I don't know why I agreed to this, was all that went through off duty CHP sergeant Joe Getraer's mind as he sat on the couch in officer Frank Poncherello's apartment. He could smell the popcorn cooking in the microwave. He watched officer Jon Baker picking up the DVD case for the movie Ponch had chosen. Joe leaned forward to catch a glimpse, but he couldn't see. This was why he had been reluctant to join, Ponch invited him to a movie night but wouldn't say what the movie was. "I don't like being left in the dark," he started.

"Oh you'll love it, Joe," Ponch said from the kitchen, while he dumped the popcorn into a few big bowls, separating it out for the three of them.

"I'm trusting you, Poncherello," Joe started and it scares me. "This better be good."

"You might like, or you might hate it. That's all I'll say," Jon told his sergeant, as he put the DVD into the DVD player, and picked up the remotes.

"Oh that makes me feel so much better," Joe replied dryly, watching Ponch enter the room with the popcorn.

Jon took his bowl, and sat on the couch next to Joe. Ponch handed Joe a bowl of popcorn, then took a seat on the other side of Jon.

Why couldn't I have had plans tonight? Joe thought, as he waited for the movie to start. He usually wouldn't have been worried about watching a movie with someone, but he had realized after agreeing to movie night, he didn't know the genre of movie...or who had picked it. He trusted Jon's choices in movies a little more than he would have trusted Ponch's.

The main menu appeared on the television screen moments later, revealing the chosen movie. Joe's brows furrowed. The Greatest Showman? Wait a minute, that's a musical! He closed his eyes a moment, silently praying Jon and Ponch hadn't seen the movie before, when he opened his eyes, he saw Jon clicking on the sing-along version. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, I figured if the words were at the bottom of the screen-" Jon started innocently, but it wasn't getting past Getraer.

Joe leaned forward in his seat, looking over at Ponch. "If you plan to sing along-"

Ponch waved him off "Shh, it's starting."

Jon glanced at Ponch, smiling slightly. Ponch had bothered Jon all week saying that Getraer needed more fun in his life. Jon didn't think they needed to interfere or do anything, but Ponch being Ponch felt the need to do something. The past few weeks Getraer had seemed to be in a worse mood than usual. Ponch's first solution had been to get the guys together and go out bowling or to a movie. It was all set up except for Getraer hadn't agreed. Then Grossie had gotten sick and cancelled. Soon after Bear and Jeb had to cancel for various other reasons. Eventually it was down to only Jon and Ponch. Ponch still insisted they do something.

Jon would have rather stayed home, sleeping or finding some other more relaxing way to spend the evening. Ponch thought a movie night would be good for Joe. Popcorn and a good movie always cheered Ponch up, it had to work for Getraer too, right?

Jon agreed it might be nice. That was until he got to Ponch's place and heard about what he planned on doing.

Jon shook his head. "You really think that Getraer will go along with that?"

"Come on, Baker! It's worth a try."

Jon was still laughing in his head at the plan. Ponch had figured if they put on a musical and sang along it might annoy Getraer at first, but then he'd end up enjoying it maybe even sing along. So what better movie to watch than The Greatest Showman. Ponch wouldn't have to fake being into it, because he already knew he liked the movie. The only part he was actually worried about was if Jon would help him out.

Getraer relaxed, taking a few pieces of popcorn and shoving them in his mouth. Please don't sing...He thought, but didn't bother to try to read the expressions on Jon or Ponch' faces. He just hoped they would be quiet and enjoy the movie. Though as soon as he had thought he might enjoy the movie, all he could hear was Ponch's voice in his head saying something along the lines of "It's a musical, Sarge how can you expect us to not sing?' he shook his head, it was scary enough he knew Ponch would say that, but equally as scary was knowing that even in his mind he could actually hear Ponch saying that. I've been around him too long...

The movie played, Ponch ate popcorn. Much to Joe's surprise Ponch only hummed for the first song.

Maybe I'll survive.

The thought came too soon. The next song he could hear Ponch quietly singing along, Jon was humming now.

Ugh...Joe ate more popcorn, hoping it could somehow shift his focus from the singing to the movie. He'd never enjoyed musicals. Which he was certain Ponch knew. He glanced over at Ponch a second, seeing how happy he was he didn't bother complaining. At least he wasn't getting into any trouble. He remembered a few weeks ago, Ponch had recommended Joe listen to music more. He said it would brighten his mood. Joe didn't listen, he preferred peace and quiet to help his mood. As the movie played on he was sure that Ponch had done this just to find a way to force Joe to listen to music. He wouldn't admit it, but the longer the movie went on the more he enjoyed the movie, and towards the end he was caught humming quietly.

oOoOo

The next few days the songs were stuck in Joe's head, and the only way he had heard to get songs unstuck was to listen to them, this decided he would buy the soundtrack. He had been stressed for the last few weeks trying to come up with something to do as a family. Betty had insisted Joe needed to do more than come home each night, eat dinner and watch the news before going to bed. The problem though was his kids wanted a movie night. He couldn't come up with a movie for them to watch...that was until Ponch introduced him to The Greatest Showman. Now he also had to buy the movie. I can never tell him that he has solved my problems. Joe thought as he walked into Walmart over his lunch break, to pick up the soundtrack and the movie.

On his way to the checkout he saw the person he hoped not to see. Ponch stood in a check out line, waiting to buy a pack of ding dongs. Getraer quickly turned to try to find a safe place to hide. If Ponch found him here buying this he'd never hear the end of it! As he turned he came face to face with Jon. The only other person he didn't want to see right now.

"Sarge?" Jon asked puzzled.

"Baker, before you ask-" Joe started.

Jon had already spotted the DVD and CD. "You liked the movie, didn't you?" Jon smiled slightly, he hadn't expected Ponch to be right when he said Joe would like The Greatest Showman.

Joe nodded, scratching the back of his neck. "It was alright," he said, then glanced back towards where Ponch stood surprisingly having not noticed Jon or Joe still. "Actually Jon, watching that movie helped answer the question of what movie I will watch with my family. The kids have insisted on a movie night for the last few weeks, and you know I'm not big on movie watching. I think they'll like this, and if they're happy Betty is happy. If Betty is happy, I'm happy." he glanced towards Ponch again. "I think it's in both of our best interest that Frank doesn't find out about this," Joe said, before deciding to head for the self checkout.

Jon thought about it a minute, then nodded. "Yeah, okay." He smiled again, on his way over to join Ponch. You were right, partner. He thought, but he knew better than to open his mouth and say just that.

A/N: Hey! this is an older story that I've never published before. I did some editing on it, and thought I'd post it today. I will update my on going stories this week so stay tuned. Also on a side note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK ESTRADA. (Today is Erik Estrada's birthday!)