Title: Rebuilding from the Ashes
Chapter 1 – Room 301, Lane C., Recovery
Summary: After the dust had settled and the chaos over there was only one thing that really mattered at the end of the day – being with family. It was now a time to pick up the pieces, remember, reflect and rebuild. Chapter 1 Ed/Clark Chapter 2 Greg/Dean. Post Ep OS to eppy 5.13 'Keep the Peace Part II' Contains Spoilers!
Disclaimer: If I owned anything to do with FP Ed would be all mine! Hehe *alas* I own only my DVD's that fuel my imaginative muse Alice.
A/N: Okay so I doubt after that day from hell if the reception for the JAM wedding would have actually went on b/c the city was in utter chaos, a friend died and their boss was in the hospital! At least that's my take, however, I could be wrong. BUT for the purpose of this story it was cancelled. But I wanted to get both my boys and theirs sons in here so figured since I did another 2 chapter one shot for lawmen I could for this eppy and you'd all be okay with that at least I hope so!
Warning: You might need a kleenex (sorry!)
Note: Words in italics and double quotes taken directly from episode
"Sophie…honey…I love you. I'm bringing Clark home safe no matter what…no matter what…"
"Clark!"
"Clark…get the oxygen mask in there!"
"Clark I'm here. I'm right here. You're gonna be okay buddy. Clark. He's okay…you're gonna be okay. You're okay."
"Not going anywhere."
"Dad…"
"Get the board! I'm coming with you."
"Dad…no."
"Clark…what?"
"You gotta get this guy. Please dad. I'll be fine."
"Clark…"
"Dad…go."
"I'll see you at home. I love you."
"Oh man I love you."
"I love you," Ed told his son before he watched the ambulance pull way and then called his wife to give her an update and race back up the ramp to his waiting team.
XXXXXXXX
"I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," Ed whispers as he gives his wife a warm kiss on the lips and then a kiss on the cheek of their sleepy daughter.
"Ed…"
"He's going to be okay…okay," Ed tells her with a heavy frown. "I'll check on Greg later and call you if I know anything further."
"Thank you for keeping your promise. Thank you for you both coming home safe."
"Always."
A couple of hours later, Ed lifts his weary eyes and looks over at his son's sleeping form in the small hospital bed; Sophie having been at their son's side for the past several hours after they were told the threat was over and having just taken Izzy home to sleep in her bed; Ed telling her he'd stay with their son overnight.
The day had been more than an unwelcomed roller coaster ride; starting with utter happiness and ending with sheer tragedy; most events he didn't even have time to process until now. The city brought to its knees; but before his own personal hell took hold things were actually manageable. He had gone into pure work mode to keep his team on track and get the job done. But as soon as he was told his beloved son was caught up in one of the bomb blasts his placid detachment ceased to exist; the madman forcing him against his will to be a victim in his intricate web of vengeance and mayhem.
"Bomb at city hall…Clark's at city hall."
"Dad…under the car…under concrete…help me…"
"Clark? Clark!"
He remembers in that moment…the first realization that Clark could be a potential victim…what did I say to my son this morning? What did we talk about? What were the last words we spoke on this earth? Friendly? Argumentative? Silence? At least he was now given a second chance; a chance to see how precious and fleeting life really is and that he shouldn't take even a single second for granted. None of them should. Ed hears Clark stirring beside him and looks up with a small frown but inwardly relieved that the promise he had made to his wife came true; aside from a few healable wounds, Clark would be coming home safe and sound. He was lucky, his family still intact. There would be no dread for him coming home in the morning; it would be a happy reunion – for the most part.
However, there was one person that he was dreading to face in person; Hank Gerald, Donna's husband. Donna…his heart instantly seizes as he recalls the exact moment he was told of his cherished friend's untimely passing. "She's gone Eddie." Oh god why her…Ed's eyes wet and his breath sharply intakes. What do I tell Hank? I was part of the reason she chose not to retire early. How do I live with that? Will he blame me? Hate me? I would…I do.
He bows his head in that moment, quickly recalling the words of his therapist from a few weeks earlier: 'the job is black and white, how you feel about it isn't'.
"Damn…why didn't…why didn't she fall back…fall back...why…oh god why…" Ed's voice cracks as he looks away, rubbing his weary face and brushing away some tears. Not fair…not fair…his mind keeps chanting that over and over until he looks up to see his son silently watching.
"Hey," Ed quickly swallows back an oncoming sob and leans in, giving Clark's hand a comforting squeeze.
"What…happened dad?" Clark dares to inquire. "Did you get…the guy?" He asks softly.
"We did. He's um…he's dead. How are you feeling?"
"I'll be on crutches for a while."
"Get you some female attention," Ed softly smirks as he tries in vain to keep his smile in place. But as he looks at Clark and remembers who was on the scene first – Donna – his heart starts to ache once more. "How are y…"
"Everyone else okay?"
