Characters owned by Dick Wolf and the Law and Order SVU Franchise
When Partners Continue to Collide - Chapter 5
Suddenly everyone's phones came to life…Warner and Elliot helped Olivia into a sitting position "Easy Liv – let us do this" as Olivia began to try and brush off their assistance. Realizing it was futile, Olivia submitted to Elliot's and Warner's help. Elliot then carried Olivia out, with instructions to get her into a warm bath but not to let her sleep until Warner instructed "I'll be around to give Olivia a more thorough checkup as soon as I can."
Elliot ran, carrying Olivia to the car, where she was still unable to sit or fully move. He placed her across the back seat of the car and quickly, with lights flashing, headed back to her apartment, continually telling her not to go back to sleep and to stay with him.
At Olivia's apartment building he opened the car door and, after checking she was still with him, carried her upstairs to her flat, flashing his badge to the questioning doorman en route.
Once in the apartment he carefully placed her on her bed and went to get Olivia's robe. Helping her out of her coat, he wrapped her up in the robe and helped her sit up. Olivia began to test the movement in her arms and legs. Slowly and clumsily at first, they began to move, then, as if they remembered what they were doing, they began to move quicker. Gradually Olivia began to regain control of her limbs. Talking was proving difficult as her throat was hoarse and words still slightly slurred. Elliot went and got Olivia a bottle of water and a straw, aware she had nothing to drink since the night before. Olivia gladly accepted the water with Elliot holding the bottle for her.
After Olivia had enough, she asked Elliot to help her FaceTime Noah. Elliot looked at Olivia's face and questioned if it was wise, but Olivia told Elliot she had promised Noah that she would FaceTime him as soon as she was able.
Elliot nodded and got Olivia's phone and a mirror, so Olivia could see what she looked like before Noah saw her. Olivia tentatively looked into the mirror that Elliot held up. She groaned – the cut on the top of her head was not as bad as she had thought, and the bruise around her neck was going a nice shade of purple. But what she had not been expecting was the large bruise and swelling around her left eye and on the side of her face and nose where the gun had hit her. No amount of makeup was going to hide this. Olivia sighed realizing Noah was going to need to be warned about her face before he saw her. "El, do you think you could FaceTime Noah for me – just to warn him before he sees me."
Elliot nodded and, holding Olivia's phone while she slowly unlocked it, begun to call Noah.
Noah answered on the second ring. Quickly, before Noah could ask questions or worry, Elliot said "Hi Noah, it's Elliot – don't worry, your mom is fine and wants to speak to you. But she has asked me to warn you she was accidentally hit in the face, and it has left her looking a bit like a chipmunk with a mouthful of food….oh, she also sounds like a frog." Suddenly Olivia's arm came into shot as she took aim at Elliot's head. Both Elliot and Olivia were surprised by Olivia's movement, but neither said anything. Noah, seeing his mom's arm, laughed. "Go easy on her buddy" Elliot said as he handed the phone back to Olivia. Making sure she could balance it he then went and ran Olivia a bath, as Warner had instructed.
"Hi Noah" Olivia said in a hoarse voice, and slightly nervously knowing this was Noah's first glimpse. Noah took slightly longer to respond, and Olivia thought maybe looking at her was too much. But then Noah came to life "'Chipmunk' is a good description of how you look at the moment mom." Olivia smiled, "I can go with that."
"Did you get the bad guys?" Noah asked. "Yes, we did," Olivia responded, "and we managed to rescue the little girl." Noah smiled "That's good, Uncle Sonny and Aunty Amanda told me yesterday that you were the bravest person they knew, and you would be fine". Noah was getting slightly emotional "I love you mom, and just want to give you a hug" Olivia, sensing Noah was struggling with how she looked, added "Even if I do look like a chipmunk?" Noah smiled as Olivia continued asking him what he'd been up to and if he was having a good time.
Seeing Elliot come back into the room indicating her bath was ready, and realizing she was beginning to shiver from feeling cold, Olivia said to Noah "Sweetie, I need to get going. Please be good for Uncle Sonny and his family. Don't worry about me, I am being well looked after by Elliot". Noah nodded and added "Mom, let Elliot look after you – it's ok to have someone help you occasionally." Olivia said goodbye, wondering when her son got to be so wise.
