DISCLAIMER: The copyrighted characters of any TV program, movie, or published work of fiction are the property of their owners/creators. In this case, Law and Order SVU and Dick Wolfe. No copyright infringement is intended and nothing is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.

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Chapter 22: Hold what you can closely.

"How is she doing?" Abbie asked entering Olivia's room. Her eyes fixed upon the sleeping woman. "She looks so peaceful."

"Yes. If anything good comes of this its that she got rest." Don said as he stood. He moved around the bed so that he was standing next to Abbie. "Doctor says she is healing well. We won't know the extent of the damage if any until she wakes up."

"Let's hope there is none." Abbie said. She brushed her hand across Olivia's face.

"Alex? How is she?"

"Liz is keeping a close watch on her." Abbie worriedly. "I just don't know what she is going to do when she wakes up."

"We'll help her take one step at a time." Don reassured her. He reached out and pulled Abbie into a side hug. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"How is this all possible?"

"Not sure. But it is." He caressed Abbie's arm in an attempt to soothe her. "We'll get them. They'll know what its like to be them." He nodded towards the woman in the the bed. His daughter. Not by blood, but closer.

New York City

Tires screeched to a stop. Six sets in all. No lights, just a lot of noise. Doors fly open. Black pant legs exit from each side. Standard issue black non skid soles. Various sizes hitting the pavement at the same time. Blue, red and neon green piping, black and orange non skid soles half tops, double knotted led the way.

"You and your suit friends go around the back and flank the sides." Fin quietly said.

"Flank? Did you just use the word flank?" Munch acted like a proud papa.

Rolling his eyes. "I took your advise. I watched a few episodes of F.B.I. Did you know that Dragnet guy was in it?"

"Yes. I modeled myself after him early in my career."

"Really? You still got the clothes, but your a softy now." Fin chuckled. He motioned to Munch, "You ready?"

"Go." Each took a stance on opposite sides of the front door. Careful to make sure if gun fire came, they would not be standing in its direct path. Finn knocked hard.

"Police. Open the door and put your hands up!" He shouted. "Like that ever works." he whispered to Munch. One more quick knock.

"On my count." Munch said in the radio. "One Mississippi, two miss.."

"For the sanity of the world John."

"Three."

The canister bounced between the two of them. End over end. The hollow aluminum sound was confusing at first. Eyes wide simultaneously, the partners looked at one another motionless. The canister stopped just before the bottom stair. Finn reached and pulled John over the railing. Jumping after him. The basement apartment entry way was a safe haven. Black smoke began to spew from the lid. And then they heard them.

Three little girls playing hopscotch just across the street. The air went black. Piercing innocent sounds and then red.

Concrete, car parts, splinters of the tree just off the stoop rained down. Shielding themselves from the debris, they were unable to see the three little girls. The ringing in their ears prevented any sound from registering.

Finn felt the warm liquid trickle down his face. First the left and then the right side. Shaking his head, to clear his vision, he tried to focus on Munch. Glasses broken and a cut across his forehead, Munch was trying to stand up. His feet sliding from the steps, knees buckling. He tried crawling, but his balance was not cooperative.

"Munch, Munch!" He thought he yelled. He couldn't hear his own voice. "John." He reached out and pulled his partner into a tight hug. Munch smiled at him before passing out.

Finn checked. 'Pulse good.' he looked around to se if anyone was nearby to help. He moved so that he could lay his partner on the ground while he got help. It was a small stairwell and Munch being a tall man made for a difficult manuvour. Any other time, Finn would have found it humorous. Not now.

He took his coat off and placed it under Munch's head. Then he moved around the body. Careful not to step on his unconcious friend. Finn gently moved over the body check injuries.

'Broken leg, cut above his eye, blood coming from his ears.' He saw drops of blood on Munch's usually starch white shirt. He ripped it open and found no injuries. Putting his hand to his head, he remember about his own. He did his best to wipe the blood from his view. Taking one last look at his partner, he began to climb the stairs.

He stopped. He didn't know where to begin. People were gathering to look at the damages. Just standing there, not helping.

'Shock. They must be in shock.' He told himself. Pulling out his phone he dialed 911. 'Thank God for Otto Box.' He waited for the screen to show the call had been answered.

"This is badge number 3198. I can't hear you do to injury." He paused to take another look around. "There as been an explosion. Multiple injuries. Send several buses. Officer down." He paused again. 'Where the hell were the fed guys.' He walked to the right side of the building. What was left of it. There were bodies. He ran to the other side. The same.

"Shit!" He heard his voice faintly. "Better send Warner and her team."

"Detective we have your GPS coordinates and all are in route."

Finn looked across the street. Three little girls stood next to their mothers. Cloths blackened, hair and face. But alive.

"Thank you, God!" Finn folded his hands for the first time in a long time and prayed.