Probably AU. Not set in any specific series.

Commendation

It was pure and utter stupidity. It was a clever and tactical move which potentially saved the lives of many. It was a lucky guess. It was another act by the attention seeking sergeant.

Everybody had their own view on the moment when James Hathaway threw himself in front of the suicidal child-killer, Earl Thompson of Warwickshire. The gun held in the earl's hand, was the reason why everybody had gotten so excited. After being discovered and in a final, desperate bid for freedom, the earl had turned the small revolver from his own head, to the room filled with enthusiastic boy scouts.

James had glanced around as the heads of the children, most under the age of ten, turned to look at the compact, shiny object in the unstable earl's hand and the room went deadly silent. Robbie had moved forward, but at the other side of the crowded room, it was unlikely he'd reach the earl in time. The earl had clicked the safety off, which had resonated in the silent, echoing room and James had reacted, leaping forward "like a panther on a trampoline" and gaining possession of the gun, shortly after Thompson had put a bullet in his arm.

In his own opinion it had been an act of humanity. One act of kindness to make up for the others he lacked. And it was logical too, why risk twenty, thirty young lives when all that could be required was one willing to risk itself? Robbie's own views had been rather more negative. James was, by all accounts, "a bloody fool". "It was damn near suicidal, hurling yourself at a dangerous murderer like a panther on a trampoline, hunting a tree."

To some, however, it was "brilliancy, an act of bravery" and "his quick actions were so immense that he risked his life for the sake of the many". That unfortunately included his superior officers, which was why he was now walking to the front of an overfilled, echoing hall, in a suit so posh it felt like it should have its own name, receiving a special commendation. But, did he really deserve it?

Surely, any decent human being would have done the same? He knew, had their positions be reversed, Robbie, for all his scolding would have been equally keen to do the same. They weren't superhuman for that, merely kind.

Surely?

There, studying his superior officers; Innocent, Robbie, and even Laura too, all of them dressed up to the nines for his own satisfaction, James paused, almost at the top of the isle between the chairs. He looked back down the path, the way he'd come, with its polished wooden floor and decorated edges and considered turning around.

He didn't really deserve this. Surely he'd want to save this particular joy for another time?

Robbie gave him a long, hard glare; the one which was probably refined from years of practice being a dad; and James, with a deep breath, stepped up and received the award.

Blimey, he probably looked like a sunburn strawberry.

Looking back, several years later, he certainly looked that way in the photos. But, also, upon reflection, he was glad that Robbie had pushed him to the final step. Because, without that step his entire life could have been made up completely of 'almosts' and 'not quites'. Unfinished business and fragmented hopes never laid to rest because he could never bring himself to set about doing the final step.

Any reviews would be hugely appreciated. Tell me, what your response was to the one-shot? Did you like it? Hate it? How could it be improved? Thanks, Storyl.