I realized that I left a detail unresoved, so this is to clear that up.But then, that really is the end.

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Jim and Sofia were spending the day with Jeb, simply rejoicing in his return to them. Jim had cooked breakfast and the three of them had gone to the park. Usually Jeb was difficult to keep up with at the park but today was different. He wasn't as carefree and uninhibited as a not quite three year old should be. He stayed close to his parents, never wanting them more than a few feet away, which suited them fine. Neither had slept well, waking frequently to check his bed to reassure themselves that he was there. Jim was contemplating the changes in all of them when his cell phone rang.

"Brass."

"Jim, it's Gil. Just checking to see how you guys are doing today."

"Better. I think it will be awhile before we feel like normal again though. But I'm glad you called. Wanted another chance to thank you for going to L.A. It...well, it's good to have friends that care so much. "

"No thanks necessary. I'm just glad that things turned out okay. I know things will be rough for Ellie, but it could have been so much worse."

"Yeah. We'll have to see who files what charges..."

"Hey listen, the Sheriff saw me in the hall and asked me how you guys were. And then he asked me if you had made a decision yet. Do you know what he was talking about?"

"Oh," Jim was flustered. He'd totally forgotten about the Sheriff's job offer. "Ah, yeah...that. Ah, I guess I should call him..."

"Yeah, he said he needs an answer before the Council meeting on Thursday. " Gil paused. "I guess you are not going to tell me what it is about, are you?"

"Not until after I talk it over with Sofie. I'll fill you in later though, okay?"

"Sure. Well, I'll let you get back to your family. And Jim, I'm really happy that things turned out okay."

Jim closed the phone and looked across at Sofia. She was pushing Jeb in the swing and he was giggling and yelling for her to push him higher. "Higher Mommy...higher." A smile broke out on Jim's face that filled his whole body. He decided that there was nothing sweeter to his ears than the sound of Jeb's giggles.

That afternoon, while Jeb napped, Jim sat next to Sofia and told her that there was something they needed to discuss.

"Good," she said matter-of-factly,"because there's something I wanted to talk to you about too."

"You want to go first?" he asked.

"Oaky...well, after everything that has happened...I, well...Jim, I want to quit the force." After a shaky beginning she had blurted it out. She sat, watching his reaction.

Disbelief warred with something else. She couldn't make out what he was feeling as he sat thoughtfully for a moment. Finally, his brow furrowed and he began working his mouth as he so often did when he was deciding something. "Honey, are you sure? I mean, you love your job...or at least, that's what I thought."

"I do...did. But after everything with Jeb...I, well...I don't want...I need..." she was having difficulty expressing her thoughts; something that was very unusual for Sofia Curtis Brass.

"Honey?" Jim asked, concerned.

"I don't think I can go off to work and leave him everyday...not anymore. I've always felt a tug, you know...between staying home and being his Mom and going to work and helping others. But now, I know what is most important...my family, you and Jeb. If I could keep you safe at home with me, I would do that too but I don't think you'd let me. But I can be here for Jeb and I want to."

Jim looked into her bright blue eyes and smiled. "I'd love to stay home and let you baby me, but you might get tired of me."

"Never,"she smiled.

Still smiling, he continued. "Honey, if that's what you want then that is what you should do. I just hope you don't look up one day and regret giving up your career."

"I know this is right for us, for me. Later, maybe I'll go back into police work or maybe I'll find something else. But right now I want to be your wife and Jeb's Mom 24/7."

"Then do it. I won't mind it at all knowing that you are home, taking care of our son and ironing my shirts."

"Well, maybe not ironing your shirts," she smiled.

"Okay," he said, flashing her his best sappy look.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, in a way you took all the tough stuff out of a decision I have to make."

"What?" she asked, perplexed.

The sheriif wants to promote me to Under-Sheriff when McKeen retires. The catch was, you couldn't be under my command."

"So me leaving the force resolves that issue. Of course you will accept it!"

"Your sure? It'll be a big change in our lives."

"You mean you'll be keeping regular hours and won't be in the field getting shot at? I think I can handle it."

"It also means all the political games that go with the job...and sometimes the hours won't be so regular because I'll have to do all the hand holding and flesh pressing stuff."

"And you will be very good at it too. Of course you will take it. It is long overdue, Jim. You would have been promoted years ago if Holly Gribbs handed been killed. You deserve it and you should do it."

"Speaking of 'doing it'...there's soem things I'dlike to be doing right now," he teased.

"Oh there are," she grinned at him and winked. "Why don't you walk down the hall with me and show me a thing or two, Captain, soon to be Undersherriff, Brass."

"Okay," he answered cheerfully as he obiedently followed her down the hall to their room, where he paused momentarily to quietly close the door.

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Okay, that really is The End. Please review, pretty please:-)

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