Mom's Comfort, MH PD History & Taking Care of Jules


Hotel – General's Room

William opened the door and held it open for Samuel to enter. He walked over to Mike and said "After you escort Yvonne to the strategy room I would like you to come back and stand guard outside. Samuel and I will be quite some time and I do not want to be interrupted by anyone until I inform you that we are done. Mark will be sending up dinner though, so just knock when that arrives."

Mike nodded "Yes Sir." He added "I'll just wait outside whenever Mrs. Braddock is ready" as he saw Sam head towards his mother. He knew the family needed a few moments alone together. Mike quickly stepped out of the room and closed the door.

Sam walked directly to his mother who stood up from the chair by the window and opened her arms to him. He leaned into his mom as her arms wrapped around him carefully. Sam laid his head on her shoulder as his unstrapped arm wrapped her in a return hug. A shudder rippled through his body.

Yvonne reached up one hand and stroked the back of Sam's head softly. She felt his shudder and felt wetness on her shoulder. Yvonne held Sam a long time as her eyes locked with William's across the room.

Their boy was hurting, likely frightened of what was coming and he was quietly crying on her shoulder. He was facing possible life in prison for saving his love. Yvonne knew Sam was being strong for Jules but he needed comforting too.

It was bittersweet to her that after so many years of wanting to be there for her son, to soothe his hurts and fears as a child, that she was getting the opportunity to do it when he was fully grown. In her eyes though, no matter how old Sam got he would always be her Sammy. And in her eyes too, Sam was no less a man for needing a mother's comfort.

Yvonne disliked some on the Committee with a passion. Yvonne disliked the career politicians that used their positions to further their own agendas without regard for the individuals. But in this case Yvonne knew that those people would be stopped.

William would not allow them to unjustly imprison their son. She did not know the particulars but she saw the steel glint of determination in her husband's eyes. Yvonne was certain Sammy would not see a day in prison.

As Sam's quiet shudders began to ebb Yvonne gently said "Hush my boy. Hush. Everything will be okay. You will see. Your dad will make sure you are okay. We will not let you see a day in prison."

Sam held to his mother. He needed her comfort and she gave of herself so willingly. In his mother's arm Sam knew it was a safe place to release all his fears.

His voice was quiet "It's not that Mom. I almost lost her. I saw her falling. I did not know if I could catch her. I could not have lived if I could not have saved her. I already killed Matt. I did not know he was there. I should not have fired so quickly. I could not to save Sara either. If we had not gone to the park she might not have died."

"I may not have done the right thing saying those things on the roof. It might not have worked. It should not have worked. I'm still surprised it did. But then she was falling and everything I said was for naught. I thought I was losing her anyways."

Yvonne withdrew a bit so that she could look in Sammy's eyes and she cupped his face gently on his bruised jaw. "Oh sweetie" Yvonne crooned softly. "But you didn't, did you? She is here safe and sound."

Sam sniffed and blinked as tears rolled down again. He thought he was all cried out. Apparently not. "I know but …"

William had come up silently behind his son. The pain and fear was evident in Samuel's words. He placed his hand lightly on Samuel's back.

His words came from the heart "Son, no buts. Jules is safe. You did what you had to do to save her. I am so proud of you. I understand how you feel though. It is very hard to think about someone you love being harmed. It is even harder when you know that your decisions put them in harms way."

Sam turned and saw the look on his dad's face. All the words he said on the rooftop cascaded and tumbled into his head at once. His dad had listened to the recording. His comments about the impaling must have hurt his father deeply.

"Dad, about what I said. About you giving the order to leave me behind …"

William pulled Samuel into a hug. It was harder than he meant when he heard Samuel hiss. But he needed to hold him close.

His voice thick with emotion William confessed "I didn't know. I did not know you were with Hammer's unit. I would not have given that order if I had known it was you. I could not do that. I could never sacrifice you. God I'm so sorry Samuel."

He didn't know? How could he not know? Sam was confused.

William released Samuel and looked him directly in the eyes "Command is full of hard decisions. I had to make the call. I know all the soldiers know the risks. When I have to make a decision like that it is so very hard. Every soldier is important to me. Tom knows that and shields me from the names of the soldiers involved when I have to make a decision like that. But if I had known it was you I would have acted differently."

