Okie dokies. I wrote this all in one sitting last night - much to my mother's dismay. I don't know if I'll be able to update for the next couple of weeks. I've been pulling a lot of overtime this week and I'll be doing the same thing again next week. Then I'll be off for xmas vacation. I'll do my best to hop on here to update but no promises.

Hope you enjoy. And as always, I own nothing of Dick Wolfe. Any mistakes are my own.

Happy holidays!!

Chapter 14

"How are you doing back there, Bud?"

Holding her injured hand closely to her as Liv drove, Mack just nodded and answered in a worn out voice.

"I'm ok." She winced and tried not to gasp in pain as the car went over a pothole. Looking in the rear view mirror, Liv mumbled an apology. Olivia was worried, Brady knew. It showed in the way Olivia's shoulders were tense as she drove and how her hands wrapped themselves around the steering wheel. Brady saw the muscles in her jaw clench and unclench but Liv wouldn't talk about it. Brady learned that first hand when she had tried to get Olivia to open up the first 5 minutes into the drive to the hospital.

"Liv, are you alright?"

"Yeah"

"Are you sure? You've been quiet. Your bruise is getting worse. Why don't you…"

"I said I was fine"

After that the car was silent except for the occasional intake of breath from Mack whenever Olivia went over a bump. Brady sighed. She didn't know what else to do except take an occasional glance over at Liv. She stole a peek at the back seat to see that Mack had fallen asleep. She was half sprawled across the seat with the injured hand lying carefully on the seat. Brady smiled at the sight remembering when Mack was young. Turning back to face the front she barley heard Olivia.

"I'm sorry." It was so quiet that Brady had to look at Olivia just to make sure she heard correctly. She also knew what it must have taken for Liv to get to this point.

Brady just nodded not trusting her voice. She just stared out the passenger window and willed her self not to cry.

Olivia studied Brady's profile as they slowed down for a red light. The sight of Brady made her heart beat faster but the image of Brady crying tore her to pieces and the knowing that those tears were because of her left Olivia feeling guilty. The honk of a horn drew Olivia out of her contemplation. You're such an ass, Olivia thought. Not knowing what else to say or do, she drove in silence.

"We're here," turning in her seat to wake Mackenzie, Olivia just sat in awe of what she saw. Mackenzie had fallen asleep half way into the ride and was now completely spread out on the back seat. Her broken hand was hanging in an awkward position that if awake, would have been extremely pain full. Mack couldn't have looked more adorable then she did right then and there. Smiling to herself she stole a glance at Brady who was staring at her. Eyes locked, both women stared at each other. They were inches apart and Olivia could feel Brady's hot breath on her lips. Olivia moistened her lips and leaned in closer as did Brady. They were separated by a breath but then the moment was ruined by Mack waking up. Olivia was the first to look away and clear her throat. Inhaling deeply as if disappointed, Brady looked pointedly at Olivia. Coward, Brady thought.

"Ahhh…" Mack was groaning in pain. She did her best to push herself up in a sitting position with out much success.

"Don't move kid. I'll help you. Just sit tight." Olivia was the first out of the car and opened the back door and climbed in. Brady followed suit and opened the opposite door and helped Olivia sit Mack up right.

Breathing heavily, Mack was even paler then before. Closing her eyes she rested her head on Brady's shoulder and sighed. Brady wrapped her hands around her and looked over at Liv. What she saw in her eyes made Brady want to reach out and hold Olivia but before she could react Olivia was already moving away.

"Stay here. I'll get a wheel chair and I'll get a doctor out here." Then she was gone. Sighing, Brady sat and watched the woman she was falling for run into the emergency room. What are you so afraid of Liv?

"Brady?" Said a drowsy Mackenzie.

"Mmmm?"

"What I miss?"

Smiling, Brady kissed the top of her head and said gently, "you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Oh. Ok. Where's Liv?" Mack was now falling asleep. Nudging Mack a little without causing further pain, she spoke softly.

"Sweetie. Don't fall asleep now. You're not as little as you were when you were young. I can't carry you in. And Olivia will be out soon to take you. Wake up honey." Groaning, Mack opened her eyes just in time to see Olivia come out with a wheel chair and a doctor.

"She's here!"

"Okay. Someone's a little too happy to see me. Come on, kid. In you go. Brady, would you like to do the honors?" Olivia motioned to the chair that Mack was now getting comfortable in.

"Thanks," was all Brady said as she took the handles. Olivia stood aside and followed the doctor and Brady into the building. Maybe I should end this now. Save her from being hurt. Olivia winced as if someone had hit her. Her chest hurt at the thought of not seeing Brady or Mack.

"You can just wheel her into exam room 3. I'll be right with you in a second. Liv, can I speak with you for a minute?"

"Uh…sure. I'll be right back." And again, she was gone leaving Brady with her thoughts.

"What's wrong?" she said the second she was out of ear shot.

"Olivia, what happened to her? Her hand looks pretty mangled," Dr. Kent asked, concern written all over his face.

"It's not what you think. There was a…uh…an incident at work and she took care of it. That's all."

"Sorry. It's just routine questions. You know that already."

"Then why do I feel like I'm the suspect here?"

"Liv, you're not. Just had to ask, that's all. We better get back in there or they'll be wondering where we went to." Both the doctor and Olivia walked back to the room. Dr. Kent stopped at the foot of the bed and smiled at Mack.

"Ok. We're gonna get you ready for some x-ray's. Make sure nothing is damaged. We'll see if we need to operate. That sound good with you?"

Nodding, Mack just yawned and she fell right back to sleep. Smiling, Dr. Kent went to a cupboard and took out a gown and gave it to Brady.

