SVU Community One Shots

Deadly Outbreak

[Prompt]

{I didn't know what to do, I just knew it needed to stop.
Grave after grave after grave. I got tired of burying my friends.}

{created by: GirlandHerKeyboard }

[word count: 1,971 ]

"The death count keeps rising." A rookie spoke, watching the television in the squad room. Everyone's eyes had been glued to that damn thing for the past three weeks. Everyday, more and more cases were being reported and there was nothing anyone could do.

"Can we just shut it off?" Olivia asked, shaking her head and hiding her face in her hands. She turned around, placing her elbows on her desk. Watching the news only gave her more stress and anxiety. She didn't need this.

"Shut it off." Elliot demanded, seeing the worry on his partner's face. No one wanting to anger him more, they shut it off and went back to work. Calls were fewer and fewer. Hardly anyone was reporting anything anymore.

No one could blame them.

A new disease had broken out in the United States and it was slowing making its way north. Everyone had thought that maybe winter would stop it from spreading, but they were completely wrong. The virus seemed to thrive on the freezing temperature.

"You doing okay?" Elliot softly asked, getting Olivia's attention.

She sat up, running her hands through her hair. "Yeah. I'm fine, El. I'm just a little freaked out."

"I think we all are." Elliot replied. He had bags under his blue eyes and his clothes were clearly wrinkled. Olivia couldn't imagine being in Elliot's situation. Having one child, let alone five, would freak anyone out.

"How's Kathy taking everything?" Olivia asked, trying to make small talk. She wanted to get the attention off of her. She didn't have to worry about losing anyone close to her, besides Elliot.

"She hardly lets me leave the house," he sighed, leaning back into his chair. He placed his hands behind his head. "I'm sure by next week she'll have me locked in. Which, I mean, I don't really blame her for."

"Elliot, I understand her reasonings, but it's your job to come here and help people. You can't just lock yourself in and still get paid. How are you going to pay your bills without you working?" Olivia asked.

"It's not really a good idea for anyone to be coming in and out of my house anymore," Elliot countered, sitting up. "Eli's just a tiny baby. Even a cold could be deadly to him, let alone this massive outbreak. We can't risk me coming and going throughout New York City anymore."

Olivia opened her mouth, about to argue, when she was cut off. "John's in the hospital." Cragen spoke up.

Everyone's hearts stopped.

John sick?

All of them prayed it wasn't this deadly disease that was working its way through New York City, but everyone knew it was best not to get their hopes up. As much as they didn't want John to contract the virus, they knew it was a high probability.