A/N: Enjoy!
The repetitive ticking of the clock echoed off the walls and Olivia glared at it. If she hadn't already given up on sleep, she surely would have by now. Following her squad's departure the rest of the day was thankfully uneventful. Olivia had idly switched between an overdramatized soap opera and weather reports. She listened to footsteps passing in the hallway and dreaded when the steps stopped outside her door.
After again changing her bandages and upping her pain medication, the nurse had promised to give her something to help her sleep. Olivia had protested, but the nurse's assurance that the sooner she slept the faster she could heal and go home was enough to make her cave. Still, it wasn't sleep she feared, but the dreams that were sure to follow.
The bullpen was in an unusual array. The display board was centered in the middle of the room like always; however, the spot that usually contained the victim's information was empty. No one could stomach the thought of placing Olivia's picture up there.
"Alright, tell me we've got something," Cragen demanded, hustling out of his office.
"I had those rookie officers go back and take a proper statement from the ladies in the stairwell. Got a description of our perps that seem to match up with the ids Olivia and Elliot gave," Fin supplied.
Munch took his ear away from the receiver. "Alerted all the hospitals in the area, so far no one has come in matching their description."
Cragen tilted his head back at the ceiling, gathering his composure. "Stay by the phone. If he's wounded as bad as Elliot said he was, he'll have to seek some kind of care eventually, with or without his buddies."
"I just got off the phone, "Cragen continued, "There's going to be a press conference tonight-"
"Press conference?" Fin interrupted. They all knew what he was thinking. Press conferences were last resorts. Involving the media meant word would get out, and speculations would be made. Protecting a rape victims' identity was standard procedure, but they knew as well as anyone that people talked and secrets got out.
"I know what you're all thinking," Cragen added, seeing the looks on his detectives' faces. "I'm not happy about it either, but right now this is the best option. They could be anywhere. These men know we're looking for them, they aren't going to stick around. Alerting the public to keep an eye out is our best chance of catching them. I want their faces plastered everywhere. Wherever they are, we will find them."
2 days. That was how much longer she had to stay there. Dr. Klaus had come by to assess Olivia. She deemed that she was healing as intended. Olivia had argued that if she was doing so well she should be allowed to go home, but her wishes went unanswered.
Initially the doctor had wanted to keep her for four days just to be sure, but Olivia vehemently opposed that. It had only been a day and she was already restless. The white walls felt restrictive and the constant smell of antiseptic made her feel sick. Olivia mentioned this, and after a brief debate a crude compromise was made. Dr. Klaus permitted her to go home in two days provided she wouldn't be on her own. Olivia readily agreed. Despite not wanting people hovering over her, anything was better than staying in the hospital. Even without asking she knew her squad would check on her, and she knew she had no chance of keeping Elliot away.
The doctor finally walked out and Olivia sighed in relief. There was another reason she was so eager to leave. Sitting in the hospital with nothing to do gave her too much time to think about the reason she was even there at all.
A tapping at the door drew Olivia's attention away from the television.
"It's Elliot." His voice sounded muffled.
"Come in." Olivia called, grateful for the intrusion.
Elliot walked in, and Olivia immediately saw the reason for his obstructed voice. In his arms was a very oversized, fluffy teddy bear with a pink ribbon tied around its neck. Elliot peered out from behind the bear.
"The gift shop was out of flowers," was his only explanation.
Once the shock subsided, Olivia couldn't contain the giggles that escaped her. She stopped abruptly, then laughed harder. Elliot joined in until the laughter finally ceased as they struggled to catch their breath.
Sliding into the chair, still clutching the giant bear, Elliot managed a grin. "Who would've guessed, the infamously great Olivia Benson giggles.
Olivia shot him a mock glare. "Hush, it's the drugs. They have me on really strong painkillers to help with the splenectomy.
Just like that the laughter fizzled to an abrupt end as the gaiety took a nosedive into somber affairs.
"So, Liv, how are you? I mean how are you really?" Elliot stressed, being well aware of Olivia's tendency to downplay serious circumstances that involved her.
Olivia paused for a moment. "I'm fine," The honesty in her voice caught them both off guard.
"I've hardly even thought about it. I'm not lying," Olivia rushed to say, seeing Elliot about to protest. "It's just every time the memories resurface, it's easy to push them away."
"That's the drugs Liv, you know it won't last. You-We still need to deal with this." It hurt him to see the way she was reacting. Olivia of all people knew that not talking about an assault didn't make things better.
"I know Elliot, I know. But not now. I'm starting to feel better, the doctor said I can go home soon. We can talk about whatever then," Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, signaling that the conversation had ended.
"How are the kids?" Olivia tried to change the subject, wanting Elliot's presence but not his inquiry. Thankfully Elliot cooperated.
"They're doing fine. Just last week Maureen got the promotion she's been hoping for."
Elliot kept talking and the two of them lapsed into comfortable, safe, conversation. They would confront their demons another day.
