"Ma'am, my name is Captain Donald Cragen with the Special Victims Unit at the 16," Cragen said walking up to the registration desk with his credentials to the woman seated behind the desk. "You have one of my officers, a Detective Olivia Benson that was brought in with a GSW to her chest and my ADA, Alexandra Cabot, who collapsed in the waiting room."

The woman glanced up and looked at his ID before looking at him. She looked back at the computer screen and began typing without ever say a word to him. After a few seconds she looked back up at him with a smile.

"Yes sir, Detective Benson is currently in surgery and Ms. Cabot is in trauma bay two."

"Trauma bay two? I didn't think she was hit."

"We weren't sure but when she came in she was covered with blood and then passed out. We weren't sure if she was injured. She was rushed into the trauma bay where we checked her over. Other than a few scrapes and bruises, she is fine but there is a note in the computer about Nurse Bennett wanting to speak with an officer. I told her not to bother the guys out here, they already had enough on their plate."

"Does it state why or just that she needs to talk to an officer?"

"Just that it she needs to talk to an officer."

"If you could page her for me I will be happy to talk to her. Do you know how long Detective Benson will be in surgery?"

"No, sir, I do not but the doctor is well aware that the family is here waiting." The register said nodding toward the officers that were patiently waiting. Well, as patiently as they could, knowing one of their own was in there. "And Nurse Bennett should be available in a few minutes."

"Thank you." Cragen said as he walked over to let the boys know what was going on.

"Gentlemen," Cragen said as he approached the group, "Detective Benson is currently in surgery and I will be talking to the nurse about ADA Cabot here in a few minutes. Physically, she is fine but she did witness the shooting, so mentally there may be some problems."

Everyone simple nodded acknowledging what he said.

"Captain Cragen?" Nurse Bennett said as she walked through the double doors.

As soon as she called his name the few officers that were sitting immediately stood, waiting yet dreading what she was going to say. Those that were standing took a step forward with their hat in their hands and their face betraying the confidence they were exuding.

'I am Captain Cragen," Cragen said extending his hand to the women.

"Nice to meet you sir I am Nurse Bennett," She responded shaking his hand, "If you can come with me where we can talk more privately?"

"Ma'am, with all due respect," An officer said stepping forward, "Could you please just tell all of us at once on the outcome of Detective Benson?"

"Gentlemen, I promise you the second I know something you will too," She said with a conviction that had everyone believing she would, "I need to talk to Captain Cragen privately, and it is not about Detective Benson."

"Yes, Ma'am," he said as he stepped back into the circle of officers that seemed to be growing by the second.

"Please excuse them," Cragen said falling in step beside her, "We tend to get a little impatient when it's one of us."

"No need to explain, my fiancé is at the 22. Believe me, I understand."

"Thank you," Cragen said entering a room she motioned him into, "I was told that Cabot's chart is notated to speak to an officer. If you need extensive personal information I can have DA McCoy down here with her file immediately."

"No, sir, I don't need her personal information," Bennett said closing the door behind her, "I need to talk to you about what was discovered on her x-rays."

"Her X-rays?"

"Yes, sir, I had a complete order of x-rays ordered, just as a precaution. When I was examining the photos, I discovered some things that needed to be brought to your attention."

"Isn't this violating some type of oath?"

"To openly discuss this matter with anyone other than the patient and anyone she approves of, yes, but..."

"It's never good if there's a 'but' involved."

"No sir it isn't," She said, flipping on a light that illuminated multiple photos of Alex's body, "I am obligated to bring what I believe are cases of abuse, neglect, or any crime of that nature to the police."

Cragen nodded, not liking where this conversation was headed. In his almost twenty five years on the force, when a conversation stated in this manner, it was not in your favor.

"Looking over her x-rays, I have noticed several healed fractures."

"Not from common accidents either?" he asked, already knowing the answer

"There's no way, sir. These healed fractures are what you see from a victim of abuse. By the healing of this fracture here," She said pointing at an x-ray, "I would say as current as about six months possibly a little longer but not by much."

"Can you give me a full rundown please?" Cragen asked even though this was the last thing he wanted to hear.

"Her right arm has been broken at least twice," Bennett began pointing at various bones as she talked, "She's had a fractured orbital bone along with a broken nose. Her left arm here is the most current break. By the looks of things, she either had a piss poor doctor or didn't receive medical attention."

"More than likely didn't receive medical attention," Cragen muttered

"I agree," She said before she continued, "Her left shoulder has been dislocated before and by the looks of the damage, several times. This type of damage we usually see from people who have been positioned with their hands tied behind their back. Her ribs are one healed fracture after another."

Cragen ran his hand over his face not believing what he was hearing or seeing. How could someone hurt anyone, especially Alex? Much less, how did they survive? He had gone toe to toe with her and had on several occasions, had made the comment of that he pitied the fool who tangled with her outside of work. Apparently, he was wrong on every aspect.

" It appears," the nurse continued, pulling him from his thoughts, " that at one time or another she has been bound to something. Her ankles and wrist show cartilage damage that is similar to someone constantly trying to work their way out of restraints."

"What type of life has she lived?"

"To be honest, and put it blunt, sir," She said as she cut the machine off and turned to face him, "She has lived as a human punching bag for some sick, deranged ass hole. How she is still alive is a miracle within itself? The x-rays show a constant escalation of violence toward her."

"Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything, sir."

"I need what you have discovered to stay right here and never make to another officer. I'm not asking you to make it disappear. I am just asking that it stays here. I will have my unit to do the investigation. After all, discretion is our specialty. Hopefully, that way, we can minimize knowledge of this."

"As long as you don't try to bury it, sir, I will. If I find out you are not investigating, I will notify Internal Affairs."

"There is no need for that, believe me, this matter will be taken care of and I can guarantee that this bastard will never put his hands on her again."

Bennett smiled at Cragen, her only prayer was that they made it as slow and painful for him as he had made her life. There was something about the look in his eye that told her that he would make damn sure that this man suffered ten times worse that Alex ever had.

A/N: So Olivia has survived the shooting and is currently in surgery. Now will she survive the surgery? Am I forgiven for the moment? LOL. I Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. As always reviews welcomed.