Chapter 10
Casey had finally gotten more help when the DA had approved expanding the SVU legal department. With one paralegal and another ADA. That opened the opportunity to reduce the redheads work hours. Giving her more time with Andrea and Olivia.
Andrea's case was dragging out and after a month Cragen couldn't afford to keep letting Olivia stay home. The brunette started working half days and when needed. It quickly turned into more most days.
Olivia had, had a few days to get everything figured out and arranged regarding where Andrea was to be when both Casey were at work. They had found a daycare they liked the day before, Olivia had, had to be back at work. That was why it was only Casey taking Andrea to the girl's daycare and spending some time there each morning the first week.
It had taken some time for Andrea to get used to having to go to daycare again. The fact was, that it was harder getting used to not having her Livia all day than going to daycare. After the first week, she was exited to get to play with the other children. And the afternoons she did get to spend with Olivia were that more special.
SVU had gotten a few solid leads on Andrea's attacker and were hoping they were getting closer to catching the attacker.
Things changed one afternoon when Olivia and Andrea was walking home from Andrea's daycare.
At one moment they were busy talking about Andrea's day, what to have for dinner and what they wanted to do that weekend. The next moment there was a big hand on Andrea's shoulder trying to pull the young girl away.
All those years of having to pay attention to the people around her, let Olivia take in the man's appearance at the same time as she reacted to the threat to Andrea.
It was a large blonde haired man, with a tribal tattoo on his neck. Olivia couldn't see all of it but suspected that it continue to the man's upper arm underneath his coat.
Olivia regretted she had left her gun at work before she came to pick up Andrea. If there ever was a time she needed it, it was now.
The detective managed to get the man's hand off Andrea's shoulder and getting the young girl behind her. That was when the first punch hit her jaw. Luckily she had been turning her head when his fist connected. The hit only graced her chin and didn't do any permanent damage, thought it didn't mean that it didn't hurt. It wasn't a soft hit by any standard.
Thanks to the adrenaline boost, Olivia somehow found the strength to at least hold her own against the attacker. That was until he got another hit in to her jaw. The direct hit with a hand adorned with a big ring sent Olivia falling backwards.
The thought of him getting his hands on Andrea, was what kept Olivia from passing out, when she hit her head on the ground landing hard on the ground. Though, it didn't keep her from being dizzy. It took the man going after Andrea, for Olivia to get her muscles to obey the orders her brain kept sending.
Her movements just weren't that well coordinated, and the first few tries to get Andrea away didn't do much. Olivia gave up all pretense on getting the man subdued and arrested, now she only wanted to make sure he didn't get away with Andrea. Even the adrenaline high wouldn't be enough to keep her going for long. Olivia knew that if she was to get Andrea away safe, she only had one more chance.
Olivia didn't know if anybody had called 911, she hadn't given it a thought as she had focused everything she was on what was happening with the attacker and Andrea.
Olivia saw her chance when he thought she had given up and turned his back to the detective. Gathering what little strength she had left, she somehow found the speed and power to tackle him before he could get to Andrea. Hitting his knee with her shoulder. Enjoying the grunt that the tackle ensured from not only her but also the man.
In it self her last desperate attempt to save Andrea wouldn't have been enough. The sounds of sirens getting closer was what tipped the scales in Olivia's favor. Causing him to limp away, thinking there would be another chance later on.
Olivia couldn't be bothered with the people trying to help her after the attacker had left. She wanted to give in and let the darkness take over. Lying where she had landed after the tackle, she couldn't seem to find the energy to stand up, and barely made it into a sitting position. Andrea's panicked call for her Livia, gave the brunette the needed strength to fight of the dizziness, at least for a little longer.
"S'okay, you're safe now." Her words were slightly slurred, but Andrea didn't seem to mind. The blood running down Olivia's jaw was more frightening than the change in the brunette's voice.
It wasn't until she tried comforting Andrea that Olivia noticed the pain in her jaw. Andrea didn't seem to notice as all seemed to disappear when she was engulfed in her Livia's arms. That was after all the safest place to be.
Olivia blocked out everything, but the crying girl in her arms. She didn't notice the officers or EMTs that had arrived. It wasn't until one of the EMTs put a hand on her shoulder to get her attention, that Olivia even noticed that it wasn't only Andrea and her in the world.
"Ma'am you have to let us take you to get this checked out."
"I'm fine, we just need to get home." Olivia wasn't really convincing. The blood still running down her jaw and neck. Voice still slurred.
It didn't get any better when she tried to stand. In the first attempt Olivia had tried to keep Andrea in her arms, but wasn't even close to getting up. The second attempt she fared a little better. She had let the blonde stand up on her own. Olivia managed to make it to her feet before she lost her balance. The EMT had expected the brunette to have difficulties standing and had stayed close. Catching Olivia before she could end up on the ground once more.
"Ma'am you need to let us take you to the ER to get checked out."