Sam put his hand on his father's shoulder "You made the right decision Dad. I knew it then and I know it now. I'm glad you did not know it was me. The only thing I regret is that you know it now. I'm sorry I hurt you."

He turned and strode to the window as he ran his hand through his hair. Gazing out Sam asked "Dad, how bad is it? How much trouble am I in?"

Yvonne squeezed William's hand and kissed his cheek "I will leave you two to talk. Call me if you need me. Either of you."

Both nodded and Yvonne headed out the door. She paused at the door and looked back. She was grateful that they had reconciled. She knew without a doubt that father and son would work through any hurt and that they would fight together to keep Sam out of prison.

Yvonne watched as William went to stand at the window next to Sam. It was good to see them like that. Together they would be invincible.

Just before she softly closed the door she heard William say "Dinner should be here shortly. Let's eat before we talk son. And I would like you to do me a favor."


Hotel – Team One Strategy Room

While they were waiting for Mrs. Braddock to join them to head out to dinner Spike was fiddling around on the computer. He was still pissed off at the local police. How could they hire someone like Nealy or Wiley for that matter?

The Boss and Ed had shared some of what transpired with the local police this morning. First thing this morning Apollo had taken charge of all the evidence and had asked him to copy all the video and audio evidence onto two flash drives and then to wipe all copies of it from all the event computers. Apollo had said it would prevent the evidence from leaking. Spike agreed with his assessment and did as asked before going to the hospital.

The evidence was bagged and tagged but lacking a secure location for it Apollo decided to use the local police evidence lock up. Ed and the Boss had gone with Apollo to the evidence lock up to log it in. The three of them got the run-around for over an hour trying to get the local police to hold the evidence. They got sent to several places to gain approval.

Once they got approval, Apollo was none too pleased to find that their normal evidence lock up was in a basement but said basement had been flooded two weeks ago. All records and evidence were now in a temporary location in a double-wide trailer next to the station while the repairs were being made to the basement.

Ed and Apollo were both worried about the level of security of the trailer. They could not afford to let anything Sam said get leaked to the public. That would be a sure prison sentence for Sam if it did. So Apollo left Lortie and Hicks to guard the warehouse until the evidence could be securely transferred to Ottawa with the General.

To Spike it looked like the entire police department needed an overhaul. How could one department be so broken and have that many issues? It left him with the impression they were Keystone Kops rather than a professional police force.

Spike wasn't entirely sure how he ended up researching the local police department but once he started he couldn't stop. He clicked on the page that contained history of the department. As he read incredulous laughter bubbled out.

Greg heard Spike's off laughter and asked "Spike, what are you reading?"

Spike looked up from the laptop to find everyone looking at him. He then heard the weird laughter coming from him.

He stopped and answered "History of the Medicine Hat police department. Man they have some history. Seems Nealy isn't the first officer they hired with a drinking problem or with criminal tendencies."

Ed and Wordy walked over and looked at the screen.

Spike's eyes were wide when he said "See what I mean?"

Wordy smirked "Wow starting all the way back to 1918."

He read out loud a list of Constables that were dismissed from the force and the reasons why "Sergeant A.A Johnston was charged for being drunk on duty and going off duty without permission. Constable Graham was charged for entering a half breed's tent at about 2:00 am and insulting females therein. Constable Lewis was charged after being found sleeping in the American Hotel when on duty. Third offence. Constable Robertson, charged with Improper Conduct in trying to effect entrance to a young lady's room in View Court about 1:00 am and also demanding money from a prostitute."

Spike cut in and read aloud several more disgraceful and dismissed officers "Constable Washford charged with drinking in a bar while in uniform. Constable Greengrove charged with assaulting a civilian. Constable Jeske charged with drinking on duty and general incompetency. Constable Follett charged being under the influence of drinking while on duty at 2:00 am, warned by the Chief and then charged drunk on duty again at 7:00 pm."

Looking at the monitor Ed asked "Spike what is that Great Canadian Cop Shop Robbery?"

Spike replied "Oh that one was interesting. It seems that on October 29, 1960 two cops robbed the police station of $44,000, ten years worth of pay for a cop back then. Seems back then stores would drop off their cash and receipts with the local station for safe keeping on Saturday nights until the banks opened on Monday."

