Little missing scene I couldn't resist :)
Title: Pretzels
Author: Cindy Ryan
category: post ep, one shot
Spoilers: 2x08 Monster
Officer Sam Swarek entered the break room and ducked just in time to miss the bag of pretzels that came sailing towards him. He glanced over at the sole occupant of the room; Jerry Barber.
"Sorry buddy that wasn't directed at you."
"Hope not I haven't taken all your money in poker yet."Sam quipped.
"This wasn't my reacurring nightmare."Jerry stated quietly as he sat down on one of the tables.
Sam studied his friend as he moved away from the vending machine his quest for snacks forgotten. He knew the detective was worried about Traci. Knew Jerry was crazy about her. But until this moment didn't realize how far Jerry had fallen for the rookie. He leaned back against the soda machine and waited for Barber to continue.
"Hostage situation."Jerry continued as he stared unseeingly at the wall. "That's my Traci nightmare. Not being able to get her out. This...her dying from a illness contracted by a perp? Never on my radar."
"She's not going to die."Sam said softly.
Jerry's gaze snapped over to him. "Lee did."
"He had more exposure to whatever this is than Traci. They'll figure it out."
Barber stood and began to pace a small circle between the garbage can and the pop machine. "I haven't felt this way about someone in a long time, Sammy. She and Leo are my family. If I lose her now...to this...something I can't fight...can't protect her from...it'll kill me."
"She's going to be fine and you know why?"
Jerry stopped pacing and looked at Sam.
"Because she has you and Leo to come home to. That'll get anybody through the worst crap on any day. Hang on to that."
"Thanks man."Jerry replied after a long moment.
"No problem."Sam acknowledged as he clasped his friend on the shoulder. "Don't lose all your money to Oliver. You guys still need to deal me in."
Barber smiled briefly. "Will try not to."
Swarek left the break room hoping what he said to Jerry was true. That things would turn out for the better. That this quarantine would be just like the last
It had to. The fifteenth was stronger together.
Losing anybody wasn't an option.
end