First off, thank you to everyone for the well-wishes about my parents! My dad is in the clear, but my mom is still testing positive. She's feeling better, though she's totally done with COVID. I certainly am, too.

Second of all, I'm blown away by the response to last chapter. I guess shooting two characters brings everyone out of the woodworks, huh? I wish I could've gotten this out sooner, but I'd say over three-quarters of this chapter is original content, which takes a hell of a lot longer to write. There's optimism at the end of it, though, so there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

It takes a while to get there, though. Everyone scrambles to get Eddie and Sylvie to safety, the Chicago Med crew gets to work, LAPD learns another department is calling dibs, I take several creative liberties when it comes to medical practices that most certainly are anything but correct, and in the process of healing Sylvie, Will makes a discovery no one was ever expecting.

Enjoy the first part of "Survivors!"

***

"Paramedics of the Austin 126 have been shot!"

Olivia reeled from the announcement, then a growl similar to a bear's came from her throat. "New York 1-6 Unit, converge on Regal Pointe Apartments, now!" she ordered.

"1-6 Ocean responding!" Kat's voice was the first to answer.

"1-6 David with 1-6 Nora responding!" came Fin's voice afterwards.

Olivia hurried down the steps of the courthouse, hearing the footsteps that signaled Peter and Nolan on her heels. "Dispatch, can you give me an Immediate Flash?" she asked.

"All units, stay off the zone," Grace's shaky voice answered. "New York 1-6 Unit, go with your Flash."

"All New York units closest to Regal Pointe Apartments, respond to 50-21 and the Austin 126," Olivia relayed, wrenching open the door to her sedan. "All other units on the way, clear the roads to Cedars-Sinai. Inform the doctors of two paramedics inbound. I want Organized Crime on the scene of Regal Pointe Apartments as soon as the area is clear."

"Copy, New York 1-6 Unit," Ayanna's voice responded. "Organized Crime inbound."

"New York 1-6 Unit, this is 50-21 Eddie." Olivia recognized Kim's voice immediately. "Requesting the rest of Chicago 50-21 be among those clearing the roads."

"Request accepted, 50-21 Eddie," Olivia confirmed. "

"All units, police, and fire RA, clear channel two." Maddie sounded near in tears as Olivia flipped the lights and sirens on, not waiting to hear the click of Peter and Nolan's seatbelts as she sped onto the street, the wail of additional sirens following her. "Switch to Tac Channel 50. Paramedics have been shot. Await instructions to clear the roads for swift transport from Regal Pointe Apartments to Cedars-Sinai."

***

"Shots fired! Shots fired! Paramedics are shot!"

Jay could still hear Mehta's voice as his ears rang with the sound of gunshots. He and Hank both had their guns drawn, peering around the edge of their sedan to check on the firefighters. His keen eyes caught sight of Sonny as the SVU detective inched towards where the paramedics were lying limp on the ground.

Another bullet screamed past Jay, and he jumped when the nearby battalion vehicle burst into flames. He watched Mehta and a few firefighters flee for shelter behind another rig, and suspicion crept into Jay's mind. He carefully inched out more into the open, aware of Hank's hand on his arm to try and stop him.

But one look made Jay realize his thought process was right. "The shooter isn't aiming for us," he told Hank in surprise.

"What?" Hank blinked, looking around the other edge of the sedan.

"Carisi's barely had any bullets aimed at him," Jay nodded.

Hank narrowed his eyes, then clicked on his radio. "50-21 to New York 1-6 Unit, requesting the call sign for Detective Carisi!"

"50-21, Carisi's sign is 1-6 King," Olivia answered.

Hank nodded. "50-21 to 1-6 King!"

"Go for 1-6 King!" Sonny answered immediately.

"Can you reach one of the medics from your position?" Hank asked.

He saw Sonny carefully peek around the ambulance, then sudden movement from Eddie made Jay do a double take. Bullets pounded the asphalt, trying to hit the paramedic again, but Eddie kept sliding across the pavement . . . and under Squad 9, right to where Buck was pulling him. "Change of plans, 1-6 King," he said into his radio. "Cover me while I get to Brett."

He saw Sonny nod. "Copy, 50-21 George."

***

As huge as the Squad 9 rig was, Buck still felt very small as bullets struck the rig, attempting to fire at the crew hiding behind it. Each jolt of the rig made Buck flinch, but even more violent were the jumps from TK, who had huddled into a ball, his face remarkably paler than the fallen paramedics'. Owen, his fingers clutched around his son's shoulder, was just as pale even as he worked to relay information to dispatch. Buck could only imagine how his captain and his partner were feeling in the face of gunfire. Out of the three of them, TK was the only one who had personally been shot . . . and that had only been by a sidearm. Owen had witnessed the shooting, had gotten his son's blood on his uniform and his hands.

But this?

Buck lowered himself onto his stomach, squinting to look underneath the rig. The pools of blood had slowly stopped getting bigger, but that was partly due to the black uniforms starting to soak up the liquid. He could barely see the bloodstained ends of Sylvie's hair, the paramedic captain blocked by Eddie's body. His boyfriend had landed on his side facing the rig, hand outstretched as if to crawl, his face twisted in pain. It broke Buck's heart to see, and the last time he had felt this helpless was when EMS 99 had been taken hostage in Austin. Back then, all he could do was hope and pray they would make it in time to save them.

Buck eyed the bottom of the rig, then took a deep breath. "God, I hate this," he muttered, then rolled underneath the rig.

"Buck!" TK cried.

Buck ignored his partner, army crawling under the rig, working his way towards where the paramedics had collapsed. From this viewpoint, he could now see Sylvie on Eddie's other side, the blonde on her back, eerily still while Eddie's breathing was still visible. Just past them, he could see Sonny crouched down by the ambulance, the Intelligence officers likely behind cover elsewhere. With a sinking feeling, Buck realized that while he was in prime position to help the paramedics . . . there was no way he could drag them both.

I'm sorry, Sylvie.

He reached out from under the rig and grabbed Eddie's wrist, and with a grunt, he pulled Eddie underneath the rig with him. TK's hand suddenly joined his, and the partners pulled Eddie successfully to the other side of the rig. With one more sharp pull, Eddie was out from under the rig, and Buck cringed when Eddie came to with a yell of pain. "I'm sorry!" Buck burst out.

"Get him in!" Owen threw open the back of the rig. "Inside! TK!"

"On it!" TK scrambled into the back, grabbing the spare medical bag.

More sirens wailed as Buck hauled Eddie into the back, TK pulling out the equipment they needed to work on staunching the bleeding. One of the firefighters of the 133 climbed into the engineer's seat, and Owen didn't object. "Get us out of here!" Owen ordered.

"But Sylvie!" TK's head shot up, eyes wide in horror.

Owen shook his head. "Intelligence has her!"

***

When the bullets were aimed only on the squad rig, Jay took a deep breath and dove out from behind the sedan. He hooked his hands under Sylvie's arms and pulled her across the pavement, wincing when a strangled scream left her mouth. "I know, I know, I know," he stammered, seeing Sonny sprint across the asphalt to join them. "Hang on, Sylvie, hang on!"

Black sedans with flashing lights screeched onto the scene, and an unfamiliar black-haired woman tore out of the back, her eyes wide as she ran to Sonny. "What the hell?!" she shrieked, looking around.

"Get her in back!" Hank bellowed, wrenching open the door. "Jay! Go!"

"Kat, help him!" Sonny pointed at Jay as he caught the keys tossed to him.

The woman, Kat, hastily climbed into the back of Hank's vehicle, and Jay carefully manhandled Sylvie after her. "Oh, my God," Kat swallowed, hands shaking as she fumbled to take off her jacket. "That's close to her heart!"

"Don't remind me," Jay shook his head as he pulled out his phone.

The crackle of their radios made him pause and listen as Kat put pressure on Sylvie's bullet wound, the paramedic whimpering. "This is Captain Owen Strand of the Austin 126," Owen's voice was tense. "We've got Paramedic Eddie Diaz onboard, we're en route to Cedars-Sinai. Status of the roads?"

"This is 50-21 Ida," Adam answered. "Roads are clear, Captain."

"This is 50-21," Hank said into his radio. "We have Captain Sylvie Brett in our unmarked vehicle. We're coming in hot behind them!"

"This is 1-6 Nora," Amanda was the one who answered that time. "We're on your tail."

Sylvie's blood smeared on Jay's phone as he tried to dial, and Jay had to swallow bile as he tucked his phone to his ear. "Come on, come on," he begged, biting his lip as he joined Kat in putting pressure on Sylvie's injuries. "Come on!"

"Jay?" Oh, Will's voice had never sounded so wonderful. "I can't talk, Cedars-Sinai is getting incoming – "

"It's 99, Will!" Jay blurted.

"What?!" Will demanded.

