Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.

Olivia woke from her fitful sleep, grumbling to herself at how she'd become accustomed to seeking out the clock on the wall opposite her bed in order to learn the time. Despite the early hour, she was grateful at least that she was more mobile and would be able to use the bathroom. However, given that she was still tethered to the IV and heart monitor, it wasn't a journey she could make on her own. At least not without a great deal of effort, and probably not without getting a lecture from the nurses. So, resigned to her fate, Olivia pushed the call button, hating that she had to rely on others for assistance.

As she waited for someone to come to her room, Olivia tried her best not to think about how much time remained until she would be taken for her first dialysis session. As far as she was concerned, she had spent far too much time thinking about it already – though she'd never admit that to anyone, except for maybe Elliot. Knowing her partner, he'd probably see through her in a heartbeat and be able to read her in an instant anyway.

Before she could get lost in the rabbit hole that her mind was trying to lead her down, Olivia heard the sound of athletic shoes on the tile outside her door, and her room brightened with light from the hall as an aide entered. Not recognizing them, Olivia greeted them politely, grateful that someone was here to help.

"Was there something you needed, Detective Benson?"

"Olivia, please. And if it's not too much trouble, if you could help me get to the restroom. I'd try on my own, but being hooked up to so many contraptions, I'm afraid I'd disconnect the wrong thing."

The younger woman gave a look that wasn't quite one of disapproval, but didn't exactly say that she was thrilled, either. However when she spoke, her tone was gentle.

"It's no trouble at all. We'd rather you call us for help for now, especially when walking. In a day or two perhaps, once you're not as restricted by medical equipment, then maybe you'll have more freedom of movement, but for now, it's what we're here for. Please don't ever think of yourself as a nuisance."

"Okay. I'll try."

Olivia waited as patiently as she could while her IV was temporarily disconnected – it made it easier than trying to lug the entire pole with her to the bathroom – and the compression device on her legs was turned off temporarily so she would have the freedom to walk. Though she'd never admit it out loud, she had to acknowledge at least to herself that the aide, Shannon, had been right. Plus, she was still too unsteady on her feet.

Grateful for the privacy that she was allowed, Olivia also used her time in the bathroom to freshen up a bit. It wasn't much, but it felt good to at least wash her face and brush her teeth. If she were being honest with herself, she was feeling weary today, and wasn't sure if she would be in the mood to manage even a bedside bath with the cleansing wipes. But it was still early, so that wasn't a decision that needed to be made here and now. One hurdle at a time. The first of those would be getting back in bed.

Just the simple act of walking the few steps from her bathroom had been exhausting. Though she hadn't fully understood it before, Olivia had a better grasp of why Dr. Campbell had said that part of her long-term recovery process might include cardiac rehab. As quickly as that thought had entered her brain, however, Olivia tamped it down. She already had enough to focus on without trying to rush things.

"Is there anything else I can get you, Olivia? The nurses are still in a staff meeting for shift change, but breakfast trays are due to be brought around shortly."

"If you could please let my nurse know that I am in need of more Tylenol whenever she gets the chance, I would appreciate it. Also, is there any restriction with my diet in terms of my dialysis later this morning?"

"None at all. You're not permitted to eat during the dialysis itself, but fasting isn't a necessary requirement."

Olivia expressed her thanks and tried her best to make herself comfortable. She also tried to remember what it was she had selected for her breakfast order this morning. One thing she was certain of – coffee was included, something she was greatly looking forward to. It was why she hadn't had much beyond the slightest sip of water so far.

Unsure of how else to pass the time, and unwilling to spend it staring at the wall, Olivia reclined back against the pillows and did her best to relax. She might not be able to fall back to sleep, but at the very least she could get some rest. Plus, her head didn't hurt quite so much when her eyes were closed. Whatever happened later today in dialysis, Olivia hoped it would be quiet.

