Based off of one shot: Security and protection
Stef
She tossed and turned in her sleep signalling her fifth nightmare tonight. I grabbed her and held her close.
"Shh it's ok, love. It's all over now" i whispered into her ear but she still tossed and turned in my arms and moaned in distress. She jolted awake fear written in her eyes. Tears streamed down her face and she buried her head in my chest. This is the fifth time it's happen tonight.
"It's ok honey" i said as she cried into my shoulder silently. I wish i could take away these nightmares from her.
"He shot me… thats what keeps happening in my nightmares he shoots me" she said gripping onto my shirt. I have never seen my wife so vulnerable and i never wanted to. It brings tears to my own eyes but i didn't dare cry, she needs me to be strong for her right now.
"It's ok sweetie he can't hurt you" i said trying desperately to figure out how to help her.
"I love you" she said kissing me.
"I love you too, so much" I said and kissed her again.
After we pulled apart she laid her head on my chest and i kissed her head three times. It wasn't long before Jude came in.
"Hey kiddo, you ok" i said in a whisper noticing Lena is sleeping peacefully for once tonight. I have yet to sleep tonight but i will gladly give up my sleep so everyone else can feel safe enough to sleep… after all it's also my job.
"I couldn't sleep" he admitted still standing awkwardly by the door.
"Yeah you're not the only one… come here" i said patting the bed next to me. He hesitated but eventually joined me.
"Is she ok?" he asked looking at Lena.
"Yeah she's a little freaked out but with time she will be back to her old self…" i started and he looked confused.
"Who was that guy? Why did he want to hurt mama?" he asked and his maturity passed his years tone faded into a scared and worried childs voice.
"I don't know buddy. All i know is that he is behind bars and he can't hurt Mama ever again. We are all safe and you know i would do anything to keep it that way right?" i said and he nodded.
"Good now try to get some sleep" i said and he turned on his side and fell asleep.
Mariana
I know sleep is pointless tonight, i have tried sleeping for about two hours and it still hasn't happened. I can't be the only one. I got out of bed and went passed what i think is Callie sleeping but i think she is awake with her thoughts too. I left the room and went into Jesus room and found him awake and Jude gone.
"Hey wheres Jude?" i asked sitting on his bed.
"Moms room… couldn't sleep either?" he asked taking his headphones off and leaning against the wall.
"Yeah just couldn't stop thinking about last night" i said and he sat up. " I was so worried that we would lose her… she was held at gunpoint." i said remembering hearing Mike say for him to drop the gun.
"Yeah lets just be thankful we went to the station afterwards instead of the hospital. Having one of our moms shot was bad enough" he said.
"Who was that guy why would he want to hurt her?" i asked.
"I don't know but he was arrested, the asshole can't hurt any of us anymore" he promised.
"I was just so scared…" i said and he put his arm around my shoulder.
"So was i" he admitted.
Lena
Stef brought over a cup of coffee for me and handed it to me. I tried my best to steady my hand so I don't spill it on me. she noticed this and pulled me into the next room.
"Honey you are shaking like a chihuahua" she said and took my hands in hers.
"It's ok… you're safe" she said playing with my ring. I still don't feel safe. I still feel like he's watching me, following me. I know i sound crazy but i still feel like it's not over.
"Hey, talk to me" she said sitting down and i joined her. " I just…" i started. I know she is doing everything humanly possible to make me and the kids feel safe. I know she didn't sleep at all last night.
"Don't feel safe?" she asked and i can see part of her blames herself for that.
"Yes but you are certainly making me feel safer" i said leaning against her and i know she can feel me shaking.
"Clearly not enough… you should never of even been in that situation." she said getting mad at herself.
"Stephanie… listen to me. Thats not your fault…. you saved me yesterday. You're my hero" i said kissing her.
"I should have known that something was wrong. You haven't been yourself. Who was that man?" she asked.
"Just some guy i met through the school… he was awkward around me from the beginning and soon he began to ask me out all the time and i kept rejecting him. I soon noticed him following me…" i said and she looked shocked.
"Honey why wouldn't you say something? Thats stalking… did he hurt you?" she asked and i looked down.
Stef
I can't believe Lena wouldn't come to me and tell me. Obviously this creep has been making her feel unsafe for a while and she didn't think to tell me. If she would of just told me this yesterday could have been a lot easier, so why she not tell me. Did he hurt her or threaten her or something?
"No… he just…" she said looking down and i could tell she was lying. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it hoping to help her feel safer. I know i'm not making her feel safe enough and i need to figure out how to change that.
"Honey he can't hurt you, ok i promise" i said.
"He grabbed my arm a little hard yesterday morning and i called you immediately after. " she said and i felt guilty. I was so busy yesterday that i never even thought to check my phone and of all days she really needs to get in touch with me .
"Honey… I'm so sorry i was busy i called you as soon as i could. Thats the only time it happened, right?" i said .
"Yes it is… before that i thought he was just persistent" she explained.
"Honey if someone is making you uncomfortable you tell me about it ok?" she nodded and i hugged her. I could still feel her shaking against me.