"It's Sylvie and Eddie, Will," Jay choked, close to hysterics as he adjusted his hold, watching Kat check Sylvie's wrist. "They're the ones who got shot. Sniper got them both – through Eddie and into Sylvie."

"Oh, my God!"

"I can't feel a pulse!" Kat gasped.

The sedan sped up as Sonny planted his foot on the accelerator, and Hank growled. "Hurry!"

"Will, please, be ready," Jay begged as Kat started compressions on Sylvie. "Please!"

"We're ready, Jay." That was Connor, and Jay swallowed, relieved to hear the surgeon. "You better be ready to move when you get here."

Jay gulped. "Copy that."

***

LAPD vehicles swarmed the parking lot of Cedars-Sinai, but Olivia's unmarked sedan soared right through them all to the doors of the ambulance bay. She had barely stopped before Peter and Nolan were out of the back, and she hastily followed them, looking around. "Where the hell are they?" Peter demanded.

Olivia walked towards the ambulance bay with her eyes narrowed, and LAPD officers scrambled to avoid her. "New York 1-6 Unit, report!" she barked into her radio.

"1-6 David with 1-6 Nora, we're tailing 50-21," Fin answered.

"1-6 King driving," Sonny was next. "1-6 Ocean's in the back with 50-21 George. Brett's in bad shape, Cap. Squad 9 is somewhere ahead of us."

"50-21 Henry, Captain," an unfamiliar woman's voice broke in. "We're leading Squad 9. Fifteen seconds out from Cedars-Sinai."

"50-21 David, I have 50-21 in my rearview," Kevin finished.

Olivia swallowed hard. "Copy, all units."

"Ready for incoming!" one of the doctors shouted.

One of the unmarked sedans squealed into the lot, pulling up right behind Olivia. Kim and a blonde with her hair in a tight ponytail – that had to be the woman who identified as 50-21 Henry – were out as Squad 9 barreled into sight, an unfamiliar firefighter at the wheel. Owen dropped from the officer's seat before the rig stopped, and the doctors moved forward as he wrenched open the back door. "Come on!" he shouted.

"Where was he shot?" a doctor in black scrubs moved forward, directing the nurses.

"Upper torso!" TK's voice was barely heard as Buck backed out and dropped down, carrying Eddie with him. "Right side!"

"He lost a lot of blood," Buck added, voice breaking as he helped lay Eddie on the gurney.

"I see it," Crockett nodded, eyes narrowed. "Halstead, you're coming with me."

"Marcel!" Will protested at once.

"You heard your phone, Brett's far worse," Crockett shook his head. "You need your head in the game. You won't be if you're working on her."

"Go," Connor squeezed Will's shoulder. "Nat and I will get her."

Will swallowed hard, then nodded. "Will," Buck croaked.

"We've got him, Buck," Will nodded, even as his eyes darted towards the street as a line of police sedans roared towards the hospital. "We've got him!"

The team disappeared with Eddie, and Owen turned to Connor, green eyes piercing. "It went through Eddie and into her," he explained, swallowing hard. "From our vantage, we couldn't see what shape she was in."

"Jay gave us a pretty good idea," Natalie gulped. "If the shot went through Eddie and into her . . . "

"We might not have an exit wound," Connor finished grimly.

TK balked, then Hailey sprinted forward. "Out of the way!" she gestured.

"Back up!" Kim joined her, waving everyone back.

Olivia had to pull Peter and Nolan away as all of the police sedans haphazardly screeched to stops all around the parking area. Adam and Kevin were out of the first one as Fin and Amanda bolted from the one in the back. Hank threw open the door to his vehicle, and he gestured for the trauma team. "Come on!" he barked, opening the door to the back.

"Can you tell if it was a through and through?" Connor asked as Natalie pulled the stretcher forward.

"It's not!" Jay's words were like barbs to the chest, and Olivia covered her mouth in shock as Jay backed out of the sedan, Sylvie like a limp doll in his arms. "We checked, we can't see an exit wound!"

"Damn it," Connor seethed, taking the other side to help put Sylvie on the gurney. "Straight to Trauma Bay Two!"

"Let's go!" Natalie shouted.

Jay looked down at his drenched hands, then hasty footsteps made him look up. "Jay!" Hailey was as pale as a ghost, her hands trembling as she reached for his face.

"Are you OK?" Kim was right behind her, wrapping her arm around him supportively.

Jay turned to look at the blood-covered members of Squad 9, the terrified faces of the district attorneys, and the horrified eyes of Amanda as she watched Sonny coax a shocked Kat from the sedan. "Are any of us?" he managed to ask.

Buck gulped. "No."

***

Reporters gathering at the front of the hospital were forced to run in order to avoid being hit by the multiple firefighting rigs that veered into the parking lot. The three ambulances were the first to stop, and as the bulkier rigs found where to park, Tommy checked to make sure Violet and Gianna were behind her before she sprinted after Nancy, the younger paramedic already at the doors. "Nancy!" Tommy called worriedly.

Nancy spun around, eyes rimmed red, her mascara ruined by the tears she'd shed. "Not again," she insisted, shaking her head. "Cap, I can't do this again!"

"We don't even know how 'this' happened," Tommy wrapped her arm around Nancy's shoulders, turning as the Chicago paramedics finally caught up to them. "Come on."

"Are we gonna wait – ?" Gianna began, turning to where the rest of the firefighters were jumping from their rigs.

"They'll catch up," Violet shook her head.

Tommy guided Nancy into the hospital, shielding her from the reporters and photographers. They were quickly met by Fin, who took one look at them and pointed down the hall. "I'll bring the others," the sergeant told them.

"Thank you," Tommy nodded, leading the girls in the direction he pointed.

When they found the waiting room, Nancy stopped dead in her tracks, the remaining color in her face rapidly disappearing. Tommy had to reach out and grab Gianna's arm, seeing the youngest paramedic sway on her feet. TK was the only member of the 126 who was in the room, and even as he sat with his legs tugged up to his chest, Tommy could see the bloodstains on his skin, including turning his hands red. Olivia sat as close as she could to him, her hand white where she tightly held TK's. Peter and Nolan sat on TK's other side, Nolan speaking on his phone, his other hand supportively on Peter's shoulder.

That was nothing compared to the blood covering Jay, the detective's face blank as he spoke to Adam, Kim speaking quietly to him as she and Hailey peeled off his jacket. Sonny and Kat were a few feet away and talking to Kevin, Amanda with her hands wrapped around Sonny's arm, Kat hugging herself. Just like Jay, the dark-haired woman's clothes were drenched in blood.

Of everyone in the room, only Hank was moving. The grizzled sergeant paced the waiting room like a caged lion, his face set like stone. Tommy took a deep breath, then stepped forward. "TK?" she called carefully.

TK's head shot up from where it rested on his knees, and he almost fell out of his chair in his hurry to get up. "Captain Vega!" he choked, eyes wild. "Nancy!"

"Oh, my God!" Nancy bolted to his side; Tommy could hear the clamor of the rest of the 126 and 51 entering the lobby behind them. "TK, what happened?"

"It was a regular call," TK stammered, letting Nancy fuss over him. "Completely normal, there was nothing that said something was wrong!"

Marjan whimpered, covering her mouth when she saw the state of TK. "Cap and Buck?" Judd demanded, looking around. "We heard about 99 – "

"Buck is Eddie's emergency contact," Fin explained, walking over to Kat. "Owen went back for Sylvie."

The arrival of 51 made Hank stop pacing, and Jay looked away from Adam at the cries of alarm from Gallo and Ritter. "Halstead," Boden swallowed hard, taking a few steps forward. "Are you – ?"

"None of it's mine, Chief," Jay shook his head. "It's all Sylvie's."

Gianna let out a keening sound, stumbling away from Tommy and back into Cruz, the shellshocked man barely able to support her before she collapsed. "All of it?" Matt's face was pale as a ghost.

Jay could only nod and gesture to Kat, the woman listening as Fin whispered to her. "She coded on us on the way over," he admitted. "Kat brought her back."

"We almost lost Eddie," TK added, tucking his shaking hands into his pockets. "And we had the medical equipment to help him."

"We took off the moment we had Sylvie in the car," Jay nodded.

"But they were both alive when we got here." Hank's gravely voice brought all attention to him. "Diaz and Brett were both breathing when the doctors took them back. And we know Rhodes and Marcel are the best in the business."

"Rhodes and Marcel are working on them?" Herrmann asked hopefully.

"Yes," Hank nodded, and Kelly sagged in relief. "Marcel and Halstead on Diaz, Rhodes and Manning on Brett."

"Um," Mateo fidgeted, looking nervous. "H-how did it . . . ?"

Hank sighed. "We were at the Regal Pointe Apartments for an OD. Diaz called Carisi to report a mother potentially poisoning her son by putting eyedrops in his food for years."

"Tetrahydrozoline," Tommy murmured.

