A/N: HERE IS THE LAST PART TO THIS STORYLINE. SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN UPDATES, BUT WITH THE HOLIDAYS UPON US, LIFE IS JUST A LITTLE MORE HECTIC. I MAY BE ABLE TO GET ONE MORE CHAPTER UP BEFORE CHRISTMAS, IF NOT; HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. I MAY NOT OWN THEM, BUT THEY ARE ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST. ENJOY!
CHAPTER 19: HOSTAGES PART 5: COMPROMISE
When Woody and Santana returned to the station, it was buzzing with activity. The gunman was taken into custody and booked on kidnapping charges, he was spared heavier charges because he had no knowledge of what his cousin Rick was doing. As for Rick, he was the body that was found in the back room of the abandoned schoolhouse, it seems he had bleed to death from his bullet wound before he could escape. Woody quickly gave his statement, completed his reports, and left. He sat in his car for a long time, too exhausted and pained to move, too upset to drive, trying to figure out what to do next. He found himself at Max's front door. He knew exactly why he ended up there, he needed to talk to someone; someone who understood a cops life, someone who understood Jordan and someone who loved them both, Max was that person.
Woody sat there for a few moments, gathering the courage to knock, he finally did, hearing Bailey barking wildly in the back, he saw the porch light flicker on. Max answered the door with a smile, "Woody what a nice surprise, is Jor……What the hell happened to you?", he asked ushering his son-in-law into the house. In the bright light of the living room, Max got a better look at the cut on Woody's temple, the black eye and reddish-purple bruise forming on his left cheek. Bailey jumped excitedly onto Woody's lap, "Hey girl. That's just what I needed.", he smiled as she licked the uninjured side of his face. He then looked up at Max, "Well Dad, let's just say I had a really bad day.", Woody sighed, moving into the dining room.
The two sat at the table as Woody gave Max a detailed description of his day. Max had just returned home when Woody knocked on the door, so he didn't have time to check the answering machine or put on the news. "I'm sorry, I had no idea what was going on.", Max apologized, handing Woody a cup of coffee to warm him up and an icepack for his face, grateful his son-in-law was relatively unharmed. Woody thanked him and continued with his story, as he came to the part about Jordan, Max interrupted, " You two had a fight, didn't you?", he asked raising an eyebrow. Woody nodded, "My wife wants me stuck at my desk.", he stated forcefully, wincing at the pain it caused his cheek. "And that's a bad thing?", Max asked. "She doesn't think I do my job anymore. I know my job is dangerous….but... You did it, you were a good cop and a good father.", Woody argued. "Woody that was a completely different situation.", Max replied. "Yeah I know.", Woody said sadly, looking down at his legs. "I think it's more that that. I think is has to do with the fact that you were both raised by one parent, she doesn't want that for your child. It's not just about the two of you anymore.", Max explained, patting Woody on the back.
Woody spent a hour or so at Max's then decided to head home, it was after seven when he finally arrived. He was surprisedwhen the door swung open just as he was putting his key into the lock. "Where have you been, we were worried sick.", Dolly exclaimed in a stern whisper. Woody looked up at her like one of her kindergarteners who had just been scolded. "We need to talk.", she stated from behind him, pushing him into the kitchen. As they passed the couch, Woody noticed Jordan sleeping soundly. "She cried herself to sleep.", Dolly pointed out, trying her best to stay a little angry at her cousin. "Dolly I'm sorry……..", Woody started but was interrupted by her finger as she dialed a number into the phone. "Yeah Cal it's me, he's home. No he's fine. Really Calvin he's alright. Yeah that'll be great. Okay. Bye.", Dolly finished and turned to Woody, her finger now pointed at him. "Don't you ever do something like that again.", she scolded, her voice trembling, her eyes filling with tears.
As soon as she sat down at the table, Woody took both her hand into his. "I'm alright Dolly, nothing happened to me.", he smiled at her. She nodded to his face and gave him a frown. "Yeah well maybe not nothing.", he said with a smirk. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Dolly ran to answer it not wanting to wake Jordan. When she returned, Nigel was right behind her, "Nigel and Cal have been looking for you for hours. Where did you go?", she asked, quickly loosing hold on her firmness. "I needed to talk. I went to Max's.", he admitted, yawning in the process. "You look tired, we should go.", Dolly said, putting her hand on his cheek. "If you need anything, just call. You two need to work things out. ", she added, nodding over to the living room. Dolly leaned over and put her forehead against her cousins, "I was so scared, Woody. I love you.", she said letting a few built up tears escape. "I love you too, Dol.", he replied hugging her close. "Make sure she gets home safe, Nige.", Woody turned to Nigel. "Will do Woodrow.", he nodded. " Fancy a bite to eat love ?", Nigel asked Dolly. She nodded, placing her arm through his as they left the apartment.
Woody checked on Jordan one more time before heading to the bedroom to get ready for bed. When he came out of the bathroom, he was surprised to findher sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for him, first-aid kit in hand. "Let me check your cuts.", she said softly, waiving him over. He watched her face as she bandaged his head and scraped hand. "Where did you go?", she asked looking into his eyes, he could see the sadness andworry in hers. "I went to your Dad's.", he stated taking her hands. "Listen Jordan, I'm sorry for scaring you. It's just….I want everything to be normal. I want to be able to do everything I used to do. I know I have limitations, I deal with them every day. I guess I have a problem accepting them", he rambled, looking away. "Yes you do.", she chuckled, pulling his face up. "But that's not why I was mad. I don't want anything to happen to you. I've been through that before and I don't think I could handle it again…..not now. I need you, we need you….",she cried. He patted her stomach and nodded.
"You have to understand, I just want to be the same detective I was before, to make you both proud.", Woody admitted sadly. " You have no idea how proud I am of you, Woody.", Jordan said pulling down the covers on his side of the bed. "I need you to believe in me again Jordan.", he stated, softly, getting into bed. "And I need you to stay safe... for me and the baby.", Jordan said climbing next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. "I guess we both have things we need to work on.", he stated with a slight smile. Jordan looked up at him, "I'll always believe in you, you know that. I love you", she smiled back, kissing his cheek. He nodded, "And I'll always be here for you, both of you. I love you too.", he added, kissing the top of her head and placing his hand on her belly. "So we're good?", she asked, snuggling closer. "Very good.", he whispered, closing his eyes.