FF_992224_1394865453 10/2/11

A/N: I hope you're all still enjoying these. And I don't own Flashpoint.

Sam hadn't meant to say it out loud. He didn't really want to admit it. But then Jules asked about his time off and he'd just blurted it out. He couldn't stop himself from spilling just how hard it was to answer his mom's questions. He knew it only showed how pathetic he still was about the situation. He didn't really want her to know how far he'd fallen and how low he still was. But really – Jules was always the one single person he could confide in. Sam sighed in frustration and depression. Knowing he couldn't continue to dwell on the situation, he forced his thoughts away and shifted his focus to the discussion in the Briefing Room.

Sam knew Jules was nervous about her first call after coming back. He knew her well enough to know the feelings were there no matter how many times she said she was ready or fine. He was glad it was just her and him in the lunchroom so he could give her the backup, but also the space she needed. He was able to ground her overreaction with just one word. And with that support, just like that – she really was fine.

They'd been so close – so close to ending the situation without any more injuries. Sam bitterly wished they'd gotten to the Art room just a little bit sooner: in enough time to stop Officer Price from bursting into the already volatile scene. But you couldn't always control everything. And this just highlighted how necessary the special training was that the SRU needed and used every day.

He wished Jules' first day back could have been easier. But at least she knew she was all the way back, too. She knew she could still handle the tough ones. And he'd always have her back.

Sam silently watched as Ed went in to talk to the boss. He hoped Ed got through to him. The boss always reminded everyone else that you could only do your best. But Sam thought he forgot that himself, sometimes. He always expected to find the right answer right away. Sam nodded absently, his thoughts still swirling, as Spike and Lew asked if he wanted to go for a drink. It would be good to go out with the guys. He hadn't done it in a while and it would hold off his next round of ceiling-watching that much longer.

A/N: Does anyone know when Flashpoint will resume in the US?