Hank nodded. "The patients were put in separate ambulances. We were coordinating who was going where when we heard the first shot." He sighed, gesturing to the right side of his chest. "It hit Diaz first, went through him . . . and it embedded in Brett. Both hit the ground at the same time."

"The shots didn't stop," TK whispered. "One of the battalion vehicles, the gasline was hit and it went up like a bonfire. But the shots . . . they must've hit the rig dozens of times."

"And only the firefighting rigs," Jay added.

"What do you mean?" Grainger frowned.

"The sniper had targets all over the place," Jay gestured around the room. "I mean, he had three police officers and several civilians . . . and every time I saw bullets hit, it was near the firefighters."

"You think he was targeting firefighters?" Stella's eyes widened.

"It's the only thing that makes sense with how the bullets flew," Jay shrugged.

The chirp of radios made everyone look around in confusion. "OC to 1-6," Ayanna's voice came from the police radios.

Olivia held up her radio. "Go ahead, OC."

"We made it to the scene. LAPD's trying to work it instead."

"Thanks, Jack." Nolan's voice made everyone look at the prosecutor as he stood. "He's going to get in contact with the DA's office here," he told Olivia. "He's going to make sure, since Captain Benson got everyone moving, that New York keeps the lead on this."

"Good," Olivia nodded, turning back to her radio. "OC, continue as you would. DA McCoy's getting this to us."

"Copy, 1-6."

Olivia sighed, lowering her radio and looking around. "If this sniper is attacking firefighters, then Eddie and Sylvie were targeted. That is unacceptable. Hank, as you and Jay were also on scene when the attack happened, I propose we join forces. Special Victims, Organized Crime, and your Intelligence Unit. If that isn't enough to catch this son of a bitch, I'm eating my badge."

"Consider my team at your disposal, Liv," Hank nodded, extending his hand.

Olivia smiled grimly, shaking his hand. "About time our teams worked together again. I just wish it wasn't because of this."

Hank nodded. "I'm no use just waiting around. Your team is already on the ground at the apartments?"

"Yes."

Hank sighed, turning to look at Jay. "We can help them get an idea of what they're searching for."

Jay nodded. "Copy that."

"Cap?" Olivia turned as Sonny and Kat walked over. "We're going, too."

"I want to stay and hear about Brett and Diaz, I do," Kat swallowed. "But I want this bastard even more."

Olivia nodded. "Happy hunting."

Jay looked himself over with a sigh. "This is when I wish I had spare clothes in my car."

"Yeah," Kat grimaced. "Right there with you."

Hank turned to Hailey. "Keep us updated?" he requested.

"Absolutely," Hailey nodded, biting her lip. "If we hear anything, you'll know."

Hank nodded appreciatively, then led the trio of detectives out the doors. "And we've heard nothing since they went into surgery?" Boden asked for clarification.

"No," TK shook his head, leaning into Olivia's side. "Nothing."

Matt closed his eyes. "Chief . . . "

Boden merely clicked his radio. "Dispatch, this is Chicago Battalion 25."

"Go ahead," Josh answered.

"Requesting to please take Chicago Firehouse 51 offline for the rest of the day."

"Copy, Battalion 25." There was a pause. "And please give Dispatch's best to the Austin 126."

TK whimpered and turned to bury his nose in Olivia's neck. Tommy took a shaky breath and clicked on her own radio. "Dispatch, this is Austin EMS 126. Thank you for your regards. We appreciate it."

***

A familiar face was already at the yellow tape when the two sedans arrived. Athena watched the quartet approach, then she waved at the uniforms guarding the scene. "They're clear, officers."

"Sergeant," Hank nodded. "Have you met Detective Tamin?"

"I believe only over a video call," Athena looked the woman up and down, noting the pink tinge to her hands. "Athena Grant-Nash."

"Katriona Tamin," Kat smiled tentatively. "Nice to meet you."

"And you," Athena nodded, eyeing the scene behind them, complete with the torched battalion vehicle. "If only it was due to better circumstances."

"Oh, my God!" Hank turned at the shriek, and from a nearby black van flew a black-haired young woman in a bomber jacket, her dark eyes wide as she ran up to Sonny and Kat. "Carisi! Kat!"

"We're OK, Jet," Sonny held up his hands, letting the girl examine every inch of him. "Jet, we weren't hurt."

Jet backed away, worrying her lip with her teeth. "I know," she whispered. "It's just . . . when we heard over the radio – "

"I know," Kat nodded. "We weren't the ones shot."

Jet deflated. "Brett and Diaz?" she asked hopefully.

"We haven't heard anything," Sonny shook his head. Behind him, Jay coughed meaningfully, and Sonny cleared his throat. "Voight, Halstead, this is Detective Jet Slootmaekers. She's the tech wizard for the Organized Crime Control Bureau. Jet, this is Sergeant Hank Voight and his 2IC, Detective Jay Halstead of the Chicago Intelligence Unit. They were also here when the shooting occurred."

Jet eyed Hank, then raised an eyebrow. "Are you gonna try taking this case from my sergeant?" she asked bluntly.

Unable to help himself, Jay burst out laughing at her spunk. Hank merely smirked. "Joint investigation," he told her. "Captain Benson's suggestion."

"Yeah, that'll make this way easier," Jet muttered, then lifted the crime scene tape. "Come on in. Sergeant Grant?"

"Eddie was hit," she said simply, following the group inside. "I couldn't sit this out if I tried."

Jet snorted. "Tell that to the swarm of LAPD officers trying to take over."

"Sergeant Amaro will likely want in on this, too," Sonny advised her.

Jet tilted her head. "How do I know that name?"

"Because I've probably brought it up." Hank and Jay turned at the unfamiliar voice, and a tall man in dark jeans, a dark Henley, and motor boots approached, badge clipped to his belt. "He used to be Liv's partner, way back when she was still a detective."

Jet blinked. "The way NYPD talks about her, that's hard to believe."

"Well, believe it," the man shrugged. "She started off with me."

Jay smothered a grin. "So we finally meet the guy we keep hearing should never meet my boss."

"Yeah, well," Sonny grimaced, looking around the crime scene. "Given the circumstances, this is probably the one time they should meet."

The detective eyed Hank up and down, then smirked and extended his hand. "Considering all the fuss Owen made, I'm actually looking forward to this. Elliot Stabler, I used to be Liv's partner before . . . well."

He shrugged, and Hank nodded, shaking his hand. "Hank Voight. I run the Intelligence Unit in Chicago." He gestured behind him, and Jay stepped forward. "My second, Jay Halstead."

"Good to finally meet you, Detective," Jay offered his hand. "Apparently we just missed you when we went down to Austin."

"Yeah, that was one hell of a ride," Elliot nodded, shaking his hand. "I went down there just expecting a reunion with the Strands . . . and I got to chase bombers who kidnapped paramedics." He shook his head in disgust, looking down at the bloodstained street. "And I can't believe this happened." He turned back, looking over all of them. "Do you know anything yet? How Sylvie and Eddie are doing?"

Sylvie and Eddie. Not Brett and Diaz, like Jet had asked. Elliot knew them better than her. "No," Hank shook his head. "It was still early enough that Captain Strand and Firefighter Buckley were still nowhere to be found, likely getting updated on the surgeries."

"How serious are we talking?" Elliot asked worriedly.

Kat looked down at her feet, and Jay gulped. "Eddie was the lucky one," he said. "Through and through on his right side. Sylvie, though . . . "

He faltered, and Sonny squeezed his shoulder supportively. "Sylvie was facing him," he took up the explanation. "Lodged in the left side of her chest. No exit wound. We lost her once on the ride over. Kat was the one who resuscitated her."

"Oh, my God," Elliot closed his eyes.

"Poor girl," Athena shook her head.

"DA McCoy's getting in contact with the local DA," Sonny told them. "Since Cap organized everything as soon as the shooting started, he's making sure she stays in command of this entire thing."

"Good," Elliot opened his eyes, his fury evident. "NYPD doesn't take it kindly when family is shot. In New York, our first responders don't bleed only red or only blue. When one of our own is injured in the line of duty, we bleed purple."

Hank nodded decisively. "Then let's get to work on finding this sniper, and we'll find out just what color he bleeds."

Elliot's grin resembled a shark. "And now I know why people say we shouldn't work together."

"Stabler!"

"Yeah, Sarge?" Elliot turned at the voice.

"We got a problem!" the dark-skinned woman in a blouse and leather jacket that matched Elliot's colors walked up, her eyes narrowed. "This isn't the only sniper attack on first responders that happened today."

"What?" Jay's eyes widened.

"You're kidding," Athena demanded.

"She doesn't kid, not about this," Elliot shook his head. "Sarge, you know Carisi and Tamin. This is LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant and Chicago Intelligence's Sergeant Hank Voight and Detective Jay Halstead. My boss and partner, Sergeant Ayanna Bell."

