Chapter 3

Olivia woke the next morning feeling pretty good considering. She was still in pain but it was nothing that she couldn't handle. Elliot was already up, dressed and making breakfast. He was really excited to be going to see the new apartment. It was a little bit more expensive than he had hoped but Olivia had insisted that she could afford it. He could see the excitement and desire in Olivia's eyes and agreed to pay let her pay the deposit if they liked it. He would spare his pride if it meant Olivia was happy.

"Liv you ok in there?" shouted Elliot from the kitchen.

"Yeah El I need you to help me get dressed it's a bit tricky" Elliot walked into the bedroom to find Olivia struggling to get her pyjama bottoms off. She was able to dress the top half of herself but her lower half was a bit more complicated. Elliot quickly but gently got her dressed. Olivia was giggling the whole time.

"Something funny Olivia?"

"It just feels weird you know? I feel like a child" explained Olivia between laughs.

About an hour later Olivia and Elliot had met with Don, Liz and Ciara at their apartment. It was a struggle to get Olivia into the car without hurting her but she was now sitting in her wheelchair being pushed by Elliot.

"So how have you been Liv?" asked Don.

"Surprisingly enough I have been pretty good. I haven't had much pain but I hate having to depend on Elliot" replied Olivia truthfully. Don nodded in understanding. He knew that Olivia hated having to depend on anyone else, even Elliot.

"Hey Olivia if you need some help I would be glad to come by in the evening after school" said Ciara "I mean I'm at home alone anyway when Don and Liz are at work"

"That would be great Ciara thanks"

"No problem"

"How are you getting on at school anyway Ciara?" inquired Elliot.

"It's ok but it's really different from what I was used to. I'm kind of struggling with some subjects but I'm sure I will catch up soon enough" The truth was that Ciara hated school. She didn't have many friends. She had become really close with one guy, Zack but she didn't know where things were going with them. She had been at school a little over two months now and she and Zack were in almost every class together. He was really sweet and kind to her and she really did like him but she wasn't sure if he liked her in the same way.

"That's good to hear that you are settling in ok and if you need any help Olivia is quite smart" said Elliot, breaking Ciara from her thoughts.

"I could help you if you want Ciara?"

"Yeah thanks Liv that would be great. Anyway shouldn't we be going to see your apartment? Asked Ciara in attempt to disperse the attention away from her.

"Yeah let's go!" shouted Liz enthusiastically.

When they entered the apartment Elliot and Olivia knew that this was the place for them. It came fully furnished. The kitchen was a vast sea of stainless steel and finished with sleek black designs. The living area was a warm red colour with a large, inviting sofa at one side and the TV at the other. It was bare but it was all Olivia and Elliot needed. The bathrooms were just the right size and were decorated with black and white ,marble tiles. A small hallway of to the left of the kitchen led them to the three bedrooms and a small office area. Everything was exactly as Olivia and Elliot had hoped.

It was a quick deal. They rang the landlord, paid the deposit and signed the contract. They already had their stuff at home packed so it was really just a case of bringing the stuff over here and unpacking it.

"Ok I will ring John and Fin and get them to meet Elliot and I at yours Olivia and then we can get everything packed and driven over. While we are gone You, Liz and Ciara can go and get anything you need. Is that ok?" Don had made a plan. He was feeling quite happy. Olivia was going to be living just three doors down from her and that comforted him. He knew being so close could cause some problems but it would also mean that he could see her more often and make sure she was safe if Elliot was at work.

"Yeah sounds like a plan. Let's get going" replied Elliot.

Within an hour Elliot, John, Fin and Don had almost everything from Olivia's apartment loaded into a truck that Fin had borrowed. Meanwhile across town Liz and Olivia were choosing some bed linen. Ciara wasn't really interested and stayed in the background on her phone. She was shocked when she got a text from Zack

Hey Ciara wanna meet up tonight and go see a movie?

Ciara couldn't hide her smile. Maybe he does like me she thought. She was going to ask Liz if she could go out but realised that they would probably have to help Olivia tonight. She quickly typed up a reply.

Hey Zack. Not sure if I can. Gotta help mum and dad for a while

His reply was almost instant.

Too bad. Anything I can help with? ;)

Ciara's heart skipped a beat. Was he serious? He seemed like he really wanted to meet up with her and hang out. She looked at Olivia and Liz again and noticed that they were watching her intently. She walked towards them. She was going to ask if Zack could come over.

"Hey mom can I have a friend over tonight? He said he would help us out with moving Olivia and Elliot's stuff"

"He?" Asked Olivia and Liz in unison which earned them a laugh from Ciara.

"Yes he, Zack. He's my friend" replied Ciara nonchalantly.

"Well if he is just a friend and willing to help I don't see any harm in him coming over" said Liz. Ciara was ecstatic. She couldn't believe Liz had let her, then again he was only a friend and he was going to be helping. Ciara quickly thanked Liz and typed up a text.

Yeah sure if you feel like helping carry boxes you can come :p come around 6 and if we get finished up quickly I might be allowed to catch a movie after

Waiting for a reply seemed to take forever when in reality it was only a matter of seconds.

Sweet. I'll see you at 6 then

Ciara text him her address as she walked back over to Liz and Olivia and helped them carry what they had bought. Olivia noticed the smile on Ciara's face. She was glad she was making friends but she knew it wasn't going to be easy for Ciara. She was going to have Don, Elliot, Fin and John watching Zack all night. They were going to make sure that Zack was aware that they were all cops and that if he ever did anything to hurt her there would be serious consequences.

Around five that evening everyone had gathered at Olivia and Elliot's new apartment. The guys were busy carrying up the books and moving some furniture about while Olivia. Liz, Ciara, Casey and Melinda were sorting through their stuff. Ciara and Olivia were stacking all of Olivia's books in her new office. Ciara laughed as she looked through Olivia's collection of books.

"A bit of a romance fanatic hey Liv?"

"Yeah just a bit. I'll lend them to you if you want. Maybe you can get some tips to use on Zack" replied Olivia. Ciara blushed and laughed nervously.

"He is only a friend"

"Yeah sure I used to use that excuse too. Anyway don't worry your secrets safe with me" Olivia explained and winked at Ciara.

This is going to be a long night thought Ciara.

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