I don't own SVU. If I did, Casey would be the permanent ADA, Elliot wouldn't be leaving the show next year, and Kathy wouldn't exit. I do own Erin though! And this plot! And the people in this story you don't recognize! Go me! =)
Erin woke up to the déjà vu of being in the spinning teacups at Disney World, except in her memories, she could stop the ride, but as much as she tried, this dizziness was not going away any time soon. Her head pounded with the sensation of being slammed mercilessly and repeatedly with a hammer and her stomach churned like a hyperactive laundry machine. She was sweaty and hot, but at the same time shivery and chilly, and she could count the raised dots, a goose bump army, invading her skin, and not looking like they were wanting to retreat. Long story short-Erin didn't feel so well.
She attempted to get up, desperately trying to simply stand without shaking or even falling down. She fisted the blanket in attempt to steady herself and remain unwavering, sighing in relief at finally being able to balance on two feet. She put on her best poker face and ventured to her closet.
She slowly slipped out of her nightwear and pulled on some comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. She would have to change when she got down to the shoot into formalwear, much to her dismay. A tight-fitting itchy dress didn't sound very appealing, especially in her current state. One step at a time, she told herself, just take it slow, moment after moment, and don't rush it.
She figured she probably looked as bad as she felt, and as she went to the light-up vanity to insert her contact lenses her suspicions where met when blood-shot eyes stared back at her. She cursed herself for her unfortunate luck; it looked like she was wasted or hung-over when in reality it was just a side-effect from the night before. She took a deep breath and organized her thoughts in her head. She could not go into the spread like this, and worse, she couldn't go into her living room like this.
She groaned remembering Olivia and her words last night, echoing "Tell me if anything hurts, even a little bit," and her promise to do just that. But she could not back out of today; she'd already worked way too hard. And now she knew she could get new information. She put in so much effort yesterday and if she didn't show up today or missed anything; she could kiss that work good-bye. She didn't just want to be there, she felt like she needed to.
She tried to think of a way to get through the day without anyone suspecting anything. She knew mentally she could do it, though it would be difficult, but physically was a different story. Her stomach was churning like a taffy puller and she could feel her heartbeat in her head. She reached up to smooth her hair and was discouraged to feel a raised bump, no-doubt from yesterday's wall-pushing fiasco with sleazy-spoon suds man. And there was still what to do with the hungry-vampire eyes. Dang, this was going to be harder than originally thought.
With much combing through possible ideas and bouts and rounds of pain, she finally figured she could wear sunglasses, at least until she needed her photos taken, in which she just prayed and pleaded they would be back to normal, and put her hair in a bun to camouflage the nasty bump. When she was finally beautified and in disguise she made her way out to the kitchen, still stumbling through the blinding flash of ambushing hurt coming from all directions of her body.
The first thing she smelled was the hot cup of java, the steam seeping through her pores and the usually pleasant and comforting scents making her nauseous and repelling against her digestive system. She needed to get out of there, and fast.
"See you," Erin said, trying to remain invisible, hoping Olivia wouldn't try to ask any questions, make small talk, or worse, try to come with her. But that would just be too easy.
"Hold up, hold up. Where are you headed?" Olivia asked, stepping in front of Erin and blocking the exit.
"Photo shoot," she said, making this as short and sweet as possible while trying to breathe through her mouth.
"Well I'll come with you. I want to see you be all girly and sweet and non-Erin like. It's like an animal at a zoo, performing out of its natural habitat," she said, with a sliver of suspicion. As to what, Erin didn't know.
"No need, really," Erin grimaced, telepathically begging her to take the bargain. Like Deal or no Deal, push the button, please.
"Nonsense, sit down, have some coffee, have a cinnamon roll, have some sunscreen to go with those shades," Olivia said laughing, "seriously what's up with those?"
"Style," Erin shrugged, inching towards the barrier between freedom her prison of a warden, or, guardian.
"Oh, got you. So tell me, are you feeling all right?"
"Yeah, never been better," Erin lied, literally through her teeth as she was trying not to open her mouth in fear more than words would exit.
"Great, I'm so glad. Oh, look at the time; you better start eating if you want to get there on time. Here's some coffee, I put extra vanilla in it, because I know it's your favorite," Olivia smiled and handed her a cup of coffee.
Erin cursed Olivia for being such a freaking nice and observant person. She didn't feel like she had a choice but to at least pretend to be interested and excited about Olivia's gesture. "Thanks," she mumbled and plastered on yet another stage-smile and twisting the glass around in her hands.
"Well…?" Olivia stared at Erin expectantly.
"Oh, right," Erin slowly brought the glass to her lips and inhaled, followed by a gag and a set of coughs over the sink. She had lost to her own esophagus, dandy.
"Mhm, just what I thought," Olivia said standing over Erin, hands on her hips. "Stylish sunglasses, huh? And is a fever fashionable too or are you trying to start that trend?" Olivia asked. When she saw a look of disappointment and guilt wash over Erin she added, "Sorry kiddo, your cover's been blown. I knew something like this was going to happen."
"I feel fine, honestly," Erin insisted.
"Oh please, I could hear you wincing in your room all morning."
"But, seriously, I promise I'll be okay," Erin stipulated, the counter a shelf for her arms and her hands a nook for her head at the moment.
"Unfortunately, I highly doubt the thermometer would plead the same way as you."
"You're going to let a little red strip of mercury ensconced in a glass tube determine my future?"
"Don't be silly; the hotel gift shop has the little ear-click ones, so it'll be little black numbers encased in a little screen determining your day."