"Sergeant Voight," Ayanna nodded. "Benson said your team is joining the hunt."

"It doesn't matter if Brett's no longer in Chicago," Hank told her. "She's still one of our own. We're in this for her."

"And family of Owen's is family of mine," Elliot nodded. "Good. We're all straight." Ayanna raised an eyebrow at him, and he grinned. "Figure of speech, Sarge."

Jay snickered. "And now I see how he's friends with Captain Strand."

"'Manda and I have decided TK likely gets it from him," Sonny nodded.

"Well, if TK wasn't with either of his parents," Elliot smirked, making the younger detectives blink, not expecting the statement to be confirmed. "Sarge? What are we looking at?"

Ayanna held up the tablet, a security feed on the screen. "Your routine fender-bender," she answered. "Police responded first. See anything out of the ordinary?"

Kat frowned, watching officers help the drivers. "Nothing," she shook her head.

Ayanna nodded. "Then the firefighters arrive. They start examining everyone . . . and then – "

The familiar crack of a shot made Jet flinch, and one of the firefighters on screen dropped to the ground. "Again," Jay frowned. "Plenty of potential targets from the police to the bystanders, even the drivers."

"And he only started shooting when Fire and Rescue arrived," Elliot scowled.

"Just like this morning," Hank nodded. "These aren't random hits."

"Someone's targeting firefighters?" Jet whispered in horror.

***

Tommy had never seen a waiting room so crowded, and she had seen the hospital when Judd and Grace were recovering from their accident.

Violet and Gianna had boxed in Nancy, the three women huddled together in their chairs, hands linked. Gianna's face was still stained with tears, and Violet's lower lip was swollen from how much she gnawed it. Mouch and Herrmann sat with Gallo and Ritter, the elder firefighters quietly talking of who knew what, but it kept the white-faced younger firefighters occupied, only distracted when Stella returned from a coffee run. What had surprised Tommy was how little convincing it had taken for Cruz, Capp, and Tony to coax TK from Olivia to join them in the corner, the Squad 3 firefighters shielding the 2IC of Squad 9 from any scrutiny. Paul, Marjan, and Mateo had claimed a cluster of chairs for themselves, and Marjan ended up with her head on Paul's shoulder, her hands entwined with Mateo's. Judd, surprisingly, had taken a seat close to Boden, the chief's low octave a soothing rumble as he talked to the lone survivor of the original 126.

The police in the room were far more active. Olivia tossed her radio from hand to hand, determination the only visible emotion on her face as Peter watched. Fin, by far maintaining his composure the best, was in deep conversation with Adam and Kevin, both scrolling through tablets. Amanda, Hailey, and Kim, just like the three paramedics, had taken a trio of chairs and were seated together. Tommy could hear Amanda's voice waver ever so slightly as she talked about Jesse and Billie, and from what she could hear, Kim was sharing stories of Makayla, too. She hid a sad smile behind her hand; as a mother, she was tempted to join them to share tales about Izzy and Evie.

Her phone chimed, and she turned away to check on her messages.

Carlos: Any news?

Tommy sighed, fingers moving quickly across her screen.

Tommy: Nothing

Tommy: We haven't even seen Buck or Owen come back yet

Carlos: Damn

Carlos: I wish I was there

Tommy: Thank you for staying with the kids

Tommy: This environment would not be good for them

Carlos: Of course

Carlos: How's TK?

Tommy discreetly aimed her camera in the direction of the squad firefighters, adding it to her messages.

Tommy: They stole him from Captain Benson

Tommy: But they've got him

Carlos: Casey and Severide?

Tommy hesitated, then looked up from her phone at the final group that had taken the chairs closest to the entrance to the ER. Nolan had also just returned from a coffee run, silently handing the cups to the four fire officers in their chairs. Matt and Kelly both looked like they had been through hell; they looked just as exhausted as TK, pressed as tightly together as they could without one being in the other's lap. Grainger and Pelham sat with their friends, accepting their coffees with murmured gratitude. Nolan nodded, giving Matt and Kelly one last look before walking to join Peter, the two attorneys starting their own discussion again.

Tommy: They almost look worse than TK

Carlos: I'm not surprised

Tommy slipped her phone back into her pocket, and she walked over to the three paramedics. "Hey," she whispered, watching three pairs of dark eyes look up at her. "I'm going to get something to drink. Anything I can get you?"

"No," Nancy shook her head, sniffing. "But thanks, Cap."

Violet and Gianna shook their heads without saying a word, and Tommy sighed and nodded. "OK."

She had walked the halls of Cedars-Sinai multiple times since their arrival in Los Angeles. Several of EMS 126's patients had been taken there, and it was the hospital of choice when they wanted to restock their supplies. She knew the trip to the cafeteria by heart . . . she and Nancy often had to grab lunch there, after all. She went to work on filling up a cup of coffee, her eyes lazily sweeping around the cafeteria and out to the courtyard accessed from multiple doors.

She recognized two Austin uniforms immediately, and she did a double take, taking her coffee and walking to the doors out to the courtyard. She lingered when she saw Buck on one of the benches, his hands tightly clasped and held to his mouth, eyes staring blankly at the ground. Owen, his entire stance saying "don't approach," sat next to him, head inclined towards the clearly distraught firefighter. Tommy bit her lip, remaining by the door, waiting patiently to see if there was any indication she could potentially join them.

Instead, Buck nodded numbly, and Owen squeezed his shoulder before helping Buck stand. Buck took a few shaky inhales before departing through another door; Tommy flinched when she saw Buck still hadn't cleaned himself up, blood visible on his skin. Owen stood as well, watching Buck head back into the hospital, hands on his hips. Every person in the courtyard veered around him, knowing not to go near the fire captain.

Tommy took a deep breath, then opened the door to the courtyard. Owen turned towards her, and she paused in her tracks, keeping the door open in case he preferred for her to leave. After a moment, however, tension visibly drained from Owen, and the suddenly exhausted captain gestured for her to join him. "Tommy," he whispered, his voice strained.

"Owen," she sighed, setting her coffee down on the bench before holding out her arms. Owen gratefully sank into the hug, and Tommy held him tightly. "I'm so sorry we weren't there – "

"Don't be," Owen interrupted her, shaking his head. "God, Tommy, you should wish you weren't."

"The 126's place is with their teammates," Tommy argued, pulling back and looking at him firmly. "We should have been there."

"No," Owen insisted, emerald eyes firm. "No, Tommy, you shouldn't have been. I didn't see it happen, but I could hear it, and in the hail of bullets that followed . . . " He trailed off, swallowing hard. "No. I would never want any of you at a scene like that."

Tommy looked down, seeing he had rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, and she closed her eyes. "Were you . . . ?"

"No," Owen shook his head. "Any blood on me is from helping Eddie." He closed his eyes, and Tommy could see his muscles tense. "Buck pulled Eddie under the rig, and we were gone the moment we had him onboard. I never even got a good look at Sylvie except for when they took her out of the sedan."

"Don't," Tommy warned, raising her hand to cup Owen's cheek. "Don't do this to yourself, Owen."

"I thought TK getting shot was horrible," the captain choked out, trembling under her touch. "But that was one shot . . . and being under constant fire without being able to help – "

"Owen," Tommy gently shook him. "Look at me. You did everything you could."

"And it may not be enough!" Owen snapped, lurching away from her to pace in the courtyard, running a hand through his hair.

Tommy paused, watching him, her hand still hovering in the air. "What do you mean?"

Owen stopped in the grass, taking a deep breath to calm himself, hanging his head. "I don't know the full briefing on Eddie, but the first impressions from the doctors say he should be in good shape," he answered, looking down at his feet. "But Sylvie . . . "

He didn't continue, and ignoring her sinking heart, Tommy walked up to him. "Sylvie?" she prompted, taking his hands.

Owen swallowed. "Every second that bullet is still in her, that's one less second she has," he whispered. "And that's more blood she loses. Add in that she was shot close to her heart . . . " Tommy had never seen his green eyes look more frightened. "Dr. Rhodes is the best they have on staff, even since he's out of state," he told her. "But he can't guarantee she'll pull through."

"It's Sylvie, Owen," Tommy squeezed his hands. "She's stronger than any of us know. She isn't done surprising us. Don't you dare start doubting her now."

Owen nodded jerkily, his hold on her hands vicelike. "I don't like thinking about it, Tommy," he croaked. "I hate this."

"I know," Tommy nodded. "But she and Eddie are in the doctors' hands now. There's nothing more we can do."

"Fate hates me," Owen muttered, even as he linked his arm with Tommy's. "Otherwise we wouldn't be in this situation."

"God only knows why we are," Tommy squeezed his arm, abandoning her coffee to guide him back into the hospital. "But we've always won in the end."

Owen nodded. "That's what I'm clinging to at this point."

