Brian looked down at Olivia, she looked straight ahead. Brian wasn't sure if she still wanted him to continue. He was sure how much she could take in one night.
'Liv, you're still with me?'
'Yeah. Yeah. I just… just don't remember any of this.'
Brian chuckled and hugged Olivia closer but not too hard. She was still jumpy at times and didn't like to be caged in.
'Of course Babes. You weren't exactly thinking clearly.'
'I guess I was quite out of it.'
'Liv, its been a long day and we've been talk for about two hours. As far as I'm concerned we can talk till the sun comes up but I just want to make sure you don't want a break. We can always continue at a later stage. We don't have to rush this.'
Olivia thought for a few moments before she answered.
'Do you have to work tomorrow?'
'No.'
'Brian, do you mind if…'
'Only if I can get a cup of tea.' He smiled as he kissed Olivia on the forehead.
'Well I guess talking for two hours can make your mouth pretty dry.' Olivia joked as she swatted him with a cushion as she moved to get up.
'Don't get up, Liv. I'll get it.'
Brian walked away with a smile on his face. They were speaking about a very devastating time for Olivia and yet she could still crack a joke. She would never know how much a small joke gave him hope that she would get through this.
He turned to see Olivia causally sitting on the couch while she waited for his return. Yes, they were healing and he would stay up all night if it would help her to move forward.
Brian and Don entered the visitors' lounge and they could not believe what he saw. There were men and women in blue dotted all around the room and in the centre of the room sat two blond woman that were familiar to the two men. They walked straight to the women. Don was the first two speak.
'Casey. Alex.'
Immediately the heads shoot up and their worried, stressed out faces looked up.
'How is she?' Casey breathed.
Don sat beside them and put his head in his hands.
'Not good.' Sighed Brian.
'They are trying to give her pain meds but it's not going well.'
'Is she refusing?'
'Not exactly.'
'Then why?'
'Lewis forced her to take tablets. Just having to take them now…' Don couldn't finish the sentence.
Both Alex and Casey could full in the blanks. They hung their heads as they contemplated the situation their friend was in. Both Alex and Casey had worked as A.D.A's for the unit at different times. They worked with the team back when Olivia was the only female in the squad so the two lawyers built a deep relationship with Olivia and often spent time with her outside of work back then and still now. As soon as they finished work they came over to the hospital. They knew they probably would not see Olivia tonight but just being here was better than going home.
A few minutes passed as the four were lost in their thoughts.
Olivia's body tensed as she heard a light knock on the door and the door open.
'Shhh Liv. Its Dr Madison. It's okay.' Melinda gently calmed her friend.
'Sorry.' Croaked Olivia. She was so embarrassed that her reflexes were giving her away.
'Olivia, I know you know this but I'm going to say it anyway.' Dr Madison sat down on the chair next to her bed. 'Exaggerated reflexes are a normal response but in time it will fade.'
Olivia just nodded as tears began to fall yet again. She couldn't believe she was on the receiving end of the speech she always gave to victims.
'Olivia. I had an idea. Because you are having trouble swallowing tablets I crushed them on a spoon. It might make it easier to swallow. '
Olivia took one look at the spoon and tilted her head back on the pillow. After a few deep breathes she raised her head and looked at the doctor.
'May I … hold the spoon myself?'
'Of course. Here. Remember take your time. Do it when you are ready.'
Olivia nodded. Melinda sat on the side of the bed with the glass of water. Eventually Olivia put the spoon in her mouth and although it was a struggle, Olivia finally swallowed the medication. Once the deed was done, Olivia rested her head on the pillow. Melinda took Olivia's hand and squeezed it.
'You did it, Liv. Next time it will be easier.'
Olivia slowly nodded and closed her eyes as she waited for relief from the pain to come. Dr Madison quietly left the room and Melinda remained, holding Olivia's hand until she fell asleep.
When Dr. Madison passed the waiting room she paused, made eye-contact with Brian, Don, Alex and Casey and gave them a thumbs up. The four almost collapsed with relief. Hopefully for a few short hours Olivia could get some peaceful rest.
The pain surged through her body before she even had the chance to realize that she was awake. Without thinking she let out a groan.
'Olivia?' came a familiar voice
Olivia slowly forced her eyes open as she struggled against the pain.
'Casey.' She croaked.
'Yeah. Its us.'
'Us?'
'Hey there sleepy head.' Came Alex's response.
'Alex.'
As soon as Olivia greeted Alex, she winced in pain and shut her eyes tightly.
'Ok. I'll go get the doc and see what we can do about that pain.' Alex patted Olivia's arm gently and turned to exit the room. Seeing strong, tough Olivia show pain was definitely not what Alex was used to and it was difficult to see.
Meanwhile back in the room Olivia turned to Casey.
'How long was I out?'
'Hmm. About 7 hours. It's just gone 6am.'
'And you two have been here all night?'
'Not only us. A few other guys as well. We just wanted some time with you before we went back to our offices.'
'You guys have been here all night and now you going back to work.'
'Good thing we keep extra suits in our offices and have showers at work, hey?'
Instead of replying in the same joking manner, Olivia suddenly became serious. 'Thanks Case.'
Casey knew that Olivia was saying thank you for more than just sitting at her bedside for a few hours.
'Anytime Liv. I mean it. Anytime.'
The two chatted a bit about Casey's life before Alex and the nurse came in.
'Hi Olivia. My name is Tracey and I'll be your day nurse.'
'Hi.' Olivia replied.
In her heart Olivia was bitterly disappointed that neither her doctor, Melinda, or the nurse from last night was there. What if they hadn't told Tracey about her problem with swallowing the medication. What if the new nurse thought she was stupid for not been able to take her pills.
'Ladies, would you please excuse us for a few. Olivia and I need to take care of some business.'
'Sure thing. I have to get ready for court anyways.'
'And I have a breakfast meeting.'
Both Alex and Casey greeted her and promised to swing by after work that night.
After the two had exited the room, Tracey turned the television on and switched the channel to a movie.
'I just need to get something from the bathroom, I'll be back now.'
By the time Tracey got back in the room Olivia had been drawn into the movie. Tracey quietly sat down and without a word put the spoon into Olivia's hand. Olivia barely noticed it until Tracey said, 'its ready when you are.'
Olivia was shocked when she saw the empty spoon in her hand and Tracey holding out the glass of water for Olivia to take.
'What can I say? It's a good movie.' Tracey smiled as Olivia stared at her with big eyes.
'And you are good at what you do.' Olivia commented.
'Trick only works once but I have others up my sleeve. You might still have times when it's harder to do but we take the good ones when they come.'
Olivia smiled.
'Now. I have to go do some rounds before I come back. When I do, I thought we have some ladies time and maybe wash your hair?'
Olivia raised her hand and felt her hair. It was so greasy and dirty. She suddenly realised that it had almost been a week since she'd last wash her hair.
'Oh crap. What do I look like? All my friends and boss have seen me.'
'Olivia, look at me.'
Olivia obeyed.
'Trust me when I say this because as you just said, I'm good at what I do. The people out there waiting to spend time with you don't care about your hair, they care that you are still with them.'
There was something about the way Tracey said it that made Olivia realize how true it was and that made answering that following question easy.
'You want to finish the movie or have some visitors?'
'Visitors, thanks Tracey.'