"Yeah…sure," Ed nods; his tight lipped smile a mere façade of fake assurance, not lost on his son at all. "The team is fine."
"You're…lying. I can…tell," Clark gently calls Ed on his half-truth; forcing Ed to pull back slightly and his eyes to water. "Dad? You're…what's going on? Is it Dean? Did someth…"
"Hey hold on," Ed's hand rests on Clark's shoulder and keeps him in place; his soft teary gaze not lost on his son. "Dean is okay…Greg is in surgery. He was shot but should be fine."
"Sam and Jules and…dad who is it?"
"Donna," Ed confesses as a single tear escapes and runs down his face; his face close enough for Clark to reach up and lovingly brush the tear away. Ed's hand grasping Clark's and giving it another firm squeeze.
"What happened?"
Ed looks at Clark and then shakes his head; his mind racing with thoughts about his beloved friend, his name the last word on her lips before her life was needlessly taken. For a moment he ponders against telling Clark the truth; after all he had been through so much already. But remembers the very true words his therapist had told him about being open an honest with Clark no matter his own emotional pain. 'Let your son's love and strength help you in that moment. He's like you…he can take it. But if you want to bond with him you need to include him when he asks. Tell him the truth.'
"She um…" Ed stops and looks away as his fists tighten and eyes water further.
"You don't have to tell me."
"My not wanting to tell you has nothing to do with whether or not I think you can take it. I know you can buddy…you are strong and tough…damn you proved that today. But its…she was a friend…a close friend and…"
"And it hurts you?"
"Very much. Hurts very much," Ed whispers his reply as he looks directly as his son. "Today…Clark today…"
"Sucked?" Clark interjects lightly, bringing a soft smirk to Ed's dry lips.
"Big time," Ed retorts, making Clark slightly smirk.
"Does her husband Hank know?"
"He does. Greg called him right away and told him. Was only fair he knew. We'll see him…at the funeral."
"She was a great cop, right dad?"
"One of the best son…one of the best," Ed admits in truth.
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"I was scared…today I was scared," Clark confesses in honesty. "But she…I heard her voice…dad…she…" Clark pauses as he starts to sob, Ed leaning in and gathering his precious son in his arms as both of them cry together.
"I know son…I know," Ed whimpers as he holds Clark close, burying his face in his son's shouldered gown; both of them clinging to each other for a few tormented minutes longer. But as Clark's breathing offers a small gasp in Ed's ear due to his broken ribs, Ed's mind sends a signal to his brain to gently release his son and help him lie back down.
"I can't believe it."
"Me either," Ed states softly as his hand brushes Clark's flushed cheek and brushes away the tear. "But it's good to cry and remember and talk…"
"Talk? You?" Clark smiles, getting a small sad chuckle from his father in return.
"I don't mind talking now. That's okay right?"
"I like when we talk."
"Me too," Ed nods as he wipes his face and slightly straightens his posture, looking at the bruise on Clark's face with a small frown. "Dean was by earlier."
"I think I heard him. Think he made a comment about my parking skills," Clark smirks as Ed's face slightly relaxes.
"I think he if you got a parking ticket or something."
"That's it," Clark tries to cough but wheezes. "And was there something about J-ello?"
"Hearing still works," Ed remarks as Clark coughs again. "Should I ca…."
"Dad I'm okay. I had half a freakin' building fall on me. A little cough is no big deal."
"Does your chest still hurt?"
"I'm on something to dull the pain right?"
"Yeah. You'll need it for the next few weeks as the broken ribs start to heal. You were lucky they didn't poke any internal organs. Just gotta take it easy though."
"Good thing I don't play the trumpet," Clark jokes as he looks down at the tight bandages around his ribs and then up at his father. "You ever break your ribs?"
"On the job or off?"
"Off? Really? Was Uncle Roy involved?"
"How'd you know that? Wait…did he tell you?" Ed smiles as he fixes himself a little better on the side of the narrow bed. He would move a bit later when Clark wanted to sleep but for now he just wanted to be close to his son; Clark in return wanting his father to stay close beside him as long as possible.
"Maybe," Clark shrugs with a coy smile.
"We were on the farm," Ed starts into his story as he recalls the time on his father's place with his brother; the memory pushing away some of the inner pain, but not masking it entirely. But as he looks at Clark's expression he can see underlying remorse and knows that right now his son needs something a bit more uplifting…or humorous to deflect the discussion away from a fallen close friend and the sheer ugliness of the day.
"We were just…you know goofing around and such and…Roy gets this bright idea…"
"Roy's idea?" Clark interrupts with a snicker.
"He tell you it was mine?" Ed asks in shock to which Clark just shrugs. "I'll talk to him later," Ed smirks as he folds his arms over his chest. "Okay so we get to this big tree and look up and see what we think is a large bird's nest. An owl or something."
"Really? Are you sure it wasn't…"
"Can I tell the story?" Ed jokes.