Their arrival back in the waiting room was first noticed by Olivia. The police captain looked up to acknowledge the footsteps, then did a double take and gasped. "Owen!" she sprinted across the room, making everyone else shoot from their seats.

Owen released Tommy's arm and braced for impact, and he hugged Olivia as tightly as he could when she reached him. "I'm alright, Liv," he whispered, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on her shoulder. "I'm not hurt."

"Those are two very different statements," Olivia murmured, hearing the startled exclamations behind her at the visible state of the captain.

She could feel him shudder. "Are any of us alright?" he huffed.

Olivia silently shook her head. "Doubtful."

She reluctantly pulled back from the hug, and Owen looked past her, swallowing hard. "TK . . . "

His son flew across the room and into his arms with a sob. "Dad!"

Owen barely kept his composure as he wrapped TK in the tightest hug he'd ever given. If he had been trembling, then TK shook like a leaf in a storm. "I got you, son," he gulped, pressing his lips to the top of TK's head. "I got you."

TK whimpered, looking up at Owen worriedly. "Where's Buck?"

Owen looked around, realizing the other firefighter hadn't made it to the waiting area. "He's getting cleaned up," he answered. "He, uh . . . " He winced, clearing his throat. "He's not happy about it, but he's comfortable with leaving the hospital tonight. He's got Christopher to go to."

TK balked. "Oh, God, Christopher . . . "

"Yeah," Owen nodded with a sigh. "Out of every crew to hit in the city, this bastard had to hit Sylvie and Eddie, huh?"

"At least they've got the Chicago Med doctors working on them," Kevin remarked.

Owen nodded, reluctantly releasing TK from the hug so he could face everyone. TK still tucked himself into his side, which Owen didn't protest. He looked around the group of anxious firefighters and police officers, and he took a deep breath. "Last Buck and I heard, both were taken into surgery," he announced. "Marcel and Halstead have Eddie, and Rhodes and Manning have Sylvie. Buck is Eddie's emergency contact, so if the doctors have anything to say, it'll come from him. But the impressions I got when I talked to Buck, Eddie's surgery should go well."

Some of the tension in the room drained at his words. "That's a relief," Judd sighed.

"What about Sylvie?" Cruz asked nervously.

Just as quickly, the tension returned, mounting even higher in Owen's opinion. The captain braced himself, his grip around TK strengthening. "Sylvie requires more work," he answered diplomatically, but he knew his words struck a chord when he heard Matt choke. "Especially since there wasn't an exit wound. Both teams predict it will take a few hours to complete the surgeries, so we won't know anything about their conditions for a while unless a nurse gets sent to update us. Right now, all we can do is wait."

Marjan groaned, closing her eyes and tilting her head back until it hit the wall behind her. "Shit."

"I know my house, and while I don't know much about Wallace's, I know him," Owen cracked a smile at Boden, who managed a grimace in return. "None of you have to stay – "

"We're staying," Kelly interrupted firmly.

"We're not going anywhere," Matt agreed.

Despite the circumstances, Owen allowed himself to smile. Their dedication to Sylvie deserved one. " – but you are welcome to stay until we hear anything," he finished. "Well . . . or until the staff kicks us off the campus."

"That has been known to happen," Kim admitted.

"Well, that's what will have to happen," Nolan retook his chair, slinging one leg over the other. "I'm not going anywhere."

"None of us are," Olivia agreed.

Owen turned to Tommy, who gave a sad smile. "Like Buck, I have children to return to," she said, reaching for Owen's hand. "But please, keep me updated."

"I will," Owen nodded. "I promise."

Tommy nodded, then turned to Nancy. "I'll see you tomorrow," she promised.

"OK," Nancy nodded.

Tommy headed for the exit, removing her radio as she left. With a sigh, Owen guided TK towards the chairs by Matt and Kelly, and the two Strands dropped into the chairs. "This is gonna be a long wait," Owen warned, remembering how long it had taken to hear any news of TK.

"I'll wait as long as it takes," TK shook his head, laying his head on his father's shoulder. "I'm not leaving them."

Owen smiled, kissing the top of his son's head. "Copy that, son."

***

Playful giggles and electronics could be heard from the Vegas' room at the hotel, and Buck swallowed hard, fiddling with the watch around his wrist anxiously. Tommy took her key card from her pocket, looking solemnly at Buck. "Would you like to tell them all together?" she asked.

Buck took a deep breath, then shook his head. "I want to tell Christopher myself," he said thickly. "He deserves that."

Tommy nodded, using her card to open the door. "I'll take the girls into the next room to tell them."

Buck merely nodded, following Tommy into the suite she'd been given. Carlos sat on the couch, watching Christopher and the Vega twins play videogames. When he heard the door open, Carlos looked up, his eyes widening when he saw the duo. He quickly stood from the couch and maneuvered around the kids, approaching the firefighters, a look of dread on his face. "Buck," he swallowed hard. "God, I am so sorry."

"Thank you," Buck nodded, managing a small smile for his friend. "I, uh . . . they're both in surgery. TK wanted to stay at the hospital."

"Thank you for staying to watch the kids, Carlos," Tommy told him. "We appreciate it."

"Of course," Carlos nodded. "And, uh . . . I've kept the TV off the news. As far as I know, they aren't aware of what's happened."

"We'll tell them," Tommy told him. "Again, thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Carlos nodded, looking at Buck. "If you need anything at all, please, don't hesitate to let me know."

"I will," Buck nodded. "Thank you."

Carlos nodded, grabbing his wallet from the table and leaving. Tommy braced herself, rubbing her hands together as she turned to the kids. "Hey, kids," she pasted a smile on her face.

"Hi, Mom!" Izzy beamed.

"We spent the entire day with Carlos!" Evie cheered.

"Hey, Buck," Christopher smiled, then looked around. "Where's Dad?"

Buck's breath hitched, and Izzy frowned. "Mom?"

Buck and Tommy looked each other, and Tommy bit her lip. "Mijas . . . let's talk in the other room, OK?"

Evie and Izzy gave her suspicious looks, but after a nod from Buck, they followed their mother towards the bedroom. With the girls gone, Christopher gave Buck his full attention, and the firefighter crouched down to be eye level with the boy. "Chris . . . your dad's not coming home tonight."

"Why not?" Christopher frowned.

"Um . . . " Buck gulped, swearing he could still feel Eddie's blood coating his palms. "Well . . . he got hurt at work today."

Christopher's eyes widened. "In a fire?"

BANG!

The echo of the sniper's shot made Buck flinch. "No," he whispered. "No, not . . . not in a fire. The truth is, someone . . . hurt your dad."

Where some kids would have raged, Christopher was quiet. "On purpose?" he asked.

"Yeah," Buck nodded. "I think so."

"A bad guy?"

"Yeah," Buck whispered. "Yeah, a . . . a bad guy. And it wasn't just your dad, either. He hurt Sylvie, too."

Christopher's doe-like eyes looked up at Buck worriedly. "Are they gonna be OK?"

Buck took a deep breath, so desperately wishing he could say for certainty that yes, the paramedics would make it through. "You know, your dad is . . . he's tough as nails. He's a fighter, right? And so is Sylvie. So . . . so they're with the doctors now."

Christopher tilted his head. "Like the ones who fixed you?"

Buck nodded shakily. "Uh-huh. Yeah, like . . . like the ones who fixed me. You remember Sylvie's doctor friends from Chicago?"

"Will, Connor, and Natalie?" Christopher nodded.

"Yeah," Buck nodded. "They're here with another doctor, named Crockett Marcel. And they're with your dad and Sylvie now."

Christopher nodded. "Then they're gonna be OK, right?"

Buck's phone started ringing suddenly, and he jumped, fumbling to take his phone from his pocket. He was about to send the call to voicemail when he recognized the number. He froze, then swallowed hard and answered. "Hello?"

"Buck," Will greeted. "Great news. Marcel is moving Eddie into one of the rooms here in the hospital. He pulled through the surgery and he's stable."

A relieved sob burst from Buck's throat, and he covered his mouth, closing his eyes. That was news he so wanted to hear. "Thank you," he managed to say, making Christopher brighten. "Thank you so much."

"This is our job, Buck," Will told him. "Eddie's in good hands with us. We'll see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Buck nodded. "Again, Will . . . thank you."

"You're welcome, Buck."

Buck looked down at his phone as the line disconnected, and he smiled through his tears. "Yeah, buddy," he nodded. "Your dad's gonna be OK."

"And Aunt Sylvie?"

Buck opened his mouth to answer, but any words he could say stuck in the back of his throat. Will hadn't said a thing about her . . . and suddenly all he could see was the paramedic captain sprawled in Jay's arms like a marionette with its strings cut, her hair more red than blonde, blood trickling down her arm and dripping from her fingertips –

A sudden grip on his arm made him gasp for breath. "Come on, Buck," Tommy murmured, squeezing tighter. "Breathe."

