Olivia watched Elliot's head bob three times while sitting in the chair next to her. "El?"
"Mm?" He couldn't keep his eyes open.
"Come up here with me."
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable," he mumbled.
"It's fine. They have me on painkillers, and you have to be jet lagged." She scooted over and patted the space next to her. "Sleep up here. I'll probably sleep better with you here anyway."
He stood and rubbed his eyes. He kicked his shoes off and slipped into the bed next to her. She lifted his arm and wrapped it around her and leaned back into his chest. He dropped a kiss on her head and she felt him relax behind her.
-000-
Amanda wanted to make sure she arrived at the hospital before the rest of her team. Partially because she wanted to warn her of the potential onslaught of people, and partially because she wanted to talk to her friend without everyone around.
She quietly opened the door and her hand flew to her heart. She was not a hopeless romantic. Not even close, but this was adorable.
She didn't want to interrupt the snuggle fest, but she was certain Liv wouldn't want her entire team walking in on this.
"Liv," she whispered loudly. Olivia moved around but didn't wake up. Amanda moved all the way into the room and shook Liv's shoulder gently, "Hey Liv?"
Olivia let out a little groan in protest before opening her eyes. When she saw Amanda she sat up quickly, causing the tangle of Elliot's arms to drop suddenly, and he made the same displeased sound as Liv did.
"God Liv, it's just me, relax. Lay back down." Amanda wasn't surprised when she didn't follow her advice.
Elliot sat up beside her, and yawned. He seemed less stressed about the situation of being caught in a hospital bed with Olivia. Or he was too tired to care. Either way. "Oh hey Amanda," he greeted as he swung his legs off the bed and onto the floor.
"How was your flight home?" Amanda asked.
"Crappy. Long. Everything you expect from a last minute transatlantic flight." He stretched and reached for his phone. He leaned his head toward the chair, "Sit. I need to make a couple calls. I'll be back in ten minutes."
He slid past her and Amanda replaced him in the chair closest to the hospital bed. Olivia looked guilty and embarrassed. "Liv," Amanda scolded, "It's fine. I know you are involved in some way." Amanda grinned wryly and added, "Its not like I walked in on sex or anything like that."
Olivia's cheek flushed which Amanda knew wasn't about the physicality of the relationship, rather, it was a manifestation of Liv's discomfort with sharing the intimate details of her life. Amanda brushed past it and hoped Olivia would relax as the subject changed. "Do you get to go home today?"
Olivia nodded, "The doctor said he would be by sometime this morning to discharge me. The recovery time isn't bad. He said I could be back to work in three days."
"How much time did he actually recommend?" Amanda knew Liv probably talked him down from a larger number.
Olivia hid a smile, "He wanted five days, but I negotiated down to three, with the promise I'd strictly follow the dietary recommendations."
"Well, I'm sure Stabler and I will hold you to that promise." Amanda smiled.
"I'm sure you will." Olivia leaned her head back into the hospital bed, ready to get out of this hospital.
-000-
Elliot paced the hall. He needed to make this call. He never thought Kathy would have the nerve to approach Liv during all of this. He should have figured she would, but then, she had never been confrontational with Olivia before.
Just as he started scrolling through his recent calls a message from Kathleen popped up.
K: Do you know someone named Cassidy? Not sure if it's a first or last name…
Well. This probably wasn't good.
E: Yeah. Why?
He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer, and he suspected the direction this was going.
K: Liz told me that's who told mom you were here, but I have no idea who that is.
E: Olivia's ex boyfriend
K: Oh…
E: Yeah. Can you not mention this to Liv? Just not yet. I need to tell her but it's not going to go over well.
K: yeah. How are you taking it?
E: I'm trying to stay at the hospital and not track him down and kill him
K: Don't hurt him. Not worth the jail time
E: isn't that the truth…
Elliot texted Amanda. He wasn't really sure how to approach this with Liv. He wanted to kill Brian. How could he be so stupid?
