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 for the second time on Saturday, feeling like she'd gotten the most successful rest in a while. Of course, her sleep had been interrupted yet again by an early appearance from a lab technician, but at least today's blood draw hadn't been as painful as the one previous. Not to mention, she had a bit of a reprieve this morning, with not having to be rushed off to dialysis. Plus there was Kathleen's visit to look forward to, and of course getting to see Elliot as well. What was most appealing for Olivia in the immediate future, however, was the cup of coffee that would be arriving on her breakfast tray – that and the opportunity to freshen up. Bed baths were not the best method of getting clean in the world, but it was the only option she had, and Olivia planned to make the most of it. That didn't mean that her dreams weren't filled with visions of long, luxurious showers or lengthy soaks in seas of bubbles, but until they could become a reality, she was grateful for clean skin and clothes.

Speaking of clothes, Olivia was all too aware that her meager supply was about to run out. Considering that she wasn't getting out of the hospital any time soon, that left her with two options – ask Elliot to wash laundry for her, or send him shopping to get her more things. Neither sounded like an appealing choice at the moment, but Olivia knew that was her pride talking. Elliot had already offered more times than she could count that he would do anything she needed. Hell, he'd even proposed on more than one occasion that he would give her one of his kidneys if her condition warranted it. If the man was willing to give her a part of his body without thinking twice, certainly asking him to help with a basic chore wouldn't be too much of an imposition.

In an effort to put her anxious mind to rest, Olivia went in search of a distraction. With her ever present headache functioning on a similar level as the day before, she knew she'd be able to manage reading for a bit, so long as the print on the page wasn't too tiny. Not in the mood to get engrossed in anything before breakfast, Olivia instead opted to use the time to catch up on some of the e-mails that had been piling up in her inbox. Thankfully, it didn't seem as though she'd missed anything of importance, and even the spam messages were few and far between. She had just completed her task when JT entered her room to take her morning vitals. Grateful to see one of her favorite caregivers, Olivia greeted them with a smile.

"Good morning, Olivia. How are you feeling this morning?"

Knowing how important it was to answer honestly, Olivia made certain to tell the truth.

"Still very tired, although I did sleep better last night than I have been. My headache isn't quite as bad as it was, either."

"That's good to hear. While I'm in the room, did you need me to assist you to the bathroom?"

"Yes, please."

Since she was still in bed and at rest, JT determined that it would be better to get Olivia's blood pressure and other vitals first, so long as she didn't mind waiting for a few more minutes. Olivia easily agreed, knowing the process didn't take long. Knowing their patient needed a few minutes alone in the bathroom to sort out her morning routine, JT promised to return after they had finished collecting the vitals of one last person of the floor. Quick to agree, Olivia also promised to pull the cord on the wall if she required any additional assistance.

After relieving her bladder – and still so grateful that she no longer had to rely on the catheter – Olivia washed her face and brushed her teeth. She also let her hair loose from the braid that Kathleen had put it in yesterday, knowing that sometime after breakfast, she'd want to wash it again with one of the provided shampoo caps. No sooner had Olivia finished combing her hair, than JT was back at the door. Accepting the help back to her bed, and still cursing herself for her unsteady gait, Olivia got settled once more. Even though the pain was marginally better today, she made certain to remind herself to request more Tylenol when the nurse brought in the morning medications. Better to take it and keep the headache from rebounding back to unbearable levels.

On her own again, Olivia began to wonder what the rest of her day would be like. She was looking forward to her visitors, of course, but the rest of it was a mystery. While the process was tedious, at least having dialysis took up a large window, and seemed to make the rest of the time pass quickly. But she'd be back at it soon enough, so she would enjoy the break while she could.

Knowing there wasn't enough time to try and catch more sleep before the breakfast trays were brought around, Olivia opted to remain awake. To prove her prediction correct, Anna appeared before she had even completed that particular thought.

"Good morning, Olivia. I have your morning meds with me, and I'm also going to check your blood sugar. Your labs have been encouraging, so with any luck, the doctors may decide to discontinue these routine checks and insulin shots soon. Now, will you also be needing Tylenol again?"

