Officer Peter J. Malloy pulled his shopping cart to a halt before the fruit stand and reached out to select an orange. He hated grocery shopping. He found it to be one of the most tedious of all the chores and errands that he had to do. It was even worse than ironing his shirts and taking out the trash.

As he continued to select half-dozen oranges a slight smile broke over his freckled face. He knew exactly what his partner would say if he ever heard Pete complaint about having to do his own shopping. Jim would tell him that he needed a wife and then no doubt give him his never-ending speech about the benefits of married life. Pete was sure that he'd heard every reason in the book by this point. Sometimes he wondered if his partner hadn't decided to become a cop if he would have ended up being a salesman. There were times that Pete was sure that Jim was on the take from the license bureau.

Though he'd never admit it, especially to his partner, Pete wasn't so sure that he was as confirmed a bachelor as he once was. Seeing his friend with his wife and little boy stirred yearnings within him that he'd never let himself acknowledge before. Usually whenever he thought about making a serious commitment to someone he would suddenly start worrying about adding her to the growing list of police widows. He always figured that if he loved a woman enough to want to marry her then he loved her too much to put her through that possible heartache. Therefore he stayed a bachelor. Or maybe the reason was that he'd never met a woman that he loved enough to consider marriage. Or who loved him enough to put up with his bad schedule and the constant possibility of him being hurt or killed. At any rate no one yet had been able to entice him to the altar.

"Maybe I should just get myself a housekeeper." He mumbled to himself as popped another orange into his bag. "Let her do the grocery shopping."

Pete's musings were rudely interrupted by a sharp jolt of pain as a shopping cart connected roughly with his hip. Turning an annoyed look on the owner of the cart he met a pair of apologetic green eyes.

"I am so sorry." The young woman told him earnestly as she moved around the cart to Pete's side. "Are you all right? Did I hurt you?"

The officer's face lost its annoyance as an amused grin tugged at his lips. "I'm fine." He quickly assured her before teasing lightly. "Maybe you should get some driving lessons before you operate that thing."

His assailant laughed good-naturedly and pushed the cart back a bit more so that she could stand between it and Pete at the fruit stand. "Maybe I should." As the two of them selected some fruit Pete's companion asked casually. "So do you shop here often?"

Pete's grin widened slightly as he glanced briefly at the woman beside him. She was very attractive with expressive green eyes and silky red hair cut short. Her entire demeanour was open and friendly. He found himself being immediately drawn to her. "Often enough." He replied as he lifted his bag that was now filled with a dozen oranges and placed it in his cart. Turning back to her he prompted. "You?"

She flashed him a brilliant smile and said. "It's my first time. I just moved here from Maine about six weeks ago." Then sticking out her hand she added. "By the way, I'm Judy Walters."

"Pete Malloy." The amused officer replied accepting her hand.

"It's very nice to meet you Pete." Judy told him sincerely before returning her attention to her fruit selections.

Her companion watched her for several moments as she selected several apples and deposited them into the bag that she held. Finally he broke the silence by asking. "So what brings you to LA?"

"I needed a change." She confessed a little hesitantly. "You know, change of pace and scenery." She kept her eyes fixed on the pears that she was selecting. "I lived on one coast my entire life, so I thought it was about time that I tried the other one. Besides, I'm a nurse and I decided that setting broken bones and kissing little Suzy’s scraped knees wasn't how I wanted to spend the next twenty or thirty years of my life." Finally meeting his eye she added. "I guess I was restless."

"You're from a small town I take it." Pete remarked, reaching out to select a bunch of bananas.

"That's right." She confirmed, shooting him a surprised look. "How did you know?"

Pete chuckled slightly as he replied. "Most people native to LA aren't so quick to be friendly or to strike up a conversation with a total stranger."

Judy flushed slightly with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so bold. I guess I'm just use to striking up a conversation with anyone that I come across. Small town habit, I suppose."

"Well, you might want to watch who you 'strike up' a conversation with in the future." He warned her gently. "I'd hate to see your small town manners getting you into some big city trouble."

She gave him a serious nod and said. "I'll make sure to remember that." Then reaching for some grapes she asked curiously. "So what do you do for work?" She cast an amused glance at his shopping cart and added. "You must have a good job to support your fruit habit."

Pete turned and looked at his shopping cart and began to chuckle. He'd stopped at the fruit stand with the intention of selecting only a half-dozen oranges. His cart now held several bags containing oranges, apples, pears, bananas and grapes. He suddenly wondered how on earth he'd ever get through all of it before it went bad. Oh, well. I guess Jim and I will be doing some healthy snacking for the next couple days. Turning his attention back to Judy he gave her a mildly embarrassed look. "I guess I did go a little bit overboard in the fruit department."

"You can never go overboard on fruit." She told him with a mischievous look in her eyes as she popped a stray grape into her mouth. "And that's my professional opinion."

"Well, my professional opinion is that you'd better pay for those grapes before you eat anymore." His tone was stern, but his eyes were dancing.

She gave him a curious look for several moments as she tried to understand what it was he was meaning. Finally confusion gave way to understanding. "You're a police officer." Pete nodded his head in confirmation. "Well that being the case than I guess I owe you a big 'thank you'."

"What for?" He asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"For not arresting me for assaulting a police officer with a deadly shopping cart." She joked giving him a mischievous grin.

"Who says I still won't?" He commented with a teasing smile. "I still might, you know."

"Well is there anyway that I can talk you out of it?" She asked, giving him a coy smile.

"There might be one way." His eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Oh?"

"How about letting me buy you a cup of coffee?" He gave her a hopeful look.

Judy shook her head regretfully. "I'd love to, Officer Malloy. I really would. But unfortunately I'm due at work in about forty-five minutes." Her eyes sparkled slightly as she added. "Not all of us have the time to shop for fruit all day."

Pete shared her laughter before protesting slightly. "Hey, I have to work too. How else do you think I can support my fruit habit?" He gestured towards his cart.

"So when are you due to be at work?" She asked curiously.

"I’m on PM Watch today." He told her then when she gave him a blank look he added. "I have to be out on patrol at four, but Roll call starts about half an hour before that."

"And when do you get off?" Judy pressed.

"Supposedly by Midnight."

"And home by twelve-oh-one." She commented a broad smile on her face.

"Not usually." He countered with a wry smile. "Criminals always seem to know when watch is just about over, especially if you have plans for afterwards. Never fails we usually get a call at five or ten minutes to. What’s your shift?"

"Twelve-thirty to twelve-thirty." Judy replied. "The whole second half of the clock."

"Not home by twelve-oh-one either than." Pete remarked with a smile.

"Not even twelve-thirty-one." She remarked with a smile. "But as soon as possible afterwards. I’m back on days next week. I much prefer that shift. Not only are they shorter, but they’re easier to take."

"I know what you mean." Her companion said with understanding. "I prefer Day Watch myself. It’s a whole different world in LA at night, I can tell you that."

"I can imagine." Judy chuckled knowingly. "All the kooks come out at night I bet."

"And some of them are pretty kooky." Pete agreed. Then giving her a curious look he asked. "So, what hospital do you work at?"

"Central Receiving." She informed him. "I work in Emergency. It’s a bit more exciting than my last job."

"I can imagine." The officer commented with a knowing nod. He’d seen Central Receiving’s Emergency ward during its busy times. It wasn’t a pretty sight. "Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other sometime or other. I’m afraid I’m all too familiar with the place."

"As a patient or as a visitor?" She asked, her eyes showing concern.

"A little bit of both, I’m afraid." He commented sadly. "But mostly as a visitor."

"Well, I hope that the next time you’re there it’s as a visitor." She told him, her words full of hidden meaning.

"I hope so too." He echoed as he gave her a warm smile.

"Well, I suppose I should get moving before I’m only let in there as a visitor or a patient." Judy commented reluctantly as she moved towards the handle of her cart. "It was certainly a pleasure meeting you, Officer Malloy."

"It was a pleasure meeting you too, Nurse Walters." He returned as she walked away. "And don’t forget those driving lessons before you get behind another shopping cart."

Judy glanced at him over her shoulder and gave him an amused smile. "I’ll call for lessons first thing tomorrow morning."

"Be sure that you do." He called after her as she disappeared around a corner. Pete watched where she’d disappeared for several moments, a thoughtful smile on his freckled face. "I wonder if I can find a believable excuse to drop by Central Receiving later tonight without making Jim too suspicious." He mulled over some possible ideas as he finished his shopping.

"1-Adam-12 PM Watch clear." Officer James A. Reed announced into the Mic as Pete pulled the black and white out of the station’s parking lot.

"1-Adam-12 PM Watch clear." The radio dispatcher repeated back.

As Jim replaced the Mic to its holder he glanced over at his partner of almost five years, a visibly amused look on his face. "So are you going to tell me already or are you doing to spend the entire shift sitting there grinning like an idiot?"

"I’m not grinning like an idiot!" Pete argued trying to sound insulted by the remark but not quite succeeding.

"Pete, if that smile of yours gets any bigger I’m afraid that your face is going to crack!" His companion teased, chuckling slightly with amusement.

The other man couldn’t help but chuckle as well before quickly changing the subject. "Do me a favor, will you Jim? Hand me an apple out of the bag in the back."

Jim turned in his seat to reach into the back seat and was surprised to find a large bag filled with an assortment of fruit. "Wow, what’s with the fruit stand in the back seat? You planning on going into the produce business or something? Or are you going to hand these out with citations as a special prize? ‘For every ten traffic tickets you get Officer Malloy will present you with a free banana’."

"Will you just can the comments and give me an apple already?" The redheaded man groaned slightly in exasperation.

"You sure you just want one?" The other man asked as he searched through the bag curiously. "Because it looks like you have enough here to feed the entire division."

"Just give me the apple." Pete sighed as he flipped on his left turn signal and turned onto the next side street. "And grab one for yourself if you want."

Jim retrieved two apples before turning back around in his seat. He handed one to Pete and then fixed his eyes on the sights outside. After a few moments he asked in a casual tone. "So, who is she?"

Pete glanced at his partner briefly before turning his attention back to the road. "Who says there’s a she?"

His companion shot him his best ‘give me a break’ look and said. "Oh, come on, Pete don’t give me that nonsense! I’m a married man, remember? I know that look. Besides I think I know you well enough by now to notice when you’re acting a little oddly. And I can certainly say that you are doing that today, partner."

"I am not acting oddly." The other man objected with a little more heat than he intended. He knew that he was only confirming his friend’s suspicions.

The dark-haired officer beside him shot him another amused look and lifted his hand to count on his fingers. Touching his index fingers together he said. "First, you show up for work with a smile splitting your face that could rival the Grand Canyon."

"So I’m in a good mood." Pete defended glancing briefly at his partner. "Would you rather that I come to work in a bad mood?"

Jim just rolled his eyes as he continued to list. "Two, you have a stash in the back seat containing more fruit than I have ever seen you eat in the whole time that we’ve known each other."

Pete shrugged non-chelantly as he turned another corner. "So, I’m on a health food kick."

"Uh-huh." His colleague replied, obviously not convinced. "Who is she, Pete?"

The senior officer opened his mouth as if to respond but instead he raised his apple and took a large bite out of it, making a big production of chewing the sweet fruit. Jim just shook his head and took a bite of his own apple. Pete glanced at him out of the corner of his eye as he continued to eat his apple. He knew that he couldn’t put off his inquisitive friend for much longer. He was going to have to tell Jim everything eventually. It wasn’t in his partner’s nature to let things go easily.

The redheaded man found his mind drifting back to the events that took place earlier that day at the market. He had to admit that he’d found Judy’s open and friendly manner to be very appealing. It wasn’t very often that he came across a woman who was so genuinely pleasant. Most of the time they had ulterior motives to their friendly manners, namely getting out of a ticket. But Judy wasn’t like that. Her manners weren’t fake or put on. They were real. And so were her looks. She was a very attractive woman and Pete found himself once again wondering how he could find a convincing enough reason to drop by Central Receiving’s Emergency ward before the night was out.

After finishing his apple Pete actually found himself feeling eager to tell Jim about Judy. The more he thought about her, the more he wanted to talk about her. He was just about to open his mouth to do so when the radio suddenly came to life.

