A/N: Ten years ago today the U.S. suffered the largest attack on american soil in history. That day we lost more officer's and firefighters in the line of duty than in any given moment. 343 firefighters and over 60 officer's. May we each find peace in our on way from that day.

Alex stopped just inside the door and stared at the sight before her. Olivia laid in a bed with a sheet secured tightly around her. Her olive complexion now consisted of an ashen white color. There was an oxygen mask on her along with an EKG hooked up to her to monitor the functions of her heart. There was a blood pressure cup hooked to her right arm and an IV attached to her left arm.

Alex took a deep breath to control the wide range of emotions going through her as she looked at her soon to be wife. They varied from relief that she was ok and alive to pure anger for her throwing herself in front of a bullet. She understood and lord knew she loved the woman even more knowing she did what she could to protect the children.

Alex gingerly pulled a chair next to the bed and sit down as quietly as she could. She reached forward and carefully entwined her fingers with Olivia's so not to tangle any wires. Just as she went to lay her head on the side of the bed and offer up a prayer of thanks she heard a raspy voice.

"The children?" Olivia asked as she began to come to in her drug induced state.

"Shh just rest baby" Alex said as she patted her hand.

"The children" Olivia said as she became more aware of her surroundings and grimaced at the pain that coursed through her when she tried to sit up.

"No baby" Alex ordered as she jumped to her feet and tried to push Olivia back down "Just lay down and relax. You were shot."

"I have to get the children."

"No baby" Alex whispered as she ran her fingers through Olivia's short locks, understanding what she was meaning "You did get the children. Baby you saved them and they are o.k."

"Where are they?"

"At the station being debriefed by a crisis counselor."

"Good" Olivia whispered as she started to fade away again "Sorry I ruined your evening."

Alex choked out a sob hearing Olivia apologize. Here she was fighting for her life and she was worried about other people. One thing for sure was each day she managed to amaze Alex more and more. She had never met anyone so giving yet never expecting or wanting anything in return.

"Mrs. Benson" A nurse said as she approached and laid a hand on Alex's shoulder "Mrs. Benson?"

Alex realizing that the nurse was addressing her turned and faced her.

"Yes and it's still Miss. Cabot, at least till Saturday."

"We need you to step out we are going to move her to room 4215 on the fourth floor. You will be able to go and see her in about thirty minutes."

"There's no way I can stay with her?"

"Not for the move no ma'am. But the second she is in the room you are more than welcome to come up and stay as long as you like."

"Thank you." Alex said as she stood and stretched "I guess I really need to go and update all the officer's out in the waiting room."

As she headed for the waiting room she allowed her mind to wander where she had never allowed it before. Would Olivia consider leaving the force? She knew Olivia loved it and she was born to be a cop but Alex wasn't sure how many more ER visits she had left in her. If her calculations was correct then she should be dead sometime next year. Due to the fact that Olivia always managed to shave about five years off her life with each stunt, each one a little worse than the other.

If she wouldn't leave the force would she at least consider an inter-departmental transfer and leaving SWAT? Lord knew she didn't need to maintain her position on SWAT. They had more than enough money, especially since she came into her inheritance last month.

"Officer's she is doing fine and they are moving her to room 4215." Alex said as she entered the waiting room noticing the amount of officer's seemed to have double "She can have visitor's in about thirty minutes."

Anyone within a twenty mile radius could hear the exhale of breath that each officer did upon hearing the news. The look of relief was more than evident on everyone's face.

"Miss Cabot we are going to leave and give you two ladies some time alone" Captain Jones said as he stepped forward "if you need anything, anything at all, please call us and let us know. Please let Benson know we will stop by in the morning after she has rested."

"Jones please stay." Alex said as she placed a hand on his arm "She will want to see all of you."

"Alex this has taken a toll on both of you." Jones said as he pulled her to him in a hug "You need to talk and reconnect. Most importantly you need to talk about what's running through your head."

Alex pulled back and stared at him. How could he have known what was going through her head? There was no way. In the past year Alex had become a master at blocking her facial expressions, to the point she had become nicknamed the Ice Princess.

"How did you know?"

"Because at one time or another our spouses have faced the same dilema that you are at this moment."

"Any advice?"

"Talk to her. Let her know how you feel and what you're thinking. I can tell you this. Olivia is what we call a cop's cop. She was born for this. You take her from it and it will be like taking a flower from needed sun light. She will slowly die on the inside and no longer be the woman you fell for."

"I know" Alex said as she began to break down for the first time "It's just. It's all so hard."

"And it never gets any easier. Now go to her. The last thing you want is her waking up in a room all alone. We will be back in a few hours."

"Thank you Jones." Alex said as she walked away and entered the waiting elevator.