"I am just so proud of you guys. So damn proud to be part of this team."
Jules felt her eyes well up with tears as Greg said those words. Not that she was normally a teary person but today had been so hard. And typical Greg Parker – his first thought was for his team. Jules couldn't help herself; she just had to go give him a hug. Every time she hugged him it got easier and she always felt her heart lift when he hugged her back.
When she stepped back seconds later, the team could tell she had something on her mind that was dying to be said. When she did speak, they all knew that this was something they could identify with.
"I want to thank you, Greg, for everything you have done for us. I'm sure that the rest of the guys will agree that you took us for the individuals we were and made us into a family. We're not just a bunch of cops anymore, we're a unit. And that is all thanks to you. We've all grown as people and as officers under your guidance and I don't think I'm alone when I say you are the 'father' of our family. We are proud of you, Greg for being the patient, understanding sergeant who isn't afraid to kick butt when the situation calls for it. No matter how tough the day, you are always there for us, always supporting us." Jules paused, "Yeah, that's about it. I'm done."
She blushed as the men slowly started applauding her. They turned to look at their Sergeant and were shocked to see tears standing out in his eyes. He cleared his throat, "Thank you Jules. You have no idea how much that meant to me. You guys truly are my family. I can really be myself around you and not have to worry about you losing respect for me as a Sergeant or seeing me as more of a friend than a boss."
Spike broke in, "You're our Boss and our friend. That really helps us understand you and your motives behind your decisions on the job. You know why we never question your decisions? Because we know why you gave that particular order. With anyone else, we probably would've questioned you a couple of times. I can say that we really respect how you can bring both sides of yourself to our job and not let one overwhelm the other."
The team nodded in response to Spike's words until Sam spoke up quietly, "You believed in me when I was..." he cast about for an analogy, "...the troubled foster kid in this family. So thank you. Your belief in me helped me to believe in myself."
The team grew quiet for a minute until Ed clapped Greg on the back and looked pointedly at each member, "Not that I don't appreciate and respect you Greg, but I think it would make you really uncomfortable for me to say it like these guys have. I'm the 'I'm fine' guy, remember? Anyways, I say it's time to go home before this turns into more of a crying love-fest than it already is."
The team gradually drifted away and tricked out in silence until only Wordy was left standing beside Greg. "I didn't want to tell you this in front of the entire team because this is a little more personal for you. Lately, my girls have taken to calling you Grandpa Greg without any prompting from me or Shelley. I just thought you'd like to know separately."
At those words, a few tears escaped down Greg's face and he ran his hand over his face to hide the evidence. He exhaled a shaky breath and whispered, "Grandpa Greg; I never thought I'd hear that."
Wordy smiled and gave Greg a brief 'man-hug' before they both left the SRU headquarters, contemplating everything that had happened that night.
AN: I really hope you like this one. I really hope that Greg knows how much his team appreciates him. Please let me know what you guys think. I do not own Flashpoint or the one sentence or so I used from the episode.