Buck hadn't even realized he had stopped. He inhaled greedily, collapsing in on himself, and Christopher scrambled from the couch to hug him tightly. "It's gonna be OK, Buck," he whispered.

Buck could only nod and try to stifle his tears. That was a lost cause when he was blockaded by all three Vegas, Izzy and Evie squirming to join the hug.

***

A sudden influx of voices made Owen wake. While the majority of those waiting in the lobby had finally departed for their hotels to prepare for the next day's shift, Matt, Kelly, Olivia, and the prosecutors had remained with the Strands, the two lawyers having shed their suit jackets long ago. There were now four additional people in the waiting room, the quartet huddled in a circle and speaking together, likely trying to keep quiet. Still, he raised his head from where it rested atop TK's, blinking sleep from his eyes. "Elliot?" he asked, hearing how his voice rasped.

Elliot immediately turned at his voice, and the detective's face relaxed. "Owen," he crossed the room quickly. "How're you doing?"

"Honestly, El, I've been better," Owen sighed, feeling TK stir from sleep.

"Yeah, stupid question, wasn't it?" Elliot gave a sheepish grin, then looked at TK when the firefighter's eyes squinted open. "Hey, kiddo."

"Elliot," TK whispered, his voice more broken than his father's.

Elliot reached up to cup the back of TK's neck, the action so similar to one Owen often used that TK instinctively listed into his touch. "Hey there," Elliot smiled. "You have a visitor, too."

"Hey, tiger," Carlos smiled softly, sitting next to TK.

TK shifted from leaning on Owen to curling into his boyfriend, and Carlos's arms wound around him. "Thanks for coming," TK mumbled.

"Of course," Carlos kissed the top of his head. "Where else would I be?"

Owen carefully stood, wincing at the stiffness he felt from sitting in an uncomfortable position. He wobbled once, but quick as a flash, Elliot reached out and held his arm supportively. "Thanks," Owen smiled sheepishly.

"Any time," Elliot nodded. "We all got back here as soon as Sarge called it for the day."

Owen saw the two remaining Intelligence officers, and he grimaced. "I suppose it would be too big a miracle to ask if you got the sniper in one day?"

"Wouldn't that be nice?" Jay sighed. "No. We spent the day canvasing the entire area."

"We're going to the second shooting tomorrow," Hank nodded, checking his watch. "Or . . . well, that's almost today."

"Makes me glad the kids aren't in school," Owen eyed Carlos, watching the officer run his fingers through TK's hair. "I'm thankful Carlos was able to watch them."

"We were talking before you woke up," Jay nodded. "Carlos was able to keep the news off the TV. Buck and Captain Vega were going to tell them after he left."

"I wonder how that went," Owen sighed.

"And I'm surprised those two went to sleep," Hank added.

Owen turned and smiled fondly when he saw Matt and Kelly sitting in the same position he and TK had been, their heads resting against each other. "Well, when there isn't much to do or hear . . . "

Footsteps made Olivia look up from where she leaned on Peter, and she did a double take before getting to her feet, getting the attention of Nolan from where he was working on his laptop. "Owen!"

Owen turned to look where she did, and he saw Will and Natalie walk towards them, Natalie more visibly exhausted than her boyfriend. "Wake them up," he told Jay, and the detective nodded, moving over to Matt and Kelly. Nolan hastily shut his laptop and joined Peter with Olivia, and Owen chewed his lip, recognizing Will and Natalie were in fresh scrubs . . . which meant their last ones had to be discarded. Owen didn't like thinking about what that meant. "Anything?" he asked desperately, hearing Matt and Kelly surge out of their chairs.

"On both of them," Will nodded. "I gave Buck a call first, so he was the first to know. Eddie pulled through the surgery with no problems. Marcel's going to keep a close eye on him, though. He's in the ICU."

"Oh, good," Carlos sighed in relief.

Natalie remained silent, and Owen swallowed. "What about Sylvie?" he asked.

Natalie took a deep breath. "She's out of surgery, too," she answered, and Owen could hear her fight to keep her voice steady. "She's stable . . . for now."

Owen's heart dropped. "For now?!" Matt's voice was just short of hysterical.

Natalie folded her arms, looking more like she was trying to support herself. "We lost her twice on the table," she admitted, making Owen balk and Kelly sway, held up only by Matt's arm around his waist. "And it felt like every time we gave her a blood transfusion, she just bled it out again. Connor swears it's a miracle we were able to finally get the bleeding to stop."

"Oh, my God," Peter closed his eyes, turning into Olivia to try and compose himself.

"But you were able to stop it?" Kelly demanded, eyes wide.

"We were," Natalie nodded tiredly. "Connor's one of the best in the country for a reason. It was a race, but we stabilized her. He's admitting her to the ICU, but Sylvie is far from out of the woods."

"And what makes it difficult is that we need to be prepared for more blood transfusions," Will added.

Matt closed his eyes. "Shit."

"What?" Carlos looked around in confusion. "What's the problem with a transfusion?"

"It's a problem depending on her blood type," Elliot pointed out.

"And she's O negative," Owen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Universal donor . . . but it's the only type of blood she can receive."

"O negative?" Nolan repeated, an odd tone in his voice.

"Whenever we had major blood drives in Chicago, Boden gave Sylvie leave to donate when she wanted," Matt nodded. "She always gave as much as she was allowed to give, then Boden gave her any time she needed at the house to recover. Any donations were appreciated."

"And we checked with the hospital, it's been a while since there was a blood drive," Will nodded. "And considering the influx of patients we've had since the treasure hunt and not knowing what some patients' blood types were, a lot of the hospital's O negative supply was depleted. We're making calls around to other hospitals to see what we can get for Sylvie, but she's stable because we were able to give her enough blood so she pulled through the surgery. But we also know that with a sniper on the loose . . . "

Natalie trailed off, and Nolan coughed meaningfully. "Does she still need a transfusion?" he asked.

"Yes," Natalie nodded instantly. "She does, and we're trying to get some for her – "

She faltered when she saw Nolan's relieved grin. "Can you take a donor on the spot?" he asked.

Will did a double take, and Matt spun to look at Nolan with wide eyes. "Are you saying – ?" he began.

"O negative," Nolan nodded. "That's my blood type."

Owen looked at Will and Natalie hopefully. "Can you do that?"

"Your blood for Sylvie?" Natalie asked for clarification.

"Yes," Nolan nodded firmly.

"Then come on," Natalie gestured. "We'll take you right back."

Jay sighed in relief, and Nolan turned to hand his laptop to Peter. "Can you call Jack and – ?"

"I'll let him know," Peter nodded, taking the laptop. "Go."

Nolan nodded, following Will and Natalie back into the emergency department. "Thank God," Peter sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

"I was about to call Carisi," Olivia admitted. "He's the only other person I know who's O negative."

"Now we have another reason to despise Harcourt," Matt groused, closing his eyes. "If it weren't for that treasure hunt, there would have been more blood immediately available."

"We can't dwell on what happened in the past," Hank shook his head. "We don't need that . . . and Sylvie certainly doesn't need that."

"At least there was something some of us could do to help," TK said, leaning against Carlos. "I hated feeling helpless earlier."

"You were far from helpless, son," Owen shook his head. "You were the medic who kept Eddie alive when we drove here. You helped far more than you realize."

"I wish it felt that way," TK mumbled.

***

"Connor!" Natalie called as the trio moved through the hospital. "We need the equipment for a direct blood transfusion, now!"

The dark-haired surgeon, in the middle of writing on a clipboard, looked up in surprise. "I beg your pardon?" he stammered, then did a double take when he saw the prosecutor with them.

"Counselor Price is O negative," Will explained as Natalie bustled around. "I know we need to make sure he's compatible with Sylvie, but he specifically said he wanted to donate for her."

"Well, that'll help her," Connor nodded, moving around the desk. "Sylvie's blood is already in the system, so we just need to draw from him so we can run checks for anything major."

"This is one of the few reasons I'm glad we're in Los Angeles," Will muttered, gesturing for Nolan to sit in one of the chairs, Natalie rolling over a tray of the necessary tools. "They've got the best blood analysis equipment in the country."

"How fast does that mean you'll get a result?" Nolan asked, unbuttoning his cuffs to roll up his sleeves.

"Pretty fast," Connor answered as Natalie tied a band above Nolan's arm. "Fast enough that I'm not worried about Sylvie . . . yet."

"Connor!" Will scowled at him. "I swear, if you jinx it – "

"Boys," Natalie frowned, not looking up from checking Nolan's forearm.

"Sorry," they chorused.

Natalie seemed satisfied with what she found, and she took an alcohol swab to wipe down Nolan's arm. "So as soon as I get enough to test, we'll run your blood against Sylvie's," she explained, plucking the syringe and vial from her tray.

