It's Over

The surgical waiting room at Mass General Hospital had been packed for the past 45 minutes as members of the Boston PD filed in, waiting for news.

Three of their members were seriously injured in the raid. Two of them, officer Finn Michaels and officer Jeff Miller, had been injured when the man they had apprehended pulled a knife on them. The man broke free of them, taking Micheals' gun and then fired. His bullets were meant for Jack, but due to Sarah's quick thinking, the only mark on him was a deep yet superficial graze to his shoulder.

Jack didn't feel relief at his good fortune. It came at a price. A price too high in his opinion.

"Why'd she do it?" he kept thinking. He knew why. He would have done the same for her had their roles been reversed. But they weren't. Sarah had taken the bullets meant for him. She'd saved him. Now all he could do was sit and wait for news. He prayed it'd be good news. He'd never forgive himself if they lost her.

The time had shifted from late night to early morning. Jack would need to call Elizabeth soon. Oh, how he longed to hear her voice. To feel her warm embrace. He needed her now like he needed air. He just hadn't wanted to wake her. Not when he was safe.

He stepped out into the hallway, but stood where he could still see if a doctor or nurse stepped in with any updates.

He called, but there was no answer. Maybe she was still asleep. He was about to go sit back in the waiting room when his phone rang.

"Elizabeth?"

"Jack! Oh, thank goodness. I love you! Are you coming home?" Her voice was tired yet quick.

"No, not yet. I'm safe though. We arrested everyone last night."

"Jack, that's wonderful! But… something's wrong, I can tell. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm… it's Sarah. She's in surgery right now."

"What happened? Does Vince know?"

"I called him already. She was shot twice."

"But she'll be okay, right? She'll pull through!"

"That's my prayer."

They talked a little longer. Jack intentionally left out the part about Sarah saving his life. His guilt over that reality wouldn't allow him to speak of it just yet. If he had, he'd most likely breakdown right there in the hallway.

Elizabeth told him she'd come to him, but he insisted she take the kids home later that morning and he'd be home when he could.

"Shane and Faith can watch them."

"It's okay, love. Just… relax on the couch and watch a movie or something normal. I'll be home as soon as I can."

The sound of sprinting footsteps echoing from down the hall caused Jack to look up.

"Babe, I have to go. Vince is here."

"Hey!" Vince called out as he got closer. "Where is she? She okay?"

"She's still in surgery. What did you do? Hop in your truck as soon as we hung up the phone?"

"No. I was in the truck as soon as you said she was shot. I didn't wait to hang up."

Jack embraced his soon-to-be step-brother. He looked terrible.

"Come on, let's sit."

"No. I drank two red bulls on the way here. Not sure I can sit still."

"That stuff is gross, man. Why would you do that?"

"Jack, I was up till 3 AM this morning fixing Charlotte's water pipe and birthing a horse."

"Ouch, okay. My bad. Wait, what happened to my mom's water?"

"Not important. It's fixed."

They sat down in the waiting room.

"Are all these people waiting here police?"

"A good number of them, yeah. Two others were injured too."

Vince let out a weak sigh. "I was worried something like this would happen. She didn't even tell me she'd be in danger. I thought she did most of her work in the surveillance van."

"That is where she spent a lot of the case, you're right."

"So what happened?"

Jack absentmindedly touched his wound. His mind was absent of words that he felt would explain this. After discerning the raid using tactical terms, he noticed Vince just staring at him.

"It's my fault."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jack. Did you shoot her? No."

"The bullets she took were meant for me. She saw it coming and acting to save me."

"Then she's a hero." Vince nodded slowly, "Yup. Sounds like her."

"She is. No disputing that. I should have protected her better though."

"Don't talk as if you don't know who Sarah Lewis is, Jack. She knows the risks that come with her job. Tonight she did her job. Aside from that, if it was you in there, would you want her to be sitting out here beating herself up over your sacrifice?"

Jack couldn't do anything but blink at the man.

"Well, when you put it that way…"

For the next half hour they sat in silence, not so patiently waiting for an update. Vince stood up and began pacing for a bit. It seemed most eyes in the waiting room were on him.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm being watched in here?" Vince said, sitting back down.

"Maybe because you are." Jack let his lips smile slightly. "These guys work with Sarah. They're probably curious to meet the guy she's dating."

"Not to sound ridiculous or anything, I know she and I have only known each other a little while, but I'm in love with that woman. Pretty sure my heart would feel like it was ripped out of my chest and destroyed if she… if this ends badly."

"She's strong. More importantly she's stubborn. I bet you anything she will be just fine."

"Did you call her family?"

"Yeah. Her dad's on his way. His flight should get in in a couple of hours."

"Okay, good. Think he'll mind that I'm here?"

"I doubt it. He knows about you two, doesn't he?"

"Yeah. Just not sure how he feels about it, that's all. I'm not leaving though. I need to be here."

