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 was awakened on Monday morning by her usual daily blood draw. Thankfully, she was able to fall back to sleep shortly after and didn't stir again until right before breakfast trays were brought around. Having enjoyed a brief reprieve over the weekend, she was feeling somewhat refreshed, and while not exactly looking forward to her upcoming dialysis, she wasn't dreading it, either.

Elliot had been in to visit again yesterday, and with her newfound freedom, Olivia had been able to take two short walks in the halls with her partner. She hadn't expected to tire out as quickly as she had, but given everything that her body had been through, it wasn't exactly surprising. The best development was that, provided she wasn't feeling dizzy, she no longer had to ring for a nurse or an aide if she wanted to use the bathroom. During the hours of the day when her partner was present, Olivia asked Elliot to walk by her side, but those few occasions late at night and first thing in the morning, so long as she felt steady on her feet, she took her time and made her way on her own.

Used to eating quick breakfasts in the morning before she was taken to the dialysis suite, Olivia had ordered a simple cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese and fruit cup to eat. Of course, she wasn't able to properly wake up without her customary dose of caffeine, and as she always did, she savored every last drop of the fragrant brew.

About the only thing Olivia would change about her routine would be to have the ability to get cleaned up before heading to have her blood filtered, but she knew that simply wasn't possible. Not only because she was typically taken down shortly after shift change, but also as there was a part of her that found it better to be able to wash off the antiseptic scent left behind. Not that she could rid herself of it entirely – she was still in a hospital, after all – but it was better than nothing.

As she worked her way through her bagel and fruit, Olivia wasn't surprised in the least when her phone rang. By now, it was customary for Elliot to call her at this hour, and it was usually through a video connection. Most often, he would be eating on his end, too. Even though they already shared lunch and dinner together when he was visiting, he still wanted to keep her company for breakfast as well.

"Hey, Liv. How did the vampires treat you this morning?"

As familiar as he was with her schedule, Elliot had taken to calling the lab technicians who dropped by in the early pre dawn hours as vampires. It never failed to make Olivia smile, which was probably why he kept doing it.

"I don't think I'll get a bruise from today's draw, although I already have so many, it's hard to tell one from the other."

It was a comment Olivia had made several times before. Elliot was always empathetic. Just yesterday, she had shown him the massive purple bruise on her abdomen from the repeated insulin and heparin shots she had been receiving. It didn't even matter that the nurses had tried a different location each day to keep one area from getting too sore, they all had blended together after awhile.

"Is there anything you need me to bring in later?"

That was another question that Elliot asked every day. To be honest, Olivia couldn't think of anything, but with her partner having returned a bag of freshly washed laundry only the day before, she hated to bother him again for any reason – even if he had insisted repeatedly that it hadn't been any trouble at all.

Before she was fully ready for the conversation to end, a knock at the door told Olivia that her escort had arrived to take her down for dialysis. Even though she knew no one would fault her for talking to her partner, she didn't feel comfortable having a conversation where other people could hear.

"Hey, El? I need to go. I'll see you when you come in later. Maybe we can go for a walk in the halls again?"

"You've got it. We'll have you training for a marathon in no time."

Laughing, Olivia shook her head.

"I don't know about that, but anything will be better than having my ass glued to this bed twenty-four seven. Have a good workout at the gym."

As much as he knew he should be hanging up and ending the call, Elliot couldn't resist asking one final question.

"How did you know I was going to the gym today?"

"Because you're finally taking care of yourself like I've been telling you to."


Settled in her usual bay in the dialysis suite, Olivia was in a reflective mood. Marcy had been more chatty than usual today, and now that she was feeling better and more comfortable with the woman, Olivia was more at ease in talking, too. But her mind had been prone to wander, and Olivia was thinking about the journey her life had taken recently. She was trying to keep track of how long she had been in the hospital, but all the days just seemed to bleed together. Never before in her life had she felt this disoriented. Thank goodness for Elliot, who always kept her on track.

