Chapter 34-What To Do Now March 27, 2003

The department had told Ty to take off as much time as he needed. It was a horrible thing to have to see your partner killed. Ty was trying to get himself together enough to go back to work, but he didn't want to. He knew that everything he saw would remind him of Sully and the fact that he would never be there again.

"Hey babe. Breakfast is served," Alex announced as Ty walked into the kitchen.

"Smells good."

"Sleep good?"

"Yeah, I've been getting better."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Ty sat down and began eating his breakfast.

"You have any idea when you will want to go back to work?"

"I've actually been doing a lot of thinking about that."

"Really? Like what?"

"About us and our future."

"What do you mean?"

"Well we agreed that eventually we wanted to have kids and I have been thinking about that."

"You want to have a baby?"

"Not necessarily right now, but say if I were to take the sergeants test, it would be a better situation to raise a child in."

"Ty you don't have to take the test in order for us to have a family."

"I know, but it seems logical. It'll be better for the family and I won't have to be on patrol with someone other than Sully."

"Is that really what all this is about?"

"Partly, but I really like the idea. I don't want to ride with anyone but Sully and now that isn't possible. I want to be around for our children when they are growing up."

"I'll support you with whatever you decide to do. I think taking the test is a great idea. I know you have always wanted to take that step anyway."

"Yeah, but I was planning on that with Sully's retirement."

"Do you know when the next test is?"

"It's in May. I have to start studying now if I want to take it and have a chance."

"I think it's a great idea."

"I'm going to ask for desk duty until I take the test."

"Do they have a sergeants position for you?"

"The second watch sergeant is looking to transfer to another precinct and I talked to the captain and he said as long as I pass the test he saw no reason why the position shouldn't be mine."

"That's great Ty, I'm so glad you are thinking about work again."

"Talking to Kim has really helped me. She helped me realize that I may have lost an important part of my life, but I still have so much more to live for and continue on for. I have you, my job and our future."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I have three days off next week, why don't we take a trip to the shore?"

"Does Heather have those days off too?"

"I think so, why?"

"We could ask her and Jason to go, they could show us around a bit. I think it would be fun."

"I'll talk to her today at work."

~*~*~ Alex arrived at the firehouse with five minutes to spare before the shift started. She hated being late, she would stay in the rush mode for a while. She ran up the stairs to get dressed.

"Davis!" Doc yelled as Alex ran through the lounge area.

"Yeah Doc?"

"Hurry up and get dressed, we need to have a quick meeting before the shift."

"Ok, I'll be down in two minutes."

Alex ran upstairs and true to her word, was back in the lounge in two minutes.

"Ok, I have a few announcements to make today," Doc began. "As we all know the lieutenants tests were taken recently. I have the results right here. The top 12 scorers are offered positions down town. Like last year, I have been offered a position."

Everyone stopped Doc's sentence for a round of applause.

"Thank you, but unlike last year, I will be accepting the position." The expressions on everyone's face just dropped.

"Why this year Doc?" Carlos asked.

"Well I have been evaluating our situation here. I'm not getting any younger and the down town positions offer a bit more money. Also, we have the help here to replace me. With my leaving, Kim will move to senior and there will be an open spot for Heather on this shift."

"Are you leaving because of me Doc?" Heather asked.

"No, I had been thinking about taking the position this year before you were even hired. It just makes more sense to do it now."

"So you hired her with the intention of taking the position?" Alex asked.

"You could say that, I knew if I did take it I wouldn't be leaving you guys in a hole."

"When do you start?" Carlos inquired.

"Not for another couple of weeks, I have to train Kim for all the proper procedure for being senior."

Kim was sitting on the couch with Alex, she hadn't said a word. Alex was a bit confused, she should be happy; she's getting a promotion.

"Ok, thank you for listening. Be careful out there," Doc said turning away from his medics.

"What's with you?" Alex asked Kim after Doc walked away.

"It should be Bobby who is senior, not me," Kim replied.

"Oh Kim, I thought you had gotten past those thoughts."

"Talking with Ty has brought back some memories of how things were. It has made me think of what it would be like today."

"Well I think you should accept the senior position in honor of Bobby. He would be proud of you for staying with this and making it that far."

"He would, wouldn't he."

"He always wanted to see you succeed."

"Thanks Alex, I'm going to talk to Doc."

"Ok, I'll see you later."