"Well, let's get you to the doctor," she said, reluctantly rising from her warm, cozy spot on the recliner. She walked over to the couch to help Elliot up. "Easy, take it easy," she said softly.
Olivia guided him up the stairs and into his bathroom. "I'll get you some clean clothes, why don't you brush your teeth?"
Olivia noticed Elliot's cheeks turn even pinker after she said that. "Sorry," he mumbled.
"I didn't mean you had bad breath, I just thought it would be refreshing. Besides, I don't think it could get much worse than the 83 Hour No Sleep Anti-Hygiene Work-a-Thon of 02," she teased.
"That was rough, wasn't it?" he smiled at her, and she felt better about teasing him.
Twenty minutes later, Elliot and Olivia were sitting in Elliot's Trailblazer, waiting for the heat to kick in. There had been a minor disagreement about Liv driving Elliot's SUV. But, as she had pointed out, her squad car would not fare well on these horrible streets. Then Elliot had insisted on driving, and Olivia told him his fever must be making him hallucinate because there was no way he was getting behind the wheel. "This is the 21st century, Stabler, women can get their driver's licenses."
Olivia jumped out of the car and began scraping the snow off. It took longer than she had hoped, and her cheeks were beginning to lose feeling. It was like a never ending battle – she'd scrape off the windshield, then run to the back and scrape that off, just to get back up front and the snow had begun accumulating again. She finally gave up and climbed back into the car. Elliot's eyes were closed, she was hoping he was sleeping. She didn't want him patronizing her driving skills. Olivia floored the gas pedal, knowing it was the only way she would get over the mound of snow the plows had left at the end of Elliot's driveway, and once they were safely in the street, she let out a huge breath she didn't even know she was holding.
"Who knew you had balls?" Elliot asked from the passenger seat.
"Oh, shut up and let me drive," Olivia snapped back.
The ride to the hospital was pretty uneventful. Even Olivia had to admit she had never seen the city this quiet. It was so peaceful, and there was actually quite a bit of undisturbed snow, still fresh and white. It was rare to see pretty snow on the ground in New York, and it always made her smile when she did.
Two hours later, Olivia was woken up by a nurse gently shaking her shoulder. "Miss Benson, you can see him now," she said quietly.
Olivia yawned and stretched her arms above her head. She didn't know how long she'd been asleep, but it was long enough for her neck to be sore and her back to ache. She rose to her feet slowly and followed the nurse down the quiet hall to the last door on the left.
"He's expecting you, go on in," the nurse said, pushing the door open for her.
"Thanks," she said, shuffling past the nurse into Elliot's room.
"Hey sleepyhead," Elliot greeted her with a joking smile.
"Well, I had to get some sleep somewhere, you snored all night, so sleep was pretty much out of the question at your place," she teased. She pulled another uncomfortable plastic chair next to Elliot's bed. "Seriously though, how do you feel? Any better? What's the diagnosis?"
"So many questions, Olivia," he said, forcing a smile. For the first time since entering his room, Olivia noticed the IV bag hanging from of hook and leading into his arm, just above his tattoo. It seemed ironic now, how the needle was stuck into his arm right next to the very symbol of Elliot's strength and toughness. He looked so pale, the little fire that had always lit up his face had burnt out.
"I guess you don't have to answer them without your attorney present, but just remember, I'm armed. You're not. Just something to keep in the back of your mind."
He closed his eyes, smiled, and let out a weak "hmmph." A few moments later, he opened his eyes and looked straight into Olivia's beautiful brown ones and said, "Can I tell you something?"
"If you're about to get soft Stabler, just remember what I said about the gun. I'll do it."
"Would you just let me talk, heh? It really means a lot to me that you're here. Look, I know I haven't been the easiest guy to get along with - " Olivia interrupted with her snickering, but Elliot just waited for it to subside before he continued " - and I don't know what I would have done without you. You're really just like a puppy dog - I can be mean to you, yell at you, kick you to the curb but you just keep running back to daddy."
"Thanks, that was really sweet, daddy," Olivia sarcastically replied.
There was a knock at the door, and Olivia was secretly relieved that someone was interrupting. In walked a man that, had it been December, she would have climbed on his lap and told him she wanted a puppy for Christmas. He was average height, with round belly and white hair. The pink cheeks are what sealed the deal for her. She couldn't help but smile to herself, and she couldn't wait to see how Elliot would react with someone who appeared to be pretty upbeat and optimistic. This should be good.
"Hi there, Elliot. Did we get you settled in okay?" he asked, looking as if he were ready to fluff Elliot's pillows if he just said the words.
"Yeah, thanks," Elliot said, his voice seeming to get hoarser with every passing word.
"And who's this beautiful young lady?" the doctor asked, winking at Olivia. She felt herself blush lightly. He was just too cute.
"Uh, that's Olivia, my partner," Elliot loved to use the term 'partner' and let people decide on their own if she was a business partner or they were just incredibly forward-thinking and refused to use gender-related terms to refer to their relationship. This comment didn't phase the doctor one bit.
"She's beautiful," his wink directed at Elliot this time, while he patted Olivia affectionately on the head. "I'm Dr. Ted."
