"Alexandra Cabot?" a nurse called out into the waiting room.

Alex's fumbled with her purse and jacket and hurried over to the nurse.

"I'm Alex Cabot" Alex said as she approached the nurse. "How is she?"

"She's been asking for you" the nurse replied. "Follow me".

The nurse led Alex across the ER and pulled back one of the curtains slightly.

On the other side of the curtain, Olivia laying back in a bed with an oxygen tube running under her nose.

Alex nodded to the nurse and moved closer to the bed.

"Hey" Alex said softly.

Olivia lifted her head slightly and nodded but avoided making eye contact.

Alex sat on the edge of the bed and rested her hand on Olivia's leg.

"How are you feeling?" Alex asked gently.

Olivia absently tucked her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat.

"Uh... a-hem.. fine" Olivia stuttered still avoiding eye contact. "I'm fine."

Alex tilted her head to the side to look into Olivia's eyes.

"I'm glad you're feeling better..." Alex said as she rubbed Olivia's leg.

"You wanna tell me what happened back there?" Alex asked carefully.

Olivia opened her mouth to respond but then closed it again.

Alex squeezed her leg. "Don't even think about telling me it was nothing..." Alex warned gently. "I was there."

Olivia slowly looked up. When her eyes met Alex and she started to respond but suddenly a sob escaped her lips. As Olivia quickly looked away, Alex inched forward and put her arms around her friend.

"Hey... hey..." Alex whispered "shhh... I got you..."

Olivia buried her head in Alex shoulder as Alex rubbed small ciricles on her back.

"I'm right here..." Alex whispered. "I'm no going anywhere..."

Olivia's sobbing began to quiet down and Alex continued to rock Olivia in her arms for a few moments before continuing.

"Honey, you know you can tell me anything right?" Alex said softly.

Olivia started to pull away a little so Alex pulled her back in and rested her chin on Olivia's shoulder.

"I'm here for you Liv" Alex whispered.

"Alex, I'm scared". Olivia whispered the words so quietly that Alex could barely hear them even though her head was rest up against Olivia's.

Alex rubbed the back of Olivia's head. "I know you are sweetheart" Alex said softly. "Can you tell me why?"

"I can't... I can't go back Alex" Olivia stuttered.

Olivia started softly crying again.

"I can't go back" she repeated.

"Tonight, you don't have to" Alex said.

Surprised, Olivia pulled back and looked at Alex questioningly.

Alex grabbed both of Olivia's hands in her lap.

"I called the chief of emergency medicine" Alex stated. "He's an old friend of the family. I convinced him to admit you for the night. You'll have to have a guard posted outside your door at all times but you can spend the night here."

Olivia looked at her in amazement.

"And no cuffs" Alex added. "I couldn't do anything about the guard but no cuffs."

Olivia shook her head. "Thank you" she said hoarsely.

Alex just smiled in response and squeezed Olivia's hands.

"They should be coming by in a second to take you upstairs." Alex said.

Alex paused and caught Olivia's eye before continuing. "You are going to have to talk to me, you know" she said. Her voice soft again.

Olivia looked down but Alex caught her slight nod.