"Whatever you need," Nolan nodded, relaxing his fist for her.

Natalie lined up the syringe, then carefully inserted the needle into Nolan's vein. The prosecutor tensed for a moment, then made himself relax as Natalie drew a full vial. "Done," she announced, pressing a piece of cotton to the injection site.

Connor took the vial from her, and as Natalie fastened a tie to keep the cotton in place, the surgeon got to work on running the blood test. "I don't know if this speeds anything up, but I've done similar drives like Sylvie," Nolan shared. "I haven't been told to stop giving."

"Then this should be relatively quick," Connor nodded, tapping his fingers as he watched the computer run the test. "If nothing shows up, Natalie and I will set up the direct transfusion to Sylvie."

"Let's hope that's the case," Nolan sighed, resting his head back against the wall. "I just want her to get better as soon as possible."

"That makes two of us," Will snorted.

"Three," Natalie held up her hand.

"Four," Connor smirked. "Crockett will make five . . . just don't tell me we're suddenly gonna start counting everyone."

"Can we count that high?" Will smirked.

"Ha ha," Connor rolled his eyes at Will, and the ginger stuck his tongue out in reply. "Very funny, Will."

"I know you are," Will smiled innocently. "What am I?"

Natalie guffawed, then turned to cough into her arm. "And now I know why Sylvie is friends with all of you," Nolan snorted.

"She likes Will best," Connor deadpanned, then looked at the computer when it beeped. "Well, actually, that might be about to change. Will, get what we need for a direct transfusion. He's clean."

"I am?" Nolan sat up straight, suddenly wide awake despite the late hour.

"You are," Connor nodded, stepping away from the desk as Will disappeared further into the hospital. "So we'll get you set up in Sylvie's room." He hesitated, then sighed. "I'll warn you, Price . . . she doesn't look good."

Nolan narrowed his eyes. "I don't care about how she looks. I just want to help her."

"Then let's get in there," Connor gestured down the hall, leaving the computer to continue running. Nolan recognized Crockett in the window of one of the other ICU rooms, and he guessed that was the room currently housing Eddie Diaz. Natalie was waiting for them outside a room a few doors down, and Nolan could see Will puttering around inside. "How's she doing, Will?" Connor asked, stepping into the room.

"She's still hypotensive," Will answered, and Nolan swallowed, seeing Sylvie swallowed up by the amount of sheets and blankets covering her. Her blood-drenched clothes were nowhere to be found, and now all she wore was one of the typical hospital gowns. He was very able to see the edges of the bandages that wrapped around her, almost as white as Sylvie's skin. He swallowed, reaching down to check the pulse in her wrist, needing the reassurance that she still had a pulse. The relief he felt at feeling the pulse, however erratic, was nearly overwhelming. "That's to be expected, though."

"Yes, it is," Connor nodded, checking the machines for himself. "Apologies for having to stick you again, Counselor."

Nolan scoffed. "Do I have to say it again, Dr. Rhodes?"

Connor held up his hands, giving a sheepish grin. "Let's get you set up."

Nolan nodded, watching the three doctors work effortlessly to prep him and Sylvie for the transfusion, and he gingerly took Sylvie's hand, careful not to dislodge any wires. "Come on, Sylvie," he whispered. "You can do this."

***

Will rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn as he walked through the hospital hours later, well aware the other doctors were watching him in concern. "You look like you've been up all night," Crockett remarked when the ginger reached the desk.

"It sure feels like I have," Will admitted, rolling his head around to crack the muscles in his neck. "Connor, Nat, and I have been monitoring Sylvie just to prepare for the worst."

"How is she?" Crockett asked, closing his tablet to give Will his full attention.

"She's doing far better," Will answered with a smile. "She got the blood she needed, so she's on the mend. Buck said he was going to come in and see Eddie before the houses get called out for their shifts, so we plan on updating everyone at once."

"Good," Crockett nodded. "At least we've got good news about everyone now." He nodded to the doors that led to the waiting room. "Especially since I don't think any of them left the hospital at all."

"That doesn't surprise me," Will chuckled. "I'm glad they weren't kicked out."

"Me, too," Crockett nodded.

Will sighed, checking his watch. "I'm gonna make a coffee run. Want me to get you anything?"

"Well, thank you, but I'm set for now," Crockett shook his head. "I did have a question, though."

"Shoot," Will nodded, then paused and scoffed at his wording.

Crockett just chuckled, taking another tablet. "One of the computers was still running a test when I checked it a while ago. Whatever was getting tested, the results are finalized."

"Really?" Will tilted his head, taking the tablet and pulling up the results. "The only test we were running was – "

He cut off abruptly, his eyes widening when he read the results. "Hmm?" Crockett raised an eyebrow, concerned when he saw the shock spreading on Will's face. "Will? What's wrong?"

Will swallowed hard. "Nothing," he shook his head. "I don't think so." He cleared his throat, tucking the tablet under his arm. "Actually, I'll get my coffee later. Let me know when you're ready to update the others?"

"Yeah, sure," Crockett nodded.

"Thanks!" Will took off down the hall.

Crockett watched him go in bewilderment. What was such a big deal about that test?

***

Nolan sluggishly blinked when he felt a gentle hand shake him, and he groaned, closing his eyes again when the bright lights made his head woozy. "Oh, God," he muttered, loosening his tongue.

"I thought you might be like that when you woke up," Natalie smiled, and Nolan carefully readjusted how he sat in the chair next to Sylvie's bed. "There was a big of a variety in the cafeteria, so I hope you don't mind the type of juice I snagged for you."

Nolan looked at the small bottle she held, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Cranberry's my favorite," he told her.

"Really?" Natalie blinked, then giggled as she handed him the bottle. "It's one of Sylvie's, too."

"So it's not just our taste in coffee that's the same," Nolan smirked, unscrewing the lid to take a drink. "Good to know." He winced at the soreness in his arm at the movement, and he checked the bandage around his arm. "How's she doing?" he asked, looking at Sylvie.

"The transfusion's helping her," Natalie answered, checking the various monitors. "Her color's improved, and her blood pressure's improving. We're going to be careful in lifting her sedation over the course of the day."

Nolan nodded. "I'm not a doctor, but all of that does sound good."

"Considering her injury, yes, it's very good," Natalie nodded, then blinked. "Though that face doesn't look good."

"What?" Nolan looked around in bewilderment.

"Will?" Natalie asked, and Nolan finally saw where the woman was looking. "Is everything OK?"

"Yeah, Nat," Will gave a smile that Nolan recognized: the man was trying to convince himself just like he was trying to convince them. "Uh, I just need to talk to Price, if that's OK."

Natalie looked inquisitively at Nolan, and while he was confused, he nodded in agreement. "As long as I don't need to stand . . . I don't think I can balance on my feet yet."

"No, you don't," Will shook his head.

"Well, just give me a call if something changes," Natalie told them, walking out the door.

Will watched her leave, then turned to Nolan. "How do you feel?" he asked. "You fell asleep pretty quickly after we disconnected the IVs."

"I bet I did," Nolan grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm a bit lightheaded, but nothing that won't go away. How much blood did you end up taking?"

"The maximum amount we're legally allowed to take," Will answered, pulling up another chair. "You saved Sylvie's life, Price. I know it may not seem like much, considering Connor was the one who did the surgery, but donating the blood you did . . . she needed it, and she needed it badly."

"I did what I hope anyone would do," Nolan shrugged, absently tracing Sylvie's fingers with his. "I'm just glad my blood was compatible with hers."

Will swallowed. "Counselor . . . your blood isn't just compatible with hers."

Nolan frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Will sighed, turning on his tablet. "We never stopped the test that determined your blood was safe to use, and the test found something . . . I didn't expect."

Nolan tilted his head. "Why do you look like you're about to say it's life-ending?"

"No!" Will hastily shook his head. "No, no, no, definitely not life-ending."

"Oh, good," Nolan sighed in relief.

"Not life-ending," Will told him. "Life-changing, on the other hand . . . " Nolan's multicolor eyes narrowed, and Will coughed. "It's not just your blood that's a match for Sylvie's."

"What else could match?" Nolan leaned forward.

Will turned around his tablet, showing Nolan the results of the test. "DNA," he answered quietly. "You and Sylvie share 25% of each other's DNA."

Nolan's eyes widened, and he gingerly took the offered tablet to see for himself. "We what?" he croaked.

***

A pair of coffee cups suddenly appeared in Matt's line of sight, and Matt blinked before looking up at the grinning lieutenant in front of him. "You're a godsend, Grainger," he sighed, taking the cup labeled as his go-to.

"I figured you've had enough of the hospital crap," Grainger shrugged, handing the other cup to Kelly. "Especially since you were here all night."

"In crappy hospital chairs," Kelly added, twisting to ease his stiffness.

