Here's a new chapter. Guess what we own? That's right! Nothing! Ding ding ding! Points for whoever said it! Bummer. We need to own it, but if we did, it would have to be on HBO...
Two days slowly passed by. Elliot could still look into Olivia's chocolate brown irises and see the same confusion and fear that had existed since she had woken from her coma. He stroked her hair lovingly as she slept.
He dropped a gentle kiss on top of her head. "I love you," he whispered. "So much."
She stirred a few minutes later and opened her eyes to find Elliot watching her. She offered him a weak smile. Ever since she regained consciousness, he had been nothing but supportive. She wanted to remember him, to take away that pain in his eyes. But she couldn't.
Elliot smiled warmly at her. "Hi," he said softly.
She managed a small smile and nodded.
Elliot ran his fingers through her hair once more. "Do you want me to fix you some breakfast?"
She shrugged and sat up carefully, running a hand through her messy hair.
Elliot watched as Olivia shuffled sleepily to the table and sat down. He reached into the cupboard and drew out the necessities for pancakes. He made sure that he added strawberries, just for her. She had always loved when he made strawberry pancakes for her, and he had the slightest hope that it would trigger something.
Elliot smiled at her facial expression."You like them, don't you?"
She smiled brightly and nodded as she cut another piece of the pancake and placed it in her mouth.
Elliot chuckled slightly. For a second, he thought he saw a thoughtful, almost hopeful look in her eyes. It disappeared as soon as it had come, and he let out a soft sigh.
She looked at him again, raising a dark eyebrow questioningly.
He smiled at her. "It's alright," he said. "I was just thinking about something."
She nodded slowly and returned her attention to her pancakes.
Elliot focused on her as she wolfed her pancakes down, pleased to see that her appetite had returned. She seemed more relaxed than she had been when he first brought her home. He finally dug into his own plate and began to eat, keeping his gaze on Olivia.
Once she was finished, she smiled at him and stood up, carrying her dishes into the kitchen. She was becoming more comfortable with Elliot, but there wasn't a moment when she didn't wish her memory would return.
"I can do those, Liv," Elliot insisted, standing up to take the dishes away from her.
She batted at his hand and took shook her head. She had to do something to busy herself, or she would start to think about things. She needed a distraction
Elliot allowed her to wash the plates as he finished his breakfast. He took a long sip of his steaming coffee, the hot liquid burning his lips. He gathered up his plate and joined Olivia in the kitchen. "You clean better than that damn thing," he said, pointing at the dishwasher, hoping to earn a smile from her.
She offered a little smile and looked down at the dishes again.
Elliot kissed her on the cheek before wiping his soapy hands on his pants.
She finished cleaning the dishes and put them away. Then she walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.
Elliot followed her and sat down next to her. "You alright?"
She didn't move into him. What if her voice never returned? What if she never remembered who she was? Or who he was?
Elliot rubbed small circles on Olivia's back. "It'll be alright," he said hoarsely.
She looked at him. How could he promise that? He wasn't a doctor. He didn't know.
Elliot edged closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I know it will," he whispered, reading her mind.
Briefly, she struggled against him. But he held her closer, and finally she gave up and relaxed in his arms
Elliot gently guided Olivia's head to his shoulder and rested his head against hers. "I promise," he repeated. He closed his eyes. "I shouldn't have let this happen."
She shook her head. This wasn't his fault. She was angry, but it wasn't directed toward him.
She let out a deep breath and wiped at her eyes.
Elliot slowly loosened his hold on her. He tucked a strand of Olivia's hair behind her ear and kissed her on the forehead.
Her eyes slid shut as she focused on the gentle gesture.
Elliot leaned his forehead against hers and inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes against the hot tears that threatened to fall. He wasn't to cry in front of her. Not again
She focused on his heartbeat beneath her ear.
He rested his chin on top of her head and felt her trembling against him. He opened his mouth to speak, but a stubborn tear slipped out of his eye and made its way down his cheek.
Without thinking, she slipped her hand under his shirt and absently caressed his skin.
Elliot nuzzled his head against hers and caressed her hand.
