Please Don't Fight

Jake and Amy returned home at 9 p.m. This was late, considering they had three kids and one parent, usually Jake, would pick the lids up from school and preschool. They were only late when they had to work, attend a social function, or in case of an emergency. As they entered the living room, they were greeted by Karen, whom Jake had asked to pick up the kids today.

'Oh, you guys are back!' Karen said as she got up. 'So, is it all okay? No more problems?' she asked.

'Mom, there was no problem to begin with. It was really just a misunderstanding,' Jake said.

'Yeah, right!' scoffed Amy as she rolled her eyes.

Karen knew there was something wrong at work and that the two were upset with one another. But she knew it would be better than to ask them about it. 'Well, the kids are asleep and there's lasagna in the fridge for you two,' she said as she got her things ready.

Jake and Amy thanked her for coming and went to have their dinner. They ate in silence, neither really wanting to talk. After dinner, they went to check up on their children before deciding to call it a night themselves. Right after they both changed Amy spoke, 'If you think we're gonna go to bed without talking about it, you're terribly mistaken, Jake.'

Jake sighed as he turned to her. 'There's nothing to talk about,' he said.

'Oh, my God, Jake! Can you not be so stubborn for once?' They both glared at each other.

Flashback:

Holt was in his commissioner's office. Sitting across him were the Captain of the Seven-Eight, Amy Santiago, one of the detectives of the Seven-Eight Martin Wiley, one of the detectives from the Nine-Nine, Jake Peralta, and the Captain of the Nine-Nine, Terry Jeffords. Holt sighed as he looked at the four people.

'I will get right to it,' Holt began, 'Captain Santiago, were you aware that Detective Wiley of your precinct sent in this report to this office yesterday?'

'I am,' Amy replied.

'Captain Jeffords?' Holt asked as he turned to Terry.

'Yes, sir,' Terry affirmed.

'Sir, if I may, this is all just a big misunderstanding,' Jake said.

'Detective Peralta, I did not give you the permission to speak. Detective Wiley, I did read your letter but I would like to hear about these allegations from yourself.'

'Certainly, commissioner,' the detective began, 'As you know, the Nine-Nine and the Seven-Eight have been on the case of the Murphy Family, with the Seven-Eight being in charge. However, Detective Peralta insists on working against the primary's orders.'

'Detective Peralta, would you like to clarify on this matter?'

'Absolutely, this is just a big misunderstanding. Both precincts have been equally involved and have been following one another's orders,' Jake said.

'Not true,' Wiley said.

'It is!' Jake retorted.

'Detectives, please behave yourselves!' Holt ordered. He turned to Wiley again. 'Detective,' he began, 'you have also mentioned that Detective Peralta is using his relation with your captain to his advantage.'

'What?' Amy half-shouted. 'Sorry, sir,' she said after composing herself, 'but I had no idea about this.'

'You will get your time to talk, captain. Right now, I want to listen to Detective Wiley.'

'Thank you, sir,' Wiley said, 'You see, Detective Peralta here often bullies us around often, mentioning that he will get away with it due to Captain Santiago being his wife. Now, when I say "bullies", I mean refusing to cooperate, working on cases assigned solely to the Seven-Eight, etc.'

'Why did you not talk to your captain about this?'

'I was afraid she would take Detective Peralta's side.' When Holt looked at Jake, the detective was ridden with guilt. Amy was burning inside seeing to all of this.

Holt sighed before speaking, 'Detectives, could you please show yourselves out. I wish to talk to your captains.' The detectives did so and Holt got up to lock the door and shut the blinds. He then went back to his seat. 'I am so disappointed,' he said.

'We're sorry, sir,' Terry said first, 'We'll make sure it doesn't happen again.'

'Agreed,' said Amy, 'Sir, I had no idea about what Jake was doing.'

'Santiago, I truly believe you. However, this is the Murphy family we are talking about. We know how serious and dangerous this case is. Any ounce of unprofessionalism will result in terrible consequences. I hope I do not have to talk about when the three of us were in the Nine-Nine.'

'No, sir. We understand.'

Holt then turned to Terry. 'Jeffords,' he began, 'I would like to wish someone else on the case instead of Peralta. I hope Diaz or Boyle are available.'

'I will look into it, sir,' Terry answered.

'What? No!' Amy exclaimed. She was mad at her husband but she also knew how much he wanted to work on this case. 'What if I put someone else on the case?' she suggested.

'Santiago, that would not work as Jake as made a bad impression on many of your officers,' Holt explained.

'But, sir, I – '

'Santiago, please stop this negotiation. I am being rather kind. Normally, I would have assigned this case to a completely different precinct. In fact, if the Seven-Eight and the Nine-Nine ever have to work together again, please do not assign Peralta on the case unless absolutely necessary, Jeffords.'

