Hey El, I'm so sorry but I've gotta cancel our date tonight. I think I caught that bug that's going around. I promise I'll make it up to you. I love you.
Their Friday night dates are something she looks forward to, but she hasn't moved from the couch since Fin convinced her to let him drive her home around noon. Amanda said she could take Noah for the night, so she reluctantly sends Elliot a message before curling up on the couch. Within a few minutes she receives a reply.
Coming over anyway. Be there around 6. Go to sleep. I'll let myself in. I love you.
When she wakes she can hear him humming softly in the kitchen. Slowly she raises her head to see him standing at the sink, washing her dishes from the previous night. He had traded his suit for a pair of gray sweats and an old Knicks shirt before coming over, and to be honest she loves seeing this side of him.
"You don't have to do that," she croaks out, and he turns to smile at her.
"I want to. How are you feeling?" Setting the towel down on the counter, he walks over to where she is sitting on the couch and places the back of his hand against her forehead. "Liv, you're burning up. Have you taken anything?"
"I took some Tylenol when I got home. I'm fine, El. Really," she replies unconvincingly before giving in to a coughing fit. He walks back to the kitchen before returning with a Walgreen's bag full of various items. "Did you buy out an entire pharmacy?" she asks.
He grins, but his expression is soft as he runs his fingers through her long brown hair. "You deserve to have someone take care of you for a change," he says, and it's all she can do to fight back the tears that sting her eyes. No one has ever taken care of her like this…not even her own mother.
He pours a dark red liquid into a medicine cup and hands it to her. "Take this. It will help with the aches and fever." It tastes terrible and burns on its way down, but she is willing to try anything.
Setting the bottle on the coffee table, he holds up a single index finger and then disappears into her bathroom, returning with a cold washcloth. Positioning himself beside her on the couch, he pats his lap and she lays her head down on his strong legs. Gently he places the cool cloth on her forehead before tracing lazy lines up and down her arms.
Another round of dry coughs rack her body and he looks down at her sadly. Remembering the Vicks still in the bag on the coffee table, he opens the jar and scoops out a generous dollop of the scented salve. He slips his hand inside her shirt, applying the balm to her chest and neck slowly. His touch is respectful, remaining above her breasts where the cough has left her chest tight. However, he's also tender, continuing to rub loving circles across her skin.
"I'm sorry you're so sick," he says as his fingers continue their quest to bring her some sort of relief.
"I'm sorry I ruined our date night," she replies as her eyes drift shut.
"You didn't ruin anything," he says. Suddenly she's aware of him standing, and then he's lifting her in his arms. Carrying her to her room, he lays her on the bed and drapes the sheets and blanket over her body before laying beside her. Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he places a light kiss on the sweet spot behind her right ear. "Rest. I'll be right here if you need me."