I really should have learned my lesson by now: never promise the next chapter will be the last one when there's still so much meat on the bone to chew off. OK, maybe not the best analogy, but you get my point. 17.5K words, and none of it is the finale. Oh, well. More for you guys, right?

All hell breaks loose in Manhattan when a prosecuting attorney and a paramedic lieutenant are found stabbed and near death, and two cities come together to get justice for their own. It's a waiting game on two counts: to find the man responsible and for two vital members of their families to wake up.

***

Jalen sighed in annoyance and finally dropped his pen to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I didn't know words could blur so much."

"Yeah, I think we can call it a night," Frank agreed, snapping shut the folder he had been looking through and dropping it into one of his drawers. "We would be here until tomorrow morning if we went through all these reports."

"I'd be seeing triple if we did that," Jalen snorted as he shut his laptop. "You up for a drink before I head home?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I have plans," Frank shook his head as he checked his watch. "Lily is stealing Nolan for help on one of her essays. He's meeting me here."

Jalen raised a dubious eyebrow. "Oh, it's just your daughter who's stealing him?"

Frank gave him a dirty look. "Don't you dare start unless you want me to hit back."

Jalen snorted. "Man, after Sam and I had drinks the first night when I was suspended and she took me to her place so I didn't go home alone, I asked her out the next morning. We are both head over heels for our prosecutors, and there isn't a single person in this precinct who doesn't know it."

Frank sighed heavily and pulled on his overcoat. "Are we really that obvious?"

"You definitely are," Jalen nodded. "How did anyone in Chicago think it's Sylvie you're in love with?"

"Because they never saw me with Nolan," Frank deadpanned. "And we both have similar trains of thought at times. I'm more inclined towards the first idea, though."

Jalen snickered. "That'll do it."

"It is interesting to think about what might've happened if I somehow met Sylvie before Nolan, though," Frank grinned cheekily, laughing at the incredulous look Jalen gave him and answering his ringing phone. "He – "

A loud thud on the other end made Frank instinctively recoil, and Jalen frowned in concern at his partner's wince. "What is it?" he asked.

Frank, however, balked when he saw the Caller ID, and he hastily put his phone back to his ear. "Sylvie?" he asked, and Violet's head poked up over her monitors in concern. "Syl – "

A sound akin to electronics smashing made Frank yelp in surprise and yank his phone away again. "Frank?" Kate stepped out of her office, her brow furrowed. "Did you say Sylvie's name?"

Frank tapped the icon on his phone to put his phone on speaker, and the eerie tone that emitted made all four police members look at each other in horror. "Did you hear her at all?" Jalen asked.

Frank swallowed hard. "No."

Kate spun around. "Violet – "

"Checking where she called from," Violet cracked her knuckles and started typing on her keyboard.

Frank quickly hung up his phone as Jalen lunged to grab his service weapon. When he redialed, the dial tone rang out again, and Frank shook his head in worry. "Call or radio us and let us know!" he barked, grabbing his own service weapon and racing for the door.

"Copy!"

"She wouldn't be on a paramedicine run, right?" Jalen asked, hurrying to climb into the passenger seat of Frank's unmarked cruiser. "It's too late for that."

"No, every run I've seen her schedule has been finished by five," Frank replied, shoving his key into the ignition to start the car. "This is bad, Jalen."

"I know," Jalen nodded, hastily buckling his seatbelt. The buckle had just clicked into place when Frank peeled out of his parking space and onto the street. Jalen's phone rang a few seconds later, and he immediately put it on speaker. "What do we know?"

"I'm not getting a signal from Brett's phone at the moment, but her call to Cosgrove lasted long enough for it to ping from the towers," Violet answered. "She made the call in Central Park."

"Got it," Jalen nodded.

"There's one more problem, guys." At Kate's grim voice, Frank paused, his hand pausing before he could turn on his lights and sirens. "I just called Price's cell. He never answered. Violet is pinging his phone, too." A sharp inhale came from Violet, and Kate cursed. "And it's pinging not far from Sylvie's in Central Park, too."

Frank paled rapidly, and Jalen reached over to turn on the lights and sirens instead, leaving his partner free to drive like a maniac. "Send us where!" he ordered.

"Sending now!" Violet replied.

Jalen's radio crackled to life, and he adjusted the volume, clenching tight as Frank sped towards Central Park. "All available 2-7 units, converge on Central Park with 2-7 David and 2-7 Ocean immediately," Kate ordered. "We suspect an attack has been made on EADA Price and Paramedic Lieutenant Brett. Their safety is the priority."

Confirmations rolled in as Frank pulled into the closest parking spot he could find. To both detectives' surprise, a familiar unmarked sedan whipped into another spot nearby. "Bell?" Frank blinked. "Stabler?"

"We were wrapping up a stakeout not too far away," Elliot explained, clicking on a flashlight as he joined them. "Reyes, Whelan, and Slootmaekers are behind us."

"So is SVU," Ayanna added. "Benson was getting worried when she hadn't heard from Brett. They had plans tonight, apparently."

"Yeah, so did Lily with Nolan," Frank said miserably, looking down at his phone when it chirped. "And speaking of him, Violet's tracked his phone."

"Where to?" Ayanna asked, clicking on her flashlight and only taking a moment to glance over her shoulder as more sedans arrived. "We can tell the others where we are."

"This way," Jalen pointed with his phone, taking off down the path.

The echo of car doors opening and closing followed them as the quartet took off, calling Nolan and Sylvie's names as their flashlight beams bounced around the park. Every second that went by without an answer from the siblings or a sighting of them made Frank's heart rate tick faster. Silence was not a good sign in his book.

And when Ayanna's beam finally bounced off two prone forms on the ground, blood covering the cobblestones around them, Frank's heart plummeted into his stomach. "Nolan!" he shouted, sprinting ahead of the others.

"Call a bus!" Ayanna yelled over her shoulder, beelining for the woman.

Elliot started barking orders into his radio as Jalen joined Frank at Nolan's side, the prosecutor's skin already pale. When Jalen helped roll Nolan onto his back, it was easy to see why. "Oh, my God," his jaw dropped at the bleeding wound in Nolan's side.

"Fucking hell," Frank choked out, one hand immediately clamping over the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. His other hand trembled as he sought Nolan's pulse, and he exhaled sharply when he felt it fluttering in Nolan's neck. "Thank God. He has a pulse!"

"Buses are on their way," Elliot reported, a grave look on his face as he crouched by his fellow detectives. He removed his jacket and handed it to Frank, which the homicide detective immediately took to press against Nolan's wound. "NYPD reinforcements are en route. The woman is declared DOA."

Frank nodded, swallowing hard, then the rest of Elliot's words struck home. His head shot up, and he looked around wildly. "Did you find Sylvie?"

"She isn't around here," Bobby shook his head as he jogged up, worry on his face. Behind him, Jet's face, which was naturally pale already, looked ghostly white as she fidgeted on her feet. "Maybe she ran?"

Phones all around the area chirped, and Jamie checked his. "Yee sent her coordinates to everyone," he reported.

More sirens wailed nearby, almost drowning out Frank's own heartbeat as it pounded in his ears. He looked down at Nolan, who hadn't responded at all to any of their attempts to wake him, then he looked at Jalen. For once, he had no idea what he was meant to do. He didn't want to move from Nolan, not at all . . . but he had no doubt if Nolan had been awake, he would be urging Frank to find his sister.

Jalen looked over his shoulder as Olivia's team arrived on the scene, familiar faces in FDNY uniforms pouring in after them. "Go," he told Frank. "I've got Nolan. He'd want you to find Sylvie."

Frank swallowed hard, glancing down at his hand when he felt warmth seep through the fabric of Elliot's jacket. He knew what that meant, and his terror rocketed when he saw red starting to stain his skin. He looked back at Jalen and took a shaky breath. "Stay with him?" he requested, not caring how his voice shook.

"I won't leave him," Jalen promised. "They'll have to pry me away with a Halligan."

Those were the magic words he needed to hear, and Frank numbly nodded. He reluctantly stepped away from Nolan, and Jalen immediately took over in trying to stop the bleeding. Olivia was all business as she shouted orders and coordinated police and fire personnel, and Elliot gave Frank a pitying look, one that made the homicide detective flinch. "Whelan and Slootmaekers got a head start on us."

"Then let's move," Frank ground out, checking the GPS on his phone and taking off down the path.

Mercifully, Elliot didn't argue, and the two senior detectives ran further into the park. Fin, Amanda, and Sonny brought up the rear, all three with their free hands on their guns. "Liv didn't get much of a summary from Dixon," Fin said, giving Frank a wary look as they walked. "How did you know they were attacked?"

"Because I heard Sylvie's phone get crunched while I was on the line with her," Frank answered curtly, barely avoiding snapping at the man. "The call was long enough for Violet to get it to ping here in the park. She did the same with Nolan's."

"One of Jack's prosecutors," Amanda shook her head, biting her lip worriedly. "How did that happen?"

A horrified scream from ahead made all of them whip out their guns, and Sonny gulped. "Oh, no."

"Call another ambulance!" Jamie yelled. "Now!"

Frank had a good idea of what he would see when he found Jamie and Jet, but what he saw in front of him was horrifying. He had seen Sylvie in a heap before, after BX9 had attacked, but now she was slumped at the base of one of the trees, blood matting her hair and soaking her blouse and jacket. Jamie's hand was pressing against where the knife wound must have been, but his hand was already covered in red. Just a few feet away was the remains of Sylvie's phone, crushed and useless.

Frank immediately crouched by Jamie, and the younger detective thankfully knew to let him take over. He faintly heard Elliot shouting into his radio for another ambulance and Fin and Sonny questioning Jamie, and when he glanced up for a quick moment, he found Amanda with her arm around Jet, who looked like she had seen a ghost.

As more sirens approached and he looked down at Sylvie, as still as her brother and skin pale with the amount of blood she had already lost, he thought it was an accurate look.

***

Everything sounded like Sam was underwater as she stumbled into Mercy, Peter's hand around her elbow the only thing keeping her from tripping over her heels. The ambulance bay was a flurry of motion as doctors and nurses swarmed, several people talking over each other as they prepared for the two people Sam knew were coming and were in critical condition. Sam didn't even need to hear any communications between the staff and paramedics; the only time she had ever seen a hospital in this type of frenzy was when someone was arriving in desperate need of immediate help.

Sirens finally cut through the fog filling Sam's mind, and she and Peter turned in time to see two ambulances zoomed into the bay at the same time, one from the 225 and the other from the 252. Police sedans veered into view around them, and doors burst open as the doctors flew into action. "What do we have?" one of them shouted.

"EADA Nolan Price," Zimmers reported grimly as he and Lizzie brought Nolan out of the 225's ambulance, Jalen's hands firmly in place over where the prosecutor had to be injured, Olivia climbing out after them. "Stab wound to the side, severe blood loss. Lost him twice in the ambulance, brought him back both times."

