A/N: Faithful readers and new ones that are currently joining this story here's a nice suprise that I didn't think I would get done this week. I hope everyone enjoys this quick update.

"You don't" Stephanie said turning to face Olivia "You open up and let her in. Let her help you every step of the way. Don't shut her out. It would kill her and hinder your recovery."

"Oh yeah" Olivia said turning to face the wall "Hey Alex guess what I survived another round with Jess and possibly have a second wound. Now let me put the icing on the cake I have double vision. I may never work again. What am I then a worthless leach."

"Olivia I saw you overcome something no one should have overcome. I don't know what anyone has told you about your last visit here but you almost died on the table several times. Your first night on the floor your blood pressure bottomed out and we were doing everything possible to raise it back up when Alex forced her way through the nurses and whispered in your ear. I have no clue what it was but whatever it was it was enough to make you fight to survive."

"Don't you die on me Liv. I need you too much. I can't survive if you die." Olivia muttered.

"You heard her?" Stephanie asked truly confused. She had heard reports that people could hear and remember what was said to them when they were in a coma but had never witnessed it first hand.

"I guess." Olivia sighed "That was the only line that I repeated to myself. Can I tell you something else without you thinking I'm crazy?"

"Anything"

"I could have sworn when I woke up the first time that I could hear Alex talking to me daily about cases, what was going on in her life, things like that. When I saw Stacia sitting in the chair I was sure that I had been imagining things until Alex walked in the room."

"You're not crazy Olivia." Stephanie whispered as she sat on the bed next to her "There have been numerous studies stating that someone in a coma can not only hear but remember what is being said to them."

"I felt crazy and then my temper flaring at the slightest thing didn't help matters much either."

"You had a brain injury that alters peoples personality."

"I know but believe me when I say I'm that last person on earth who needs an altered personality. I'm the last person on earth that she needs to be with now. I've put her through hell when she deserves the world on a silver platter."

"Then give it to her and start by opening up to her. Let her know so she can help. Olivia even the strongest person needs to lean on someone every now and then." Stephanie added when she saw Olivia starting to cave.

"Think she will make it back before I go to my testing?" Olivia asked finally allowing her eyes to connect to Stephanie's.

"Think I know she will." Stephanie said laughing heading for the door one more time "I'll go get her from the waiting room."

Stephanie quietly shut the door behind her and made her way to the waiting room. It was no shock to find Alex not only waiting for her but jumping to her feet as she entered the room.

"Relax Alex she is ok" Stephanie said raising her hand to stop her friend from spouting off questions "She wanted a moment alone with me to apologize for how she acted yesterday."

"There's more to it." Alex choked out trying her hardest to keep the tears at bay. She could see it in Stephanie's eyes.

"Yes there is." Stephanie sighed hating how well Alex could always read her "But you need to talk to her about it. I cannot and will not break her confidence. Just know she is in there waiting for you to come and talk to her."

"Thank you." Alex cried pulling Stephanie to her.

"You're welcome now get in there." Stephanie said as she pushed Alex through the door but motioned for Elliot to stay where he was when he stood to follow.

Elliot who would have normal forced his way past someone trying to stop him simply nodded in agreement and took his seat again. During Olivia's first stay he had some to accept and trust Stephanie's instinct. Without saying a word he silently let Alex and Stephanie know that he would be waiting there when Olivia was ready to let him in.

Alex stopped outside Olivia's door and took a deep breath. She knew without a doubt that no matter what Olivia told her she had to take it in stride and not show too much emotion. She was afraid if she did Olivia would push away more than what she was already trying to do.

"Hey you" Alex said as she slowly walked back into the room finally confident that she could handle whatever Olivia was about to tell her.

'Hey" Olivia said as tears started to flow down her face upon seeing Alex walk into the room willing and ready to stand by her side no matter what she was about to endure.

"Hey don't cry" Alex whispered as she pulled her into her arms as carefully as she could "We fought hard the first time and you returned one hundred percent we'll do it again."

"I'm seeing double now." Olivia finally said as she struggled to sit up finally having to accept Alex's help to do so "I remember what he said when he said that vision issues are not good. That's a sign I won't recover."

"No Liv it's not a sign that you won't recover it's a sign that we have a new obstacle to overcome. It will be long and hard but I say screw it we won last time we'll win this time."

"Alex you don't understand what if I can't recover. What then?"

"Then we find other things for you to do." Alex answered as she ran her fingers through Olivia's short hair "We get you a hobby. Name it I don't care. But Liv before we, mainly you, start assuming the worse please let's have the testing done. It could be something simple."

"Like what?" Olivia asked the anger apparent in her tone

"Like a reaction to your pain medicine. Who knows? Let's wait until we see Dr. Mathews. Ok will you do that? For me?"

"You deserve better." Olivia whispered unable to look Alex in the eyes anymore "Someone who you don't have to walk down a long road of recovery."

"You need to recover and I need to recover" Alex whispered as she turned Olivia's head until she was looking into those beautiful brown eyes "Let's recover together."