Speaking of her partner, Olivia took Elliot's current radio silence as a sign that he was actually at the gym. While it was common for her to communicate with him during her dialysis sessions to pass the time, today she was trying to do some light reading – or at least as much reading as her random thoughts would allow. Unlike previous occasions, Olivia had declined to take any Tylenol when her nurse had brought around that morning's medication. She was definitely regretting that decision now, and it wasn't until Marcy noticed her obvious distress and came over to check on her that Olivia realized she would have an opportunity to get some pain relief after all.

"Here's some Tylenol for you, Olivia. I didn't want to give you too much water to take it with, not only because of your restrictions, but there is the risk that eating or drinking during dialysis can lead cause nausea. That and I wouldn't want you to need the bathroom while hooked up to all this equipment, either."

"That's fine. I just need enough liquid to get the capsules down. Thank you."

Even though Olivia hadn't been the one to ask, it was Marcy who volunteered to turn off the overhead lights. Accepting of the offer, Olivia powered off her tablet temporarily as she reclined back against her pillows and closed her eyes. Usually the Tylenol kicked in relatively quickly, so she hoped that today would be no exception. Compared to ones she'd had in the past, this headache wasn't nearly as bad, merely annoying, but Olivia still didn't want to take the chance of it becoming any worse.

Thankfully, within half an hour, the pain began to subside. Bored out of her mind, and feeling more restless than usual, Olivia returned to her tablet as a means of distraction. She didn't want to chance trying to read again, so instead she occupied herself with a game – a simple version of solitaire that wouldn't strain her eyes. While the deck of cards wasn't exactly kind, the monotony and repetition helped to pass the remaining time. Before long, Marcy was back by her bedside, ready to disconnect her from the machine and send her back upstairs.

Once she was settled back in her room, Olivia took advantage of her newfound freedom to use the restroom. A short time later, and after being brought the necessary items from her aide for the day, she was feeling refreshed and in clean clothes as well. Not wanting to linger in bed now that she didn't have to, Olivia made herself comfortable in the reclining chair as she waited for her partner to arrive.

Just as she was contemplative in her dialysis session, the more reflective thoughts continued as Olivia was relaxing in her chair. In particular, her desire for a proper shower – or at the very least a decent shampoo. She had long since grown weary of the bedside baths that were her only option at the moment, and while she'd have to make do to some extent for as long as the dialysis catheter remained in her chest, she at least hoped an actual hair washing would be in her future sooner as opposed to later. Of course, Olivia knew it was something she'd have to ask her doctors, but she was hesitant to do so too soon, afraid of having what little hope she had to cling to in terms of having something to look forward to dashed completely.

Feeling a bit hungry, even despite the breakfast she had eaten earlier, Olivia reached for the box of muffins that Kathleen had brought in over the weekend. There were still two of the baked goods left, and even if she had one now, she could still have another as her late night snack before bed. She had just finished brushing the crumbs off her fingers when Elliot walked through the door, a mysterious box in his hands.

"Hey, Liv."

"Hey, yourself."

Setting down the box that had completely captured his partner's curiosity, Elliot stepped closer to envelop Olivia in a hug. Brushing his lips against her temple, her greeted her warmly, more grateful than words could possibly express that she was so animated today. He also noticed that she had just finished eating something, pleased beyond words that her appetite continued to improve.

"Looks like I'm going to have to get that recipe from Kathleen to keep you in baked goods."

"Not that I don't appreciate it, but please don't. At least not right away. Don't get me wrong, the muffins are amazing and I love them, but I wouldn't want to eat too much of them all at once and find myself getting sick of them."

Nodding his understanding, Elliot instead promised to bring in something else, or at the very least, make something as a treat once Olivia was back home. Realizing there was nothing she could say against that to make a valid argument, Olivia couldn't help but agree to those terms. However, her attention was soon focused somewhere else, and she wouldn't be deterred any longer. Pointing a finger at the box that was still sitting on her tray table where her partner had left it, she raised one eyebrow and gave Elliot a look that left no room for negotiation.

"Enough, Elliot. Stop stalling. Are you going to tell me what is in the box, or am I going to have to resort to harsher tactics?"


Elliot's face had morphed into something that Olivia couldn't entirely decipher, but there was no mistaking his mischievous expression. Picking up the box in question, he held it just out of reach, taunting her with a smirk.

"This old thing? Maybe I should just take my chances."

