A/N: This is something that I have been wanting to do for a while. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Such A Waste
When Alice Jardine heard the news, she took it calmly.
She poured herself a glass of red wine and sat down at the kitchen table with a photo album in front of her.
His baby photos were first.
At the hospital in the arms of his father and older brother. At home having a bath. His first birthday: a chubby little baby who was more interested in the wrapping paper than his presents.
Back at the hospital, now a sandy haired toddler, looking down at the baby brother he held in his arms. Then older, cradling a new little sister.
School plays, graduations, formals...
Alice didn't realise that there were tears in her eyes until the photos became blurred.
Why Michael? What had he ever done to deserve this?
The little boy with the cheeky face; the teenager who had placed himself between his parents to protect his mother, the first and last time his father ever raised a hand to her. The reserved young man, determined to never become the man his father was.
She remembered her concern over his chosen vocation, how she had worried about his safety. But it was the best thing for him really; it gave him a way to right the wrongs of this world.
The little boy who used to play at being a knight had become one. Albeit without the armour or noble steed.
Not to mention, he never would have met Jackie if he hadn't joined the force.
Michael had always assured her that they were just good friends, but Alice could see the look in his eyes when he spoke of her. The smile that he reserved solely for her or when he spoke about her.
Which he did: a lot.
There was no denying that Jackie put the twinkle back in his eye and, in Alice's opinion, gave him the damsel to dedicate his victories to.
No matter how much he might deny it.
Alice closed the photo album and finished her wine. Closing her eyes briefly she used all of her formidable willpower to quell her grief. There were things to be done, grieving would come later.
She knew.
She had all ready buried a husband, now she would have to steel herself to bury her son.
A/N: I decided Michael's mother is still alive (and if she's not, well, it's fanfiction :P). I chose the name Alice because I like it and that's the name of my cousin's new baby girl :) Oh, and in my head, his mother is Helen Mirren and his older brother (in the next chapter) is Nathan Fillion.