Everyone Needs A Hero

Part 6 - What Friends Are For

Dean held Pru in his arms as she cried trying desperately to quiet her so he wouldn't bother any one on B Shift who were still here resting from the previous night before going home. They had covered A shift while they had gone to the funeral.
"Come on Pru. Please stop crying. " He pleaded with her quietly" It's bad enough Daddy has a hangover. Now you gotta wake up B Shift too"
"Are we supposed to ask ?" Andy whispered to Jack and Emmett loudly. They had just walked in to the beanery to see Dean struggling to warm up a bottle with his daughter in his arms.
"Isn't there a rule that you aren't supposed to bring your kid to work?" Emmett replied with a question.
"I'm afraid if we ask he'll try talking us into taking his baby again if he dies " Jack added.
"So it's agreed we don't ask. We just get our coffee and pretend like there isn't a crying baby in the station." Andy informed Jack and Emmett who nodded.
Vic groaned as she and Ripley opened the door to the beanery hearing the sound of a crying baby. Funeral hangovers were probably the worst type of hangover.
Ripley looked at Vic then back at Dean with a questioning smile.
" Dean you want to take your very loud baby somewhere else ? " Vic asked rubbing her temples "I have the worst hangover."
"I'm warming her up a bottle. Once B Shift leaves I'm going to lay with her in the bunk room " Dean answered" and I thought since we're all friends now that you guys would stop staring."
"Miller "Ripley questioned"Why did you bring your baby to work with you?"
"Babysitter has the flu. I don't have anyone else I could call last minute. " Dean replied as the microwave beeped.
"You sure it's not so you could try and convince one of us to take her ?" Andy asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Oh by the way Sullivan's going to be late. He's helping Miranda with some things."
"Why, is it working?"Dean joked with a smile " No. I didn't have anywhere else to take her. So I thought hopefully whoever's on desk duty today would be willing to watch her."
"You mean one of us ?" Jack asked Dean looking around at the four people in the kitchen.
" Yeah. " Dean answered smiling when Pru took the bottle happily. "That's what I was thinking. "
"There's a slight problem you have then." Jack told Dean with a sigh " None of us are on desk duty. "
"Well who is ?" Dean asked with a heavy sigh.
The group looked at each other and exchanged a look of concern.
"Vic any chance you have those flowers you almost bought yesterday ?" Dean acknowledged Vic who had her head down at the table "Because I might want them now."
"Look I'll ask Sullivan if I can switch" Vic offered " That way I can watch Pru. "
"Yeah Vic I don't really care about that. " Dean admitted.
"I'm sorry." Vic sighed" I guess I'm waiting for the right moment. It felt wrong yesterday with the funereal and today I have a massive hangover. So I was hoping to avoid confrontation"
"Vic " Jack replied " I don't think there's ever going to be a right moment. "
"He's right " Andy agreed"I think maybe Sullivan should let Ripley fill in for you. So you can take care of that "
Vic nodded" but Ripley's got a lot to do. He's busy."
"Actually "Ripley corrected" it was just a couple meetings with the city about naming a new chief but I think I'll reschedule."
"Wait ?" Dean asked in surprise " why do we need a new chief?"
"My dad was arrested last night. Something about fraud "Emmett admitted " So the department is naming a new chief."
"Ok I'm not staying. And you're going to that meeting" Vic scolded Ripley.
"Except the reason 19 works so well together is because you're a family. I think you need to have that talk so I'll replace you."Ripley insisted "Herrera clear that with Sully would you?"
"He kinda told me to approve anything that needed to be approved while he was gone" Andy explained " So it's been approved."
"What's been approved?" Maya asked walking in with a look of surprise on her face.
"Ripley's going to be going out on calls so Vic can watch Pru." Andy told her.
"Welcome sir " Maya looked to Ripley " For the record Dean I'm glad you didn't give that adorable little girl to the bartender "
"I wasn't going to" Dean countered" And I wasn't that drunk"
"You were that drunk"Jack tapped Dean on his shoulder " We were that drunk. You know I slept in my dress blues. I was so drunk I didn't think to change"
"Yeah ok I was pretty drunk" Dean gave in " I think B Shift is gone so I'm going to lay down."
"Actually"Vic objected" I'll take her. Since I'm not doing anything else."