"Hand it over, Stabler."

She was using the perp voice now, and Elliot knew it was in his best interest to not press his luck – even if a part of him had to admit that seeing Olivia take charge like this was a huge turn on.

"Yes, ma'am."

"That's 'Detective' to you."

Stepping forward and placing the box in his partner's lap, Elliot dropped a kiss to the crown of Olivia's head.

"If you say so. Just remember, I still outrank you."

"For now. One day, though, you're going to answer to me."

Pushing their banter aside, Olivia instead focused on satisfying her curiosity – as well as her excitement. Peeling back the tape that had sealed the package, she tore into the box, having already noticed the postmark that indicated that it was from a sender in Vermont. With her heart thumping in her chest in anticipation, she pulled open the flaps, and immediately had to fight back the flood of tears as she examined the contents.

Calvin, along with his grandmother, had sent her a care package. Olivia was so incredibly touched by the gesture, she couldn't help but be a mess. The two must have worked fast to get the items out to her so quickly, had to have even shipped it out priority mail in order for it to have arrived already. In addition to a few small snack items, there were even more lotions and lip balms for self care – likely Virginia's influence. But that wasn't what had Olivia losing the battle with her fragile emotions.

Calvin had not only designed a hand made get well card, but had also drawn a picture for Olivia to hang up in her room as decoration. With some of the boy's previous artwork still gracing her refrigerator at home, Olivia knew she would treasure these newest contributions just as much, if not more.

"El, can you help me with-"

Olivia didn't even have to finish her question. Already, her partner had anticipated her needs, and was stepping forward to take both the card and drawing from her hands. With the utmost care, he hung both creations up on the bulletin board beside some other cards that Olivia had already received.

"Where did you want me to put the rest of these things?"

"In the side drawer for now. If it weren't so close to lunch I wouldn't worry about it, but I know I'm going to need the tray table soon, so I don't want to leave it cluttered."

Reassuring Olivia that it wasn't any trouble, Elliot easily moved around her to organize everything. He had just taken his seat – having moved his chair so that it was side by side with his partner's – when Dr. Abrhams stepped into the room, a smile on his face.

"Good morning, Olivia. It's nice to see you up and out of bed. How are you feeling today?"

While her gut instinct was to say she felt fine, ultimately Olivia decided to give as honest of answer as possible.

"Truthfully? Frustrated. I won't lie, it has helped tremendously now that I can actually get to and from the bathroom on my own – and even have the ability to walk the halls a bit – but everything still seems to be moving too slowly for my liking. Not to mention, I'd give almost anything for the ability for a long, luxurious shower."

While he was obviously empathetic, and genuinely interested in his patient's concerns, that wasn't the only news that the nephrologist had come in to share.

"Perhaps hearing something positive will put you in better spirits. I was just looking at your labs from this morning, and I'm happy to report that your creatinine levels are improving. While you are still considered to be in acute kidney failure, I stand by my earlier statements that this is an isolated event, and with continued treatment, you will make a full recovery."

The physician's excitement was contagious, and the partners shared a grin that equally expressed their happiness and relief. It was also somewhat amusing, because for all intents and purposes, it appeared that the doctor who was normally guarded with his emotions was practically breaking into a dance of joy while standing in the room.

After making sure that neither Olivia nor Elliot had any questions, Dr. Abrhams left the two alone to revel in the news he had given them. Still in somewhat of a state of shock, Olivia reached a hand out to Elliot, who took it without hesitation.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming."

"If you are, then I'm having the same dream, Liv. But that was one hundred percent real. I know you still have a bit of a ways to go, but that was some of the best news I could have ever heard."

"You and me both."

Elliot waited a few minutes, before suggesting the first thing that came to mind. It wasn't perfect, by any means, but it was all he had on hand to offer.

"What do you say we celebrate?"

"How?"

Leaning over, Elliot pressed a kiss against Olivia's cheek.

"With you joining me for a walk in the hall after lunch. I also thought about maybe checking in with your nurses in terms of what treats you are allowed and maybe getting something from a nearby bakery."

"I'd like that – but only if it won't set me back."

"Of course."