E: Help
A: What's going on?
E: Cassidy called Kathy to tell her why I want to the states
A: Shit. I'm gonna kill him.
E: Not if I do it first.
E: How the hell do I tell Liv? She'll kill me if I keep it from her, but this is the last thing she needs right now.
A: Do you want me to tell her?
E:That might go over better. Maybe.
A: I agree
A: Are you going to be okay?
E: uh. I don't have an answer. I'm mostly worried about Liv, I will figure out how I feel later.
A: Good call
-000-
Amanda let out a long breath. This was going to suck. She texted the squad telling them it would be better to visit Liv at home since she'd be discharged soon.
Olivia glanced over in Amanda's direction and she knew Olivia sensed something was up.
"What?" Liv asked suspiciously. She sounded so tired., but Elliot was right, she'd be pissed if they kept this from her.
"So Elliot was just texting me," Amanda began. She glanced up, noting Olivia's worn out expression, "Um. Kathleen texted." Ugh. She didn't want to do this. "Brian was the one who called Kathy."
Amanda expected some yelling, but Olivia sat silently. Finally after a full minute of processing Olivia quietly said, "What the actual f-k!?" She flipped her blanket off her lap and started scooting to the edge of the bed.
"You can't kill him right now Liv!"
"Why the hell not!? I can't believe this! He's such an ass! Oh my god, my boyfriend, effectively killed a 25 year marriage. I need to talk to Elliot. He's going to kill Brian. Hell, I'm going to kill him!"
She was spiraling. Amanda got in Liv's face a little, trying to get her to refocus. "Liv." She grabbed one of her hands and that seemed to bring her back down. "Take a breath. We all want to kill him, but we can't do anything right now."
Olivia rubbed her hand across her forehead. "I can't believe this."
"I know." Amanda sympathized. She dropped onto the bed next to Olivia. She could tell Liv was holding back tears. "Liv. You can cry. This sucks. He sucks. I'll even leave the room if you want to be alone for a minute." Liv's eyes said everything. "I'll be out here. Imma see if they have a vending machine. Text me when your good to have me back."
Olivia nodded, biting her lip. Amanda gave her a sad smile before leaving the room.
Once the door shut Amanda texted Elliot.
A: Where are you?
E: Outside. Trying to decide if I want to call Kathy or kill Brian. Not sure what I want to do first.
A: Put that on hold. Do you know where a vending machine is?
E: Why would I know that?
A: figured you have been here longer…
E: I hadn't left the room until you got there.
Duh. Of course he didn't.
A: Ignore Kathy and Brian. I need to talk to you for a sec.
E: okay. On my way back.
After a couple minutes Amanda spotted Elliot walking briskly down the hall. That man had a presence about him. That's for sure. She could see why everyone was intimidated by him. Hell, she'd be intimidated by him if she hadn't seen him through Olivia's perspective.
"Let's find a vending machine," Amanda said as he approached.
Elliot glanced apprehensively at Olivia's door. "She needed a minute," Amanda added. Elliot looked to the door one more time but followed her down the hall.
They walked silently until Amanda broke the ice, "She wanted to cry without an audience." Amanda noticed a pained expression on his face, and she knew it was taking all his self-control to not run back there.
"I hate this." He admitted.
"I do too." They came upon some vending machines. "Finally." She breathed and shoved a dollar into the machine. "I don't even know where to start with this god awful mess."
Elliot rubbed the back of his head and let out a frustrated sigh. "I know. I need to find a place to put a bag in Liv's apartment so I can work this crap out without killing someone."
Amanda tried to keep her grin suppressed. He obviously had no plans to move out of Olivia's. "Did ya kick a trash can yet?" Amanda smiled in amusement. She pulled a candy bar from the machine and popped another dollar into the machine.
"Maybe. Better than killing a person."
Amanda nodded in agreement. "True."
They lifted their phones simultaneously. "Your's from Liv?" He asked and Amanda nodded. The doctor was back