"Yeah, no matter the hospital, they could always use better chairs and coffee," TK huffed, buttoning a clean uniform shirt over a grey AFD undershirt. "Dad already said we would go for a coffee run before we officially start."

"Where is Owen?" Kelly looked around with a frown.

"Turns out in all the fuss of yesterday, he never really gave his statement about what happened," Pelham answered as he joined them. "And Buck didn't, either. TK gave his, so Stabler, Bell, Slootmaekers, and Amaro are collecting them. They'll all be back in here when they're done."

"Amaro's here?" Carlos asked in surprise.

"I got in early this morning." They turned to see the plainclothes sergeant enter the hospital, a grim look on his face. "I would've gotten here sooner, but the Park Police is, understandably, in chaos."

"I can only imagine," Matt nodded, watching Owen and Buck enter behind him, followed by Elliot, Ayanna, Jet, Hank, Jay, Sonny, and Kat. "How's Christopher, Buck?"

"He took the news about Eddie and Sylvie way better than I did," Buck admitted.

Olivia sighed. "Your boy is a gem."

"He's the best," Buck agreed, then paused when he saw Peter still asleep against the wall. "I thought he'd already be at the courthouse."

Elliot snickered. "DA McCoy has very clear favorites, and their names are Nolan Price and Peter Stone. It wouldn't surprise me if McCoy ordered them to stay at the hospital and not return to the courthouse until Sylvie is out."

Owen snorted. "That sounds like McCoy."

"You know what I just realized?" TK scratched the back of his head. "Are we able to use the rig? You know . . . since it got shot at?"

"We are," Owen nodded. "It was worked on all night, so we're back in service. So's 99 . . . though I'm missing paramedics."

Grainger cleared his throat. "Actually, Captain . . . Jason and I were talking last night – "

"Oh, no," Kelly deadpanned.

Pelham punched him in the shoulder. "Shut up!"

Grainger rolled his eyes. "Jason, as you know, is squad certified, and I can be a paramedic as needed. If Casey and Severide are willing to part with us, we'll happily ride with your house while Brett and Diaz are out of commission."

Owen raised an eyebrow, looking at Buck and TK. "Well, I'll need to talk to the team, but – "

"Captain," Kat interrupted, eyes wide.

Owen, Matt, and Olivia turned to her at the same time, only for her to point behind them. They turned again to see Will and Crockett leave the back of the hospital, both looking far more relaxed than they had been yesterday. "This should bode well," Jay murmured.

"Buck, Captain Strand," Will greeted. "I realized in the fuss of everything, neither of you met the surgeon taking care of Diaz. This is Dr. Crockett Marcel, he's one of the trauma surgeons in the ED at Chicago Med."

"It's good to formally meet you," Crockett held out his hand. "All I get to hear about you is whatever Brett tells Halstead."

"Thank you so much for taking care of Eddie," Buck told him sincerely, shaking his hand.

"Of course," Crockett smiled. "I'm relieved he pulled through. He's strong, and he's doing well. We've got plans to ease his sedation over the course of the day."

"Oh, good," Nick sighed in relief.

"Now, as for his captain," Crockett looked intentionally at Will.

Matt tried not to look too anxious as he turned to the ginger. He clearly failed, based on the amusement visible on Will's face. "She is in much better shape than last night," he told them. "Counselor Price's blood was perfectly compatible with Sylvie, and we took as much as we're allowed to take. Her blood pressure's on its way back to normal, and Natalie's going to monitor the entire day. Price was lightheaded when he woke up, so we're monitoring him, too."

Elliot smiled. "Thank God."

"Those are a few less things for us to worry about," Ayanna nodded.

"Good work, you two," Hank told them.

"Thank you, Sergeant," Crockett nodded.

"Hey, Casey, Severide?" Will turned to the two officers, chewing his lip. "Can I steal the two of you before you head out?"

"Us?" Kelly blinked, gesturing between him and Matt.

"Yeah," Will nodded. "There's . . . something you need to be asked."

"Uh . . . " Confused, Matt looked at Owen, wondering if he knew what the doctor possibly wanted. Based on Owen's expression, he had no clue. "Sure. Can someone let Chief Boden know we may be late?"

"You got it," Jay nodded.

"Sergeant Grant's already at the crime scene," Jet reported, looking up from her phone.

"That's our cue," Elliot sighed, turning to Owen. "Please be careful out there today."

"We will," Owen nodded.

"Alright," Will gestured to Matt and Kelly. "Come on back."

***

The last time Matt and Kelly had seen Sylvie this still, she had been lying in the squad lieutenant's arms as Tony drove like a maniac through the wildfires of San Angelo. She was buried under the sheets and blankets on her hospital bed, and Matt didn't want to count the number of wires connecting the woman they loved to machines letting everyone know she still drew breath. All that relaxed him was no sign of blood anywhere on her.

"You're lucky to see her like this now." Nolan's exhausted voice drew their attention, and they found the prosecutor with his chair pulled up to her bed. "She looked even paler when I first came back here."

"It makes me glad we weren't the responding company," Kelly admitted, itching to check her pulse for himself. "I don't want to think about what I would've done."

"Nothing smart," Matt guessed, having no reservations about pressing his fingers to the inside of Sylvie's wrist. Kelly could see his hackles settle when he felt Sylvie's steady pulse. "Or maybe I'm speaking for myself."

"She's lucky she has you two," Nolan smiled thinly.

"We're lucky to have her," Matt corrected.

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "You better make sure you tell her that when she wakes up."

"Trust me," Matt squeezed Sylvie's hand. "We will."

"I thought Will said he had a question to ask?" Kelly frowned, looking out of the room.

Nolan shook his head. "He's not the one with the question." At the officers' perplexed looks, Nolan sighed. "I want . . . no, I need an honest answer. Please."

"If we can answer it, we will," Matt frowned, sitting in one of the other chairs, Kelly leaning in the doorway. "What is it?"

Nolan sighed. "When Sylvie's birth mother was in Chicago, did she ever mention anything about Sylvie's birth father?"

That . . . had not been what Matt was expecting. "Come again?"

"I know, it's a random question," Nolan held up his hand placatingly. "But if she ever said anything, I would appreciate knowing it."

Matt blinked. "Er . . . "

"I can't remember Julie ever mentioning Sylvie's birth father," Kelly frowned thoughtfully. "All she said was she had Sylvie when she was twenty." He saw the question Nolan looked like he wanted to ask. "She turned 31 this year."

"So thirteen years," Nolan mumbled to himself, then he sighed. "Yeah . . . that fits."

"What fits?" Matt narrowed his eyes.

Nolan pinched the bridge of his nose. "My parents married young," he told them. "I always heard they had love at first sight. I remember them always being happy . . . except one time my mom wasn't, when I was a teenager. My dad had a business trip out of state, and my mom said he acted odd when he returned. It was later that I heard she thought my dad may have cheated on her while he was on the trip." He gave Matt and Kelly a pointed look. "I was thirteen when he took that trip."

The implications made Matt reel, his eyes widening. "You're kidding me."

"I'm not," Nolan shook his head. "When the doctors ran my blood against Sylvie's to test if it was safe, they left the test running . . . which included DNA testing. 25% of our DNA is a match. Sylvie's my half-sister."

***

And the secret's out! For those of you wondering, I made a few adjustments to earlier chapters and to canon. I know canonically, Julie was 16 when she had Sylvie, but considering the age difference between Hugh Dancy and Kara Killmer is thirteen years (which is the age difference I'm using here), I upped her age so she wasn't underage at the time.

Also, if anyone wants a clue as to where I plan on taking Nolan romantically . . . well, you don't need to look far on my Ao3 profile. *grins sheepishly*

Like I said, lots of original content, and I was rushing to finish this chapter so I can get back to the episode. Apologies if this feels clunky in any way.

The biographies continue . . . here's our favorite soon-to-be fire chief!

***

Owen

Welsh, "young warrior, well-born"

Choleric

strength, passion, productivity

The King

commanding, powerful, authoritative

Type 1, The Reformer

principled, purposeful, perfectionist

ENTJ

The Commander

Gryffindor

bravery, courage, chivalry

Leo

the boss, confident, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful

Earth

hard-working, loyal, stubborn

The Upright Emperor

dependability, fatherhood, father-figure, protectiveness, authority

Archetypes

A Father to His Men, Action Dad, A Hero to His Hometown, Conspiracy Theorist, Da Chief, Experienced Protagonist, Good Parent, Papa Wolf, Parent-Child Team, Platonic Life-Partners, Reasonable Authority Figure, Romancing the Widow, Samaritan Syndrome, Sole Survivor, Survivor Guilt, Team Dad, Tragic Keepsake

Neutral Good

The Benefactor

Status

alive

***

As I said, the love interests - the three firefighters and the odd cop out - are next to be in the biographies, so let me know who you'd like me to start with!

"Survivors" will continue next time!

graphic by marvelity