Megan breathed hard.

She looked down at the display panel.

Only a half hour left.

She was on the new treadmill that she got and put in the lower part of the new addition. Ideally, however, she wanted to be upstairs on the stationary bike, but her mom was napping so that ruled that out.

Mom's been napping a lost lately, hasn't she? True- she has. Childbearing must be exhausting- which is why I'm never having kids. Now maybe I'll adopt a cute baby someday, when I have my own place, and maybe a significant other, but that's for future Megan to worry about. Present Megan needs to worry about the next half hour of cardio.

I mean- who would want to give birth? I went to the classes with mom, and the videos that they showed- oh my god, that's something I'll never do. Yup- let some guy knock up another girl by mistake and she'll give the kid up for adoption.

And the naps- well, I think they're helping with her overall health and with the baby, but it's not helping with the sleep talking. I mean, the other night- yet again, talking with dad, about names for the baby.

It's almost like her mind still thinks that he's still sleeping beside her….

And that SIU chick- Jamie, Jordon, Jenna- whatever her name was, she was right. Taking the anti-depressants is helping. I'm just hoping it isn't helping too much though.

Because SRU, this job- it really is all I have. I can't do anything else, without going back to school.

Would I want to do anything else? Well, I've kinda considered it. When I was looking through that Career Minds magazine the other day, it was profiling the Medical Laboratory Technician. I could do that. Pretty much all it is, is taking blood and other bodily fluids, putting them into syringes and test tubes, and making sure they get to the right place. Easy peasy- I could do that job now, as it is.

And even then, it's not like my work in SRU means nothing, I mean, when I was at Ed's the other day, Clark told me he's been having a hard time finding a job because everyone wants him to have experience. Why didn't I ask him what kind of job he wants? I know a few people, I could've put in a good word.

Oh well, let Ed crack that nut.

After she was finished her cardio, Megan went back upstairs, still wanting to work on the bike, but Jules was still sleeping.

Oh my god! How can you be sleeping so much? Jeez mom.

Alright, fine. I guess I'll go downstairs and finish up cleaning the kitchen.

Yeah, what a number those dorks did in the kitchen. We invite Ed, Greg, and Spike over for a grand opening of the addition, and they pretty much left all their junk in the kitchen.

I feel bad for Sophie who has to clean up after Ed. What about Greg? Well, I suppose Dean probably helps him out with stuff when he's home on the weekends from university. What's he taking again- Criminology? Something like that- I'll have to ask him next time I see him.

I suppose I could text him and ask. But what kind of message would that send? Hmm- let's see here: I text a guy who I've met once and exchanged cell numbers with and ask him what university program he's in? Why don't I just text him that I'm sexually available, because that's how he's going to interpret it.

Men. Why are men so horny for sex? I have no clue, but then again, am I expected to? First of all, I'm a woman, so I shouldn't have to know what goes on in the minds of men, and secondly…I've never had sex. Sure, I've sort've…well…it felt good- but why should men get all the credit if I can do it myself?

Focus Megan, focus. Stop thinking about sex, and clean up this broken plate. What was Spike thinking?- ceramic plates don't fly.

Alright- cardio is done, and the kitchen is cleaned up- finally.

Hmm- what to do?

I suppose I could…yeah, I think I will.

Megan walked down into the basement, and into the small workshop that her father built before he died.

Dad's workshop- why exactly did he build this again? Oh I remember, Jules didn't want him putting all the important tools in the garage, so she had him build a workshop in the basement to put most of the tools in.

It's not so much a workshop anymore. It's more like a shrine in ode to dad. We hung the pictures from the funeral home on the wall, got his policing awards framed and put on the wall.

Badge of Recognition- this badge proclaims the excellent service record of Kristopher Allison Perrasmith as a part of the Brockville Police Force in the position of Staff Sargent.

Governor General of Canada Award- This article hereby proclaims the highest available award in the fields of enforcement and policing in the country of Canada was awarded to Kristopher Allison Perrasmith, Staff Sargent of the Brockville Police Force for the act of extreme generosity and kindness in regards to the lives of Jennifer Samler and her daughter, Stephanie Samler, who Mr. Perrasmith saved in a severe car crash during his off-duty time.

Wow- how come I never read these before?

Star of Saint Peter- Honorary Military Medal.

Wait- dad got a military medal? I should definitely read this one.

Awarded to Kristopher Allison Perrasmith, in thanks for the lives saved, and the lives honored by the four generations of the military service men from the Perrasmith family. These men are- Lt. Jacob Perrasmith, . Kevin Ann Perrasmith, C.C. Allison Perrasmith and Lt. Mj. Donald Fortier Perrasmith.

Megan's eyes darted over to a framed lighthouse medal and continued to read.

Excellent Service Medal, First Class, Team Leader & Sargent of the Royal Light-keepers LMQ Security Squad.

Then her eyes rested on the final one. Its frame was new, and you could almost tell that it was recent.

The Star of David- Awarded to the late Kristopher Allison Perrasmith for his service within the Toronto Police Service and the Toronto Police Service Strategic Response Unit, who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the integrity of the peace that his fellow officers fight to preserve.

Wow.

Megan couldn't read anymore. She bounded up the stairs, and right up the second flight to the second floor. She no longer cared about being quiet anymore for her mother.

She opened the door to her bedroom and fell into her bed, with tears in her eyes.

My dad was a great guy…why? Why was he just ripped from this world? Why?

She looked up at the clock and realized she had to start getting ready for work.

She gained the confidence to get up and take a shower.

I am in the water.

Once she stepped out and dried herself off, she looked into the mirror, as she pulled on her muscle mapping undershirt.

I am beautiful.

I will go to work. At work I will protect the peace. I will protect the peace that my father and my fore father's worked and fought to protect.

I am Megan Perrasmith, and I will not back down.

A/N: I honestly love this chapter. I'd have to say it's the best thing I've written to date. Agree, disagree? Let me know- write a review! Also- before I go publishing this- those awards and medals- I made them up. They may be similar to real awards and medals for police officers, but I repeat- I made them up.