The retirement party had been emotional, difficult - so many good and bad memories and so many beautiful words - Greg was an emotional person normally anyway but that night Greg had probably cried more openly than normal.

"Dad?" It was the evening of the retirement party and Greg was seated at the 'lead table' which was right at the front of the hall just in front of the podium with enough distance that the people at the front didn't have to crane their necks to look up at the podium.

The banquet hall was large, not too large but just right for a gathering of their size and type. One side of the hall was lined with long tables along the length of it - blue and green tablecloths coated them and set on the table was platters of foods, cakes and drinks of various types - from hot to cold food to fresh desserts. At the back of the hall were large display boards pinned with photos, messages, certificates - along the top was "Good Luck Greg on your retirement" in bold lettering.

A table sat in the centre of it with a message book for people to sign and an area for gifts and so on to be left.

There were about 30 tables set up in a way that everyone had a good vantage point of the stage and there were plenty of seats and standing room too.

The ceiling was adorned with balloons and bunting of various colours, the room was not too bright but not too dark - a calm setting despite the event.

Quiet music played in the background and there was a low ebb of chatter as people worked continuing to prepare.

Dressed in his best suit Greg was trying to compose himself in preparation for people arriving, it was only 5pm but no one except the event workers were there - and Marina, Dean and a few other event organisers (Police Chief etc). Once it struck 6pm the doors would be opened - for now Greg had time to prepare himself, it would be an emotional one and he knew it, the last 6 months had been hard and emotional already with rehab and recuperation - released from hospital just a week ago and allowed home where he continued to get better.

Today he was still in a lot of pain and he couldn't stand a long time but he wanted to be here, he had to take that step - he didn't mind that he had to be in a wheelchair and dosed up on strong painkiller - as long as he was here.

"Dean?" Greg looked up as his son approached, dressed in his cadet's uniform Greg could only smile "You look good, son" he offered and Dean smiled before sitting down next to Greg "You uh, ready?" he asked knowingly and Greg chuckled weakly nothing ever escaped Dean "Nope, but I guess I can't put it off huh?" he answered and Dean nodded "You don't have to get up there, if you don't want to - I mean there's gonna be plenty of us up there so you know" he offered a weak smile.

That was Dean, ever since that day - Dean had been protective, looking out for his dad's feelings over his own. Offering his son an appreciative nod he smiled "Let's see how tonight goes" he replied softly "Where's everyone?" he asked after a moment.

"They're just on their way now, Spike's out backstage, he said he had something special planned for the opening" Dean shrugged but Greg rose a knowing look towards the screen that was behind the podium - on there would be played countless photos and videos and Greg knew it.

There was set to be quite a lot of people present, mainly team members past and present and senior staff plus family and close friends and other specially invited people.

Soon it was six and the main doors of the huge hall were opened, people began to flood in and one by one came to greet Greg and his son - then moved to their respective tables - naturally Team one were with Greg, Dean and Marina. Plus Clark, Isabella, Sophie and Sadie. Wordy arrived with his wife and daughters who joined them, and then Winnie.

Once everyone was settled Spike suddenly appeared on the podium from the back and approached the microphone "Hey" he cleared his throat "A bit of a technical problem" he grinned sheepishly to which Team one laughed knowingly "Never thought I'd be opening but hey uh" he lifted his hand which held a remote and pressed a button - the screen behind him came to life with an image of Team one with Greg at the front "All yours" he ran down the steps to join Team one.

Holleran stood from his table and approached the steps, he shot a look over at Team One before taking the steps two at a time and approaching the microphone "Thank you Constable Scarlatti" he said simply then cleared his throat "Tonight, we honour the service of Sergeant Greg Parker" it was clear Holleran had other words to say but he couldn't bring them out, he exhaled and surveyed the eyes before him "All of you, friends, colleagues, senior staff, special guests - thank you for being here with us to see him off on his retirement" retirement, the word sounded weird, but it was true.

Clearing his throat he studied the faces once more "We begin with some words from his second in command and best friend - Constable Lane" Eddie stood from his seat, he had prepared himself for ages for this but the nerves were starting to get the better of him - as he moved to pass Greg he felt eyes on him and looking down he saw Greg looking up at him, the look was a look he knew well and squeezed his friend's shoulder gently to which Greg responded with a gentle arm squeeze as he gave a nod - Eddie headed up the steps.

