"Mommy!" Austin yelled as Kimberly and Tommy walked into the police station and he sprinted for them. Jessie jumped down from the desk she'd been sitting on and sprinted for them as well. There were no obvious signs of what Tommy had done and based on how far away they had been- no legal reason to wonder about his whereabouts. They both knew that might not stand up with Brad, but it had been a calculated risk.
"Hi baby," Kimberly whispered as he clutched her and Jessie tackled her as well. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"They saved us," Jessie said, simply as she smiled back at the police officers and Kim just nodded. "Please, Mommy- I don't want to see him ever again."
"I know," Kimberly whispered as Tommy squatted down and wrapped his arms around them. He let out a sigh as he looked up and met Judge Marshall's eyes. He tried to soften his glare, but he knew that he had not managed it when the judge took a step back. He stood up and started towards him and Brad stepped in his path.
"Mr. Oliver," Brad said as he glared at him and took in a deep breath. "I understand you are upset, we will keep him away from them."
"He didn't do his job before- why should I trust that to change?" Tommy asked and Brad locked eyes with him.
"Let's take a walk," Brad stated as he grabbed Tommy's arm and he allowed him to guide him out of the room. Once they were outside of the precinct they headed a bit further down the street until Brad thought they were far enough away. "We could charge you."
"Do I really look like I care? They've been through so much and I have seen this system fail them over and over. And when one judge finally gets it right- this one completely undoes it and puts them in even more danger. My family is off the table- you know that already. I made it clear when we agreed to this. Do your job and I will continue to do mine," Tommy said as Brad let out a sigh. He understood why Tommy was this upset, he would have been this upset. He didn't understand how Tommy hadn't killed Jeremy. He knew he was more than skilled enough to do it.
"He will be put away for a long time, but I need you to consider that it may be best for your family to go into protective custody when he is released. Most likely that will eventually happen. We can help with that," Brad said and Tommy stared up at the sky. He did not want to hear that- he wanted for his parents to know his children and what they were suggesting wouldn't allow for that. He also knew that he needed to keep them safe- none of the choices put in front of him were easy. "We won't need to know right away, but you should think on it."
"I'll talk to her, after the baby's born and see what she's thinking. Right now- it would just be too much," Tommy said as he let out another sigh. "No one prepares you for something like this becoming your life."
"I know you didn't want to work with us, but this is some protection we can give you that you can't offer yourself," Brad said and Tommy nodded. "You able to go back in there and not kill that judge?"
"Hopefully. I need to get them home," Tommy said as Brad clapped him on the back and they turned to go back towards the station. Tommy felt the frustration rising, but tried to push it back. He just wanted to get his family home. He was surprised to see Kimberly and the kids standing next to the car and he smiled at them.
"Are you in trouble too?" Jessie asked as Tommy walked over to her and he just shook his head no. "Good."
"Let's get all of you home and all of you in bed," Tommy stated as Kim glared at him for a moment before nodding. He had not missed that she was definitely still sick and needed extra rest. "I'll be in touch."
"I expect it," Brad said as Tommy placed both of the kids into the car and got Austin situated in his carseat as Kimberly made sure Jessie was fastened in to hers as well.
"What was that all about?" Kim asked as they passed each other at the back of the car and he stopped for a moment. "Not now?"
"If you can wait- I'd definitely appreciate it," Tommy whispered as he pulled her into a hug and felt her nod against his chest. "He offered to help."
"Oh," Kim exhaled as she looked at him for a second and he just shrugged. He was not sure what to make of it at this point, but it made him feel better to have options.
"How bad are you feeling?" Tommy asked as she just shook her head. She felt horrible and was barely holding it together because of the stress and the kids. "I'll give Mom and Dad a call- ask them if they can pitch in for a day or two while you get better."
"I love you," Kim muttered as she sleepily smiled over at him. He watched as she faded off to sleep and glanced back to see that Jessie and Austin were also sleeping soundly. While he was so glad that they were okay, he didn't feel any relief. He was not sure he would feel relief until he had a permanent solution.
AN: If you or someone you know are struggling, call the Suicide and Crisis lifeline at 988 (for the U.S.). Please do not suffer in silence, reach out and get the help you need.
