3

Suddenly Amanda was feeling very vulnerable as she found herself being slowly surrounded by her old team from Atlanta.

"How are you feeling Amanda?" Sam snickered as he placed his hand precariously close to her head though not touching her at all.

"I am feeling fine. You all however, should not be here."

"Amanda… you can't tell us what to do. There is no one here to protect you now. We aren't here to stir up any trouble though are we guys? No. We just wanted to check out how you were doing. You had us so worried."

Amanda raised her eyebrow. "And yet, you have a way of being so menacing without intending it? I doubt that. Now, as I said you ought to leave."

One of the other men stepped up and leant over the blonde.

"Listen here you little bimbo, you are the one in the wrong here. We all know that you got around back in Atlanta. And now that your little indiscretions have finally come to light, you are trying to stitch up our boss. So you listen here and you listen good, you better retract everything that you have said or so help me you-"

"Or what?" Fin asked as he pulled the curtain back across the rail. "What is it that you intend on doing?"

"Nothing. We were just having a nice talk weren't we Amanda. We just wanted to check that our old friend here was doing okay."

"Is that right 'Manda? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. They were just about to leave."

"Are you sure Manda?"

"Yeah. Goodbye. I never want to see you again."

Sam left, followed by the rest of the men that had crashed Amanda's time to rest.

"Manda, are you-"

"Fin, I'm fine! It was nothing that I can't handle."

"I didn't say that it wasn't. But if they were threatening you, then I could arrest them for threatening a police officer."

"No Fin. I am just fine. Now I believe that you had a sandwich for me? I'm hungry."

In reality, eating was one of the things Amanda felt like doing least. But she preferred that rather than having to continue with their current conversation.

In silence they ate and somewhere along the way Amanda fell asleep leaving Fin with time to quickly call Olivia and let her know about what had happened in Amanda's hospital room earlier.

…

"So you're saying that he was there and that he was threatening her?"

"I didn't catch all of it, but I think so yes. She wouldn't admit to anything though. I think that she definitely needs to have someone with her at all times until they go back to Atlanta though."

"Absolutely. There is no disputing that. Do you want to stay there now and tonight or do you want someone to take over for you?"

"I think that I will be fine for now. But tomorrow maybe you or Nick can come and stay while she is discharged and until she decides where she is saying. I'll volunteer my place when she wakes up, so she'll probably stay with me. And in that case I need to tidy my place."

"Okay sounds good. Nick or I will see you tomorrow."

"Later."

Fin went and sat back down by Amanda rather than staying in the corner where he had made the call.

"So your place is that messy huh?"

"Hey, Manda, you're awake."

"Yep. Long enough to hear that I will have my own body guard for the next few days at least."

"Yeah. Sorry about that. But we aren't going to be taking any chances."

"I heard. So I'm staying at yours tomorrow night then?"

"If you want to."

"Mmm. That's fine."

"How are you feeling?"

"My head is sore but other than that I'm okay."

"Well you did whack it pretty hard."

"Mm. I can feel it now."

"I bet. You hungry? It's past dinner time."

"No, I feel like I've just eaten."

"Okay. But you ought to eat. You haven't really been looking well recently."

"And that's your business because?"

"Because I am your friend and running yourself into the ground is not going to help you out in the long run."

Before Amanda could snap back the doctor walked into the room and made his way over to Amanda.

"Good evening Detective Rollins. How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling fine. I don't see why I can't go home tonight."

"You were unconscious for an extended period of time Detective. As such I would prefer to keep you in overnight."

"No worries Doc. She'll be staying."

She sent him an angry glare before looking back at the doctor.

"You must be feeling the effects now. I am ordering some pain medication for your head, and you were dehydrated when you came into the hospital, so we will keep you on fluids overnight until you are discharged in the morning."

"Alright, well we'll get some food sent up. Make the most of the time and rest up. I'm sure you will be back at work in no time."

"No doubt. Thanks."

O/o

Nick walked into Amanda's room with the spare clothes from her locker at work in the bag he was holding.

His two friends were sleeping, but he made his way over to Fin waking him up without disturbing Amanda.

"Fin, Fin. Wake up."

"Ugh." Fin replied cracking his neck before seeing it was Nick that had disturbed his sleep.

"What time is it?"

"Almost ten."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Did you not get a good sleep?"

"Besides this chair being uncomfortable, Amanda woke up a few times during the night. She wasn't happy about it but refused to talk. And she also had to be woken up because of the concussion. That didn't help. I mean, you know how she is. I really think that she needs to go and talk to Olivet soon."

"I see. And I totally agree. But we'll work on that when we know that she is safe. Which is probably going to be sooner than we thought. Maybe even today. Barba, Liv and Carisi are at the courthouse. They think the judge is making the ruling today. Hopefully they will be out of the state by late afternoon."

