Chapter 11
Being Sprung
Olivia was so tired. Her body ached, her eyes were stinging and her neck was a mess. Turning her head to the left She could hear her bones pop and she repeated it on the other side. A good full nights sleep in her own warm soft bed would do her wonders but she had promised Amanda she would be here and not keeping her promises was not like Olivia.
Amanda's mental state was not good and Olivia had seen plenty of mental health issues to know what she was talking about. Amanda wanted to go home, which was impossible. Even though CSU was probably finished going through her apartment it was still not safe for the blonde to go back there. Being stuck in a hospital was not helping Amanda's psychological state at all. She had seemed so desperate of getting out of the building earlier it almost scared Olivia. The blonde obviously didn't feel safe in the hospital and also feared for Kim's life.
The older woman placed a hand on Amanda's forehead. The fever had completely broken during the night, much to Olivia's relief. After making sure the sleeping woman was comfortable, the brunette made her way over to the nurses station just outside Amanda's room. She asked a nurse to keep an eye on the blonde while she made a phone call and a trip to the bathroom. After taking care of her screaming bladder first, she fished her iPhone out of her jeans pocket.
"Hi, Cap. Anything new?"
"Stabler and Munch are still grilling Cash since he was her last pimp. He says he doesn't know where she is and that he doesn't have her anymore. We can all tell he is lying and that he knows something, we just have to get it out of him. How's Ms Rollins?"
Olivia took a deep breath. "Well, that's why I'm calling. Physically she'll be fine. Her fever broke during the night but..." She sighed. "I don't think she should stay at the hospital any longer. Her mental state is... Well, all over the place. I know she doesn't feel safe here and that she wants to get out of here. I told her that her apartment is not an option, all I know is that I need to get her out of here."
Olivia could hear Craigen sigh. "What about moving her to another hospital under a different name?"
"I don't think that's an option, Cap. I mean, she freaked out last night. If she doesn't get out of here she will find a way of leaving herself."
"Where do you suggest she should go, Liv? I can make a few calls for an emergency safe house but you know how hard it is to..."
Olivia interrupted. "Well, I was thinking that maybe she could stay at my place. She can sign herself out, AMA, and I'll keep an eye on her. It has to be better than this."
"I don't know, Liv. I don't think it would be safe to..."
"Please, Cap. This is literally killing her. She'll be safe with me, You know that. I'll even let you put a protective detail outside my apartment building."
Craigen gave in. "Fine. But if anything happens it's on you, Liv."
"Thanks, Cap."
Happy with the outcome the detective entered Amanda's room just as the blonde began to stir. "Kim?"
Olivia wasn't sure if the half conscious woman thought that she was Kim or if it was a question on how the case was going? Liv sat down in the seat she just left a few minutes ago and groaned slightly as she did so, her sore bottom protesting. "Kim?" Amanda repeated.
"Amanda, Its Olivia. How are you feeling?"
Blue eyes popped open, scanning the room, before her eyes rested on the stunning brunette. "Oh, hi... um, sorry I thought you were... never mind." She shook her head, trying to sweep the images away that was stuck on her retina from the dream she just had. Kim had been found but not in time and she was dying in Amanda's arms and there was nothing anybody could do to save her. The blonde was relieved to wake up and realize that it had only been a dream, or a nightmare.
Liv cocked her head to the side and smile slightly. "Its okay." She cleared her throat and decided to tell Amanda the good news. "Listen, I was speaking to my captain and I convinced him to have you checked out of here, Against Medical Advice. He wasn't happy about it, nor am I, but I can see what this place is doing to you and I don't think staying here will do you any good or help with your healing process. Do you understand?"
Amanda was stunned. She had a choice of signing herself out? This was a surprise coming from the stoic detective, who always seemed to go by the book. Narrowing her eyes she looked at Olivia in doubt, as if this was a test or just a mean joke but the tanned face held nothing but honesty.
The young woman shifted slightly in the big bed. "Why are you doing this? I mean, shouldn't you be the one telling me that staying here is for my own good and, if you have to, use force to keep me in this bed?" Amanda tried to push herself up so she could rest on her right elbow but decided against it when a wave of pain shot through her chest and shoulder.
Olivia quickly adjusted the bed so the blonde could sit up easier. "Yes, I normally would but I can see that staying here is not going to help you one bit so I'm taking you to my apartment."
The injured woman stopped breathing for a moment, not really knowing what to say or how to react. "W... What?" Looking into Olivia's brown eyes she saw compassion and concern. Amanda got a strange feeling in her chest, almost a painful pang, as she realized that nobody had ever shown her concern or compassion before and she didn't know what to do with it. It was a strange uncomfortable feeling.
The detective smiled. "You heard me." Standing up she said, "I'm gonna see if I can find your doctor, have you signed out and then we can have you sprung, okay?" Amanda could only give a silent nod before the detective left the room.
"Well, here it is, casa Benson." Olivia helped the slightly wobbly woman inside and helped her sit down on the comfy couch. It was obvious that the blonde was uncomfortable and awkward in her new environment, not knowing what to do or say. She had never been really good at striking up conversations or socialize with strangers, she had always been somewhat of a loner.
Amanda swept her eyes ocross the living area and kitchen. It was quite big bur not too spacious. It was nicely decorated and she could tell by one glance that Olivia had good taste in furniture, colours and other equipment. It was cozy and warm, almost a cottage like feel to it. "Its nice. Homey." Amanda said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Liv shrugged. "Its comfortable. I dont get to spend too much time at home as I would like. I work all hours around the clock. You never know when you're gonna get a call."
