Author's note: The idea for this story has been cooking in my mind for a while. It is my reimagining of the events that took place in the final three episodes of Season 8, where I'd like to see that Crabtree actually getting the promotion to detective.

First Murdoch Mysteries story, although I currently have a Scooby-Doo and Murdoch Mysteries crossover in process. If you want, please give the crossover, titled D6 Victorian Scooby-Doo: The Phantom Smugglers!, a read and review!

I don't own Murdoch Mysteries.

Chapter 1: Ups and downs

Early December, 1902

Constable George Crabtree finished his shift and clocked out at five o'clock as usual. As he prepares to head home, he took a glance at the calendar on the watch sergeants desk on his way out.

One more week to go before he hangs up his constables tunic for good.

As George looked at the calendar, several thoughts went through his mind.

Three weeks ago, he solved the murder of Handsome Randolph Henderson while uncovering deception and fraud in the wrestling match. After that case, Inspector Brackenreid informed him that Station House Three is in need for a new Detective and that he had put his name forward.

A few days later, Crabtree had an interview with Inspector Davis at Station House Three, along with several other candidates from other station houses.

Then, on the provincial election day, Brackenreid informed him that he had been selected to be the new detective at that station house, which was good news for him.

That same day, George proposed to his sweetheart Edna, and she accepted.

Just as George thought that things couldn't get any better, as he is going to get married and have a family, as well as working as a detective, things hit a massive speed bump.

Canadian Militia Sergeant Archibald Brooks, Edna's husband and Simon's father who was thought to be dead from the war in South Africa, returned.

The sergeant was accompanied by his commanding officer when he returned home, surprising George, Edna and Simon.

As it turned out, Sergeant Brooks was injured during a barrage and was in a coma during the time where there was a mess-up in the paper work that resulted in him being declared dead. By the time the militia realized the mix-up, the news had already reached Edna and Simon.

With Sergeant Brooks' return, Edna Brooks transformed from soon-to-be Mrs. George Crabtree back to Mrs. Archibald Brooks.

Turned out that Sergeant Brooks was an understanding man. A few days after his return, George ran into him while doing his patrol shift.

The two men sat down to have a talk. Brooks didn't seem happy about George proposing to his wife while he's still alive, but he was very grateful for George's help to his wife and son. In fact, he mentioned that George's mannerisms reminded him of one of his close comrades that died in the war and after a chat with Edna about Georges situation, it was decided that George can become part of the family where Simon refers to him as "Uncle George".

It didn't really satisfy George that much, but he knew it was a good compromise. The only thing is, he now is back to being a bachelor.

As George exited the station house, he sighed before deciding to go for a walk in the nearby park, hoping that the long walk can clear his mind.

The sky was already dark, and the weather was getting colder. There was already snow on the ground, and it will not be long before Christmas arrives.

Eventually, he arrived at the park, standing by a bench near a small creek.

Deciding to rest his feet from his day-long shift, George went to the bench to sit and relax.

As George stares at the frozen creek in front of him, his mind travelled to the past three years.

After his mentor Detective Murdoch got suspended for interfering with the investigation of a murder at a Alice in Wonderland-themed party three years back, he was briefly promoted to acting detective to take his place.

It was during that time that he met the then-new coroner Doctor Emily Grace for the first time during a murder investigation.

Dr. Grace was, for a time, a love interest of him. She first took an interest into him after he and Henry were injured in an explosion three years back. Their friendship blossomed during the time Station House Four had its baseball game with Station House Five that year and subsequently during the New Years Police Ball where he was encouraged by his mentor to invite the doctor.

They had their first kiss during a crazy day that occurred two years back when someone threatened to release a "Cloud of Doom" to the citizens of Toronto, a threat that turned out to be a hoax. Their relationship continued to grow afterwards.

However, everything went sideways the year before, after the death of Doctor Ogden's first husband Doctor Darcy Garland. The late-doctors younger brother Leslie appeared in Toronto and Emily took an interest in him, leading to their breakup.

Turned out that Emily's new relationship with Leslie didn't last long. He turned out to be the culprit of the threatening notes Doctor Ogden received following the fall of James Gillies. She broke up with him with a slap when the truth came out.

However, George was already hurt by her betrayal of his feelings, and when she tried to convince him that she made a mistake on the night an industrialist was strapped by a bomb that blows up if there is too much noise, he refused to buy her story and walked away.

As his mind travelled back to that day, he now wondered if he had been too harsh on her.

Just then, his ears picked up footsteps on the pathway.

Snapping back to reality, George turned to look.

His heart pounded when he realized that the person walking towards his direction was Doctor Grace.

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