"They staged it to look like the station got robbed. One cop hit the other on the head to knock him out to make it look good. They nearly got away with it. Deceit by the officers, investigative assumptions and poor procedures contributed to that. It was finally resolved thirteen months later when one of the cops involved confessed to the caper."

When Spike was done, Wordy clicked on one of the history links intrigued by the name 'Of Mice and Men'. He read the article then looked at Ed "Wow, the strangest things happen here. God it would be great if lightning struck twice."

Ed asked "What do you mean Wordy?"

Grinning Wordy responded "I wonder if the mice here like flash drives as much as they like marijuana."

Scott and Jeff laughed and asked simultaneously "What?"

Wordy explained "It seems that in 1965 they had a huge marijuana bust here. They put the evidence in lock up all bagged and tagged with the Certificates of Analysis labels. Back then they used a double-wide trailer to store evidence and the drug exhibits."

"When the prosecutor went to claim their drug exhibits for the preliminary hearings they found all their exhibits leaking marijuana. They checked the boxes and found everything had been chewed by mice, the baggies of drugs, the markings on the bags and the Certificates of Analysis had the most important parts eaten right out of them. The case got thrown out."

The room erupted in laughter. Each of them thought that Sam's problems with the Committee might just evaporate if mice chewed up the evidence. Could Sam be that lucky?

Greg felt his phone vibrate and answered it "Hello."

["Hey Boss, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?" Sam asked.]

"Sure what ya need" Greg answered.

[Sam paced in the room "I'm gonna be longer than I thought with my Dad. Can you check on Jules and make sure she gets some dinner? Can you stay with her and let her know that I'll be back as soon as I can?"]

Greg smiled and reassured Sam "Yes I can watch over Jules for you. I'm happy to do that. Don't worry we will take good care of Jules until you are done."

["Thanks Boss" Sam said feeling a sense of relief that Jules would be taken care of. Sam knew that they all loved Jules too.]

"Is there anything else you need Sam?" Greg asked.

[Sam raked his hand through his hair not wanting to ask. His eyes landed on his dad. He saw the concern in them so he relented and asked "Yeah, one more thing. Could you ask Wordy to bring me my pain meds before you go for dinner?"

William looked at Samuel and smiled. He wasn't certain Samuel would follow through on his request. Samuel could be stubborn at times. It was good to see his son trusting his team enough to let them know he was hurting and needed his medication.]

Surprise lit Greg's face as he answered "No problem Sam. It's good to see you taking care of yourself too. Wordy will be up in just a few minutes."

["Thanks" Sam answered then hung up.

William said "Thank you for agreeing to take the pain medication son."

Sam lower himself into a chair carefully and gave his dad a lopsided smile "Thanks for asking and not ordering."

William laughed "I told you I was done ordering you son. If you would like to lie down and rest until dinner comes my bed is yours."

Sam shook his head "I'm good here for now." Then he closed his eyes and tried to relax a bit.]

Greg hung up with a smile and turned to room who was staring at him "I'm gonna miss dinner, Sam asked me to stay with Jules. Also Sam asked for his pain meds. Wordy can you take them to him?"

Wordy popped up "Absolutely." He had seen Sam was in pain earlier and he was glad Sam decided to take them.

Ed loudly stated what everyone in the room was thinking "About damned time he was sensible."

Spike remarked "I have their room key." Then he handed it off to Greg and asked "You want me to order dinner for you and Jules to be delivered?"

Greg nodded "Sounds good. Something light like a salad for Jules. She may not be up to eating much just yet."

Nodding Spike said "I know just what to get her."

Then Greg and Wordy headed out of the door as Mrs. Braddock entered. The group decided to wait to head off to Adela's until Wordy returned.


Hotel – Sam & Jules Room

Wordy and Greg entered the room quietly after Greg had peeked in and whispered back to Wordy that Jules was sleeping. Wordy went right to the table and grabbed Sam's medication. He took a moment to look at Jules sleeping. She looked peaceful. Then Wordy nodded to Greg and slipped out without saying a word.

Greg went to the chair at the table and sat down. He pulled out the book he brought with him and began to read. But his thoughts kept intruding so much he had to put the book down. The call to Commander Holleran was not pleasant.