After Olivia had ended the call, Elliot asked "Liv, how do you want to do this?" He was hoping she would ask for his help and for him to stay with her, but knew that Olivia was fiercely independent, so he also would not be entirely surprised if she didn't try to walk to bathroom and lock the door on him.
Olivia said "Well, my son has instructed me to allow you to help me. So, I guess I had better follow his instructions." This got around having to fully admit to Elliot that her head and face felt like they were being mined with lots of small hammers. Plus, the feeling she was on a constant carousel going twice as fast as normal.
Elliot smiled and the relived look on his face did not escape Olivia, even with one heck of a headache. Gently he helped Olivia to her feet as she took her first shaky steps since the morning. Once in the bathroom, Elliot helped Olivia out of her robe and into the bath. Olivia immediately appreciated the warm water, but Elliot could see she was struggling to find a position to relax as she did not have full control of her body yet. Then he had an idea, but was unsure if Olivia would go for it.
"Liv, what do you say I join you in the bath – I could sit behind you, and you could lean on me. I'll leave my T-shirt and boxers on", then quickly adding "honest Liv, it's just to help you relax, nothing more – can't have Warner kicking my ass later."
Olivia gave a small smile and then, turning to Stabler with a mischievous look that Elliot knew all too well, and in her new hoarse voice said, "You keeping your boxers and T-shirt is a bit unfair Stabler, you've been seeing me naked all day."
Elliot smiled and began to remove his clothes playfully, slowly, aware Olivia was watching his every move. When he got to his boxers, he said "Liv are you sure?" Olivia who had seen Elliot topless, even in his boxers before, could only nod, aware that today was the day when as partners they both finally got to see 'all' of each other. Elliot pulled down his boxers and, like Elliot earlier, Olivia was mesmerized.
"When can we go on our date?" Olivia whispered. Elliot laughed and climbed in the bath behind Olivia and pulled her back till she could lean on him, he immediately felt her relax. "Not till your head is better. Tell me Liv, on a scale of one to ten, how much pain are you in?"
Olivia tried to downplay Elliot's question "Which pain you talking about?"
"Olivia!" Elliot firmly said. Olivia sighing responded "My head is definitely a 7. My face and nose probably a 9 and the extra bruises, dizziness, and my throat…they're just annoying." Elliot gently placed a kiss on Olivia's head. And they laid in the bath in companiable silence.
A little while later Elliot's phone rang. Moving Olivia gently up, he got out and answered his phone "Stabler – Hi Melinda…ok, see you shortly."
"Sorry Liv, we got to get you out, Melinda's on her way to check you over and give you some pain meds". Olivia nodded and, avoiding eye contact, asked "Do you think you could help me wash, I want to get the last of whatever it was you poured over me off.
Elliot smiled and climbed back into the bath. Taking Olivia's shower puff, he popped on some of her shower gel and began to wash her back, Olivia leaned onto him indicating she wanted him to continue, he gently continued down her chest, taking each of her arms and gently moving the shower puff over each limb – all the time praying that he could control his own physical emotions at this time. Then, sitting Oliva back up, he grabbed the shower head and began to gently wash her hair, aware of the severe headache she was suffering.
Elliot jumped out of the bath and quickly dried himself off, put on his boxers then went to find the biggest towel to wrap Olivia in. Returning to the bathroom, he helped her up and wrapped her up in the towel. Slowly walking her back to the bedroom, he sat her down and helped her dry herself off.
"What do you want to wear Liv?". Olivia indicated to the leggings, top and cardigan she had been wearing yesterday and then directed Elliot to her underwear drawer. Elliot scooped them up and returned, then helped Olivia into the clothes and combed her hair, putting it up into a ponytail. Olivia tried to hide at her surprise that Elliot could do a decent ponytail, but her look did not pass Elliot by "Liv, don't forget I am the father of three girls." Olivia smiled and said "I know," then sighing said "thank you, it feels good to be dressed again." Elliot smiled, "I'll be back in a moment, I just need to shower." Olivia looked up at him and innocently said "Would that be a cold one by any chance?" He shook his head and, grabbing his own clothes and wash things, left the room, knowing he was fully busted.
While Elliot was showering, Olivia reflected on how normal it had felt being literally stripped naked with Elliot. Even having to ask Elliot to do things that she had never asked anyone to help her with before. Olivia thought for the first time in her life she felt completely cared for. That her needs and wishes were be put first by someone completely, and she felt herself begin to tear up - realizing all she had missed before.
