"So what, you're all fine now?" Spike asked me.

"According to the doctors, I'm good to go." I said to Spike, as I flexed my left hand, and moved my arm around for him, "I just don't have any feeling in my pinkie finger and parts of my palm."

"Either way, you're good to go." Greg said, as he came down the hallway, "Come on, Eddie wants to talk to us in the debriefing room before shift starts."

Greg and Brad walked ahead of me and Spike.

"What's so important for Ed to tell us, that we had to come two hours early into work?"

"Who knows." Spike replied, "Although I think it's some big news."

"Let's hope it's not too big." I said, as we entered the debriefing room.

"That's what she said!" Spike joked, as he sat down.

I sat down across from Ed, "No Spike, that's what he said."

"Ouch. That's a burn." Brad annotated.

"Want some burn cream for that?" Ed joked.

"Is this what you called us in for, Ed?" Greg asked, "To make fun of people at their expense?"

"No." Ed said, as his face got serious, "I got some news that affects the team. I know Greg has some too."

"Why don't I go first." Greg suggested, "Break the ice."

"You have the floor, boss." Ed replied.

"Okay," Greg started, "I'm not getting any younger fellas. I've worked with Team One for a long time. Met some great people, made some good friends, and above all we…?"

"Connected, protected, respected." I dryly stated, "What are you getting at?"

"Well," Greg continued, "I can't do this forever. Dean is going to be finishing up his Criminology course soon, and he's already got a job lined up with SIU."

"Special Investigations?" I said, "Good for him."

"Yeah. It is good." Greg commented, "But, I've been considering retiring from the force."

"What?" I replied, "With all due respect- everything I know, I learned from you, and you're leaving? How am I going to come to work every day, knowing that I won't be working with the best?"

"I'm with Megan on this one." Spike piped in, "Honestly boss, keep going until they give you your old age package."

"You want me to be shooting an MP5 and talking down criminals when I'm 59 Spike?"

"I'm just saying, if you don't have to, don't."

"Like I said- I'm considering it. Haven't made up my mind yet- ok?" Greg spoke, "And I'd just be retiring from being a cop, I'm going to keep my position on the administration board."

"Keep us in line?" I said, "Because that's what we'll need with a new Sargent."

"There wouldn't be anyone new." Greg said, "If I do retire, I'd recommend someone within SRU be Team One's Sargent."

"Still, you're the best." I pointed out.

"It wouldn't be too far from the best Megan- I'd recommend Spike most likely."

We all looked at Greg, then at Spike.

"Seriously?" Brad asked, "Spike?"

"Yes, seriously." Greg said, "Ed likes being Team Leader, and I wouldn't change that. On top of that, SRU Sargent requirement is to have 5 years SRU policing, so only Spike would be applicable."

"Boss, I don't think…" Spike started.

"I'm going to stop you right there Scarlatti, because you are Sargent material. You're an excellent shot, a whiz with the computer, and I can't think of anybody better who can dismantle bombs better than you."

"It's big shoes to fill boss." Spike stated, "But you said you were considering right? Just remember my words- 'not until you have to'."

"I have to Spike."

"No, you don't." Spike defended, "I've been honored to serve under you, boss, and I don't think I could do it."

"Well you can Scarlatti." Greg said, "But that's not the main stage today- Ed called us here- what does Ed want with Team One?"

"I haven't been truthful with you guys." Ed admitted, "We're a family, and I've had my secrets too."

"We're allowed to have secrets, Ed." I said.

"You don't have yours."

"But know what Ed, I'm glad I told you guys. I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not."

"Sophie's sick."

Now, our attention turned to Ed.

"She ok buddy?" Greg asked.

"She has acute brain cancer. The doctor has given her 6 months to live. It's too far advanced for chemotherapy."

"I'm sorry Ed." I said, "Is there anything we can do?"

"I've been thinking," Ed continued, "I want to spend as much time with her as possible, before her time is up. I've been thinking early retirement, I've also been thinking of taking some time off- a sabbatical."

"Buddy- you need to be with your wife." Spike suggested, "Go, be with her."

"Sophie is making the decision for me." Ed admitted, "She wants to spend the rest of her time with her family as well, but at the same time, she knows this job is everything for me."

"And you've agreed to let her make that decision?" I asked, "Because don't forget- whatever decision she makes for you- you'll have to live with that."

"I know." Ed said, "With what Greg said, I know this is a lot to handle- but I've been thinking- even if its time off, I want Megan to be Team Leader."

"Why me?" I asked.

"The robbery call at GeeGee's- you were excellent Megan, and we all know that."

"GeeGee's got held up?" Brad asked.

"Shut up Brad, let Ed finish." I snapped.

"Meg, you were excellent at GeeGee's, you're exceeding expectations across the board. I'd trust you as my Team Leader, that's why I'd want you as Team Leader."

I stared down at the table. It was a lot to take in.

"While we're- talking about things…" Brad said, "Since I've started, I can tell that I don't fit in here. I've been thinking of asking for re-assignment."

"Brad, man," Spike said, "Of course you fit in."

"No Spike I don't."

"So what?" Spike asked, "Greg's thinking about retirement, Ed's going to be taking time off, and now Brad's thinking of leaving the team?"

"Spike what do you mean?" I asked.

"What I mean is, I don't have anybody- this team is my family. Without you guys, I don't know what I'd do. Lewis is gone, Sam's locked up because he assaulted one of my friends, and now the rest of my friends are abandoning me?"

"We're not abandoning you." I reasoned, "I'll always be here, Spike- I have nowhere else to be."

"It's not enough." Spike murmured.

"Not enough?" I yelled at Spike, "I'll tell you what's not enough- what's not fair! Every night for the past six months, my mom has been talking in her sleep to a man that's no longer there! My baby sister will never know her father! I've been having nightmares that I can't explain, and I wake up crying- Sara has to put up with that! That's not fair Spike. You have people who care about you, and you just shrug them off, like expired cheese. What's up with that?"

Spike looked over at me. For a moment I thought I was crying, because everyone was looking at me, but then I realized- I'm too angry to be crying.

"Megan!" Winnie yelled from the dispatcher's desk.

"Not now!" I yelled back.

"Megan- it's Sara, she says it's really important."

I walked over to the dispatcher's desk and took the phone and put it on speaker.

"Sara, this isn't the best time."

No answer.

"Sara- you there?"

"Yeah, Meg, I'm here." Came Sara's voice with a tremble.

"Sara- what's going on?"

"They have a gun…"

"Who has a gun?"

"Megan, I swear I don't know who they are. They want money."

I looked back to Greg and the rest of the team who were coming towards me in a big huddle.

"Sara- do you know where you are? Did they hurt you?"

"Megan…I don't know…."

"Sara- what did they do to you?"

"…Megan, I'm sorry."

Fear and anger started to swell up inside me.

"Sara- what did they do to you?"

I could tell she was crying as she said it, "They raped me."

A/N: Yes. I know what happened to Sara is very strong, and very suggestive, but it was the only thing that I could properly fit into the context. Keep those boots on A New Beginning fans, because the last 4 chapters are the biggest 4 yet.