"Yes, please."

Olivia wasn't sure if the process was something she had simply become accustomed to, or if things had merely been faster than usual today. At any rate, Anna was soon leaving again, and before she even had a chance to blink, a dietary aide was the next to show up. Grateful for the distraction – and well aware of how much her appetite had changed since she first became ill – Olivia thanked the young man who had brought in her tray, and settled in to eat.

After she had finished breakfast, having decided in the end to skip the coffee so she might be able to enjoy something else later in the day, Olivia settled in to try and read a little more. As much as she had enjoyed watching that series with Elliot yesterday, she preferred that her mornings remain quiet and without too many distractions. Granted, that also left room for the added danger of allowing her mind to run rampant with spiraling thoughts, but she tried her best to keep them under control.

Before she could get too restless, JT reappeared, with their usual offer of supplies to help Olivia take a bedside bath. Quick to agree, Olivia accepted the necessary help to get what items she would need, and was also grateful for the temporary reprieve of being disconnected from the IPC device on her legs. It wasn't that the cuffs themselves were painful, but rather they tended to make her feel warmer than usual. Olivia would have thought she would have appreciated that more, given how cold she had been in the months leading up to her getting so sick. But any temperature extreme was uncomfortable now, and she needed to find a middle ground. Olivia longed for the day when the medical equipment that surrounded her would continue to deplete until she could go home. Granted, she'd still need the outpatient dialysis, but at least she'd be in a familiar environment.

That particular thought reminded Olivia of something else. With everything that had happened the day before concerning Kathleen's visit and enjoying some valuable downtime with Elliot, she had completely forgotten about having asked her partner to help her in the search for a new apartment. While it wasn't an immediate necessity – as much as she'd like it to be – Olivia knew that wouldn't happen. She'd have to go back to the place where she had resided for so many years. Granted, it wasn't without its share of pleasant memories, but the heartache of Calvin's absence was still fresh.

Pulled back to the present when JT returned with the heated bath wipes and shampoo cap, Olivia thanked them for the items provided. After her IV was disconnected enough so she could undress, she rushed through the process of cleaning up, thinking again of how wonderful it would be to have an actual shower – or at the very least, a trip to a salon where someone could wash her hair for her. Once she was as clean as she could possibly get under the circumstances, Olivia dressed in her next to last available clean outfit, and stored the clothes she had discarded in the bag she had been keeping for Elliot to take back with him to launder. Belatedly, she realized she probably shouldn't be moving about so far from the bed when she was still so unsteady on her feet, but she just hated asking for help.

Back under the covers – and just in the nick of time, too, as JT had knocked on the door to see if she had finished – Olivia exhaled a sigh of relief. She had narrowly escaped being caught, and she wasn't in the mood for a lecture. After reassuring the aide that she didn't need anything else, she was on her own again. A glance at the clock on the wall opposite her bed told her that there were still another two hours before the start of visiting hours, at which time Kathleen had promised to arrive. Briefly, Olivia wondered what Elliot was up to today. It had taken all of her willpower to not call him while she ate her breakfast, reasoning that she had been enough of a nuisance as it was. Considering the fact that she had an even bigger favor to ask, she didn't want to pile on, either. The more rational side of her brain knew that wasn't logical, but her emotions and insecurities were winning out.

Desperate for a distraction, Olivia reached for her tablet once more, needing anything that would take her mind off its downward spiral into destructive thinking. She also grabbed one of the hard candies that Kathleen had brought yesterday. There was something about the recycled air here in the hospital that dried her mouth out terribly. Even with the constant flow of the IV and being sufficiently hydrated, nothing seemed to help. Since relying on water to drink wasn't an option, Olivia was more than grateful for the reprieve the sweets offered. She was also relieved that the ones she had been given were free of sugar alcohols, which would undoubtedly have an adverse reaction with her gut and cause even more problems on her already sensitive system.

