A/N 1. The story is set in the same AU as my previous stories and comes after the events in 'Forever Blue'. Anyone who has not read that story- Mac's wife, Mary, has died and he only has a son, who is in the military and not living in California. The wife he has in this story is Dr. Eliza Parker (the character I created in 'Forever Blue')

And 2. If you do not like AU stories, May-December/ whirlwind romances, doNOT read this story. There IS an age difference/ whirlwind romance between Pete and the OC.

Opening Scene

The air was more than cold as the group of mourners began filing out of the cemetery. From where Mac and Eliza stood, they could see Pete, who had left the funeral the second it was over, standing outside the fence that surrounded the graves. He was waiting for Jean and Jim. She was standing next to the gate that led into the cemetery, while Jim-who was temporarily in a wheelchair, was next to his wife. They were talking to Betty and her mother; Ed was sitting in the Wells' car that was parked a few yards away.

"Pete blames Officer Wells even if he isn't responsible; you know that." Eliza, who had been looking in Ed's direction, turned to look at her husband.

"I know." Mac sighed. "Officer Jackman is dead at twenty-four, and Jim has two broken legs and will be confined to a wheelchair until they heal. Until then, he'll be at the front desk working the phones and dealing with whoever walks into the police station." Mac made no attempt to hide his own feelings when it came to the situation. "After all these years...the fact that Ed hasn't been nearly as bad as he used to be…" Mac shook his head. "He thinks Ed should have pounded it into the rookie's head not to do such a stupid stunt." He shook his head. "I'm surprised Pete and Jim, along with Jean, came at all."

"Pete came because Jim and Jean asked him to... to support Betty. The poor woman has had to deal with the backlash of this as well. After all, Pete isn't the only one that thinks Ed's partially at fault. He's just been the loudest in making his opinion known." Eliza paused, and then asked if what she'd heard was true. "That is, there's talk Ed is going to be removed as a training officer."

"Nothing has been decided yet. Reality is, Ed didn't control Jackman's choices." Mac sometimes wished he could turn back the hands of time, only no one could do that.

Eliza then looked in Pete's direction while she continued talking to Mac. "Weren't you telling me...before this whole mess took place...that Pete had vacation time coming, and how you wished he'd take it?"

"He does, and I've been trying to think of way to get him to do just that. At the moment, I really don't want Pete and Ed within ten feet of each other." Mac admitted. "I do have an idea though. Please, go ahead and wait at the car for me while I go talk to Pete."

Eliza was curious; she wanted to know what Mac's idea was. However, she didn't say anything as she walked over the freshly cut grass and headed towards their vehicle. She might ask him later, only now was not a good time.

Chapter One

It was almost noon when Pete drove into the Reeds' driveway. Mac had called Pete into the office that morning. Their discussion had centered on their previous conversation outside the cemetery. As he parked his car, a few of Mac's words echoed in his ears. "You're one of the best Pete, only you won't be if you allow this to get to you. Take that two-week vacation we discussed. In fact, take three! You've more than earned it." He'd then restated all that he'd said the day before- including who he'd partner Pete with if he didn't seriously consider taking some time off.

"Mom! Dad!" Jim Jr, who happened to look out the window as Pete parked his car, called out. "Uncle Pete is here!"

Jim, who wasn't going back to work until the next day, wheeled himself into the living room just as his son opened the front door and let his 'uncle' in.

"Why aren't you at work?" Jim asked; his concern for Pete could be heard in his voice.

"Pete!" Jean, who had just entered the living room, exclaimed before Pete could answer Jim's question. "What are you doing here? Not that you're not welcome, go ahead and have a seat." She gestured towards the couch while she sat in the new recliner she and her husband had bought the week before.

Pete, who didn't look all that happy, did as Jean suggested while Jim Jr remained standing. "I've got some vacation time coming, and now is as good a time as any to take it. I wanted to say goodbye first."

Jim didn't have to ask what made it so Pete was taking a vacation. Though, he was surprised some. After all, the way Pete had been talking, he had no intention of doing anything but his work. Thinking back to the night he was hurt, he couldn't help but ask, "You're not blaming yourself for this," he tapped the casts on his legs, "Are you?"

For a small moment, Pete seemed to go back in time as he watched Jim dodging a bullet only to slip and fall down a flight of cement steps. Though, going to him wasn't an option at that second-as bullets were flying everywhere, and Pete was pinned down in the corner of the building parking lot. However, the second the shooting stopped, Pete let the other officers deal with the crooks and, sadly, the now deceased rookie- Officer Jackman, while he ran straight for his unconscious partner. "No," Pete finally answered, even as the look of a man who had too many emotions raging through him appeared in his eyes. "That blame lies at the feet of a rookie who made a downright stupid choice and, as I've said before, his training officer."

"Maybe; though, as we both know- even rookies that are being properly trained don't always listen very well." Jim looked directly at Pete, knowing he wouldn't have to ask where the statement was coming from.

"I know. Still, I need to get away from here for a while." Pete said as he reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Jim. This is my parents' phone number. If there's an emergency call them."

No one said anything for a minute. Finally, Jean spoke up. "Is that where you're going? Your parents?"

"For a few days at least. They moved to Arizona last year, and I have yet to see their new place. It's not summer, so it shouldn't be too hot no matter what." Pete stood up. "I need to get going though. I have more than a few hours ahead of me and want to put some miles behind me before dark."

"Enjoy yourself, but be careful. Also, please, call us when you get to your destination. I don't know what time of day or night it is." Jim said as Pete turned to leave.

"I will." He then walked out of the Reed home, leaving Jim and Jean hoping the vacation would actually do Pete some good.