CHAPTER 25

Sonny finishes his workout and lays on the mat in the middle of the floor, catching his breath and stretching. Ray has one more set on the bench, and Clay is spotting him. There is so much noise around him that Sonny doesn't notice someone new has walked into the gym.

Laying on his back, Sonny is working on his obliques when the sun suddenly vanishes. Squinting up at where the sun was just seconds ago, Sonny sees Jason's sunglass-clad face.

"Sonny, we need to talk." Jason says sternly.

"No, we don't. I don't regret anything I said, and judging by the look on your face, you don't regret your decision either." Sonny says, standing up to look Jason in the eye.

Clay and Ray look over, unsure if they should step in. Both Sonny and Jason were stubborn and could be hotheaded. They kept their distance for now, knowing the two needed to hash out whatever the problem was.

"Thanks for the workout boys. See you tomorrow." Sonny says, nodding to Clay and Ray, before adding sarcastically. "I'm off to therapy, only 15 more hours. Unless someone decides to extend my current sentence."

"Sonny…" Jason yells, annoyed.

"Jason… good talk." Sonny says, before stalking off in the direction of Dr. Burkes' office.

Walking up to Jason, Ray puts his hand on his boss' shoulder. "You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? He is pissed. He doesn't understand why you are making him do therapy. He thinks you want him off the team. Sonny is family, and you're treating him like the red-headed step child you never wanted."

"Damnit, Ray! I know! But he died. How is he going to react the next time we go on an Op with water? Is he going to be okay?"

"Jason, honestly? He's good, man. I've talked to him more than once. He's not downing a handle of Maker's every night and hooking up with a bunch of strippers. He's hanging out on Davis' couch, watching TV and eating take out with Clay. Clay's talked to him, Davis has talked to him. Neuro cleared him. Burke cleared him. Chen cleared him. What's holding you back?"

"I don't know. You really think he's good?"

"Yeah, man. Honestly? He's better now than I've seen him in years. The rest has done him good. And Clay won't leave him alone, and Davis has really been there for him. He's never had that before. He usually goes home and well, you know the drill." Ray says with a shrug.

"Great. How do I get him to stay in the same room with me for more than 2 minutes so I can talk to him?"

"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You're the boss." Ray says with a chuckle.