The sound of the dietary cart in the hallway woke Olivia for the second time, and she opened her eyes, trying to determine just how long she had been dozing. Seeing that it had only been for a period of about twenty minutes, she was relieved that the gap she couldn't account for wasn't as great as she had initially feared. She had too much missing time that she couldn't remember as it was.

Rubbing her hands briskly over her face in an attempt to chase away the remnants of sleep, Olivia pressed the button on the railing of her bed to raise herself into a more upright position. Situating the bedside tray table into place so she'd be able to eat her breakfast when it arrived, she also grabbed her phone from the nightstand, thinking maybe she could text Elliot while she ate. It was still early, but she knew her partner. Knowing what was happening this morning, there was no doubt he was already awake and as anxious as she was, and he was likely waiting to hear from her. Any conversation, even a brief one, would likely be source of comfort to them both.

Someone entered her room then, but it wasn't someone bearing her breakfast. Instead, it was an individual Olivia was much happier to see – her nurse. While she wasn't looking forward to the heparin injection she knew she was likely to receive to prevent blood clots, or to having her blood sugar checked, she was however relieved that this meant she could finally get some Tylenol. Granted, given the level of pain her headaches were causing, the Tylenol wasn't helping all that much, but it was providing a modicum of relief that she very much appreciated. Plus, it wasn't as though she could take anything else at the moment, not without risking further damage to her already battered system.

"Good morning, Olivia. How are you feeling today? Shannon mentioned that you were needing some Tylenol?"

"Yes, please. I'm doing about as well as can be expected. Nervous for my first dialysis, if I'm being honest."

"I get that. I'm sure your doctors have already explained everything, but what I can reassure you is that it's a painless process."

Nodding her understanding, Olivia held out her hand so the nurse – whose name was Anna – could prick one of her fingers in order to get a blood glucose reading. Afterward, she raised her shirt and lowered the waistband of her knit pants enough that her abdomen would be exposed, allowing a space for the heparin injection to be given. That was always her least favorite part, and already the lower part of her stomach was sporting a large purple bruise from the repeated shots. That wasn't even counting the ones on her arms and legs – Olivia still didn't know exactly where they all had come from. If she didn't know any better, she'd have guessed she'd had gotten into a fight with a perp and come out on the losing end. In some ways, she supposed, it was the truth – except in this case, the perp was her own body fighting against her.

Pushing the intrusive thought to the wayside, Olivia accepted the Tylenol caplets that Anna passed to her, swallowing them with only a sip of water. She was still very conscientious of her water intake, and while she missed always having some around to sip on whenever she liked, she was determined to follow the rules set forth by the doctors. Anything that would help in getting her better sooner as opposed to later would be well worth it.

Not long after her nurse had left, Olivia's breakfast arrived. Unsure whether she was actually feeling hungry, or merely bored and looking for something to do to help pass the time, Olivia gave the meal a glance. She honed in on the coffee almost immediately, choosing to prepare it with the non dairy powdered creamer included on the tray. It wasn't her first choice, and logically she knew that the minimal amount of milk she added to the brew wouldn't count against her, she couldn't get out of the mindset of not wanting to go overboard. Plus, that gave her the leeway of having the option to add some creamer to her oatmeal.

For having been prepared in an hospital cafeteria, the plain oatmeal she'd chosen smelled decent enough. Already knowing the taste on it's own would be bland, Olivia was grateful for the inclusion of a small serving of brown sugar she could sprinkle on top. In addition, the bowl of strawberries she had ordered would be piled on the oatmeal as well, to act as an additional natural sweetener.

Olivia had initially remembered thinking about ordering more for today, but was now immensely grateful that she hadn't. Her stomach was churning with nerves, and it would be a miracle if she'd be able to get down even half this bowl of oatmeal. Perhaps once she learned more about what her renal diet would consist of later today, she could make better informed choices. Not to mention, Olivia also held out the hope that her anxiety would also abate as time wore on.

