"Detective?" her eyes were opening but not processing any of what she saw. "Detective Benson, my name is Santino. Do you know where you are?" her vision was stunned by the bright lights in the back of the ambulance. "El?" she reached out but went back to sleep. "Detective?!"
In the ER bay he stayed right on their heels. "Please be okay, please." He was ushered to the waiting room, while they took her to clean the wounds and take x rays to survey the damage. When he was finally led back to her room he snapped the phone shut from the squad call and followed asking about her x-rays and welfare but once they came to her room he could only rush to her side and pray. In time of complete turmoil his faith had to be voiced. Usually he carried a silent prayer to keep her safe but now he needed it aloud.
She finally woke up in a dimmed hospital room with Elliot holding her hand against his lips, praying. She looked at him willing to bring her back through the words of religion.
"Hey." She hoarsely whispered.
"Hey," he stood quickly and put a hand to her discolored cheek, "What happened to waiting for me? I should have been at your six. You could have avoided this."
She smiled "the third degree already? This is not good for my recovery."
He stroked her cheek once and smiled "We back each other, we gotta be there for each other." "I know, did you catch him?" "No, but I did catch his accomplice;" He stood to shake the image of the abused woman over his partner, "She is back at the station." The doctor walked in, "Hello detective. We have looked over your x rays and monitored you so we are glad to inform that you will be fine, just rest and minor treatment for your cuts and abrasions but the night will be spent on observation and you can be out of here. How are you feeling?" "Fine, just sore and a headache." "That's expected after such a tumble. I will get the nurse to get you some medicine to help." The doctor marked Olivia's chart and looked at the partners closely. "I will leave you two but make sure she gets her rest." The doctor exits. Elliot sat back in the chair close to the bed. "El, he knew my name. He called me Liv." She was thinking about each part of the chase, each shadow and strain in the night. She had to tell him that they could have a problem. The night drew dark and the hospital quiet as Elliot shed his jacket determined to stay at her side. Olivia closed her eyes watching him try to get comfortable in the small visitor couch. "The nurse came in with a small white cup with the pill to relieve her headache and handed Elliot a blanket to try and offer some comfort to his built frame on the small couch.
She leaves and Olivia calls to Elliot softly
"Hey El?"
"Yeah Liv, you okay?"
"Yeah, why don't you come up here? There's room."
A half moment and doubt drifted in her mind instantly but he rolled over off the couch and walked to the bed. She looked at his steely, cool eyes as she scooted over and smiled a bit. Her heart floated as his warm body neared her on the hospital mattress. Time for some rest, her eyes dosed and unlike her usually bit of lying awake in the darkness of her eyelids she fell asleep beside him; enjoying that he was there.
There was room on the bed when they laid close and he didn't mind that. He laid on his back and she on her side against the rail. He slid his arm around her and pulled her closer and thought about her attacker knowing her name. He had to wrap this up quickly without her being too involved, he had to keep her safe. She stirred and he loosened his grip around her shoulders. He tried to sleep but he laid in bed drowsily keeping watch over his partner through the night.