"You know i would do anything to protect you right?" i asked. I could kill that bastard for hurting her but i know it's best not to say that.
"I know… they are probably worried about us" she said nodding towards the kitchen. We went into join them and i dismissed their concerned looks. I sat closer to Lena than i normally do and put my one hand on her leg and she smiled .
"So I'm going into work soon and i will fill out the report so don't worry about it" Mike announced and it was great to hear. I never even thought of the report but i'm thankful i don't have to leave my family even for a little bit. I didn't even think to call in this morning to explain what happened.
"Thank you i totally forgot and forgot about calling that in" i responded.
"I called it in yesterday night, no one is expecting you at work for a few days. Which means don't show up" he said the last sentence as a command.
"Thanks trust me i appreciate that a lot" i said glad that my family doesn't have to leave the house after that. He gave me a 'You ok?' look and i forced a smile and nodded my head in response.
Jude
I was so worried and scared last night. I didn't know what was going on other than that someone wanted to hurt mama. I didn't want to lose her, i didn't want to lose another mom. I felt the same way i did after Stef was shot.
Everybodys on edge and i know Mom is doing everything to make sure everyone is ok. Nobody is making sure she's ok. I'm sure seeing your wife almost get shot, especially after she was herself, is well upsetting for lack of a better word.
I walked up and hugged her and she looked shocked for a bit.
"Hey buddy, you ok?" she asked.
"Fine, are you ok?" i asked and she looked like she was going to cry for a second and then she put on a brave face. I recognize that so much. She did it at her dad's funeral and Callie does it all the time. Her and Callie are a lot a like.
"Yeah i'm fine" she said and Callie always does the same thing.
"No you're not" i said and she looked taken aback by my response.
"Did you sleep last night, you look exhausted. Maybe you should take a nap" i suggested.
"Honey, i'm fine don't worry about me" she said smiling at me and then leaving. Her and Callie are too much a like.
Stef
Jude always warms my heart. He such a sweetheart, he kind of reminds me of Lena. He is observant, even when i really wish he wouldn't be, and always seems to notice the things i'm trying to keep everyone else from seeing. I can get through the day without breaking down and making sure everybody is safe and happy as long nobody ask me if i'm ok. As soon as the question is asked it takes so much control to not break down. I know my family is safe, that he is in custody, but it's still my job to keep everyone safe and i can't do that i let my emotions win right now. Yesterday my emotions took control and i froze and that freeze could have cost my wife her life. Thankfully Mike was there. The thank you this morning was more than just doing the report for me and i'm pretty sure he knows that.
She called me a hero and i know i'm not. Sure i got her out of that yesterday but i hesitated and if it wasn't for Mike he could have shot her. I'm her wife i was the one who should have protected her. Hell i should have known something was wrong and protected her before it even happened.
My phone rang bringing me back from my thoughts and i was grateful for that. Mike, please let this be good news.
"Bad news first" I commanded giving my family a 'everythings fine' look.
"I don't have bad news… He is being trialed for stalking and attempted murder so he's looking at at least 25 years.'
"Ok thats good atleast' i said.
"Ok so i lied earlier… i do have some bad news" he said slowly as if he knew i had to walk out of the room my family is in.
"What?" i asked steeling myself.
"We need Lena to come down to the station since she was in shock and didn't say anything yesterday and you both need to testify at court" i knew that was coming so at least it's not new bad news.
"Ok we can handle that… does she need to come right now? And do you know who is going to be handling that?" i asked. I know it's not allowed for me or Mike to since we both know her personally, and i would like to know who will be doing it.
"Don't know but i do know they all know better than to make her uncomfortable since you scare most of them." he said and i rolled my eyes.
"aww thank you… listen i need someone here with the kids and i need to be with her" i said.
"Already on my way" he said and i was surprised at how ahead of me he is.
"Ok thank you" i said confused and hung up.
I went over to Lena and sat next to her taking her hand.
"Hey baby you ok?" i asked and she gave me a fake smile.
"Listen i need to take you back to the station to answer some questions" i said cautiously.
"Didn't she do that yesterday?" Brandon asked and Lena looked confused.
"I did?"
"No they couldn't get her to answer since she was in shock so she has to do it today" i said and she looked surprised.
"I was?" she asked. "I don't even remember going anywhere afterwards we went right to sleep"
"No honey that was a couple of hours later… you were in shock" i said kissing her head.
"Mike is on his way to come watch you guys… we shouldn't be gone long but don't give him any problems." i said and they nodded. Mike knocked on the door .
"Thank you" i said knowing that even though they are required to send a cop down here it didn't need to be Mike and appreciate that it's a cop they know and i trust.
"Yeah of course"
We came in and i grabbed Captain.
"Just give me a second honey" i said and walked away a bit.
"Whose set up on her case?"
"Jack why?" she said. Jack isn't bad.
"Just wondering" i said and when Jack got ready to interview her i came up to him.
"Hey it's weird to see you out of uniform" he commented.
"Yeah listen I need you to be…"
"I know Stef… I will be patient with her. I don't exactly want to be on your bad side." he commented. He's only been here for a couple of years so he remembers dealing with me when he was a rookie. I have trust issues, i've seen too much not to, so the rookies have to deal with me constantly on defence and proving that they don't want to mess with me for a while before i trust them.