Holleran had been livid when he was informed of all the Keystone Kop antics of the local force. It was out of the norm, ha no pun intended, for Norm to be so vocal in his displeasure. He used some very choice words when he learned all that transpired.

When Norm calmed down he had asked about Jules and Sam's conditions. He had been relieved that their injuries were not more severe. Holleran had approved medical leave of two weeks for both and more if needed for Sam's shoulder.

The hardest part of the conversation was telling Holleran that Sam may be facing prison. Greg had explained the entire situation without revealing what was said on the roof. The Commander was flabbergasted and dismayed that such a consequence could befall Sam. Holleran told him that if there was anything SRU could do, like letters of support, to sway the outcome in Sam's favor he would do it.

Greg told him that Sam may need an indefinite unpaid administrative leave to deal with the Committee. Holleran did not blink an eye and said it would be granted without question. That Sam's spot on Team One would be assured and waiting for Sam when he was able to return.

The Commander informed Greg that he would take care of calling up a few of the reserve officers. They would be ready to go to cover for Sam and Jules until they returned to the team. Greg had requested that Norm see if Jude or Joel were available to cover for Sam and Kaleb for Jules because they worked well with the team previously. Holleran said he would do so then hung up.

Greg was pulled out of his thoughts by a small whimper. His head shot to the bed. He was up and out of the chair quickly. Jules was moving and whimpering. Then he heard her call out "Sam … Sam … Saaaaammmmmm. No. No."

Jules woke abruptly as she shot up in the bed. She was breathing fast and she felt sweaty. Jules felt the bed sag under the weight of someone and opened her eyes wanting to see Sam. She was confused seeing Sarge and it showed on her face.

Greg reached out and laid a hand on Jules hand and gently asked "Are you okay Jules?"

Where was Sam? Jules' eyes filled with tears. Her head hurt, she felt disoriented and the nightmare was fresh in her mind. Was it real? She wasn't sure if it was a real memory or her worst fear conjured up.

The images had felt so real. Nealy had pushed her down and instantly slashed Sam's offered up throat. Sam had died in her arms and blood, his blood, had covered her hands as she tried in vain to stem the flow of it as it rushed out of his neck with every beat of Sam's heart.

Her eyes scared and uncertain Jules asked "Is he gone?"

Instantly Greg understood. His expression sincere "No Jules, Sam is not gone. He is very much alive. You had a nightmare. Sam is with his father right now and asked me to stay with you until he returns."

The tears flowed. Jules' body shook with both relief and the fear that Sam was really dead.

Greg scooted closer and pulled Jules into a hug. He held Jules close and whispered "It's okay let it out. Let it out."

Jules cried on his shoulder and in his arms for a long time. It was a rare occurrence.

A knock on the door sounded and Greg pulled back and said "Dinner is here. Why don't you go wash your face and then join me at the table. We can talk about your nightmare if you think it will help."

Then he rose and went to the door. Greg opened the door and it was indeed the dinner Spike sent up.

Jules slowly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She washed her face and then looked up into the mirror as the water dripped down her face. Jules noted that her eyes were red-rimmed and the tip of her nose was red from burying her face into Sarge's shoulder.

Crying on the Boss was rare. But the images of her dream had been so lifelike it scared her. What would she have done if Nealy had actually done that? Could she really follow through with the vow she had made to herself to not shut out others? She hoped she could.

She grabbed her towel and dried her face then ran the brush through her wild hair. Then Jules looked at her reflection again. She could see what her father saw. Jules looked like her mother. Perhaps she was more like Mom in that respect than Dad.

If things had been reversed, Jules wondered how her mother would have carried on if her dad had died. Jules was sure of one thing; her mother would not have turned her back on those that loved her. She took a deep breath and smiled at herself in the mirror.

Sam was okay. This was not a bridge she had to cross today. Jules opened the bathroom door and headed out to have dinner with the Boss.

Greg had set everything out. He had grinned when he saw what Spike had ordered for Jules. He was sitting in the chair waiting for Jules. When the door opened he smiled. Jules looked more in control now.

Jules walked to the table and asked "What's for dinner?"

Greg grinned and pointed "Spike ordered for you."