Sam gasped in horror, and while Peter didn't make a sound, his hand tightened on her arm and his face lost all color. "Paramedic Lieutenant Sylvie Brett," the paramedic captain from the 252 called as he and his partner brought Sylvie out of their ambulance, a very pale Frank with his hands pressing hard on her abdomen. "Stab wound to the abdomen and head trauma leading to severe blood loss. Lost her thrice in the ambulance, got her back all three times."

That got a vocal reaction from Peter, who let out a choked curse and swayed on his feet. Sam managed to get her arm around him to support him, the two prosecutors clutching each other tight as doctors swarmed their patients and NYPD members joined their brethren. "Straight to the trauma bays for both of them!" one doctor in black scrubs barked, a severe look on his face as he pointed down into the hospital. "Go, go, go!"

"We'll do everything we can for them," a nurse added before she joined the crew pushing Sylvie's gurney.

"Do better!" Frank called sharply in return, his voice cracking at the end.

Once the doors shut behind the medical professionals, the amount of noise in the hospital drastically decreased. It was silent enough that Sam could hear the ragged and rapid breathing of the NYPD members who had arrived, and she swallowed hard and turned to see who had come to the hospital. Frank and Jalen were there, of course, and so were Olivia, Elliot, Jet, Sonny, Velasco, and Grace. All of them were in various stages of shock, and all of them had varying amounts of blood on their clothes and skin. The two homicide detectives by far had the most on them, and nausea churned in Sam's stomach. "What – " She coughed, trying to clear her throat of the tears beginning to clog it. "What happened?"

"Sylvie tried to call me," Frank answered hoarsely, the energy appearing to drain out of him as he spoke. "We heard her phone fall, then someone stomped on it, ending the call. Jalen and I were out of there once Violet traced her phone. Lieu called Nolan, and when he didn't answer, she had Violet track his phone, too."

"We found them in Central Park," Elliot explained quietly, his hand on a shaking Jet's shoulder. "Price first, then Brett further down the path. Fin and Ayanna are running the scene. Whoever hurt them also killed a woman. Her body wasn't far from Nolan. She was DOA. If we had been any later – "

"Don't," Frank said harshly.

Elliot shut his mouth with a nod, and Sonny took a deep breath. "They got here, and they're alive," he said. "That's what matters."

"Who would do something like this?" Jet whispered, covering her mouth with one hand.

"I don't know," Olivia shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. "But I want to find out. That's for damn sure."

No verbal answer met her words, but heads nodded all around the room. A horrible thought then occurred to Sam, and she swallowed as she looked at Frank. "You're Nolan's emergency contact, aren't you?" she asked quietly.

He flinched and nodded, and Elliot quietly swore. "And Sylvie's?" he asked, catching onto her train of thought.

"With Casey in Portland, I don't know how it isn't Severide," Peter answered heavily and rubbed his forehead. "I should . . . "

"Go," Olivia nodded. "If anything happens, we'll let you know."

Peter managed a smile that was more like a grimace as he nodded and moved to a different area of the hospital. Frank let out his breath slowly and sank into the chair against the wall behind him, staring down at the blood drying on his hands. "Lily's back at home," he whispered, seeming unable to speak louder than that. "She's meant to be staying with me for the week."

"I'll call Lieu," Jalen told him, squeezing Frank's shoulder supportively. "You're Nolan's emergency contact. You should stay here."

"We'll take care of Lily," Sam nodded, taking one of the seats next to Frank.

Jalen immediately took the chair on Frank's other side, and the senior detective swallowed hard. "Thanks."

Sam nodded and rested her head on Frank's shoulder, closing her eyes to try and contain tears. "Any time."

***

Delight ran freely in Molly's, and Matt watched with a smile as Cindy Herrmann was swarmed with congratulations. When he heard the kind, loving wife of the engine lieutenant had been diagnosed with lung cancer, it had felt like a punch to the gut. Cindy had never made any choices in her life that could have caused the cancer; if anything, lung cancer was something her husband would have gotten from his years in the department. Everyone had rallied around the woman to support her and see if the Herrmann clan needed anything. When Griffin and Ben had heard, they had practically demanded that Matt take them with him when he flew to Chicago to inform Boden about the task force being assembled by Homeland Security.

As he watched everyone with a smile on their face, Griffin and Ben among them, Matt knew it had been a good idea. It had also been good to reconnect with Grainger and Pelham, the two lieutenants he had personally recommended for the interdepartment task force. Had Kelly been there, he would have been at the top of the list, but he had easily agreed to include Seager in the meeting at the lieutenants' request. Nothing of note had popped up while he was in the city, but he knew it could only be a matter of time before these terrorist attacks spread to the major cities in their plans.

Now, he mused as he leaned back against the bar and watched Herrmann and Cindy dance, their foreheads pressed against each other and soft, loving smiles on their faces, if only Sylvie was here so I would know which FDNY officers to contact.

A stool scraped on the floor next to him, and Matt glanced to the side to see Grainger sit next to him. "Did Seager finally let you have a break?" he teased.

"My feet are in danger of falling off," Grainger deadpanned, and Matt snickered, watching as Seager tugged Pelham to join her. "They haven't hurt like this in all my time as a firefighter."

"What about as a paramedic?" Matt smirked.

"It's good to work with Violet," Grainger replied after a moment of thought. "After what happened to Evan, I thought I might back away from EMS work. But doing it with Violet, who he cared so much for and was willing to risk his career for . . . I enjoy it. It's a way to honor his memory."

Matt smiled softly and reached over to grip Grainger's shoulder. "He'll always be missed, Greg."

Grainger smiled in return. "Thanks, Matt." He took a long drink of his beer. "You're missed, too, you know?"

"I know," Matt nodded. "I'm actually working with an attorney on that."

Grainger's eyes widened. "You are?"

"Yeah," Matt grinned. "Nolan put me in contact with him. And since Langan was the one who helped Benson with gaining custody of her son, I have a pretty good feeling about this."

"No kidding?" Grainger laughed. "That's the best news I've heard in a long time, Casey. Those boys deserve to get out of that hellhole . . . and you deserve to come home. I think Brett and Severide want that more than anyone combined."

Matt did his best to ignore the flip-flop his stomach made at that statement. "Maybe not anyone," he murmured.

Grainger watched him take a long drink, Matt's eyes focused on a blank spot on the bar, and he leaned against the bar, lowering his voice so only the captain heard. "Help me out here, man," he said. "You, Severide, Brett . . . it's obvious you all think the world revolves around the others. It's not giving me platonic vibes."

Matt let out an inelegant snort. "Does it give you vibes like the Halsteads and their partners?"

Grainger aimed a pointed look towards where Will, Natalie, and Connor were a tangle of limbs as they sat at one of the tables then to Hailey and Kim on the dance floor while Jay watched with a fond smile on his face with Hank. "Exactly like that," he confirmed.

Matt's expression darkened, but something about it told Grainger it wasn't aimed at him. "We both love her," he confided. "Kelly . . . we've never spoken about it, but the way I react when he's in danger is the same way I've reacted when it comes to Sylvie. Worse, sometimes. It's been me and Sev for so long that I feel like he's carved out part of my heart to keep for himself. I can't think of my life without him in it." He swallowed hard and stared down into his beer bottle. "And Sylvie . . . God, she's the best of us. Sometimes, I don't know why she ever gives us the time of day. We all fit separately, but the three of us together?" He shook his head. "If I was told to choose between them, I couldn't. I would rather tear out the rest of my heart than do that."

Grainger hesitantly reached over and squeezed Matt's shoulder. "I don't think that's a possibility, Casey," he said softly. "Anyone who's seen the three of you together knows that's how it's meant to be."

Matt scoffed. "We'd have to be in the same city for that, though, wouldn't we? Me in Portland right now, Kelly and Sylvie here in Chicago . . . I don't want that strain on us."

"But you've got the attorney working on that," Grainger reminded him. "You won't be in Portland forever." Matt nodded faintly. "Hey," Grainger lightly shook him. "Get your head out of the worst-case scenarios, OK? Focus on the boys for now. You'll be back with Brett and Severide before you know it."

That got a faint smile out of the captain. "I hope so."

Grainger patted his shoulder then frowned past him. "I didn't realize the commissioner was coming tonight."

Matt spun around on his stool, surprised by the lieutenant's words. Sure enough, Grissom had stepped into the bar, his eyes sweeping over every occupant. When his gaze settled on Matt, he felt a chill go down his spine at the look on his face. "I don't think he's here for a party," he swallowed, leaving his seat.

Boden, too, had noticed the arrival of the head of the CFD, and he joined Matt as Grissom approached them. "Commissioner," he greeted. "Would you like a drink this evening?"

"No, Chief," Grissom shook his head, his lips pressed tightly together. "Unfortunately, that's not why I'm here."

The somber expression on his face made Matt's head spin, especially when the commissioner turned to him. "Which one?" he asked, dreading the answer. The door to the bar opened again, this time admitting the State's Attorney. Jefferies' appearance and his grave face gave Matt the answer to his question, and he shook his head, the alcohol he had drunk suddenly burning way more than it had when it had gone down. "Oh, my God," he choked, covering his mouth with a trembling hand.

Grissom nodded grimly and turned expectantly to Jefferies, who took a deep breath. "One hour ago, NYPD was called to Central Park by Lieutenant Dixon, and FDNY were called by Organized Crime shortly after," he said. "A public defender named Rachel Bender was deemed dead on arrival. Nolan Price and Sylvie Brett were both rushed to the hospital in critical condition resulting from stab wounds, the same way Ms. Bender was killed. When we were called, both were in surgery."

Cindy gasped in horror, and Grainger quickly reached out in time to grab Matt's drink before he dropped it. "No," Violet whimpered, falling back in her chair and staring at Jefferies. "No, no, no, not again, not again . . . "

"How – " Matt swallowed hard to try and keep his voice from shaking. "How long were they down before they were found?"

"Brett tried calling Detective Cosgrove, and her phone was smashed after he answered," Jefferies answered, and Natalie's face turned green. "Cosgrove and Shaw left the station while Detective Yee tracked the call. When Dixon tried Price's number, he didn't answer. That led them to Central Park." He hesitated, seeing the horrified looks on everyone's faces, then sighed and admitted, "Brett's call may have been their saving grace. According to the information I have, both Price and Brett flatlined multiple times on their way to the hospital."

By then, the entire bar was paying attention, and a very pale Matt turned to the pair of surgeons that were among those who had come from Chicago Med. "Can you tell me anything?" he begged.

Connor and Crockett exchanged looks, and Connor sighed. "It depends on where they were stabbed," he replied. "Do we know that?"

Jefferies' lips pressed together tightly. "Abdomen," he answered. "Both of them."

Maggie balked, and Griffin swallowed hard. "That's bad," he whispered. "Isn't it?"

Crockett reluctantly nodded. "Yeah. It's bad. Depending on how deep the stab went, if anything vital was hit, the amount of blood lost . . . "

Grainger quickly pulled out a stool and shoved it behind Matt when he swayed on his feet. "Fucking hell," the captain choked, looking at Grissom and Jefferies in horror.

