Alex glanced over at the sleeping detective and smiled. It had taken her almost twenty minutes to convince her to take a shot for the pain. She was determined not to take it quoting that she wouldn't be able to protect her if she was out. Alex had pointed out that in the condition she was currently in that she wouldn't be able to protect her anyways. Olivia had only raised her eyebrow at her as if daring her to try her. To calm her fears Alex brought Stabler and Fin in and assured her that they would be there to protect her. Olivia had accepted that and finally agreed to the shot.

"So I hear the detective is awake." Stephanie said as she walked into the room to check on Alex.

"She is but has been given a shot for her pain" Alex whispered as she stood and hugged Stephanie.

"Get your hands off her" Olivia growled as she struggled to get out of bed grabbing the nearest thing she could and threw it at the woman while shouting for the officer at the door.

Within seconds the officer stationed at the door was in the room with his weapon drawn as Olivia lunged at the female. Alex quickly caught Olivia before she fell to the floor and helped her back into the bed. The officer seeing who was in the room re holstered his weapon and asked what was going on. Alex quickly explained that Olivia had woken up and saw Stephanie in the room and lunged at her believing it was the one who was stalking her. The officer nodded and assumed his post back outside the door. Once the officer was outside Alex turned her attention back to Olivia.

"Relax please" She pleaded with the detective who was still struggling against her. For someone who almost died several times she was still amazingly strong.

"Stop protecting her and let me at her." Olivia said still struggling against her "I swore to you I will keep you safe."

"Olivia this isn't Jessica" Alex said running her hands through her short hair and smiling down at her "This is Stephanie Daniels, I went to college with her and she has been helping me get you the best doctors in the United States. She is the charge nurse on this floor."

Olivia stopped fighting Alex and glared at the woman who was standing to the side and back some.

"Hi" Stephanie said raising her hospital identification up so she could see "I'm not sure who you think I am but I promise I am not that person. I work here at the hospital and I have known Alex here since we were in college. She went Law and I went premed but settled for nursing instead. After witnessing your temper and anger I would prefer to never be on the receiving end. All I can say is God help that person when you are a hundred percent."

"Never hurt Alex and you won't have to worry about that." Olivia said laying back content that Alex was not in danger.

"Sorry" Alex said once she had Olivia settled back into the bed and resting.

"No problem" Stephanie answered with a smirk on her face.

"Don't start Steph." Alex said shaking her head.

"Yeah sure. Can I see you in the hallway for a minute?"

"Yeah" Alex said turning to Olivia "Just lay back and relax ok. I will be right outside the door and the guard is there so I will be fine. I also need to let Fin to go on home I plan to stay here for the night."

"No Alex" Olivia groaned out as the pain hit her from her sudden movement "Go home get some rest. There's no need for both of us to be lacking sleep. Tell Fin I said not to let you out of his sight."

Alex just shook her head as she followed Stephanie out of the room. Now that she was awake there was no way she was going to leave her side, at least not for tonight or possibly longer depending on what Stephanie had to say. If it was bad she would be happy to permanently move into Olivia's room till she improved.

"What was it you didn't want to say in front of her?' Alex asked as she stepped out of ear shot of the officer at the door.

"Dr. Mathews wants to retest Olivia in the morning. He already has an EEG scheduled at nine. I already have a physical therapist that's en route from Texas that specializes in rehabilitation of gunshot victims."

"There's more that you're not telling me isn't there."

"Yeah" Stephanie exhaled 'What type of person was she before the shooting?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean was she short tempered, had the patience of a god, things like that."

"She has to be one of the most compassionate person who I have ever met. I have seen her sit for hours with the patience of a saint with a victim and minutes later lose it with a perp within thirty seconds of entering the interrogation room. It all depends on what the situation calls for. Why? "

"I'll be totally honest with you" Stephanie said taking a step closer "The part of her brain that was affected by the lack of oxygen is the part that not only coordinates movement but behavior as well. With this type of injury I have seen people who were calm, laid back, and never raise a hand to anyone become the most violent person you have ever met. With what I just witnessed I wanted to warn you."

"Thank you" Alex said with a smile "What you saw in there was not a violent streak that you are afraid is coming out. What you saw was the protective cop that she is well known for. I happen to have a threat against me at the moment which is why you see all the security, comes with the job from time to time. She is aware of it and coming too probably registered that threat immediately seeing a stranger in the room."

"Alex just be careful please. I don't want to see you hurt."

"I have never feared and will never fear for my safety when I am with her" Alex said hugging Stephanie to her "Thank you so much for your concern though I do appreciate it."

"I just want you to be careful that's all."

"I will" Alex said with a smile on her face as she headed back into Olivia's room.

A/N: Two chapters in two days. This is what happens when I'm placed on desk duty. Thank you so much for all the reviews on the last chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter just as much.