Inspired by "Night," season 6, episode 20.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Law & Order: SVU, its characters, or storylines. I make no money from this work of fiction, that is inspired by an episode, but otherwise created from my own mind. Any relation or resemblance to another story or a real life instance is purely coincidence.

Recovery

Chapter 3

kateandharvey

Both women were rather hungry, and it showed in the way they stuffed their faces. They ate for quite some time in relative silence, neither acknowledging the redhead's previous apology. She was in the same place- seated on the couch- as she had been since they came to the home hours before. The detective sat on the floor to her left, eating her dinner off of the coffee table. Breaking the quiet, Casey said, "I'm not…" she sighed, "…mad at you."

Olivia raised a single eyebrow, looking up from her food at the other woman. "Could've fooled me."

Casey chuckled lightly at the woman's playful glare. "I know." Growing serious, she said, "I know, and I'm sorry." Olivia continued to eat the noodles from the takeout box and let the lawyer continue. "I'm just angry at the situation, not you."

"I understand that."

Casey stopped eating, putting her Chinese down on the coffee table. "As if it wasn't bad enough that I convicted the wrong man, now I can't even take care of myself." She shook her head, gesturing at her body. "I'm essentially useless."

Putting her own food down, the detective scooted closer to the injured woman that still sat on the couch. "You aren't useless, Casey." She placed one olive-skinned hand on her knee, "You're just a little down right now. It happens to the best of us. Everyone needs help sometimes."

The ADA chewed on her thumbnail as she looked anywhere but the direction of the other woman. "You were just trying to be nice, and I was a total bitch. You didn't deserve that." She shook her head yet again, meeting the brown eyes of the detective. "I'm sorry. I appreciate you being here." She rested her own hand on the one the other woman had on her knee, giving a soft smile, "I really do." Olivia simply smiled in return. After a pause, Casey said, "I'd much rather you than Munch."

The moment broken, Olivia laughed and said, "Oh, wow, what a high compliment." Sarcastically, she added, "Thank you so much, Counselor." Casey chuckled, and Olivia stood up to start cleaning up their dinner. "Did you get enough to eat?" Casey looked at her for a moment, and the brunette added, "Okay, I hear it."

"Hear what?"

"The childish tone." Olivia relented, "I didn't realize I was doing it."

The ADA handed her companion the boxes from the table. "You've asked me each question 3 times. Am I okay, do I want to sleep, am I hungry… I'm waiting for you to offer to rub my back."

A stack of leftovers in her hands, the older woman said, "I'm sorry. I just know you. I know you won't ask for help with anything. You'll keep pushing through, even though you're hurting, and end up hurting yourself even more. It's easier for you to give in if I offer."

"Okay, detective." Casey blushed slightly at being analyzed.

"It's not even because I'm a detective," she said as she left for the kitchen, "it's because I'm your friend, number one, and you and I are more alike than you think."

"Well," Casey called, "I won't argue with you on that." Olivia returned from the kitchen, and smiled at her.

"Is there anything else you need?" She asked, concern on her face as Casey moved and grimaced in pain. "Seriously."

The ADA sighed, and looked at the other woman with a meek smile. "I could… er, I would…" Olivia didn't budge, waiting for her to continue. Casey could be so relentless and headstrong in the courtroom. She gave off such an air of independence and self-containment that it never ceased to surprise Olivia how truly quiet and awkward she could be outside of work.

Less than eloquently, the injured woman blurted bluntly, "I smell." The detective laughed, and the lawyer flushed slightly. "I do!" She argued. "Could you help me get set up for a shower?"

Olivia nodded, chuckling. "Yes, and I promise not to baby you if you let me help you to the bathroom."

"I'll let you help me to the bathroom and I won't be such a bitch." Casey smiled. "Thank you, Olivia. Really." She lifted her arm and put it around the woman's shoulders when she crouched down. Effortlessly, she was lifted to her feet.

"Still better than Munch?" Olivia asked as Casey slowly shuffled down the hallway to the bathroom.

"Always better than Munch." She grimaced as she moved, but her tone was light. "He's so sweet, really, and I'm sure he would be a great caregiver."

Sensing there was something more, "But?"

"But I couldn't handle his conspiracy theories for more than a couple of hours." Both women chuckled together as they reached their destination and Olivia helped Casey to slowly lower herself onto the toilet.

"I'll go get you some clothes," the caregiving woman said, "I'm not sure what they brought us."

"Hopefully, my softball tee." She smiled, "And pants that will be easy for me to help myself to the bathroom later." Olivia quickly exited for the bedroom, and returned in no time with Casey's Sex Crimes tee and gray sweatpants.

"Lucky you." She smiled, showing the clothes to the woman, who nodded in agreement. They both grew quiet for a moment, looking at the shower, at Casey's torso, and back to the shower. "What's the best way to do this?"

She glanced in the direction of the tub, "I think I can take care of a little bit of a wash myself." She stopped, "At the risk of sounding like an elderly woman with a hip replacement, I'm thinking the only thing available to me right now is a sponge bath."

Olivia chuckled, "Standing is most likely the problem. I could help you sit down in the tub, if you wanted? Maybe that would be easier?"

Always fiercely independent, Casey shook her head. "I can do it." At Olivia's look, "If you want to wait outside the door to make sure I'm all right, then by all means, be my guest."

The detective chuckled. "I'll grab you a washcloth and some towels."