"Kelly's been notified as Brett's primary emergency contact," Grissom told him. "He's catching a red-eye flight tonight. McCoy is arranging for you, and the Dardens if they want to join you, to be on the first flight there in the morning."

Matt looked at the boys, both of whom instantly nodded their heads. "We're going," Ben said firmly.

"I'm going as well," Jefferies added.

"What?" Pelham did a double take.

"Why, sir?" Goodwin asked, Charles looking interested from his seat as well.

"Because this investigation is being treated as the attempted assassination of a Manhattan District Attorney," Jefferies answered, and alarmed looks were traded amongst the members of the Intelligence Unit. "Stone and Maroun have recused themselves because Price and Brett were the victims and, as much as I hate saying this, we still need to know if they'll survive through the night. McCoy is taking this case himself and has asked me to assist." He turned on his heel to face the Intelligence Unit. "He has also requested the assistance of your unit, Sergeant Voight, if you are available."

Hank's eyes narrowed. "For Brett, we'll make ourselves available."

Jefferies nodded firmly. "Then I'll work on getting the flights."

Grissom glanced at Boden. "If any members of your house want to make the trip out, let me know," he said. "I'll coordinate with people in New York to get them out there as soon as possible after Casey and the Dardens."

"Thank you," Boden gave a strained smile.

"Who could have done this?" Ritter asked hoarsely.

Jefferies pressed his lips tightly together. "I'd bet my next election the NYPD isn't going to rest until they find out."

***

Kelly's heart was beating so hard in his chest, he swore anyone around him could have heard it as he hurried off the plane and into LaGuardia. Even late at night, the terminals had a respectable amount of people in them as he followed the signs to the baggage claim. How he made it was beyond him, given the stupor he was in as he tried to comprehend everything he had been told in the past six hours. He had been hoping he would be able to leave the arson conference soon. Never in a million years had he thought his out would come from a phone call from a hospital ER in Manhattan.

The person on the phone had just begun to share the injuries Sylvie sustained when Kelly's brain short-circuited. The idea of Sylvie in the hospital again was horrible enough. The mental image of her bleeding out in Central Park had made his blood freeze in terror, and he had barely managed to stammer out permission for the doctors to do whatever it took to save her. What felt like hours, but were only mere minutes, passed between that call and the one he made to catch the first flight he could to Manhattan, takeoff and arrival times be damned. By the time he finished that call, he had a message from Grissom, the commissioner promising to handle his absence with the conference leaders. That meant Kelly was out of the city before anyone could try and convince him to stay, and he was stuck on a plane while his mind conjured way too many worst-case scenarios for him to consider. He couldn't get off the plane fast enough.

Mercifully, once he reached the baggage claim, it took little time for Kelly to find the carousel with the luggage from his flight. To his surprise, though, he found a man in dark clothes waiting, the glint of an NYPD badge glinting from a chain around his neck. The moment the man noticed him, recognition sparked in his eyes. "Lieutenant Severide?" he asked expectantly.

"Yes, sir," Kelly confirmed.

"Sergeant Fin Tutuola, Manhattan SVU," the man introduced himself, extending his hand. "I think we've seen each other in Chicago when SVU dropped by, but we never properly met. I'm sorry this is how it happens."

"Likewise," Kelly swallowed hard and shook Fin's hand. "SVU . . . does that mean this case – ?"

"Oh, no," Fin quickly shook his head. "No, nothing of that nature in this case. I'm sorry I gave you that impression." Kelly sighed in relief, watching out of the corner of his eye to see if he could spot his suitcase coming around the carousel. "Lieutenant Dixon called as many available units to scour Central Park the moment she knew that was where Price and Brett were located. Homicide got there first, around the same time as Organized Crime. SVU was right behind them."

"Mark Jefferies said this is being treated as an attempted assassination against Nolan?" Kelly asked, swallowing hard.

"Yes," Fin nodded grimly. "I don't know what all Jefferies shared, but there was a woman DOA near Price when we arrived. Given Price and Brett were alive and she wasn't, we think the woman was the main target. Regardless, the right-hand man of the Manhattan District Attorney, the most senior prosecutor at the courthouse with McCoy at the helm, was attacked in the same manner and left for dead, as was his sister. McCoy is taking this personally, and he's pulled SVU and Organized Crime to help investigate. Rumor has it he planned on tapping Voight's Intelligence Unit, too, if they were able to help."

"They're coming," Kelly confirmed, reaching out and hauling his suitcase off the carousel when it came around. "I had a message from Ruzek when I got off the plane. The whole Intelligence Unit is coming, and since their plane was fully booked after they got tickets, a group from Chicago Med is on the flight after them. I don't know who all will be coming from 51, but Matt said they were already discussing plans to fly up here."

"Then Jefferies and . . . Grissom?" Kelly nodded to confirm the name, and Fin continued as they walked out the doors to a police cruiser. "Jefferies and Grissom are likely in contact with McCoy and Newhart. After all the work that's gone into building a bond between Manhattan and Chicago, I don't think they want anything stopping that in its tracks."

Kelly shoved his luggage into the back of Fin's cruiser, then he joined the man in the front seats of the car. "Have you . . . ?"

His questioned died away, and Fin glanced at him as he peeled away from the airport. "Have we seen them?" he guessed. Kelly flinched and nodded, and Fin sighed and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "Not since they were loaded into ambulances. Right now, the hospital is locked down as hard as Fort Knox, and no one on Price and Brett's floor goes anywhere without the NYPD knowing. When I left, they were still in surgery. It sounded like they were doing better, though."

Kelly nodded numbly, resigning himself to stare out the window and wait for Fin to take him to the hospital. "Thank you," he finally said. "For coming to pick me up, I mean."

"Of course," Fin nodded. "One of the 2-7 boys probably would've been here, but . . . " He shrugged halfheartedly. "Well."

And that's all he had to say, Kelly thought, nodding and shifting in his seat as Fin pulled into Mercy's parking lot, police cruisers everywhere he looked. Kelly, after all, had barely budged from Sylvie's side when she was hospitalized following the RPG explosion. It was no surprise the 2-7 preferred to stay at the hospital.

The police at the doors nodded as Fin led Kelly into the hospital, and the sergeant led him deep into the building. When they arrived at a waiting room, the first thing Kelly saw was the broad form of Jalen Shaw pacing the length of the room, his eyes darting between the doors to the ER and a beautiful dark-haired woman who sat in one of the chairs, her eyes rimmed red. "Shaw," Fin called.

Jalen glanced sharply in their direction, and some of the tension in his shoulders dissipated. "Severide," he greeted, walking over to meet him. "Glad you made it."

"Yeah, me, too," Kelly nodded, gratefully accepting the detective's hug. "I'm just glad I was able to make it out here in the time I did."

"Agreed," Jalen nodded, eyeing the clock on the wall and wincing at the time displayed. "Casey and the boys?"

"They're flying out . . . " Kelly glanced at the time, too, and grimaced. "Well. Later in the morning."

Jalen snorted. "Good idea." He turned and beckoned, and the woman who had been sitting stood and made her way over. "Lieutenant, this is Samantha Maroun, the ADA who works with Nolan. Sam, meet Lieutenant Kelly Severide."

Despite the tear tracks on her face causing her makeup to start running, Sam smiled with genuine happiness as she held out her hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Lieutenant."

"Likewise," Kelly nodded, shaking her hand and noticing how it slightly trembled. "Sylvie speaks very highly of you."

A laugh forced itself from Sam's throat. "As do I of her."

"Sergeant Tutuola said they were still in surgery?" Kelly asked, glancing over at Fin as the man spoke to the police officers stationed at the doors.

"The last update we heard was sounding reassuring," Jalen said, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets. "When one surgeon talked to Frank about what they would be doing, it sounded like those stabs didn't hit anything vital . . . but there was still a lot of damage done. Couple that with however long they were on the ground and the head injury Sylvie sustained . . . " He shrugged helplessly. "Here we wait."

"I hate it," Sam mumbled as she retook her seat and lifted her legs so she was curled in a ball. "But I can't sleep, and I'm useless anywhere else."

"You aren't useless, Sam," Jalen shook his head.

"I can't prosecute this, Jalen!" Sam gestured helplessly. "Neither can Stone because of Sylvie. I'm sidelined here, and I hate it. At least you're cleared to help investigate."

"And I'll be right out there the moment I hear anything about Nolan and Sylvie's conditions," Jalen said firmly. "That was the deal Dixon and Bell made."

"Cleared?" Kelly asked in confusion, then he did a double take and looked around the room. He felt like hitting himself for not asking earlier. "Where's Cosgrove?"

Sam flinched and looked down at her feet. Jalen sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Stabler finally convinced him to get cleaned up," he replied. "I asked Yee to bring our bags over from the 2-7. We always keep spare clothes on hand if we need them. We, uh . . . " He glanced down at his hand and grimaced, then he gestured to the Oxford shirt and khakis he wore. "There was a lot of blood, Severide. I was covered in it just from helping Nolan. That was after I took over from Frank when I told him to find Sylvie."

Kelly swallowed hard, the words feeling like a punch to the heart. "Oh, my God," he choked.

"Hey," Jalen gripped his shoulder and guided him to sit next to Sam. "Frank and I were moving the moment we knew something was wrong. Even though there were some scares on their way here, they were alive and breathing when they went into their surgeries. They're going to pull through, Severide."

"They've got to," Kelly shook his head, running a hand over his face. "Just thinking of a world without Sylvie in it – "

He cut off when his stomach churned, but he didn't have to finish his sentence. Jalen and Sam nodding in agreement was enough. "I know what you mean, brother," Jalen patted his shoulder and sat on his other side. "I know."

***

What he heard switched between being underwater and the piercing echo of sirens, and Frank flinched each time as he finished scrubbing away the blood that had started to cake under his nails. The paramedics who had arrived to treat Sylvie had told him to keep his hands where they were, which meant by the time they had arrived at the hospital, even the cuffs of his jacket were stained. Frank had seen many injuries in his time on the force and had been needed to try and tend to those injuries, but never in his years had he ever had this much blood on him.

And for it to be Sylvie's blood on him, all of it covering the blood that had been coming from the man he loved –

He swallowed down the bile that threatened to come up and quickly turned off the sink. He had been listening to water running for long enough that the silence in the bathroom was almost eerie. It was broken by Elliot walking forward and extending a towel to him. "Better?" he asked with a glance at Frank's hands.

Frank winced as he dried off his hands, relieved Elliot hadn't grabbed paper towels. That would have rubbed his skin even rawer than they already were. "I won't even think of using that word to describe how I feel until I know they're no longer under any sort of knife," he replied.

Elliot refrained from wincing at how hoarse Frank sounded. Pity wouldn't help the man when he was doing everything in his power to keep himself together. Sympathy could be offered later. "We should hear something soon," was what he offered instead.