Finding a book in her library that would hold her interest but not require complete undivided attention, Olivia began to read. Once again she was immensely grateful for her partner, as it had never occurred to her to request a tablet stand. But Elliot had planned ahead, and the accessory had come in handy on more than one occasion – including yesterday. Being able to use the device hands free also spared Olivia from getting a cramp in her neck, something else she couldn't afford – not when she already had a plethora of other aches and pains to deal with.

In the end, Olivia had managed a little over two short chapters before her eyes began to tire and the dull headache began to increase somewhat in intensity. Not wanting to tempt fate, she immediately saved her place and powered off her tablet, opting to keep screen time to a minimum. Knowing that Kathleen was due to arrive shortly, she wasn't going to try and sleep, but she wasn't above closing her eyes to give them a bit of a break.

Despite all her promises to the contrary, Olivia did, in fact, end up dozing off. It wasn't exactly a lengthy nap, but she felt re-energized when she was awakened by the sound of approaching footsteps. It was no surprise to see the familiar blonde who appeared in her room, but the fact that Kathleen's hands were full was shocking. Yes, Olivia had asked her to bring her something today, but nothing that would take up that much real estate, or require a bag that big. Just what was it about Stablers and their ability to constantly surprise her?

"Good morning, Olivia. You look great today. I'm not too early, am I?"

Smiling at the blonde who just seemed to be exuding a positive energy into the space, Olivia shook her head.

"Of course not. It's great to see you again. Between you and me, I'm actually impressed that your father hasn't shown up yet. It's been a real chore convincing him to take care of himself, too."

"Why doesn't that surprise me? Still, I'm glad you told me. Now that I know, I can get on his case, too. Between the two of us, we just may get him to listen."

Her grin growing even more, Olivia patted the spot on the bed beside her, beckoning the young woman to come closer.

"So, you've definitely peaked my curiosity. I can remember asking you to bring me a nail kit, but unless they've increased in size since the last time I bought one for myself, I don't remember them needing a bag quite as large as the one you're carrying."

The look on Kathleen's face had Olivia even more convinced that Elliot's middle daughter was up to something. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long to find out just what that was.

"You've got me. Dad had mentioned that your appetite is improving, but your snack options are somewhat limited here. He also gave me a copy of some of the foods you are allowed to eat. On my way out, I stopped at the nurse's station and double checked what would be safe, and if I was permitted to bring you anything. It just so happened your dietitian was there, and she gave me a recipe. So, last night, Maureen and I baked a batch of apple cinnamon muffins for you."

Olivia was trying her hardest not to cry at such a sweet gesture, before she eventually decided to stop fighting it and let a few tears spill. Until she had met Elliot, the Stablers, and the rest of her found family at SVU, no one had ever showed her such kindness.

"Thank you so much, sweetheart. I look forward to trying them. I bet they will be delicious."

"We only made a half batch, because I was afraid they wouldn't turn out right, but if you like them, I promise to make you more. Also, I made sure to use the recommended sugar substitute to comply with your restrictions, too."

Kathleen really had thought of everything. As the box of muffins were removed out of the bag, Olivia could finally get a whiff of the baked goods, and they smelled absolutely amazing.

"They smell wonderful, Katie – and they look absolutely beautiful."

Moving only enough so that she was able to set the box out of the way on the tray table, Kathleen resumed her prior position, digging through the bag once more.

"I also have the nail care kit that you mentioned needing. I thought if you wanted, I could help you with that – it's always so awkward trying to trim the nails on the hand opposite of your dominant one. Plus, you have the IV to contend with, too."

"As long as you don't mind."

"Of course not. Then, if you like, when I'm done with that, I can braid your hair again, too. Once all of the beauty and fashion trends are out of the way, we can get back to some good old fashioned gossip."

Laughing, Olivia was quick to agree. She did, however, make sure to grab one of the spare napkins left over from her breakfast to place under her hands while Kathleen would be trimming her nails, only to keep the clippings from getting lost amid her covers. The hospital bed was uncomfortable enough as it was, she didn't need to be poked by nail shards, too.