"Yeah i have to be a bitch to get that point across" i said keeping my eyes on poor Lena who doesn't really know what to do. Yesterday she just hung by me the entire time.
"Yeah you were… but hey you're not that bad now" he said and i rolled my eyes. Anybody here younger than me knows that it's takes a lot to gain my trust but once you got it i will always have your back.
I walked back over to Lena rubbing her back. Everybody watched me and Lena together and i rolled my eyes.
"He's a friend of mine and i will be right out here if you need me" i said kissing her. I know everyone is watching us so knowing Lena won't see it i flipped them all off. Jack chuckled to himself and then lead her to the interviewing room.
"You alright?" David asked.
"Yeah just picking the pieces back up" i said sitting in my usual seat.
"No working" Captain said seriously to me. Thats the first time i've ever heard her say that.
"Well thats the first time i heard her say that"
"Yeah really." i said jokingly.
"Well you two are very cute together" Kyle said.
"Yeah it's like a completely different you when you are out of uniform and you're wife is around" David said.
"I hate you guys" i said laughing. My co-workers are like a second family so i was expecting the teasing. Just like any family there are the ones you like and ones you don't like so much but still have to put up with. My best friend here is David the slightly flamboyant gay boy who being the only other out gay person in the station means we had to become best friends immediately. I didn't have a choice in the matter to be honest but oh well he's grown on me.
She walked out and she gave me a half smile.
"Hey sweetie" i said getting up to join her side. I gave Jack a questioning glare and he just nodded. I know that he would do his best to make her comfortable.
"You ok, love?" I asked.
"Yeah i'm fine, ready to go home" she said leaning against me. We left after saying goodbye and walked to the car. I opened the door for her.
"Hey how are you really?" i asked taking her hand once one were in the car. She shrugged.
"I'm fine… just a couple of questions you know" she said trying to play it off like it was nothing.
"Honey!"
She looked down and sighed,"God… how stupid am i?"
"Honey you are not stupid… why would you even think that?" I said taking her into a hug.
"Because… none of this would have happened if i would have told you about it" she said and i can't really argue with that logic.
"Love, a lot of people don't realize that it's a problem until it's too late. Yes you should have told me but you couldn't have known it would get so bad so quick. Just promise me something?" i asked and she nodded.
"If anyone ever makes you feel uncomfortable again, tell me as soon as possible. Even if you don't think it's a big deal" i said and she nodded. There's a good chance if someone makes her uncomfortable it's a big deal.
We drove back in silence as she held tightly to my hand.
"Hey you're back… everything go ok?" he asks once we are alone.
"Yeah and i can handle it from here… thank you" i said and he laughed content with himself.
"I knew it was killing you to have to rely on me again" he said and i rolled my eyes.
"You're an ass, I knew you were…"
"No Stephanie you know i'm not that much of an asshole. I just wanted to make sure you and your family were taken care of during a time like this" he said.
"Don't full name me!" I said.
"It's ok to need someone…" he said and i went to leave.
"Really?" he said annoyed. I turned back around to him.
"You look like you rose from your grave" he said and i just looked at him surprised. Yeah he's not an asshole or anything.
"Oh thank you… you were always a charmer" i said sarcastically.
"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? You're raccoon eyes really make that obvious. You know you're a pretty good actress, but you can't keep it up forever. Sorry for trying to help you not crack in front of your family" he said walking back into the house. I hate when he does that. He could never tell my emotions when i wanted him to but hell he can read my mind when i don't want him to.
I sat down on the porch feeling my control slip. A tear ran down my face as the thought of Lena being held at gun shot filled my head. I can still see the fear in her eyes, can still fear her shaking against me. I might have kept him from shooting her but i still can't say i keep my promise to keep her safe. If i would have just opened my eyes and realized something was wrong with her before this it never would have happened. Besides i froze up, if it wasn't for Mike she might have been died by now.
I heard the door open and someone walk out and tried to stop myself but i was crying to hysterically by now. Brandon sat next to me.
"Hey dad told me i should probably check on you" he said noticing that i was crying.
"I'm fine… just needed some fresh air" i said and my voice cracked.
"I can see that" he said a little awkwardly. "You know i disagree with dad you're not a good actress" I laughed.
"Are you eavesdropping on our conversation?" he shrugged.
"You're trying to make sure that everyone else is ok…"
"Please don't go all therapist on me… I know i'm not ok don't give me a lecture on it you're father already did that" i complained and he laughed. He looked at me with a look like 'talk'.
"I froze up… when i first entered the house. You're dad was the one who had control over the situation. That guy could have shot you're mom immediately if it wasn't for him." i admitted.
"Dad told me you were the one who got her out of danger" he said. "Froze up or not you're the one who saved her life. Nothing else matters to her" I smiled and hugged him.
"Thanks" he just nodded.
He's right all that matters is everyone is safe. I walked back in and hugged Lena just glad that i can still do that.
Hey hope you like it. Leave suggestions of things you thought weren't wrapped up right in one of my stories or on the show.