Everything Changes

If You're Reading This

Saint Vincent's Hospital, Children's Wing

West 82nd &12th

Manhattan

9:15 am

Rubyjane woke from her seizure very disoriented, and when she realized that she had wet herself and that Lilyjoy had passed out, she began to cry because she was embarrassed for herself and sad that she couldn't fix her twin's misery.

The arrival of the ambulance didn't help, either, and she became positively hysterical, quieting only when she was put under a full sedation, just so they could get her on to the gurney.

When her twin came to, she was still under the effects of the anesthesia a tad, and that made her calm, but Amanda noticed quickly that the Lilyjoy was just a little too calm, even when the doctor gave her a check-up.

Maybe it was just her maternal instinct coming into play, but it really concerned Amanda.

But then Olivia arrived with Zara in tow, as well as all of the luggage the precinct's trio of pint-sized visitors.

Realizing that she should stay out of the way, Zara hopped on a chair by the window of Lilyjoy's room and waved to her through it, wanting to see how she was.

Olivia stood a few feet away with her detectives, conversing in quiet tones with them.

"I made sure to bring Zara's and the twins' luggage because I thought you two would be able to find more about why they're all here, and even more about who Lily and Ruby are as people by going through their things."

"Good thinking, sarge." Nick told her.

When Amanda didn't immediately tack anything on in support, Olivia looked over at her.

"You alright, Rollins?"

"Uh-huh." she nodded. "Something just seems a little off about Lily, but I don't know what it is."

"The doctor should give us a report when she's finished."

Amanda only nodded absently, so Nick asked their CO a question of his own.

"Where are Fin and Carisi?"

"Just before Zara came to get me, I was going to tell you that we caught a case involving an off-duty cop from the tenth and her friend."

Nick winced at the mention of a fallen cop. "Any details like names?"

"Lilah Malcolm, and her best friend, Zoë Hugo."

"How did they fare?" Amanda chimed in.

"Officer Malcolm passed away, but Zoë made it, although not without serious bodily violations, including a concussion." Olivia said, choosing her words carefully so Zara didn't overhear the wrong thing. "She's in recovery, and I'm going to see her after this, but I'm on extra alert because because of how the doctor told me Zoë described her attackers: 'a crazy Southern Belle sporting a tire iron,' and an 'older man who kept calling her Kimmie.' Sound like anyone you know?"

"Kim and my dad." Amanda sighed.

"Fin and Carisi are the still in The Ramble at the park with CSU, because that's where the crime scene is, and if the tenth precinct starts getting iffy about turf, I might have to call Barba." Olivia explained. "There is one good thing, though: Melinda is the ME on this case, and we all know that she is the best of the best."

That was very true, and knowing that meant things would be handled very efficiently and professionally.

"That is a relief."