Nothing new...I just accidentally deleted it. Even though it asked me if I wanted to. Shh...

Nice little refresher anyway, since we all watched last week's episode. WE LOVE YOU, RICK.

36. Precious

Rick Stetler sat on a bench at the edge of the park. People buzzed around him; young couples rollerblading, friends walking with strollers in tow, men chasing after women joggers. Nobody seemed to be alone. Except for him.

Sighing, the Sergeant leaned back against the wooden park bench. Not even the squirrels seemed to pay attention to him. Rick had found himself being pushed further and further away from society. Everyone had a person with whom they could share everything. He didn't. No one wanted to share with him, and in turn, he could not share with him or her.

The calling of his name brought him out of his thoughts. He glanced up to see a red-haired woman walking towards him.

"What're you doing here, Renae?" he asked, shifting his eyes away from her as she sat down next to him.

"I come here to think," Renae replied in a tired voice.

He studied her weary face as she stared out at the emerald green grass, her eyes nearly the same colour—but clearer, sparkly and full of life. "About what?"

"Everything, really." She sunk back into the bench. "I need to think things through. Be my own counselor, you know?"

"I thought that's what you have Eric for?"

Renae pursed her lips. "You know, sometimes I just feel like I'm putting such a burden on him. He needs a day off every now and then."

"No," the Sergeant sighed. "I don't know."

The redhead gave him a sympathetic look. "I understand, Rick."

"No, you don't." he almost laughed. "I don't have that 'person' to talk to. I don't have anybody!"

"You have me."

He was taken aback; shocked. "Excuse me?"

"As I was saying, people need a day off. You can't put a huge burden onto one person."

"So, you can have more than one 'person'?" he inquired.

"Yes," Renae nodded. "People can share, well, people."

"So, what you're trying to say is…"

"Rick, I'm the closest thing you have to a friend. I know that you don't really have anyone else, so I find it to be my responsibility to listen. So, spill."

Rick stared at her, wide-eyed. This might just be the nicest anyone's ever been to him. He felt cared for. He felt…like he was going to cry. However, he told himself to be a man. Taking in a deep breath, he began what would be his first 'sharing' experience.

"Renae, you're like the sister I never had."