A/N This chapter is split into three POVs, one of which is Eddie's. I hope I've got her character right, as I love her on the show! Anyway thanks for taking the time to read this!
Ryan, Esposito, Beckett and Castle were all having a late lunch after solving their latest case. They were all laughing and joking, but the atmosphere changed when the three radios belonging to the Detectives all crackled to life. With the two words every police officer dreaded.
Officer down.
They all bolted for their squad cars and with sirens blazing joined the small stream of marked squad cars and the ambulance to the scene. As Esposito was slowing down Ryan was opening the door to the car before it came to full halt.
"Ryan!" yelled Esposito, trying to get his partner to wait for him because they had no idea what they were walking into. But Ryan didn't hear him. When Esposito had been breaking the car Ryan had caught a glimpse of Jamie. Who was crouched down and Ryan had no way of knowing if the person had looked out for growing up was injured badly.
As he ran closer he heard Jamie's strangled cry, "Will!"
Ryan took in the situation and waved to the EMTs to hurry up, he knelt beside Jamie and with one arm wrapped around Jamie's shoulders he pulled his friend back a little. So he was out of the way, but could still see his partner.
He looked closer at Jamie to make sure his friend wasn't hurt, but the blood on Jamie's hands was from Harris' wound. Jamie was pale and his blank eyes were trained on Harris. Ryan figured Jamie must be trapped somewhere between the past and the present. He found he couldn't look at Harris, once; one of his best friend's had been an officer down. And he hadn't come home.
"Jamie," stated Ryan. "Jamie."
But Jamie wasn't listening. Ryan rested his free arm on his knee and covered his face with his hand. He had no clue what to say. While he and Jamie had been close growing up, it was Joe who always knew what to say. But Joe wasn't here.
Ryan jumped when a hand came to rest on his shoulder. He found himself looking up into Esposito's worried gaze. So Ryan just shot him a half-hearted smile and then turned back to Jamie. Not wanting to talk Esposito just yet. Seeing that the EMTs were about to take Harris to the waiting ambulance, Ryan wrapped his other arm around Jamie and began to pull his friend to his feet. This snapped Jamie of his daze and he began to struggle with Ryan to try and follow Harris.
"Jamie, stop," ordered Ryan. While he knew Jamie wanted to be with his partner, Ryan was thinking about the worst-case scenario. Harris was badly injured and if he died in the ambulance, then Jamie would be sat there with no other friend there with him. No, Ryan was not going to let Jamie witness the death of another friend and partner.
Jamie's struggles stopped and Ryan held his friend in a half embrace. Once the ambulance had left, and Ryan had learnt that Harris was being taken to St. Victor's, he began to lead Jamie over to the squad car Jamie and Harris had arrived in. He knew Esposito would talk to him soon, but he wanted to put that off for as long as possible. He wanted to concentrate on Jamie. So he gently pushed Jamie into the passenger seat and then jogged around to the driver's side. He opened the door and spotted Esposito stood not too far away, with Beckett and Castle, staring at him in concern. He nodded at his friends in reassurance, and then he got into the driver's seat. Before driving away he took Jamie's cell phone and called Eddie.
"Hey Jamie," answered Eddie cheerfully.
"Eddie this is Detective Ryan," commented Ryan, not really knowing how he was going to explain the situation. He cast a glance over to Jamie to see his friend was staring at his blood-covered hands in silence. Ryan grabbed a tissue and gently pressed it into Jamie's hands. While Jamie was in a daze, he still began to rub as much of the blood off his hands as he could. What worried Ryan was that Jamie still hadn't noticed Ryan had taken his cell phone and was currently talking to his girlfriend.
The sharp intake of breath on the other end of the phone caught Ryan's attention once again.
"Detective Ryan. What's happened?" asked Eddie in a strangled voice.
Ryan decided it would be better for Eddie if he just bluntly told her what had happened. "Jamie and Harris arrived at a murder scene, the shooter was in a nearby building and opened fired. Jamie isn't injured but…"
"But?" prompted Eddie, with a small amount of relief in her voice.
"Harris was hit pretty bad. Jamie's in shock," replied Ryan, glad to see that the blank look in Jamie's eyes was beginning to fade.
"Oh God," murmured Eddie, "Jamie doesn't need that. He's already lost Vinny."
"Harris is going to St. Victor's and I'm taking Jamie there. We should be there in about ten minutes." Stated Ryan as he looked past Jamie to stare at the bloodstain left by Harris.
"Right," said Eddie as she cleared her throat. "Me and Ellis are about five minutes out from St. Vic's so I'll meet you there."
"Okay," replied Ryan before hanging up.
"Who was that?" asked a faint voice.
Ryan turned his eyes back to Jamie and smiled softly, "That was Eddie. She's meeting us at the hospital."
Jamie nodded and then he paled even further. Ryan shot out a hand worried that Jamie was about to pass out. "Does my dad know? What about Harris' wife?!"
