Very short little Steve piece. Spoilers for the Truth hurts. Unbeta'd all mistakes are mine.
TItle: Courage
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: The truth hurts
Steve Jinks thought he had known what courage was. During the years he'd spent with the ATF he'd seen plenty. Both from his colleagues and local law enforcement and fire fighters. Nothing compared though to the courage Steve's partner had just shown and she was barely twenty-one.
Listening to the others with half an ear Steve stared at the blue force field that now surrounded the warehouse. The barrier that separated Steve from Claudia. The last conversation he'd had with her echoed through his troubled mind. 'Trust me Jinxy; the warehouse will protect me.'
It was one of the hardest things Steve had ever done to leave Claudia behind. Even when he had no choice. Even when Steve knew Claudia was right it still took an enormous amount of will power to get his feet to move up the stairs. Up the stairs away from his partner. Leaving her to face one of the worst enemies the warehouse team had ever faced.
Someone tugged at Steve's left shirt sleeve. He didn't bother to turn to see who it was. It was either Pete or Artie; Mrs Friedricks wouldn't resort to that. Steve took a last look at the warehouse forcing his thoughts from what Claudia could be enduring at that very moment. He did his best to shove his emotions aside.
Claudia needed him to help her on the outside. He would do that no matter how long it took or how far away he had to go. Whatever it took Steve would free his partner; his friend; his family. Claudia had been brave enough to stay behind. The least Steve could do was find the courage to do what she needed. Even if it was the toughest thing he'd ever done.
end