Jake Peralta was one of those people who never lost hope in anything. Ever the optimist, he was the one person who always joked around, always wanted to have a laugh, and was the last person to have his spirits dampened.

Which was why when he first got out of prison, he was in one of the darkest times anyone had ever seen him.

The only one who had any chance of getting him through it was Amy. Of course, she dealt with the worst of it, and she knew a lot more that had gone on than anyone else.

She was the one who lived with him.

She was the one who woke him up from nightmares. (Every couple of hours, to begin with.)

She was the only one he felt even remotely comfortable with portraying any kind of vulnerability.

It killed her to see him like this. To see the look of panic on his face when he was pulled out of the night terrors that were trolling him day in, day out.

As the days Jake had been back turned into weeks, he seemed to be gaining back the old sense of humour and good nature that he had previously possessed.

He would joke around and make fun of Charles and banter with Holt and all.

He seemed almost back to normal, after a while.

Almost.

It was his eyes, Amy thought, that gave him away.

His body language was as relaxed as ever. His smile was almost permanently plastered to his face, like it was before.

But his eyes.

She wasn't sure what it was about them, but they just looked different. Spooked, maybe. A little bit more aware of the dangers that could be out there.

She knew she had to do something.

'Jake?'

'Ames.'

'Can we talk?'

Amy knew that she was being direct, and she didn't know if it would pay off. She hoped for both their sakes that it did.

The look in his eyes were at first of confusion, but swiftly turned to panic. She could sense his racking his brains, trying to think of something he might have done or said.

He bit his lip nervously.

'Okay...'

She quickly rushed to reassure him. 'No, no, no, it's not you. I can tell what you're thinking. I'm not breaking up with you.'

He visibly relaxed in his seat.

'I just was thinking.' Amy continued. 'I know you're still having nightmares about... you know.'

Jake opened his mouth to say something - probably to deny Amy's claims - but she held up a finger to silence him.

'I think you should see someone about it - no, please just hear me out - I think you should. What you went through, it isn't just something you can downplay. You can just pretend like it was some epic party, where you got to hang with all the criminals and had the time of your life to everyone else, but I can see through that. What you experienced has scared you. The others may not be able to tell, but I can. It's affecting you. Your life and your work. I think you should see someone. I hope it wasn't a mistake telling you this so directly.'

'"I hope it wasn't a mistake" title of your-'

'Jake.'

Jake went silent for a while. After a bit he slumped back into his chair and sighed.

'I love you.'

To say Amy was shocked by his reaction would be an understatement.

'Wha-' Amy began but this time it was Jake's turn to shush her.

'Ames, I love you. I know that you probably have a clearer outlook on these types of situations than I do. I don't necessarily agree with you about all of it - I am adjusting back relatively well - but I can't deny I am still having trouble sleeping. So if you think I should see someone, then I will.'

Amy stood up before walking over to sit on his lap.

'I love you too.'

Amy was relieved. She was shocked that Jake had taken it so well. She had anticipated a much longer debate about it, and had at least half a binder full of other reasons for this that she hadn't even used. But she was glad he had agreed to it this quickly.

'But seriously, "I think you should see someone about it" title of you-'

'JAKE!'

A/N I hope you liked it! Jake in this is a little OOC, but yeah. Please leave comments. Thanks xx