A/N: Kids are 10 and 9. Thanks for welcoming me back and reading! I couldn't let current circumstances go without seeing how the Benson-Cabot family would fare. I hope you enjoy.

1

Monday, March 16th

9:17 a.m.

Fast inhales and exhales as her feet pedaled down the steps of the stairwell. Her heart was pumping in her ears, racing inside her chest as she neared the second floor…the first floor…

"Time!" Fin spouted with an aggressive punching of the stopwatch in his right hand.

Olivia panted, leaning forward and placing her hands on her knees in her gray sweatpants. She closed her eyes and tried to speak through her labored breaths. "What…what was it? Less? More?"

Fin smiled, "Eight seconds longer, girl."

Olivia stood upright and closed her eyes, hands now on her hips, feeling the dampness of her fitted gray t-shirt. "Shit. I'm losing my touch."

"Losing your touch? You'll never lose it, girl. We'll both always have it."

Olivia opened her eyes to her smirking partner, and she couldn't help but smile. "Damn right, Fin." She winced as she pinched her side and frowned. "You, me, and this side stitch."

Fin chuckled and slapped a firm hand on her upper back as the two began walking toward the door that would lead them back into the basement level of the precinct. They stepped into the locker room and Olivia turned the rotary center of her lock. To the combination she knew like her birthday, she effortlessly yanked on the lock and removed it from the metallic hole in the handle before opening it. She took her duffel that was placed sideways out and set it on the bench next to the lockers, unzipping it firmly.

"Catch you upstairs?"

Olivia looked up from grabbing a towel, her jeans and navy blouse from earlier, and a pair panties and fresh bra. "Yeah, I'll be up." She stood erect and held the items to her body.

She heard Fin begin to shuffle to the door as she stared at the items in her hand and then ran her thumb over the raised rust spot on the lock.

"Hey, Fin…" She looked up at her partner.

He stopped and turned, raised eyebrows. "What's up, Liv?"

"Do you think this…this virus…do you think it's gonna be bad?"

"The virus?" his deep voice questioned.

Olivia nodded, a lump forming in her throat.

"I don't know, Liv. Seems like it could be…might be…"

Olivia swallowed the huge mass of anxiety down and into her esophagus and nodded again as she stood with her clothing against her chest.

"You worried?"

Olivia laughed lightly. "Of course, I am…Alex, our kids…I can't help it."

"But not you?"

Olivia furrowed her brow.

"You ain't worried about yourself?"

Olivia smiled and released a short breath from her nose. "I never worry about me, Fin." She smiled. "You know that."

"Always others first, right, Baby Girl?"

Olivia felt the lump again, her eyes misting, and she whispered, "Always…"

"OK, Wonder Woman. Do your thing…"

Olivia nodded as she watched Fin place his hand on the doorknob.

"Catch you upstairs…" With that, Detective Tutuola winked, turned the handle, opened the door, and let it slowly and quietly close behind him.

Olivia watched the empty space now. She eyed the scratched gray paint on the door, the wired glass in the small square of window at the top.

News had been released one week prior of a new virus called the Stemmavirus—Stemma was Greek for crown, she had found out—that had entered the city and was gradually taking hold of the citizens of New York. Gyms had been closed—even the precinct work out room was off limits and being cleaned and sanitized thoroughly—all restaurants were closed for sit-down service, and they had been taking the news as they received it day by day, awaiting more information, awaiting their next steps to take.

Olivia moved to the showers, her mind whirling with possibilities of a city-wide illness. New York was so densely packed that it would be almost impossible to avoid—the subways, the streets, train stations, Broadway and movie theaters, bodegas—and the thought of the amount of germs constantly searching for their next victim was almost suffocating.

But she wouldn't get too upset just yet.

She couldn't.

She knew that her wife was already on edge lately upon learning of the Stemmavirus. The previous week, Alex had already stocked up on various wipes, sprays, and gels, and their garage currently looked like Aisle 23 at Costco.

Olivia set her clothing on the sink and then reached for the faucet and turned it on, letting the tips of her fingers feel the temperature.

If this got any worse, Alex's anxiety would rise.

If her anxiety rose, everyone else in the Benson-Cabot household's anxiety would rise, as well.

That was how it always seemed to go.

