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.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Feedback is greatly appreciated (good or bad). Single quotes indicate thoughts. The subject is sensitive and I will stick to the medical facts as best I can.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

Could Have Been Colder

Chapter Three

"So the group hung out at the restaurant in the basement of Macy's. The Cellar Bar & Grill." Fin said reading from his notes. "The vic. Rebecca Samuels, AKA Bernard Samuels, left the party about 11:30 pm by herself."

"So, someone actually saw her leave?" Cragen asked.

"No, that's the last time anyone remembers seeing her." Olivia answered for Fin. "She lives in the Heights, so that would explain her heading up 34th to Penn Station. Probably taking the A or C trains home." Olivia added moving the pin on the victim display board to between Penn Station and Macy's.

"So she had to have met her killer almost after she exited the store." Cragen said taking a harder look at the evidence that was displayed. "Or inside the store."

"Front or back?" Olivia asked Fin.

"Huh? I think she was assaulted both."

"No, did she exit the front of the store or the back?" Olivia said without irritation. She learned long ago that Fin was a little thick.

"Not sure. The security tapes have not been made available yet. They erase themselves automatically every 48 hours."

"What's the hold up?" Cragen asked.

"Subpoena." Fin answered. "Can't find Cabot to get one either. Have to wait on one of the flunkies."

"There might be another way." Olivia added. Her mind racing with the case and with the new knowledge that Alex was gone for the holiday. It stung. "There is another set of tapes. They are not located in the store, they are sent to a central security center in the city." Olivia answered. "Since 9/11 every major building in New York has two sets of cameras for terrorist activity and crowd search."

"Let's get on that. We need those tapes." Cragen said. He took the message that was being handed to him by the desk clerk. He read it quickly and walked over to Olivia's desk. She had already picked up the phone and was dialing NYSC. He placed his finger on the hang up causing the call to go dead. Olivia looked up at him with a furrowed brow. Cragen handed Olivia the note, and turned to walk to his office. When he reached his door, he looked over his shoulder at his favorite detective. He face was red and then ashen.

"Captain, I…" Olivia began. Cragen just waved her off and acknowledged her departure. With a deep sigh he sat at his desk and watched her walk out of the squad room. "I hope this works." He told himself before picking up the phone and calling NYSC himself.

The hospital waiting room was quiet. Deafeningly quiet. The occasional gurney went up and down the hallway, but nothing, just static noise remained. Evan and Christina sat huddled together in the corner of the room near the windows. The day was cold, but the sun was shining.

"That's a sign of hope." Christina had told Evan when the sun first poked its rays through the clouds.

"Yes. A sunny day just like her smile." Evan replied with a hint of worry in his voice.

That was two hours ago. Since then they had sat there and waited for word, any word on their daughter's status. A burst of energy quickly shook the room. Both of the worried parents looked in the direction of the noise. The creaking of rubber soled shoes grow fast and louder has the approached the pair.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cabot?" Peter shouted out in his soft butler tone. The air was let out of the room.

"Over here Peter." Evan answered.

"Right so is there any word, Sir?"

"No. nothing yet." Evan said standing. "Your end?"

"She has received word that Ms. Cabot would like to see her with this address. I know she left the squad room." Peter reported.

"Good, then let's hope she arrives soon." Evan said touching Peter on the shoulder. Just then the double doors opened. Dr Poole emerged. Her shoes sweeping across the floor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cabot," She paused looking at Peter.

"It's okay. He is family." Christina answered the unasked question.

"Please." The doctor gestured for them to sit. "I am sorry it has taken so long. We were waiting on the lab results. And as you know from our discussions that can take some time. We do not rush these things because we want them to be 100% correct." She again looked at each of the worried faces for acknowledgement of understanding. "The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes." She paused for a moment to let the information to set in. "We will need to do a total Mastectomy, both sides."

"Oh my God. Oh my God." Christina broke out in tears. She leaned on her husband and collapsed. Evan stared into the air. Looking at nothing.

"Will she survive?" A soft quivering voice came from behind them. Olivia stood still. Blood draining from her face. She felt herself go weak. The doctor turned to and looked at the detective and then back to the Cabots. Evan shook his head in approval. The doctor stood and positioned herself so that Olivia could join the conversation. Olivia stood where she was. Her legs were sticks, but her feet lead. The doctor continued.

"That depends on Alex. She will have to have chemo, follow a regiment and remain positive." Dr. Poole said. "She will need to surround herself with positive energy even when she cannot provide it for herself."

"What is the first step?" Christina asked.

"First she has to begin to accept the radical change her body will have. She walked in here with two breasts; she walks out of here with none." Dr. Poole looked at Olivia. She knew who she was. Alex had spoken of her on her initial visits. "There will be time for plastic surgery to restore some natural look to the breasts, but what she has known will no longer be what she sees."

Olivia shook her head to acknowledge what she was being asked. She looked at the Cabots and then to Peter. There was a lot that needed to be said. A lot that needed to be done.

"Now take the time to digest this information. I have to get back to Alex." The doctor looked at her watch. "The surgery will take four more hours or so. Get yourselves something to eat. Go for a walk. I will send a nurse to get you when she is in recovery."

Each one of them turned and watched the doctor walk back into the surgery wing. There was silence. Deafening silence. Christina stood and walked over to the detective. She wrapped her arms around her and held her. Olivia's cries filled the the silence.

I will do my best to honor the sensitivity of this issue.