A/N: So here it is the much awaited chapter. How has our favorite detective fared so far? Did she survive the shooting or will they be planning a funeral for one of their own? As always reviews are welcomed.

"Excuse me I'm looking for Nurse Bennett" Cragen said as he walked up to the nurse station.

"Yes sir I'll have her paged." A nurse said looking up at him.

"Thank you" Cragen said as he looked around the emergency room. They were unusually busy for this time of day. Like most hospitals most of their business occurred at night when the doctor offices were closed and most of the people were injured in bar fights. He smiled when he saw Bennett walking toward him.

"Captain Cragen I was told you wanted to speak to me."

"I did. I was wondering if you had any news on my detective and I was going to let you know the matter we discussed earlier is being handled."

"Thank you I appreciate that." Nurse Bennett said with a smile "I guess you could say we think a like because I was just coming from the OR waiting rooms. I was able to find out that they just finished on detective.." Bennett looked down at the paper she was holding "A detective Benson about five minutes ago."

"What's the verdict?"

Bennett laughed at his choice of words but knew what he meant "All I know is that she made it out of surgery and is now in a recovery room. I wish I could tell you more but that's it. I did make sure that a message was left with the doctor to locate you first and brief you. I figured it would be better coming from you than any of us. I also told him that you would be found in Ms. Cabot's room."

"Thank you" Cragen said extending his hand "You have been so helpful."

"Anytime sir." She said shaking his hand "I am here till seven if you need anything. Just have one of the nurses page me."

"I will." Cragen said as he turned and started walking back to Alex's room when he noticed a doctor in surgery scrubs walking up to the door. He took a few quick steps and stopped the doctor from entering.

"I'm Captain Cragen" He said showing the man his badge "I need to see some identification before I can allow you into the room."

"I'm Dr. Thacker" The man said extending his hand "You're the man you I was told to come looking for when I finished the surgery on Ms. Benson."

"How is she?"

"If she makes it through the night I'll be amazed. To be honest sir I'm not sure how she has survived up to this point. By all standards she should be dead. The bullet nicked her artery and caused massive internal bleeding. I will tell you I lost her twice on the table and the last time I was about to call it when her heart started beating again. I can't explain it and I'm not even going to try. I can say she is a hell of a fighter."

"You have no idea doctor."

"If what I've witnessed in that operating room I would hate to met her in a dark alley. I feel sorry for the fool who tries."

"Many have tried none have succeeded."

"I promise you this I will do everything in my power to make sure this one doesn't succeed in taking her down to."

"Thank you. We would appreciate it."

"I do need you to contact her next of kin. They need to be here to make the decision if needed."

"We are her next of kin." Cragen said as he looked down "Her mother died about a month ago. She has no other blood relatives. Her partner Detective Elliot Stabler is listed as the primary medical power of attorney and I am second. If that decision must be made we will make it together."

"Yes sir." The doctor said suddenly feeling sorry for the woman he just operated on. He was sure that someone as beautiful as her had someone waiting at home for her. "Then let me prepare you. If she makes through the night I am ordering an EEG. There were extensive periods she went without blood and oxygen to her brain. Worse case scenario is she is brain dead. The best case is she'll have some cognitive function issues."

"Thank you. Please keep us updated and this is my cell phone number." Cragen said as he handed the doctor a business "I need to be notified immediately of any changes."

"I will." The doctor said as he turned and left.

Cragen stood outside Alex's room trying to decide his next move and how to break the news to her. How would Alex survive if the person that she leaned on passed? At some point Olivia had earned her trust and broke through her ice façade, something that none of them had accomplished. Taking a deep breath and not knowing what to say he turned and walked toward the waiting room. It would be easier to tell the boys in blue than the blonde haired angel that had already lived through hell.

Cragen stopped and stared at the faces of all the officers that was waiting for information. As he looked from face to face he realized that there were officers here that he had no clue who they were. Some he recognized from some past cases. There were even some rookies fresh from the graduating academy class just two weeks ago. The one thing that they all had in common besides the uniform was the look on their face. When he walked through the door everyone stood and looked at him as if their world was ending. He hated being the barer of bad news.

"Gentlemen I have news on Detective Benson." He said "She has survived the surgery. Honestly the doctor doesn't think she will make it through the night. If she does she will be tested for brain activity in the morning. Due to the extensive time spent without blood or oxygen to the brain there is a chance of her being brain dead or possibly having decreased brain functions. We are now down to a sit, wait, and pray period."

Each officer nodded in what could be called light acceptance. In actuality they were preparing themselves for the worse. Each officer compartmentalizing, as needed to perform their duties until the day came that they either laid their sister to rest or had the privilege of taking her home. There was no denying it each were praying for the latter.

"What about ADA Cabot?" an officer asked as he stepped forward.

Cragen quickly read his name tag so he could address him personally "Officer Salvador, ADA Cabot is doing fine. She was suffering from shock. Her only physical injuries were minor scrapes and bruises. Once she has completed the IV they have her on she will be discharged."

"Thank you sir." He said as he stepped back with his brothers

"I want to personally thank each and every one of you for being here for Detective Benson. At this moment in time there is nothing more that we can do. So please take this time to rest, go home and spend some time with the family. I promise you will be notified immediately of any changes."

"Yes sir." They all said in unison. Each officer began to turn to one another. They were taking time shaking hands giving each other brief hugs that was followed with words of encouragement. Slowly one by one they began to disperse from the waiting room and out into cold New York evening. Each and every one of them saying the same prayer, Please lord let her survive and come back to us and please let me be the one to find the bastard that put her there.

Cragen grabbed his phone and texted his two detectives that was gone to return immediately. As he slid the phone back in pocket and headed through the door he felt as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. How was he going to tell Alex that who she saw as her savior may not make it through the night and if she did there was a chance that she would only be the shell of the woman she used to be.