'I understand, sir,' Terry replied.

'Well, I am glad we got this sorted out. I wish you both the best of luck on the case. Thank you.'

As Terry and Amy left the office, she turned to him. 'Hey, I'm so sorry about Jake,' she apologized.

'Hey, that's alright. I was afraid one of you would get suspended,' Terry replied.

'What?' Amy asked, unclear about what he had said.

'Well, there have been officers suspended for life due to nepotism in the force. That's what Jake hinted at. It could've been the end of his career if not yours,' Terry explained.

As he walked on, Amy stood frozen, fully understanding the tension in the room now.

Present Time:

'It was just a misunderstanding!' Jake shouted.

'Okay, did you or did you not use our relationship to get your way in this case?' Amy asked.

'Fine! I did!'

'How many times?'

'Once.' Amy gave him a look that told him she wasn't buying it. He sighed, knowing he had to come clean. 'It was seven times,' he said slowly.

'Oh, my God! Seven times? Are you insane?'

'Look, it's not that big a deal!'

'"Not that big a deal", huh? Jake, you could have had to bid goodbye to being a cop! Nepotism is very much frowned upon.'

'Look, Holt's the commissioner. It's not like he'd fire any of us. He knows us.'

'Oh, and also, how dare you embarrass me like that in front of Holt! Besides, that's no reason to exploit our relationship. I mean, are you seriously gonna use our relationship to get your way around on the force? Is this all it means to you?'

'Ugh, you're overreacting again…'

'Oh, am I?'

Before Jake could speak again, they heard someone crying. They knew it was one of their kids but what made it weird was that it sounded like they were right outside their room. They shared a worried look as they slowly walked to the door. As they approached the door, they heard their eldest child.

'Liz, don't cry! Daddy and Mommy will hear us!' Mac warned in a loud voice.

Once they fully opened the door, Jake and Amy saw Mac and Harry trying to shush their sister.

'Liz? What's wrong?' Amy asked as she kneeled down to hug her.

'And why are you all out?' Jake asked their sons.

Mac and Harry looked guilty. 'We heard you and Mommy fighting,' Mac said slowly.

'And we couldn't sleep,' continued Harry.

'Mommy and Daddy, please don't fight! You scared us!' Liz wailed in her mother's arms.

Jake and Amy looked at each other. They both realized that their fight had gone on too long. But whatever was the matter, they never wanted their children to feel insecure about the family. Jake went to put the Mac and Harry to bed while Amy went to Liz's room. It took them some time to comfort their children but they did it. They were great parents after all.

As Jake walked into their bedroom, he saw Amy doing her crosswords like she always did. She seemed so happy, so peaceful. He knew he had been wrong today, especially when he was unnecessarily lengthening their fight. Why did he have to be such a douchebag? Amy was definitely mad at him. He knew he had to give her some space. So, he grabbed his pillow and headed for the couch in their living room.

'Hey, where are you going?' Amy asked as he was just about to leave.

Jake sighed. 'I'm gonna crash on the couch tonight,' Jake replied.

'No, you're not.'

'Why?'

'First of all, I don't want our kids to go into the living room tomorrow morning and ask me why their dad is sleeping on the couch. Second of all, I find it difficult sleeping a bed without you.'

'Ames, that's sweet, but I've been an ass today. You did everything you could to keep me on the case and I didn't even thank you. I mean, I should've followed Terry and your orders throughout the case, even that idiot Wiley's. And now, I scared the crap out of my kids. I've been a terrible detective, a crappy husband, and a lousy dad today. I'm so sorry.'

Amy smiled softly as she got out of bed and walked over to her husband. 'Jake,' she said as she took his hand in hers, 'I'm sorry too. I just got really scared after Terry told me that you could've had to leave the force. And I shouldn't have overreacted like that. Also, you didn't scare your kids, we scared our kids. I deserve to sleep on the couch as must as you do.' They hugged each other.

'I'm so sorry about using our relation to my comfort multiple times. I promise I'll never exploit you or our family for my ease. I'm also sorry for embarrassing you in front of Holt and Terry. And I'm sorry for not listening to Wiley on the case.'

'I'm sorry too for everything I said.' They parted but they were both smiling softly at each other. 'But don't be sorry about not listening to Wiley. That guy's an idiot for questioning your instincts. Plus, he sent a letter to the commissioner without informing me about all the details. He's in trouble.'

Jake laughed softly, thinking what a cool wife he had. 'I love you,' he said.

'I love you too.' They shared a soft kiss. 'So, you wanna cuddle as we sleep?' she asked.

'More than anything,' replied Jake.

And when they woke up the next morning, they had pretty much forgotten about their fight.

I hope you all enjoyed the story.

I appreciate the reviews that have been coming in. For some reason though, I've not been able to reply to them even though I have been able to read them through my email. Thank you for all the support!

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