Nothing's Broken-Chapter 8

What do I have to say for this chapter? I guess I can stop wrongfully warning you that there are spoilers, you've probably gotten the point by now. This will probably not be the spoiler chapter though, but then again why would you listen to my prediction, I am obviously not great at predicting the course my stories will take. So here it is. P.S. I don't own flashpoint, though if any of the producers are willing to give it up, I'd take it off their hands...

Spike was glad to be out of that stifling SRU building, he felt like Cabin Fever was fast approaching all the members of the team if they were going to be forced to alternate paperwork and the gym any longer. So far they hadn't really gotten any calls. One gang fight had broken out a few blocks from their location but police sirens quelled that quickly. A convenience store was robbed but the subjects got away with about two-hundred dollars and a case of beer, probably just some teenagers but there was nothing Spike and Lou were able to do by the time they arrived on the scene.

They drove down the city streets, eyes peeled for any indications of crime but it was the middle of the afternoon and few people were out on the streets. Spike took his eyes off the road momentarily and glanced over at Lou. His partner had been quiet today, Well Lou is quiet most every day but usually there's something, small talk or jokes, or gossip, just some form of conversation. Spike was trying to figure out a way of starting a conversation when Lou began speaking over the earpiece.

"Hey Boss, Spike and I are going to stop at Timmy's and take a bathroom break, grab some coffee, it's dead quiet around here." He said as Greg gave them the go ahead to stop. Spike pulled the SUV over into the parking lot, a bit confused why Lou turned off his radio. He motioned for Spike to do the same and he switched it off, cutting off their communication with the rest of the team. Spike looked at Lou, officially confused. Lou looked straight ahead, through the windshield, deep in thought. Just as Spike was about to interrupt him, Lou looked directly into Spike's eyes and calmly began speaking. "We've got to talk man." Spike was even more confused. Lou was not a guy who willingly talked about emotional things but Spike was able to get the idea that this conversation was about to get deep.

"Is everything alright Lou?" Spike asked, not really sure about what to make of the sudden proclamation.

"I'm fine..." he said originally with conviction but as Spike listened to the statement over again in his head he heard subtle sounds of doubt, maybe even a question. Lou began speaking again and Spike prepared himself to listen hard to whatever was going to be said. "but I'm worried about you, Spike." A combination of sympathy and anxiety was evident in his voice and Spike recoiled for a minute after being surprised by the explanation for Lou's strange behavior.

"Me...but...I'm fine buddy." Spike said quickly slapping a smile on his face. He hoped that his assurance was enough and the awkward conversation would be over. He reached for the door handle and Lou simultaneously grabbed him arm and pressed the door lock button on his door panel.

"We're not done here." Lou said simply as he leaned back in his seat and looked at Spike with a glimmer of expectancy in his eyes. Spike looked at him, unsure of exactly what to say. I'm fine. A little bout of insomnia, it always happens when someone gets hurt.

"I'm fine." Spike said out loud this time, a sense of seriousness in his voice. The tone he used bordered on annoyance but he hoped that Lou didn't take it that way. Lou's face had remained firm and his body language unwavering, Spike was not leaving the truck until they spoke. "What are you, the Boss now, you're not a touchy feely-guy Lou...where's this coming from?" Spike, still not positive about Lou's motivations, tried to turn the questions back onto him and avoid this. He didn't need help, he needed to sleep but that would come eventually.

Lou looked at his friend, trying to keep his features soft and his voice even. He was not exactly a negotiator type; while Lou knew exactly what needed to be said for the most part, he had trouble connecting emotionally with people on the spot. He envied Greg's ability to instantly form bonds with even the worst bad guys. Some of the subjects reminded Lou too much of who he could have been, who he might have been. His strong emotional resiliency was forged (by necessity) during childhood, and though it was never much of a problem in his life, connecting to people was tough. He knew the handbook, in a bind he could slow things down, but there was something that he lacked when it came to talking to people. Not many people were able to see past this difficulty, most people just thought he had nothing to say; to the contrary, he had more to say than most people could ever imagine, a story that barley anyone knew, no one except Greg and Spike really understood how deep of a person he was.

Spike looked and felt anxious. The car that only a few minutes ago seemed like the best escape from the station now felt claustrophobic and confined. He wanted desperately to get out and forget that this conversation had ever occurred, but he knew that wasn't an option. Spike looked at Lou, knowing he was serious, but still not sure what to say. Lou broke the awkwardly long silence.

"Spike, you haven't been yourself lately. I don't know what it is exactly, something's just changed man. I mean, you don't tell jokes or goof off anymore, and god knows the last time we've pulled a prank on someone, I mean Sam is way overdue but you haven't even mentioned anything. And...I don't know, you just seem...off." Lou tried to express as much emotion as possible and Spike looked like a combination of upset and annoyed.

"I'm tired. That's it. I didn't sleep too well last week but last night I got like, eleven hours, so I'll catch up." Spike said in a fairly unconvincing voice. Lou slowly shook his head, knowing that he wasn't going to open up.

"I'm not going to push Spike. You're right, I'm not the Boss, I'm not good with the whole emotional thing but just promise me something?" Lou asked making a concerted effort to keep eye contact. Spike quickly nodded. "Day or night, anytime for anything, you call me if you need. Okay." Lou didn't really phrase the last part as a question, but Spike nodded. "It's okay to talk to people Spike, the Boss is good with that stuff." Lou said as he unlocked the doors.

"I know, I know." Spike said as they walked into the coffee shop. "But it's gonna be okay. I just need to catch up on some sleep." Spike said as he ordered his coffee and turned his radio back on, the official end of the conversation.

I know this is a short one. I felt like there needed to be some kind of moment highlighted between Lou and Spike before...well...you'll see. Might be able to get the next chapter up tonight, might be tomorrow, but then again, does it really matter, no one is really reviewing so I guess it isn't really catching your attention. Just kidding, I know people just don't feel like reviewing sometimes, I'm guilty of that too, but it would be nice to hear from some people here, it's only my third story and I'd love some feedback...pretty please with sugar on top...