"Hey calm down! Okay?" hushed Ryan, he patted Jamie's arm. "Your dad has probably already been informed and will have someone contacting Harris' wife, okay? You don't need to do anything right now, okay?"
Jamie nodded, so Ryan passed him his cell phone. Once checking that the way was clear he pulled the car away and began driving to the hospital.
Eddie was stood at the main entrance to the hospital pacing a line. Back and forwards. Back and forwards. Ellis made the wise decision to stay out of her way. She jerked her head up hearing the doors open and there was Detective Ryan guiding Jamie into the waiting room.
"Jamie!" she exclaimed. Jamie looked up and his tense posture relaxed a little. Eddie stepped forward and then tightly hugged Jamie. She mouthed 'thank you' to Ryan, who gave her a small smile in response. Together they moved Jamie over to a chair and sat down either side of them.
There was still a red tinge to Jamie's hands and before Eddie could think more on the subject Ellis had walked over with a cloth and a small bowl of warm water he'd got off a nurse. Eddie smiled in thanks and then turned her attention to Jamie.
Ryan had a hand gently squeezing Jamie's forearm, Eddie guessed it was a way to comfort Jamie. Also for Ryan to ground himself. Eddie was aware of the friendship Ryan had had with Jamie and Joe growing up. And she knew it couldn't be easy for him to have lost Joe and possibly have lost Jamie today.
Once she had washed Jamie's hands, Eddie set the bowl aside, only for Ellis to take it back to the nurse's desk. She then settled back in her chair and gently pulled Jamie's head so it was resting on her shoulder.
Jamie shut his eyes tightly and breathed in a shuddering breath. Ryan seeing what was going on murmured something about coffee and then wandered off. Eddie rubbed a hand up and down Jamie's side, murmuring. "It'll be alright. Shhh, it's okay."
"This can't be happening again," mumbled Jamie, "Why is this happening again?"
"I don't know Jamie," she answered truthfully, "But it'll be okay."
"I thought that with Vinny," choked Jamie, "But he still slipped away."
Eddie closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay. Jamie had never really talked about Vinny. Just a passing remark here and there. But she had known Jamie had never really gotten over it. It's why she understood Jamie had been so angry when fellow Officers had refused to back him and Kara up when Kara had gotten shot. That shootout could have ended up like the situation Vinny and Jamie had been in at the Bittermen houses.
As all they could do was wait, Eddie continued to hold Jamie as fellow Officers and Detectives arrived. Ryan had returned handing both her and Jamie some coffee. So the three of them waited in silence, waiting for news on Harris.
Ten minutes later Harris' wife, Sally, arrived along with the Commissioner. Frank offered her some words of comfort. Eddie saw the moment Frank's gaze landed on Jamie. So she gently pushed Jamie up and motioned towards his father. Shakily Jamie pulled himself to his feet and faced his father. He gave his father a nod and then moved over to Sally. After talking to her for a moment and leaving her with her sister, he moved back towards his father.
Eddie watched as Frank squeezed Jamie's shoulder, she could see Frank wanted nothing more than to hug his son tightly. Just as she herself had done. But surrounded by a sea of police officers, Frank had to play the role of the strong and steady Police Commissioner.
Frank directed a look at her, which she knew was Frank silently asking her to look after Jamie while he stayed in his Commissioner role. She nodded her head in understanding and he responded with a small smile. She stood up and got Jamie a snack bar from the vending machine and after directing her boyfriend into his chair once again. She made him begin to eat the bar.
Ryan had spotted his partner so excused himself, so Eddie remained glued to Jamie's side. Talking when he wanted to, and remaining silent when he wanted to. Being Jamie's Patrol partner for two years had made her finely in tuned with Jamie's moods and what his different postures meant what he was thinking or feeling. So Eddie relied on her instincts with him and continued to wait. It had only been forty minutes since Harris had been brought in. And with the wound he had. Eddie knew they were in for a longer wait.
Ryan spotted Esposito; and seeing Jamie was alright with Eddie he stood up and made his way over to his best friend who was leaning against the wall taking in the gathering mass of Officers and Detectives.
"You doing okay?" asked Esposito,
Ryan shrugged, "I'm fine."
Esposito raised a brow, "Really? Because seeing the look on your face at the scene and seeing as how you ran to Jamie without even making sure the shooter had been caught. That's not like you bro."
Ryan braised one arm against the wall beside Esposito and looked down at his feet, not wanting to meet his friend's eye. "I just needed to make sure he was alright, Javi."
"I get that. Trust me I do," assured Esposito, as he patted Ryan's shoulder. "But you can't put yourself in danger like that."
"We put ourselves in danger everyday Javi," argued Ryan, looking up to meet Esposito's gaze.
Esposito sighed, "Kevin. You know what I mean."
Ryan nodded, "But…just seeing him there…all I could think about was Joe…that once he'd been an officer down as well…"
Esposito's face softened. Ryan slumped against the wall beside Esposito and stared out at the waiting room, he turned when he felt two more people approach him. He found Beckett and Castle looking at him in concern.
"You doing okay Ryan?" asked Beckett.
