Chapter 21

"So how are you feeling?" Elliot asked. He sat in Olivia's hospital room a couple of days after Casey managed to convince the FBI to enhance the videotape. The FBI was still working on the tape but they hoped to have results tomorrow. Alvarez hadn't budged and Huang suspected as much from the beginning; even after they'd identified the mummified body in the storage locker. They'd easily connected the dead woman to Alvarez as the woman had been reported missing in the area of NYU and there was actually a witness who had last seen her getting willingly into the car with a man matching Alvarez's description.

Elliot wasn't focused on that now though as Olivia was almost completely healed though she still wore a neck brace and had some minor rashes left. She was due for another MRI in a few hours to see if the brace could come off. Doctor Beresford said that she'd still be stiff for a little while but he was hoping that was it.

"Like I want to get out of here," Olivia's voice was still a little croaky.

"Maybe we should be using the write and wipe?" Her partner grimaced, thinking it had to hurt and scooped up the board and marker which were on the tray in front of her. Olivia took a sip of water from the cup on her tray and cleared her throat.

"Doc says I have to use it or lose it," she said, sounding a little better.

"Gotcha. Only a few more days in here and then we'll work out where you're staying," he told her.

"At my place?" Olivia gave him a confused look.

"The doctor said that we need to keep an eye on your skin and your voice. You're going to have a follow up appointment three days after your release so until then he wants you staying with someone," Elliot said.

"Can't I just go back to work?" She asked.

"No. Captain says you've got enough vacation time and you aren't cleared until your neck is at one hundred percent," her partner explained.

"How long is that?" Olivia gave him a look that was usually reserved for suspects.

"Depends on the MRI and follow up visit," he said. Olivia frowned. The frown didn't stay long though as suddenly she found her right hand being occupied by one of his hands. She turned to look at him.

"That's twice you've given me a good scare in the last nine months," he said.

"Well I think that comes in the job description," Olivia pointed out. Elliot heaved a sigh as if there was something he was trying to say. He wouldn't look at her and that made her wonder what was going through his head. She knew what was going through her head and she decided that she wouldn't wait anymore. He was right. In the last nine months, she'd almost had her throat cut, almost had to shoot her partner, and now had been injured in the chase for a serial killer.

"El. Look at me," Olivia said. He slowly obliged and the look on his face was one that she couldn't exactly place.

"I've tried to ignore it. I've tried to rationalize it. I've tried a lot of things but after all these things, I can't anymore. I know what's at stake but…" she never got to finish the thought as Elliot stood from his chair and placed his lips on hers. It was soft and quick as if he was just checking that she was there.

"I know," his words were just above a whisper.

"You do?" Her words were just as quiet.

"I've known for a while and I knew that I couldn't live without you. It has been there for a while but Gitano…" he trailed off; they both knew what he meant.

"So what do we do?" She asked as if she really had no idea. They were treading on dangerous ground though that wasn't something they weren't used to.

"Do what other couples do. See where it goes," he said honestly. She smiled and said,

"Then kiss me again."

To Be Continued…