Even though her major was psychology, with an intent to pursue the field of social work, Kathleen was quite skilled with the talents of cosmetology, too. Olivia had gotten a glimpse of that particular gift with the items that the young woman had brought her the day before. Now, today, she was practically getting a manicure – save for the polish – and would be getting help with her hair again, too. Not that she minded having Elliot assist her with the braiding, he was actually quite talented at it, but again Olivia's insecurities always came into play when she felt like she was asking her partner for too much. Granted, it wasn't any easier accepting help from his daughter, but Olivia had developed such a strong bond with Kathleen over the years, that it helped allow her to let her guard down.

Kathleen made quick work of Olivia's nails, and after obtaining the older woman's consent, started to work on another loose french braid. Having her hair pulled back and out of her face helped Olivia immensely, and as long as it wasn't too tight, it didn't interfere with the headaches that were a continued nuisance.

After a brief delay which involved a wait for JT to appear and help her to the bathroom, Olivia was settled back in bed not long after the braid had been completed. For the first time since she had been admitted, she also entertained the thought of trying to sit in the one reclining chair in her room at some point – but only once the device on her legs had been removed. Anything would be better than having her ass glued to the mattress all the time, it was really starting to get annoying. As JT had yet to leave, Olivia had the idea to ask them something, hoping her request wouldn't be too imposing.

"Would it be a problem to arrange for a small cup of tea? I didn't have my coffee with breakfast this morning, so I should still have a reasonable allowance of liquid left for the day."

"Of course. I can bring you in some hot water and a tea bag right away."

"Thank you."

True to their word, JT returned shortly with the promised items. They had also brought in a few different options to sweeten the tea, uncertain of what Olivia's preference would be. Upon seeing the box of muffins on the tray table, a smile broke out over their face.

"Just so you know Olivia, your box of baked goods look as good as the tray of cookies that your friend left for us at the nurse's station. I think we owe it to you for our having been spoiled."

Turning her gaze toward Kathleen, Olivia noticed as the young woman's cheeks flushed pink under the praise. Not surprised in the least that she wasn't the only person who had been taken care of, Olivia couldn't resist adding to the compliment.

"I'm very lucky indeed."

While Olivia prepared her tea, Kathleen excused herself long enough to run downstairs to the coffee shop. The two women had collectively decided to enjoy a beverage and a snack together while they engaged in some light gossip. During the short amount of time Olivia was on her own, her phone chimed, signaling an incoming text. Not even needing to look at the device to know who the message would be from, Olivia tried to think of what she could possibly say to reassure her partner. She wasn't sure if Kathleen wanted her father to know of her whereabouts, so she decided against informing Elliot that her boredom was being kept at bay by the company of his daughter. Instead, she encouraged him to consider bringing himself in something else to eat when he would no doubt come to join her for lunch – anything that would spare at least one of them from having to dine on hospital food.

Olivia had just finished typing back a response to her partner when Kathleen came breezing back into the room. From the looks of things, the young woman had chosen one of the fancier coffee drinks on offer, along with a slice of blueberry streusel loaf. Not wanting to wait any longer to dig into her own baked treats, Olivia reached for the box that sat on her tray table. Finally getting a better look at the apple cinnamon muffin, she saw that it also had some crystallized cinnamon and sugar on the top. With the first bite, it was impossible to even tell that a sweetening substitute had been used, and Olivia didn't hesitate to compliment Kathleen.

"This tastes amazing. Thank you again for making them for me."

"You're welcome. So, what did you want to talk about. Any embarrassing stories about my dad that you'd care to share?"

Olivia had been about to take a sip of her tea, and after that question, she had to be careful not to choke on the hot liquid.

"Nice try, but no. Though on a more serious side of things, I owe your dad a lot. I'm not sure I would've been able to get through this without him."

Ever empathetic to the more serious turn the conversation had taken, and equally appreciative of the fact that Olivia was treating her like an adult, Kathleen wanted to offer some support of her own. At the same time, she also attempted to use the opportunity to gently pry for more details.

"I'm glad he's been there for you. He didn't tell me a lot about it – I get that he was probably trying to protect me – but he did say that he was with you at your place the night you got sick. I also know that he's been coming to see you every day."