Deciding to take her time eating and not to force it all down at once, Olivia took a couple small bites, and then picked up her coffee. She had just enjoyed her first sip of the caffeinated brew when her phone chimed. Not even needing to look at the screen to know the incoming text was from her partner, Olivia smiled to herself, and hurried to connect the call, needing to not only hear his voice, but see his face. She was all the more grateful for the new phones the department had issued not that long ago, especially now that they had the capability of the latest technology – video calling.

"Morning, El."

"Hey, Liv. Was just checking in. Didn't expect you to call so early. I wasn't sure what time you were scheduled for dialysis, and I was hoping to catch you before they took you down."

Once again, Olivia was deeply touched by all the ways Elliot had been taking care of her.

"Right now, you're just keeping me company while I have breakfast. Try to have breakfast, that is."

"Is everything all right? The food not to your liking or something?"

"No, it's not that. It's more my nerves. I'm trying to eat as much as I can, but I'm not forcing myself either. I'm sure I'll eat better at lunch"

The explanation seemed to calm the concern Olivia could tell Elliot was feeling for her. She hated making him worry. She also didn't want to monopolize too much of his time, knowing that she had already asked him to be there for her later in the day as an extra set of ears for when they discussed her diet plan. But before she could end the call, there was something that crossed her mind that she simply had to ask.

"If it's not too much trouble, do you think you could stop at a store somewhere and get me some of those flavor enhancers I like to use at work?"

"The ones you add to your water?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Sure, no problem. Do you want your usual, the sweet tea and lemonade ones?"

Olivia's heart pulled as her partner was able to read her so perfectly.

"That would be amazing. Thank you so much."

"You don't have to thank me, Liv. And don't worry about this morning. You are going to kick dialysis' ass."

With that encouragement ringing in her ears, Olivia ended the call. About ten minutes later, not long after she'd finished her coffee and had the opportunity to eat about half her oatmeal – more than she'd initially thought she'd been able to accomplish – someone new was in her room. It was time.

Olivia was certain that whomever was in charge of monitoring her heart rate was getting an accelerated reading as the newcomer entered her room and introduced themselves. Trying her best to commit the name to memory, but knowing she would likely fail miserably, at least for the time being, Olivia merely offered a wan smile and tried her best not to act like she wanted to run in the opposite direction. It wasn't necessarily that she was scared – okay, she was – but she wouldn't admit to it. Facing down armed and dangerous perps on the job was less terrifying because at least then she knew what to do.

"All right, Olivia. I'm here to take you downstairs for your dialysis. No worries, you'll be traveling along in your bed, so you can stay nice and comfy as you are. Did you need anything before we started on our way? To use the bathroom perhaps?"

That did sound like a good idea. Vaguely, Olivia remembered the explanation of what would happen from the day before, and the fact that her session would be at minimum four hours long. Better to head into that with an empty bladder. Accepting the technicians offer of help, Olivia used the facilities, then tried to situate herself back in bed once more. She had also taken the opportunity during her travels to sneak a glance at her escort's ID badge, more determined to remember that this woman was named Marcy.

"Is there anything else you will be needing? We have plenty of extra blankets in our dialysis suite, so don't worry about that should you get cold. But, would you like to bring along your phone or some reading material to help you pass the time?"

Again, Olivia was grateful for the suggestion. Originally, she had only planned on taking along her phone, so she could perhaps sporadically text Elliot in order to keep from being too bored, but didn't want to monopolize his time or make a nuisance of herself. The more she considered it, taking her tablet might be nice, too. She still wasn't up to reading the fine print in most of her e-books, but there were a few simple games she could play.

Not wanting to reach too far, Olivia gestured toward the stand beside her bed, indicating which devices she would like to bring with her. Marcy easily retrieved them and placed them in Olivia's lap, then went about the process of temporarily unplugging the IV line and transferring it to a more mobile setup.

