A continuation of the 'One of Our Own' universe and the next step in Eddie and Jamie's relationship.

Chapter 1

Jamie Reagan opened the driver's side door to the squad car and let himself plop into the seat. He looked to the right where his partner, JC Cruz, had just sat down. "Another satisfied customer."

"At least that one didn't call us any names."

Jamie smirked as he placed his hat on the console. "No, but the attitude and look of disdain more than made up for that."

"Has to be a hundred degrees out. Must be making people moodier." JC took his hat off and ran a hand through his dark hair.

Jamie chuckled. "Trust me, cooler weather doesn't make them nicer when you're handing out tickets."

"A cop can dream. At least you have your vacation to look forward to. Ten days of no dirty looks, drunks, disorderlies and debutants that think they can slap cops across the face." JC unconsciously rubbed at his cheek.

Jamie smiled at his partner. He and Eddie were taking their first real vacation together in a couple of weeks, something they'd been planning for months and a trip they both wanted to cross off their bucket lists - a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. It would be a ten day vacation that would begin in San Francisco. They were going to spend a few days in the city and even planned to meet up with Jamie's old law school roommate, Spencer. Spencer had even offered some suggestions on places to stay and things to do on their drive down to Los Angeles.

"Wow. You're still hung up on that one, huh?" Jamie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Looks are deceiving. I was feeling the sting for days after we took her in," JC said in his defense.

Jamie grinned. "You ready to eat?" he asked as he started the car and cranked up the air.

"Absolutely." JC reached for the radio to let dispatch know they were on meal.

"You up for burgers at Sully's? I gotta make a quick stop a few blocks from there, if you don't mind."

"No, sounds good to me." JC buckled in and settled back in his seat. "Where we stopping?"

"Oh, uh, a jewelry store. Gotta pick something up." Jamie put the car in drive and pulled out into traffic.

"Is this cause you forgot our anniversary? That's sweet, man," JC deadpanned.

"In your dreams, Cruz," Jamie chortled.

JC smiled back. "So, what? Is it Eddie's birthday?"

"Nah."

"Anniversary?"

"Nope," Jamie answered as he focused a little to hard on the traffic around him.

"You screw up?" JC's brows arched up as he asked.

"No." Jamie shook his head.

JC noted the way his partner was avoiding eye contact and even seemed a little nervous. "Well, it's not Christmas either," he mumbled. JC faced the front and smiled. "Oh. I get it," he chuckled to himself.

"What?" Jamie asked innocently.

"I may not have a girlfriend, but even I know a guy only goes to the jewelry store for a select number of reasons and you just negated most of those reasons." JC grinned and reached over to pat Jamie's shoulder. "Congrats, man!"

Jamie smiled but avoided his partner's eyes. "Nothing to congratulate me for yet. She hasn't said yes."

"What, like you have doubts?"

Jamie smirked. "She still has to say yes."

"Well, if you're lucky, you'll only have to propose once in your life and for you, it couldn't be to anyone better. You two are perfect for each other," JC assured him.

Jamie's face became pinched as he went to make a right turn.

JC frowned at his reaction. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No. Just, this will actually be the second time I'll be proposing to someone." Jamie glanced over at his partner. "Didn't work out the first time."

JC grimaced. "Oh, sorry." He hesitated to ask, but couldn't help himself in the end. "What happened?"

Jamie sighed deeply and glanced at his partner. "Long story short?"

JC nodded.

"It was before I went to the academy. Sydney. We went to law school together. I proposed and then my brother died and I switched gears. Threw her for a big loop. And it didn't help that everything with my brother's death started to unravel during my rookie year. So we called it off and she moved to London for work."

"Woah. Bummer, man. Sorry I asked."

"Naw, it's fine. I guess it was for the best, right? I wouldn't be with Eddie if that hadn't ended." Jamie had loved Sydney and didn't regret their time together, but he could not imagine spending the rest of his life with anyone but Eddie.

JC nodded. "Things always have a way of working out for the best. So you just going to haul this rock around for the rest of the day?"

"What, like you're afraid we'll get mugged or something?"

JC chuckled. "Stranger things have happened."

"Yeah," Jamie huffed.