Not giving Olivia a chance to protest, he led her to the ambulance. Ignoring the glare Olivia shot his was. It spoke in his favor that Olivia didn't have the energy to put the effort into her glare or yell at him. She focussed all her energy on Andrea and didn't bother to talk to the officers. They knew who she was and would inform Cragen, but she hadn't wanted to give them a statement this moment. Now she just wanted to make sure Andrea was okay and stop the incessant jackhammering in her head.
Olivia couldn't seem to muster the energy it would take to convince the EMTs that she didn't need a hospital visit. But she did glare at them, though it didn't get her out of there. She avoided being strapped in on her back as the EMT had first wanted. She still had to be strapped in, but she could sit up and still hold on to Andrea.
Olivia didn't want to waste what little energy she had on answering the EMT's question. There were so much more important things to use it on. Andrea. Olivia wanted to make sure the girl was all right. That meant assuring Andrea, and to do that she had to talk to the blonde. The pain wasn't getting better or easier to ignore as her adrenaline was crashing to an all time low.
When they got to the ER, the doctor ordered Olivia taken to get her jaw x-rayed, after he had done a quick check up. Going to get an x-ray meant that Andrea couldn't come with her. Until that point the girl had been right next to Olivia. Olivia refused going before she was sure there was some to look after Andrea, that the girl knew.
The porter, that had come in to transport Olivia to x-ray, hadn't expected the riled woman he had encountered. He had refused to let Andrea come along, and that was the last he got to say before Olivia told him, in no uncertain terms where he could go.
The pain hadn't managed to put a damper on Olivia's temper, contrary in fact. She had the porter almost running out of the exam area Olivia was in.
Olivia's yelling could be heard by the rest of the ER.
When the porter had finally left them alone, every last drop of energy seemed to have left Olivia. The pain and exhaustion finally became too much. Olivia slumped back into the bed and closed her eyes, trying not to slide into the darkness that wanted to take over. She kept a firm grip on Andrea, who was sitting next to her on the bed. Andrea held on just as tightly if not more.
Olivia hoped someone Andrea knew would come by soon. She didn't know how long she could keep her focus with the throbbing pain in her head. The doctor hadn't wanted to give her something strong enough to relieve the pain. Because of the concussion. The painkiller she had gotten, hadn't even taken the top of the pain. And it was slowly driving her insane.
Miriam, one of the ER nurses, had, as everyone else, heard Olivia yell at the porter. She had seen cops do stupid things before when brought to the ER. That was nothing new. But, this Detective had been brought in with a young child, and they seemed close. So she wasn't surprised when Allan had been thrown out. He had never been good at talking to, or being nice to women. She wasn't the only one that had smiled when they had heard the Detective rip Allan a new one. She had especially liked his expression when he was forced to leave.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Miriam had brought a pen a paper, hoping that would keep her patient from talking.
Miriam hadn't needed to worry about Olivia talking. The detective wasn't planning on opening her mouth anytime soon, if she could help it.
Olivia held up her right hand, doing writing motions, as an answer to the nurse's question.
Her first question wasn't about stronger or more pain reliever, as Miriam had expected.
:Can you make a call for me?:
"They should be contacting your Captain soon, if it hasn't been done yet, so you don't have to worry about that."
:Not Captain, girlfriend. Want her to hear, from me:
Olivia got a nod from the nurse, and gave her Casey's cell phone number.
Olivia was hoping the nurse could talk to Casey before Cragen would call the ADA. She knew getting a call from Cragen about Olivia being brought to the ER would be worse than hearing it from her. As it was, Olivia would go with the next best thing. By having the nurse call Casey, the redhead would know that she was at least somewhat okay.
She would have liked to warn the nurse about Casey's tendency to become angry, when something scared the ADA. That would have been the polite thing. But she wasn't inclined to use the needed energy for that right now. The older woman looked like she could hold her own, even against a frightened Casey.
Olivia didn't care all that much if she was polite or not, all she really wanted was some sleep.
"I'll get right on that. I'm sorry to say this, but you have to stay awake, Detective."
Miriam had noticed Olivia's eyes slide shut again after the brunette had written the phone number.
Olivia didn't want to open her eyes and stay awake, but she did open them slightly.
Miriam was lucky to call Casey not only before Cragen, but also at the first break the ADA had, had that day.
"Novak, Special victims." Casey didn't recognize the number and answered more formally than she would have if it was one of her detectives.
"Miss Novak, this Miriam Jones, I'm a nurse in the ER."
Casey thought Miriam was calling to report a possible rape, but wasn't sure why the nurse was calling her and not the police.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Jones, but I'm not sure why you're calling me. If you want to report a rape you need to call the police." She knew she didn't react in the most polite or helpful way. Casey wasn't having a great day and didn't have much time for a break.
"I'm sorry miss Novak. I wasn't clear on why I called. Detective Benson gave me this number and asked me to call you."
That got Casey's attention. "Olivia, why did she have you call me?"
"Detective Benson asked me to call you to tell you that she was admitted to the ER about an hour ago. She had me call you because she is resting."
Miriam didn't get the chance to continue explaining any more about Olivia's condition.
The mention of Olivia in the ER had Casey forgetting everything else that had been going on that day. She hated this part of Olivia's job. Never knowing when something could go wrong. That was where she got confused, Olivia was supposed to have a short day and spend the afternoon with Andrea. And why hadn't Cragen called her.
