The Doctor Is In (Law & Order: SVU and Chicago PD)

Retirement's A Bitch

It was early 2013, when John walked into the station, looking particularly sad. We hadn't spent time together in a few months, and I was starting to realize why.

"Regan, can I talk to you?" He asked after it tapped me on the arm.

"Of course John." I followed him out into the hallway of the precinct. He sat down on a bench, and I followed suit.

"John.. what's going on?" I rubbed his arm and gently smiled. I had a sinking suspicion.

"You know I care a great deal for you.." he looked at me, and I smiled. "I'm just getting older.. and there's a job at the district attorney's office. I'm retiring from the NYPD, in the spring. Taking a job with the DA."

"John.. thats wonderful! You'll be amazing at that. I wish we would've told me sooner though, because now I have less time to plan for party!"

"No parties!"

"Just with you and me?" I asked gently.

He sighed, "Fine. I know it'll make you happy." I kissed him on the cheek, "yay! you know the gangs going to want to throw you one too!"

"Yeah.. well, that'll happen after I tell them," he winked. "Wanted to tell you first."

"Thanks John, I'll miss you.."

"You have me until your birthday, few weeks," he smiled his kind smile before kissing my cheek and walking back inside the unit.
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I wanted my 'party' to be John's first. He gave me a key to his house when we were dating; one night I followed him home, and while he was down the street at the store, I unlocked his door and went right to the kitchen. I was going to make him fried tofu, and asparagus.. a little wine and dine. It was also my turn to pick the movie... The Sound of Music it is! I was all done with dinner and the balloons I brought were floating around his living room. 

I saw him walk to the store at 7:30, and I was done making dinner at 8:30, but he still wasn't back. I started to panic slightly as 9:00 came around he still wasn't back. I was about to start calling the squad when suddenly the front door began to slowly open, I ducked in his kitchen and waited until I heard him get closer. "SURPRISE!" I jumped out with a smile on my face.

But he wasn't alone. He was with his ex-wife. "Oh.. John. I'm sorry.. I didn't know you weren't alone." I turned bright red and quickly blew out the candles and covered the food. "Happy retirement John..." I smiled awkwardly. "I'll leave you two.."

"I'll walk you out." We walked toward the door. "I'm sorry about this.."

"No.. I should've told you John. Just wanted it to be a surprise." I rubbed my arms as I waited for the awkwardness to end. "I'll see you tomorrow John.."

I waved to his wife before I walked down his front steps to hail a cab. I got in the cab and told the driver where to take me as I cried.

The next day at work, John walked up and apologized again. "Don't John.. she's your wife, ha. I should've told you. Just wanted my party to be the first one.." I laughed awkwardly.

"See you at the big party?" He asked.

"Of course."