Her trembling slowly ceased as she focused on his light touch.
He ran his thumb over the back of her hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly. He pulled her close again and began to rock her back and forth.
She snuggled closer to him, breathing deeply. His scent was warm and comforting, and even without her memory she knew that she trusted him.
Elliot ran his hand down her arm soothingly. He rested his cheek on top of her head
Her hand moved slowly over his skin and she raised her head, meeting his eyes. They were filled with concern and love. Raising her left hand, she laid it against his cheek. Then she softly brushed her lips against his.
Elliot was taken aback by her gentle kiss, but he cupped her face in his hands and returned it.
Encouraged by the touch, she slowly deepened the kiss and pressed herself closer to him.
Elliot clasped his hands behind her back and let his eyelids slide shut. His hand stroked her thigh.
Her mind was filled with conflicting thoughts, but she set them aside and let her heart have what it wanted. Him.
He pulled her into his lap and ran his tongue across her lips. He ran his hands down her slender hips.
Reaching down, she grabbed the hem of his shirt and gently pulled it over his head. Then she ran her hands lightly over his chest, her breath catching in her throat.
Elliot began to unbutton her blouse. He dropped it onto the floor and lay his hands on her bare waist, his fingers crawling along her tanned skin.
She shivered and let her head fall back as she arched her back.
He twisted her around so that she was straddling him, and blindly fumbled at her pants, then finally peeled them off of her, revealing her beautifully toned thighs.
She exhaled deeply as he stroked her legs. The touch was comforting, even if she couldn't remember it. She just had to believe that she would eventually.
Elliot bit her gently on the neck, then realized what he was doing. He was taking advantage of her. He carefully slid out from under her. "Shit," he muttered. "I can't do this."
Stunned, she sat on the couch and stared at him.
Elliot face palmed himself. He pulled himself to his feet and paced back and forth. "What the hell am I thinking?" he mumbled.
A deep pain filled her heart, and she looked away, trembling. He had said that he loved her. She wanted him. What was stopping him?
Shaking, she grabbed her shirt and pulled it on. Then she pulled her pants back on before she left the living room.
Elliot closed his eyes tightly. How could he do this to her? She didn't know who he was. He couldn't take advantage of her when she was vulnerable.
Elliot looked up to see her rushing out of the room. He mentally kicked himself. "Fuck," he mumbled. "Why the hell am I so stupid?"
She walked into the bedroom and closed the door, leaning back against it. Why was this happening? She slipped to the floor and drew her legs to her chest, then buried her face in her knees. Her breathing came in shuddering gasps as she cried for all that she had lost, and for the woman Elliot had lost.
Elliot cursed himself. He started to open the door, but hesitated. He had finally earned her full trust, and he had shattered it. He knew he had wounded her with his reaction. He wanted her to know that he loved her, but he couldn't bring himself to take advantage of her. He sighed and retreated down the hall, and dropped wearily onto the sofa, where he fell into a deep sleep. He woke an hour later and blinked. He saw no sign of Olivia. He pulled himself to his feet and shuffled tiredly down the hall, where the bedroom door was still closed, blocking him out. He gingerly pushed it open. "Liv?"
She was sitting in the bed, looking at nothing in particular. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her mouth was drawn in a tight line.
Elliot felt guilty, knowing that he was the cause of her tears. He took a deep breath and slowly sat on the bed. "Liv, honey, let me explain."
She met his eyes, absently rubbing her arm.
Elliot gently rested his hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry if I hurt you," he whispered. "But I can't do this to you."
She pulled away, still hurt. She had wanted him, but he had withdrawn from her.
Elliot winced. "It's not you, it's me."
She slipped out of the bed and pulled her sneakers on. She was tired of feeling trapped, of feeling... Well, she wasn't sure what else she was feeling right then.
Elliot eyed her carefully. "Liv, don't leave," he pleaded.
She grabbed the notepad by his bed and wrote a short note. I just need a few minutes. She handed him the paper, then left the room.