"It's okay, man. She needs you here."

A nurse fully dressed in OR scrubs entered the hallway through the big double doors outside the waiting room. As she came closer, everyone in the waiting room stood.

She smiled politely. That was a good sign.

"I have updates on all three officers. Is the family of Officer Michaels here?"

A young woman moved forward. "I'm his wife, Marie."

Marie, who was average height, looked so tiny standing between two of her husband's fellow officers. Each was there to give any support she needed. This was one of Jack's favorite aspects of being on the force. You were a family with those you served with. Always having the backs of each other and your loved ones.

"How is he?" one of the officers standing there asked.

"He's out of surgery and stable. The surgeon was able to repair the damage to the kidney and stomach."

There was a loud collective sigh followed by applause.

"Can I see him?" Marie asked, tears streaming down her face.

"As soon as he's settled in a room, yes. Someone will come down to get you."

The officers helped the now relieved wife to her seat. Her emotions flooded her now that she knew her husband was okay.

Officer Miller was next. He was single, but his parents were there. Just like with Marie, two fellow officers stood at their sides as they received their update.

"Miller was shot once on his side. There was substantial bleeding from the wound but the surgeon is making great progress. He's still not out of the woods yet, but we're hopeful."

"Will you keep us updated?" the officer holding Miller's mom's hand asked.

"Of course. Hang in there."

Now it was Sarah's turn. Jack and Vince stood and came forward. So did three other officers. One put a hand on Vince's back and whispered, "We've got you."

Another, more senior officer patted Jack's back like a father would, but said nothing.

"I'm looking for Jack Thornton and Vince Johnson," the nurse began. "Officer Lewis' family has asked us to keep you both informed."

"I'm Vince and this is Jack," Vince stepped closer. "How is she?"

"She's still in surgery. Her wounds are critical but the surgeon is the best trauma surgeon we have and is very optimistic at this point."

"Any idea how much longer the surgery will take?" the officer next to Vince asked.

"It's hard to say, but roughly a couple more hours."

"Thank you," they all said.

As the nurse left, Vince followed.

"Excuse me, are you going to be going into her OR?"

"I'm heading there now, yes."

"Could you… could you tell her I'm here? Tell her I love her?"

The nurse gave him a teary smile. "I will do that right away."

Jack clapped his arm on Vince's shoulder and guided him back to their seats. Both men were more relaxed than they had been before the nurse came in.

"Should we get something to eat now?" Jack said. "Something to help absorb all that Red Bull you drank?"

"Maybe. What if the nurse comes back?"

"She won't come back for at least 30 minutes, we have time."

One of the officers came over. "If she does come back for you we can call Jack. There's a cafe on the floor. It's all good."

"Do you work with Sarah?" Vince asked.

"Yeah. I'm Aiden Cox."

"I've heard of you. She likes working with you."

"Good to hear," Aiden laughed. "She's tough. I know she'll kick this, man."

The men jumped at the sound of running feet coming down the hall, their stomachs suddenly turned with worry.

Aiden grabbed Vince to steady him as Jack hurried to the doorway.

"Oh, my God," Jack shook his head and laughed. "Elizabeth! What are you doing here? I said not to come."

"You didn't actually think I was going to listen, did you?" Elizabeth, now in the doorway out of breath hugged her husband. Then reached out a hand to Vince who took it.

"Good to see you, Lizzy," Vince grinned.

"How is she?"

"Tell you what, you and Jack go down to the cafe and bring me and Aiden here something to eat. He'll catch you up on the way."

With a nod, Jack took Elizabeth's hand and they went back down the hall.

A young officer in the back of the room said, "Wait, that was Detective Thornton's wife? She's hot!"

Aiden stood tall and with authority over the man. "If you value your life, you'll keep that to yourself, kid."

….

Jack and Elizabeth held tight to each other as they headed to the cafe. As empty as Jack's stomach was, he wanted nothing else in that moment but to hold his wife in his arms and kiss her senseless.

That's when he remembered a room he'd past earlier.

"Come with me," he said, giving her arm a tug.

"The sign said the cafe was this way."

"I know. I have an idea."

They took a couple turns in the maze of hallways then Jack found what he was looking for.

Jack pulled Elizabeth into a small room that looked like a tiny living room, closing the door, locking it.

"What are you…."

Before she could finish that sentence Jack's lips covered hers in a searing kiss. Her hands moved up his back as she pulled him close against her chest. Taking him in.

"You're not mad that I came?"

"Just kiss me."

Their kiss deepened and grew in intensity. Jack couldn't get close enough to her. There was no need to come up for air, all he needed in that moment was her.

Elizabeth's arms were wrapped around his neck, holding him close. In between she asked him questions.

"Sarah?"

"Surgery's… looking hopeful."

"And you?"

He spun around, taking Elizabeth with him. Taking a seat on the couch Jack pulled her into his lap, continuing his affections.

