A/N: I am republishing this story. There have been edits made. The text that has been italicized is a flashback, and the text that has been bolded is from the show. I am merely borrowing characters besides though that are not recognized.
"Hold on," Donovan says as he drinks from his beer bottle. "Bibby is dirty, like actually dirty."
"According to the witness, yes," Sam says as he takes a swig from his bottle. "That's not the actual issue here."
"How is that not the issue?" Jason says as he looks at him. "We all have worked with Bibby in the past, seemed like a solid cop."
"Steve's reaction is the issue," Sam says as he looks at the older two cops. "He tore Diaz a new one, right there in The Black Penny, and nobody did anything."
"Okay, there is that," Jason says. He takes a sip of his beer before continuing. "Define tore him a new one."
"Told him: he wasn't a real cop, that he didn't understand the brotherhood," Sam says before taking a long swig. "Also, they went to Steve first before coming to me or Frank."
"Why didn't you take care of it?" Donovan asks as he looks at him.
"My demons distracted me," Sam says as he looks at the older guys. "I may have let my anger get the better of me in re-training and got me bent out of shape."
"Tell me you didn't kick Luke's ass," Donovan says as he watches him. "If my granddaughter's christening is in any way ruined."
"Oh crap," Jason interrupts. "That is this weekend."
"Crap," Donovan says before muttering under his breath
"Diaz and Bibby are both supposed to go," Sam adds as he watches the older two men mutter under their breaths.
"Okay, I am calling Steve," Donovan says as he stands up and walks into the house with his phone.
"Want to discuss those demons?" Jason says as he looks over at Sam. "Anything to do with a brunette rookie?"
"I am not commenting on that at present," Sam says as he finishes his beer. "Besides, it's against the rules."
"When has that ever stopped you before?" Jason says as he sips his beer. "Trust me when I say that you don't want to end up like me. I've had a wonderful career, but that is all I have to show for my life. Sure, I have a dozen friends and a goddaughter that adores me. What else do I have in my life?"
"I'll take it to heart," Sam says as he picks at the bottle label. "Do you ever regret it? Spending so much time on your career?"
Jason looks at him and pauses before answering. "I do. Especially now, as I see so many of the next generation being able to balance it. The crap you see as a cop and still go home and not carry it with you. I'm not saying that the crap we see doesn't seep into their home lives. They have a better handle on it now than we did back then."
Sam contemplates what Jason is saying as he watches Donovan place four beer bottles on the table.
"Anything else I should know about this situation?" Donovan asks as he opens a bottle.
"Pretty sure Gail is seeing Diaz," Jason causally mentions as he opens another beer.
"Great," Donovan says as he takes a long swig of his beer. "That's great, but I can see why that may work."
"Okay," Sam and Jason ask as they look confused.
"Remember that Gail places a shield around her? Few people break it down," Donovan explains as he sips his beer. "Why not the kid that does everything by the book?"
"True," Jason says as he salutes his beer to him.
"Never thought of it like that," Sam says as he sips his beer.
There is then a creek as they hear the side gate door open. The three men turn to see Steve walking toward them. The three men nod as they all take a sip of their beer. Donovan also pushes the chair, between himself and Jason, toward Steve. Donovan and Jason are unsure how he feels about Sam at present.
"What is so desperate that I need to be here?" Steve says as he grabs the fourth beer and takes the seat.
"Fay's christening is this weekend," Boyko starts as they watch Steve. "Nothing, and we mean nothing, is going to take away from that. So whatever issues you are having will be on pause."
"We are not saying that you are going to make a big deal or anything," Donovan says before Steve can respond. "We are giving you a friendly reminder, as it is not Fay or Kay's fault with what is going on."
"They want reassurances. We are leaving the work drama at work," Sam says as he sips his beer.
Steve nods his head in acknowledgement before taking another sip. "That was always my plan," Steve says as he looks at the three men. "Bibby has already decided that it would be best if he didn't attend. He didn't want the investigators to think he was trying to get points from my parents."
"Your sister had invited Diaz as her date," Jason mentions as Sam watches Steve.
"That is her choice," Steve says as he sips his beer. "I promise that nothing to do with me will ruin Fay's big day. Trust me. I do not need my mother killing me."
"True," the three men agree before all sharing a laugh.
"You have directed your anger at Diaz, but are you also pissed at McNally and Sam?" Jason asks in a no-nonsense tone. He watches the shocked faces of Sam and Steve.
"Blunt," Donovan says before saluting his beer toward Jason. "I like it."
Steve and Sam look at the two older men and then at each other.
"McNally came to me, but my demons distracted me," Sam admits as he sips his beer. "Though you need to acknowledge that it took a lot of courage and guts to do what they did."
"I may have overreacted with Diaz," Steve admits as he sips his beer.
"And your sister?" Jason asks as he looks at him. "Yes, we heard about that as well."
"I will not say I'm wrong," Steve says before pausing. "I have to acknowledge that Gail needs to make her own choices and be her cop. She doesn't need my protection anymore."
"Exactly," Donovan and Jason say as the two younger men shake their heads.