Elliot returned, mistaking Olivia's tears for the emotion of everything she went through in the day, and immediately tried to reassure her of how amazing she had been. Olivia stopped Elliot and said truthfully that she had not been able to start processing the day yet. Nervously, she began to share with Elliot what she had been thinking about. Elliot felt his own emotions rise, for all Olivia had missed in life and gently wrapped his arms around her declaring that, if she would allow him, he would always put her and Noah first. All Olivia could do was nod her head at the thought anyone would do that for her and her son. Then taking Elliot's hands, Olivia stood up, kissed him on the cheek, and began to make her way to the living area, with Elliot standing close by if she needed him. Sitting on the couch, Elliot helped put her legs up and he placed a blanket over her, to stop her getting cold. He then made his way to the kitchen to put the kettle on expecting Melinda's arrival at any minute.
On hearing a knock on the apartment door Elliot opened it to reveal a very tired looking Melinda. Elliot welcomed her in with the promise that coffee was on its way. Melinda thanked him, walked over to Olivia, and immediately held her in an embrace. "Please don't ever ask me to do that again, do you hear? I don't ever want to see you laid out on my gurney." Olivia smiled still holding Melinda, "It's ok, I am not sure I could put myself through that again". Letting go of Melinda, Olivia thanked her for everything she had done.
Melinda opened her bag of medical supplies "Ok, Liv, I am going to hook you up to some IV Fluids, it will replace some of the fluids you lost over the last 24 hours." Olivia nodded and as much as she wanted to protest Olivia knew she just needed to suck up everything Melinda gave her. After Olivia was hooked up to the fluids via a contraption Elliot instantly managed to conjure up, Melinda checked Olivia's pupils and reflexes and was satisfied were back where they needed to be.
Finally, she dressed the cut on Olivia's head with butterfly strips and let her know the good news – after checking the X-rays and she could confirm there was no fractured face, nose, or eye socket – just bad bruising. "You're going to look like a boxer for a while, but it should all go down". Olivia laughed and said, "I prefer 'boxer' to Elliot's description of a chipmunk." Elliot came over with Melinda's coffee at that point, "I thought it was cute". At which point Olivia shot Elliot a 'just you wait till later' look. Elliot chuckled and went to retrieve Olivia's water bottle and straw.
When the IV bag was half empty Warner temporarily stopped the fluids and gave Olivia some intravenous pain medication and said she'd leave some in tablet form to take when needed. Then she resumed the fluids. Elliot invited Warner to stay for dinner as they were going to order take away, Warner agreed only for them all to be surprised when there was another knock at the door and Bell and Fin were standing there. Elliot welcomed them in. Fin went straight to Olivia and, showing more emotion than Olivia had ever seen from him, he gave her a massive hug. "You did good Liv, but you're never doing that again." Olivia could only nod, slightly emotional as well. Bell hung back slightly, aware she was in Olivia's personal space and not sharing the history with her everyone else had. But Olivia immediately put her at ease by holding open her arms to give her a hug. "Ayanna, thank you for everything you did today, and for keeping watch over me."
"No problem, Captain" Bell said. Olivia smiled, "I think we can drop the 'Captain' – 'Olivia', please.
Now will you both join us for an Italian?" They all agreed to stay, with Olivia ordering a small pasta dish based on Warner's recommendation considering she'd not eaten since the previous evening.
While they were waiting for their food to arrive, Bell updated everyone where they'd got to. "There were two people who had hacked into the morgue feed. One we are sure is Johnson – we think he's been scanning the radio and heard the call Velasco placed regarding the discovery of your body…so to speak. Jet was staying on to see if Warner's report had any takers."
"The other person is hard to pinpoint because it appears to have come from inside the morgue itself. Any ideas who it could be?" Bell asked Warner directly. Warner thought for a moment, but then shook her head. "My team have been with me for over a year now and, so far, I've not had a problem with their discretion."
At that point Olivia spoke up, "What about Dale? He sounded quite resistant to leave the morgue when you asked him." Everyone whipped their heads to look at Olivia "What?", she shrugged her shoulders "I might not have been able to see or move, but it doesn't mean I wasn't attuned to everything that was going on – I never knew what might come in useful later." Bell nodded and then asked Olivia "Anything else that struck you as odd about any of the CSU?" Olivia shook her head "No, though I can tell you CSU are not gentle with a body – I knew when you moved or touched me Melinda, compared to one of your team. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't have a few bruises come up from being handled by them." Melinda chuckled and said, "Next time I do training, I'll give them your feedback – it's not often they deal with a corpse that returns to life."
