Loyalty
By: The Confused One
Summary: Post-ep story for "On Fire". Deakins muses after Bobby and Alex leave his office at the end of the episode.
Rating: K
Warning: Spoiler warnings for "On Fire".
Archive: Feel free to take it, as long as you let me know where.
Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, don't own anything related to CI. I have no money, and this isn't for profit. No infringement intended. Please don't sue the poor college student, because all you'll get is the lint in my pants. Thanks.
A/N: Well, that was actually more emotional than I thought it would be. I already miss the Great Deakins. I guess you could say this is at least one of the stories I'm doing as a tribute. Please enjoy and remember to review. Thanks.
The most important thing a cop can have is loyalty. I'm very lucky. I have the loyalty of Goren and Eames. You can't get better loyalty than that. They went to a lot of trouble for me. One day, maybe, I'll be able to repay them for their confidence in me.
I watch Goren and Eames sit back down at their desks. They tried to change my mind. I'm grateful to them for trying. They'll never know what it means to me. They'll never know how much I appreciate the idea that they want me to stay, that they want me to fight. They'd stick by me through the fight. That's who they are, and that's how loyal they are.
Looking at my dress blues, I'm glad that Goren and Eames, more than anyone else, know the truth. They're two of the most upstanding cops I've ever met. Their respect means a lot. I'll always be grateful that they've given that to me.
Sitting down at my desk, I'm thankful that they figured out what Frank had done, even if they had to have snooped to do it. They'll never know how much I appreciate the effort. They cared enough to snoop. They uncovered the truth. You don't find that kind of loyalty in just anyone, and I love them for giving me that kind of loyalty. It's not an easy thing to get from Bobby Goren. In truth, I'm honored he's given me such respect and loyalty.
I know Goren and Eames have a point. I hate the idea of letting Frank Adair win. The idea makes me crazy, but it's time to walk away. I don't have the energy to fight anymore, even when I have the whole squad's loyalty. Loyalty can't get the department and squad through the weeks, possibly months, of bad press that would result.
Goren and Eames have a point, but they've failed to remember something. Loyalty goes both ways, and I take loyalty and responsibility seriously. I can't put the squad through the fight. I can't put my squad through the ugliness that would result from trying to force the truth. It would probably save my job and career but it'll come at too high a price. Bobby and Alex, my golden pair, are just going to have to understand that.