"These would be for our patient. A nurse will be here in about 10 minutes and will take her down and give her an x-ray. If you like, you guys can stay here. It shouldn't take to long. Maybe 45 minuets. I'll let you know if she'll need surgery." Dr. Kent left the room and once again, both women were silent.

"I'll help you undress her," Liv said quietly as she moved to the other side of the bed. She helped move Mack into a sitting position and held her there while Brady did her best at removing Mack's shirt with out jostling her injured arm. When Mack's shirt was off, the sight of her sister's back made Liv gasp. There were old scares peppering Mackenzie's back. She looked up to see Brady watching her.

"What…what happened?" It was barely a whisper. Although Liv had read her sister's file, it still was shocking to see it first hand.

Both women worked silently as they put the hospital gown on. Sighing, Brady sat in the chair by the bed and watched Mack sleep. Olivia made her way over to where Brady sat and pulled up another chair. Olivia waited patiently for Brady to answer.

"I can't say. She trusts me Liv. I can't. I'm sorry," Brady replied softly. Nodding, Olivia sat silently. Both women were lost in there thoughts when the nurse arrived.

"Ok. Sweetie, it's time to wake now. We need to x-ray your hand. Come on now…," the young nurse said. Groaning, Mack rubbed her eyes with her uninjured hand. She glanced over at Brady and Liv and sheepishly smiled.

"I'll be right back guys. Don't go anywhere." Both women smiled and promised that they'd be there when she got back.

As Mack was wheeled out of the room, Brady got up and began to pace. She stopped in front of the window and stared out.

"It was her mother," She said softly. She continued to stare out the window. She couldn't make herself look at Liv. She heard Olivia get up and stand behind her. Olivia placed gentle hands on Brady's shoulders and soothingly squeezed them.

"I tried for months to get her to open up to me. She wouldn't budge" Tears were now forming in Brady's eyes. She didn't care if Olivia saw them. She just didn't care anymore.

Seeing Brady's tears fall from her face, Olivia ached to hold her in her arms. Instead, she moved to stand beside the other woman.

"It would have become real if she told you," Olivia said quietly.

Brady was quiet for a moment. She then turned to face Olivia. Liv did the same. She just stared at Liv for second.

"What happened Liv?"

Looking down at the floor, Olivia wasn't sure if she wanted to tell her. She had spent years pushing the pain deep down inside of her. She could feel the tears start to burn her eyes. Olivia felt a loving hand on her bent head. Olivia raised her head and gazed into light brown eyes. She closed her eyes at the compassion and love that were in Brady's eyes. She turned her head and stared once more out the window.

"Liv?" Brady softly spoke her name.

"She was an alcoholic," she said quietly. By now the tears were falling on their own. Olivia tried desperately to wipe them away. It was no use. Brady reached out and delicately stopped Liv from wiping the tears away. Brady turned Olivia to face her and tenderly cupped her face. Her thumbs began to caress her cheeks. Brady also had tears in her eyes.

"Olivia, what did she do?"

Unable to turn away, Olivia closed her eyes and whispered, "She used to hit me. Not always…only when she got drunk. I don't know what I did wrong…I don't know…" Olivia reached out and held onto Brady's forearms. She couldn't hold it in any longer. The tears came pouring out of her as if a dam had finally broken.

Brady inched closer and reached up to place a kiss on Olivia's forehead. She moved her arms so they were now around Olivia's waist. Olivia in turn wrapped her arms around Brady's shoulders and quietly wept. Brady gently caressed Liv's back until she felt her muscles relax whispering soothing words of comfort.

Pulling slightly back, Brady kissed the top of Liv's bent head and softly said, "Olivia, you did nothing wrong. Look at me," Brady lifted Liv's face so they were eye to eye.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong. Do you believe me?"

Nodding, Olivia placed her head on the shorter woman's shoulder and wrapped her arms around Brady once more. Brady held Liv close to her until the nurse wheeled Mack back into the room. Only then, did both women break apart. But neither was willing to unwrap themselves from each other.

"Would you like the good news or the bad first?" Dr. Kent said as he came into the room with the x-rays in his hand.

"The good please."

"Well, Mackenzie won't be needing any surgery. The bad news…she'll be in a cast for about 6-8 weeks. She did a real number to her hand. So she'll be pretty cranky for the duration she has a cast on."

"When isn't she cranky?" Olivia said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hush," Brady lightly squeezed Liv's waist. Smiling, Dr. Kent prescribed some pain killers and left the room.

"So kid, have you learned your lesson?" Olivia said as she knelt down in front of Mack.

"Yeah, yeah. Can you guys drop me off at Melody's? I think she has Alex at her place for the night. I want to be with her. Err…him. I mean them."

"No worries kid."

"Olivia, you may want to stay at my place for the night," Brady hesitantly.

"Oh?"

"You were hit in the head pretty hard. Don't want you to get a concussion, or anything"

"Yeah. You're the doctor. You'd know best."

"Umm, guys? I'm still in the room. Couldn't you wait until I was out of earshot to flirt? At least knock me out. I'm slightly nauseas now."

Both women blushed at that. Olivia wheeled Mack out of the room with Brady following close behind.

"You should have taken notes kid."

"Gross."

"Alright, alright. Off you go to Mel's"

All three chatted about everything and anything while driving to Mel's. But as soon as Mack was dropped off, the ride to Brady's condo was hushed. Both women were restless. They glanced at each other often. All too soon they arrived at the condo. Brady led them to her apartment and sat in silence for a moment.

"I think we need to talk…"