Since she was still feeling a bit restless, and needing to burn off a bit of energy, Elliot suggested to Olivia that they take a short stroll in the hallway before the lunch trays arrived. It didn't take much convincing to get his partner to agree, and soon they were making their way down the corridor, Olivia's arm linked with Elliot's. Just as she had the previous day, Olivia tired more quickly than she would have liked, but she was still enjoying the return of her freedom. She just had to remember to pace herself.

Once back in her room, Olivia opted to again sit in the comfortable chair she had previously been occupying. With a promise to return soon, Elliot made a quick exit, off to grab some food for himself so the two of them could eat together. Olivia already knew her partner planned to get something that would in some way mirror her own meal, as he'd developed a habit of doing that lately.

While Olivia would have liked nothing more than a traditional pasta dish for her lunch, she had instead had to make concessions. Not just in regard to the offerings of what the hospital kitchen could provide, but also because of her dietary limitations. Tomato based sauces, because of their high potassium content, were currently off limits. Once she continued to improve, Olivia knew she could have them in moderation, but for now, she didn't want to take any chances, especially not when she was making so much progress. Likewise, there weren't many other options to choose from to top the pasta, so she had asked to have the noodles served plain, with extra sides of both margarine and grated Parmesan. Though she didn't dine with the young boy often, her meal this afternoon reminded Olivia of the way Elliot's son, Eli, preferred to eat his spaghetti.

The fresh mental image of her partner's youngest reminded Olivia of just how much he was neglecting his own family on her behalf. Though it had never been far from the surface, guilt began to seep back into her bones, and take over her emotions completely. Frantically, Olivia scrambled with her wayward thoughts as she tried to come up with a believable way to get Elliot to leave without hurting his feelings – if only to nudge him in the direction of where he truly belonged.

Not wanting to ambush Elliot as soon as he got back, and preferring to make the most of the rest of their day together, even if a part of her felt a bit selfish for doing so, Olivia swallowed the feelings down about monopolizing so much of her partner's valuable time. When he returned to the room a few minutes later, she hoped that her face wouldn't betray her conflicting emotions, and instead tried to focus on enjoying a pleasant meal together.

Just as she had predicted, Elliot had returned with a lunch that was similar to her own. Much to Olivia's surprise however, she found she wasn't tempted by the aroma of the fragrant tomato based sauce that her partner had chosen – though she wouldn't have faulted him for it either way. Granted, while the food served here at the hospital was decent enough, it wasn't the caliber of what one would make at home, and certainly not up to the standards she was used to at her favorite Italian restaurant.

It also appeared that stopping at the cafeteria wasn't the only thing her partner had done while he was away. Olivia had thought he had taken a longer time than he typically did, but it hadn't occurred to her to think anything of it. Apparently, Elliot had made good on his promise and stopped at the bakery not far from Mercy General and picked up a sweet treat. More appreciative than she could possibly say, Olivia kept quiet for the time being, too afraid of losing what fragile hold she had on her emotions. Thankfully, her partner was able to easily read her mood and offered the prefect suggestion.

"Did you want to watch something while we ate, Liv? I thought since we were both sitting in the chairs, we could arrange them side by side and place your laptop on the bed."

"I like that idea. I can't think of anything specific off the top of my head, but if you want to just keep up with that show we were watching the other day, that would be fine by me. I'm always up for a distraction."

Setting his things on the one side table by the window that was in place primarily for use by visitors, Elliot worked quickly to arrange Olivia's laptop and get the show they were looking for ready to stream. He only took his seat once he was certain she didn't need anything else, and the two partners tucked into their respective meals, easily becoming engrossed in the program unfolding on the screen.

By the time Olivia had finished eating, her earlier anxieties had been quelled somewhat, but she was no less determined to ensure that Elliot had more time with his family instead of spending his every waking hour at the hospital. Unfortunately, she was apparently not as good at hiding her conflicted emotions as she thought she was, because not long after her empty tray had been collected and her partner had disposed of his own trash, Elliot was pausing the show they were watching and demanding her attention. His concern was evident, as was his compassion, especially the way he took one of her hands in his own and studied her features carefully, and Olivia couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by a fresh wave of guilt.