As they traveled through the halls, having remembered her journey down to her current floor from ICU, Olivia wisely kept her eyes closed in an attempt to avoid the sensation of motion sickness. Likewise, the lighting was so harsh, it was just easier not to look. After being wheeled down one seemingly endless corridor, into an elevator, and then through a maze of twists and turns, they had arrived at their ultimate destination.

Olivia didn't know what she had been expecting. Perhaps something along the lines of how patients were portrayed on TV or in movies when receiving chemo treatments, but this was entirely different. The room itself was quite large, with several alcoves set into it along the walls. Each 'bay' as it were, had space for a bed, along with curtains to draw along the sides for privacy.

Grateful when she was parked in a quiet corner, Olivia lay perfectly still as a team of individuals began to fuss around her. In any other scenario, it would have been a frightening experience, but thankfully they were empathetic and understanding to her situation. Knowing it was her first session of dialysis, they explained everything they were doing before doing it, and obtained permission before completing the simplest of tasks, even when it came to verifying her name by checking her identification bracelet.

Were it not for having been told what was going on, Olivia knew she would have been even more scared. The dialysis machine behind her was looming in size, and while she knew what its general purpose would be – to filter her blood as currently her kidneys weren't doing the job they were supposed to – everything that was happening to her now was very intimidating. On top of it all, she had just been given a mask to wear, a temporary necessity to keep the field sterile while connecting the catheter port in her chest to the dialysis machine itself.

One huge relief for Olivia was that all the promises and reassurances she had been given up until this point were being proven true. She felt no pain – save for the ever present nagging headache that had become her constant companion. Thankfully it didn't seem to be exceptionally loud here, but it was far too bright for her liking. Glancing up at the ceiling, Olivia was able to quickly determine that despite the use of multiple florescent bulbs, the ones directly above her appeared to be controlled by a separate switch. It wouldn't be a perfect solution by any means, but it might make the situation a bit more bearable.

"Excuse me, but would it be a problem to turn off the lights at my station once you've finished setting me up? I'm still dealing with extreme headaches. The nurses have been giving me Tylenol to treat the pain, but it's not really helping all that much."

As it was back down to just the two of them alone in the small space, it was Marcy who answered.

"Of course. Is there anything else I can get for you? Would you like another blanket perhaps?"

"That would be great, thank you."

With the lights out, and a second – and very warm – blanket now covering her, Olivia settled in as best as she could for what would be a very long four hours. Though she'd never admit it, mainly because she didn't want to make her partner feel bad, a part of her was regretting the fact that Elliot hadn't been allowed the opportunity to keep her company. She could never tell him that, though, because she already knew how guilty he felt about it, and she had already assured him that she would be fine. It did, however, make her think of something else she might need before he came to visit her later today.

Picking up her phone, Olivia tried to think of how to best compose the message she wanted to send. Instead of making a direct request, she instead decided to explain what she was dealing with, in the hopes that her much more clear headed partner would be able to come up with a solution on her behalf.

Hey El. Just got settled in dialysis. Going ok so far, except its a little bright in here for my liking. If its not too much trouble, can you bring an extra shirt or something I can use to cover my eyes when I have these sessions? Also, it might help to have my earbuds or a pair of headphones so I can listen to music without distracting others. Thanks. See you in a few hours.

The message ended up being lengthier than she had intended, but at least Olivia had managed to say everything she needed. After pressing send, she also added one final follow up, telling Elliot not to worry if she didn't respond, as she was going to try and get some sleep. Then, she turned her phone on silent mode and leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes, praying for the time to pass quickly.

If she were being truly honest with herself, Olivia would have to admit that she hadn't expected to be able to fall asleep. Not with everything that had been going on around her. It wasn't that the dialysis suite were particularly noisy – if anything, the thoughts cycling through her mind were certainly much louder. But she had, nevertheless, managed to doze off and on intermittently throughout her session, and before she had fully realized it had completed, Marcy had appeared by her side once more to begin disconnecting her from the apparatus.

"Did you want to take this blanket back upstairs with you?"