"I'm ecstatic," Erin said dully.
"I'm going to go get one. Stay here or beware," she pointed at Erin, walking out the door.
After a few moments of pouting to herself, Erin got an idea. She quickly went to the freezer and pulled out a few cubes of ice, shivering as she prepared to place the frozen water in her ears and face.
"You aren't very bright, dear. Clever for some, but you forget who you're dealing with," Olivia said, prancing back inside. "Ice cubes? Really? You think I'm about to leave you alone when you have the manipulative tools? How insulting to me."
"How did you-?" Erin started, shocked.
"Told Elliot to buy one when you were sleeping, I could sense something was going to happen and I like to be prepared," Olivia said smugly. "Come, come," she motioned Erin over towards herself and placed the plastic into the defendant's ear. Erin was thinking the world had to be kidding her. She couldn't catch a break today. Seconds later the gadget beeped.
"102.7, strike three, you're out," Olivia said not-so-humbly, sliding the plastic back into its respective container. "Now, tell me again, for real this time, how are you feeling?" Olivia said now more softly but also with more conviction.
"Um, you know, not so hot."
"What hurts, exactly?"
"Stomach, I feel kind of dizzy, headache," Erin admitted.
"And what did you have to eat last night?"
"Uh, please don't mention it again, but if you really must know I had fish."
"Good, that what I was hoping for. You probably just have a bout of food poisoning mixed with the trauma of practically being attacked. You just need a day off, and you'll be back to normal. Take it easy, kid," she said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"But if I miss today I might miss something really important and then our entire case will have gone down the toilet. I need to get justice for Alice and if I can't do that 24/7 then maybe I shouldn't get to work on this case."
"Oh my God, so this is what this is about? Honey, it's great you care so much about this but you've got to think about yourself. You have to be careful before courageous sometimes."
"Fine…but maybe if-"
"Just go get in bed," Olivia said pointing her door.
"Okay, one second," Erin said coolly, running to the bathroom door, Olivia close behind.
"Lovely," Olivia said, tying a hair-tie around Erin's hair as she leaned over the porcelain throne, frowning when her hand went over the large swelling on her head, Erin flinching with pain as her placid palm went over the lump in her scull. Olivia knitted her eyebrows together in concern, fingering the bruise as mildly as possible. Erin's face contorting with each pat.
"God, would you stop?" Erin exclaimed, making Olivia jump. "Sorry, that just…hurts a little."
"You can stop being brave, Erin. Showing pain isn't weakness."
"I know that. But sometimes you have to be strong for other people, or else they'll completely break apart. And it's easier to support yourself and them that trying to pick up the pieces."
"What do you mean, sweetie?" Olivia asked, knowing they were shying away from obvious things and diving deeper into metaphors and past experiences.
"Nothing, forget I said anything," Erin said, snapping back into real life, embarrassed at herself for loading information on Olivia.
"But, Erin-"
"Please. Don't," Erin said. "Not right now."
Olivia nodded, knowing she'd come to her when she was ready.
"Geez, girl, you're a mess. Stupid Saul really did a number on you, huh?" Olivia said filling up a Dixie cup of water for Erin to rinse her mouth from the goopy remains of last night's now obviously terribly prepared dinner and changing the subject.
"I guess. Or maybe your coffee just really sucked," Erin retorted.
"Ouch. I take care of you when you're in sickness and this is how you repay me?"
"No one ever said you have to. We never took wedding vows in sickness and health."
"I suppose this is true. But for some reason I actually care about you so I feel the need to."
"You, compassionate? You don't seem like the type," Erin said.
Olivia smacked her on the forearm and Erin grabbed the skin and cried in agony.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were hurt there," Olivia gasped, automatically regretful, "I didn't mean to cause you anymore pain. Do you need ice or medicine or something? God, I feel like such an idiot for doing-"
Erin laughed, "I'm just messing with you."
Olivia narrowed her eyes and grabbed her heart, "you're a jerk, you know that, right? Don't ever scare me like that again."
"No promises," Erin shrugged.
"Well one thing I can promise you is that if you don't scoot your little booty into bed you'll be sorry when you heal. Come on, move along. I'll call and see if I can reschedule your photo appointment."
"Fine, fine, but when this passes I'm back on for Juliette Odessa, got it?"
"Deal. Now move."
"Pushy, pushy," Erin said, climbing under the covers, relieved and disappointed on how her expedition turned out.
"Good night…morning…nap…okay, see you later," Olivia said, making a move to turn the light off.
"Hey, Liv? Thanks for, you know, caring."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, just, thanks for not letting me be reckless and stupid. Believe it or not I can be not the most responsible. I know you never see this side of me ever, but I'm actually quite stubborn."
Olivia pretended to look shocked. "You, stubborn? No way… But you're welcome. If you need anything yell for me. And try not to hurl on the carpet, I'd probably have to pay for someone to clean that up."
"Understood."
"Now get all refreshed so we can have a fun time and not be injured and boring."
"I'll do my best," Erin smiled and closed her eyes. Comfortably lying in bed, she actually felt decently at ease. She would still be fine working on the case. And she wouldn't be alone, Olivia would help her. And Olivia wouldn't just catch her if she fell, she'd know how to get revenge on the person that pushed her down as well. In the battle of nurture versus nature, Erin thought Olivia had a pretty satisfying mix. Nothing could touch them.
Author's Note: Sorry it's been awhile! Did you like it? I know it wasn't too action packed, but was stuffed with Erin/Olivia bonding! Like it or hate it? Please review! Reviews are amazing! Love you readers! Tata! =)
