Shane

"He's been ...shot"

Shane's voice broke in the middle of that short sentence, his eyes shiny with tears. Lori just stared at him, the words reverberating in her brain. She heard him, but she hadn't processed it yet. She didn't think she could. It was always like that with bad news, wasn't it? When you first hear it, it doesn't seem real. And you cling to that confusion, that numbness, because you need too. No ones looking for clarity when the news is heartbreaking.

"Oh God, Shane. Is he...is he dead?" She stared at him, scanning his face for answers.

Now there was no mistaking the terror in his face. He was scared. That alone petrified her. She watched him with wide-eyes, waiting for him to answer her,

but also dreading what he had to say.

"No Lori, no! He's alive, but it's really serious. I need to get you to the hospital right now." Shane told her. She tried not to stare at the blood stains on his uniform. Flat out refused to ask if it was her husband's blood, knowing the answer was most likely yes.

Carl?! I...I can't go now. I've got to pick up Carl from school. What do I tell him, Shane? What do I tell our son?" She broke down and sobbed as the weight of what Shane was saying suddenly crashed over her. She felt her knees begin to buckle, but before she could stumble, Shane reached out to steady her. She felt his strong arms surround her, keeping her safe. She automatically melted into that strength and comfort.

"Shh. Lori. S'gonna be ok. Rick's gonna be fine, ok? He's strong. He'll beat this, he'll pull through." He soothed, rubbing his hands across her back and shoulders. She could tell Shane was uncomfortable with her tears but he was still trying to be there for her. Under different circumstances, it would be

comical. Lori sniffed loudly and willed herself to relax against Shane for a moment, wanting so badly to believe what he was telling her.

Shane was a good man and she trusted him. She knew he was privy to their marital problems, but he wisely chose not to stick his nose in. He always respected her and she appreciated that. She obviously knew where his loyalties lie, he and Rick had been friends since boyhood, and they were now partners on the force. They were in each other's pockets five days a week, sometimes more. Friends didn't come much closer than that. Rick was lucky to have him.

She pulled back, using the palms of her hands to gently push against his hard chest, furthering the distance between them. "Okay...okay, you're right." She said wiping tears away from her eyes. "He's gonna be fine. Of course he is. I need to get Carl from school. Shane how do I tell him that Rick...that his Dad's been shot?"

"I'll go. I'll go with you. We'll tell him together." He said solemnly.

She nodded her head. Yeah, that would work. Carl looked up to Shane. Thought of him as a family. He'd handle this better with Shane there.

"Thank you." She breathed

"No need to thank me. Rick...he's gonna be just fine, you'll see." He said gripping her shoulders and staring into her tear-streaked eyes, trying to force

her with the strength of his convictions to believe his words of comfort. "Until he's alright, I'll be right here. Not gonna leave you two to struggle alone with this. When he's back on his feet, he'd kick my ass if I did and you know it. Well, he'd try to kick my ass anyways." He added with his typical smirk. That small bit of normalcy helped to ground her, and she felt her lips turning up into a shaky smile.

Shane grinned widely at her reaction, pleased he had helped chase away her tears."Cmon now, let's go get Carl."

Lori nodded and followed him to the police car.