"1-Adam-12, 1-Adam-12. See the man. A 459 report. 1439 Sandalwood Drive. Handle code 2."

"1-Adam-12 roger." Jim acknowledged into the Mic as Pete swung the unit around and headed back towards Sandalwood Drive. As the dark-haired man replaced the Mic to its holder he commented. "That was a good apple. I hope your lady friend helped you to pick out a few more of those."

Pete shot him an amused look before turning his attention back to the road. He had a feeling that this was going to be a long night.

Five minutes later the pair was climbing the front steps of 1439 Sandalwood Drive. As Jim rang the bell Pete took in the neighborhood. Both sides of the street were lined with large oak trees and neatly manicured lawns. The houses, though older style homes were in nice shape. It was quite obviously a well cared for area.

The door of the house opened to reveal an older gentleman of about seventy-five. His snow-white hair was neatly trimmed and he wore a crisply pressed light gray suit. He looked like he'd just stepped off the page of a fashion catalogue. "Oh good, you're here. Please come in." As he ushered the officers into the house he added. "I'm Walter Jenkins."

"I'm Officer Reed, this is my partner Officer Malloy." Jim introduced. "You reported a burglary?"

"Yes." The older man nodded his head sadly. "I still can't believe that they're gone. I have no idea why anyone would take them. They're not worth anything to anyone. They just have a lot of sentimental value."

"What was it that was taken, Mr. Jenkins?" Pete asked with perfected patience.

"My candy bar wrappers." The other man told him seriously.

The two officers exchanged mildly amused looks as they tried their best to keep the smiles off their faces.

"Your candy bar wrappers?" Pete repeated wanting to make sure that he'd heard the other man right.

"That's correct." Mr. Jenkins nodded solemnly.

"When did you last see the wrappers, Mr. Jenkins?" Jim asked as he prepared to write the man's response.

"This morning when I was preparing to take my bottle caps to the jewelers to get them cleaned." Another look of amusement passed between the two officers.

"Where were the wrappers the last time that you saw them?" Pete asked, a serious look firmly pasted on his face.

"I left them on the top of my desk when I took the bottle caps to be cleaned." The older man reported earnestly. "Normally I keep the candy bar wrappers and the bottle caps together in the same box, but I didn't want the wrappers to be misplaced at the jewelers." A sad look appeared on his face. "Looks like they might have been safer there."

"Does anyone else have access to the house besides you, Mr. Jenkins?" Jim asked, looking up from his report.

"Just Gladys, my housekeeper." Mr. Jenkins told them, then quickly added. "But she wouldn't have taken them. She's been with me for ten years. I trust her completely."

"Does Gladys live on the premises?" The younger officer pressed gently.

"No, she only comes in two days a week for a few hours." Mr. Jenkins told them. "She does my laundry and some cleaning. Cooks a few meals and puts them in the freezer for me too. She's a fantastic cook."

"What days does she come in?" Pete queried.

"Every Tuesday and Friday." The older man replied.

The two officers exchanged another look. "Today's Friday." Pete observed to his partner who nodded. Looking back to older man the redheaded officer asked. "Can we have Gladys' full name and address please, Mr. Jenkins?"

"Certainly." The white-haired man agreed readily. "But I know that she didn't take them. Gladys is not a thief!"

"We're not accusing her of stealing them." Pete quickly assured the other man. "She just may be able to give us an idea of what may have happened to them."

Mr. Jenkins nodded in understanding and gave Jim the requested information. He then signed the report that Jim showed him. After assuring the older man that they would contact him as soon as they heard anything the two officers left the house.

"This is 1-Adam-12. Show us on a follow-up at 234 Akron Street." Jim requested as soon as they were settled back into the black and white.

"Roger 1-Adam-12." The dispatcher acknowledged.

As the officer replaced the Mic to its holder the dark-haired man glanced at his partner and remarked. "You think the housekeeper tossed them out, don't you?"

"Yup." Was Pete's simple reply.

"I have the same feeling." Jim agreed. "She probably figured that they were just garbage. I mean how many older people collect bottle caps and candy bar wrappers?"

"Not many." His partner commented thoughtfully.

"Probably about as many as ones who collect fresh fruit." Jim shot his friend a teasing look. Pete spared him a glance before turning his attention back to the road. "Is she someone who just moved into your apartment?"

"Is who someone?" Pete frowned briefly at him.

"Your fruit lady." His partner pressed eagerly. When the other man didn't respond he added. "Ah, come on, Pete. You know that you're going to tell me about her sooner or later. You might as well give in and tell me now."

"Naw, I don't think so." His companion countered mischievously. "Besides there's nothing to tell."

Jim rolled his eyes and said. "Which is why you’re smiling like a Chestshire cat."

Pete just grinned at him as he pulled the unit to the curb in front of 234 Akron Street. As the red-haired officer climbed out of the car Jim called them in as code six at the location.

A dark-haired woman of about forty-five answered the door at Pete's knock. "Can I help you officers?" She asked, a look of surprise on her face.

"I'm Officer Malloy and this is my partner Officer Reed." The senior officer informed her in an easy manner. "We're looking for a Ms. Gladys Simmons."

"I'm Gladys Simmons." She told them a little nervously. "What's this about?"

"Do you work for a Mr. Walter Jenkins?" Malloy continued to question.

"That's right. I'm his housekeeper." Ms. Simmons acknowledged, a worried look appearing on her face. "Is everything all right? Has something happened to Mr. Jenkins?"

"No, he's fine." The senior officer quickly assured her. "But he's missing some items that he claims are of great sentimental value to him."

A small smile tugged at Gladys' lips. "Let me guess. His candy bar wrappers." The woman chuckled slightly. "I knew that he would forget."

"Ma'am?"

"When I was there the other day Mr. Jenkins asked if I would mind taking his candy bar wrappers home with me and arranging them into some albums for him." She explained with an obviously amused smile. "He was worried that some of them were getting wrecked from being in the same box as his bottle caps. I agreed to do it, so when I went there to clean today I saw the wrappers on his desk, gathered them up and brought them home. I was going to take them back to him as soon as I got them arranged into albums." Leaning against the doorframe she crossed her arms and shook her head slightly. "I knew that he'd forget about it. His memory has been going a lot lately. Last week I found his wallet in the freezer and a carton of ice cream in the cupboard."

"Have you reported his memory lapses to anyone?" Jim asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

"Not yet." Gladys confessed with a shake of her head. "So far its hasn't been anything serious. Just little bouts of forgetfulness. I've been trying to keep a close eye on him for any sign that he might be of danger to himself, but I don't think its that bad yet. The day he forgets about his candy bar wrappers and his bottle caps is the day I know that he's in serious trouble."

"He's very attached to them, is he?" Jim asked with a chuckle.

A broad smile tugged at her lips as she told him eagerly. "He's been collecting them ever since he was five years old. He's got wrappers for every single candy bar that was ever made. Same with his bottle caps. He's got every different soda pop cap ever made too. It’s quite the collection."

"Do you mind if we take a look at the wrappers, ma'am?" Pete asked, a measure of curiosity in his tone.

"Certainly." Gladys led them into the house not stopping until she was standing before the coffee table in the living room. "There they are." She gestured towards the table that held a large stack of photo albums and a pile of mint condition candy bar wrappers. Pete glanced at Jim, wonder written all over his freckled face.

"Can I use your phone, ma'am?" Jim requested after they examined several of the wrappers.

"Sure, it’s in the kitchen." She pointed to a doorway at one end of the room. "It's just through there." As the officer moved towards the other room Gladys turned to look at Pete, concern on her face. "I'm not going to get in trouble for taking them, am I? Mr. Jenkins did ask me to sort them for him."

Pete gave her a reassuring smile. "As long as Mr. Jenkins can confirm your story than you don't have anything to worry about. I'm sure that once my partner refreshes his memory that he'll remember the whole thing."

As if on queue Jim returned from the kitchen, a slightly amused smile on his handsome face. "Mr. Jenkins remembers asking Ms. Simmons to take the wrappers with her the other day. He says that feels really bad for wasting our time and for inconveniencing Ms. Simmons." Looking at the woman in question he added with a slight smile. "Mr. Jenkins asked me to tell you that he'll be giving you a nice bonus for all you’re hard work and trouble."

Gladys smile wryly. "That is if he remembers."

Jim chuckled slightly. "He said that he was going to go and put a note in his checkbook right now."

"Well then, maybe I will see it." She commented with a good-natured smile.

"Thank you for all your help, ma'am." Jim gave her a pleasant smile as he and Pete left the house. As the two of them climbed into the unit they looked at each other and laughed in amusement.

"I think I finally understand all the fruit in the back seat." The dark-haired man commented with a slight grin tugging at his lips. When Pete shot him an expectant look he added, his smile breaking across his face. "You're making up for the fact that you didn't start your collection earlier in life."

His partner's look turned to one of exasperation as he started the black and white. "Just clear us, will you?"

Jim grinned at him as he picked up the Mic and said. "1-Adam-12 clear."

"1-Adam-12 clear."

"That was a good burger." Jim commented as Pete pulled the unit back onto the street after seven.

"Yeah." His partner agreed as he merged the car into the next lane.

"Maybe you should take your new lady friend there for dinner sometime." The dark-haired man said, shooting his friend an expectant look. "Does she like hamburgers?"

Pete shot him an exasperated look before turning a corner onto a side street. "Are you still singing that same old tune? I thought you'd get tired of it after spending our entire supper break fishing and coming up empty."

"I'm not finished yet." Jim told him mischievously. "I'm going to try some different bait."

"You'd better give up, partner." Pete told him seriously. "Because I'm not biting."

"Well I won't finish trying until you tell me exactly what happened earlier today." Jim told him earnestly, an expectant smile on his face. When his companion didn't respond he continued to press. "Is she somebody you met at the market?" He watched triumphantly as his friend fought the smile that was tugging at the corner of his mouth. "She is, isn't she? Does she work there?" Pete gave him a mysterious look, but the smile on his face didn't change. Jim pressed on. "Was she a customer?" The smile tugged a little harder on Pete's lips. "She was a customer!" The other officer cried triumphantly. Suddenly a thought occurred to him and he glanced briefly at the bag of fruit in the back of the unit. "You met her at the fruit stand, didn't you?" As much as Pete fought it, the expression on his face gave him away. "So tell me. How did you run into each other?" His choice of words caused to Pete to chuckle in amusement.

Shooting his partner a teasing look the red-haired officer commented lightly. "Are you trying to make Detective or something?"

"If that's what it takes to make you spill the beans than I just might try." Jim retorted, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"Why should I spill the beans, not that there's any to spill." Pete commented wickedly. "But if there were why should I? You seem to be doing just fine without my help, Sherlock."

"I'll bet you a steak dinner that I can get you to talk about her before the end of watch." Jim wagered, a smirk tugging on his lips. "A big, fat, juicy steak."

"You're on." Pete accepted, his eyes twinkling in fun. "That means I have a little under four and a half hours to go until I claim my 'big, fat, juicy steak'."

"Oh, no." Jim protested eagerly. "That steak is mine."

"All right, Sherlock." Pete shot him an expectant look. "Let's see your best shot."

"First, I want you to promise me something." The dark-haired man's expression sobered slightly.

"What's that?" His friend shot him a curious look.

"That if I'm right and there is a 'she' and if she turns out to be the woman of your dreams..."

"Those are big ifs, partner." Pete interjected.

"I know." The dark-haired man acknowledged with a nod. "But than again, you're wearing quite a big smile."

His friend shot him an amused look before prompting. "So what if she turns out to be the woman of my dreams?"

Jim looked at him with a slight smirk. He'd noticed that Pete hadn't said 'if there's a she then'. "Than I get to be your best man."

Pete shot him an incredulous look before turning his attention back to the road. He couldn’t believe that Jim had actually said that. Not that he didn’t like the idea of Jim being his best man if he ever did get married. He just couldn’t believe that his partner would suggest it. Hadn’t Jim been listening to him over the years? Maybe that was the problem. The red-haired man suddenly realized. He’d been listening to well. He had probably made the suggesting in order to get a rise out of Pete, hoping to trip him up into admitting something while he tried so hard to deny it. But the senior officer wasn’t called the ‘Strawberry Fox’ for nothing. There was a very good reason that he had earned that nickname.

