A/N: Two updates in one day is a record for me. My way for apoligizing for not updating sooner and when I did left you with a hell of a cliff hanger. My deepest apoligies. To the readers that are still with me thank you so much for that. Work had become hectic so I wasnt able to write like I usually do.

"Shot what do you mean shot?" Alex yelled as the tears began to flow.

"It was a freak accident Alex I'm sorry. The bullet entered just under her vest. When I left the scene to come get you the paramedics was still working on her."

"It was suppose to be a simple hostage negotiation. How the hell did she get shot?"

"I'll explain everything en route to the hospital. We need to get going though. To be honest it wasn't looking good when I left."

When Alex heard those words she collapsed on the floor sobbing. How could it be? In forty eight hours she was suppose to be exchanging vows that include till death do us part. Now the death portion may come before she could be called Alexandra Cabot-Benson. Before they had a chance to full fill the many dreams they had discussed over the past few months.

"Come on Alex" Robert whispered as he helped her to her feet "Olivia is a fighter and there's no way she would just give up. Right now you have to be strong for her. When we know she will survive then you can break down."

Alex nodded as she allowed herself to be led to her uncle's SUV surrounded by patrol cars. She slid into the back and allowed her father to shut the door. She could faintly hear him telling Joe that they would meet them at the hospital.

"Alex" Joe said as he reached for her hand "I'm so sorry."

"How Joe?"

"The suspect agreed to let his children leave but refused to let his wife go. As the children was being led from the house he began to fire at them. Olivia used her body as a shield when the shots rang out. Apparently when she dove behind the children to take the gun fire that caused her vest to move up some. Just enough to allow a bullet to penetrate her under it in the abdomen."

Alex turned and stared out the window into the dark New York Night. The night almost seemed to match her mood. It wasn't until she felt the SUV jerk to a stop that she realized they had stopped at the hospital. An officer ran to the SUV and held the door open and offered his arm to escort her in. She politely took it and allowed herself to be led to a room that was over flowing with officers. She felt her throat constrict and a new batch of tears form in her eyes. Anyone could see that each and everyone was hurting. Not as much as she was but they were hurting none the less. She also knew the thought that was rolling through their heads. The same thought goes through all their heads and makes them feel even worse. It could be me on that table followed with a silent thanks that it wasn't.

"Alex" Jones said as he stepped up to her.

Alex looked up at the man who had activated SWAT and made the call that put Olivia where she was. Without saying a word she pulled her hand back and struck him across the face.

"You bastard." She spat out between clenched teeth "You knew we were getting married on Saturday and we had the rehearsal dinner tonight but you still called her. You put her here. If you have a god to pray to I suggest you start now because if she doesn't make it out alive I will haunt you for the remainder of your days."

"I understand" Jones answered. He knew that she blamed him and would for a while. This wasn't the first time he had been threatened by a loved one when an officer was injured in the line of duty.

"Miss Cabot would you like us to get you anything?" An officer asked as he stepped forward

"No I'm good."

"Please have a seat and I will go and get a nurse or doctor to update you personally."

"Thank you officer?"

"Officer Gomez"

"Thank you officer Gomez."

Alex took the seat that was offered her as officers began to approach her offering their prayers and condolences. She accepted each one with a nod. No matter how mad or hurt she was she knew they were hurting the same.

"Miss Cabot" A young man who looked to be in his forties said as he entered the room.

"Yes"

"Hi Miss Cabot I'm Dr. Green" The man said as he extended his hand "I worked on Olivia when she came in. She received a gunshot to her lower tight quadrant of her abdomen. She lost a considerable amount of blood before she arrived. The best we can tell though is the bullet missed all major organs. She is currently in exploratory surgery to assess any further damage she may have sustained."

"Do we know what the chances are?"

"Considering it looks like the bullet missed all major organs then pretty good. We are worried about the extensive blood loss she endured. We type and crossed and instantly hung two liters along with a bag of platelets to help with clotting."

"Thank you will you please make sure I'm notified the second she is out of surgery or when anything changes during surgery."

"Yes ma'am." The doctor said as he hurried away.

Alex looked around the room and took in her surroundings and the officers in the room with her. The room was the traditional color of drab gray and neutral colors covering the chairs. There was a few paintings on the wall but they were as drab as everything else.

The officers looked worn out and haggard. She could see how their work was taking a toll on their features. Most seemed to be prematurely turning gray and theirs eyes held the unspoken amount of pain and violence they see daily. Having just met them one would mistake the look for a cold hearted look. If they would just look closer they could see the pain and anguish they suffered through on a daily basis.

"Benson family" A doctor called out as she exited the doors.

"Here" Alex choked out as she stood with the help of other officers.

"Miss Cabot" The doctor said as she approached her " Miss Benson is out of surgery and doing fine. The bullet seemed to travel a straight path through her and missed all major organs. There was some extensive bleeding which we stopped in surgery due to an artery being nicked by the bullet. She is in recovery now and will be moved to her room in about an hour. You will be able to see her then."

"Doctor that's not going to work I want to see her now."

"I'm sorry Miss Cabot but that's not going to happen. Only family is allowed into the recovery area."

"Dr. Stinchcomb" Alex said reading the name badge for the first time. "I don't think you understand. I am her fiancé and we are getting married on Saturday."

"But you are not married yet so you can not go back there."

"I also over see a large trust fund that help off set the costs you endure and help pay the staff's salary. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"I don't care."

"But you should I can tell by your badge that you're a fourth year surgical resident and have not received your fellowship to this hospital. Believe me when I say I can make or break you when it comes to that. So are you or a nurse going to show me the way to my future wife."

"Let me guess Cabot as in the Cabot's who control over half of New York."

"Yes. So which way toward recovery."

"This way ma'am"

"Thank you" Alex said as she followed her down a long hallway. They stopped at a set of double doors that required an employee badge to enter.

"Look its going to look worse than what it is. There are going to be IV's and she is hooked up to oxygen at the moment. That's standard procedure after surgery. Most of which will be removed when we move her to her room."

"I can handle it."

"I hope so" Stinchcomb said as she opened the door and motioned for Alex to enter.