Olivia considered Marcy's question for a moment before declining. While it was cooler down here, her room was set at a much more comfortable temperature, and she didn't think it was necessary. Plus, she was certain she could always ask Shannon for one. Not to mention the additional blanket would only prove cumbersome against her plan to get cleaned up a bit once she got back upstairs anyway.

For some reason, the return trip seemed to take longer than her initial journey to get to dialysis a few hours ago had. Olivia didn't know if that was from her avoidance of the procedure, or her anxiety to get back to as familiar of a setting as possible. Plus, she had to admit that she was also looking forward to seeing Elliot soon.

No sooner than Marcy had started to get Olivia settled in her room, Shannon appeared. It seemed as though the younger woman had already intuited what direction Olivia's train of thought had been going in, because the first thing she asked was whether or not she would like some towels, cleansing wipes, and a shampoo cap. Quick to give her assent, Olivia said her goodbyes to Marcy, who had opted not to plug anything back in, as it would only be counterproductive to her bedside bath process.

A few minutes later, Shannon was back, bringing with her the promised items. It wasn't perfect – what Olivia truly craved was to stand under a steady stream of hot water – but that was a dream saved for the distant future. The truth of the matter was, as long as this apparatus for dialysis was in her chest, she wasn't allowed to get it wet. Until it was removed, the luxuries she had so often taken for granted would have to wait.

Doing her best to make do with the items available for her use, Olivia cleaned herself as quickly as possible to avoid catching a chill. Dressing once more in clothes she would typically lounge around her apartment in, she also added Elliot's hoodie to complete her look. Wearing her partner's sweatshirt served a two-fold purpose, not only was it a source of comfort and familiarity, but given that it was a slightly larger fit on her frame, the baggier sleeves made it easier to put on without worrying about dislodging the IV tubing.

The sound of footsteps in the room captured Olivia's attention, she wasn't worried, her senses were just heightened because the privacy curtain was still drawn around her bed, and it made her feel a bit uneasy to not be able to see just who it was who had entered. A voice soon confirmed the visitor's identity, though, and Olivia immediately relaxed. It was only Shannon.

"Olivia? Are you finished? Or did you need more time?"

"I'm done, thanks. I just couldn't reach to pull the curtain back around."

"No problem."

As Shannon went about the routine of getting Olivia hooked back up to the heart monitor, IV, and device that kept her from getting blood clots in her legs – Olivia never could quite remember what it was called – the pair chatted. Shannon also informed Olivia that the dietitian would be coming to see her after lunch. Relieved, Olivia knew that Elliot would definitely be there in time. In fact, she figured he should be showing up at almost any moment.

Olivia's theory about Elliot ended up proving right. She'd barely had time to pull the covers back up over herself after Shannon had left when her partner was coming through the door to her room, his arms full and a smile on his face the second he saw her.

"Hey, Liv. Hope I'm not here too late."

"No, you timed it just right. Got back from dialysis not long ago, and just finished getting cleaned up."

"Perfect. Brought you what you asked for, and something else that's been riding around in my car."

Confused at first, recognition dawned on Olivia's face when she saw Elliot extending her pillow in her direction. She remembered that they had been waiting to bring it into the hospital until she got out of the intensive care unit. Grateful for the comfort it would provide, Olivia immediately put it behind her and leaned against it with a contended sigh.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Not right now. I want to wait on the other stuff I asked you about until we talk to the dietitian."

Nodding, Elliot placed the items in question on Olivia's nightstand and took his seat beside her bed. He watched as she ran her fingers through her hair and frowned. Concerned, he prompted her a bit.

"What is it?"

"My hair is just bothering me a bit. I think it's because of the headaches I've been having, it makes it feel so heavy. It's like its always in my way. I can't pull it back in a ponytail, though, because that would only make my head hurt more. What I need is to braid it, but there is no way I can manage that hooked up to so much stuff."