After a few more moments of reflection Pete finally responded to his best friend’s teasing. "Tell you what, partner. If I ever find the woman of my dreams and decide to settle down and get married." He turned his head and pointed a finger at Jim as he added. "And like I said before, that's a big if." Lowering his hand he turned his attention back to the road as he continued. "But if I do, than I can't think of anyone I'd rather have has my best man than you." He looked back to his partner and found Jim smiling at him broadly. "Deal?"

"Deal." Jim readily agreed a delighted look on his handsome face.

Silence reigned between them for several moments as they casually cruised the streets of their beat. Soon both became lost in their own thoughts.

Pete hadn't actually thought about it before, but now that he had he couldn't think of anyone else that he'd rather have as his best man, if he ever got married that is, than Jim. The younger man had very quickly become a very important part of both his professional and his personal life. He remembered the first night that they had been partnered together. The night that was suppose to be his last as a cop. But then in walked Officer James A. Reed, a completely green, wet-behind-the-ears rookie who no matter how hard Pete tried to keep at arms length that first shift wouldn't stay there. As a matter-of-fact he wouldn't stay anywhere that Pete told him to that night. He will never forget the sheer terror that went through his soul that night when he turned around and found that Jim had disappeared into the darkness. And then when the young rookie had returned with the three suspects in custody, Pete didn't know whether to salute him or shoot him. He had never been so angry with anyone in his life. He just wanted to wash his hands of him there and then, but after listening to what Val had to say about his own early days Pete suddenly knew that he couldn't leave Jim in the lurch. He'd liked the kid despite himself and knew that he'd make a good cop if given the right training. And Pete decided that he was just the one to see that he got it.

Pete glanced at his partner, who was busy studying the city out his side window. He had been right. Jim was a good cop. Not to mention a damn good friend.

"Pete, there's a gunman inside that convenience store!" His partner's exclamation brought Pete out of his musings and he immediately hit the brakes and pulled the unit to the curb as Jim grabbed for the Mic. "This is 1-Adam-12. Officers require assistance. A 211 is in progress at the convenience store. 2375 Beatrice Avenue, just Southwest of Inglewood. Requesting back up and a supervisor. Advise all responding units to approach from the Southwest."

"Roger 1-Adam-12." The radio acknowledged before repeating Jim's information.

"I'm going to get a better look." Pete said as he opened his door and crouched down low, moving towards the back of the unit.

"1-Adam-12 meet 1-X-Ray-14 on Tac 2."

"1-Adam-12 roger." Jim acknowledged than switched the radio's frequency. "1-Adam-12 to 1-X-Ray-14 go."

"1-Adam-12, what's your position?" Ed Wells' voice asked as Jim slid across the front seat of the car to join Pete outside.

"We're parked about a quarter of a block Northeast of the store. The suspect is still inside. He doesn't know that we're on to him yet."

"Can you still see him?"Wells questioned anxiously over the radio.

Jim knew that he couldn't from where he was, but a glance at his partner was rewarded with a confirming nod. "Yes, he's still inside. What's your ETA?"

"We'll be there in about two minutes." Their back up assured him.

"Roger 1-X-Ray-14." Jim acknowledged. "Cover the Southwest side of the store."

"1-X-Ray-14 roger."

There was a moments pause before the radio came alive again. "1-L-90 to 1-Adam-12."

"1-Adam-12 to 1-L-90 go." The dark-haired man's eyes were still fixed on his partner who continued to watch the store.

"I have two units covering the rear exit and others blocking off access to the street." Mac informed him. "I should be there in about two minutes."

"Roger, Mac." The younger officer confirmed. "Try to stay out of sight if you can. He still doesn't know we're here yet."

"Roger 1-Adam-12." The sergeant replied before the radio fell silent.

Jim reached over to replace the Mic on its holder before reaching under the seat to retrieve the shotgun. He then carefully moved to join his partner at the unit's back driver's side wheel. "Can you still see him?"

"Yeah, he's just inside the door." Pete reported, his eyes still fixed on the store’s windows and the events taking place inside. "He looks like he's about ready to come out."

"Wells and Mac should be here any minute." Jim informed him. "They're going to cover the Southwest side of the store. A couple units are covering the back and others are blocking off the streets." Just then the partners spotted two black and whites pull over several yards away. The three officers inside quickly bailed out, taking up similar positions to Malloy and Reed on the opposite side of the store.

"You hold down the fort while I go and talk to Mac." Pete told his companion as he glanced back over his shoulder. "And don't try anything heroic, okay? I checked you out in one piece, I want to check you back in the same way."

"No bouncing bullets off my chest. Check." Jim teased light, causing Pete to grin slightly. Then before the other man could move off he added seriously. "The same goes for you too, partner."

Pete nodded his head in acknowledgment before making a quick dash for the cover of the next car. Jim tried to keep a careful eye on both his partner and the suspect as Pete quickly crossed the large gap between the back of their unit and the next vehicle. He tried hard to suppress a sigh of relief when Pete made it safely and quickly turned his full attention to what was happening inside the store. The suspect was moving closer to the front door of the store, still apparently unaware of their presence. Out of the corner of his eye Jim saw his colleagues spreading out along the front of the store, each using the parked cars for cover. The next minute everything exploded.

As soon as the suspect reached the sidewalk Pete shouted in his sternest voice. "Freeze, mister! Police!" The suspect stopped dead in his tracks, a completely stunned look on his face when he realized that he was caught. "Drop your weapon and put your hands on top of your head!" When the young man hesitated the officer added crisply. "You've got no place to go! The store and street are surrounded by police officers! Drop your weapon and put your hands on your head!"

The standoff lasted another few moments until the young man dropped his gun and put his hands on top of his head. "This wasn't my idea!" He yelled, a hint of desperation in his voice. "I didn't even what to do this! I'm innocent!"

"They always are." Pete retorted as he and his colleagues stood up from behind the cars they were using for cover. When they were sure that the suspect was no longer armed, the red-haired officer prompted his partner. "Read him his rights."

Jim readily obliged, moving from behind the safety of the black and white and stepping into the open between the unit and the car behind it. Just as he gained the sidewalk he heard Pete yell, his tone full of horror. "JIM, GET DOWN!"

Jim's reaction to his partner's warning was immediate, but not fast enough. He turned on his heels and dove for the safety of the patrol car, hearing the sound of several rounds being fired from the direction of the store. One bullet hit home, catching him high in the right shoulder. As the officer landed heavily on the ground, his forehead connected with the back fender of the patrol car. After that, everything went black.

Pete watched in horror as his partner crumpled in an unconscious heap by their unit's back bumper, leaving himself completely vulnerable to the hidden suspect's next shots. As the other officers responded to the gunman's firefight, desperately trying to draw his attention away from their fallen comrade, Pete made a split-second decision. Dashing out into the open space between the car that sheltered him and the black and white he quickly descended on his fallen friend.

"Pete!" Mac called anxiously after him when he realized just what the younger officer was doing. "Pete, get back here!"

As Pete reached Jim he noted out of the corner of his eye that the first suspect was now lying in a crumpled heap on the sidewalk. Whether he'd been hit or was just trying to avoid getting shot, the redheaded officer didn't know. And he wasn't about to take the time to dwell on it. Hooking his hands under Jim's arms and lifting him up, Pete began dragging the injured man backwards as quickly as he could to the safety of the far side of their unit. Just as he rounded the back of the car Pete tripped on his own heel and fell backwards, landing ungracefully on his backside, narrowly missing hitting his head on his open driver door. His unconscious partner landed heavily on top of him.

"You okay?" Mac asked, appearing at his friend's side before Pete had a chance to register what had happened.

"Yeah, I'm okay." The other man nodded, shifting slightly so that he could lean against the open door. Jim's head flopped back against his shoulder.

"How bad is he hurt?" Mac pressed, worry creasing his face.

"I'm not sure." Pete admitted anxiously. He took a few moments to examine his unconscious charge. As he did so he felt his anxiety deepen. The shoulder wound seemed quite deep and was bleeding heavily. Mac wordlessly handed Pete a handkerchief, which the worried man carefully applied to his partner's wound.

"Looks like he took quite a knock to the head." Mac observed, pointing to the wide gash on Jim's forehead. "That's going to require a few stitches."

"He probably has a concussion too." Pete added seriously. "He hit his head pretty hard."

Mac rose slightly and leaned over the two men to reach inside the black and white for the Mic. "This is 1-L-90. Shots fired at the convenience store. 2375 Beatrice. Officer down. Request ambulance code 3. Show us code 4 at the scene." As the radio dispatcher acknowledged Mac's call and repeated his broadcast Pete glanced sharply at his supervisor. It wasn't until that moment that he realized that the air was eerily quiet. Seeing the surprised look on his friend's face the Sergeant informed him. "Woods and Brinkman got him from behind. They're bringing him out now." The redheaded officer tried to see what was happening on the sidewalk but the black and white blocked his line of view. Mac crouched back down beside them. "Want me to help you lay him down on the ground until the ambulance gets here?"

Pete looked from Mac to Jim to the ground and then back to Mac again before shaking his head. "I think we should just wait until the ambulance gets here. It’s probably not a good idea to move him around too much."

"Are you sure?" The older man asked, frowning slightly as he noted how uncomfortable Malloy looked sitting on the hard ground with Reed slumped heavily against him.

Pete nodded his head in confirmation. "Yeah, Mac. I'm sure."

"Okay." The senior officer sighed slightly knowing how stubborn his friend could be, especially when he was worried about something. "I'm going to go inside and get the information we need for the report."

"We'll just wait here." Pete commented with a little bit of humor.

"Be sure that you do." Mac gave him a concerned look before turning and heading towards the store.

When the other man disappeared around the back of the car, Pete turned his attention back to Jim. He gently shook the unconscious man's uninjured shoulder as he urged anxiously. "Come on, partner. It's time to wake up. We have to get those suspects into custody." No response came from the injured man. "Hey, what have I told you about sleeping on the job? No slackers on my watch." Still no reply came from the other man.

"How's he doing?" Pete looked up to see Ed Wells standing over them, a look of deep concern in his blue eyes.

"Not too good." Pete admitted honestly, a slight catch in his voice. "He's lost a lot of blood."

"Looks like he got quite a good knock on the head too." Wells observed, gesturing to the cut on Jim's forehead. Digging into his pocket he pulled out a handkerchief. "Here, this should help some." He crouched down before them and gently applied the piece of cloth to the cut, trying to stop the thin line of blood that was trickling from it. Meeting Pete's surprised eyes with mild embarrassment he said seriously. "He's my friend too, you know." The other officer just nodded slightly.

"Wells!" The sound of Mac's voice got their attention.

Ed carefully removed his handkerchief from Jim's forehead and inspected the cut. The bleeding had stopped for the time being. Handing the fabric to Pete he said gently. "Here, you might need this. That cut looks like it could start bleeding again."

"Thanks." The other officer accepted the offered item with his free hand and pressed it against the cut on his partner's forehead.

"You okay?" Ed asked as he rose to his feet. He cringed slightly as he noticed the uncomfortable position his friend was in. "You want me to help you lay him down?"

"No, I'm okay." Pete assured him. "I don't want to move him anymore than I have to. I finally got the bleeding in his shoulder under control. I don't want it to start up again."

"Okay." Ed nodded, watching as Pete awkwardly held a handkerchief over both bleeding wounds. "Well, I'd better go see what Mac wants. You take care of your partner now, you hear."

"Don't worry, Wells." Pete assured him earnestly. "I plan on doing just that." As the other officer moved off to find Mac Pete turned his attention back to Jim. "Come on there, partner. It's time to wake up. Open your eyes for me. Come on, you can do it. Open your eyes. Do it for Jean and little Jimmy. They need you to wake up. Jean will be completely devastated if you don't. Hey even Ed Wells is rooting for you to wake up. Come on, Jim don't do this to me. I promised myself I'd never lose another partner. You can’t cash out on me now. Not after I've gotten you so well broken in. Please wake up. Please." The desperation in his voice was starting to scare Pete. He had never felt so scared or so helpless in his life. "Where's that ambulance?" He exclaimed in frustration and worry. The sooner they got there the sooner that they could get Jim some medical treatment.