"Really? That's awesome. I'm going to go home and change and get my place ready in case she does end up coming home with me today. But I'm sure she would be even happier to go to her own place."

"I agree. But we'll see. Go home. I got this. I'll see you later."

…

A few hours later Nick decided to rouse Amanda from her sleep. It was past noon and the nurse was coming in to remove her IV in a few minutes and then the doctor would be by with the discharge papers.

He had gotten a call from Olivia with the judgement and was sure that Amanda would be relieved.

"Amanda. Amanda wake up. Rollins."

She punched Nick in the shoulder. "What?"

"Rise and shine. It's time to get up."

"What time is it?"

"Well after noon. Come on. The nurse and doctor are going to be here shortly. I figured you'd want a shower and to change. I brought your stuff from your locker."

"Right. Thanks Ni – Hey! How'd you know the combination?"

Nick just smiled and winked, leading her to hitting him nonchalantly again.

"I'll be back."

In the bathroom she took the time to look at herself in the mirror. Some bruising was visible but nothing too bad. It was better than she had thought. And definitely looked better than it felt.

She enjoyed the feeling of the hot water on her skin. And almost got lost in it before she was pulled from her thoughts by a knock on the door.

Hurriedly she got dressed and was met by Nick flirting with a young nurse.

"Hi there Detective. I'm here to take out the line. If you just give me your arm."

Amanda did so and looked away as it was removed. She was never worried about seeing things that made others squeamish. Murder didn't bother her. But her own blood, that was a bit different.

"Hi Detective. I have your discharge papers. Just sign here and you're free to go."

"Awesome. Thank you."

"Feel better soon Detective. And don't work too hard."

Amanda followed Nick out of the room and they made their way down the hall.

"So… what's happening with… Patton?"

"Well, that's where I've got some good news actually."

"Barba, Sarge and Carisi were at the courthouse this morning. They should be completely done by now. So we have to drop by and see them and see what was decided this morning."

"Oh… that's great. Does that mean that I can go home?"

"Yeah. As long as they leave the city."

…

Walking up the steps to the courthouse Amanda felt her palms begin to sweat. She felt more nervous now than she had on the stand. She hoped that her former boss got what was coming to him. Though he would likely have some sort of pull meaning he would get off.

Taking a deep breath she blindly followed Nick through the door and to the room housing their three friends.

Nick held the door open for her and she was met by three pairs of eyes staring at her.

"Hey Rollins. Feeling better?"

"I am fine, thanks."

"That's good. I'm glad to hear." Benson told her. "So, we have some news. About Patton."

Benson looked to Barba who continued.

"It ended up being the case that he took a deal. He received six months' probation, the loss of his badge, community service hours as well as going on the sex offenders registry for the rest of his life. It will be a stain that follows him wherever he goes. He won't ever get away from it."

Amanda nodded.

"Okay. I see. Have they left town yet?"

"Who?"

"All of them. Patton, Sam, the rest of his goons."

"They have plane tickets for 6pm this evening. They will be gone and out of our hair."

"Great. That means that I get to go home tonight right? No needing a babysitter as of 6pm this evening? Correct?"

"Yes Amanda. But you can stay with one of us until you are dropped home this evening."

O/o

"Are you sure that you don't want to stay at someone's tonight? You could stay at mine or Fin's."

"I'm fine Nick."

"Okay. Well then what if I come and stay at your place tonight on the couch? That way if yo-"

"Nick! Honestly I am fine. It is half past six, their plane left half an hour ago. I no longer require a body guard and I just feel like some alone time. And maybe a nice, hot bath."

"Okay Amanda." Nick told her, but quickly grabbed her hand. "But only if you are absolutely certain."

Amanda smiled at the man she had become close with before replying. "Really Nick. I mean it. It's absolutely fine."

"Okay Amanda. But please take care."

"Will do. I will see you at work tomorrow."

"You do realise that you don't have to come in tomorrow?" Nick asked through the open car window.

"Yeah. But I need the challenge."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

Heading up to her apartment she fumbled through her pockets to find the keys.

Flicking on the lights she took heed of the state of her apartment. Just the way that she left it. Good.

In her bathroom she started to run a hot bath and added some bath salts.

Taking off her jacket and shoes she continued to adjust the temperature.

Just as she was about to sink into the comfort of the hot water she heard something that made her shiver.

A wolf whistle sounded from behind her and made Amanda freeze where she stood.

Very sorry about the lack of updates. Had complications and required two surgeries because of my appendix. Please let me know what you think. And thank you very much for the reviews, follows and favourites. I so appreciate it.