This time, Elliot couldn't hide his wince when Frank chuckled, a hollow and bitter sound. "I dread to think what needed to be fixed for the surgeries to take this long," he said, tossing the towel uncaringly onto the counter and grabbing his duffel so he could change out of his bloody clothes. "The amount of blood Sylvie was losing in the ambulance . . . the amount of blood I saw on Jalen from Nolan – "

He cut off before saying more and slammed the stall door harder than was meant to, one of the few ways he could display his rage at the situation without punching anything or anyone. Elliot leaned against the wall and tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling. "Yeah, I know, man," he said. "I've been here before, too. It's excruciating."

For a moment, the only sound in the restroom was the rustle of clothing, then Frank sighed. "She was your wife, Stabler. That's different."

"Is it?" Elliot asked, not expecting an answer. "Yes, Kathy was my wife, and I loved her. The only difference between this situation and that one is this 'will they, won't they' dance you have going on with Nolan. Hell, Frank, the way you trust him with Lily . . . you're leapfrogging all over the place."

The stall door opened, and for once, Elliot didn't receive an annoyed or exasperated look from Frank at the mention of the man's feelings for the attorney. All he did was sigh heavily and lean against the counter as he fastened his watch back around his wrist. "I know we are," he said, folding his arms and staring down at his shoes. Not for the first time, Elliot marveled how a person's clothing could affect the image they portrayed because Frank, already with color missing from his face, somehow looked far more vulnerable in a clean polo and jeans than he had in his suit, blood on it be damned. "You know, I've never fallen for anyone as fast as I did for Nolan. I've never fallen for anyone as hard as I did for Nolan. Time spent with him . . . it's like a drug, Elliot. The more it happens, the more I want it. Add in the way he is with Lily . . . " He shook his head and forced out a laugh. "How could I not love him?"

"Then why haven't you done something about it?"

Frank chuckled humorlessly. "Because what used to terrify me the most about what I feel was potentially ruining the best relationship I have by telling him."

Elliot nodded slowly. "Until tonight."

"Yeah," Frank nodded. "Until tonight." He leaned down to pick up his duffel, slinging it over his shoulder and turning to face his reflection in the mirror, his hands bracing on the edge of the counter. "Now all I can think about is what it may feel like if I lose half of my heart without Nolan even realizing he had it."

"You'll get to tell him," Elliot said firmly, hesitating a moment before resting a supportive hand on Frank's shoulder and squeezing lightly. "You know Nolan better than any of us, and other than Stone, you may know Sylvie better, too. They're fighters, Frank. If anyone can survive the injuries they sustained, it's those two. They'll pull through, and we'll get the psychopath who did this to them."

Frank nodded absently, his gaze lowering from his reflection. "I told Kate I'm recusing myself," he admitted. "I can't . . . there's no way I can work on this case. Not with where my head is at. Not with how I feel."

"That's probably smart, given how defense attorneys could spin that," Elliot nodded. "Your place is here with Nolan. McCoy will throw everyone in the NYPD he can at this case. We'll get this guy."

Frank nodded, taking a deep breath. It was much steadier than previous breaths he had taken. "Just promise me one thing?"

"Name it," Elliot said instantly.

Frank turned to face him, his red-rimmed pale eyes as hard as steel. "When you find who did this, you make them pay."

Elliot nodded and squeezed Frank's shoulder. "I promise."

Frank closed his eyes and nodded, some of the tension in his body visibly lifting. "Thank you," he whispered.

A hesitant knock on the door made both men tense. "Cosgrove? Stabler?" Fin called.

Elliot glanced at Frank, who nodded. "Come in!" the organized crime detective replied.

The door cracked open, and Fin poked his head inside. "The doctor is looking for you," he told Frank. "The doctor he came out with just went back to the waiting room to find Severide."

What color Frank had regained just as quickly drained away again. "Could you get a read on him?" Elliot asked, his grip on Frank's shoulder tightening.

"No," Fin admitted. "But he didn't look upset or anything like that."

Frank nodded robotically and took a deep breath, stepping away from Elliot and following Fin out of the bathroom. Elliot followed them, and the three found the doctor waiting at the end of the hall. The doctor straightened when he saw the trio approaching, and he walked to join them halfway. "Detective Cosgrove," he greeted.

"How's Nolan?" Frank immediately asked.

"Stable, and out of surgery," the doctor replied, and all three NYPD members exhaled in relief. "We had to be careful, given how much blood he had already lost. Luckily, nothing vital was hit, even though it was such a deep wound. We're keeping him sedated for now and moving him into one of the ICU rooms. We need to keep monitoring him for now, make sure he stays stable, but you'll be the first to know when he can be allowed visitors."

"Thank you," Frank smiled. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," the doctor nodded and smiled in return. "I'm glad I could give you good news."

As the doctor moved to leave, Frank bit his lip. "Do you know anything about his sister?" he asked. "Lieutenant Brett?"

The doctor paused. "We did get clearance from Lieutenant Severide to share information about her condition," he said. "In addition to her stab wound, we had to tend to the head wound she sustained. It's likely we'll lift the sedation on her first so we can wake her up and assess what type of concussion she likely has because of the injury. Just like Counselor Price, we want to make sure she stays stable before we admit visitors to her room."

The lingering worry on Frank's face dissipated, and he nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

The doctor nodded in return and walked back down the hall, and the three NYPD members simultaneously breathed sighs of relief. "Just one murder," Fin nodded. "I can't believe I'm saying that's good."

"The alternative is three murders, two of them our own," Elliot shook his head. "I'm glad that's all we're dealing with." He glanced at Frank, who looked like the weight of the world had lifted from his shoulders. "You gonna find Severide?"

"I should," Frank admitted, rubbing his forehead. "But if I'm gonna stay here, I need to go home first and talk to Lily. I'd rather she hear what happened from me instead of the news. It'll get out soon enough that the top prosecutor was attacked and almost killed in Central Park. She shouldn't have to hear that from gossip at Cromwell."

Fin grimaced at the thought. "Good idea."

"I'll drop you off," Elliot offered. "Ayanna told me to head to Central Park after I heard anything."

"Thanks," Frank nodded wearily. "I probably shouldn't be driving anyway."

Elliot winced sympathetically and nodded in agreement. "Probably not."

***

Kate was waiting in the doorway of Frank's brownstone when the detective arrived, Elliot driving away to return to the crime scene. "Shaw told me the news," she said as Frank joined her. "They're really OK?"

"Well, they're under tight surveillance for a while," Frank shrugged halfheartedly. "I told Jalen to let me know if they start allowing visitors while I'm here. I know the hospital is allowing us to stay in the waiting room because of who they've got back in the unit, but . . . policy and all."

"I know," Kate nodded. "And how are you?"

Frank sighed. "I don't know. It's Nolan, Kate."

"And that's really all you have to say," Kate smiled somberly. "Honestly, I would've pulled you from the case if you hadn't pulled yourself from it first. If you need any time after the case concludes, let me know."

"Thank you," Frank said gratefully. "For that, and for being here."

"I'm happy to stay," Kate assured him. "However long I can help. I can coordinate the 2-7 away from the precinct." Frank nodded, and Kate pursed her lips. "She knows something happened," she warned. "But given I was the one who came here and you weren't . . . "

"She's smart like that," Frank smiled bitterly. "I'll talk to her."

"OK," Kate nodded and squeezed his shoulder comfortingly. "Hang in there, Frank."

"I'm doing my best," he muttered as he opened the door.

Lily looked up from the book she was reading when he walked into the living room, and she hurriedly scrambled off the couch. "Dad!"

"Hey, sweetheart," Frank smiled tiredly, and he gladly held open his arms as Lily practically flew to hug him. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"Kate said something happened," Lily replied, looking at him worriedly. "Is it a case? She's not usually in the field for that, right?"

"She's not," Frank agreed, setting down his bag and taking a deep breath. "And yes, there's a case. Sit down, Lily."

Lily's brown eyes widened in worry, and she promptly reclaimed her spot on the couch. "Is it bad?" she whispered.

Frank unconsciously rubbed his palms on his pants as he sat, too, the phantom feel of Nolan and Sylvie's blood making him want to scrub his hands raw again. "Very," he confessed. "Lily . . . Nolan and Sylvie were attacked in Central Park. They were really hurt when they got to Mercy, and their surgeries finished just a short time ago. They're in the ICU under heavy surveillance right now to make sure they remain stable."

Lily's face lost color with every sentence Frank spoke. "But they're alive?" she demanded, her voice wobbling. "They're going to be OK?"

"The doctor I spoke to said they both made it through surgery without complications," Frank explained, taking Lily's hands in his. His daughter held onto him tightly, a hold that grounded him as much as it likely supported her. "But it was a very tight timeframe they were working with. They . . . " He closed his eyes and forced himself to take a deep breath. "They had already lost a lot of blood by the time we found them. Had we gotten to them any later, it would be a different story." Lily's whimper felt like a punch to the gut. "But they made it through the surgeries, and like I said, the doctor says they're stable," he told Lily, rubbing his thumb over knuckles. "The staff isn't allowing any visitors to see them yet while they make sure they stay that way."

Lily swallowed hard, looking ready to curl in a ball. "Oh, my God," she choked out, her eyes filling with tears.

"I know," Frank nodded, tugging Lily to his side so he could hug her. Lily buried her nose in his chest, and he could feel her shake from the force of her sobs. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, swallowing down his own tears. "They'll be OK, sweetheart. They'll be just fine."

***

For once in his life, Matt thanked his nonexistent sleep schedule due to firefighting that allowed him to wake the moment the plane to Manhattan landed. He blinked what little sleep he had gotten out of his eyes and reached over to gently nudge the Dardens awake. Both boys grumbled under their breath, but as the plane crept towards their terminal, they sat up straight and reached to pull their backpacks out from under the seats in front of them.

Across the aisle, the members of the Intelligence Unit were also preparing to leave the plane, and Jefferies had already put his phone to his ear and started speaking to someone. As everyone began reaching above their seats for their carry-ons, the State's Attorney finished his call and put his phone away. "We're gonna have a welcoming party," he warned.

"Well, since I have no clue where we're going," Matt shrugged, slinging his bag over his shoulder and ushering the boys ahead of him. "I'll take it."

"The news outlets are blowing up about the attack," Kim said, showing them her phone. All of the recommended pages in her browser were breaking news articles about the Executive ADA, his sister, and a public defender being knifed in Central Park. "I haven't seen a reaction like this in years."

Jefferies sighed as the group left the plane. "When Price left the defense field, Jack moved extremely quickly to secure a spot for him in his office," he told them. "Took him under his wing, taught him everything he could to balance out his defense tactics so they melded with prosecution ones. It makes Price a powerhouse in the courtroom. Add in that this past year, he and the 2-7 have a perfect conviction record . . . it caused a huge outcry from the DA's office and the police that someone would have the nerve to attack him. Maybe he isn't popular with those he helps put away, but he certainly is with the public."

"I guess that's a good thing to be," Matt said, glancing around to find where their luggage carousel would be.

Jefferies hesitated, and Hank scowled at him. "Out with it, Mark."

Jefferies pursed his lips tightly together. "There was a large uproar from the FDNY when word got around that Brett was attacked, too," he finally said. "Apparently, she's made quite a mark on the department. Jack's inbox was quickly flooded with requests to send her well wishes once she awoke."

