A/N: Okay, so this would be my first Fillmore! fic. I used to love this show, and this idea came to me one day. I don't know all the details, and I looked up as much as I could find out. In the end, I had to make up or embellish a few things - don't be mad at me... Anyway - on with the show... Oh, afterthought - this is basically my take on Vallejo's thoughts on his past partners.
Disclaimer: Really? I own nothing worth mentioning here...
In all my years as a Safety Patrol officer I've had a few partners, but only two really stick out. They were two of the best officers on the force, and it's partly my fault they're gone. Two partners that counted on me to watch their back and stand by them. Two partners that became my friends. Two partners that I let down. I failed.
My first partner was Malika. She was different; she was somewhat popular, extremely talented, and a bit off-the-beaten-path. Malika could solve most of her cases because she was smart and could look at the case from different perspectives. Then the Red Robin case came along. Someone needed to go undercover, infiltrate the Red Robins, and bring them down from the inside. She volunteered, and I knew with her on the case, the Red Robins wouldn't stand a chance. I was wrong. While Malika was undercover, she discovered what it was like having a group. A group different from the Safety Patrol. I didn't want to believe it. She couldn't have turned her back against us; she was just playing the part. Then one day, I walked in to HQ and saw on my desk a shoebox. Inside the shoebox was Malika's badge and belt. I didn't want to believe it. I tried convincing her to come back to the force, but she wouldn't listen. I was supposed to have her back, but I let her down. Now she is the head of the Red Robins. Malika went in to bring them down, instead they brought her down. I should have been there. I failed her.
My last partner was Frank. He was a profiler, the best. Everything was perfect. We were solving all our cases. I was up for junior commissioner, and life couldn't get much better. Then the gazpacho incident occurred. He expected me to be on his side, to stand up for him, to be his partner. I didn't. I just stood by and watched as my best friend was forced to leave the patrol. I was supposed to stand by his side, but it would have messed up my eligibility for junior commissioner. Some friend I was. Soon it seemed like he disappeared off the map. I no longer saw him around school, and maybe that was for the better. I got my dream job. At what price? Well Frank never leaves his room, and it's partly my fault. Frank made a mistake to catch one of the most elusive criminals - the mastermind behind the weighted bingo ball scam. Instead of praise and gratitude, he was met with angry adults and a friend who turned on him. I did all that for junior commissioner. I should have been there. I failed him.
Two partners. Two failures. They had my back, but when it came time for me to have theirs... I let them down. What does that make me as a Safety Patrol officer? I'm sorry. The mistakes I made cost the Safety Patrol two of their best officers.
A/N: Well, there you have it. An interesting introspective piece from Vallejo's point of view. I know it's short, but it's to the point and it doesn't need a lot of detail... Anyway... Drop a review and let me know what you think, or don't. I guess it's really up to you, but it would make my day if you did leave a review. Oh and if you really must, go ahead and flame me (try to do it creatively, though - makes life more interesting). I promise - I don't bite. Thanks for reading!