"He was, and he has – there have been several occasions when I've had to threaten him with bodily harm to get him to take care of himself. I might have also mentioned more than once that since he's the only one of the two of us who actually has the ability to take proper showers, he needed to make sure to take advantage of it."

"Ew."

Laughing, Olivia broke off another piece of her muffin and popped it into her mouth.

"Tell me about it. I get that he wants to be supportive, but he can at least not smell while he's doing so."

Kathleen started to say something, looked like she had changed her mind, then was about to try again when she clammed up a second time. Picking up on the hesitation, Olivia was trying to figure out was wrong. Even being sick couldn't stop her from caring about someone who she loved as though she were her own.

"Sweetie, what is it? Whatever you need to say, you can tell me."

"It's more of a question. I've wanted to ask you before, but I never knew how. I think in part because I already know the answer."

Olivia nodded, indicating for Kathleen to continue.

"Is Dad super protective of you, too? I mean, he's always been what you might call a 'papa bear' when it comes to mine and my sisters dating lives, and he was always the one who disciplined us growing up, but he also always fought so fiercely for us. When I was first diagnosed a couple years ago, I was worried it might set our relationship backward. In some ways it did, but I wasn't sure why. After I found out from Grandma, and you did what you did to help me, Dad and I started talking more. I would even say we're closer now as a result."

It had taken a lot for Kathleen to get all of that out, and Olivia couldn't help but wonder just how long she'd been holding that in. The young woman had spoken almost nonstop for several minutes, and was now a bit out of breath. Not hesitating in the slightest, Olivia reached out and took both of Kathleen's hands in hers, hanging on for all she was worth.

"Your Dad loves you. He would do anything to protect you. I think when you were diagnosed, what hurt him the most was that it was something he couldn't face for you. Given the chance, he would have gladly stepped into your shoes."

Kathleen nodded her acceptance, and wiped away a stray tear. Hearing that confirmation of fact seemed to bring her a sense of peace however, and seeing that the blonde was marginally calmer, Olivia decided to introduce a moment of levity into their conversation.

"As for the other part of what you've asked me, yes, your father is overprotective of me as well. If you only knew how many dates of mine he's run background checks on or tried to chase off because he thought they weren't good enough – well, the number is far too high to mention."

Laughing now, Kathleen couldn't help but agree that the behavior Olivia had described sounded exactly like something Elliot would do. She also had another theory as to why her father was so protective of his partner, but didn't know if she should voice it out loud just yet or not. Deciding to keep her thoughts to herself for a little while longer, Kathleen tried to figure out what to talk to Olivia about next.

Although her muffin had long since disappeared, Olivia was still nursing her tea. It was no secret she drank her beverages a little slower than normal these days, no doubt a result of her limited intake allowance. She had been enjoying the time spent with Kathleen, though if she were being honest with herself, Olivia was also very impressed with Elliot's restraint. The fact that he had yet to show up was practically a miracle – but also highly suspicious. If she didn't know better, Olivia would be willing to wager that her partner were up to something. However, her muddled brain just couldn't figure out exactly what that might be. Instead, she shoved that intrusive thought to the side and decided to focus instead on her present company. Plus, if her intuition was correct, there was something else that Kathleen wanted to ask her. The young woman had grown unusually quiet yet again, and Olivia wanted to do whatever was in her power to make her feel comfortable.

"Katie, what is it? I meant what I said earlier. You can talk to me about anything. Even if you want to ask me something."

It wasn't that Kathleen was embarrassed by her question. If anything, she was certain her theories were right on the money. But she was more afraid that if she said too much too soon, it might drive both her father and Olivia deeper into their phase of denial and make them each even more stubborn than they already were concerning their feelings for one another. She knew if she were to mention it to her father, she'd likely be told to mind her own business – or worse, an outright refusal. But Olivia had always told her the truth.

"It's just something that I've been thinking about. It sort of goes along with what we were talking about before."

At Olivia's encouraging nod, Kathleen rushed to continue.

"You said Dad had been staying at your place the night you got sick, that he's overprotective of you. I was just wondering if you've ever thought of something more together. It's obvious you both care about each other."

