To End the Nightmare
Ch. 3
Disclaimer see Ch. 1
As her mom stood talking to Andrew in hushed tones Alex tenderly stroked Olivia's brow. "Baby, I really need you to open those beautiful eyes and look at me." As her head sank down on the bed she didn't notice Olivia's fingers move.
"Honey, the Marshall over there is getting nervous about your whereabouts being located. I am not sure if you should leave with him now or try and wait a little longer."
As Alex's head snapped her mother's direction her hand slid to hold Olivia's. "There is no way I am leaving Olivia. I really don't care what he thinks." Trying not to lose complete control she all of a sudden realized her mom was no longer looking at her but past her. As she turned to look at Olivia she felt her hand tighten and squeeze. "Olivia? Are you awake?"
Olivia blinked and attempted to lick her lips. "A...Al…"
Her mom's arm reached around her with a cup and straw. "Oh, ah… here babe, take just a little sip." Watching Olivia take a small swallow and then another Alex tried to stop the sudden shakes. "Mom?"
"It's okay Alex I got it." Katherine took the cup from her daughter's hand before Olivia could receive a bath and looked between the women. "Olivia, I am glad you are awake." Receiving a slight smile Katherine waved to the door. "I think I will go get the doctor and give you two a moment alone."
Alex and Olivia stared at one another noticing the little changes the last two year's had brought to each of their loved ones. "Al…Alex, what…"
"Do you remember anything, sweetheart?" At Olivia's nod she continued. "Coming to my place here?" Another affirmative nod from Olivia. "The car?" Olivia's hand tightened on hers. "Getting…" Alex tried to stifle a sob. "Getting shot?"
"I'm…honey, I'm sorry." Who thought talking could be this hard. "I just wanted you to be safe." Alex's other hand reached up to stroke her face. "I love you."
Alex's tears slid down her face and she smiled. "God, I love you! No more crazy stunts woman, I want you with me from now on. You got that!" At Olivia's nod and seeing the tears streak down her face Alex stood over her bed and leaned forward to kiss her.
"Oh…umm…excuse…I am here for a…I am so sorry."
Gently pulling from the so long awaited kiss Alex stared into Olivia's eyes. "I love you. I probably have to let them check on you."
"Please, stay."
"I am not going anywhere they can check on you with me right here."
Katherine walked in to see her daughter and daughter-in-law sleeping in each other's arms. Leave it to Olivia to get her way she smirked to herself. Now time to decide what to do next. She knew something was up Andrew had a team of men protecting this floor and a few all over the hospital exits. The doctor's didn't want Olivia moved for at least another 24 hours, but she wasn't sure they had that long.
At that very moment US Marshall Andrew Hinton was dealing with an additional situation. "I am sorry, but you are not cleared to know anything."
"Really, I am not cleared to know anything about a vital member of MY TEAM."
"Listen Mackenzie, I don't know what happened in New York but I have orders not to let you anywhere near the ladies."
"Orders from Hargrove?" At Andrew's uneasy look Randi Mackenzie smirked. "The very man Olivia and I discovered is working with Vallez, what a surprise!" As the man's face drained of all color Randi felt just a measure of pity for his realization. "Now I think it's time for me to speak with our ladies and us to start planning. Think you want in on that?" Seeing Andrew turn to walk toward the hospital room Randi let out a sigh of relief and waved Elliot to follow from where he was silently watching.
As Randi and Elliot strode into Olivia's room behind Andrew Katherine placed her hand on Olivia's arm. "I think you are in trouble now, little one."
Olivia raised her head a little and looked at Randi and Elliot. Letting out a sigh she reached up to stroke Alex's cheek. "Hon, you've got to wake up now." Hearing a grumble and feeling Alex snuggle closer she realized how much she just wanted everyone else to go away and leave them be. "Alex…" Smirking at Randi she tilted Alex's lips upward and met them with her own. What was meant to be a gentle wake up kiss started to escalate. "Oh, shit."
