Don't own the characters

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Again if anyone has a title happy to hear about it.

Sorry shot update but I'm jumping a few weeks in the next update (probably will be posted tonight since I won't get a chance to watch episode tonight :(

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The next time Carter woke up, it was because he felt a sharp piercing pain in his side. Opening his eyes was much easier this time. Looking up confused at a blond female who smiled down at him, he questioned, "What are you doing?"

"I am removing one of your chest tubes." She said, "I'm sorry it might hurt a bit. I gave you a bit more pain killer and numbed the area." She smiled and continued about her work.

Carter tried to watch her as she removed the chest tube. It was filled with a bloody mixture that looked disgusting. He decided it would be best not to watch. "how much longer till I can actually move around?"

"We want to wait one more day on the final chest tube, then after we take that out, we will try to get you out of bed and moving. Only a little though. Maybe trips to and from the bathroom."

That made Carter happy, being stuck laying in bed was bad enough, but not being able to use the restroom was so much worse. Humiliating at times, especially with a weak body that was not in complete control of itself because of all the drugs running through his system, it mean mistakes happened that were embarrassing.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought him back to the present.

Captain Maynard stood in the doorway, "I can come back later if need be." He said to the lady doctor and Carter.

"No it's fine." Carter said trying to relax.

"I'm almost done. A nurse can change his bandages later."

Carter asked, "What do you need?"

"I had a meeting with the team." He said.

"You aren't suppose to know them." Carter said wanting to sit up, but he knew better then to try that.

"I think circumstances allowed for it. They were all here when I showed up. I remember Ty and Dean from previous operations." Captain explained, he managed to get the teams numbers from Carters phone. "I told Jamie and Dean to take a vacation. For the next few weeks while you are out. Ty is suspended until further notice."

"You shouldn't have suspended Ty."

"What would you have done?" Captain asked taking a seat trying to avoid watching the doctor work.

"Talked to him."

"Carter I know you are invested in him. You have taught him a lot and he has delivered a lot. But from what I have read in your reports he's slipping. I can't in good conscience let him continue working UC when he is endangering others. Not just your team, but his wife, and himself are all in danger when he disobeys your orders."

"That is what these guys do. That is why they are good at what we do." Carter explained.

"I know, but at some point a line has to be drawn, and Ty is willing to step over protocol just to see his wife, what about later? What else will he be willing to ignore?"

"Bring him back. In a few months he'll be in long enough to get a transfer if he wants it." Carter said. "You can promote him then."

"On his performance now? I should promote him from disobeying orders, getting his superior officer shot, and endangering the life's of others?"

"He's a good cop." Carter said pain radiating in his chest he stressed the words too much. Fuck this hurt and it sucked not being able to argue without pain.

"Enough for now." The doctor said, "Mr. Shaw is suppose to be resting not arguing."

The Captain looked at Carter, he knew Carter had to understand his view point. Even if he didn't like it. Carter still had to see where he was coming from.

"Just give him time." Carter said softly. "Remember the deal we made? I run it my way."

"carter I'm giving you enough rope to hang yourself and a lot of people here. Be careful. " Captain had an afterthought he didn't share with Carter, if Ty screwed up enough that someone got killed Carter would never forgive himself. Carter would beat himself up more than he does now, if Ty's wife got injured or some other innocent because he did not take Ty out of play.

The doctor waited to the side to make sure the two men were finished arguing. When the conversation ended and silence took over the room she took her leave promising to send a nurse in to take care of Carters bandages.

"Anything else?" Carter asked.

"I'm glad you are ok." Captain said looking at Carter. "You do know I won't let you back to active duty until the doctor clears you?"

"Come on." Carter said, "I can work from the sidelines. Sit in the safe house and run things from there. What is the worst that can happen a paper cut? I accidently stab myself with the a spork while eating a fruit cup?"

"That is not up for debate. Departmental rules."

"How is the wife? Shouldn't you be home with her?"

"She is fine. She wanted to come see you. She hasn't seen you in a long time. I told her to wait a few days until you were a bit stronger. " Maynard couldn't help but smile thinking about his wife. Even before Carter became the man he is now, Maynard's wife always had an almost motherly way towards him. Carter had worked under Maynard in the narcotics department.

The bust they were able to complete because of Carters skills brought both men up in the ranks quickly. It was only after that Carters wife died, that the man that was now Carter, stopped caring about the politics that came along with the job. Carter barely made it to work and when he did he was drunk. The powers that be at the time wanted Carter gone. Their hero had changed and no amount of accommodations or lectures would bring the hero back. Carter was far from burnt out, he was jaded, and there was only one way that Carter would thrive on the force after his wife's death. Maynard arranged for Carter to be taken off active roster. To hide him for awhile, while Carter found a team to do the job that most cops would never be able to do. Maynard had made it so that Carter could do things his way to bring down the worst criminals LA had to offer.

"Go home Captain. See the wife. I'll be fine." Carter said closing his eyes. The half hour spent talking had sapped whatever energy his body had stored up.

"I'll be by again tomorrow, I probably won't be able to keep Mary away much longer." Maynard touched his friends good shoulder as he spoke. "She'll probably want to check you over herself and offer you a room at our house when you are out."

"Thanks but no thanks." Carter said as he allowed himself to sink back under the waves into a peaceful sleep.

As the Captain was leaving he ran into Ty walking down the hallway. "He's asleep now." The Captain stated.

"Ok." Ty said still looking like shit despite clean clothes and a shower.

"He wants you on the team still. And I promised him I'd let him run things. Just don't make him regret it."

"Thank you sir."

"I told the others to go on vacation until Carter is back on his feet."

"Ok." Ty said walking with the Captain towards the elevators. There was no reason to visit Carter if he was asleep.

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Dean stood outside of Jamie's apartment debating on whether or not he was going to knock on the door. Finally getting up the nerve he knocked twice waiting for her to answer.

Jamie came to the door in a pair of shorts and a tank top. A iPod attached to her arm. "Hey."

"Hey. Did I interrupt something?"

"I was just getting ready to go for a run."

"You run?"

"Yeah." She said smiling. "You don't?"

"not if I can help it." Dean answered.

"What did you need?"

"Well I thought since we had this vacation time that I would go visit my parents. I haven't seen them in years, since I joined the force actually."

"Ok have a great time." She said smiling at him wondering why he was telling her.

"I thought maybe I could get some back up? They won't be such bastards if I bring someone with me." Dean quickly covered his tracks, "Even just a friend."

"I'm not sure." She said wondering what it meant, meeting the parents usually was a big thing. Did she really want to do that when they weren't even dating?

"Come on what else are you doing?"

"Oh so this is a pity invite? Invite the person who has no family around."

"No this is a save my ass by having back up invite." Dean said.

"You never answered my question."

"Jamie nevermind. Do whatever. Have a good break." Dean said discouraged he walked away not turning back.