Olivia smiled politely and added, "It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Ted."
"Back to the patient," he said, fumbling with his short, stubby fingers in his white pocket for a pen light. He began humming a familiar tune, it was soft and light, but Olivia couldn't name the song. His back was turned while he looked at Elliot's chart and Olivia and Elliot exchanged glances. He's so cute, she mouthed to him, and Elliot just rolled his eyes.
A few moments later, Dr. Ted turned around holding a popsicle stick and his flashlight. "Okay, open up for me and say 'Ahhh.'"
Elliot obeyed. "Ahhhhhhh." Oh, this was too much, Olivia thought. She tried with all her will power to stifle her laughter. Pretty soon her eyes were watering, and she was wondering how long Dr. Ted would make Elliot sit there with his mouth open like that. It was another few moments before Olivia realized that the doctor had stuck his fingers in Elliot's mouth and Elliot's gag reflex had kicked into high gear.
"Okay, I think I'm done here," Dr. Ted said smiling, while Elliot rubbed his throat and coughed. And coughed. "Did I tickle you, Elliot?" Dr. Ted asked.
"No, I'm fine," Elliot replied, his voice devoid of any humor. Olivia bit the inside of her lips, hoping Elliot wouldn't see the smirk on her face.
"Tonsilitis." Dr. Ted said.
"Tonsilitis? That's it?"
Ignoring Elliot completely, the doctor continued. "When did your throat start to hurt?"
"Uhh, yesterday?" Elliot answered, hesitantly.
"I might not be employed by the NYPD, Elliot, but I am a detective in my own right. While I probably lack your intimidating interrogation skills, I usually find a way to get straight answers. And just remember, before you think about telling another lie, who has the pain medication. Now, let's try this again, when did your throat start to hurt?"
Elliot, struck at how uncomfortable he felt at being on the other side of the interrogation, answered, with conviction, "Monday."
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere." The doctor continued to ask questions about Elliot's health, and Olivia enjoyed watching her partner squirm while admitting he'd probably been too sick to work on at least five but no more than ten occasions in the past few years. God, this doctor was good. In the eight years she had known him, he'd never admit to feeling sick. Ever. He must be in some kind of pain to answer so truthfully and willingly.
After the questioning stopped, Dr. Ted concluded, "Tonsilitis."
"Okay," Elliot said slowly. He looked up expectantly at the doctor, waiting for something. Anything.
"I think it's best if we take them out. I'll get the surgeon to come down and take a look, but this seems like the best option," he said, a little too cheerfully for Elliot's taste.
"I'm not ten. You're not taking my tonsils out. I've had them for 45 years, I'd like to keep them," Elliot said angrily. His statement was less than effective for the doctor, however, considering his voice was weak and raspy.
"Oh, I think you'll change your mind when it feels like there are two golf balls lodged in the back of your throat. You'll come around, Elliot, and when you do, I'll be there with your morphine," he said, chuckling to himself as he exited the room.
There was a tense silence, and Olivia didn't want to be the first one to break it. Luckily, a nurse came in after a few minutes and injected a shot of something into Elliot's IV.
"That's going to make you very sleepy very quickly, but you'll start feeling better soon," she said pleasantly as she left.
"Baby It's Cold Outside!" Olivia said, thankful the name of the song had finally come to her.
"Hmm?" Elliot moaned.
"Nothing," Olivia said as she slowly reached for Elliot's hand. She was shocked when he let her weave her fingers through his. They were rough, like a man's hands should be, and they were strong. He gave her a little squeeze and she smiled at him.
"It might not be so bad, you know. Get some time off work, eat a lot ice cream," her voice trailed off as Elliot's eyes fluttered closed. His hand relaxed in hers, and she gently pulled it out of his grasp. She leaned in close to his face and placed a single kiss on his forehead. Then she backed quietly out of his room, bumping into Dr. Ted in the process.
"Sorry," she whispered apologetically as she closed Elliot's door. She smiled, saying, "He's out cold."
"He's stubborn, that one," the doctor said, pointing toward the door.
"Oh, he's a big softie underneath, he just plays bad cop," Olivia reassured the doctor.
"Do you have a minute," Dr. Ted asked, motioning Olivia to a chair.
"Of course, what is it?"
"He's got a very high fever that I'm keeping a close eye on, and we won't be able to operate until the infection has completely left his system. It could be a few days, and I'd really like to keep him here during that time. I could really use an ally in there," he looked at her expectantly.
"Of course, whatever's best for him. I'll do everything I can to keep him from pulling his weapon on your staff."
"Exactly the answer I was hoping for. He's going to be asleep for a while, why don't you get a cup of coffee or steal a nap?"
"Both of those ideas sound too appealing to pass up. Thanks," she nodded in appreciation at the doctor before heading back into Elliot's room to grab her purse and coat. She thought for a moment before grabbing Elliot's cell phone. She walked downstairs to the lounge where she ordered a cup of coffee. After she dumped a few packets of sugar into the steaming styrofoam cup, she took a seat on a couch and flipped open Elliot's phone. Hesitating for a brief moment, she scrolled through his contacts and hit 'Send' when she reached Maureen's number. She waited nervously until she heard Elliot's daughter pick up.