"Sure."
"Thank you. The tree looked like it could be climbed and so we…just went for it. First one to the nest and then back down won and the other had to do the winner's chores. We weren't going to touch it because we didn't know if it had eggs or what not. We just wanted to see if we could. We start to climb but as we near the nest at the top…" Ed pauses as he looks at Clark with arched brows.
"What was it? An owl? Really dad an owl was waiting?"
"No. It was a big old wasps nest."
"What? Was there wasps in it?"
"Full. Roy grabbed the branch and…"
"No way he said…"
"Roy grabbed it," Ed playfully pokes Clark in the arm, evoking a small giggle from his son. "I tried to push his arm away…the branch I was on gives way and…"
"And you fell?"
"All the way to the ground," Ed huffs as he nods; his lips emitting a small chuckle. "Man I was pissed. I was on the ground in pain, yelling at Roy. He was trying to climb down. The wasps were starting to sting him. I started to laugh…"
"With broken ribs?"
"I was young…and yeah it hurt," Ed chuckles as his face creases. "Roy makes it to the bottom, helps me up and…and we get out of there. Dad chewed us out. We each blamed each other. I got a trip to the hospital and a week off school and Roy…he got bit."
"How many times?"
"The one on the ass was the best."
"Really?"
"He'll deny it."
"He said it was you," Clark retorts as he holds back a small yawn.
"Yeah that's Roy."
"Where was he today?"
"Much like Wordy it was all hands on deck. He was with his team," Ed replies firmly. "He's okay. You…need sleep."
"I'm not tired."
"Clark it's late and you need sleep aft…"
"I don't want…to go to sleep," Clark confesses as Ed's heart starts to beat a bit faster. "Don't like the dark."
"I know but…I'll be right here all night okay? Right here."
"You promise?"
"I am not going anywhere. I give you my word," Ed's hand rests on Clark's and gives it a small squeeze. "I love you so much…I'm not going anywhere. Just close your eyes…" Ed pauses as he leans forward and turns off the small bedside light, "and get some rest. You can go home tomorrow."
"Why not tonight?"
"They just wanted to keep an eye on your breathing and such. You inhaled a lot of dust that might have residual effects."
"Guess we missed the reception tonight."
"That was a joke right?" Ed retorts as Clark nods.
"Is Greg going to be okay?"
"Yeah…he'll be okay. Although…"
"Although what?"
"After today none of us will ever really be the same," Ed looks at Clark with a serious expression.
"What happens now dad?"
"Now…we take it one day at a time and rebuild. We'll be okay. Okay…try to get some sleep now."
"Will you?"
"Try? I will try."
"Might not succeed right? Just don't snore."
"I don't snore," Ed protests as Clark offers a small snicker as Ed fixes the blanket over his beloved son and then kisses him on the forehead. "I love you," he whispers one last time followed by goodnight before he offers a small frown to the nearby sleeping chair and finally collapses into it. Despite the fact that his body is physically worn out, his mind is far too active to even think about finding some comforting solace in the dark realm of sleep.
He closes his eyes; his ears instantly flooded with whispered screams…his name…and then silence. He sees Donna…Lou…strangers and feels his fists tighten as he remembers watching the dead bombers body fall and reveal the bloody frame of his close friend and boss a few feet away. His own voice begging Greg to stay with him; Sam a few meters way yelling for the medics.
"Stay with me Greg…just stay with me!"
Ed looks toward the door and knows that not too far away, another family is also trying to come to terms with the senselessness of the day and how their lives would be forever impacted. Greg buddy I pray you pull through this. A small gasp from his son pulls his eyes over to Clark. He looks over at him and literally offers a bittersweet prayer of thanks to God for having his son with him and to offer comfort to those that lost sons …fathers…daughters…mothers…friends…strangers. The day would never be the same. But he also knows that the best way to ensure the madman's legacy doesn't live on is to never forget those that had fallen and make sure their memories lived on in their own lives.
"Never…forget," Ed whispers as he leans his head back and finally closes his eyes; welcoming the darkness for the first time in hours; heart in sorrow; his eyes wet and his mind paying tribute to a special fallen friend.
The reunion with his son was marked with both relief and despair; joy and sadness. The day offering him two outcomes. One life spared and one life taken; both affecting him in ways he had hoped to never experience in his lifetime. But what he said to his son was true; while their lives would never be the same again; they would be forced to rebuild and they would survive this. The future was changed forever whether they wanted it or not. Now they would just have to adapt and move on…move on but never forget. Always remember. Rebuild.
Rebuild and reshape their legacy. That was something the madman failed to destroy.
THE END
A/N: I know I am HUGE coward but I could only touch on the death briefly in this piece…my AU heart is still hurting but this is my way of living in denial b/c outside of these canon pieces you know our girl lives on and we always have a happy ending! Okay so I know this was angsty but supposed to be right?