Shaking Holleran's hand as the man stepped away Eddie took his place and took a breath - he couldn't take his eyes away from Greg - he had to focus on Greg, he knew he could look around but first, focus on Greg.

As his breathing steadied he noticed Greg was looking right at him, the same look remained on his features - a look from which Eddie could get more than just a word, mentally he thanked his friend as he cleared his mind and cleared his throat as he began to quickly describe his first years on SRU it was clear Ed was building up to something "Before Greg became our Sergeant we were already close, I mean when you have a team like ours you become more than friends you become family - me and Greg - we were good, when he became our Sarge he became more than that. He's been a rock through everything, good and bad - and" he cut off taking a deep breath as his mind threatened to rocket off into the other place and gritted his teeth.

Seeing Eddie was struggling Greg cleared his throat causing Eddie's eyes to dart to him then focus, again Greg fixed him with a look and Eddie counted down in his mind focusing on Greg only this time "When I was in some bad places, Greg was there to help me, we helped each other and helped our team" Eddie continued to speak as Greg looked to each member of the team at his table - his heart hurt as he watched them. Eddie spoke about how Greg had led the team through many situations, supported them through things and been more than just a leader. The words Eddie spoke were powerful and he wasn't reading from a script.

"When Toronto was brought to it's knees" Eddie started suddenly and Greg's eyes snapped to Eddie's who was now locked on him, full of emotion "Greg was the one to speak, speak out amidst the chaos and ask for unity. It was Greg who was in our ears calming us, reassuring us, leading us, then he gave his all for not only his team but for the city - and for that… I thank you." and with that Eddie let out the breath he had taken and let out a small gasp as if restraining the emotions that were now threatening to overwhelm.

Greg fought back his own emotions, glad he was sitting down where not everyone could see him.

Taking her cue Jules was next to head up and gently touched Eddie's shoulder, giving him a reassuring nod - Eddie stepped back but didn't leave the podium.

As Jules started to speak Spike pressed a button on his remote and images began to appear of the team at various events like awards and the beach picnics - Like Eddie she spoke about her time with Greg as both colleague, boss, friend and father figure - uncle to her and Sam's daughter Sadie.

"I know that on that day, It was both the best and worst day of my life. But I want us to remember the good things. The wedding," on that, she gave Sam a quick look. "The bombs being disarmed because of a team effort, Sam making it out just in time so I'd have a chance to tell him he was a fool again," a short smile crossed her lips. "But also the boss surviving this gunshot that could have been fatal." Her face darkened a little at the memory, but she quickly carried on. As she made those points Greg had to admit it was clear what Jules was trying to do "While we were waiting to get news about Greg, there was a little girl" tears sprang at once in her eyes and Sam and Greg both began to clearly break up, the others simply collectively took a breath "She was one of the kids we pulled out of the daycare rubble" Jules was careful not to say the child's name just yet "The kid didn't know how much it meant to us to see her but, one thing I've learned from being with Greg is that you need to find the one good thing and hold on to it in all the chaos around you. I held on to that as did Sam - in Sadie" at her name the child in Sam's arms looked up and smiled.

Greg gave her a look as she rubbed at her eyes and looked over to Spike, willing him to come up - Spike hesitated, he knew he wanted to go up but he had to admit he was a little scared.

Greg looked over at him "You don't have to Spike" he said quietly "No one will think any less"

Spike had pretty much been open to Greg about his feelings telling Greg how much he meant to him - but to say it openly in front of all these people? It wasn't that he was ashamed but that he wasn't exactly like the other members of his team.

"I know, but I will" Spike replied after a moment before standing and taking the steps quickly - reaching the microphone he looked straight at Greg "A few years ago I" a beat and composed himself "I lost my best friend, then my mentor. Then later I lost my father - and then a year ago I nearly lost the man I came to know as all three - friend, mentor and father" Spike took a breath and steadied himself as he saw the emotion start to show on Greg's features "Like Ed said, he was a rock, He always was a hero to me but on that day he went above and beyond. He was even more a hero"

Tears fell down Greg and Jules' faces as Wordy, Eddie, Sam and Wordy fought to compose themselves - the silence in the room was deafening as the onlookers allowed the team a moment.