"Is everything, all right, Olivia? You don't seem like yourself today. Did one of the doctors say something to you before I got here that upset you? More importantly, have I done something that has upset you?"

"El, no, of course not. I'm just so worried. I was thinking earlier, and it doesn't seem fair. You're spending so much time with me, you've barely had a chance to see your kids. I can't be the reason you lose out on time with them."

Elliot's heart pulled. He hated when Olivia doubted her own worth like this. He wasn't surprised by the resurfacing of that particular anxiety, he only hoped she would hear him loud and clear when he told her he wasn't going anywhere.

"You're not interfering, Liv. I talk to Eli every night, and I've seen him twice since you've been here in the hospital – which while I'm sure seems like forever, hasn't actually been that long in the scheme of things. I also have an arrangement with Kathy for him to come and stay with me for an extended visit once you are discharged and we are settled somewhere. I know he'd love to see you, too."

There was a part of Olivia that wanted to keep arguing her case, but her partner had made a valid point. While that nagging inner voice inside her head kept trying to say otherwise, she was fairly convinced by what Elliot had said, and she knew he'd never lie to her. With her energy still not at the level it should be, it was easier to give in than to continue fighting, but Olivia issued herself a reminder to make certain that Elliot held true to his word.


Her anxiety still getting the better of her, there was a side of Olivia that was anticipating some tension between herself and Elliot after their most recent conversation. She wasn't entirely sure why, they had certainly been through much worse in terms of disagreements where both of their stubborn sides had shown through and made it through unscathed, so this current bump in the road – that wasn't even a bump at all – wasn't much to deal with. All the same, Olivia was still eager for a distraction, and she was torn between trying to find out exactly what her partner had purchased at the bakery and suggesting another walk in the hall to break up the monotony of the day. However, it appeared that fate had other plans entirely – and all for the better. Before she could say anything else to Elliot, Olivia's phone rang, and when she saw that the incoming video call was from a Vermont area code, she didn't have to guess twice as to who was trying to reach her. Pressing the connect button, Olivia didn't have to fake her enthusiasm as Calvin's face brightened her screen, his excitement to talk to her just as obvious as her own.

"Hi, Olivia! My Grandma got a notification that the package we sent was delivered today. I was hoping that you would have seen Elliot by now and that he would have given it to you."

"He did, and I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for everything, but especially the card and the picture that you drew for me. I have them both hanging up in my room so I can look at them all the time."

Calvin's smile grew even bigger, and Olivia turned her phone to show the boy just exactly where Elliot had put the pictures he had sent.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm getting stronger every day. In fact, one of my doctors who saw me today told me that while it may still take me some time to get there and I'll still have to do what they tell me for a bit longer, I will be back to my healthy self again soon."

The conversation shifted then, as Olivia asked Calvin to tell her a little bit about what school was like. It was easy to read between the lines, and she could tell that he was still having some trouble, but she encouraged him to not keep his feelings bottles up – and to talk to his grandparents and his teachers if he needed someone. She also reminded him he could talk to her anytime he wanted.

"Olivia? I don't want to go, but I promised my Grandma I would get started on my homework as soon as I talked to you. Is it all right if I call you again in a couple of days?"

"Of course. Thank you again for the presents. I'll talk to you again soon, Calvin."

"You're welcome. Oh, before I forget, Grandma wanted to talk to you, too. Bye, Olivia! I love you!"

Fighting back her emotions, Olivia managed to say her goodbyes to the boy she loved like he was her own.

"Bye, sweetheart. I love you, too."

Calvin's face disappeared and the image on the screen was a bit shaky for a few moments as shuffling noises were heard. Then, a woman who looked to be in her early seventies appeared, and Olivia knew she was face to face with Virginia Drecker. Before she could utter a word, however, it was Virginia who spoke first.

"Hello, dear. I know you've kept the details minimal with Calvin, and I thank you for doing so, but from what Elliot has told me, you've been quite ill. I'm glad to hear that you're on the mend."

"I am. I hope to be discharged from the hospital soon, even though I'll still need outpatient dialysis for a time. But my doctors are positive that I will make a full recovery."

Virginia's face crumpled ever so slightly, and it was obvious the other woman was having a great deal of difficulty. Olivia wasn't expecting an apology, however, that was exactly what she got.