"No, Olivia wasn't supposed to be working."
Denial was a good starting point. Miriam was use to relatives responding with anger when told about injuries. Though this time she was a little surprised that miss Novak was denying that something could have happened.
"Why are you the one calling me?" As her worry increased she sounded more angry. Casey was getting impatient, and that was reflected mostly as anger in her voice.
Miriam could hear the hint of panic covered by the anger. "I don't think Olivia was working." Miriam knew that by making it more personal she might help the woman handle the news a little better.
"Olivia requested that I call you, she didn't want you to worry unnecessary when her Captain called you."
"Then why aren't Olivia calling me herself?"
That was when the part of Olivia not working finally made its way to Casey awareness. The next she just blurted. "Did something happen to Andrea?" Now the panic was clear in Casey's voice. "Olivia was picking Andrea up and they were spending the day together."
"A young girl was brought in with Olivia, I didn't get her name, but beside being scared there is nothing wrong." Miriam was quick to reassure.
"That is the other reason Olivia wanted me to call you. She is refusing to get her jaw x-rayed before someone get here to look after the young girl."
"Let me talk to Olivia, and she will get that x-ray."
Casey wasn't about to let Olivia risk her health for anything. It wouldn't do Andrea any good. Or her for that matter.
"It's not urgent, and there's no harm in waiting for a little while. I'm sorry but I won't let you talk to Olivia. I wont risk hurting her jaw anymore than it already is."
Casey was a little comforted by what the nurse had told her. Nothing but seeing that Olivia was okay with her own eyes, would convince her that her lover would be fine.
"Thank you, will you let Olivia know I'm on my way."
Casey couldn't get out of there fast enough, but for once she didn't forget niceties.
The ADA didn't take the time to cancel the appointment she had later that day. All she took the time to do, was haphazardly put the case files she was working on in her briefcase. Almost running out of the building. Not bothering to stop to let the secretary know she was leaving for the day. She even considered taking the stairs when the elevator didn't arrive the second she had pushed the button.
Her cell rang a few times during the cap ride to the ER. From the caller id, she knew it was Cragen. She already knew what he wanted, and she didn't feel up to hearing about Olivia being hospitalized again. She would talk to him later, when she knew Olivia was alright.
Olivia heard Casey before the redhead made it to them. Yelling at some unsuspecting nurse, that had the misfortune of not giving, the brunette expected, the ADA her answers fast enough.
Andrea also heard Casey's voice, and looked to Olivia to get her cue as what to do.
"You can go get Casey, sweetie." Olivia's voice was hoarse and barely there.
Though Olivia was her safe harbor, Casey had become important to Andrea. The blonde ran out of the room, following Casey's voice.
"Casey." Andrea yelled for the redhead as soon as she saw Casey, and ran as fast as her small legs could carry her.
Casey had stopped yelling and turned toward the young girl, when she heard her name.
Andrea flew into her arms. Hanging on for dear life. This was another day that would cause the blonde more nightmares, of that Casey was sure. Olivia would be there to help repair some of the damage. It would be so much worse if Andrea lost another important person after a violent act.
"Have you been keeping an eye on Liv, making sure she behaves?"
Casey got an enthusiastic nod. "Livia big owie. I blowed and made it better." Andrea pointed to her chin, and then in the direction she had come from. Fully expecting Casey to carry her back to Olivia.
"Ohh Liv." Casey had fought hard to keep from breaking down since the phone call. Seeing Olivia sitting up in a hospital bed with half open eyes, she couldn't keep the tears back any longer.
"It's okay, I'm all right, sweetheart." Olivia's ability to open her mouth wasn't improving and her words were more slurred than when she had first tried to assure Andrea.
"No talking Livia." Miriam had employed Andrea to help keep Olivia from talking.
"That right Liv, no talking, nurses orders."
Casey had reached the bed and saw the left side of the brunette's jaw for the first time. The bruises were starting to show around the bandage that covered the cut.
The redhead carefully put her hand on Olivia's right cheek, caressing the detective's lips with her thumb.
"No more being tough, you're getting the x-ray now and you'll do what the doctor tells you."
She held a finger over Olivia's lips to keep the brunette from uttering the protest she knew would come.
"And no arguing with me, sweetheart."
Olivia didn't have any choice but to nod her agreement. The movement made her vince, which had Casey demanding that the detective was taken to x-ray immediately. Scaring the young nurse, who was the first person the redhead saw. Casey less than amused wasn't willing to have Olivia wait any longer. And she didn't mind letting everyone know her displeasure.
Casey had tried to bully the ER staff into getting Olivia treated faster. Olivia wasn't sure if it had actually helped, but she let the redhead work some of her frustrations off. The brunette preferred that Casey yelled at the nurses if it would stop the redhead from yelling at her.
Olivia had been lucky, her jaw wasn't broken, but it would be sore for some time. She got away from the fight with a light concussion and five stitches, besides the sore jaw. Much to Casey's amazement, the doctor recommended Olivia not talk or as little as possible for the next few days.