Elliot considered his words before making an offer he knew would surprise his partner.

"I could help you with that."

Trying to resist the urge to laugh as Olivia stared at him like he'd suddenly sprouted antlers, Elliot went on to explain.

"Three daughters, Liv, remember? I'm not an expert by any means, but I do a decent enough job."

"Thanks, El. That would be great."

In the end, the partners decided it would be most comfortable for Olivia to remain in her bed, just to sit sideways with her back toward Elliot. Having retrieved her hairbrush and a elastic tie from her nightstand, Elliot began by gently brushing Olivia's hair, having issued a reminder to let him know if he pulled too hard. For her part, Olivia just closed her eyes and tried to relax. Aside from when she went to the salon, she didn't often get to experience the feeling of someone else taking care of her hair. The effect was a soothing one and was quite helpful in allowing her facial muscles to relax as well, the end result aiding in alleviating some of the pain as opposed to aggravating it.

Elliot worked quickly but efficiently, trying not to focus on how much he was enjoying having his fingers tangled in Olivia's hair. He reminded himself this was about helping his partner, and nothing else. Finishing the tail end of the braid, he fumbled awkwardly for a moment when it came time to clasp the elastic band on the end, but managed to get it secure on the second try.

"There you go, not so bad, if I do say so myself."

Smoothing her hand over her hair, Olivia murmured her agreement. She looked like she wanted to say more, but the moment was broken when her lunch tray arrived. Knowing how much Olivia would appreciate the company, Elliot briefly excused himself to run to the cafeteria, promising he would be back as quick as possible, so they could enjoy their meal together.

Even though she had eaten yet another helping of plain grilled chicken breast accompanied by a simple side salad and steamed vegetables, Olivia was content with her lunch. She was however, looking forward to adding more variety into her diet soon. The other thing she was immensely grateful for was Elliot's company. Days in the hospital seemed to drag on endlessly, one minute just bled into the next, and it was often difficult to determine the passage of time. Having someone around to break up the monotony helped tremendously, especially when she was unable to rely on other methods of distraction.

Watching as Elliot cleaned up the trash from their afternoon meal, Olivia nodded absently when she heard him say that he would be right back. She bit back the urge to apologize over the fact that her partner could not make use of the private bathroom in her room, and instead had to walk down the hall to the public facilities. However, there was currently a device in her toilet – she remembered Gina referring to it the day before as a 'hat' – to monitor her urine output. Even now, the terminology amused Olivia no end, because of all the forms of hats she was familiar with, that certainly was not one of them.

As though merely thinking about it had put the idea into her head, or whether Elliot's own need to use the bathroom had been somehow contagious, Olivia found herself considering that it might be a good idea if she were to do the same. Now that it was afternoon, it was likely that she would get a spate of visitors in the form of medical professionals, seeing as how she had missed the usual morning rounds while she had been in dialysis. Still hating the fact that she was reliant upon help for something as simple as a walk to the restroom, Olivia pressed the call button, trying not to glare at the offending device as though it had insulted her ancestors.

Just as Olivia looked up to see Elliot breezing back into her room, she noticed Shannon right behind her partner. Relieved that her call was answered so soon, Olivia swung her legs around the side of the bed in an effort to save time.

"Did you need help to the bathroom, Olivia?"

"Yes, please."

Opting to turn off the flow of the IV and disconnect the tubing as opposed to unplugging the whole machine as whole and wheeling it along with them, Shannon stood by the side of the bed as she waited for her patient to get to her feet. Remaining close so as to offer aid if needed, but not enough to give the appearance of hovering, she followed as Olivia slowly but steadily traversed the few steps across her room. A few minutes later, the pair completed the same trip as before, only in reverse. Once Olivia was settled in her bed once more, Shannon made sure she didn't need anything else, disappeared again.

"You seem to be walking better today, Liv."

"Perhaps, but I still think it sucks that I get tired out so easily."