A moment later his ears picked up the faint sound of the emergency vehicle's siren as it raced towards them. "Finally." Pete breathed with mild relief. Addressing Jim again he urged eagerly. "Just hold on, partner. Help is on the way, you just hold on."

Mac stepped out onto the sidewalk just as the ambulance pulled to a stop in front of the convenience store. He watched silently as the two attendants quickly descended on Reed and Malloy. They carefully accessed Jim's condition and asked Pete a few questions before gently lifting the dark-haired officer off of his partner. As they strapped Jim onto the stretcher Pete quickly scrambled to his feet, all the while assuring the attendants that he was fine.

As the paramedics lifted Jim into the waiting ambulance Mac stepped off the curb and joined Pete, whose eyes were still firmly fixed on his unconscious partner. "Why don't you go with him to the hospital?" The Sergeant suggested gently, knowing that Pete wanted to but that he would never suggest it himself. When his friend glanced at him in surprise he added. "We'll finish up here and meet you at Central Receiving."

"What about the black and white?" The officer nodded towards his unit.

"The keys in her?" Mac prompted.

"Yeah." Pete's eyes drifted back to the ambulance where the attendants were getting ready to leave.

"I'll have Woods and Nelson bring it by the hospital for you. Wells and Brady have already taken the suspect into custody and are transporting him to the station. We can make do without you for the time being."

"Thanks, Mac." Pete gave his superior a grateful smile before turning and jumping into the back of the ambulance just seconds before the back doors were closed. Mac watched the ambulance pull away, lights and siren going, with his two favorite officers inside.

Please let Jim be okay. The seasoned officer prayed silently as he stood in the middle of the empty street. I don't know how Pete would handle loosing another partner. Especially if it was Jim.

"You his partner?" One of the ambulance attendants asked Pete as the emergency vehicle sped along the busy LA streets.

"Yeah." The worried police officer nodded, his green eyes fixed firmly on Jim's pale face.

"I'm Kevin Taggart." The attendant offered after a few moments passed. "My partner's Ted Graham."

"Pleased to know you." The driver exclaimed pleasantly from the front seat.

"Pete Malloy." The officer supplied, his gaze never shifting from Jim's face. "This is Jim Reed."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Kevin acknowledged kindly. "Though I wish it had been under better circumstances." When the other man didn't say anything he prompted gently. "You two been riding together long?"

"Almost five years." Pete replied, his hand reaching out to rest lightly on Jim's uninjured shoulder. "I started off as his training officer and we just kept things as is when his probation period was over."

"If it ain't broke, then why fix it, eh?" Kevin commented with an understanding smile.

"Something like that." The redheaded man nodded, his eyes still fixed on Jim's unconscious face. The truth be told he didn't want another partner. He was more than happy with the one that he had and had no intention of breaking in another one. Unlike any of his previous partners before him, Jim had somehow managed to weasel his way past all of Pete's carefully erected barriers. Walls that he had put in place to keep his friends and colleagues at a careful distance. A place that was far enough away to keep his inner most thoughts and feelings concealed from them. But Jim wouldn't let him do that. He would nag at Pete until he knew exactly what his partner was thinking and feeling about a certain situation. At first it irritated the older officer. He hated letting on whenever something got to him, especially a call. He wasn’t supposed to let things get to him. He was supposed to be a professional, after all. But in time his resentment turned to acceptance. It was just par for the course with Jim and Pete had to admit that he was much better for the nagging.

A comment from Ted Graham pulled Pete out of his musings. "And then there's some days that you wish that you could trade them in for another model."

Kevin laughed good-naturedly and tossed a rolled-up elastic bandage at his friend. The bandage bounced off the back of the driver's seat and landed on the floor. Pete realized that he'd obviously missed an important part of their conversation while his thoughts had been wandering.

"Oh, come on Ted, you know that you love me." Taggart retorted with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"About as much as I loved that liverwurst and onion sandwich that your wife packed you for lunch." Ted shot back as he turned left at the next intersection. "Do me a favor will ya? No more brown bagging it. I don't think I can take being stuck with you and that sandwich in such close quarters again!"

Pete once again turned out the good-natured banter between the two attendants as he felt a pang of jealousy well up inside him. He and Jim should be sitting in their black and white right now, cruising up and down the streets of their beat and doing exactly the same thing that Graham and Taggart were doing.

When Pete first met Jim he never would have guessed just how good a friend the younger man would become. But it hadn't taken long for the two of them to click with each other. Jim was the more emotional type who needed continual reminders to 'let things go', whereas Pete needed help showing more emotion. They also seemed to be able to read each other, anticipating the other's thoughts or next move. That proved very beneficial when handling dangerous calls. All in all he had to admit that Jim was a wonderful partner and an even better friend.

A slight movement under his hand once again pulled Pete from his musings. He carefully searched his partner's face for signs of regained consciousness. "Jim?"

A pain-filled moan escaped the injured man's lips followed by a soft "Pete?"

"Yeah, its me, partner." The worried officer quickly assured his friend as he gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You just take it easy. We'll get you to the hospital and all fixed up before you know it."

Jim licked his dry lips and in a pained whisper asked. "Did...you...get...him?"

Pete nodded his head in confirmation. "Yeah, we got them. Woods and Nelson got the guy that shot you by sneaking in from the back."

His partner swallowed hard, trying to moisten his dry throat. "Good." He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and asking, a concerned look on his face. "You...okay?"

Pete couldn't help but smile at his friend's question. Trust Jim to be more concerned about his partner's welfare than his own. Even though he was the one that was lying on a stretcher with a bullet in his shoulder and a possible concussion. "I'm fine, how do you feel?"

A faint hint of a smile tugged at Jim's lips. "Like...I've...been...shot."

Pete's smirk widened as he returned in as light a tone as he could manage. "Well, I hate to tell you this, partner. But you have been shot. Got KO'd too. By the black and white no less."

"Guess I...misjudged...when I...tried for...cover." Jim said slowly, his tone filled with pain.

"Yeah, I'd say you did." His friend teased lightly. "Guess I'm going to have to teach you how to dive for cover without knocking yourself out."

Jim nodded slightly, closed his eyes and let out a shuddery breath. Pete felt his heart jump into his throat as anxiety filled his body. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, the injured man opened his eyes and looked at his partner. "Pete...tell me...the truth...No lies...Promise?"

The other officer felt his throat constrict at the serious look in his friend's eyes. "I promise." He finally managed to squeeze out past his tight throat.

Licking his lips again the dark-haired man slowly pushed out. "Who...is...she?"

The red-haired officer blinked at him a couple of times before he finally realized what his friend was talking about. He noticed the confused look on Kevin's face as he watched the two officers carefully. Pete was sure that the attendant was worried that Jim's head injury might be affecting his thought pattern and memory. After giving Taggart a slight smile of reassurance the officer addressed his friend's question. "You don't give up easily, do you?"

"Only have...few...more...hours...to..."

"Hey, don't talk like that!" Taggart quickly interrupted Jim's comment. "You're going to have lots of time left. We're not going to let anything happen to you." Jim looked at the ambulance attendant in surprise before shaking his head gently. The movement caused him to groan in pain and shut his eyes until the stars he was seeing subsided. "Take it easy." Kevin urged, lying a comforting hand on Jim's arm. "You're going to be just fine."

"No..."

"Sure you are." Kevin insisted, once again cutting off the injured man's words.

Pete almost laughed at the look of frustration that settled on his partner's features. He knew that Kevin and Jim were on two different pages and if the current situation wasn't so critical he might have let it go on for a few more minutes. But Jim didn't have the strength to waste on silly games for his partner's amusement. Squeezing his friend's shoulder gently Pete said comfortingly. "Take it easy, Jim. It's okay." Looking at Kevin Pete explained. "He's not talking about only having a few hours left to live. He means that he only has a few hours left to get me to tell him a certain story and win a steak dinner."

"How long does he have?" Ted asked curiously.

"He has until twelve o'clock." The senior officer replied. "End of watch."

"That must be some story." Kevin remarked with an expectant grin.

"Actually, it’s not much of one." Pete commented evasively. Then looking back to Jim he suggested gently. "Maybe you should just rest for now. We can talk about this later." His determined partner shook his head again and then moaned when he once again saw stars. "Take it easy, Jim."

"You...promised." The injured man reminded him once the pain in his head subsided.

Pete let out an exaggerated sigh of resignation. "Yeah, I guess I did. All right, partner. You win. I give up."

A weak smile appeared on Jim's lips. "I like...my steak...medium rare...with mushrooms."

"Hey, aren't we putting the cart before the horse here?" The senior officer protested with as much humor as he could muster. "I still haven't told you the story yet. Maybe I'll hold out until after twelve just to save myself a little dough."

"You...promised." Was Jim's only reply.

Pete couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Yeah, I promised. Okay, here it goes. Her name is Judy Walters. She just moved to LA a few weeks ago from Maine."

"Where...meet?" Jim rasped weakly, his eyes firmly fixed on his friend's face as he fought to remain conscious.

"We ran into each other at the market." Pete chuckled again at the memory of what happened that morning. "Actually she ran into me. Literally." Seeing the curiosity in his partner's eyes he explained. "I'd stopped to pick up a few oranges and she bumped into me with her shopping cart."

"Hope you...charged her...with-th...assssaul...ting...a...pooo...lice...offfff...icer." Jim slurred weakly, panting afterwards from exertion.

Pete bit back his worry and replied with as much humor as he could. "I just let her off with a warning."

"She...cute?"

"Yeah." His friend confirmed with a nod.

"What...looookkk...like?"

"She has red hair and green eyes." The other man described. "She's about five-foot-six. Very nice. Friendly, outgoing. Has a good sense of humor."

"Sounds...grrrreat...Pete." Jim's voice was getting weaker with each strained word. "Love...to...meet...her."

"You will. In a few minutes actually." Pete assured him with a smile. "She works in Emergency at Central Receiving. She's a nurse and as luck would have it, she's on duty tonight."

Jim's weak smirk returned. "If...didn't...know...better...think...you...p-planned...this."

"Planned what?" His partner frowned slightly.

"Me...get...getting...shot."

"Well, I have been trying to figure out a way to stop by Central Receiving tonight." The red-haired officer admitted with a teasing smile. "And I did need a convincing excuse."

The injured officer closed his eyes and pushed out. "Telling...Jean."

"Hey, there's no need to drag Jean into this!" Pete protested in a mock-horrified tone. "I've seen her when she gets mad. It's not a pretty sight!" When Jim didn't respond to the teasing Pete felt the anxiety he'd experienced earlier return. "Jim?" He gently shook his friend's shoulder. "Jim?"

"He's unconscious again." Kevin reported after examining his patient for a few moments.

"Is that good or bad?" Pete asked, his fear increasing.

"It's hard to say until the doctor runs some tests." The attendant replied. "He's lost a lot of blood."

The officer squeezed his partner's shoulder. "Hang in there, Jim. Just hang in there."

"We'll be at the hospital in about two minutes." Ted told them as he pressed a little harder on the accelerator.

"Hold on Jim, we're almost there." Pete whispered to his injured friend, his grip on his shoulder tightening. "Just hold on."

Pete had to jog in order to keep up with the stretcher as the two ambulance attendants wheeled his partner thorough the double doors leading to Central Receiving's Emergency ward. As soon as his friend had been removed from the ambulance and was on his way into the hospital, Pete had once again taken up his position at Jim's side, his left hand resting securely on his friend's uninjured shoulder.

"What have we got?" A white-haired man of about fifty carrying a clipboard and wearing a white lab coat appeared on the other side of Jim's stretcher.

"Bullet wound to the right shoulder and severe trauma to the frontal lobe." Kevin reported as they entered one of the treatment rooms.

"How long has he been unconscious?" The doctor inquired as he and several nurses converged on the injured man.

"He was unconscious when we arrived on the scene." The ambulance attendant informed him as he and his partner gently moved Jim from the stretcher to the examination table. "He woke up for about five minutes in the ambulance but then lost consciousness again just before we got here."

"How lucid was he when he was awake?" The doctor continued to question as he worked. A nearby nurse made note of all the answers.