"Jack?" She asked him again.

"I'm okay."

"So this?" She squeezed his shoulder where the bandage was.

"Ow! Okay."

She rose from his lap. "Truth, husband."

"It could have been worse." His eyes turned dark and sad.

"Jack, what happened?"

"I suppose if I said I don't want to talk about it..."

"I wouldn't let you get away with it."

"Can't we just get back to what we were doing?" He pulled her back down onto the couch.

"After you tell me, Jack. I'm your wife. I'm carrying your child. Don't you think I deserve to know?"

She wasn't angry. She was gently pleading with him for the truth. It wasn't too much to ask. He just wanted to protect her.

"You're right. Let's go to the cafe and I'll tell you. It's not a fun story, though."

"Remember me, Jack? I'm Elizabeth Thornton. I can handle it."

"Yes, you can," he smiled.

….

Sarah's father arrived at the Logan International airport and was given a police escort for him to arrive at the hospital.

Gary Lewis was a tall, strong looking man in his 50s. Though right now he felt anything but those things. His baby girl had been shot. This was something he and his wife, Gail, had dreaded from the moment Sarah stood before them with her braided hair and converse shoes and said, "I'm going to be a "police girl."

After getting the information needed from the front desk, he hurried to the Emergency OR waiting room. He was anxious to see a familiar face. It'd been a few years since he'd seen Jack, but he imagined he'd look close to the same. He'd seen only pictures of his daughter's boyfriend, so whether he'd recognize the man in real life was unknown.

"Mr. Lewis," Jack said standing as he walked into the crowded room.

"Jack, have you seen her yet? Is she alright?"

"I haven't yet, no."

"Mr. Lewis, I'm Jack's wife Elizabeth. Let me get a nurse and see if we can get you an update."

Elizabeth hurried off as Vince stood beside Jack.

"Sir, this is my soon to be step-brother, Vince."

"Vince, yes. You're my little girl's boyfriend, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir. It's nice to meet you, though…"

"Yes, these circumstances aren't ideal. I'm glad you're here and I'm glad to meet you. You mean so much to her."

"She means everything to me, sir."

Elizabeth came back a few minutes later with a nurse in tow.

"Lewis family?"

The three men stood.

"She's out of surgery and doing very well under the circumstances. We're moving her to a room and she will most likely be staying here for a couple nights before she can be released."

"Can we see her?" Gary asked.

"Yes, of course, but maybe just two of you at time?"

"You two go," Jack said to Mr. Lewis and Vince. "Just tell her we're praying."

"We will!" Gary said. "Can you stay though? She'll want to see you, I'm sure."

"Of course."

….

Sarah just knew if she opened her eyes, the darkness would disappear. She wasn't sure she was ready for the light though. Everything hurt, including some muscles she had no idea she had.

Warm surrounded her hand. She felt a squeeze, and like a reflex, she squeezed back.

"Hey beautiful, I'm here."

"Vince…"

"I'm here. Your dad's here too."

"Daddy?"

"Hi, pumpkin."

"Vince?" She opened her eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I love you, Vince," she whispered.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" her dad teased.

"I love you too, Dad." Sarah looked around the room. "Is Jack..."

"He's okay." Vince kissed her hand. "You did it. He's alright."

"Good. I think… I need to sleep now."

Vince bent down and kissed her lips every so softly. "Sleep, love. We'll be here."

Once she was out, all the stress of the past few hours overtook Vince. He broke down crying right in front of her father.

"She's okay," Gary whispered. "She's going to be okay."

"I know. I can't imagine losing her. I just can't."

"I know the feeling." Gary smiled at the man across from him. "You truly love my daughter, don't you?"

"What gave me away?" They laughed together.

Sarah slept for a couple hours. When she awoke, she was ready to see Jack.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, holding her hand.

"Don't even. I have no regrets. Elizabeth, Mya, Asher and baby-no-name-yet need you."

"We need you too." Jack said.

"Still, no regrets."

Jack smirked at his friend, "I guess I owe you one now, huh?"

"Meh. Just be the husband and father you've dreamed about being." She turned her head slightly to wink at Elizabeth. "Sound good?"

"I can get behind that!" Elizabeth smiled and kissed the top of Jack's head.

"Deal. You rest now, okay?"

"Trust me, with Vince and my dad around I will have no choice in the matter."

"Good!"

Jack and Elizabeth said their goodbyes to everyone before making their way to the parking garage.

"Where's your car?" Elizabeth asked.

"My actual car is back in Hope Valley. My undercover car was left at the scene. The department will take care of it."

"So where to now?"

Jack grabbed Elizabeth's waist and pulled her in for a kiss. "Let's go home. Think Shane and Faith can watch the kids a little longer? Maybe we can have some alone time at the house before we pick them up?"

"And what would we do with alone time?" she flirted.

"Well," Jack grinned mischievously. "I can think of a few things."