With the Hands of Uncertainty
A/N: Spoilers for 'Personal Effects.' Don't Own 'Flashpoint,' but if I did, I'd kick some CBS butt and have them quit messing with the US line-up of this show. I thought the entire episode was stellar, one of the best, but Enrico Colantoni's performance, especially his expression at the end was especially touching in an often poignant series. This story is inspired from that singular expression. How far it goes depends on how much interest there is. The song below sets the tone of the whole story. Greg/Team/Dr. Luria centric.
Stitch in your knitted brow
And you don't know how
You're gonna get it out
Crushed under heavy chest
Trying to catch your breath
But it always beats you by a step, all right now
Making the best of it
Playing the hand you get
You're not alone in this
There's hope for the hopeless.
~Hope for the Hopeless, A Fine Frenzy
"I'm clearing your team for duty," Toth said.
Parker tried not to let a sigh of relief escape, and was sure not to show anything in his face. This man would be looking and would use that against him. "Thank you," Parker said softly and began to turn away.
"Conditionally."
Parker felt his heart jump and took a second before turning slowly back to Toth. "Conditionally?" he repeated softly.
He immediately began shooting off demands like bullets. "Wordsworth gets a full medical ASAP. Scarlatti, decision about his commitment to the team. Julianna Callaghan and Sam Braddock, if their relationship crosses the line again violating the priority of life code it will result in immediate disciplinary measures, reassignment to different teams and for you. They are in your command and you are responsible. I'll be watching you. You need to draw the line between being their friend and being their Sargent."
Parker's eyes hadn't left Toth's, he hadn't flinched under the harsh words, the extreme measures that had been outlined for himself and his team if they weren't absolutely perfect.
Two hours later he sat alone in the debriefing room, the words on the transcript just a blur on the page, his mind back on Toth's words, on what he'd seen at the hospital, on what he knew was coming.
Wordy did have a problem. Greg had known his scores had gone down, but they were still within what they had to be. He had been unaware of the shaking though. That created a dangerous situation for the team. His marksmanship was down. What if his hands went weak when they were trying to break through something or lower someone down? The situation was intolerable, but they would have to see what the medical came back with. Surely it wasn't something serious.
He'd not known that Spike wasn't speaking to his dad…hadn't spoken to him since Lew was killed. How long ago was that? Months. He didn't know his dad was dying and his dad was holding Spike's job hostage for his love. Toth was right, it did affect Spike's commitment to the team. There was no way it couldn't. As much as he thought he knew his team, he guessed they might know each other better than he knew them.
Ed was in surgery, facing possible nerve damage in his arm or hand that could take him out of commission for some time, maybe permanently. Then of course, there was still Sophie's ultimatum, the family or the job. He'd almost lost Sophie and the baby today. It hadn't been clear cut before as much as Ed seemed to think it would all work out. It sure as hell wasn't going to be easy now, not after such close calls.
Ed was the TL, held the team together, well respected, and was his tactical go-to guy. Sam could take on the tactical, Parker had already seen him naturally step into that role. He was a natural leader. When he gave directions, the others followed without question. He hadn't been with the team long, but he was already stepping into the role as Ed's second. It didn't hurt he was the best shot, either.
But there was that lingering problem with Sam. Jules. He'd seen Sam take Jules' hand for that split second before she reluctantly pulled away and went to the baby. He'd been there when Sam all but admitted to Toth that he still loved her, that he would continue a relationship with her if he could.
Jules. Jules was damn near perfect. Great shot. Repelled better than almost everyone on the team. Great negotiator. She was consistently his second on every negotiation. But then there was Sam. She was less forthcoming, less obvious, but she loved him too.
Greg put his head in his hands and rubbed his bald forehead back and forth as if to rub away the memories of the day, the images, the words, the pain he had caused people he loved. He did love them. Another thing Toth had been right about, he was no longer objective. He'd been more of a father, more of a friend to them, overlooking too much.
The guilt of his betrayal of his team, bringing in an outsider, especially someone as brutal as Toth to do their annual evaluation was crushing his heart, he couldn't breathe he hurt so bad for the pain he had caused them. And they knew. Some like Jules would always believe he'd had a reason. And others' like Ed might never forgive him.
A/N: More to come if there is enough interest. I'd like to explore Greg's guilt and the choices the team members end up making.