"I know you don't owe us anything, but I want you to know how very sorry we are for the way everything happened. The last thing we expected was to be given custody of Calvin so suddenly, and all we wanted to do was what was best for him. You have to understand that Vivian didn't paint the very best picture of you, even though all Calvin could do was sing your praises. I wish I had listened more to my grandson."

"You were trying to do what you thought was right, I can't fault you for that."

"Thank you, you are too kind. I promise that we will never keep Calvin from you again, and once you are back on your feet, we will make arrangements for him to come and visit you. Until then, we won't stop him from having as much contact with you as he would like – provided his school work comes first."

Olivia couldn't hide her smile.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. I would never want his school work to suffer because of me. But, as I'm sure you heard, I did tell him that he could always talk to me if he needed someone. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. In fact, as I told your partner, I'm going to be looking into finding a counselor for him to talk to. I just don't know who would be best. I suppose I could ask the school, but they really don't know Calvin that well yet."

Hoping she wasn't overstepping, Olivia glanced over at Elliot, who had been quietly observing this entire time. With his nod of encouragement, she didn't hesitate to continue.

"If you don't mind, I might be able to help with that. I can talk to a colleague of mine at work. He is a psychiatrist by trade. While he is based here in the city, he might have some valuable information for some references you can use in your area."

"That would be great, Olivia. Thank you. I would appreciate that."

After speaking for a few minutes more, Olivia and Virginia ended their call, with the latter promising to have Calvin reach out again in a few days time. Likewise, Olivia assured the other woman that she would be in touch with a list of names to help find a counselor for Calvin.

Once she had set her phone back down, Olivia looked back at Elliot, her eyes shining. He didn't hesitate, but immediately moved closer and enfolded her into an embrace, allowing his partner to release the tears that she could no longer hold back.


Spent from her unexpected crying jag, Olivia sagged back against the chair she was sitting in and wiped her eyes. When Elliot offered to get her a cool cloth so she could wipe her face, she was quick to accept – both for the brief reprieve it would give her while he stepped away and for the welcome relief that the compress would bring. Olivia could also tell from her partner's expression alone that another conversation would be forthcoming, and she already had a fairly good idea as to the topic. While there was no doubt she had Elliot's support in terms of trying to help Virginia secure a therapist for Calvin, Olivia was willing to bet her next sick leave paycheck that her partner was going to try and take that particular task on his own shoulders in an effort to spare her from too much stress.

"Here you go, Liv. Did you want a drink of water, too?"

"Maybe just a sip. My mouth is a bit dry."

Holding the damp cloth to her eyes, Olivia hoped it would help reduce any puffiness. With a shaky breath she passed it back to Elliot, accepting the cup of water he was offering her in return. After a few small sips, Olivia felt more like herself.

Taking his seat next to her again, Elliot turned to face his partner. Just as she had figured, the concern was evident on his face – but so was the compassion. Figuring she would stop him before he could even begin, Olivia decided she would be the first to speak.

"I know what you're going to say, El. I promise, I'm not taking on too much. I'll even let you help me, okay? I just want to do something to feel useful, can you understand that?"

"Believe me, I do understand. I just don't want you to overdo it. You've come so far already, I'd hate to see you set yourself back. I know you don't want that, either. That's why I'd at least like to help you. Why don't you let me lay the groundwork with Huang, let him know you want to talk to him, but then you can take it from there?"

It wasn't perfect, but it was something Olivia could agree to. Plus, she knew Elliot's heart was in the right place. He also had a valid point.

"Okay. Just make sure he knows that it's not my head that's in need of being shrunk here, all right?"

While there was part of Elliot that wanted to argue that his partner might certainly benefit from a session or two with a psychiatrist regarding everything she'd been through, he wasn't about to voice those concerns just yet. Then again, he supposed he'd have to give himself the exact same advice, and he wasn't ready to hear it yet either. What a pair they made. Knowing that he was just as adverse to talking about his feelings was likely why Elliot was allowing Olivia her methods of deflection. It was also why, when she changed the subject a few moments later, he didn't fight the issue.

