Chapter 2: Rewind- Three days before Christmas

Everyone's just so out of control. I thought as I watched the ambulance take Monroe to the hospital. We've been chasing this drug dealer who shot a little girl for the past few hours and finally caught up with him, but nobody came to back us up. Monroe got pretty roughed up. I've never seen her look so scared and defeated, and she was shaken and in tears. What Davis, Sully and they others did was just wrong. I mean, I try to stay away from my Dad's business with IAB, but I get where they come from. All they wanna do is keep the crooked cops that give us all a bad reputation off the streets. I can see that Davis's mad since Monroe's been lying to him, but to abandon her like that is just so…

"Brendan, what's that on your head? Is that blood?"

I turned around and Grace is right behind me, concerned written all over her face. I touched the back of my neck, it's wet.

"Oh that, it's nothing, some jackass hit me from the back with a bat. I passed out for a while but I'm fine now, really."

"Do you feel dizzy right now? That's a nasty bump. You'll have to come to the hospital with me to get that checked. You could have a concussion." She took out a light and started to examine my pupils. I really love it when she gets so serious and professional, but she worries way too much. I brush her hands away gently: "Grace, I'm fine. Just give me a bandage or something. Better yet, we're both off from work soon, can I come over to your place later and you can patch me up then?"

Grace smiled, "alright macho guy, I'm giving you a last warning. There will be no later if you don't come with me to the hospital right now. Unless you're just being a big baby, it that case I promise there will be no needle poking involved."

"Hey, be nice if you want me to be your patient." I retorted, "I'll go with you. Let me just tell Davis that I'll finish my report on the arrest tomorrow."

I walked over to Davis and Sully's squad car, and they stopped talking abruptly when they saw me. "Hey man, Grace says I should get my head checked out. I'll finish my report later if that's okay with you."

Sully snorted, "I should have known, a little bruise here and there and junior is already crying for help."

I've been told many times before, mostly by my Dad and the training officers at the academy, but apparently my temper really gets the better of me. I flared up, "maybe I just have a little nick, but what about Monroe? Huh? She could have died in that hole and all she wanted to do is to prove that she's a damn good cop and catch the bastard who shot that little girl. What about you, Davis? You couldn't find us in time? You know that's bullshit. I understand if nobody else came, but Sasha's your girl and you were just going to leave her hanging? "

Sully took a step forward, but Davis held him back. "Well, she's not a real cop and she's not my girl. I don't care what you think but we were delayed. I suggest you go right now, and I don't know, stick with you new partner because nobody wants you here right now. We got the report covered."

I took a step back. Davis' tone is so cold and matter of fact, yet he sounded more threatening than 10 raving Sullies. "Hey, chill man, you've been so off lately, even before you found out about Monroe. What the hell happened to you?"

Davis looked at me dead in my eyes: "your old man, that's what happened". He and Sully turned away and walked over to the other squad cars.

I stood there, stunned. Grace called out to me and I jumped into the ambulance.

Back at the hospital I got the whole check up. I had an egg sized bump, but otherwise I was fine. While Grace was getting ready to leave I went to check in on Monroe. She seems more peaceful now, lying under the white sheets. I was about to let her sleep when she called out.

"Finney, wait."

"Hey Monroe, take it easy". I sat down next to her bed: "how are you doing?"

"You're probably the only one who cares right now". She smiled weakly. "Hey Finney, thanks for sticking up for me, I really appreciate it."

"No problem," but I had to ask. "Sasha, I admire you courage, but are you sure you still wanna come back? I mean, even Davis is acing really weird right now. Maybe they'll turn around eventually, but I'm sure my father can get you some time off and assign you to another precinct. You can start fresh."

Sasha looked away. "Your father? He's the one who told Davis about me and got me into this whole mess."

"What? Why would he blow your cover on purpose?"

Monroe hesitated, "I'm sorry Finney, I shouldn't have said that."

"Common, I need to know. Sully's had a beef with my father since forever, and all of a sudden Davis hates his guts, and now you, too. Tell me what is going on."

She turned and looked at me sadly: "you're a nice guy, Finney. Your father is a tough old man, but you're nothing like him. But I can't tell you about my IAB assignments, and my relationship with Ty is private. If you really have to know, ask your father or Ty yourself. And don't worry about me, I'm not coming back to the squad, I've had enough. I never thought I needed to defend myself so much for believing in what is right. I won't apologize for doing my job, but I'm fed up working for your father as well. I hated it every minute when I had to lie to my friends. If you really want to help me, tell him that I resigned."

I wanted to say something, but a gut feeling stopped me. Monroe looked so tired and defeated, her eyes filling with tears. She used to be so strong, but the events of the day has changed her so much that it was like a light has went out of her. I decided to give her the much needed space and rest. Grace was right outside of the ER door when I came out. Just the sight of her made me smile and forget this hellish day for a little while.