Olivia woke in the middle of the night groaning in pain. She smiled when she saw Alex stretched out in a make shift bed next to her. She had to admit she had to be one of the most stubborn women she had ever met. Hearing a noise to her right she turned her head quickly and almost laughed at Fin who was curled up asleep in the recliner chair.

"I wouldn't laugh if I was you." He mumbled "I'm doing this for you."

"I know and I'll never be able to repay you." Olivia said as she attempted to sit up and bite back a groan of pain

"Sure you can." He said standing and stretching "Get well so you can take over this duty and find the bitch and make her pay. Are you in pain?"

"Yeah."

"I'll get the nurse" He said as he nodded and headed for the door.

Olivia turned and looked at the blonde attorney who was asleep next to her. Her blonde hair seemed to fan out around her as if it was a halo. Her face showed no signs of the pain and stress she experienced from day to day. She truly looked like the angel she always pictured her as.

"How long do you plan to stare at me detective?" Alex asked as without opening her eyes.

"I thought I told you to go home and sleep there."

"I don't listen very well do I" Alex stated as she pushed herself up into a sitting position

"Apparently not." Olivia said with a smile on her face "But I will have Fin take you home when he comes back."

"No." Alex almost whispered as she stood beside Olivia's bedside "I want to be here with you. I need to be here with you."

"Alex" Olivia started to say but stopped when she heard the almost pleading sound in Alex's voice "Ok. Help me out of the bed so you can have it. There is no way that little thing is comfortable."

"Let me get this right. You want me to help you, the one who was shot and almost died, out of the bed so I can be comfortable and you can be in pain."

"Yeah"

"Olivia I have actually become quite comfortable with these pull out beds. I slept on one for the first week you were here. Believe me when I say I have learned how to make them comfortable."

"If you want to swap let me know."

"I wish I could take your place right now." Alex sighed as she ran her hand down Olivia's arm "I'd give anything to swap with you."

"I didn't mean that." Olivia whispered raising Alex's face so she could look into her eyes. The glow coming from the hallway where Fin had left the door cracked framed her face just right "I never want to see you here, Alex. This is what I'm paid to do. I'm fine with it. I don't blame you and I would like you to stop blaming yourself."

"I know."

"You need another shot for pain?" Stephanie asked as she entered the room carrying a needle with her.

"Please but not as much as last time. I don't like to be out like that. Especially when" She motioned over toward Alex not wanting to say the words that scared her to the depths of her soul.

"I will do my best detective" Stephanie said with a quick glance at Alex before administering the injection. Within minutes Olivia began to doze in and out till she finally gave up the fight and succumbed to sleep. Once Alex was positive she was out of pain and back asleep she too fell fast asleep.

"Good morning Alex" Dr. Mathews said as he entered reading Olivia's chart "I was informed by Stephanie that she has told you about the testing to be done today and what we are possibly facing at the moment."

"She has" Alex answered as she finished folding the bed back together. She had been awakened by Stephanie a good twenty minutes earlier to prepare her for Dr. Mathews arrival.

"Good." He said before turning to Olivia "We have not been formally introduced but I am Dr. Mathews. I was brought here by Ms. Cabot to attend to you. While you were unconscious we performed an EEG where I was able to detect some brain damage due to the lack of oxygen from the few times we had to resuscitate you. I kept you in a drug induce coma to assist your healing and hopefully increase your brain function in that area. Now that you're awake I would like to repeat the test."

"Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice does it?" Olivia almost growled out as she felt herself getting angry for no reason.

"You can refuse? That is a right that you have. I would need you to sign a form though." Mathews informed her.

"She's not refusing" Alex answered glancing at Olivia silently letting her know that this was not an option. "She will take the test."

Olivia grumbled and looked away. She couldn't explain why she felt like punching the doctor across the room the closer he got. She made a mental note to have Stabler investigate him when she finished with the testing. The one thing that had kept her alive all these years was her gut instinct.

"Very well" He answered turning back toward the door "A nurse will be in shortly to escort you to the testing area."

A nurse, who Olivia had never seen before and sent her into defense mode, showed up a few minutes later to explain the procedure to her before escorting her out of the room. Alex sensing her changed in attitude stopped the nurse and leaned down and whispered this was one of her assigned nurses. Alex explained that because of the risk she was assigned certain nurse and all had cleared an intense background check that was performed by Captain Cragen himself.

Olivia accepting this answer looked to the nurse to continue. Once she was finished explaining everything and making sure that Olivia had no questions she prepared Olivia for movement. As before Alex, Fin, and her guard followed her to the testing area until they couldn't go any further. . The nurse stopped outside a secure door and stepped to the side allowing them a few minutes.

"Olivia this is as far as we are allowed to go but I promise you I will be waiting for you upstairs when you are done." Alex said as she squatted down to look at her.

"You don't have too." Olivia stated looking away. She hated how Alex squatted down to look at her. It almost made her feel childlike.

"I know I don't have to but I want to." She said taking her hand in hers "You asked me to let you protect me now I ask you to please let me take care of you."

"Fin" Olivia said without answering Alex "I want you to make sure she gets a good breakfast."

"Will do."

"Thanks." Olivia said before she turned to face Alex "I will but please promise me you will let Fin take you and get a good breakfast."

"I will" Alex said laughing as she stood up. Only Olivia would be going into a test that could determine the fate of her career as an officer and worry if she was eating a good breakfast.

Olivia turned toward the nurse and nodded her head letting her know she was ready. Well as ready as one could be considering what she was facing. She also hoped that this testing would explain why she found herself so angry all the time as well. She was really getting tired of having to reel in her anger.

A/N: Three updates in three days. Desk duty is good for something instead of driving me insane. PeterPeter to answer your question I am uniformed and was involved in a fight which resulted in a few minor injuries. On another note today is New Year's Eve. If you are going out tonight please don't drink and drive and be safe in whatever you do. I wish everyone a happy new year.