Everyone was there, everyone, a sea of blue uniforms against the pastel green of the emergency room waiting area. Andy had disappeared with the surgeon over an hour ago and still no word. The yellow and white plastic seat digging mercilessly into Gail’s back seemed to be the only thing keeping her awake, or would be if it weren’t for Holly’s hand, fingers laced with hers, nestled both comforting and terrifying on her lap between her own. Holly, who cared enough to show up for her, Holly who laughed at her verbal daggers where others had fled, and Holly, with whom she had completely dropped her walls and kissed, much to both of their surprise.

Just yesterday, everything seemed fine, normal, as it should be, and now like a lifetime ago. The events of the last forty-eight hours would be bad enough if Oliver’s abduction didn’t bring back the terror of her own kidnapping with a vengeance. Earlier at the station, Holly had come to see her, but all she could do was run before Holly’s caring touch could shatter her composure like the brittle ice she felt like she’d become. And now, here they were sitting hand in hand in front of everyone.

The doctor reemerged looking exhausted and grim. Everyone rose to their feet again as one unit.

”Ok people” he said ”I know you are waiting to hear some news. Officer Swarek is out of surgery and in critical condition in ICU. I won’t have anything else to tell you for at least several hours. Go home people, go home. We will be sure to notify your sergeant if there is any change.”

A rumble, like the growl of a big dog, came from the crowd of gathered officers.

”All right, you heard the doctor.” Said Frank ”Most of us have been on this for more than forty-eight hours. Go home, get some sleep. I will need you all on the top of your game in the morning. I will inform you just as soon as I hear anything, anything at all.”

The crowd grumbled, shifted, and began to disperse in little groups of twos and threes. Gail found herself being numbly steered by her elbow in the direction of Holly’s car. She stopped in her tracks.