"He appeared to be fine." Kevin shot Pete an uncertain look as he added. "He seemed to be kidding with his partner about something."

The white-haired doctor glanced up at the uniformed officer standing at the head of his patient's bed, his hand still firmly clinging to the unconscious man's shoulder. Giving Pete an understanding smile he asked. "You his partner?"

"Yeah." Pete nodded, his eyes firmly fixed on his partner's face.

"How did he seem to you when he woke up in the ambulance?" The physician queried gently as he examined Jim's wounded shoulder. "Did he seem confused at all to you?"

"No." Pete shook his head. "He seemed all right to me. He asked if we caught the suspects and seemed to remember everything that had happened up until he was knocked unconscious."

"What did he hit his head on?" The doctor asked, pausing briefly to examine the large cut on Jim's forehead.

"Our black and white." The other officer replied. "He was trying to dive for cover as the suspect shot at him. It all happened so fast. He misjudged the distance and took a bullet to his shoulder and a bump to his head. I just wish we had spotted the guy a little sooner."

"At least he's still alive." The older man commented optimistically. Then returning to his questions he asked. "Kevin mentioned that he was teasing you. Was he really, or was it just a bunch of nonsensical gibberish?"

Pete looked at the other man sharply, a frown appearing on his face. He didn't know whether he should be insulted or not by the question. The doctor was after all only trying to determine the extent of Jim's injuries. "No, he was teasing me. He was picking up on a conversation that we'd been having before we came across the 211 at the convenience store." A slight smirk tugged at his lips. "Trust me, he knew what he was talking about."

"Good." The physician nodded, apparently pleased with Pete's answers. He then began addressing the medical staff around him.

Pete watched in anxious silence as they continued to hover over his friend. Tightening his grip on Jim's shoulder he began to plead silently to himself. Come on, Jim. You've got to pull through this. You've got to. Think of Jean and Jimmy. They need you, partner. I need you, too. We're all counting on you to get better. Without even realizing it, his grip on his friend's shoulder kept tightening with each silent plea.

"Pete?" A gentle voice at his elbow caused him to jump slightly in surprise. Turning his head he found himself looking into the sympathetic eyes of Sally Fisher. "Sorry." She apologized, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just need some information on Jim for our records." Pete glanced at the Admittance forms that she held in her hands. "Also Mac's on the phone for you."

"Thanks." The officer acknowledged, shifting his gaze back to his partner.

Seeing the worried look on the man's face Sally gave his arm a squeeze and assured him confidently. "Don't worry, Pete. Jim's in good hands. Dr. Hunnicutt is the best."

The red-haired officer nodded his head and gave his friend's shoulder a parting squeeze. "Hang in there, Jim." He whispered under his breath. "Just hang in there." Then reluctantly he turned and followed Sally out of the room. When they reached the nurses' station she picked up the phone receiver and handed it to him without a word. Pete accepted it and greeted. "Hi, Mac."

"Pete!" The sergeant exclaimed on the other end of the line. "Finally! How's Jim?"

"About the same." The officer reported a little wearily as he leaned heavily against the counter before him. "He woke up for about five minutes in the ambulance on the way here, but he's been unconscious ever since then. The doctor's examining him now."

"Don't worry." Mac told his friend in a gentle tone. "Reed's a tough one. Takes after his partner. He'll come through okay."

"I know." Pete acknowledged, leaning an elbow on the counter top and resting his forehead on his hand. He just wished that he believed those words.

"Hey, it could have been a lot worse." His superior told him seriously. "If you hadn't have jumped in and pulled Jim to safety, I have no doubt that the suspect would have killed him without hesitation."

"What makes you so sure?" Pete asked, lifting his head from his hand as he awaited Mac's reply.

"Because right after he injured Jim he put a bullet through the back of his accomplice's head." Mac told him grimly. "The guy turned out to be his younger brother."

"He killed his own brother?" Pete repeated in complete horror. He felt a cold chill shoot up his spine as he realized the truthfulness of Mac's previous statement. It was very likely that the suspect would have killed Jim had he been given a chance.

"Yeah." Mac confirmed with a heavy sigh. "Was real remorseful about it too. Said it was his brother's fault for having surrendered to us without any kind of fight." He wisely left off the suspect’s opinions regarding Jim's injuries. Mac figured that Pete didn't need to hear the diatribe made against his partner.

"Sounds like this guy’s a real winner." The redheaded officer commented sarcastically.

"Yeah, he was a real prize. We’re still not sure what his full plans were, but he had enough weapons on him when we searched him."

"Oh?"

"Shotgun, couple of hand guns, knife, not to mention enough ammo to start World War III." Mac listed off, causing his officer to shiver involuntary at the thought of what the suspect could have done had Jim not spotted him when he did. The prospects were not encouraging. There was a slight pause before the senior officer spoke again. "Listen Pete, we've about wrapped things up here at the store. I'm going to head back to the station to finish up the reports. Woods and Nelson have already left to drop your car off to you. You might want to drop it by the garage when you get back to the station."

"Why?" Pete frowned slightly at the comment.

"Well, she sustained a little bit of damage." The other man said a little hesitantly.

"What kind of damage?" The unit's driver quizzed anxiously.

"She sustained several bullet wounds to the rear end. I don't think there's any internal damage, mostly just flesh wounds." Mac replied gently. "But I think she should see a doctor too."

"Great." Pete groaned dramatically. "First my partner, and then my black and white. What a night!"

"Hey, look on the bright side, Pete." MacDonald remarked in a lighter tone. "Both are expected to make a full recovery."

Pete smiled as he rubbed his face wearily. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I guess there is a bright side. That is until Jean gets a hold of me...Oh, my God! Jean! Has anybody contacted her yet?"

"Not yet." Mac replied. "I was going to stop by the Reeds on my way to the station and tell Jean myself what happened. I'll bring her by the hospital on my way in."

"I wouldn't do that, Mac." The other officer told his superior seriously. "If you show up at Jean's door with your hat in your hand you're liable to give the poor girl a heart attack. That would be like her worst nightmare coming true."

"Are you saying that I'm Jean's worst nightmare?" The other man tried to lighten the mood slightly.

"If you show up on her doorstep with your hat in your hand you are." Pete told him earnestly, not even registering the joke.

"Well than what do you suggest we do?" The Sergeant asked with a tired sigh. "We can't just leave her in the dark. She's going to get suspicious when Jim doesn't come home for the next couple weeks. Besides the shooting's been on the news. She might even be calling the station as we speak."

"Let me give her a call." Pete volunteered eagerly. "I think I can break the news to her easier than you can."

"You make me sound like some old tyrant." Mac grumbled slightly.

"You're not a tyrant." The patrol officer denied. "It's just that I think she'll take the news better coming from me."

Mac sighed again but eventually he agreed. "Okay, you call her. She probably would take it better from you. But let me know if she needs anything. You too. I'll check in with you later."

"Okay, Mac. And thanks." Pete hung up the phone and let out a tired sigh. He had a feeling that this was going to be a long night. Looking back to Sally he asked eagerly. "Can I use your phone? I need to make a call."

"And I need you to fill out these forms." She told him with a slight smirk on her face and a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

But Pete wasn't in the mood for games. "After the phone call." He told her a little curtly. Then seeing the look of hurt and surprise in her eyes at his tone he felt guilt prick his conscience. Reaching over he gave her arm a gentle squeeze and managed to flash her a small smile. "I'm sorry, Sally. It's been a hard night. It's just that Jean hasn't been contacted yet and I just volunteered to do it. Let me make the call and then I'll fill out whatever forms you need."

"Very well." She gave in, a slight smile on her lips as she handed him the phone again.

"Thank you." He accepted the receiver as Sally dialed the Reeds’ familiar number. It was picked up on the third ring.

"Hello Weed Wesidence." A young voice greeted politely on the other end of the line. "Dimmy Weed speakin'."

Pete couldn't help but smile at the adult-sounding way that his godson answered the telephone. It was quite obvious that Jim and Jean had been working with him to improve the young boy's phone manners after what happened the first time that he had answered the phone. That time Jimmy had told the caller very seriously that his parents couldn't come to the phone because his daddy had just left them and his Mommy was very upset over it. Jean had come in just in time to hear what her young son was saying and immediately snatched up the receiver to correct the young boy's story. The truth of the matter was that Jim had just left the house to go to work when Jean had noticed that he had forgotten his lunch on the kitchen counter. She had dashed out of the house, calling for him to come back as she ran so she could give it to him. While she was outside the phone had rang. Fortunately the caller had been Pete who, after listening to Jean's babbling explanation had laughingly assured her that he had known basically what Jimmy had meant. But that didn't mean that he hadn't had a lot of fun teasing his partner about it. Jimmy's lessons in phone etiquette began the next day.

"Hey there, kiddo." Pete greeted the young boy warmly. "How's my favorite little munchkin?"

"Gweat, Unca 'ete!" Jimmy assured him eagerly. "Mommy 'n me went shoppin' today 'n I got a big bag of candy!"

"You don't say." His godfather commented with a slight chuckle. "How big a bag?"

"Gweat big!" The young boy replied excitedly. "I got licowice 'n gum dwops 'n jelly beans 'n suckers."

"Suckers, huh?" Pete's grin grew larger. "What colors did you get?"

"I got wed 'n owange 'n gween 'n lellow." Jimmy listed with enthusiasm.

"Green, huh?" The officer commented eagerly. "I like green suckers."

"I know." The child assured him eagerly. "You wike gween 'n Mommy wikes wed 'n I wikes owange 'n Daddy wikes lellow." Pete felt the knot return to his stomach when Jimmy mentioned his father. "But we can't eat dem now." The boy told him seriously. "D'ey for d'e picnic."

"What picnic?" Pete asked curiously as he tried to loosen the knot in his gut.

"Mommy said dat we shou' go for a picnic Sunday 'cuz you and Daddy off." There was a very brief pause before the boy added. "You shou' brin' Sally wif you. You never brin' Sally anymore. I wikes her. She fun."

Pete glanced at the nurse who was standing a few feet away filing some folders into a filing cabinet. It had been several months since he and Sally had gone out on a date. He had to admit that of all the girls that he'd dated over the years, Sally was definitely one of his favorites, if not his most favorite. She was fun and energetic and smart and he thoroughly enjoyed her company and he knew that she enjoyed his. Jim kept saying that they made a perfect couple, but Pete wasn't as easily convinced. He liked Sally a lot, but not enough to propose any lasting commitment. Fortunately Sally seemed to understand that and never pushed him for anything that he wasn't ready to give. Instead they enjoyed each other's company as friends, nothing more.

Pete suddenly realized that Jimmy was still making big plans for what they would all do on Sunday at the picnic. Knowing he had to stop the boy before he got too excited the officer opened his mouth to speak, but found that the knot that had been in his stomach had now moved to his throat. After a couple of tries he finally managed to get his throat to open enough to request. "Jimmy, can I talk to your Mommy, please?"

"Okay, Unca 'ete." Pete heard the phone receiver hit the table loudly as the boy dropped it to go and get his mother.

As he waited for Jean to pick up the receiver, the weary officer leaned his face in his hand and rubbed it gently. The pressure and anxiety of the last couple of hours were beginning to take their toll on him. His nerves were almost shot and his grip on his emotions was getting weaker and weaker as the minutes ticked by. Listening to Jimmy’s excited chatter about a picnic this weekend certainly hadn’t helped. The last thing he needed was to break down in front of everybody. He had to stay strong for Jim and Jean and everybody else. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions get the better of him.

"Officer Malloy?" A familiar female voice said his name tentatively, a hint of surprise and uncertainty lacing her tone. Pete lifted his head and found himself staring into the same bright green eyes that he’d met earlier that day. A warm smile broke across Judy Walters’ face as she positively identified the officer before her. "Well, isn’t this a wonderful surprise. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. To what do I owe this great honor?"

Hearing the rattle of the receiver being picked up at the Reeds’ house the officer signaled to Judy that he’d be with her in a moment.

"Hello ‘Unca ‘ete’." Jean greeted warmly on the other end, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Pete forced a smile and a cheery "Hello Mommy" in return. He noticed that Judy’s eyebrows raised slightly as he said it. "How’s everything at the Reeds today?" Despite the lightness that he’d tried to put into his tone Jean wasn’t fooled. After all these years of friendship, she knew when something wasn’t right.