Elliot, who had been watching Olivia, realised that she had clearly not allowed herself to doze and zone out, but had made sure she stayed very much aware – he began to question if she had been fully paralysed at all. At that moment, he had to stop himself going over and hugging her. He began to appreciate how much in awe of her, he was. Not only for her dedication to the victims and the case, but also the way she went above and beyond in this situation, and it would have consequences. He would need to talk to her later and find out just how much she allowed herself to be removed from the situation to protect herself psychologically. He was brought out of his thoughts by the buzzer to the apartment, indicating their food had arrived. He and Fin collected the food and began to serve it up. When it was just the two of them, Elliot turned to Fin and saw the had the same thoughts "Don't worry Fin, I am going to ask later." Fin nodded "Glad I'm not going to be around for that showdown." Elliot chuckled and handed Fin his, Warner's, and Bell's dinners. While he set about chopping up Olivia's so she could use a simple spoon to eat with. He placed it on a tray on her lap, while he went and got his own meal.
When he returned, he could see Olivia was struggling to move the spoon to her mouth, as her dexterity and co-ordination was still off. He watched Olivia put the spoon down and could read annoyance on her face. Knowing he would be shot down if he suggested it, he was relieved when Warner spoke up "Liv, let us help you, it is normal to struggle with movement and co-ordination after the drugs you've had." Olivia was about to protest saying she was not hungry – but at that moment her stomach gave her away. Fin then spoke up "Liv, you're around friends, and after what you went through today, no-one here will think any less of you." Olivia nodded "Fine, but if this leaves the apartment, you'll all be joining Dodds on traffic duty in Staten Island." She then begrudgingly opened her mouth and accepted Warner's assistance in eating. Warner smirked and innocently said "Liv, I'm the only person in the room you can't send to Staten Island…so just eat". Olivia gave a small chuckle at Warner's comment and dutifully behaved. Elliot and Fin were trying to not to show the smirks on their faces, but each was grateful that Olivia had listened and was eating. Bell was also amused at the way this group of people clearly loved and would do anything to defend Olivia, but also enjoyed the way they were happy to tease her and put her in her place when needed…and the fact Olivia accepted it openly. It made her yearn for that type of relationship in her own life and squad."
As they were eating, and Warner was helping Olivia, she asked "Melinda, out of interest what was the black stuff Elliot poured all over me? I was surprised it was warm". Melinda, smiling, turned to Fin and asked, "Do you want the honor?" Fin smirking said, "Well Liv, it was good old fashioned television slime, with added emulsifier to thicken it and give the set impression and black powder paint to make the color richer." Everyone turned to look at Olivia, who was clearly not expecting that as an answer. After a couple of seconds pause, she shrugged her shoulders "It did the job, just don't tell Noah – I'm sure he's been dying to slime me, ever since he found YouTube clips of a British game show where you can get revenge on your parents". "It can be arranged Liv" Fin said with a smile, while everyone else laughed at the look on Olivia's face.
After they had eaten, Elliot and Fin cleaned up, with Fin placing the rubbish by the door to dispose down the garbage shoot on his way out. Everyone, taking that as their call to leave, stood and said goodbye to Olivia and Elliot. Melinda removed the IV and gave Olivia final instructions and, after checking Elliot was staying with her, hugged them both and left, very much looking forward to returning home for the first time in over forty-eight hours.
Fin got up to leave with Bell, while picking up the rubbish he instructed Olivia not to come into the office tomorrow. Olivia gave him a look that told him she'd be coming in. He sighed and reminded her that she was dead. At which point she smiled and mischievously said "Oh, I know." Bell smiled and shook her head, saying goodbye she and Fin headed to the door, leaving Olivia and Elliot alone in the apartment.
Once they were alone Olivia turned to Elliot, "Come on spit it out, what do you want to ask?". Elliot was surprised at Olivia's immediate directness, but he also had to remind himself that they had always been able to read each other – they were like each other's polygraph, and there was no hiding it, even after all the time apart. Sitting down on the sofa next to Olivia, he put her feet on his lap and, taking her hands in his, he gently rubbed them. He turned to her and asked "Liv, how much did you allow yourself to doze – to remove yourself from the situation that was happening around you?"