"Awoke?" Matt whipped around to look at him in shock. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means she's stable but still under sedation." The familiar yet heavy voice was a balm to Matt, and he turned back around to see Peter standing by their baggage carousel, a strained smile on his face. With him stood Kate, the lieutenant of the Homicide Squad, and people with gold detective badges Matt didn't recognize. "Nolan is the same way," Peter continued, stepping forward to greet them. "But they pulled through their surgeries with no complications."

"Thank God for that," Jefferies remarked, holding out his hand. "I'm sorry this is how we see each other again, Peter."

"Me, too, sir," Peter nodded, his strained smile becoming more natural as he shook his former boss's hand. "It would have been a hell of a lot worse if I had bad news to give, though. Thank you for coming, all of you." He gratefully looked over the members of Intelligence, all of Hank's unit behind him. "Jack wants this psychopath found as soon as possible. He's already throwing SVU and OC at the case to help Dixon, Shaw, and Yee. Intelligence will be a welcome help."

"Not Cosgrove?" Adam blinked.

"I would've pulled him from the investigation if he hadn't pulled himself out before I could even bring up the topic," Kate shook her head. "He was very clear that his place is at Price's side, and that's where I've told him to stay. The hospital lifted the restriction on visitors for Price and Brett a few hours ago, so that's where Severide is. I can take you there and get you clearance inside, Casey."

"Thank you," Matt nodded gratefully.

"Off to the courthouse for us, right?" Jefferies asked Peter.

"Yes, sir," Peter confirmed.

"And us?" Hank asked.

"Muncy and Whelan will take you to Central Park," Kate replied, and the two detectives nodded in confirmation. "Benson, Bell, and the rest of their teams are already there. Captain Casey, you weren't in Chicago when the Organized Crime team handled Martucci's ring. Detective Jamie Whelan is part of the Organized Crime task force. Detective Grace Muncy is with Special Victims. Whelan, Muncy, this is Captain Matt Casey and his two wards, Griffin and Ben Darden. Muncy, I imagine you'll get introduced to Intelligence on your way to the scene."

"Copy, Lieutenant," Grace nodded.

"Thanks, Lieutenant," Griffin did his best to smile.

Ben echoed his brother's words, albeit a little softer. Kate smiled in understanding and beckoned for them to come closer. "I saw Sylvie before I met everyone here," she said, and Matt inched closer to hear as well while also keeping an eye out for their luggage. "It's disconcerting to see her so still, but she looks far better than I know she did when she arrived. The doctors are very positive about her recovery. She'll be OK."

Both boys sagged in relief, and Matt smiled. "Thank you, Lieutenant."

"I understand this worry completely," Kate told him with a small smile. "The least I can do is relieve their fears if I can."

"You're doing better than I did," Matt muttered, reaching over to grab his suitcase when it arrived.

"You're doing better than some parents and guardians I've seen," Kate countered, barely giving the others a glance as Peter, Grace, and Jamie split off with their people. "You're good with these boys, Casey. Makes me wonder what those women up in Portland were thinking, trying to keep them caged where they clearly shouldn't be."

Matt snorted. "We haven't gotten out of that cage yet."

"Yet," Kate emphasized. "I know Langan's reputation. I don't know how Price made it happen, but he got you the best attorney to represent you for this case. Did you know Langan was the one who helped Benson get custody of Noah?"

Matt nodded. "Nolan said that when he gave me Langan's contact info."

Kate smiled in satisfaction. "Then you should know Langan never takes a custody case like this unless he knows a child belongs with the person he's representing. For him to be doing it pro bono? You'll be out of Portland before you know it."

"I hope so," Matt smiled, nodding as the boys found their luggage. "We all want out of there."

"It's not just you," Kate chuckled, leading them towards the doors. "Hell, we may throw a party here in Manhattan once you win."

"Really?" Ben perked up. "Can we come?"

Kate laughed and patted Ben's shoulder. "It would be your party, Ben. You would absolutely be invited."

***

If a watched pot never boils, will a watched woman never change in condition?

The thought had some merit, but it merely made Kelly's heart clench further as he sat at Sylvie's bedside, his hand as tight around hers as he dared to hold it. He had never seen her this still or pale in a hospital bed even when she had been at Chicago Med following the RPG attack. She only needed a cannula to breathe, which was a relief for Kelly to see. If she had needed a ventilator, he wasn't sure how he would have reacted.

As it was, he nearly jumped out of his skin when a gentle yet shaking hand settled on his shoulder. He looked up in surprise, and what little breath he'd inhaled was let out in a rush at the pale but familiar face looking down at him before glancing at Sylvie. "Matt," Kelly gulped, quickly standing to engulf him in a hug. "You made it."

"The flight was apparently arranged for us by the DA's office and the NYPD," Matt nodded, hugging Kelly just as tightly. "Intelligence went straight to Central Park. Jefferies is headed to meet with McCoy." He nodded over his shoulder. "Dixon brought us here."

Kelly looked past Matt to see Kate lingering in the doorway, two teenage boys peering around her with worry. "Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Any time," Kate nodded.

She patted the boys' shoulders and headed further down the hallway, and Ben cautiously made his way into the room, looking at Sylvie with wide eyes. "She looks like a ghost," he whispered.

"She lost a lot of blood," Kelly explained, watching Griffin stand close to his brother. Both boys looked hesitant, and Kelly smiled sadly. "It's alright. You can touch her. I only let go of her to hug Matt."

Ben immediately latched onto Sylvie's hand, careful not to dislodge any of her IVs. Griffin was more careful as he put a hand on Sylvie's arm, and the older boy swallowed hard when Sylvie didn't react to them. "But she's gonna be OK?" he asked.

"The doctors all say she should be," Kelly nodded, and Matt sighed in relief and took the extra chair on Kelly's side of the bed. "She'll just have a long road to recovery. They're being very careful."

"Because of the head injury?" Griffin asked.

"That's part of it." Here he hesitated, and Kelly finally rubbed his temples. "They have a close estimate on the timeframe between when she was stabbed and when the NYPD found her. If Cosgrove hadn't answered his phone when he did . . . "

He trailed off, and Ben slumped in his seat. "Thank God for Cosgrove, then," he whispered.

"I'll be more thankful when they wake from the sedation." The voice from the door made all four look up in startled surprise. Frank gave them a smile that he obviously forced on his face as he leaned against the doorframe, his pale eyes taking every detail of Sylvie he could see. "That'll be when I feel like I can finally breathe."

"No kidding," Matt mumbled.

Frank nodded in agreement, then he looked at the Dardens. "I know you just got here, but can I talk to Casey and Severide alone for a moment?"

"Sure," Griffin nodded, gently nudging Ben. "We'll find the cafeteria or something. We didn't eat much before the flight."

"Ask Officer Churlish," Frank told them. "She'll escort you."

Griffin nodded. "Thanks."

Ben was quiet as he followed his brother out the door, but he nodded to Frank as they left. The room was silent except for the beeps coming from Sylvie's monitors and Frank's footsteps as he walked into the room and stood opposite Matt and Kelly. "I'm glad you got here as fast as you did," he finally said. "If something had gone wrong – " He cut himself off and shook his head with a bitter laugh. "I nearly bit off Stabler's head when he said that. I can't believe I'm saying it now."

"The way Shaw put it, you were the one who answered your phone when she tried calling," Kelly glanced at him. "Sure sounds like a lot of things just had to fall into the right places to get them here to me."

Frank sighed heavily and braced his hands on the rail on Sylvie's bed. "One misstep, and either one of them could have died." He scoffed derisively. "All the training in the world, and nothing prepares you for this."

"How is Nolan?" Matt asked, hesitant to give the detective a chance to snap at them.

But Frank merely looked drained as he shrugged halfheartedly. "The same as Sylvie right now," he replied, looking at the equipment in Sylvie's room. "They're tracking his status more than her, though. The way the doctors have said, it sounds like they'll try lifting her sedation first."

Matt swallowed hard, hearing the resentment in Frank's voice at having to wait. "I'm sorry," was all he could think to say.

Frank snorted. "You weren't the one wielding the knife, Casey. That's the person who's gonna be sorry once McCoy gets him in a courtroom. A public defender, the best prosecutor in Manhattan, and his sister the paramedic lieutenant who's steadily wrapping the entire FDNY around her finger? The guy might not survive his first twenty-four hours in prison."

"I wouldn't be sympathetic if he didn't," Kelly muttered, his hand covering Sylvie's.

Frank watched the pair, then he gave a small smirk. "You two aren't subtle. You know that, right?"

"In trying to hide that losing Sylvie would be like losing part of our hearts?" Matt scoffed. "I just had this conversation with Grainger. I'm not interested in having it again when I know how I feel, Cosgrove."

"Then don't have it with me," Frank said bluntly. "Have it with Sylvie when she wakes up. How long do you think she's going to wait when she has the men she loves in one city but has her brother and his family ready to welcome her the moment she says 'when?'" They looked at him with wide eyes, and Frank snorted. "It didn't even occur to you, did it?"

"Sylvie mentioned it," Kelly admitted quietly. "It hurt like hell to think about."

"If that hurt gets the two of you moving, then let it hurt," Frank said, moving back to the door. "Sylvie needs to know that. Because you know what I realized once I had a chance to finally breathe?"

Matt had a feeling he might regret asking. "What?"

Frank smiled bitterly as he faced them in the doorway. "The worst thing to think about isn't that you might ruin the best relationship you have by sharing your feelings. The worst thing is thinking the person you love is going to die, and they'll never know they're taking part of you with them." Matt balked and Kelly's spare hand clenched on his leg. "I'm telling Nolan when he wakes up what I feel for him," Frank told them, backing out of the door. "I'm not taking any more chances when they could be gone in the blink of an eye. Don't take any more chances when it comes Sylvie."

Neither fire officer had a response for the detective, who swept out of the room and disappeared.

***

"She sure had a lot of clients," Kim muttered, flipping through some of Rachel Bender's case files.

Adam, meanwhile, did a double take when he looked through his pile then narrowed his eyes. "Does Price really get this many death threats?"

"Depends on who he's prosecuting," Sam said glumly, her eyes closed and her head leaning back against the wall behind her. "There were very public death threats after the conviction of Jordan Reed last year. Daniel Rublev was assassinated in front of us in the fall. Take your pick."

"So we have to figure out if this was a specific attack against Price or if it was against Ms. Bender," Hank deduced.

"That's the gist of it," Jalen sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "God, I hate talking about Nolan like this. Is this what it's like to investigate a threat against your own?"

"It sucks," Elliot deadpanned from across the room, glancing up from his own stack of files. Next to him, Kate looked down at her phone when it pinged. "But there's one thing in our favor here. Price is alive, and so is Brett. If either of them wakes up coherent and can remember last night, they may be able to tell us who this son of a bitch is."

"Brett is concussed," Hailey pointed out. "She may not be able to remember."

Elliot shrugged. "Then we hope Price can."