Ignoring his question she asked in a worried tone. "Pete, what’s wrong? You don’t sound so good."

Rubbing his hand over his face again he admitted honestly. "I don’t feel so good."

"What’s happened, Pete?" Jean pressed anxiously. "Something’s happened to Jim, hasn’t it?" Without waiting for a reply she asked in a trembling voice. "What is it? What’s wrong with him? He isn’t dead, is he? Oh, god!"

"Hey, take it easy. Jim is going to fine." Her husband’s partner assured her eagerly. "He took a bullet to the shoulder and a bump on the head, but he’s going to be fine."

‘How badly is he hurt?" He could almost hear the pallor of her face in her voice.

"I don’t think either wound is very serious." Pete told her truthfully. "But he has lost a lot of blood."

"Has the doctor told you anything?" Jean pressed anxiously, the fear in her voice growing.

"Nothing yet." He informed her. "We only got here about ten or fifteen minutes ago. As far as I know they’re still examining him."

"Where are you?"

"Central Receiving hospital." He replied. "Do you want me to come and get you?"

"No, you just stay there in case the doctor comes out." She instructed him eagerly. "I’ll be there just as soon as I can get someone to come over and watch Jimmy."

"I’ll keep an eye out for you." Pete assured her. "I’m in Emergency."

"I’ll be there in about twenty minutes." The phone clicked before Pete could say anything else. After returning the receiver to its cradle he once again dropped his face into his hands and let out a shuddery sigh. There were very few things that he hated more than having to tell someone that their loved one was injured. He especially hated having to tell his best friend’s wife.

The feeling of a hand gently touching his shoulder caused Pete to jump slightly in surprise. Once again he found himself looking up into Judy’s concerned eyes. "Are you okay?" She asked softly, her green eyes searching his face carefully.

Pete nodded his head wearily and said. "I’m all right." Judy gave him a look that very clearly showed that she didn’t believe him, but before she could voice that thought Sally approached them.

Looking at Judy she remarked with a smile. "I’m going for supper. Do me a favor will you? See if you can get him to fill in this form before I get back. And don’t let him try to con you with the ‘I have to make a phone call’ trick. I already fell for it once." She shot Pete a mildly teasing look before she added. "I always thought that police officers loved filling out forms."

"Naw, that’s just some vicious rumor." The officer returned as lightly as he could. "That’s why I usually let Jim handle the reports." His eyes clouded over with worry when he referred to his injured partner.

Sally noticed the change and reached over to give his arm a reassuring squeeze. "He’ll be just fine, Pete. I told you, Dr. Hunnicutt is the best. Besides, he’s too much like you to cash it in over a shoulder wound and crack to the head. I believe that both of you are going to live to be grumpy old police officers. I can picture both of you at a hundred still catching speeders and chasing after purse-snatchers with your wheelchairs. You’re both just too stubborn to die."

The officer gave her a weak smile, chuckling slightly at her attempts to cheer him up. "Thanks, Sally. I appreciate it." He reached up and patted the hand that still rested on his arm.

Sally gave his arm another squeeze as she said. "I’ll be back in a bit. Judy will look after you while I’m gone."

"I’ll see you later." Pete acknowledged, finally managing a genuinely grateful smile.

As the other nurse walked away Judy glance at the form that Sally had handed her. "Who are you admitting?" She asked, concern lacing her voice.

"My partner." The policeman replied as he straightened up and held out a hand to take the form. Reaching into his shirt pocket he pulled out his pen and began filling out the blanks on the form with Jim’s information.

"Was he the one I heard you say got hit in the shoulder?" She asked anxiously. Pete just nodded as he continued to write. The nurse watched the various emotions that played over his freckled face. He seemed to be struggling very hard to keep his grief in check, causing her to surmise that he and his partner must be very close. "Is there anything that I can get you? A cup of coffee perhaps? Or maybe something to eat?"

"No, thanks. I’m fine." Pete shook his head gently, his eyes still fixed on the form before him. He knew that if he let himself look into Judy’s concerned face again that he would probably loose the last bit of control that he had left over his emotions. "Jim and I had just finished seven when we came across the 211."

Judy frowned in confusion over the number codes that he was using, but decided not to ask. She figured ‘seven’ must have something to do with food and the ‘211’ must be whatever the situation was that had lead to his partner’s being injured. After watching him write for a few moments she moved off, sensing that he wanted to be alone for the time being.

Pete had just completed the last blank on the form when he heard a familiar voice call his name. As he returned his pen to his shirt pocked he turned towards his approaching friend. "Hi Jerry."

"How’s Jim?" The dark-haired officer asked anxiously as soon as he reached the other man.

"He’s still in with the doctor." Pete reported as he gestured in the general direction of the treatment room.

"Has there been any change since he left the scene?" Jerry pressed gently, wanting to find out all he could about his injured comrade.

"He woke up for a few minutes in the ambulance." Jim’s partner related.

"He did?" Woods looked excited at the news. "How did he seem? Was he confused? Did he remember what had happened to him? Did he know you?"

Pete couldn’t help but smile at the barrage of eager questions. Patiently he answered. "He seemed lucid enough. He asked about the suspects, wanting to make sure that we captured them. The doctor seemed to think that was a good sign that there wasn’t any serious brain injury."

"Wells said he hit his head pretty hard on the back of the car." The other officer gave his friend a wry smile as he added. "Ed said that he can’t wait until Jim gets better so that he can tease him about being KO’d by his own black and white."

"He’d better not tease him about it with me in the room." Pete growled humorlessly. "Or else I’m liable to KO him."

"Oh, come on, Pete. You know that Wells doesn’t mean any harm." Jerry consoled gently. "And besides, I’m sure that when this is all said and done and you and Jim are back out on patrol together that you are going to take great delight in teasing him about being knocked out by his own unit. True?"

"Probably." Malloy agreed honestly, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "But there’s a whole lot of difference between me teasing Jim about it and Wells teasing him about it."

"I know." Woods acknowledged with a nod of understanding. He knew that even though Pete would never admit it out loud, that Jim Reed meant an awful lot to him. He also knew that Pete meant a lot to Jim as well. Both men had a great deal of respect and appreciation for each other, as well as a healthy amount of affection. In many ways the two of them had become like family. Especially after Jean and Jim had asked Pete to be little Jimmy’s godfather. Jerry had never seen Pete so excited about anything in all the years that he’d known him.

He had known Pete Malloy a lot of years, had seen him teamed up with a lot of different partners, including himself on occasion, but he had never seen the other man let one into his life as much as he’d let James A. Reed. Pete had always been a very private person who worked very hard to keep his personal thoughts and feelings carefully hidden from the rest of the world. Jerry always figured that’s what made Pete such a good cop, his ability to shut himself off from all the badness and suffering that he saw every day on the job. He used to envy him his restraint, his apparent peace of mind. But there was a whole other side of Pete Malloy that most people generally never got to see. Woods had learned since Reed had joined the force that their red-haired colleague felt things a whole lot more deeply than he’d ever let on. That all the outward appearance of calmness and even by times aloofness was just an act. Deep down, Pete Malloy’s heart broke at the injustice they witnessed just as easily as anybody else’s did. He was just a little better than most at hiding it.

The dark-haired officer often wondered exactly what it was that made his friend tick. Why he did things the way he did, reacted to things the way he did. But he knew that he’d never be permitted to find out. Pete didn’t let very many people get that close to him. As a matter-of-fact the only one that Jerry could think of that had ever penetrated his friend’s carefully erected defenses so completely, was right now lying unconscious on an examination table down the hall.

"At least Jim’s going to recover." Woods remarked optimistically after several moments of silence had passed. "Mac said that if you hadn’t have pulled him to safety, it was quite likely that Edison would have killed him just like he did his own brother."

"I was just doing my job." Pete dismissed the praise casually.

Jerry blinked at him a couple of times before exclaiming seriously. "Pete, you jumped into the middle of a fire fight to pull Jim to safety. You could have been killed yourself or at least seriously wounded." He paused for a moment before adding with obvious admiration. "I’d say that goes above and beyond the call of duty!"

Much to his friend’s surprise Pete swallowed hard and fought tears at the memory of his partner lying prone on the ground, a barrage of bullets flying everywhere over his head. All he could think about at the time was getting Jim out of there alive. He hadn’t once considered the consequences for himself. He just knew that he had to get his friend out of there. "I did it for Jean and little Jimmy." He replied his voice husky with emotion. "They need him."

Jerry looked at his friend knowingly. So do you, my friend. He thought to himself. So do you. Reaching into the pocket of his jacket the dark-haired officer pulled out a set of keys. "Here’s the keys to your chariot. She’s parked in the parking lot. Row fourteen. I figured you’d probably be here for a while."

"Yeah, thanks, Jerry." Pete accepted the keys and put them into his own pocket. "How does she look? Mac mentioned that she’d taken a few hits."

Woods nodded. "It’s mostly isolated to the rear end. Probably from when he was aiming at Jim before the others managed to draw his fire away. By the way, did you know that there’s a huge bag of fruit in the back seat of your unit?"

Pete glanced over to Judy, who was watching the pair of them curiously before answering his friend’s question. "Yeah, I know."

"What were you guys doing with it anyway?" Woods pressed curiously. "Planning on adding to your income by opening a fruit stand on the side."

"It’s a long story, Jerry." The redheaded officer replied evasively. "I’ll tell you about it later."

"Okay. I should get going anyway. Nelson’s waiting out front in the car." He gave his friend a small smile. "Let us know if you hear anything more."

"I will." Pete promised with a grateful smile. "Thanks again, Jerry. I appreciate all your help."

"It was nothing." Woods dismissed with a wave of his hand. "After all, Jim’s my friend too." Pete just nodded his head. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask, has anyone contacted Jean?"

"Yeah, I called her about twenty minutes ago." The other man told him. "I figured she’d be less frightened if I gave her the news over the phone than if one of us showed up at the door with our hat in our hand."

"How did she take it?" Jerry pressed gently.

"She’s worried, of course." The other man reported. "But she seemed to be taking it well. As well as can be expected, of course. She should be here any minute. She was just going to find someone to watch Jimmy and then come right over."

"Well, you make sure to let her know that we’re here if she needs anything." The dark-haired officer admonished.

"I will." Pete assured him. "And thanks again, Jerry."

"I’ll see you later." Pete nodded his head and watched as his colleague disappeared down the hall. A small sigh escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes wearily.

"Are you sure that I can’t get you anything?" Judy’s voice startled him slightly.

Opening his eyes, the officer shook his head gently. "Not right now. Maybe later."

"It’s been a very stressful day for you, hasn’t it?" The nurse commented sympathetically as he noted that most of the spark and energy that she’d seen when she’d first met him was gone.

"Yeah." He nodded his head and glanced at the clock on the wall above her head. Nine-fifteen. It had been a little over an hour and a half since Jim first spotted the 211 at the convenience store. A little over an hour and a half since everything in his life had been normal. If only he had turned left instead of right when he’d pulled out of that burger place, than he and Jim would still be out on patrol enjoying each other’s company and making themselves sick on the stash of fruit that Pete had in the back of the unit. It was a much better scenario than what was happening right now. Mind you, than there would still be two armed robbery suspects still on the loose, which was another option that held no real appeal to the officer.

The sound of footsteps scurrying down the hall caught Pete’s attention and dragged him back from his dark thoughts.

"I think someone might be lost." Judy remarked with evident concern as Pete caught sight of the miniature version of his partner that was racing towards him.

"Unca ‘ete! Unca ‘ete!" The young boy cried out excitedly when he spotted his godfather.

Not realizing whom the boy was referring to, the nurse quickly moved around the desk to intercept the child before he could get away. She was therefore surprised when he threw himself into Pete’s waiting arms. A curious look appeared on her face as she watched the officer swing the youngster up easily so that they were at eye level. "Friend of yours?"

Pete smiled proudly and nodded his head. "This is my godson, Jimmy. He’s my partner’s boy." Then looking at the child he asked with visible concern. "What are you doing here, kiddo? I thought your mother was going to get someone to watch you?" He looked back down the hall that Jimmy had come down, a slight frown on his face. "Where is your mother, anyway?"