Olivia sighed and, knowing she had to tell Elliot the truth, no matter how difficult it was, said "After you injected me, I felt my body seize up and it terrified me, it was like being buried alive in my own body and felt like I was suffocating. At one point I felt like I was floating above myself looking down – and a mist was descending to cover my body. I began to feel myself panic, like I did in the trunk of Lewis's car. Which I know is stupid, because I knew everything that was going to happen, Warner spelt it out to me clearly and I knew I was safe, that Bell and Jet were watching me, and you were only outside and would come in and tear anyone apart who tried to hurt me."
"So, to calm myself down, I started to find ways rebel against the drugs, firstly trying to listen to any sound I could pick up. Focusing on that sound and trying to work out what it was. By focusing on sounds it kept my mind active and removed the drowsiness I was experiencing. But also seeing if I could move – anything at all. I knew I shouldn't, but I had to know."
"Could you?" Elliot asked out of curiosity.
"No, not a muscle, even when the gun hit me in the face – I felt the pain though and it was a weird feeling – not jumping or reacting to the shock of the pain.
But when the gun fire went off, I heard the bullet that struck you, it has that different sound when it hits a vest. But then when you threw yourself over me, I was terrified that it had seriously wounded you. At that point – I fought like mad against the drugs, I wanted to try and protect you – stupid I know, I was tied down to a bed and had a belt around my neck, but somehow – I was determined to try."
Olivia began to get emotional as she continued. Elliot changed position so Olivia could lean on his shoulder as she continued.
"Slowly, I began to feel my fingers move. Then, in what I know was seconds but felt like eternity, the gun fire stopped, and you whispered in my ear – I knew you were alive, and ok. I never felt so relieved in my life. I laid still until Melinda came in. I was able to ask her how you were, before she gave me the top up, and she reassured me. When I had the second top up, I found it easier to relax and think I dozed until I got to the morgue. A gurney table is cold, and the cold-water Melinda rinsed me with began to bring me around, so I became much more aware of my surroundings and was able to move my fingers more. Melinda did warn me of that beforehand, so I just had to lay there until you came in and I was given the reversal.
Olivia sat up and looked Elliot directly in the eyes, to ask the one question she wanted to ask, but also dreaded the answer.
"Elliot – how much did people see of me today – how exposed was I?"
Understanding what Olivia was asking he nodded, not quite knowing how to answer the question "When I first left you, I made sure I covered you and your dignity was protected. Obviously, Bell, Jet, and Warner saw and heard everything we said."
Olivia nodded and waited for Elliot to continue "When I laid over you to protect you and got up…" Elliot paused "…I did take some of the feathers and slime with me and you were exposed. I am sorry, but my concern was your life, not whether anyone could see your breasts."
Olivia sighed and lent back on Elliot's shoulder. Elliot was pleased to see Olivia still wanted contact with him and did not appear to be angry. But was also nervous that she had not said anything. "Liv, say something…please?" Elliot asked.
Olivia sat up and took Elliot's hands in hers "Elliot, I am not annoyed or angry – I knew there was a chance I was going to be seen naked by half of the NYPD and CSU. I know there are photos of my naked body in my fake autopsy report that can be accessed by numerous people and appears my autopsy was also viewed by more than Johnson. Now I know it has happened – I am not entirely sure what I feel about it yet. But please don't ever think I blame you. I just feel so lucky to have you by my side protecting me when I was unable to. Thank you for everything you did, and are doing, to look after me."
Olivia took Elliot's face in both of her hands and lent in to tenderly kiss him, Elliot opened his mouth to hers and their tongues tenderly began to dance together.
When they parted, they smiled at one another "Are we really doing this?" Elliot asked. Olivia chuckled "I guess so" Looking at the clock and seeing it was getting late. "Shall we head to bed El? We've got another long day tomorrow". Elliot, holding Olivia's hand asked, "Where would you like me to sleep?"
Smiling Olivia responded, "Well I don't know about you El, but I quite liked our sleeping arrangements from last night." Elliot smiled and helped Olivia up and followed her into the bedroom, picking up two bottles of water on route, as well as Olivia's pain killers, in case she needed them in the night.
Once in bed Olivia naturally gravitated to Elliot, he put his arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder, draping her arm over his chest. Sleepily she said, "Night El." Elliot, gently kissing the top of her head, replied "Night Liv – sleep well."