Everyone Needs A Hero

Chapter 2 This House Doesn't Feel Like Home Without You

Jack sighed tiredly as he walked into the locker room. Miranda Bailey was sitting there to his surprise at her husband's locker. Just sitting. Almost like she was praying.
He quietly walked past her and went to his own unbuttoning his shirt to change. He smelled like gas. It was a gas fire they had been called to.
"Need any help ?" He offered quietly as he grabbed a new shirt and slowly began to button it.
"No. You just got back. You should sit, rest. " Miranda declined sadly.
"He was good. Better than all of us. " Jack sighed as he sat down next to her " And it's incredibly painful that you have to do this. Don't do it alone let me help"
Miranda looked at Gibson who sat next to her staring at the ground. She nodded and placed the cardboard box she was holding on his lap and stood.
"Hey uh Jack " Dean walked in and stood to the corner looking at the ground" Could we uh talk ?"
Jack sighed. He knew he shouldn't be mad that he should give Dean a chance. He hadn't been ok since that night. Dean had forgiven him after the skyscraper but Jack had never once said the things that Dean had said to him.
"You've said enough Miller. And I'm busy right now. " Jack answered coldly.
Dean nodded and left without another word which took Jack by surprise. He had expected Dean to scream at him or tell him something cruel like he had been doing to everyone for the past month. Or to shove him into another truck.
" What happened there ?" Miranda asked Jack softly "With Miller?"
" He said some things. Got violent with me. " Jack confided in her as he watched her gently fold a pair of Ben's jeans.
"Grief is hard " Miranda stated solemnly" it makes you do and say things. Forgive Dean. He needs someone. "
Jack sighed. He knew that. He knew how Dean blamed himself for Ben's death.
-3 days after The Pearl Apartment Fire-
Jack approached Dean carefully leaning against the truck "Hey uh Dean you seem. Are you ok? "
"Gibson go. " Dean muttered coldly. " I want to sleep. And you're taking time away from that"
"Dean come on just talk to me " Jack tried again. He looked to the others for support but they'd left. Probably in search of food. They'd been in the middle of dinner when they got the call.
"No Jack. Leave me alone " Dean growled at Jack slamming the door to the ladder truck.
"Dean just talk to me. I want to know you're ok "Jack tried harder grabbing Dean's arm gently.
"Damn it Gibson leave me the hell alone " Dean screamed at him grabbing him by the shoulders and shoving him into the side of the ladder truck.
Jack gasped startled as he sat on the floor where he had fallen trying to determine what he had done to piss Dean off so bad.
"Hey Miller walk away " Andy yelled " Walk away !"
She ran over to where Jack sat stunned and looked him over.
"You alright ?" She asked helping him get up.
"Yeah. I don't know what came over him." Jack assured her as he watched Dean stomp angrily away shoving past Bishop on his way out.
- Present Day -
Jack sighed with disappointment as he walked into the beanery and saw Dean wasn't there.
"Have any of you seen Miller ?"He asked. He had left Miranda to go see what Dean needed. Because she was right. Dean was going through the motions of grief.
"No. Not that I want to" Vic snapped as she slammed a bowl in the sink.
" I think he went upstairs" Emmett spoke looking up from a pile of paperwork.
"Uh thanks Dixon " Jack replied turning to leave.
Emmett nodded " Hey uh you cooking something for Miranda?" He added quietly. He had taken on the job of arranging meals for Miranda after the fire.
"Yeah " Jack remembered" I am. I'm Friday right ?"
"Saturday" Emmett confirmed " Herrera and Sullivan had to switch nights. "
Jack nodded and then left to go find Dean. He hoped Dean would speak to him but he knew it was a long shot after how he had just declined so coldly.
He found Dean standing in the conference room staring out at the barn below him watching as some of the team started on or finished their chores. He didn't move when Jack walked in just watched.
"Dean you asked to talk ?" Jack declared his presence softly. Kindly.
"So now you'll talk to me." Dean barked harshly. "some friend you are Gibson"
Jack sighed not wanting to do this again with the insults and the screaming. " Look if you just wanted to sulk and hurl more harsh words I'm going to go. I have to cook for Miranda anyway. " Jack explained sternly. His body shook with anger at how Dean had treated him. How Dean had treated everyone else. "You realize Vic hates you now right? She could care less about you. "
Dean turned around" No I don't want to do that. The screaming and the things I've been saying. " He admitted shyly.
He approached Jack timidly" Stay. I want to talk. "
Jack shook his head but shut the door behind him and took a seat at the table anyway. If nobody else cared for Dean but Andy he probably wouldn't ever come back from this.
"Jack I wanted to say I'm sorry " Dean began " I want to apologise for all the things I said and for throwing you into the ladder truck. I'm sorry. I haven't been in the right state of mind since the night we lost Warren. I'm sorry. Ok man? "
Jack sighed " Ok it's fine " He accepted " Come on. I still have to cook."
