A/N: I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. The area where I live was hit by a nasty snow storm and most of last week was spent hoping the power didn't go out, shoveling out, and finally getting out after the travel bans were lifted. I hope you enjoy it.

A/N2: I want to wish my American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. :)


Chapter 29

Olivia slowly opened her eyes, the harsh fluorescent light, doing nothing for her splitting headache. As she squinted, she realized that she was no longer in the warehouse and in the hospital. She opened her mouth to speak as she attempted to sit up but she was parched and the room suddenly spun.

"Whoa, easy there," Don Cragen smiled slightly at her and gently pushed her back down before raising the bed up into the sitting position. He then poured her some water into the pink cup on the food tray near her bed and let her drink.

"You have what they call a traumatic brain injury," he explained as he dimmed the lights so she could stop squinting.

"What happened? Where's Noah?" She was finally able to ask.

"Organized Crime led a SWAT team into the building you were being held at. Regetti and his crew tried to fend off the team and as part of their escape they were using you as a human shield. When they were almost clear, they shoved you and that chair you were tied to the floor. Sergeant Magner said he still can't figure out how you didn't split your skin open when your head hit the concrete floor," Don told her.

"Why don't I remember that?" Olivia wanted to know.

"You actually fractured your skull, what they call a "closed fracture". The doctors figured you might have some short term memory loss and they are keeping an eye out for bleeding in your brain," he admitted. She nodded slightly and regretted it as the world spun again. She closed her eyes for a second and the nausea passed.

"What happened to my legs and my wrists?" She asked, just realizing that she had pain in more than one place along with some bandages.

"You were zip tied to the chair and when you fell over the ties cut into your skin. One of Regetti's men grazed your arm while shooting at the cops who had come to rescue you. Considering how bad it could have been, you're very lucky," Don smiled slightly.

"How long was I out?" Olivia wanted to know, realizing that the sun was setting on the current day and it had been dark when she had been kidnapped.

"Three days. The doctors were closely monitoring you to see if you would slip into a coma. Luckily you didn't. As for Noah, the team has been splitting babysitting duties," Don said. Olivia heaved a sigh of relief. Then her brain reminded her of something very important,
"Elliot. He was there. What happened to…"

"He was a little worse for wear when the team got to him," Don quickly slowed her down, not wanting her to become agitated. He could see she wanted to get out of bed and he stopped her.

"He's right down the hall but he has broken ribs, a broken arm, lots of bruising and cuts, and one of Regetti's men shot him out of spite as they were escaping. He was hit in the leg but he'll be fine. You both are confined to bed rest for the foreseeable future," Don pulled out his stern father-figure tone of voice. Surprisingly, Olivia just heaved a sigh and relaxed.

"Does Kathy know? What about his kids?" She asked.

"I called them. They've been visiting." He explained.

"Who's leading the squad? When can I see Noah?" Olivia probed.

"Lieutenant Eames offered to take your place while you were out. She doesn't have much experience with SVU but between her Major Case background and her Terrorism Task Force, she'll be fine while you recover. Fin is helping her through too. None of the other SVU units could spare a Sergeant and Lieutenant Murphy is otherwise engaged or so Lieutenant Eames was told," Don seemed confused at the reference of Murphy, whom he had never met.

"When Lewis escaped custody, Murphy took over. One PP didn't want me leading the unit," Olivia explained.

"Ah I see. Now as for Noah, your foster care social worker, Miss Chantal Jackson, has been rigorously testing the squad about taking care of Noah. She's not happy about the situation but I think Lieutenant Eames put her at ease for now. Fin wants to bring Noah by but he wanted to wait until you felt a little better," Don smiled slightly. He knew that Noah was very important to her after Fin brought him up to speed on how Olivia ended up with a baby.

"They're going to take him away from me," she said almost imperceptibly, her new sense of insecurity floating to the surface.

"No, they are not. Don't worry kiddo. I won't let that happen," he told her as he gently took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Olivia looked at him, unsure if she'd heard him right. He just smiled slightly. He had never had kids of his own and he often looked at his detectives as his children. Though there were times he was glad they were not his biologically, they were the best group of detectives he could have asked for and he was proud.

"Did they get Regetti?" She changed the subject.

"No but they've frozen his assets and staked out his home and other land holdings. They'll find him," Don smiled. He hoped he wasn't telling her a lie. Truth of the matter was, they couldn't find the mobster and he was worried that revenge was still possible.

To Be Continued…