AN: I need a nap.

*

Olivia had actually managed to get some sleep on the cheap plastic chair... until a nurse came in and shook her awake. She wanted to be mad, but the twenty minute nap left her neck feeling like someone had tried to stomp it into a suitcase. She might even have thanked the woman if she weren't so busy trying to rub the kink out. Taking the hint, Olivia left the nurse to do her business.

On the elevator she stretched her shoulder to a loud pop. The sound made her sigh, she was getting too old for this sort of thing. Though, she could never remember falling asleep in a chair being a pleasant experience.

At the station she spoke to a different nurse, but Sara's condition remained the same. Stable and improving. She wondered if there was any way to get in to see her sooner. Olivia wanted to be sure she woke up to something familiar. There was also an entirely selfish desire to actually see that she was ok.

But the nurses would not be swayed. Tomorrow, and no sooner.

The intervening hours held lots of boredom and little sleep. Olivia tried to lose herself in the banality of television, but the distraction it provided proved only to be minimal. Her thoughts continued to return to her own guilt, so by the time she returned to the hospital her body was taut with the emotion.

The nurses gave her minimal fuss. She promised not to disturb Sara, she just had to be there. Despite their reluctance, Olivia was insistent, and in the end they were no match. Olivia got the room number and could barely restrain herself from running.

She pretty much knew what to expect; Olivia had seen people in the hospital in every condition possible. She was well aware that the various apparatus would crowd the room: heart monitor, an oxygen cannula disappearing into the fray, IV, and some others she could only identify as familiar. She even knew that Sara would look different. Cleaned off and in proper lighting, Olivia knew she'd see things that she hadn't noticed before. And yet this knowledge provided no defense against her reaction.

Her gaze immediately fell to the bandage across Sara's neck. It was pristine, and the thought of what it covered made her eyes well. Olivia pulled her eyes away, up to Sara's face. There was a deep bruise on the right side, and she could see the crisscross pattern from the fire escape. Its purple color only served to make her face appear even paler.

Olivia touched Sara's arm, feeling the warmth radiating from it. Watched her chest rise and fall in a steady pattern. Listened to the rhythmic sounds of the machines. Focusing on the tangible proofs that Sara was ok, would be ok.

This time when she cried, it was all relief.

She stood there for a long time before she finally succumbed and took a seat. Nurses came in and out, eying Olivia curiously, but not saying anything. Perhaps she had a look about her that told them anything they might say would just be wasted effort. She was grateful for that much.

The sound of more footsteps had Olivia turning to the door. Instead of another nurse, she saw Elliot standing there.

"Thought I'd find you here."

Olivia raised her brows. "Could have called to make sure."

"I tried that," Elliot replied, his lip quirking into a half smile.

Her hand immediately went to her back pocket. The familiar bulge was missing, and she sighed. She hadn't thought to fish her cell phone from the laundry pile. Or her badge. Her gun had been the only thing she managed to put away.

"So," she began, "what do you want?"

"Just thought I'd stop by. How's she doing?"

"Improving. Still hasn't woken up at all." And Olivia realized she had lost track of the time. She scanned the room for a clock, and saw it was just past two.

"Good. How long have you been here?"

It had been early, that much she knew. But before she could respond her nose twitched. Frowning, she smelled the air more thoroughly to be sure it was what she thought.

Greasy noodles. Chicken. The sharp aroma of sweet and sour sauce.

Olivia's stomach jumped up, demanding to know what was the hold up?

She eyed Elliot dangerously. "You better have brought more than just the smell."

"Would I do that?" He held out the previously hidden bag for her inspection.

She snatched it immediately, pulling out the carton from within. "Yes, you would."

And he had before, so he just shrugged. Olivia found the fork, and took the first bite of the lo mein. Her stomach wept in gratitude. Elliot didn't speak while she ate, knowing she wasn't going to stop to answer. He just stood there and took in the scene for himself. Before she knew it, the box was empty. She threw it in the trash bin with a tinge of regret.

"You look like hell, you know?" Elliot said.

"Always the charmer."

He shook his head. "Seriously... How are you?"

Olivia thought a moment before coming up with an answer. Something safe, but enough to satisfy his interest.

"Getting there."

A comfortable silence fell over the room. Having a full meal rather than the sporadic portions she managed at home did wonders. She felt more alert, and less like she was running on fumes. Sleep would go an even longer way towards that end, but that would have to wait.

They both looked over at the sound of the hoarse moan, barely loud enough to hear. Olivia stood and moved closer to the bed. She watched Sara's eyes crack open, only partway, and only for a moment. Then she was once again out cold. It could hardly be called consciousness, and Olivia knew that the girl would never remember opening her eyes, but it counted.

Olivia smiled, and Elliot followed suit.