An expression of empathy on his features, Elliot reached out to grasp his partner's hand in his own.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You've come so far already. I know it must seem like you must still have miles to go yet, but you can't ignore the progress you've already made."

"I hear you."

Elliot opened his mouth as though to say something else, but a knock on the door interrupted him. He glanced at Olivia, and the unspoken look in his eye told her that the conversation may be temporarily tabled, but was not yet over. Swallowing her resigned sigh, she instead turned to greet the newcomer.

"Good afternoon, Detective Benson. My name is Erica Lind, and I am a registered dietitian here with the hospital, but I specialize in helping patients who are on dialysis follow a renal diet. I was hoping we could go over some information to help make things a little easier for you."

Feeling instantly at ease by the first impression she was getting from the other woman, Olivia allowed herself to relax.

"Please, call me Olivia. That would be great, thank you. I've been trying to pick my meals carefully based on what menus they've given me and what little I already know, but I want to make the right choices."

Not wanting to be rude, Olivia hurried on to introduce Elliot.

"This is Elliot Stabler, my partner and a trusted friend. If it's all right with you, he'll be staying with us while we talk. I could use an extra set of ears to help me process everything."

"That's perfectly fine."

Taking a seat in the chair at the foot of the bed, Erica placed her bag on the floor and rummaged around in it for a moment before pulling out several laminated sheets of paper, plus a few pamphlets. When she looked up again, she caught sight of the look on Olivia's face and immediately offered reassurance.

"Try not to let all of this intimidate you. I promise, it's a very simple concept. Most of these papers are actually the foods you are permitted to eat, not restrictions. Also, there are a few sample meal plans included, which takes up additional space. Are you ready for me to start?"

As though she were uncertain of the answer herself, Olivia glanced to Elliot for help. With his confident nod, she felt the boost her confidence needed. With no waver in her voice, she gave her answering reply.

"Yes."

The meeting with the dietitian took longer than Olivia had expected, and by the time it was through, her head was swimming with all the information she was expected to retain. She was immensely relieved and grateful for Elliot's presence, and that she could rely on her partner to fill in the missing pieces anytime she needed a reminder. It wasn't that her renal diet was particularly a difficult one to follow, the rules themselves were relatively simple. Avoid added salt and high sodium items, keep away from foods and beverages containing phosphorus as an ingredient – such as deli meats and dark colored sodas, limit potassium intake. At first it seemed as though the restricted food list were longer than the things she would be allowed, but the more Olivia was able to understand, the more sense it made. Plus she wanted to do whatever she could on her part to help herself get better sooner.

As for the drink mixes that Elliot had brought her, she was told that she could use them, just in moderation. What she needed to stay away from were sports drinks like Gatorade, as that would cause even more harm to her kidneys. But when Erica heard that Olivia planned to only have a small cup of coffee in the morning with breakfast, perhaps a sugar free lemonade with lunch or dinner, and then water for the rest of the day, she was perfectly comfortable with the beverage choices. The same thing went for the decisions Olivia and Elliot had been making so far in regard to her meals. Salad dressings were another point where some caution had to be used, but Erica understood how difficult it was to eat a bowl of greens without any moisture added, and agreed that the vinaigrettes that Olivia had been choosing were the safest option.

Another thing that helped was Erica was able to offer some advice in including more variety. No longer did Olivia feel like she would have to exist solely on a diet of grilled chicken, salad, and steamed vegetables. Not that she necessarily minded, but eating the same thing day after day would get rather stale very quickly. Though she wisely chose not to comment, Olivia had also noticed the way Elliot's mind had been spinning with possibilities, and couldn't help but wonder if her partner was starting to plan for a future when she was free from the confines of the hospital.

Also, with Erica's help, Olivia had chosen her menu for the following day. Having received permission from dietary to hold off on her selections just a bit a longer, the choices were now complete. Feeling more confident in the knowledge of what she could and couldn't have, Olivia had selected a newer and better variety of foods.