Alex tried to move back from Olivia. "I am sorry. Are you okay? Let me see."
Olivia held her right where she was and tried to smile. "Give it just a minute." Seeing Alex slump a bit and the look on her face Olivia ran her hand down Alex's arm. "It's okay, I started it. Now don't get crazy and think I am going to let you stay away from me."
Alex looked up to see Olivia's eyes stare lovingly into her own. "Olivia Benson, I will never be away from you again. I love you so much!" Snuggling into her as carefully as she could Alex sighed peaceful. "Why are we awake again?"
Olivia chuckled as she watched all the rest of the rooms occupants try not to stare at them. "Well, because it seems the team or most of them anyway has arrived and it's time for us to figure out what to do next?"
"What team?" Alex turned her head to look behind her and saw Randi and Elliot standing with Andrew and her mom. "Oh!"
"Yeah, oh! Olivia is in a bit of trouble…" Seeing Olivia glare his way Elliot decided to change the direction he was going. "But never mind that for now. What Randi and I want to know is when we can break you out of this place?"
"The doctors are being overbearing…"
"Olivia Benson, you were shot. They can't just be sending you home because you think you can go."
Alex watched Olivia look contritely at her mom. When did these two bond so completely? "I agree with mom. I want to know you will be okay."
"Well, what if I could have her under a doctor's care? Do you think they would release her then?" Randi looked between Alex and Katherine Cabot. Somehow she sensed these were the ones who would be making that decision.
"What doctor?" Alex stared at Randi. "You let her come with you?"
Randi looked at Olivia cautiously and seeing her nod she stepped beside the bed. "Alex, I didn't have a choice. I couldn't leave Maddie unprotected." Seeing Alex tense up Randi put her hand on her shoulder. "Cragen is with her at the designated safe house."
Everyone watched as Olivia whispered in Alex's ear and then Alex gently helped her sit up. "Okay, I know this is going hurt like a bitch. And I know you are all worried, but I think it is time to move on. Andrew started for the door only to be stopped by Olivia's voice. "Andrew, I want to trust you because you've kept us safe so far, but this is Alex's life and she is all the matters to me." Andrew turned to look at her. "Rotate whoever you have covering this place so that we can leave without them knowing." Seeing Andrew's frustration Olivia glared. "You can be part of the team or you can do something stupid and maybe get us all killed, time to decide what kind of Marshall you are."
Andrew tried not to yell in frustration. Why did this woman think she could call the shots? "Listen, my job is to protect Alex. I don't like that you think I would do anything but my job."
Randi knew nothing good could come of Andrew's little speech that he was starting. "Andrew!" Meeting his eyes and glaring back. "Olivia is only telling you what she is out of respect. She wants to trust you. If you want to keep Alex safe you play by our rules. I've already given you one reason why. Now we don't have time to sit here having a pissing contest and trust me Olivia would win. You take care of the men out there. Mrs. Cabot and I will take care getting Olivia ready. And no matter what do not mention that Olivia is leaving."
Andrew turned toward the door and reached out to open it. "You better hope you are right Mackenzie because I am not going down with you if this goes to shit." And then he was out the door.
"Well, that was pleasant." Katherine looked over at Olivia. "Now young lady, even if I let you out of that bed it will only be to somewhere you can rest. Got it!"
Olivia smiled at Katherine and then looked toward Randi and Elliot. "What's the plan?"
Trying to walk normally was anything but easy. Olivia tried not to look over at the 'I told you so' on Elliot's face. She really hoped the car wasn't much farther. Just then she heard an alarm chirp to her right and turned to see a blue Durango with tinted windows and a winch. "Going with the big and bad attitude huh El" Seeing Elliot's grin Olivia had hope that he might forgive her for heading here alone.
As they all loaded into the Durango Olivia remembered what Randi and her had discovered before she left New York. Laying her head into Alex's lap Olivia tried not to think about the odds against them.