The myriad of expressions that transformed Olivia's features were a true wonder to behold. Kathleen felt only the smallest twinge of guilt for having forced the issue, but she understood what she was witnessing. No matter what answer the other woman gave to her verbally, her face had just said it all. Olivia Benson was in love with her partner.

"You're right, Kathleen. We do care about each other. I'd do anything for your dad – just like he would for me. He's even gone so far as to offer me one of his kidneys if my condition should warrant it."

Now it was the younger woman's turn to look shocked.

"That seems random, not to mention impulsive. He just said to you once you woke up here in the hospital after your doctors told you about your condition that he'd be willing to be tested as a potential donor if you needed one?"

"Actually, that was a promise we made to one another several years ago. We were working on a case, and at the end, it prompted me to ask your father what his blood type was, as it was something I had never known before. When he told me he was A positive, I was shocked, but only because that's my blood type, too. When I revealed our types were a match, he said right there on the spot that he'd give me a kidney. Of course, I couldn't let him have the last word, so I responded with 'not if I give you mine first'."

Kathleen sighed, the look in her eyes having donned a dreamy quality.

"That's so romantic."

"Kathleen-"

"No! It is! I know it's in the partner handbook or something that you have to have one another's backs or some shit like that, but a promise like that, it's going above and beyond. It means the two of you are meant to be."

Olivia wanted to argue, she really did. Or, at the very least, say something in her defense. But it was incredibly difficult to refute Kathleen's logic. Doing so would mean having to deny the butterflies she had felt in her stomach that day in the elevator when Elliot had made that vow to her, and she in return. That had been the moment when Olivia had known for certain that she and her partner would find their way back to solid ground. Still, she couldn't let the rumors escalate, at least not without talking to Elliot first. Plus, there was so much other shit for her to deal with right now. Romance was the least of her priorities.

"I don't know about that, but I am aware how lucky I am to have him in my life. I just want you to be aware that there has never been anything between your father and I but friendship. I would never want to hurt your mother or any of you kids. You mean far too much to me."

"We know that, Olivia. You've always been there for us, and sometimes I think you fought harder for Mom and Dad's marriage than they did. That doesn't mean you can't fight for your own happiness, too. I'm not saying right now, because I know your health is what matters, but if you get the chance, don't ignore it."

Olivia felt like she should argue, she really did. But nothing she could come up with sounded convincing enough – not even to herself. Finally, she managed the only reply she could think of.

"I hear you."

The sound of approaching footsteps – ones that Olivia easily recognized – caused her to quickly quiet down. A glance at Kathleen caused the young woman to understand immediately what was going on as well, although she had easily picked up on the fact that Olivia had been aware of her father's presence before he was even in the room. Filing that bit of information away for future use, she looked forward to seeing the surprised reaction on her father's face once he realized just who was keeping Olivia company.

Elliot rounded the corner into Olivia's room, half believing that his ears were playing tricks on him. He was almost certain that he had heard voices – among them one belonging to Kathleen. But having determined that to be impossible, he had instead decided that Olivia was simply watching something, either on the television or on her tablet. However, when he cleared the threshold and saw exactly who was sitting on his partner's bed conversing with her, his jaw dropped in shock and amazement.

"Kathleen? What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Dad. When we were visiting yesterday, I realized that Olivia was in need of a few other things. I told her I'd bring them by this morning. We've just been talking and spending some time together."

Elliot looked to his partner for confirmation, still having trouble absorbing the fact that his daughter had come to visit two days in a row.

"It's true, Elliot. Katie even brought me some homemade muffins to eat. I had one already, they are delicious."

Getting to her feet, Kathleen gave Olivia a hug.

"That being said, I really should get back to school, as I have more studying to do. This was a much needed break, however, because if I stared at my textbooks any longer, I was going to go cross-eyed. It was good seeing you Olivia, and I hope you keep feeling better. Remember what we talked about - if you ever get lonely, give me call."

"I will. Thanks again for the company. Let us know when you get back to your dorm."

The last sentence had been spoken in unison between the partners, and Kathleen couldn't help but laugh at their joint concern. Just as he had the previous day, Elliot also gave his daughter money for cab fare, not wanting her to have to rely on bus service on a busy weekend.

