Chapter 4

Olivia would have to spend a couple more nights at the hospital. It would take at least a couple months to fully recover the bruises and gashes. Elliot planned to spend every night and day with her, as much as he could. He wanted to be at her side when she needed water, when she went to sleep, when she ate her meals, all the time. He felt it was his job to take care of her, he let his happen. It was the middle of the night and Elliot had fallen asleep with his head resting on the hospital bed. Olivia had been awake for a few hours, not able to sleep. She watched him, she knew she couldn't get him to go. But it was good to see him resting. She didn't want to wake him. She put her hand lightly on his head and let her hand smoothly touch his hair. It was like petting a dog, but Elliot was no dog. A few hours passed by and it was early in the morning, she had fallen asleep and now Elliot was awake. He watched her carefully. He put his hand on top of hers gently. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her. He thought of some good times they'd had, and some tough times but they always got through, together.

Cragen came in surprising Elliot.

"Hey, how is she?" Cragen asked as Elliot let go of her hand quickly and got up.

"She's going to be ok" Elliot told Cragen glad.

"Good" Cragen smiled as he put flowers on the side table. Elliot watched him as he put his hand lightly over Olivia's hand. He squeezed it gently then moved away.

"Everyone sends their love" Cragen told him as he started to walk away from the bed.

"Can I talk to you Elliot?" Elliot nodded and followed him out into the hall.

"What's up?" Elliot asked curiously. Cragen took in a deep breath.

"What is it?" Elliot frowned.

"…the gunshot didn't kill Charlie."

"What?" Elliot frowned.

"It got him in the arm was all, the doctors say he's going to make a full recovery. Probably even faster then Olivia."

"What are we going to do?"
"Well he's in this hospital, but the moment he gets on to this floor I'm going to know about it. I don't want you leaving Olivia's side, but I don't want Olivia to worry that she's in danger."

"I understand" Elliot nodded.

"She's going to need you for strength Elliot, especially if she finds out about Charlie." Cragen told him.

"I wont let her down again" Elliot straightened up. Cragen nodded.

"You didn't let her down the first time" he told him before he walked off. Elliot walked back into the room to see Olivia sitting up drinking water.

"Your up" Elliot smiled as he went and sat at the side chair.

"Yeah" She smiled.

"How you feeling?" he wondered.

"I'm doing ok. I think I'm ready to go home" she nodded. He smiled.

"Not yet. Give it a couple days" he told her as he stood.

"Where you going?" She asked startled.

"No where" he smiled softly. She reached over to where his hands hung at his sides. He put one of his hands on the bed so she could reach him better. She watched as she interlocked her fingers with his. He watched her.

"Thanks El" she said quietly.

"For what?" he wondered. She smiled as she looked up at him.

"For being here"

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"hey I'm going to go get something to eat, I will be back in a few" Elliot told Olivia and she nodded. He went down to the first floor to pick up a sandwich. But while he was gone a young man came in to Olivia's room.

"Hi" the charming man smiled.

"Hi?" Olivia asked. The man came over to her bed.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"No, I'm sorry. I've been out of it so forgive me. Who are you?" Olivia asked. The man looked at her for a minute.

"You must recognize me" the man smiled widely.

"I can't say that I do"

"Think about it"

"I—I " Olivia didn't know. The man turned around and left. Elliot came in a few minutes later. Olivia decided not to tell him about the mysterious man, she knew he would flip out and turn the hospital upside down to find out who it was. And he wouldn't ever leave the room again.

"I think I'm going to get a little shut eye" Olivia smiled.

"Ok, I'll try to be quiet" Elliot said.

"Oh no don't worry. Turn on the TV, I sleep with the TV on anyway" she told him handing him the controller. He smiled and she lay back down comfortably.

"Hey Liv?" Elliot called out before he turned on the TV.

"What?" she asked keeping her eyes closed.

"Thank you"

"For what?" Olivia frowned opening her eyes and facing him. He simply smiled again.

"I'll tell you later" he figured they would have some time to talk about things and that was one of the higher points to Olivia's injury. As much as Charlie thought he was separating Olivia from Elliot, he was helping their relationship grow stronger.

TBC