Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Crossing Jordan.

Regret

Chapter 10 – Thanks Nige

Jordan finally dragged herself out of her car at the precinct. She knew she was in trouble once she talked to Seely. She walked slowly not wanting the feeling of freedom to end. Was this the best decision? She had no idea. Maybe I should have talked to Woody, she thought. Then she felt a strong hand grab her arm. She turned to face Nigel.

"Jordan, you can't do this. This is a big mistake. Sydney told me everything and I won't let you take the fall. This isn't your battle."

Jordan glared at him. She wasn't in the mood for Nigel, she felt she needed to do this. She didn't know what else to do but she didn't have the strength to argue either. "Does Woody know you are doing this Jordan? Was it his idea?"

"What are you talking about? Of course he doesn't know, do you think he'd let me. He is in a difficult place and Seely is making things harder for him."

"Jordan, just stand by Woody. I know that you know more, but we can't make you talk. Now I know a little more too. However, I know there is even more than myself or Sydney would ever know. I'm sorry I can't tell you the details from the autopsy and you know I would if I could. I won't force you to tell me anything but I will stop you from making a mistake. You are my friend and I care for you."

Jordan was so frustrated. "Nigel, you have always broken the rules for me, went out on a limb when I needed you to. You've helped me whenever I've needed you even if that meant risking the loss of your job. However, all I need you to do this time is tell me the small details from his autopsy. I don't see what is wrong with that and Slokum and Seely will never know. That's all I want Nigel. I am not telling you anything I know because I need to protect Woody. I won't tell anyone anything I know because Woody trusts me."

"Fine Jordan, but there is no convicting evidence to prove Woody or you had anything to do with the hiding of the evidence. We can't pin this on either of you without a confession. I talked to Sydney, he isn't going to say anything about who looked at the phone records. Everything is going to be fine."

Jordan felt herself breaking down. They couldn't prove Woody hid evidence. She felt the hot tears filling her eyes and her body was becoming limp. She wanted to go home and get in bed. In the morning she'd start her day all over again fresh and free. What was I thinking, I could have been in so much trouble. She thought as she pulled away from Nigel's grasp and walked to her car. "Thanks Nige," she said as she climbed into her car and began driving home.

When she arrived at her apartment, she felt faint. Her head was spinning and she felt weaker then usual. She dragged herself to the elevator and once inside clutched the rail around the wall for support. She was so emotionally distraught, the last 8 hours had left her weak and tired. When the elevator doors opened she could see a figure standing by her doorway. Her eyes were too full of tears for her to make out who it was.

"Jordan, your finally home." His voice filled her ears and Jordan knew who it was immediately.

"Listen Stiles not today. I am too tired to handle this right now."

"Oh come on, I'll be gone in half an hour."

"Why are you here?"

"Well, Slokum has decided you have been overlooked for your psychiatric evaluation for far too long and also I'm a little concerned about how your handling all that is going on in your life right now."

"I'm fine, nothing important is going on in my life right now."

"Is that so. Well then I guess Garret, who I have come to realize is your hero, mentor and the man who you look up to like a father, just disappointed you and is risking losing his job and freedom isn't important. Woody, who I believe you told me was your best friend and the man who saved your ass on numerous occasions, suddenly showed his vulnerability when he was shot and is laying temporarily paralyzed in the hospital. That would certainly allow the safety net, you felt surrounded by with him, to disintegrate. That must also not be important. Also, your father left again after a brief but emotional visit. Is that also not significant? Is there anything else I'm missing Jordan?"

She glared at him. She didn't want to talk to him not tonight. All she wanted to do was sleep. "Well that may be important but all I want to do is go inside open my bottle of rum and fall into a deep alcohol induced sleep. It has been a very physically draining day and tomorrow I have to get up and start all over again. I am not in the mood to be psychologically analyzed. So why don't we do this again some day?"

"If only it were that easy. Do you really think a bottle of rum will fix all the problems in your life Jordan?"

"Actually tonight I believe it will."

Jordan pushed past him and unlocked her door. She went inside and saw her apartment had been trashed. Someone had broken into her apartment. Stiles looked around and then called 911.