"You two are so alike, you know that? I mean that as a compliment."

With a final wave, Kathleen was on her way, leaving Olivia and Elliot on their own. Now that he had an opportunity to get closer, Elliot stepped near the bed to drop a kiss on the crown of Olivia's head before taking his usual seat beside her.

"I don't feel quite as bad about coming in so late today, especially now that I know you weren't alone. How was your morning?"

"Uneventful – just how I prefer. I would have called you during breakfast, but I didn't want to bother you."

Elliot's expression shifted. There was a trace of sadness in his eyes, though he hoped he had been successful in masking it.

"Liv, you could never bother me. Anytime you need to talk – day or night, just call me. I promise I'll always answer."

"Okay. I'm just so used to dealing with things on my own."

"That doesn't mean you should have to."

Nodding, Olivia reached a hand out in Elliot's direction. He took it without a moment's hesitation.

"I hear you."

Even though his partner was in brighter spirits today – no doubt a result of Kathleen's visit – Elliot hoped the surprise he had in store for her later would make her even happier. One of the reasons for his tardiness today had been because of a secret mission of his own. An unexpected video call that morning from Calvin had thrown him for a loop, but was nonetheless very welcome. After understanding just what all the boy had learned from his grandmother regarding Olivia's condition, Elliot had added a few details of his own, and answered whatever questions Calvin had. Then, the two had plotted together to arrange a time to talk with Olivia that afternoon.

As though realizing his partner was in need of some type of mental stimulation, and seeing from her body language alone that her pain levels were considerably less today, Elliot suggested a game of cards. The smile he received in response was the only answer he needed. Accepting the open challenge, the two engaged in several competitive rounds of gin rummy, the heated battle called to a halt only when Olivia's lunch tray arrived a bit earlier than usual. Deciding to declare a temporary truce, the two put their cards to the side, and Elliot reached into the bag he had brought with him, pulling out the sandwich he had picked up on his way to the hospital. After making certain that Olivia didn't need anything else, the two tucked into their respective meals, enjoying a casual conversation as they ate.

"What did you select today, Liv?"

"That's the funny thing about eating here – you have to decide what you're in the mood for the day before, and hope you still have an appetite for it by the time it actually arrives. I picked tomorrow's menu this morning at breakfast, so everything is always a day ahead. It's somewhat of a mindfuck."

No stranger to hospitals himself, Elliot understood exactly what Olivia was talking about.

"Anyway, I was craving something different, but you'll remember I have to be careful when it comes to eating deli meats. When I get home, I'm sure I can find an all natural variety that doesn't have any additives, but here – that isn't likely."

Again, Elliot nodded, though he was sympathetic to his partner's dietary struggles.

"I saw that tuna on the allowed list, as was mayo and white bread. So, I requested a tuna salad sandwich. Granted, I'm not expecting it to be anywhere near as good as the tuna melts I love from our favorite diner, but it is a welcome change of pace."

Since they were sitting close enough to reach one another, Elliot held out half of his sandwich in an impromptu toast. Olivia's eyes widened when she realized just what he was trying to do, and a slow grin spread across her face. Picking up one of her own tuna triangles, she clinked halves with him, a small part of her brain dreaming of a day in the hopefully near future when they could one day split lunches once again.

Though it hadn't been her intention, Olivia had dozed off shortly after lunch. Elliot was already anticipating an apology from his partner, no matter how many times he had told her that it wasn't necessary. While her condition was improving every day, it was obvious that fatigue still held a hold on her, and likely would for some time. For as ill as she had been the day he had brought her here to the hospital, Olivia had made remarkable strides forward. Then again, Elliot knew he couldn't be too difficult on Olivia regarding her stubbornness, because he wasn't exactly known for being a model patient, either.

That particular train of thought brought something else to mind – a topic that Elliot had yet to broach the subject of with his partner. Considering she had somewhat opened the door with her suggestions that he help her find a new apartment to live in, he supposed he should mention his idea sooner as opposed to later, but the last thing wanted was to press his luck. But, given that Olivia's discharge from the hospital would happen eventually, Elliot knew it would be a wise move on his part to not wait until the last possible moment to spring the unexpected on her.