Elliot closed his eyes. "Okay," he mumbled, despite the fact that she was put of earshot. He ran his fingers across her delicate handwriting, and rested against the pillows. He felt guilty tears gather in his eyes.
She left his apartment and hit the sidewalk. From there she just walked.
Two and a half hours dragged by, and Olivia never returned. Elliot felt angry with himself. How could he have let her go? He pulled his jacket on and tied his shoes, then left the apartment. He ran many locations through his mind before settling on one, and he made his way to the park. He wandered around, his eyes scanning everywhere for the woman he loved. Just as he was about to give up, he saw her, sitting on a bench.
Olivia was watching the ducks chase each other around the pond.
He watched her for a moment, then sat down next to her, not making a sound.
When Elliot sat down beside her, she looked at him.
He stretched his hand out and rested it on her knee.
She looked down at his hand, then took him by surprise and laid her head on his shoulder.
Elliot put his arm around her shoulder and rested his head against hers
She shuddered and let him pull her closer to her. For the longest time, she had just walked. But something had pulled her here, to this very spot.
"Do you want me to take you home?" Elliot whispered, stroking her arm.
She closed her eyes, and after a moment she nodded.
Elliot stood slowly and helped her up. He kissed her lovingly on the temple.
She leaned into the kiss, then followed him to his car. She slipped into the passenger's seat and pulled her seatbelt on
"Do you want some Chinese?"
Elliot rested his hand over one of hers. He didn't say a word as he drove towards the Chinese restaurant, where he ordered their food. He handed the bag of food to Olivia and continued to drive to his apartment. He pushed the door open and let Olivia go in ahead of him. "I got your favorite," he said.
She nodded and smiled as she sat down at the table. It definitely smelled very good.
He handed the takeout box to her and smiled at her. "Enjoy."
She smiled and took the fork he offered. Then she opened the box and dug into the sweet and sour chicken.
"You like it?" Elliot chuckled.
She nodded, and when they were both finished, she leaned back in her chair and sighed softly
Elliot looked at her. "You okay?"
She shrugged, motioning to the couch before she stood up.
Elliot cleaned up their dishes before sitting next to Olivia on the sofa,
She had turned the TV on, and when he sat beside her, she leaned into him.
He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head.
She closed her eyes and shifted restlessly. She had enjoyed the dinner, but now she was not feeling the best.
Elliot ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her on the top of the head.
A little while later, she suddenly sat up, resting her hand on her abdomen.
Alarmed, Elliot loosed his hold on her. "Liv, you alright?"
he shook her head slowly as her stomach churned.
Elliot rested his hand on her back. "Do you feel sick?
Shakily she stood up and hurried down the hall, into the bathroom.
Elliot jumped to his feet and raced after her. He found her kneeling in front of the toilet. He slowly made his way to her and crouched beside her. He pulled her hair away from her face and stroked her back soothingly.
She heaved and tried to focus on the gentle hand on her back.
Elliot continue to rub comforting circles on her back as she leaned over the toilet. "Shh," he whispered.
Finally her stomach settled, and she waited a moment before flushing the toilet and carefully standing up.
"Better?" Elliot asked softly.
She nodded shakily, turning on the water faucet.
Elliot dipped a washcloth under the cool water and pressed it to her forehead. "You wanna go to bed?"
Gripping his arm, she nodded. She was suddenly exhausted, and curling up under the covers seemed like a brilliant idea.
He gently guided her to bed and pulled the covers over her. "Just rest." He kissed her on the forehead.
She nodded and rubbed his arm. He was taking such great care of her, and she wanted to thank him. But she couldn't. She curled up under the covers and snuggled into the pillow.
Elliot notice that she had curled up with his pillow, and she was snuggling deeply into it. He retreated to the bathroom and wet a washcloth with cool water. He returned to the bedroom to find Olivia out like a light. He smiled and gently lay the cloth on her face.
In her sleep, she snuggled deeper into the pillow and sighed quietly.
Elliot smoothed her hair back and dropped a light kiss on her forehead. "Sleep tight."
He tiptoed out of the room and into the living room. A thought struck him. He pulled out his cell phone and found a number. "Alex, I need a favor..."