Quietly Spike stepped back to join Jules and Eddie, next was Sam he handed Sadie to Marina and standing he headed up the steps and to the microphone - sharing a small hand squeeze with Jules as he passed her before facing the watching eyes.

A long time ago when he first started at SRU he was the outsider and he had an attitude - that attitude later changed, his whole perspective changed - he soon became part of the team and that team had been through the fire together so to speak. The glue that held them together however had been Greg Parker and it was Greg that had stood up for him and Jules and stood up for every member of his team AND stood up for every person that they helped.

"Before I joined SRU, I was a Master Corporal, I'd seen things… and before I even joined the Army stuff happened - I thought I knew everything" a beat and Sam shook his head "Thought I knew best, thought a lot of things but… I was wrong, the SRU taught me things I never knew, both about myself and about other people" A beat and Sam gave a nod "But there is no where else I'd rather be, Every day working with this guy as my boss, I'm thankful - for everything. For showing us how to be human and that it was okay"

The words of his team had brought tears to his eyes but finally once the four were standing there Greg just couldn't contain himself and let the tears fall before rubbing at his eyes with a shaking hand. Marina gently touched Greg's free hand, giving it a gentle squeeze - the two shared a look. Now Dean stood and headed for the podium.

Dean like his dad cared far more about others more than himself, the hours he had spent trying to write what he wanted to say - he knew anything he said could hurt Greg hard but that was why he and Greg discussed SOME of what Dean wanted to say - working through things that Dean wanted to bring up. The last thing he wanted to do was bring up his dad's past - that wasn't important here.

Greg took Marina's hand gently in his own as he looked straight at Dean, willing him to get it over with.

Dean talked about beach experiences, his friendship with Clark, some good memories - avoiding anything that was bad or dark.

Greg smiled at those, he knew Dean wanted to avoid anything bad - he appreciated that Dean had avoided bringing up the family things.

"Dad, I never thought I'd want to be a cop - but hearing you, watching you - I knew there and then that I wanted to be like you. Cause dad what you do out there, I wanna help people too, help people when they're at their lowest and darkest" a beat and Dean exhaled "What you did out there that day, you're not only a hero to the city, the team, Marina" he steadied his breathing "but to me too" he gave a small weak smile as his dad covered his face breaking down finally. Dean couldn't bring himself to continue, feeling the same emotion rise within him "Thank you" he said glancing at Spike who took his cue, having anticipated this he had prepared some clips and pressed play on his remote and some videos began to play of some events, allowing a brief reprieve for everyone.

Jules and Dean were first down the steps and to Marina to help her console Greg, meanwhile Eddie, Sam and Spike headed off to discuss something with Holleran.

Marina, Shelley and Sophie began to quietly talk among themselves, Izzy and Sadie playing with their toys at their feet having been placed down there just moments ago.

Wordy watched everyone quietly, he was still a part of them - despite the fact that he had moved on to Guns and Gangs - he'd been a regular visitor to Greg whilst he was in hospital and because his schedule was easier than the SRU's he had more time sometimes to come sit and chat with Greg when no one was there, he knew what it was like to no longer be able to do the job you loved - in a way. He looked absently down at his hand which was beginning to shake and quickly clenched it removing it from sight as he watched Greg who had by now calmed down and was just talking quietly with Dean, Marina and Jules.

Holleran began to speak with some other seniors and Eddie headed over to check on Greg, Sam and Spike returned to the table - Sam checking on Sadie as he took his seat.

A short time later Holleran took the podium again "Thank you Team One, Dean" he watched as Greg began to straighten up and try to stand, gently brushing off anyone who tried to help him "Sergeant Parker now would like to say a few words" he watched Greg take his stick from where it hung on the wheelchair and slowly make his way to the steps - once at the bottom he allowed Eddie, Spike, Sam and Dean to help him take the steps and Holleran walked over to support him as he reached the top - Once Greg had got his balance he stepped back allowing Greg to walk alone to the mic. Spike turned the projector off and all you could hear was the quiet murmur of some chatter and the sounds of children playing - Greg's gaze was drawn to Sadie and Izzy and he stared at them for a moment as the silence fell. Once he was ready he fixed his gaze on the audience.