Alone again with Elliot – at least until the next doctor came in and interrupted them – Olivia turned slightly to face her partner. Not in the mood just yet to really discuss her morning, she instead wanted to know how he was doing. While he hadn't explicitly said anything, there was something about Elliot's demeanor that seemed strange today, which to Olivia could only mean one thing – he was up to something. Trying to determine if now was the right time to call him out on his bullshit or not, she instead decided it could wait just a little bit longer.

Before she could say anything, Elliot's phone chimed with an incoming text message. As he looked at the device and began to hastily type a reply, his brow furrowed – another surefire tell. More curious than ever, but still too exhausted from her ongoing ordeal and weary from the continuous headache she'd been battling since she had woken up hear in the hospital, Olivia wasn't in the mood to try and play Detective in order to interrogate her partner. What she was hoping for was that her nurse would appear shortly with another dose of Tylenol. The basic pain reliever wasn't doing much in the way of providing relief, but it had been sufficient in keeping the headaches at a tolerable level. For his part, Elliot looked up from his phone – after the endless chiming had finally ceased – so he could ask Olivia a question.

"Fin wants to know if you are in the mood for visitors later today. I explained you had your first dialysis this morning, and they'll all understand if you're not up to it, but I wanted to ask."

Olivia considered the request carefully. If it were anyone else, her first instinct would be an automatic 'no'. But much like Elliot, these men were family. They had already seen her at her worst, looking bone tired and ragged after being awake for endless hours as they all joined forces trying to solve a case. Plus, it wasn't as though she were still wearing only a flimsy hospital gown – not that they would judge her for that, either. There was no denying that Olivia was in one of the toughest battles her health had ever faced right now, and she wanted – and needed – a strong support system around her. Yes, she would like to see her friends.

"Tell them to come."

After finalizing a few details, Elliot was done being distracted by his phone. His sole focus now was Olivia. There was more he wanted to say, but he didn't want to pressure her into talking about anything before she was ready, the day having clearly taken its toll on her. Plus he could tell just from looking at his partner that the headaches that had been plaguing her since her admission to the hospital were still causing a great deal of pain. Before he could even ask when she was next due for a dose of something that would bring even a modicum of relief, a nurse appeared in the room, pushing a medication cart.

"Good afternoon, Olivia. I won't bother you for long, I'm just here to check your blood sugar and give you some insulin, as well as more Tylenol should you need it."

"Yes, please."

Even though nothing had been said, Elliot remembered that these injections were given in the abdomen. Wanting to respect Olivia's privacy, he was ready to get up and leave the room, or at the very least close his eyes. With one glance, his partner stopped him in his tracks.

"It's okay, El. You can stay."

True to her promise, the nurse hadn't lingered in the room any longer than necessary. Though he'd done his best to keep his eyes averted, Elliot had nonetheless gotten a glimpse of Olivia's abdomen, and what he had seen there was shocking. The bruising was extensive, which to him only served as another testament to her bravery. It had to hurt, if not in constant pain, then at least be tender, and not once had Olivia made mention of it.

On their own once more, Olivia tried and ultimately failed to contain a yawn. The day was obviously catching up to her, and Elliot's immediate concern was that she was staying awake for his benefit.

"Liv, why don't you get some rest? I'm not going anywhere, and that way you'll have more energy for when you have company a little later."

"Are you sure? I don't want to ignore you, and I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to watch me sleep."

"I came here for you, for whatever you need. If it's sleep, then so be it. I'll sit here and keep you company. If you're tired, don't fight it."

Watching as Olivia lowered her bed into a more reclined position, he allowed himself to relax a bit more. At least she wasn't fighting him. He was also aware that it didn't take long before she succumbed to her slumber, her breath steadying in a matter of minutes. Content to remain as a sentinel by his partner's bedside until she needed him again, Elliot made himself as comfortable as possible and settled in. He hoped that Olivia's nap would remain uninterrupted, and that her dreams would be good ones.