Peter's pov
Today was not just another day at work. No undercover ops, but it WAS my first day as my older sister's Training Officer, and I was excited. We were both smiling when we met up after rollcall
"Hey, Nicky. You wanna drive?"
My sister smiled, getting the keys from my outstretched hand
"Yes, please."
We started to drive around our patrol sector when we heard a call being put over the air. Robbery in progress. Grabbing the radio, my sister spoke
"12- David show us responding and request backup forthwith at 123 Gate Street, Lucky Lane Lottery. Over."
We went over there in record time, being met by Aunt Eddie and her partner, Luis Badillo. Nicky spoke in a hushed tone
"What's the play?"
I whispered back
"3 guys visible, all packed heavy. Each with two guns. 6 guns minimum, and we have four. How many civilians in the lottery, and have any been shot?"
Aunt Eddie spoke next
"None shot yet, but if we spook the stooges, they might shoot. 3 workers at the lotto, 4 customers. Want Badillo and I to come from the front and you two corner them from the back?"
We all agreed that that plan seemed like the best, and the takedown was swift and without any collateral, I didn't even get shot this time around, which, with my track record, was a welcome surprise. Nicky and I took them to Central Booking, then went on with the rest of our patrol, which was quiet.
3rd person pov
Laurie did not quite know what to do. Paula and Tony had been kind enough to keep CJ, Star, Dusty and Stacy so that she could better focus on Joe. Losing his partner was, unsurprisingly, hitting him hard. Usually an easy sleeper, slumber had now become his enemy, either by evasion or due to the nightmares that plagued him when he bothered to try. Currently, her husband was staring blankly at the wall beside their bed, not saying a word. Silent tears would roll down his cheeks from time to time, but it was a wonder he had tears to cry, between the crying and lack of hydration. And of food in general. Danny had given her the idea to get Doc to help, now that therapist Alex Dawson had helped Danny, Peter and even Joe himself before. But she could not bring herself to contact him without first running it by Joe, not wanting to force anything on him or catch him by surprise. She opened her mouth to speak, but he broke the silence first
"We would always check each other's vests... What did I not see? What if I could've prevented this? H-he never even got to propose to Aimee, have a family of his own. You should've seen how Aims was, Laur."
Now that he was talking, Laurie wanted to keep him that was for as long as possible
"How was she? You keep blaming yourself... Did she?"
Quickly dismissing the idea with a shake of the head, the Detective replied
"No, but I wouldn't have blamed her. She loved him so much, and he loved her. He should still be here."
After that, he fell silent again, shoulders trembling, head n his hands. She gently maneuvered him so that his head was on her lap and she was running her fingers through his hair, trying to give him some comfort. After a while, when he was about to succumb to sleep, she remembered to bring up Doc, only to have Joe speak instead
"I should probably talk to Doc about this... Just give me a few days first, ok, Baby?"
Relieved that he was actively planning to get help on his own accord, the firefighter placed a gentle kiss on her husbands' lips, tear-stained cheeks and forehead before they both fell asleep, with him still in her arms. His emotional recovery would be long, but at least it had already started.