"Crime lab results are in," Kate announced, and Kevin and Jay's heads poked up from their corner of the waiting area which had been closed off for the investigating teams. "No DNA found on Rachel or Price and Brett's clothes, but they were able to ID that shoe imprint in the mud. Size 11, very distinctive sole pattern. Pegs it as a Giovanni Presario."

Kevin whistled, impressed. "High-end Italian loafer. How much does that narrow it down?"

"Good question," Olivia muttered.

They were so engrossed in their files that they missed the doors to the waiting room slide open. They did not, however, miss the voice that spoke. "Kate!"

Kate's head shot up, and her face split with a grin. "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, rising to her feet and crossing the room.

"Word spread around the city as soon as the news broke," the black man that entered answered, and Sam scrambled to her feet as well. "Hauled my ass up here as quickly as I could, too, offer my help if it's needed. Luckily, the 2-7 officers downstairs still remembered me. Then I ran into these two, and I figured I would escort them up."

Behind him came Lily, her doe eyes rimmed red and her hands white-knuckled as she clutched her backpack straps. Behind her was a beautiful blonde woman in a dark rose pantsuit, her hand comfortingly on Lily's shoulder. "Julia," Kate blinked. "I didn't expect you to come, either."

"I knew where Lily had to be," the woman explained with a small smile. "Cromwell knows what's going on. I need to talk with Frank, but given she was distracted today, the academy is willing to let her work virtually until this case is done."

Kate nodded and smiled at Lily. "Nolan's room is right down the hall. Detective Velasco is posted there right now."

Lily nodded and gave her a quick hug, then she ran down the hallway, not giving anyone else a second look. The man with Julia looked at the fidgeting prosecutor behind Kate, and he silently held open his arms. Sam bolted forward and engulfed him in a hug, her sniffles audible even as she buried her nose in his wool coat. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Any time, Sam," the man patted her shoulder. "What was it Brett said all the time? Family shows up for each other?"

Sam giggled weakly. "She still says it. We've all been using it."

"As we should," Kate nodded. "Jalen, have you met your predecessor before?"

Jalen blinked in surprise. "No, I have not," he shook his head, putting aside his papers and standing.

"Well, I, for one, am very interested in seeing you two put your heads together," Kate smiled. "Detective Jalen Shaw, meet Kevin Bernard."

"You're the one who ran Cosgrove's gauntlet without any red flags, huh?" Bernard grinned and extended his hand. "Good to know he has a good one watching his six."

Jalen smiled, looking pleased by the words. "I do my best."

Julia laughed in amusement. "Please. My ex-husband either trusts explicitly or not at all. If you passed whatever tests he came up with, you're a good one." She, too, extended her hand. "Julia Mason."

"Pleasure," Jalen nodded and shook her hand. "And thanks for bringing Lily. Nolan is still asleep, even though they've started lowering the sedation, but having her here will help."

"That's exactly why I brought her," Julia smiled. "I know what he means to my daughter, and I know that doesn't compare to what he means to Frank."

"You seem to be on very good terms," Jay remarked, a note of surprise in his voice. Julia turned to look at him in confusion, and Jay cleared his throat. "Sorry. Detective Jay Halstead, Chicago Intelligence Unit. We're here helping the case. Sylvie is one of us."

"Right," Julia nodded. "Price's sister?" At all the nods, she relaxed. "In the end, it was his job that brought up irreconcilable differences. When we divorced, we made sure to keep it amicable. Frank can be difficult to love, but it's just as difficult to not love him once you started. Part of me will always love him, but we weren't the ones for each other in the end. That doesn't mean we couldn't stay on good terms when we had bigger things than us to consider."

"Like Lily," Sam nodded in understanding.

"Exactly."

"You know, we say all the time that Lily is just like Frank," Olivia smiled. "But I clearly see you in her, too."

Julia smiled in return. "Lily got the best of both of us. But out of all our girls, Lily is clearly her father's daughter."

"She certainly is," Bernard agreed with a small chuckle. His expression hardened as he looked at Jalen. "So . . . how can I help catch whoever did this to two of the best of us?"

***

Lily had taken Nolan's hand in both of hers and almost immediately fell asleep, her exhaustion as evident as the tears she had tried to contain. Frank smiled sadly and ran a hand through his daughter's hair, carefully readjusting her position so her head was pillowed by her arms. Lily didn't even stir, she was that deep into sleep.

He heard the soft click of heels behind him, but he didn't react, not even when a gentle hand was placed on his arm. "Thank you for bringing her," he whispered.

"Of course," Julia squeezed his arm, looking down at Lily with a fond expression. "I knew that the moment I picked her up from school I would be bringing her here. She needs to be here, just like you. Let me handle Cromwell for now." Frank looked at her in surprise, and she gave him a small smile. "Your head is mainly going to be right here, Frank. Don't forget, I know you."

"You do," Frank conceded with a nod, sighing and running a hand through his hair. "Sometimes better than I do."

Julia hummed, absently curling her hand around the crook of Frank's arm as she looked at the man lying in the hospital bed, her daughter sleeping on top of one of his hands. "I think someone else has taken that title from me." She felt Frank flinch, and she turned her gaze back to her ex-husband. "When I anticipated meeting the man who so effortlessly settled in your heart, I never thought this would be how it would happen."

"No," Frank whispered, shaking his head in agreement. "This is far from it. I feel like I've been living a nightmare ever since Sylvie's call dropped a second after I answered my phone."

Julia assessed Frank, taking note of his visible exhaustion. "And you haven't left him alone unless you've absolutely had to, have you?"

Frank smiled thinly. "How could I?"

Julia smiled in return and squeezed his arm. "Take a walk or get something from the cafeteria, Frank," she urged. "You're no good to Nolan or to Sylvie when you're dead on your feet. I'll stay here with him and Lily."

Frank furrowed his brow, but Julia merely arched an eyebrow, giving him a look that challenged him to argue. Lily hadn't just gotten her stubbornness from her father. "You're sure?" Frank finally asked.

Julia nodded. "It's the least I can do, given what he means to you and Lily."

Frank sighed and nodded, wrapping Julia in a hug. "You're an angel. Thank you."

Julia kissed his cheek and patted his shoulder. "You're welcome. Go, get some of your strength back." Frank nodded and stepped away, plucking his jacket from the back of the chair he had been sitting in. "Frank?" Julia asked, waiting for him to look at her. "Does he know?"

Frank paused in the doorway, a shadow crossing his face. "He will," he said firmly.

Julia nodded in approval. "Go." Frank nodded, gave Nolan one last longing look, then he left the room. Julia took the chair Frank had abandoned, and she looked between the steadily beeping monitors and the man they were tracking. "I've heard people say all the time that people in a coma can hear what's happening around them," she finally said, keeping her voice relatively low so she didn't wake Lily from her slumber. "I don't know if it's the same while they're lifting your sedation, but if you can hear me, Nolan . . . wake up soon. Your family needs you."

***

"Where do we go in New York for a decent cup of coffee that isn't in this hospital?" Kelly grumbled, leaning his head back against the wall.

Matt snorted. "You plan on leaving and finding out?"

Kelly raised his head and glowered at him. "Go to hell."

"Sylvie's lying in a hospital bed after getting stabbed, and we're waiting for her to wake up from her sedation," Matt deadpanned. "I'm already there."

Kelly winced. "That makes two of us."

"Make it three." Kelly jolted off the wall and bit back a curse as Frank rounded the corner, the detective with his jacket over his shoulder. "And unfortunately, while good coffee sounds perfect, if your minds are anything like mine right now, none of us are leaving the building until Nolan and Sylvie are awake," he said, glancing between them. "But I can't sit still. I can show you the cafeteria."

"Thanks," Kelly nodded, glancing into Sylvie's room before reluctantly falling into step with Frank. "So what did it take to get you out of Nolan's room? A kid or two insisting they'll let you know if anything happens?"

Frank grinned. "Griffin and Ben kicked you out?"

Matt sighed. "They're their father's sons. But between the two of them, they'll notice if Sylvie so much as twitches a finger. What about you? I thought I heard Lily."

"She's here," Frank nodded, smiling fondly. "Sat down, took Nolan's hand, and immediately fell asleep on top of it. My ex-wife is the one who got me out of there."

Matt blinked. "Your ex-wife," he repeated.

"She brought Lily here straight from school," Frank confirmed. "And yes. She kicked me out of the room and said she would stay with Nolan." He shook his head with a chuckle. "I don't know of any person who had such an immediate positive reaction to the person their ex is in love with."

"She approves?" Kelly grinned.

Frank snorted. "More like she gave a roaring endorsement."

Matt whistled. "Lucky you."

"It's not just me that Lily takes after," Frank smiled as they rounded the corner back towards the waiting room. He stopped in his tracks when he took in the large group awaiting them, and his smile widened into a grin. "When the hell did you get here, you bastard?"

"Well, maybe you'd have noticed if you weren't sitting around doing nothing," Bernard effortlessly riposted, giving Frank a pointed look over the tablet he was working with.

Kim's eyes bugged open wide, and Grace looked back and forth between the two like she was watching a tennis match. Kelly eyed Frank warily, knowing they were all walking a fine line with Nolan and Sylvie so vulnerable. But Frank laughed loudly and shook his head, quickly walking forward to meet Bernard as the older man stood from his chair. "God, I can't even begin to tell you how good it is to see you right now, Kev."

Bernard chuckled warmly and hugged Frank tightly. "I'm glad I could make it," he said, keeping a hand on Frank's shoulder as the former partners separated. "Word spread like wildfire once news broke that Price and Brett were attacked. I got here as soon as I could."

Frank peered at the tablet he had left on his chair. "And got right back in the saddle, I take it."

"Uh huh," Bernard nodded, gently pushing Frank towards the elevator. "And you're coming nowhere near it. Lieutenant's orders."

Frank made a face and playfully shoved Bernard's hand away from him. "Yeah, I know. I'm the one who told her it would be a bad idea for me to be on this. As long as you find who did this and make them pay, I'm going to be satisfied. Maybe if Jalen punches them out and gets away with it."

Frank's current partner looked up from his discussion with Elliot, a gleeful smirk on his face. "I'm game with that."

Bernard snorted. "Now I know why you two fit so well together."

Frank snickered. "Yeah, I hit the jackpot, didn't I?" Jalen looked pleased at the compliment, and Frank gestured for Matt and Kelly to come closer. "Casey, Severide, as you've probably figured out by now, this is my former partner before Jalen joined the 2-7. Kevin Bernard, meet Matt Casey and Kelly Severide."

"Ah," Bernard nodded knowingly. "Brett's boys, right?"

The shocked looks on the firefighters' faces made Jay burst out laughing. "Oh, my God!" he chortled, and even Hank looked amused at the firefighters' reactions. "Finally, someone else gets it through their skulls!"

"Jay!" Kelly huffed.

"He isn't wrong," Hailey shook her head, smirking over her laptop. "Who do you think she goes drinking with when she needs an outlet other than you two?"

