Hi, yall. New chapter. We don't own a freakin' thing. If we did, we'd be filming this evilness, not posting it for obsessive fans to read.
Elliot stroked small circles on the back of Olivia's hand. She was sound asleep. He tucked a strand of her strewn hair behind her ear.
At the gentle touch, Olivia stirred and inhaled deeply.
Elliot brought her hand against his chest and cradled it affectionately.
She felt him squeeze her hand, and her eyelids fluttered. Elliot was still beside her, and she still couldn't remember who he was. Frustration welled up again.
Elliot caught her frustrated expression. "Shh," he whispered, running his thumb over her knuckles.
Her chocolate irises finally appeared. He was so sweet, so gentle and understanding. Obviously he cared very deeply for her, and she wanted desperately to remember him.
He smiled softly. "Hey," he said gently.
She tried to smile as she nodded.
He could see how upset she was. It hurt him to see her so miserable.
She looked at their entangled hands. As far as she knew, he hadn't left her side, and it touched her.
Elliot pulled his chair even closer to the bed. He knew that Olivia was confused and hurting. She looked more upset than he had ever seen her. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears of anger and frustration.
She watched him intently, still unable to find her voice. He had kind eyes, but at the moment they were filled with shadows and pain.
Elliot kissed her knuckles tenderly.
She watched him closely. Who are you...?
Elliot felt the same pang of sadness when she looked at him as if he was a total a stranger to her. He closed his eyes and wrapped both of his hands around hers.
There was a quiet knock on the door, and Cragen poked his head into the room. "Elliot?"
Then he saw Olivia's eyes, and he hurried to the bed. "Olivia?" The relief on his face was undeniable.
Elliot watched as Olivia looked from him to Cragen, her confusion obvious.
Cragen smile faded a little. "Liv, what's wrong?" He came closer. The last time he spoke with Elliot, she was still unconscious. How long had she been awake?
Olivia watched Cragen, then looked at Elliot.
"I'll be right back," Elliot said softly. He patted her hand gently before reluctantly pulling Cragen out of the room.
In the hall, Cragen crossed his arms over his chest. "What's wrong with her, Elliot? Why didn't you tell me she was awake?"
"She doesn't remember anything," Elliot mumbled. "And she can't speak."
Cragen's face paled. "What...?"
Elliot sighed shakily. "It's from the brain damage," he whispered.
Suddenly unsteady, Cragen leaned back against the wall. "Olivia has brain damage?" His stomach dropped.
Elliot felt tears gather in his eyes as he nodded.
He swallowed hard, struggling to hold himself together. Olivia, the woman who was like his daughter, had brain damage. She couldn't speak, and she didn't know who they were. "Will she recover?"
"They don't know yet," Elliot said hoarsely.
Cragen ran his hand over his head. "What can we do?"
"They said we should just act as normally as possible around her."
He nodded shakily. "Does she... does she recognize you?" If she recognized anyone, it would be Elliot.
Elliot shook his head sadly. "No," he murmured.
His heart sank. "You should... go back in there." It was clear that Elliot needed to be with her. For twelve years, he had been her best friend. And if there was anyone who could reach her, it would be him.
Elliot nodded. He blinked against his tears and walked slowly into Olivia's room. He sat by her bedside and forced himself to smile.
She watched him, then glanced at the door again.
He looked into her deep brown orbs. He could see hurt and pain, and fear. He wanted to give her strength. He ran his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her.
Sighing softly, she held her hand up and made a writing motion.
Elliot looked around the room. He found a note pad and pen lying on the nightstand. He reached for them and lay the paper in her lap.
Sitting up carefully, she wrote in the notebook, then showed it to him. Who was that?
Elliot bit his lip, wondering what to say. He took a deep breath. "That's our Captain, Don Cragen. We work for the Special Victims Unit."
She wrote again, her pencil scratching furiously against the paper. Am I a cop?
"You sure are." Elliot smiled slightly. "A pretty damn tough one."
She studied him for a moment, then finally wrote the question she had been thinking. Who are you to me?
Elliot looked into Olivia's deep brown eyes. "I'm your boyfriend," he said softly.
Boyfriend...? Suddenly it all made sense. His refusal to leave her side, his gentle caresses and words. His touch was one of a lover. She nodded slowly when she realized that he was watching her intently.
Elliot smiled sadly at her.
Hesitantly she laid her hand over his, hoping to trigger something in herself.
Elliot trailed his fingers down her cheek lovingly, looking into her chocolate brown eyes.
His gaze was so haunting, but nothing happened. Not even a flash of recognition. Slowly she released his hand and wrote in the notebook again. I don't remember.
"It's okay," Elliot whispered. But deep down inside, his heart was crumbling.
She saw the pain in his eyes, and it hurt her. He had to be someone very close to her, if his pain had this affect on her. She wrote four words. I wish I did.
"You will." Elliot's voice was faint and hoarse, the thin amount of hope barely noticeable.
She set the notebook down and slipped her hand into his, squeezing tightly.
Elliot squeezed her hand affectionately. He wanted to hold her close to him and never let her go.
She looked at their hands. She was afraid beyond words, but with him there, it didn't seem as bad.
Elliot thought for a second, then carefully climbed into the bed and wrapped his arms around Olivia's slender frame.
She tensed for a moment, then relaxed. There was something comforting about this man's embrace. She picked up the notebook and wrote something, then showed it to him. How long have we been together?
"About three months," Elliot said, nuzzling her head.
She nodded, absorbing this as she wrote another question. Just us?
"No," Elliot said softly. "I had five kids with my ex wife."
"They adore you," Elliot said. "You saved my ex when I was still married to her and helped deliver my youngest, Eli."
"Maureen's 25, Kathleen's 21, Dickie and Lizzie are 17, and Eli's two."
Olivia nodded and scribbled another note. Do I have kids?
"Not yet," Elliot whispered. He knew how much she had always wanted children.
She set the notebook in her lap and relaxed against him. She already knew that she didn't like hospitals, and vaguely she wondered when she would be able to go home.
Elliot wrapped both arms around her waist. He kissed her on the top of the head lovingly.
Her eyes slid shut as he kissed her hair. It was clear how much this man cared for her. So why couldn't she remember her own feelings?
"I love you," he whispered.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Even if she wanted to return the sentiment, she couldn't speak. She closed her dark eyes.
Elliot saw the tear beginning to trickle down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb.
She sniffled and turned away from him. He was in love with her, but the woman she used to be was nowhere to be found. And she truly didn't know if she would ever return.
Aww.