James A. Reed Jr. shrugged his shoulders giggled and then threw his arms around his godfather’s neck, giving him a warm hug.

Pete hugged the child back just as he spotted an almost frantic Jean come around the corner and head down the hall towards them. "Lose something?" He called to her when she got within earshot.

Jean approached the pair, a relieved though mildly annoyed look on her face. "There you are, you little monster!" She exclaimed to her son who was still clinging tightly to his honorary uncle’s neck. Looking at Pete she continued. "I ran into Jerry Woods as I was getting off the elevator and stopped to talk to him for a few minutes. The next thing that I know Jimmy’s now where to be found!"

"Jerry!" Pete spotted his colleague as he passed by the far end of the hallway, quite obviously looking for something. When the other officer stopped he held up four fingers and called. "It’s a four!" Jerry flashed him a thumbs-up sign before disappearing back around the corner.

Jean turned her attention to her son, a slight frown on her face and anger edging her voice. "What have I told you about running off like that, young man? You know that you should always stay with me whenever we go out anywhere!" Tears appeared in her eyes as she added, her tone cracking slightly. "What if something happened to you? How do you think Mommy would feel?"

"I dis wanna see Unca ‘ete." Jimmy told her seriously, obviously undisturbed by his mother’s panic. "I safe wif Unca ‘ete. He ‘wiceman like Daddy."

"That doesn’t matter!" Pete told the young boy in his most authoritative tone. Jimmy’s smile disappeared as his eyes widened. He’d never heard his godfather speak to him with such a firm tone before. "You stay with your mother at all times when you’re out. Even if you know that your Daddy or me or someone else that you might want to see is somewhere close by. You wait until both you and your mother find us. You do not under any circumstances go running off by yourself! You hear me?"

"Yeth." Jimmy’s lower lip quivered slightly as he replied.

"You remember what your daddy told you about how there are bad people out there who love to take little boys and girls away from their mommies and daddies?"

Jimmy nodded his head as tears formed in his eyes. Burying his head in his godfather’s neck he sobbed miserably. "I sowee, Unca ‘ete. I sowee."

His uncle rubbed his godson’s back comfortingly. "I know you are, kiddo. I know you are." He remained silent for a few moments as he let the child calm down. He noticed that Jean had also pulled herself together. His eyes met hers and she flashed him an encouraging smile. She understood that Pete cared for her son’s safety and welfare just as much as she and Jim did. In fact, Jean was sure that her friend couldn’t love Jimmy anymore if he was his own son. She watched as the officer gently tapped the whimpering boy on the shoulder and gently encouraged. "Look at me for a minute." Jimmy hesitated for a moment before finally pulling back and looking into his honorary Uncle’s eyes. Pete gave him a slight smile and reached up to wipe the tears off of Jimmy’s cheeks. "I’m not trying to be mean, okay? I only want to keep you safe. Your Mommy and Daddy and I love you very much. And we would be very sad if anything ever happened to you. You understand?"

"Unner-tan." Jimmy nodded his head, but then a slight frown appeared on his forehead. "Wha ‘unner-tan’ mean?"

Jean, Pete and Judy all exchanged amused looks. "It means that you know what I’m saying." Pete explained simply.

"Oh." A thoughtful look appeared on the boy’s face. "I unner-tan." He assured his godfather seriously.

Pete couldn’t help but chuckle. "I’m glad."

"Unca ‘ete?" Jimmy said eagerly.

"Yeah?"

"I wuv you." The boy then threw his arms around the officer’s neck.

Pete hugged the child tightly to him. "I love you too, kiddo."

Jean watched the pair with a warm smile on her lips. "You two look very cute together." She commented to her friend, a mischievous twinkle appearing in her eyes. "I think its about time you had one of your own. We’re going to have to find you a girl, Pete. There has to be some woman out there who can convince you to take a trip down the aisle." She laughed wickedly as Pete turned about five shades of red and cast Judy an embarrassed look.

"Still can’t stand to see a happy bachelor, huh?" He teased back, trying his best to get his face to cool down.

"No, they still infuriate me!" She assured him earnestly. "Especially you. If I didn’t know better I’d say that you were purposely staying a bachelor just to spite me. Get back at me for all my matchmaking efforts over the years."

"Now why would I do that?" Pete asked her with a grin. "I thoroughly enjoy meeting every single woman you’ve ever known. Can I help it if I just haven’t found the one that I want to take a trip down the aisle with?"

Jean shook her head and let out a dramatic sigh. "Such a waste. It would serve you right if you did end up a crusty old bachelor."

Pete let out a dramatic sigh of his own and muttered with exaggerated resignation. "If it isn’t one Reed its another." Looking at Judy he commented. "Jimmy’s the only Reed who’s not conspiring against me." Looking at his godson he prompted. "Are you, kiddo? You don’t care if I’m a happy bachelor or not, do you?"

"Ba’chor?" Jimmy repeated, a tiny frown crinkled his forehead as he contemplated the word for several moments. Suddenly he started shaking his head gently as he said. "You shouldn’t be bach’or, Unca ‘ete. You should get maweed. You need a wife!"

It was now Jean’s turn to turn red. With a slight smile and a shrug of her shoulders she remarked lightly. "Kids say the darndest things."

"I wonder where he got it from." Pete gave her a knowing look.

"It sounds like you’re the object of some sort of conspiracy, Officer Malloy." Judy remarked a thoroughly amused look on her face. She’d been watching the light-hearted bantering between the pair with great interest. It was obvious that the officer was very close to his partner and his family. He seemed very fond of them and from what she could tell, they were as equally fond of him.

Pete gave her a wry smile. "I think you’re right." Noticing the curious look that flickered in Jean’s eyes he smiled even more. "I’m probably going to regret this." He commented with a dramatic sigh. Looking to the young woman standing beside him he said. "Judy, I’d like you to meet a good friend of mine, Jean Reed. In case you haven’t already guessed, she’s my partner’s wife. Jean, I’d like you to meet Judy Walters. She’s a nurse here at Central Receiving."

Jean gave Pete another amused look. "I kind of figured." Pete looked at Judy’s uniform and flushed again. Several teasing remarks popped into Jean Reed’s head, but she decided that her friend looked embarrassed enough at the moment. Instead she turned to Judy and smiled warmly. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"You too." Judy returned, a sad smile on her lips. "I just wish it was under better circumstances."

Jean nodded, the sparkle in her eye dimming at the memory of why she was there. Looking at Pete she asked anxiously. "Have you heard anything more about Jim?"

The officer shook his head and shifted Jimmy in his arms. "Nothing since we brought him in."

"How long ago did you get here?" Jean asked, glancing at the clock.

Pete’s eyes followed hers. "It was about half-an-hour to forty-five minutes ago."

"Then why haven’t they come out to talk to you yet?" The young woman exclaimed fearfully.

"Take it easy." Her friend consoled gently. "These things take time. They’re probably removing the bullet from his shoulder and examining that hard head of his to make sure that everything’s okay."

"How serious did he look to you?" Now that Jean’s attention had been redirected back to her husband’s condition her feelings of panic were returning.

Pete gave his partner’s wife a concerned look, noting just how close she was to an emotional meltdown. "He’ll be fine. Try not to worry."

"I can’t help but worry, Pete." She told him as tears sprung into her eyes. He’s hurt and I don’t know how bad it is! I could have lost him tonight, Pete! If it hadn’t have been for you, I probably would have lost him!" She let her husband’s partner pull her to him as she cried stormily against his chest. "I probably would have lost both of you!"

With one arm wrapped tightly around her, Pete did his best to comfort her. "Jim’s not going anywhere. He’s going to be fine. He’s going to be just fine. You know what he’s like, he’s too stubborn to die." He tightened his grip on her as she continued to sob against his chest, one arm snaked tightly around his waist.

"Wha wrong wif Mommy?" Jimmy asked his godfather, a worried frown on his young face as he watched his mother with concern.

"She’s upset right now." Pete explained evasively. "But she’ll be all right in a few minutes."

Jimmy’s frown deepened for a moment than he wiggled slightly to reach into his pocket. His godfather had to tighten his grip on the boy to keep from dropping him. Finally after pulling something out of his pocked the child said to his distressed mother. "Here, Mommy have a gum dwop. It wed. It make you feel better."

Jean lifted her head and looked at her young son, her blue eyes bright with tears. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she leaned up and kissed him lightly on the cheek before accepting the offered candy. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"You welcome, Mommy." Jimmy then leaned forward to wrap his arms around her neck. "Don’t be sad, Mommy. I wuv you."

Jean took the boy from Pete's arms and hugged him tightly. "I love you too, munchkin." She clung to her son for several minutes as she tried hard to control her spiraling emotions.

Finally Judy's kind voice broke the silence. "Why don't you take Mrs. Reed to the waiting room?" She suggested to Pete as she reached over and squeezed Jean's arm consolingly. "I'll go and see if I can find out anything about Officer Reed."

Pete nodded his head and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you." He whispered before addressing Jean. "Come on, let's go have a seat in the waiting room." Jean nodded her consent as Pete slipped an arm around her shoulders and directed her towards the small room across the hall.

"Okay, Pete. Tell me exactly what happened." Jean requested once the three of them were settled in the waiting room.

Pete hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the young boy who sat on his lap, his head nestled against Pete’s chest. His godson was engrossed in running his small fingers over the officer’s badge and shooting metal. His eyes were starting to look very heavy as he traced the intricate designs. "I guess it’s passed his bedtime."

Jean looked at her young son and nodded as she watched his eyes start to droop more and more. In a gentle tone she said. "I tried to leave him with a sitter, but I couldn’t get a hold of anyone. Seems everyone picked tonight to go out on the town."

"It is Friday night." Pete observed with a smile. "Most people like to go out on Fridays."

"Maybe you bachelors like to go out on Friday nights." Jean commented with a teasing grin. "But we married couples don’t generally get to. Especially not after we have children."

"Now you understand why I’m still a bachelor." He gave her a cheeky look. "Can’t stand staying home on Fridays."

"Like you do anything special on your Friday evenings off." His companion scoffed wickedly. "The last two Friday evening you were off you came home with Jim and tinkered around in the garage with him for three or four hours."

"Hey, I don’t ‘tinker’." Pete objected with a mock serious scowl. "I let Jim do the tinkering. I just watched."

"Okay, so you watched as Jim tinkered." Jean clarified before shaking her head and chuckling. "Talk about an exciting Friday night. No wonder you like being a bachelor!" Pete’s good-natured laughter joined hers, not the least bit offended by her teasing. Truth be told he liked it. As a matter-of-fact there were few things in the world that he enjoyed more than having a good battle of wits with Jim and Jean Reed. The three of them were very evenly matched in the art of joshing, a sport all three took great delight in.

"What happened out there Pete?" Jean repeated her earlier question, bringing Pete out of his musings. When he glanced down at the young boy in his arms she assured him gently. "He’s asleep."

Her companion leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the top of Jimmy’s dark head and then rested his cheek against it for a moment before answering her previous questions. "We had just finished seven and had headed back on patrol when Jim spotted a 211 going down at a convenience store on Beatrice. We pulled over and called for back up than sat tight. The suspects had no idea that we were on to them yet. When our back up and Mac arrived we all spread out to cover the front. Woods, Nelson, Brinkman and Carter took the rear. Other units blocked off the ends of the street. We thought we had everything under control. Especially when the suspect exited the store and then gave up without a fight."

"So what happened?" Jean asked anxiously, unconsciously gripping Pete’s forearm as he continued his story.

"There was a second suspect that we all somehow missed." A sorrowful look appeared in his eyes. "A very dangerous oversight on all our parts." He paused for a moment as he mentally relieved some of the worst minutes of his life. "When the first suspect surrendered we figured everything was secure. A look into the store from the street didn’t reveal any more robbers, but he was obviously hiding. We all stood up from behind our respective covers and I told Jim to cuff the first suspect while I covered him." His voice choked slightly as he continued, feeling more than a little responsible for his partner’s present condition. Jean sensed his strong emotions and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. Pete responded to the encouragement by continuing his story. "Jim didn’t even make the sidewalk before the suspect opened fire from somewhere inside the store. I noticed the gun barely a millisecond before it fired. I yelled at Jim to get down and he reacted, but I wasn’t fast enough. I’m sorry, Jean. I’m so sorry."