"OK," Matt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Where the hell is that cafeteria? I'll take the gross coffee if it gets me away from this."

"Good to know I'm not the only one who gets ribbed," Frank chuckled. "C'mon. Julia knows where we'll be if anything happens."

"You're on that good of terms with your ex," Kelly muttered, shaking his head in disbelief as Frank led them to the elevator. "Wow."

Frank raised an eyebrow at him. "You're not?"

"Gabby and I got to good terms eventually," Matt shrugged. "We both ended up where we were meant to be, and that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't gone through with the divorce." He wrinkled his nose. "Though I'm not sure she would give me a 'roaring endorsement' for Sylvie. She, uh . . . she has strong thoughts."

Kelly snorted. "That's an understatement."

"And what about you?" Frank raised an eyebrow, stepping into the elevator when the doors opened. "Where does your ex fall on the scale of 'roaring endorsements?'"

"Kidd?" Kelly knitted his brow. "Well . . . given the way she broke up with me and I've done everything in my power to keep any of our interactions professional since then."

Frank's other eyebrow rose to join the first. "Kidd?" he asked in disbelief. "Kidd is your ex?"

Kelly blinked. "Sylvie didn't mention that?"

Frank narrowed his eyes, one hand absently drumming his fingers against his thigh as he watched the floor number change. "No," he finally answered. "No, she didn't."

***

The doctors closely monitored Nolan and Sylvie as the minutes ticked away into hours, and their optimism only grew as the time passed. "They're getting stronger," Ben smiled at Matt when the captain returned from the break he and Kelly had taken with Frank, the trio deciding it was better to keep moving and not sit for hours on end. "And without looking at the monitors, Sylvie looks like she's breathing easier."

"Look at you, learning the medical basics," Matt chuckled, ruffling Ben's hair.

Ben shrugged. "It's hard to concentrate on homework right now."

"No kidding," Griffin scowled from his place in the corner, his eyes on his laptop. "Why are essays so complicated?"

"This situation doesn't help, does it?" Matt sighed, placing his hand atop one of Sylvie's.

A sudden twitching of her hand made him do a double take, and his eyes shot to Sylvie's face. After a few seconds, her brow furrowed, and Matt spun to look at Griffin. "Get the doctors!" he ordered, his hand tightening around Sylvie's. "Now!"

Griffin scrambled to his feet and ran for the door as Sylvie's monitors started beeping rapidly, and the woman herself started coughing, curling up on the bed and her hand instinctively grasping Matt's. "I'll get Kelly!" Ben volunteered, jumping from his seat and running after his brother.

"Come on, Sylvie," Matt urged, looking between Sylvie and the monitors while ignoring the sudden clamor happening outside. "Wake up, sweetheart, come on!"

Griffin and Ben arrived with Kelly and a swarm of doctors just as Sylvie's eyes flew open, and the paramedic's coughing intensified, her other hand clawing for purchase on the sheets. Matt recognized some of the voices outside, some of which hadn't been there before, and he recognized why when Connor appeared next to Sylvie, his eyes showing the only worry on his otherwise professional expression. "Brett," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Easy, Brett. Take a deep breath. Come on."

Sylvie's eyes fluttered, but she listened to Connor, her breathing stuttering but beginning to even out. "There we go," Matt sighed in relief, watching Kelly move to her other side. "Good girl."

Kelly took Sylvie's other hand, and she clenched it in a vicelike grip, one that had Kelly inhaling sharply before he returned the pressure. "Good job, Lieutenant," one of the doctors at Mercy told her, his eyes on the monitors. "Deep breaths."

Sylvie weakly nodded, only to wince and whimper and close her eyes. "Damn it," Kelly muttered. "Can we dim the lights at all?"

"A little," the doctor nodded, moving closer to the door. "One moment."

Connor watched Sylvie as the light level slowly decreased, and when the discomfort on Sylvie's face eased, he held up his hand. "There."

The doctor nodded and stepped away, barely giving the crowd of people in the doorway a second look. "Lieutenant?" he asked, stepping around Matt to stand over Sylvie. "Can you hear me?"

"Yeah," Sylvie croaked, her grip on Matt and Kelly's hands easing. "I can."

"Good. How are you feeling?"

Sylvie winced. "I don't know what was worse: this or the RPG."

"I can answer that," Frank said from the doorway, Lily peering around him with a wide smile. "Then again, I'm the one who rode with you here to the hospital."

Sylvie's bleary eyes locked on him, and she exhaled shakily. "You answered," she realized.

"Yeah, Sylvie," Frank nodded. "Of course, I answered."

Sylvie smiled faintly, then her eyes widened in alarm. "Nolan," she breathed, sitting up straight and looking around. "Nolan!"

"Sylvie!" Matt hastily moved closer, placing his hands on her shoulder when she struggled. "Sylvie, he's here!"

"He's right next door," Frank promised, stepping into the room and putting a hand on Sylvie's calf. "Sylvie, look at me." Wide azure eyes focused on him, and Frank squeezed her leg. "He's here, and he's OK," he told her. "I've been with him the entire time. He's going to be just fine."

All the fight left Sylvie at his words, and she slumped back in her bed, tears forming in her eyes. "Thank God," she whispered. After a moment, she frowned. "How many people are out there right now?"

"Uh," Frank craned his head back to look. "Well, in the past hour, it looks like 51 made the trip up here. Halstead and Rhodes are here from Med, too. Intelligence and Jefferies were already here when Casey came with the boys."

Sylvie chuckled weakly. "Of course."

"You lost a lot of blood between when you were stabbed and when you landed on the table, Lieutenant," the doctor informed her. "Add in the concussion, and right now, you are a very lucky woman."

Sylvie's chuckle turned bitter. "I sure don't feel lucky."

Matt swallowed hard, but Connor squeezed her shoulder. "You're a fighter, Sylvie. You'll be out of here before you know it."

Sylvie sighed and nodded, leaning her head back on the pillows and closing her eyes. "Thanks, Connor."

The Mercy doctor checked her monitors, then he turned to look at the police milling in the doorway. "If you have any questions you need to ask her, ask them now," he said. "We need to assess her concussion, and we'll need everyone out of the room to check the surgical site."

Kate nodded and stepped past Frank into the room. "Hey, hon," she smiled, sitting on the edge of Sylvie's bed as Ayanna and Fin stepped in as well. "I know your head is probably killing you, but if you can tell us anything you remember about what happened, we would appreciate it."

Sylvie stared at her for a few seconds then turned her gaze up to the ceiling. Matt glanced at Kelly, worried when she didn't speak, then Sylvie swallowed. "We agreed to meet in Central Park after we were each done with our jobs for the day," she said slowly, her voice hoarse from not having used it for hours. "I had plans with the Bensons, he had some with the Cosgroves. We were about to part ways when Rachel Bender found us." She paused in her story and glanced at Kate. "Is she . . . ?"

Kate sadly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sylvie."

She closed her eyes. "I thought that might be the case," she whispered. "She was scared. Really scared. She mentioned getting a protection order, then we were interrupted." She swallowed hard. "Nolan told me to run. I did, even though everything told me to stay."

Kate shook her head again. "You ran, and you called Frank. That likely saved your lives."

"Except Rachel's," Sylvie said defeatedly.

Ayanna sighed sadly. "I know, Sylvie. I'm sorry."

Sylvie took a deep breath. "I ran until I couldn't hear Rachel. At that point, I thought it was safe enough to make a call. I thought about 9-1-1, but I knew Nolan was going to the Cosgroves, so I called Frank. My phone rang . . . I don't know how many times. That was when I was stabbed. My phone got crushed, then I was tossed into the tree that was behind me." She winced and gingerly reached up to rub her head. "That's all I remember."

"Do you know who attacked you?" Fin asked.

Sylvie stared up at the ceiling, her eyes glazing over as she thought. "I didn't recognize him," she finally answered. "I've never seen him before. But Nolan knew him." She knitted her brow. "He called him a judge. Judge . . . Ryder? Reynolds?"

Kate inhaled sharply, her eyes widening, and Ayanna leaned forward. "Judge Raymer?" she asked.

Sylvie's eyes brightened. "Yes," she nodded. "That was the name."

Fin uttered a curse and immediately left the room, and Kate took a deep breath. "OK," she nodded. "Thank you, Sylvie. We've got it from here. You focus on healing."

Sylvie weakly nodded, her eyes slipping shut again. "I'm gonna ask everyone to leave at this point," the doctor said firmly. "Dr. Rhodes, you may stay if Lieutenant Brett would prefer."

"Please," she mumbled.

"Lieutenant, huh?" Connor grinned. "Copy that."

Sylvie snorted softly. "Don't start."

Kate chuckled and patted Sylvie's leg. "That's the spirit."

The Dardens lingered as the police lieutenant ushered everyone out, then Ben hurried forward and gave Sylvie a careful hug. "Thank you for waking up," he whispered.

Sylvie's warm smile made Matt relax. "Thanks for being here," she replied. Ben nodded and followed Griffin out of the room, and Sylvie finally turned her attention to the two fire officers who remained. She swallowed hard, her smile becoming more strained. "It's always me in the hospital bed now, isn't it?" she quipped.

"Don't you dare joke about that," Matt ordered, his throat tightening. "Not now, not ever."

"The RPG was bad enough," Kelly said, swallowing hard. "At least I knew what happened and that you would be OK. This?" He shook his head, squeezing her hand. "This scared the hell out of me, Sylvie."

Sylvie winced and averted her eyes. "I don't plan on getting hurt like this," she said, iron in her voice that they'd never heard before.

Kelly winced and sighed. "I know," he nodded, squeezing Sylvie's hand in both of his. "And I fully blame this judge, whoever he is. It's just . . . " He swallowed hard. "God, Sylvie. It gets worse every time."

Sylvie was pale and exhausted, but she still was able to level an exasperated look at him. "Now you know how I feel each time you get in the hospital."

"Good point," Matt nodded. "How about we all try and not get put in the hospital from now on?"

Kelly immediately nodded in agreement. "No more hospitals."

Sylvie giggled weakly. "No more hospitals."

"I'm gonna hold each one of you to that," Connor smirked. "And I hate having to do this, but you two need to leave so we can get to work on getting this one out of here."

Sylvie sighed heavily and gave the officers her best smile. "Well, at least I have Chicago's and Manhattan's best here."

"Take it easy," Matt squeezed her hand and reluctantly backed away.

Sylvie exaggerated looking around her bed. "I'm not sure I can do anything else."

Kelly snorted. "You'd find a way."

Sylvie conceded with a nod, and Connor snickered. "I'll make sure she stays put."

"You suck, Connor," Sylvie grumbled.

Connor's laughter echoed behind Matt and Kelly as they left the room. Sure enough, members of 51 were milling among the Intelligence Unit and NYPD members in the waiting room, and Violet broke away from the huddle to run up to them, her eyes wide. "Shaw said – " She swallowed hard, her voice wobbling. "He said – ?"

"She's awake," Kelly grinned widely. "Sylvie woke up."