His idea – which currently still sounded logical in his own head – was that he should stay with Olivia when she first went home. Or, in an alternate view of things, she would stay with him. At any rate, given the level of care she would need, Elliot was just reasoning that it would be wise if Olivia didn't live on her own for awhile. Getting her to agree to that, however, was another matter entirely. He had no intention of crowding her personal space, or robbing her of her independence, but between outpatient dialysis and potentially even cardiac rehab, there would be a lot to juggle.

A low moan to his left pulled Elliot from his spiraling thoughts, and his head snapped toward the woman on the bed. One glance at the way Olivia's features were contorted in pain informed him that the headache that had plagued his partner off and on for days had returned with a vengeance. Before she had even stirred to full consciousness, Elliot was pressing the call button, summoning a nurse. Thankfully, instead of having to wait for someone to answer, a reply was almost immediate, coming by way of the two way intercom.

"Can I help you, Olivia?"

Though groggy, Olivia was now aware enough to realize just who was talking to her and why. Having understood what Elliot had done on her behalf, she gave him a grateful smile as she spoke her answer aloud to the room.

"As soon as my nurse is able, I'm in need of more Tylenol. Also, if it's not a problem, I could also use some assistance to the bathroom."

"Of course. Someone will be in to help you shortly."

Elliot didn't want to say anything out loud, knowing how much Olivia struggled with asking strangers for help. He wished that she weren't so limited here, that there was more he could do. But until more of the medical equipment was to disappear, there wasn't much else he could offer. While he was still certain Olivia would fight him on it, he was fairly certain she'd be more comfortable accepting his aid in getting around than one of the staff here at the hospital.

Before he could even suggest it, a nurse came into the room, bringing a medication cart with her. In an effort to move things along more quickly, she scanned Olivia's ID bracelet first, which would allow her to access the Tylenol while her patient was using the facilities. Getting the capsules ready in a small plastic cup, the nurse helped Olivia back to bed and got her settled before dispensing the pain relief then leaving the two partners alone once more. Closing her eyes against the harshness of the sunlight filtering through the window, Olivia sighed in relief when Elliot pulled the blind.

"Better, Liv?"

"Much. Thank you. I hate to say it, but I think this headache calls a premature halt to our card tournament from earlier. Don't think I'm letting you off easy though. I fully intend to keep kicking your ass as soon as I'm feeling better."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Cracking one eye open, Olivia couldn't help but notice that Elliot was looking at his phone for what seemed like the twentieth time in as many minutes. Knowing the man well enough to recognize just when he was up to something, she turned her head in his direction. Even though she was clearly in pain and feeling miserable, her voice was no less intimidating than when she was interrogating a suspect in the box.

"Am I keeping you from anything? From the way I see it, you're either expecting to hear from someone, or there is something awfully interesting going on with your phone right now."

Elliot's face flushed so much that even the tips of his ears turned red. He hadn't thought he was being so overtly obvious. Not wanting to give away the secret now, especially when it was this close to the time when Calvin was due to call, he was trying to figure out an answer that Olivia would believe. Thankfully, he was spared from having to come up with a convincing excuse when his phone rang. Immediately recognizing the name on the display as the new contact he had added just that morning, Elliot swiped his name across the screen.

"Actually, Liv, something is going on with my phone. Someone wants to talk to you."

More confused than ever, Olivia looked at Elliot as though he had suddenly lost his mind. When he held the phone out in her direction, she thought she was seeing things. There, right in front of her, was none other than the smiling face of the boy whom she had been missing so desperately. The one whose loss from her life had quite literally broken her heart.

"Hi, Olivia! I've missed you!"

"Calvin! Oh my God!"

A/N: It wasn't my intention to end this on a cliffhanger, I promise I'm not trying to be mean. I just felt that I found a natural stopping place for this chapter, and I promise I will devote plenty of time to the Olivia/Calvin video call reunion in the next installment.