Jules smiled and a soft chuckle let loose. She sat down and picked up the large carton of double, double, chocolate fudge ice cream and the spoon "Perfect."

As Jules ate her ice cream and Greg ate his burger and fries they talked. Jules told him about how her dad thought she was her mom, how his heart had sped up when he finally saw it was her but he thought she was dead. She shared her nightmare of Sam dying at Nealy's hands. She talked to him about her father's broken vow and the vow she had made to herself not to be like him.

By the time the ice cream was gone Jules was feeling more herself. The Boss had helped her work through her tangled emotions. His insights and gentle warmth went a long way in calming her and restoring her equilibrium.

Then the Boss explained that she would have the time off if she wanted it to stay in Medicine Hat to recover and to spend time with her brothers and father. A knock on the door signaled an end to their conversation.

Spike entered the room when the Boss opened the door. He went right to Jules and hugged her. He pulled back and said with a smile "Hope you enjoyed dinner."

Jules grinned at Spike "It was exactly the right thing Spike. Thanks."

He waggled his eyes "I brought popcorn and a funny movie if you are up to it."

"Sure if we keep the volume low. A few laughs would be good right about now" Jules responded.

Spike bopped over to the TV and asked "Boss you wanna watch too?"

Greg answered "What's the movie?"

"It's a classic, Police Academy" Spike said with merriment.

Jules and Greg groaned. Spike had a twisted sense of humor. After all they had gone through with the incompetent police force, Spike chose a movie that was a frighteningly funny look at what happens when standards are thrown out the window and police departments start hiring anyone with a temperature of 98.6 degrees.

Spike went to the microwave and popped the popcorn. He and Jules sat on the bed together and Greg pulled a chair close. The three of them watched the movie and laughed together.

Greg glanced at Spike and Jules near the end of the movie. Jules was resting on Spike's shoulder after taking her pain meds about ten minutes ago. She looked like she was just about to fall asleep.

He thought Spike was one of a kind and so was Jules. They were like his son and daughter. Greg was so proud of Spike tonight. Spike had known what Jules needed. It was a light distraction from all the seriousness.

Greg knew that Jules and Sam had a hard road ahead if Sam went to prison. It was good to know that Spike would be there for Jules. Sam would appreciate it too.

They all knew Sam was holding off telling Jules about the Committee. He agreed with Sam's decision but wouldn't want to be Sam when he finally told Jules. She would be none too pleased about being kept in the dark.

He knew it was the right thing to do, especially after his conversation with Jules tonight. Jules had so much stress right now that Sam was right to not add more. Greg hoped it could be resolved without ever adding stress to Jules.

But he was not naïve enough to believe that would actually happen. So tonight had been a pleasant little reprieve for Jules. Maybe like the eye of a storm.

Spike looked to the Boss and grinned when both of them noticed that Jules had nodded off to sleep on his shoulder. Spike eased out of bed while Greg gently repositioned Jules' head on the pillow. Spike covered her with a blanket then stepped to the TV and withdrew the DVD and put it in the case.

Greg came up to Spike and whispered "You did good tonight."

Spike glanced back at Jules and then at Greg "Thanks but it is the least I could do. Jules and Sam have taken care of me many times. It was my turn to take care of Jules."

"That's what family does" Greg whispered back.

Nodding Spike said "I'll stay until Sam gets back. That way you can go call Dean."

Greg nodded "I think I will. If you need anything just call."

After the Boss left Spike sat down in the chair and watched Jules sleep. He was glad she had laughed some tonight. Tomorrow was a new day and none of them knew yet what would happen with Sam or with Jules and her father.

Whatever happened Spike knew he would be here for both Jules and Sam. They were his family and he would do anything for them.

.


AN: The Medicine Hat Police items are true. You cannot believe how hard I laughed when I read that a real MH officer was drinking in a bar in uniform – I had written that part about Nealy drinking in uniform before I researched the MH police force history and had thought, this could never happen in real life but oh well it is fiction so I can get away with it.

Reality is sometimes weirder than fiction. The mice story had me laughing too. Someone actually wrote a poem to the prosecutor about it - Regina vs. Herrick, or, Ode to Prosecutor. Interested in reading more? Here's the website I got the information from (just remove the spaces and use a period instead of the word dot) medicinehatpolice dot com/posts/post/90