Violet let out a hysterical sound that was a mixture of laughter and sobbing, and Gallo and Ritter quickly caught her before she collapsed in a heap on the floor. Cruz whooped in glee as Tony and Capp piled on their lieutenant in a bear hug, and Boden grinned at Matt. "That's our fighter," he said proudly.

"Yeah," Matt nodded in agreement, keeping one eye on Squad 3 as its members ambushed their protesting lieutenant. His other eye followed the NYPD as they huddled together, their expressions darkening before they departed, Hank and Jay tailing them. "She certainly is."

***

Every member of staff in the courthouse had been on edge ever since news had spread of the attack on Executive ADA Nolan Price, and that tension had only increased with the arrival of Mark Jefferies. Everyone knew Jack McCoy was taking no chances when it came to tracking down his right hand's attempted killer to the point he had asked the State's Attorney to be his second chair and for Chicago PD's elite Intelligence Unit to assist Special Victims, Organized Crime, and Homicide with the investigation. It wasn't a question of if the teams would catch the murderer. It was a question of when.

So when Jack and Jefferies stormed through the courthouse while trailed by Olivia, Elliot, Jalen, Hank, and Jay, staffers scrambled to clear a path for them. The seven all had varying expressions of anger and outrage on their faces, fury more evident on some of them than others. Elliot, in particular, looked murderous, his hand twitching next to his sidearm. Olivia, in comparison, looked more glacial than a blizzard, and Jalen's knuckles were white because of how tightly his hands were clenched into fists.

Jack's voice was devoid of all emotion when he stopped at the desk of a woman who looked up at him with wide eyes. "We need to speak to Judge Raymer," he told her. "Now."

The secretary looked between all seven and swallowed hard. "He's busy," she said meekly.

"Tough," Jefferies deadpanned and gestured the police forward.

Olivia strode forward and opened the doors to Raymer's chambers, and the judge looked up from the discussion he was having with two men. "What the hell are you doing here?" he snapped.

"Judge Raymer," Olivia sneered, looking down her nose at the man. "I really wish I could punch you right now."

"Excuse me?" Raymer scoffed, looking around as his office was flooded. "I am in the middle of a conference!"

"This conference is over," Elliot shook his head. "Gentlemen? With all due respect, get out."

The men fled, and Raymer scowled as the last of the police entered the room. "Who the hell are you?"

"Sergeant Hank Voight and Detective Jay Halstead," Hank replied. "Intelligence Unit, Chicago PD."

Jay bared his teeth in a snarl. "You hurt someone who's the best of us."

"And in hurting my direct second, Judge, you declared a war you can't win," Jack narrowed his eyes. "Detective? If you would do the honors, please."

"Gladly, sir," Jalen nodded, smirking viciously as he pulled out his handcuffs and walked around Raymer's desk. "Turn around."

"You're seriously handcuffing me in my chambers?" Raymer growled.

Jalen laughed bitterly. "Oh, Your Honor, you should be relieved I'm not doing worse."

"And none of us would stop him," Elliot added.

Raymer glanced dubiously at Olivia, but she arched an eyebrow. "You hurt our family."

"Two of your three victims survived, Judge," Jack informed him. "And one of them is awake and identified you as her attacker."

Raymer froze, and Jalen smirked. "Ephraim Raymer, you are under arrest for the murder of Rachel Bender and the attempted murders of Nolan Price and Sylvie Brett," he declared, fastening the cuffs around Raymer's wrists.

"You have the right to remain silent," Jay recited, grabbing one of Raymer's arms as Jalen took the other. "You have the right to an attorney. If you choose to give up those rights, I have the right to throw you out of the moving squad car."

Elliot snickered as he followed his fellow detectives, and Olivia looked down as her phone chimed. "Bruno and Muncy finished at his house," she said. "They found a pair of size 11 Giovanni Presario loafers in his closet. The mud on the sole of one matches the footprint at the crime scene."

"And Ruzek, Atwater, and Burgess finished at Java Bliss," Hank added. "Eyewitness says he had a heated argument with Rachel because she wouldn't take him back."

Jefferies nodded. "And when Rachel goes to her office to get an order of protection and is told it would look bad – "

"She makes an appointment with Nolan to discuss it with him," Jack finished. "But she's so terrified of him that she tries to catch him earlier. She does, but Raymer follows her and comes to the wrong conclusion, so he attempts to kill both in his rage."

"With Sylvie caught in the crosshairs," Olivia whispered.

Hank shook his head in disgust. "I'm not against the boys actually throwing him out of their squad car."

"That would be satisfying," Olivia admitted. "But that would be too easy."

Jefferies nodded in agreement. "He deserves the worst we can do to him," he said.

Jack smirked, and for a moment, Hank almost pitied whoever had been on the wrong end of the District Attorney in the courtroom. He certainly didn't pity Ephraim Raymer. "Then let's crucify him."

***

We got him.

The text from Jalen at the late hour made Frank slump in relief, and he let out his breath in a rush, dropping his head into his hand. Knowing the man who murdered Rachel and attempted to kill Nolan and Sylvie had been arrested was a weight off his shoulders, and all the adrenaline in him dissipated. He slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket, wincing and blinking to get his eyes used to the dimmer light after staring at his bright screen. The hospital was much quieter now that firefighters and police weren't camping out in the waiting room, though there was still a quiet murmur because of the officers Kate insisted remain on duty. Not that they're needed, Frank thought with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. Everyone knows by now it's a bad idea to make an enemy of Jack and the NYPD.

A quiet rustle made Frank pause, his hand instinctively dropping down to his sidearm. The rustle repeated, however, followed by a hitch in breathing. His heart stuttered in his chest, and Frank looked up in time to see Nolan's eyes blink open. "Oh, my God," he breathed, scooting his chair closer. "Nolan!"

Compared to Sylvie's startled and panicked awakening, Nolan's reaction time was more sluggish as he came to. When Frank reached for his hand, however, Nolan reacted immediately and squeezed like his life depended on it. Frank winced at the pressure, but he returned the squeeze. After having to sit and wait in agony for the man he loved to finally wake from an injury that would have killed him, he would take the pain from Nolan's grip.

Nolan blinked a few more times as he got his bearings, then he turned his head towards Frank. Multicolored eyes locked on pale ones, and the pressure on Frank's hand momentarily increased before relaxing. "Frank," Nolan croaked, and he immediately winced and coughed when he used his voice for the first time in hours.

"It's OK," Frank whispered, putting his other hand on Nolan's arm and watching as Nolan worked moisture into his mouth. "Take your time, Nolan. You're OK."

Nolan weakly nodded, exhaling shakily. "Sylvie?" he asked.

Frank swallowed. "She was attacked, too," he said, and Nolan's eyes widened, the monitors hooked up to him starting to beep faster. "Stabbed and a concussion. She's in the room right next door. She woke up earlier today. She's healing, Nolan. She's OK."

Nolan visibly relaxed with each word Frank spoke, and the monitors settled, too. He nodded and leaned back in the bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Rachel?" he asked.

Based on the dread in his voice, Frank had a feeling Nolan had already guessed her fate. "I'm sorry, Nolan," he shook his head. "She was DOA."

Nolan exhaled slowly and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "She was terrified," he whispered. "And all I could think about was making sure Sylvie wasn't there."

"She ran and called me," Frank explained. "You both did everything you could, Nolan. You survived. That's all that we were hoping for."

All I was hoping for went unsaid, but his tight grip on Nolan's hand said enough. The prosecutor took a shaky breath and nodded, wincing and placing his hand over where he had been stabbed. "Frank," he forced out, the rasp in his voice making Frank reach over and press the button to call Will and the other doctors assigned to Nolan's care. "The judge. It was Judge Raymer. He – "

"He was arrested not too long ago," Frank told him, taking a quick glance out of the room when he heard the activity level increase. "Sylvie remembered his name. He's in custody."

Nolan sighed in relief, his eyes fluttering shut. "Thank God."

"Nolan!" Will grinned as he entered the room. "Welcome back!"

Nolan snorted then coughed. "Not sure I'm completely back yet, Will."

"You're awake," Will pointed out. "That's 'back' for us." Nolan's snicker sounded more like a rattle, and Will glanced at Frank regretfully. "Detective, I'm sorry – "

"You need to check him over," Frank nodded reluctantly. "I know."

He started to stand, then the grip on his hand tightened to the point he swore his bones creaked. He grunted in surprise and looked down at Nolan as the monitors started to beep faster. "Whoa!" Will did a double take.

Frank readjusted his hand so he could comfortably return Nolan's excruciating grip, and he moved closer so Nolan had no choice but to look at him. Nolan's eyes were wide and a shade of green and gray he hadn't seen before, but Frank easily recognized the panic on his face. "Hey," he said quietly, moving his free hand to tilt Nolan's head so their eyes met. "I'm not going anywhere. As soon as Will and the other doctors are done, I'm coming right back."

Nolan swallowed hard. "Promise?"

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, how could Frank refuse anything of Nolan when he asked like that? "I promise," he nodded. "I'll check on Sylvie while I'm out, OK?"

Will waited patiently while Nolan mulled that over, and the prosecutor finally nodded. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Any time," Frank nodded, squeezing Nolan's hand.

Nolan squeezed back, and this time he released Frank's hand. The detective found himself missing the contact immediately, yet he forced himself to leave the room as the Mercy doctors entered to help Will. As soon as he cleared the door, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, letting out his breath slowly. The flood of relief felt like a shot of endorphins, and he couldn't help the grin that formed. Finally, his personal nightmare was over.

He pulled out his phone and dialed the last number he contacted, and he paced in front of Sylvie's room, glancing inside to see the paramedic sleeping in her bed, a much more peaceful expression on her face than what he had seen earlier. "Frank," Jalen said, a touch of exhaustion mixing with the satisfied tone of his voice. "Did you get my message?"

"Yeah," Frank nodded. "You collared Raymer?"

"We did," Jalen confirmed with a chuckle. "Stabler and Halstead were debating on tossing him out of the squad car. McCoy and Jefferies vetoed that, though."

Frank snorted. "Bastard deserves it."

"He deserves everything we can throw at him," Jalen agreed. "Is that why you called?"

"No," Frank shook his head, his grin growing. "No, it's not. Raymer's going down for good. Nolan can identify him."

"He can?" Jalen asked, his tone growing hopeful. "Wait . . . did he – ?"

"He just did, Jalen," Frank nodded, not even attempting to stop the delighted and slightly hysterical laugh that bubbled in his throat. "Nolan's awake, too."

***

That is probably the most I have ever written for Frank's POV before and the most introspective I've written him, and of course it was when he was going through hell, but boy, it was fun and I got it written fast. Yeah, there was lots of angst and hurt with little comfort, but his man woke up in the end, right? I miss his character so much. His ex-wife was a joy to write, too. It's so refreshing to write an ex who isn't a bitch. Kidd could take lessons from her.

So, Raymer is arrested and everyone's favorite half-siblings are awake. That means a lot is going to be happening next time . . . and one firehouse was a bit absent this chapter, wasn't it? ;)

Keep an eye out!

graphic by marvelity