"So, now that I'm in better spirits, I think I'm ready for some dessert. Do I actually get some of whatever is in that bakery box, or did you only bring that in to taunt me?"

Reaching for the box, Elliot placed it into Olivia's hands. That was when she noticed a detail that she had missed previously – that he had also brought back two plastic spoons.

"Of course you get to have it. I bought it for you. It's how we're going to celebrate the way you're improving, since champagne is clearly off the table for the time being. I know it's not exactly the best substitution, but I know how much you love lemon blueberry cake with streusel topping, so I got you that instead."

"It sounds and smells amazing, El. Thank you."

Taking her first bite, Olivia closed her eyes and enjoyed the taste of the slightly tart yet still sweet baked treat. Now that her blood sugar levels had completely stabilized that was one less danger she had to be aware of, and while she was still on the somewhat restricted renal diet to maintain the health of her kidneys, it was a relief to have more freedom. About the only thing that would make things even better would be to be allowed more fluid intake in a day, but the last thing Olivia wanted to do was complain.

Although she tried to make it last as long as possible, the dessert inevitably disappeared sooner than Olivia would have liked. She had enjoyed every last minute, however, and it hadn't escaped her notice that aside from taking a small bite or two, Elliot had allowed her to have the lions share.

After disposing of the trash and taking a brief break to use the facilities, Elliot returned to the room. As though intuiting that his partner wasn't in the right head space to return to watching anything, and also wasn't in the mood for continuing their earlier conversation, Elliot instead decided to try and forge a new topic. He hoped he wasn't applying any unnecessary pressure, but after a phone call he had made the day before had revealed some interesting information, he knew he couldn't just keep the details to himself.

"So, Liv. I know we were talking about that brownstone the other day. I hope you don't mind, but for curiosity's sake, I went ahead and gave the realtor a call, mainly just to gauge the level of interest in the place and what we would be up against."

Olivia arched one eyebrow, indicating that she was skeptical, but at least there were no signs of anger or annoyance evident in her expression. There was, however, a clear warning, and Elliot read it loud and clear. He was being told to tread cautiously, something he had every intention of doing anyway.

"From what I gather, she hasn't received too many calls about the place. The sellers aren't considering pulling it off the market, but they are more willing to negotiate the price. Also, when I mentioned it might be awhile before we can arrange a tour in person, she offered to schedule a virtual tour, where she would take us through the entire place room by room. If we like what we see, we can take a second walk through once you're out of the hospital."

Unable to believe what she was hearing, Olivia blinked a few times in rapid succession. It all seemed like a dream somehow. Just the other day, talking about the potentiality of moving in with Elliot on a permanent basis had felt like something that would happen in the distant future, and now it was so close to becoming a reality she could scarcely believe it. Still, despite the butterflies in her stomach, this didn't seem like an opportunity that she could ignore.

"I think we should do it. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? We don't like what we see? As terrified as I am about everything moving forward, I have to admit that the idea of going back to that lonely apartment scares me even more. So, I'm willing to take a leap of faith here, Elliot. I'm going to tell you, 'yes'. Go ahead and arrange for that virtual tour. Because I know if I wait any longer, I'm going to find a way to talk myself out of it, and I don't want to do that.

Getting to his feet and pressing his lips to Olivia's forehead, Elliot promised that he would be right back. While it was getting later in the afternoon, it was still early enough in the day that he could reach the realtor before the end of office hours. On her own, Olivia tried to quiet the racing thoughts in her brain, and reminded herself that this was something that she wanted. She was tired of being alone, and she wasn't going to run from it anymore. Trying to manage everything on her own was what had landed her in this kind of trouble to begin with. She couldn't do that again. It was time to let Elliot help her like he'd always promised he would. For better or for worse.


A/N: This chapter involves yet another real life parallel. Much like when Dr. Abrhams visited Olivia and was practically dancing with joy out of seeing his patient make a marked improvement. My own health journey involved a similar experience. I can still clearly recall a time during doctors rounds midway through my hospital stay when my own kidney doctor was in my room, doing a dance of his own, and singing a little song "your kidneys are getting better". It was truly the turning point in my recovery that proved to me that while I was still very sick, I would indeed get well again.