Ryan frowned, "I wish people would stop asking me that. Jamie should be the priority not me."
"Ryan-" started Castle,
"No. This is the second time Jamie has been in this situation, the first time he lost his partner and its touch and go with Harris. And he's already lost Joe," Ryan bit out in frustration. He wasn't angry with his friends, just the situation. He deflated, "I'm sorry-"
"Don't go there," ordered Esposito. Ryan turned his head sharply to face his friend. "You've got nothing to be sorry for." Ryan slowly nodded and slumped further against the wall with his eyes shut.
Castle patted his shoulder comfortingly, "Jamie's fine, he's not injured."
"Yeah but he's already lost one partner. And that was a rough time for him." Ryan shuddered remembering the blank look in Jamie's eyes from when he'd come to check on Jamie after he'd been taken to the E.R. following the shooting. "I don't know how he'd cope a second time." He added softly.
"He's got you, his family and now Eddie. He'd be fine." Assured Castle, trying to comfort his friend. It wasn't right seeing Ryan so downtrodden; Ryan was the happy and optimistic one of the team. The defeated posture did not suit him at all.
"It's just…when we were kids I promised Joe that whatever happened when we grew up that I'd help keep an eye on Jamie," Ryan then smiled softly remembering when Jamie had gone off to Harvard. "When Jamie got into Harvard Joe was so proud. But all the Reagans knew Jamie was destined to be a cop. And I told Joe that whenever Jamie decided to join the force, that I would keep tabs on him. And then when Jamie was assigned to the Twelfth and I saw him in his uniform," he swallowed thickly past the lump in his throat. "I thought he looked a lot like Joe when he was in uniform."
"You have watched out for him," smiled Beckett, "I never knew Joe, but I'm sure he's thankful that you've done what you have for Jamie." Ryan nodded at her and turned to see Esposito smiling.
Castle tapped Ryan on the arm, "Hey will you ever tell me stories from when you were in patrol? I see what Detectives do, but I'd like to know what Officers go through."
Ryan paused and then smiled softly remembering his time in uniform with Joe. While the memories were painful to some extent, they were still happy. "One day I will Castle."
Castle shot him a broad grin; Ryan knew his friend understood that it would take him some time to talk about his stories that involved Joe. But he was thankful that Castle was going to give him the time he needed to be able to tell the stories.
It was two hours later and Jamie had just walked out of Harris' room. Harris was going to be fine, and in a couple of months he would be back on the job. Jamie entered the waiting room and offered his first true smile since the whole mess had started. Danny and Henry had arrived an hour ago and were sat with Frank, Ryan and Eddie. Captain Gates was also there; when she had first arrived she had immediately checked on Jamie before going to sit with Sally.
Today was the first day Gates hadn't scared the living daylights out of him.
The heads of his friends and family all turned to face him once they heard his footsteps. Eddie approached him first.
"Okay?" she asked, hugging him with one arm.
Jamie nodded, "Yep."
Gates then approached, "I'm glad you and Harris are alright. You can take tomorrow off and then while Harris is on medical leave you'll be temporarily assigned to Beckett's team."
"Yes ma-. Sir," said Jamie, he still couldn't get his tongue around calling Gates Sir, even three months after joining her squad.
Gates smiled and then after a few words to the Commissioner she left the waiting room. Danny stood as Jamie and Eddie neared. "All good kid?"
Jamie nodded, "Could do with a drink. Or two."
Danny gave him a half smile, "Don't blame ya. Come on back to dad's and then stay the night in your old room. Eddie you can come to."
"Yeah okay," agreed Eddie. As Eddie said she'd come Jamie found himself nodding in agreement.
As he began to leave, Jamie caught sight of Ryan picking up his jacket to leave, so Jamie made his way over to his friend.
"Thanks Kevin," he smiled.
Ryan patted his arm, "No need to thank me." He grinned, "Can't wait til your working with us. Rookie," he teased.
Jamie rolled his eyes chuckling, "Great." He then paused.
"Hey," said Ryan tapping Jamie's shoulder, "It's okay to laugh, everything is fine. You don't need to feel guilty for laughing." He commented seriously looking Jamie straight in the eye. "Go to your dad's house, have a few drinks and laughs. You and Harris both made it. Go home and relax."
Jamie nodded, and then suddenly found himself hugging the man that was like a third older brother to him growing up.
Ryan paused for a moment in shock. Then, smiling, he brought his arms up to return the hug. "It's okay. You did good today kid." Ryan looked over Jamie's shoulder to see his teammates smiling at him.
Jamie leaned back and then left the hospital with his family and Eddie, to do exactly as Ryan said. He and his partner had survived, what wasn't worth celebrating about that?
Ryan also went home to his wife and daughter, along with his teammates to follow his own advice. And to remind himself that he hadn't lost Jamie like Joe, and Harris would eventually be back to his usual self.
There would always be tough days but with their friends and teammates around them, they all knew that they'd survive the bad days. Their friends wouldn't let them fall. Just as they wouldn't let their friends fall.