"What do you mean you weren’t fast enough?" Jean asked with a puzzled frown. "You said you called out a warning as soon as you saw the danger. You couldn’t have warned him about it before you knew that something was wrong. Not unless you’re psychic."

Pete smiled slightly. "Sometimes I wish I was."

"Don’t we all." His companion agreed with a faint smile. "But then what’s the fun in that? Takes all the surprise out of life."

"Some surprises I could do without." The officer remarked wryly.

"I know what you mean." Jean echoed wholeheartedly. "So what happened after Jim responded to your warning?"

There was a few moments of silence as Pete hesitated before answering. When he did there was an evident shake in his voice. "Jim was hit as he dove for cover. Wells and Brady drew the suspect’s fire while Brinkman and Woods snuck in from the back of the store. They managed to get the drop on him and take him into custody. After that we focused on getting Jim to the hospital and began cleaning up the mess the 211 suspects created."

"Is that everything?" Jean questioned no hint of emotion on her face as she searched his.

"That’s about the gist of the events." He replied earnestly. "Obviously its not an official report."

"Well that’s a good thing." She told him seriously. "Because you left out one of the most important details."

Pete frowned slightly in confusion. "Which detail is that?"

"The details of how you saved Jim’s life." She replied seriously. "The details of how you ran into the middle of a firefight to pull Jim to safety. About how you risked your own life in order to save his." She paused momentarily before adding earnestly. "About how you’re a hero."

The officer’s freckled face flushed scarlet with embarrassment at the pronouncement. "I’m not a hero." He protested eagerly. "I’m just a police officer who was doing his job and looking out for his partner."

"You’re a police officer who saved my husband’s life." Jean pointed out sincerely. "And that makes you a hero to me, Pete. And to Jim too. Jerry told me what happened out there. He told me that Jim most likely would have been killed if it hadn’t have been for you. He told me the about the other suspect being murdered."

"He shouldn’t have done that." Pete growled angrily. "Jerry had no right to tell you that."

"Why? Because I’d worry?" She asked him curiously. "Because now I’ll have nightmares that some trigger-happy suspect is going to kill my husband?" A rueful smile appeared on her face. "Too late, Pete. I’ve been having those nightmares ever since Jim graduated from the Academy. Many others too. I guess it just comes with the territory of being a cop’s wife."

There was a pause of several moments before Pete finally said, in a tone barely above a whisper. It was almost as if he was talking to himself more than to Jean. "I just couldn’t let some punk take Jim away from you and Jimmy. I couldn’t bare the idea of my godson growing up without his father, or of you being a widow. I know how much you both adore him and how much he adores both of you. I guess I figured that if someone had to be sacrificed in the line of duty then it would be better for everyone concerned if it were me. I don’t have any family to leave behind."

"Don’t you DARE ever think that way again, Peter Joseph Malloy!" Jean cried at him with far more anger then Pete had ever had her direct at him before. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in surprise as she continued her heated tirade. "Despite what you may have been told when you became a police officer, you are not dispensable! If anything ever happened to you, it would be just as devastating to us as if it had happened to Jim. Do you hear me?" Seeing the expression on her friend’s face she couldn’t help but smile. He looked completely astounded by her exclamations. After giving his arm a warm squeeze she continued in a softer tone. "Like it or not, Officer Malloy you are now a very integral part of the Reed family." Pete returned the warm smile she gave him with one of his own. "I want to tell you something." A very serious look appeared in her eyes as she continued. "Jim would probably shoot me if he knew that I was telling you this, but I want you to know anyway." She paused for a moment as she put her thoughts together. "You know how in Jim’s family there’s only him and his younger sister?"

Pete nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Yeah, I’ve met her once or twice when she and her husband were visiting LA."

"Well, ever since Jim was a child he always wished that he had an older brother." Jean revealed. "Someone that he could play ball with in the backyard, or go to for advice. You know, all the typical ‘big brother, little brother’ stuff. He even told me once that when his mother was pregnant with Katie he spent the whole time praying for an older brother." A conspiratory smile tugged at her lips as she said in a stage whisper. "But you didn’t hear that from me."

Her husband’s partner chuckled with evident amusement and asked. "And how old was he?"

"Three." She replied with a grin. "But like I said, you didn’t hear that from me."

Pete’s grin widened and his eyes twinkled slightly as he commented. "I take it you’ve explained to him that that’s not how it works."

Jean grinned in amusement. "I think that he finally figured it out for himself." The pair shared a chuckle before Jean’s expression sobered a bit. "For most of Jim’s life he felt like he was missing something important. Like there was a void that he couldn’t fill." She paused for a moment before admitting earnestly. "Until he met you. From the very first day that you two started riding together he was always talking about you. Sometimes he was complaining about something that you’d reprimanded him about, especially after your first night together."

"The incident in the park." Pete recalled with a shudder. "I was so sure that he had gotten himself killed that night. I could have throttled him when he came back with those three suspects in custody."

"Well, he’s admitted to me since then that it probably wasn’t the smartest thing that he’s ever done." She told him with a smirk.

Pete huffed slightly. "Funny how he’s never admitted it to me."

"I think he had something to prove to you that night." She commented. "I think he was convinced that you didn’t think he had what it took to be a cop. But even though he didn’t always appreciate your corrections, he was deeply grateful for your patience and your concern. He has always touted your knowledge and skills as a police officer to the highest height. He’s told me many times that if he could be as good an officer as you are than he’d feel like he was a success as a cop." An embarrassed flush stained Pete’s cheeks causing Jean to smile. She knew how uncomfortable the officer felt when given such praise. But everything she was telling him was the truth. "Almost immediately you became more than just his training officer. You became somebody that he looked up to, his mentor…and the big brother that he’d never had." She watched the wide variety of emotions that played over her friend’s face at her words. She was well aware of the fact that Pete wasn’t very big on letting his feelings show to the world, even to his closest friends. But she also knew just how fond he was of her husband. It was equal to how fond Jim was of him. "When Jim suggested to me that we make you Jimmy’s godfather I knew that it was his way of permanently connecting you to our family. He wanted to make sure that you’d stick around forever."

"I’m not going anywhere." Pete assured her, his tone husky with emotion. Glancing down at the young boy snuggled in his arms he added a little hesitantly. "I’ve felt the same way about Jim." Keeping his eyes focused on his godson he continued. "I never had any siblings of my own at all. Growing up as an only child got rather lonely at times and like Jim I prayed for a sibling, any sibling, but preferably a brother." Looking at Jean slyly he added. "However, unlike some people I know, I knew that it would have to be a younger brother." His companion smiled but didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to interrupt Pete now that he had opened up a bit. An occasion such as this was very rare indeed. The officer’s expression sobered slightly as he finally continued. "I guess in a lot of ways I needed Jim just as much as he felt that he needed me." Glancing at Jean again he asked curiously. "Did Jim ever tell you that the first night we worked together was suppose to be my last night on the force?"

His companion nodded her head gently. "I believe I remember Jim mentioning that once or twice."

"He saved my career." Pete stated matter-of-factly. "And probably my sanity as well. I’m still not quite sure what it was about him that prompted me to stay. I just knew that I couldn’t leave him in the lurch. I could tell that he had the potential to be a great cop if he could keep himself alive long enough to acquire some street smarts." He paused for a moment before adding. "I guess I felt that I was the one in the best position to train him. To help keep him out of trouble." A soft smile tugged at his lips as he continued. "I guess we ended up helping each other."

Jean gave him a warm smile. "That’s usually the way the strongest friendships start." She gave his arm another affectionate squeeze. "There’s something else that I want you to know, Pete. Jim’s not the only one that looks up to you. Jimmy and I both do too. You’re just like a big brother to me too and you’ll always be little Jim’s ‘Unca ‘ete’."

Pete swallowed a couple of times to try to get rid of the lump that had appeared in his throat and to try and keep the tears that were stinging his eyes from falling. Finally he managed to whisper softly. "Thank you."

Jean smiled and leaned forward to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "And thank you." Pete gave her a warm smile and reached over to squeeze her hand.

The sound of someone clearing their throat got the pair’s attention. They both looked up to see Judy standing in the doorway, a blanket and pillow tucked under each arm and a steaming cup of coffee in both hands. "I come bearing gifts." She announced with a warm smile.

"Here, let me help you with those." Jean offered as she jumped to her feet and took the coffee cups from the nurse’s hands.

"Thanks." Judy acknowledged as she pulled the blanket and pillow out from under her arms. After Jean had set the hot drinks down on a small table beside her chair, the nurse gestured towards the couch in the far corner of the room and suggested. "I thought you might want to lay the little fella down on the sofa for a while." Looking at Pete she added. "I’m sure he must be getting pretty heavy."

The officer looked from Jimmy to the sofa and back again before replying, his arms tightening slightly around his godson. "He’s okay for now. If we move him he might wake up."

Jean looked at her friend with an amused smile on her lips. She knew that Pete wasn’t really worried about waking Jimmy up. The little tike was very much like his father in that respect. Once he was out he was usually down for the count, a fact that she knew Pete was very well aware of having baby-sat Jimmy on more than one occasion over the years. No, she suspected that he just needed to keep the small reminder of his partner close for the moment, not that he’d ever admit to that.

"Well, at least we can make you both a little more comfortable." She told him as she took the pillow from Judy’s hand and moved towards the pair. Pete watched curiously as Jean knelt down in front of him and ever so gently lifted his arm that was supporting Jimmy from the chair’s armrest. After slipping the pillow underneath it, she carefully returned his arm so that it now rested on the softer support. "There, that should help some. Those wooden armrests can get pretty uncomfortable after a while." Then taking the blanket she gently draped it over her sleeping son, tenderly tucking it under his chin. "There, that a little better?"

"Much." Pete admitted with a smile. "I can feel my arm again."

Jean chuckled knowingly. "We can still move him, you know. You don’t have to hold him."

"I know." He replied softly, looking down at the sleeping child in his arms. "He’s fine for now."

Jean smiled at him softly and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "How about some coffee?"

"Sounds good." He readily agreed and watched as she rose to her feet and moved to retrieve the two cups of coffee.

"I brought some cream and sugar, too." Judy told Jean as she pulled some packages from her pocket. "I wasn’t sure how you liked your coffee."

"Thanks." The other woman accepted the packets and doctored the two cups accordingly. Picking up one cup she handed it to Pete. "There you go, Officer Malloy."

"Thank you, Mrs. Reed." He replied with a mischievous smile as he took a sip of the hot liquid. "Perfect." As Jean reclaimed her seat beside him he looked at Judy and asked anxiously. "Did you find out anything about Jim?"

The nurse grabbed a chair and pulled it over so that she could sit before them. "He’s still in surgery, but I spoke briefly to one of the OR nurses. She said that they’ve removed the bullet from his shoulder and that they’re just about finished removing the two from his leg and hip." She paused as both Jean and Pete blanched at her news. Pete also looked like he’d just been punched.

"He was hit twice more?" The officer felt his anger beginning to rise at that piece of information. If he ever got his hands on the creep that did this, he’d…

"Apparently." Judy’s confirmation broke through Pete’s silent tirade. "But Dr. Hunnicutt said that they were clean wounds. A little bit of torn muscle, but nothing serious. And since no bones were affected he should heal fairly quickly."

"I can’t believe that I didn’t notice that he’d been shot two more times!" Pete lamented a note of self-deprecation in his tone. "I was so worried about his shoulder and head that I never even thought to check him for other wounds."

"Pete, its okay!" Jean put a comforting hand on his arm. "You did what you could do. You got him out of there before that suspect killed him. That’s what’s important. Jim’s going to just fine, Pete. Thanks to you, he’s going to be just fine."

Pete nodded his head wearily. He knew that she was right. He also knew that he had to pull himself together. The last thing that Jean needed right now was him falling apart on her. She needed him to keep his head, to stay strong, to help her through this. But the problem was that he was feeling as shaken as he’d ever felt in his entire life. Both he and Jim had had their share of close calls during their four and a half years together, but most of the times they’d come out of it with just a few scratches or bumps and bruises. But this time it was much worse. Not only because this time one o