"Must be hard." Amanda kept her answeres and comments short.
Again the detective shrugged. "Its okay, Im used to it. You know what they say, 'married to the job.'" The blonde only respoded with a nod. Olivia tilted her head to the side and took a good look at the woman infront of her. There were dark circles present under her eyes, blonde hair looked disheveled and dull and blue eyes now looked lifeless and empty. "Why dont I get the bed prepared in the spare room and you can lay down for a while. You look tired."
The smaller woman was indeed exhausted and her pain meds were also wearing off making the pull and pressure on her chest present. Amanda gaced at Liv. "So do you. Your ass must be one sorry ass for sitting in that god forsaken hospital chair." She watched as Liv smiled at her sense of humour. "Its oky, i can sleep on the couch. Dont make any fuss over me, I'll be fine here."
Liv chuckled. "Yeah right. As comfortable as that couch looks, trust me its not that comfy. You'll be much better of in a proper bed." The brunette fished out Amanda's pain meds and antibiotics from her purse and handed herva glass of water. "Here, take these. I can tell you're in pain and there is no need to put yourself through any more of that if it can be prevented."
Amanda watched as Liv left the room, her eyes unconsciously rested on a firm butt and rolling hips. In one swift move she gulped her tablets down. As much as she wanted to take a shower she couldnt find the energy to do so. She felt dirty and needed to wash away any traces of hospital that infested her body but she knew it would be an almost impossible task. It would have to wait.
Olivia entered the room, now wearing a white tank top, that showed off her tanned smooth skin and a pair of fleece bottoms. Amanda thought she looked like a completely different woman, relaxed and content. "You were right, I am tired. Didnt realize how tired I was until you said it." She approached the young blonde. "Come on, I'll help you."
They made it to the spare room and Amanda spotted a pair of pyjamas on the bed along with some towels, underwear and socks. The petite blonde was wearing scrubs she had been given at the hospital since her clothes were all bloodied and torn from the paramedics so they could assess her injuries. Amanda also spotted an en suite and was greatful she had her own space and privacy.
"Everything you need is in the bathroom, toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloths, shampoo, you name it." Olivia felt a bit out of sort and didnt know what to do next. "Um, well... ah, I think we both need a nap and later on we can have dinner and freshen up." She turned to leave but stopped suddenly as she realized that Amanda would probably need a hand getting changed. "Um, do you need help changing? I mean I dont want you to rip your stitches or anything."
Amanda blushed at the thought of the brunette undressing her and touching her body and she hated that Olivia was right. Lowering her head in embarrassment the blonde began to fidget with the hem of the scrub top. She hated to feel so out of control and helpless. The detective stood in front of her and crunched down a bit to make some kind of contact with the beautiful woman before her. "Amanda, hey its okay. If you dont want me to I understand but I think you'll be more comfortable in other clothes." She watched the small woman silently contemplating what to do before Olivia had an idea.
"Why dont I help you to change the top part and you can probably do the rest yourself, uh?" Finally Amanda agreed. Olivia placed herself behind the blonde and thanked whoever gave her a large size of scrubs. The top was like a tent on the petite frame and it wouldn't be a problem getting it off. Gently, as not to hurt the woman, Olivia managed to get it passed Amanda's shoulders and pulled it off her head. She knew Amanda was not wearing a bra so she merely placed the top on the bed and grabbed the fleece instead.
"The fleece has buttons in the front so I'm just gonna help you get your arms in and you can do the rest, okay?" Again, Amanda nodded. While unbuttoning the pyjama top Olivia's eyes travelled over the woman standing in front of her. She could make out faint bruises on her back and sides, probably from the shooting, her ribs were jutting out fom under her smooth pale skin and Olivia thought she looked more like a fragile, vulnerable and defenceless child than a fully grown woman. The protective instinct kicked in and Olivia swore she would do anything in her power to protect, defend and help Amanda through this and find her younger sister.
Gently she slipped the right arm into the sleeve and repeated the process on the other. Amanda hissed in pain as her left arm went through the sleeve. Olivia immediately put a hand on her lower back, rubbing small circles with her thumb. "Shh, I'm sorry. The pain meds should kick in any minute now."
Trying to keep some of her dignity intact Amanda grasped at the shirt in the front, covering herself up and hoping that Olivia hadn't seen anything Amanda didnt want her to see. Her skin was burning where the detective was resting her hand. It was almost too much for the blonde and she had to step away from the touch before she became weak and fell into it insted.
"Um, its okay. It didn't really hurt that much." The words coming out were more of a mumble than anything else but Amanda just needed to be left alone. "Um, thank you for um... everything."
Olivia sensed the blonde's uneasiness and decided it was time to leave. "My bedroom is just down the hall to the right. If there is anything you need don't hesitate to wake me up. I'm a light sleeper, okay?"
Amanda tried to avoid eye contact and slightly nodded, knowing it would be difficulty to tear her eyes away if they were to lock with Olivia's. The detective wasn't sure if the younger woman had heard her or fully understood. Catching blue eyes with her own, forcing Amanda to look at her, Olivia placed a fair lock of hair behind her ear and tenterly stroked her pale cheek while she pulled away. "Amanda, I mean it. Anything you need just come to me, okay... please?"
Amanda felt her eyes starting to tear up but she quickly blinked the drops away, swallowing desperately wanting the lump in her throat to ease up or, better yet, completely go away. "Okay." Was all she could muster, not trusting her voice to actually speak a whole full sentence.
The detective was happy enough with that answer and pulled away from the physical proximity and left the room.