But Olivia would try to keep herself together for the sake of her family.

She stepped inside the stall and pulled the gray, fabric curtain to the left to conceal herself.

She placed her face under the flow before dipping her chin down and letting the water begin to run down her scalp and ears, relishing in the feel of enveloping warmth, allowing her stress to lower, her thoughts to slow, and her being to prepare for what might soon be.

Olivia looked down as she walked, re-clasping her watch onto her wrist, duffel hanging from her left forearm. Her hair was slightly damp and in a butterfly clip, black jeans and navy blouse on, light, fresh make-up applied.

She set her bag beneath her desk chair and then looked up and took a deep breath, noticing that Cragen and Fin were looking at the TV screen. She narrowed her eyes, stepping toward them, her gaze fixed on the news report on the screen. "What's going on?" She now looked at the two men with her, noting that the Captain, Detective Tutuola, and herself were the only ones now in the squad room. "Where is everyone? Barnes…Palminteri? Where'd they go?"

"Waxing appointments," Fin smiled.

Olivia smirked and flared her nostrils at him. "No, really. Where is everyone?" She looked around once more and adjusted her badge on her waistband before placing her hands on her hips.

"Just watch. The latest..." Cragen turned the volume up on the TV.

The on-screen headline read: New York City on Lockdown.

Olivia swallowed as she listened to the female reporter who was sporting a white mask, microphone in from of it.

"Governor Capello will address the city at seven o' clock this evening, but once again, upon his orders, all schools in the greater New York area and the five boroughs have been cancelled until further notice. And please heed the advice of the six-foot rule."

As she reported, people passed by behind her, many with masks, most seeming to be hustling by faster than usual for the city.

"Back to you Bob," the reporter concluded.

"And now with the weather!" Bob beamed.

Olivia looked at Fin and then Cragen. "So, this is real?"

"Yeah, Liv. Capello's gonna speak at seven." Fin rubbed his chin, his expression now pensive.

"You two go get your kids. Talk to Alex. Talk to Alex and Melinda. Grab some groceries. Be with your families right now." Cragen's brown eyes sparkled, just a hint of worry in them."

"W-what…It's only ten in the morn—I don't—the kids…" Olivia wavered, her mind spinning with so many things at the moment. "What about work? Haven House?"

"Go home, Olivia. Talk with Alex. It'll make sense when you two get back to the house with the kids and you're all together." He looked at the mocha-skinned detective. "You, too, Fin. Talk to Melinda…J.J…."

"You got it, Cap…" He stepped toward Olivia. "Come on, Liv. We'll walk out together."

Olivia swallowed again, not realizing her mouth had been open, and she straightened her worried face. She nodded, moving to her desk, reaching beneath her desk chair and grabbing her duffel, opening the bottom drawer and taking her purse, shoving it closed, and then opening the top drawer and grabbing her keys and cell phone, feeling the tension remaining in her forehead.

"I'll call you two and let you know…" Captain offered, and they all moved to the center of the pen.

Olivia nodded again as she looked intently at her superior. "You be careful, too, Captain…"

"Get out of here," he smiled before taking a couple of steps backward and then moving toward his office.

The squad room was eerily quiet as they made their way to the elevator, stepped inside, and the doors closed. Olivia pressed the button, now thinking about the germs, and she looked at her hand momentarily before leaning against the wall and closing her eyes. She jolted when she realized how filthy the walls were, as well, and pushed herself away from it just as the doors opened.

They walked in silence to their cars, Fin stopping next to the brunette's and waiting as she slipped the key into her Datsun.

She looked up as she opened the door. "I gotta call Alex…someone's gotta pick up the kids from school." She slipped inside and held her phone in front of her, looking at the screen, squinting.

Fin placed his hand on the top of the door and leaned in a little closer, watching her. "It'll get done, Liv. Everyone'll be fine, baby Girl."

Olivia looked up at him and managed a small smile. "I hope so, Fin." She nodded. "Be safe. OK? Say 'hi' to Mel for Alex and me."

"Will do, Baby Girl." He smiled and shut her car door.

Olivia watched as he walked to his own black sedan, two cars away. She looked back down at her phone and let her thumb hover over the green phone icon, the name ALEX on the top, center of the screen.

Pressing the speaker option, she waited…