Dean looked at the ground" I don't think I should. Aside from Andy and I guess you now I don't think anyone else wants me around"
"Well um Vic doesn't. But we get it. They're just giving you space you know so you don't get mad and"
"Throw someone into a ladder truck." Dean finished with shame " I really am sorry about that."
"You didn't hurt me. I mean it hurt and yeah it knocked me on my feet but I got a tough shell Miller. You're going to have to do a lot worse to hurt me. " Jack replied "now come on. Help me make something for Miranda to take with her. "
"I thought um Bishop had tonight? "Dean questioned.
"She did. But she can't cook. You know that " Jack chuckled lightly.
Dean nodded "She really can't "
Dean reluctantly went with Jack into the beanery feeling the stares as soon as he walked in. Nobody wanting to make eye contact.
"I was thinking we could make her comfort food. Ya know because it's got to be hard to walk in,face all of us and clean out his locker? What do you think Dean ?" Jack peered into the fridge not missing a beat not noticing the stares."I was thinking pancakes and chicken soup. So she has something for the morning. "
Dean could feel the group staring at him but now with surprise. They'd all seen him throw Jack into the truck and hadn't expected Jack to be so friendly. And he hadn't until today.
Jack stepped out of the fridge as Dean awkwardly leaned on the counter looking at the ground trying to avoid the stares of surprise.
"Ok yes I forgive Dean. " Jack sighed loudly " Alright he's a good guy and he means well. So just stop the staring. And eat your lunch."
The group nodded and turned back to their meals making light conversation. Vic got up and left.
"Now Dean you any good at pancakes?" Jack asked again.
"Yeah " Dean agreed " Pancakes and Chicken soup.Sounds great. "
"Gibson can I help ?" Andy came over leaving her food abandoned at the table not wanting to sit with the people so harshly judging Dean for how he handled his grief.
Jack nodded and passed her a stick of butter.
The three then got to work on the food for Miranda. Jack didn't seem to notice the table was now empty or that Emmett had come over and started flipping pancakes. He watched Dean who talked to Andy as he mixed the batter. Who finally looked like he was ok.
It seemed like just for a moment and just in that moment that things had gone back to the way they were. That nothing had happened. It made Jack smile as he watched Andy fling flour at Dean with a smile.
Dean felt like things were going to be ok for the first time in the kitchen as he cooked. Even if the others wouldn't look at him besides to pass judgement.
It was because Jack had brought him down there and made him feel normal. Because Herrera had never turned on him. He felt like maybe he had friends.
That made the whole Ben thing okay.
- Night Of The Pearl Apartment Fire -
Dean helped Maya load Amanda's mother into the aid car.He looked back hoping Ben would emerge with sweet little Amanda. He hadn't wanted to leave him inside but the mom needed oxygen.
His radio made a crackling and Ben's voice came over it "Mayday " He announced"Mayday"
Dean's heart sank and he watched as Amanda ran out sobbing from fear into Emmett who stood waiting while the rest of 19 watched on in horror after hearing the mayday call over the radio.
- Present Day -
"Hey I just wanted to say thanks before I left. For uh sitting with me and the coffee. And helping with his locker" Miranda greeted them setting her purse on the table ,her attention on the abandoned dishes." Did the rest of the team get called away?"
"No " Dean denied " They just couldn't stand to be in the same room as me. Besides these guys "
Miranda turned around and looked at Gibson and Herrera who were washing dishes together. And Dixon who was putting leftover food into Tupperware containers.
"You stuck in the anger phase ?" Miranda asked Miller gently.
"More like it's the only phase "Dean admitted " I deserve it. The things I've said."
"You are not at fault Dean. " Miranda placed a hand on his shoulder " It is not your fault. "
"I left him. "
"And if you'd stayed with him you wouldn't be standing here putting away leftovers ."Miranda scolded him.
"Actually Bailey " Dean corrected"They're not leftovers. It's chicken soup, waffles and pancakes. For you. We wanted to send you with something"
Miranda sighed with surprise" Oh uh thank you guys."
"Of course " Jack replied "I figured it was hard to come here. After everything. "
Dean grabbed the Tupperware containers from the counter and handed them to Miranda who had tears welling up in her eyes.
"Thanks. For making today easier. All of you. " Miranda cried softly. She picked up her purse and then turned to leave not wanting to spend any more time there.
"She's right you know ?" Herrera looked at Dean " If you hadn't left Warren. We would have lost you both. As well as Amanda and her mom. And everyone else wouldn't be pissed at you. Because they'd be broken and would probably apply to transfer stations. "
Dean nodded. He knew they were right. Knowing this it seemed to hurt just a little bit less.
"By the way now that we're friends again"Jack tapped Dean on the shoulder"You should shower because you smell like gas. "
Dean smiled and left to go shower before going home to Pru glad to have them back.
"That was big of you to forgive Dean. Now maybe the others will too " Andy told Jack as they went back to dishes.
"Well grief is hard. He needs someone. Someone to tell him he smells like gas and that what happened at that fire wasn't his fault. And it feels good to have my best friend back." Jack confided in Andy.
Andy laughed quietly " Yeah "