicated that someone staying with her would be helpful at least the first twenty four hours. Olivia had listened and nodded in understanding but knowing there was no one to really ask. She wasn't even sure if Elliot was actually going to show to give her a ride home. She looked back at the clock. Had she really said she loved him? Stupid. Stupid, she thought. At the very least she was going to need clothes to go home in. She stood up looking for the nurse or the nearest phone.
"Liv," Elliot said entering the room her duffel bag dangling from the fingers of his right hand.
Olivia looked up meeting his eyes suddenly feeling like she needed to sit down and it had nothing to do with her injury.
As if sensing the shift, Elliot reached for her slipping his arm around her waist. He dropped her bag. "You okay?" he asked worry etched on his face.
"I am fine. Don't say anything to the nurse," Olivia whispered seeing her heading their way.
"Great, you're ride is here," The nurse frowned studying Olivia's uneaten lunch. "You really need to eat something Ms. Benson,"
"I will make sure she eats something," Elliot said.
The nurse nodded. "Good. You have everything else. You can change in that bathroom over there. If you need anything else before you leave please let me know,"
Olivia smiled at her. "Thank you,"
The nurse smiled before walking over to her next patient.
"You need some help?" Elliot asked without thinking.
Olivia blushed. "I think I can handle it, El," she replied placing her hand on Elliot's pink cheek lightly. "But thank you for asking,"
Elliot nodded feeling the heat in his face and neck. He watched her disappear into the bathroom. He made sure to stay close just in case she needed anything. He leaned against the wall. He really needed to talk to her especially after this morning. He needed to let her know what happened with Kathy this morning after he left. More importantly, he needed to let her know how much she meant to him. He had to let Olivia know what he never fully understood before. She was his. They were meant to be together. She was in his blood, his skin, and his soul.
Olivia slipped off the hospital gown easily. She reached into her duffel grateful that Elliot had brought her sweats. They would be easy to put on. She bit her lower lip nervously when she saw her underwear in the bag. Obviously, he would have to bring them but the thought of him going through her things was a little embarrassing. She picked up the panties, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. He had picked the red ones, the sheer red ones.
A/N: Hope you like the update! Thank you for reading. I will update Bound next.
