She was shocked. She didn't know what to do. She instinctively crawled into bed next to him and continued to reassure him. "El, I'm right here, it's okay."

He mumbled something else she couldn't understand and she wrapped her arm across his chest and closed her eyes.

Elliot woke up, groggy and unaware of what time it was. His throat ached and he was burning up. He lifted his arm, trying to rub the fog from his eyes, and he became vaguely aware that of the body that was lying next to him in bed. He reached his glasses on the nightstand and was startled to find Olivia curled up next to him, her arm flung protectively over his chest. Elliot had no recollection of her climbing in his bed. She looked so peaceful, he didn't want to wake her. But he was so hot. He wanted to rip his sweatshirt off and kick back the blankets. He gently shook her shoulder.

"Liv," he whispered, partly because he didn't want to startle her and partly because that was all the voice he had left. "Olivia, hey, wake up."

"Hmmm," she mumbled.

"Liv, seriously, wake up," he pleaded with her.

She opened her eyes, a look of confusion coming over her face. "What?" she asked, looking around for some clue as to why she was in Elliot's hospital bed. She clumsily climbed out and looked at Elliot for answers. "What happened?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"I don't know," he whispered, "I was hoping you could tell me."

Olivia sat on the chair and pulled her knees up to her chin. Stifling a yawn, she answered Elliot. "You were having a dream. A nightmare, I guess. I was trying to calm you down, but you wouldn't wake up. I don't know, I was so tired, I didn't feel like struggling with you, so I guess climbing in seemed like the best option," she said, her voice tired and strained.

"Sorry, I'm just so tired," Elliot said, rubbing his forehead.

"Yeah, I know. I'm tired, too, El," she said in an irritated tone.

"Then go home, get some sleep. No one's forcing you to stay."

Olivia was surprised by his tone, but maybe more surprised that she was getting angry with him. He was sick, and here she was, balling her fists.

"Right, no one's forcing me to stay. And if it wasn't for me, you'd probably still be lying on your couch, too stubborn to go to the doctor."

"Believe it or not, Olivia, I can survive without you," he said, his voice still weak, but his anger showing on his face.

"I was just trying to be nice," she said quietly, desperately wanting to end this fight.

"Get a hobby, Olivia," Elliot said, not taking her cue.

"You're such an asshole!" Olivia said, her words getting louder. "Did it ever occur to you why I stayed?"

Elliot looked down at his hands, not wanting to meet her eyes.

"Do you know what you said in your sleep last night?" Olivia couldn't even believe these words were coming out of her mouth. Elliot looked up at her in surprise. He didn't remember his dreams, and he was certainly nervous about he said. Olivia didn't wait for him to answer. The words slipped out before she could stop them. "You said you loved me."

Elliot's stomach flip-flopped and Olivia looked surprised at her sudden urge to make Elliot feel uncomfortable. Neither of them said anything. Maybe because they didn't believe it. Or maybe because they never actually thought either of them would acknowledge what everyone else had known for years now. That the two of them were perfect for each other. That they loved each other more than they each knew. Olivia bit her lip, suppressing tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks. Elliot wanted more than anything to say something. But he couldn't. He was frozen. He did love her, but he couldn't find the words to say it to her right now. Olivia hastily grabbed her coat and bag and headed for the door. She hesitated with her hand on the handle.

"Love," she said quietly, her back to him. She slowly turned toward him, a single tear sliding down her cheek, a look of sadness in her eyes. Sad like Elliot had never seen. "Love it what you stay for," she said, walking out.