"Talking" Andy told her " You're talking. And watching Dean's baby"
"Besides that " Vic confirmed taking Pru from Dean.
"Her bags in my locker " Dean told her " If you need anything let me know "
"I think I can handle a baby Dean " Vic assured him as she walked to the lounge. Ripley went with her.
"So I'm thinking since you and I have switched duties for the day. You could pick up lunch" Lucas suggested as he sat next to Vic on the couch.
"From our place? " Vic asked smiling down at Pru.
"Yeah " Ripley nodded " In case you forgot I like the peppered steak sandwich. "
Vic nodded. She knew his order by heart. She adjusted the way she sat so that she was leaning into Lucas.
"You know I don't want to rush things. The weddings a couple months off. But we'd be great parents right ?" She rambled nervously as she stroked Pru's head.
"Last night you were pretty clear you didn't want children" Lucas commented"What changed ?"
"It's a disaster plan right?" Vic reasoned"I don't think Dean will die anytime soon and Pru should have someone looking out for her. We'd be perfect "
Lucas smiled " We would " he confirmed" Are you saying that you think we should agree to take her ?"
Vic nodded with a smile. " I also might be pushing it but I don't want to spend another minute not married to you. Ben's death reminded me of how much time we might not have. I want to spend as much of that time as I can married to the love of my life."
"So we get married right now ?"Lucas wondered.
"Maybe not right now. But soon. " Vic answered" And we should do it here. Nowhere fancy just a simple ceremony in front of the crew and Jennifer. "
"Simple. I'd be okay with that. " Lucas agreed "When ?"
"I'll know when it's the right time." Vic murmured closing her eyes blissfully.
And as quickly as the moment had came, it left when the klaxons sounded calling Ripley away to a structure fire.
"Lucas heard you were joining us. " Sullivan called out when Lucas walked into the barn. He looked back and wished he could stay there with Vic in his arms forever.
"Yeah. Sully " Ripley nodded to his friend" You wouldn't want to be my best man would you?"
Sullivan sent him a shocked look as they got in the ladder truck. "Isn't that a ways off ?"
" We decided we're going to have it sooner. Simple,just a small ceremony at the station in front of the crew, and the only family we invite will be Jennifer." Lucas elaborated on what he and Vic had just discussed.
"In that case I'd be honored Luke" Sullivan grinned " Let me know when and where I'll be there."
Vic sighed and looked down at Pruitt who she held in her arms as she stood in the hall.
"Why is it so hard ?" She asked the baby who cooed.
Vic adjusted her purse. The team had been called out to their second call right around noon. Since Ripley wasn't there she was going to go pick up lunch so that when Ripley got back they could eat.
"They're right you know ?" Vic told Pru in a gentle voice " I need to do this. "
Pru just babbled and grabbed Vic's collar.
"I need to for your Daddy" She explained feeling a pit in her stomach. "Plus Uncle Luke's right. We don't work well like this"
Vic sighed and took a deep breath as she walked towards the front desk.
"I'm going to pick up lunch at that little deli Lucas and I like. You want anything?" She asked from the stairs.
"I thought you were on ladder today." Travis looked up at her.
"Ripley switched with me. Miller needed a babysitter so. "Vic explained taking a step further.
"I thought you and Dean weren't speaking." Travis replied as Vic sat in the empty chair next to him.
"We weren't. " Vic nodded in agreement"but I forgave Dean a couple days before the funeral. And I wasn't planning to. But Ripley said something to me last week that just I don't know. It made me realize that I haven't been the greatest friend. So I apologized and we talked. He told me he didn't want to hurt me. And well Ripley and I just decided we're going to take this little one if Dean dies in a fire or something so I'd say we're friends again."
"So I should probably stop treating Dean like crap " Travis replied quietly.
"Yeah. Probably. " Vic smiled" Because I almost bought Dean funeral flowers the other day. Well actually Jack said they were apology flowers because I was avoiding talking to you. "
"That's a lot of pressure to put on flowers"
"Shut up." Vic laughed " I was nervous. "
Vic looked down at Pru who squirmed in her arms.
"I think you're next on the list of people to apologise to " Vic said quietly looking up."Luke and I are having the wedding sooner and I'd like for you and Dean to be able to be in the same room."
"I'll forgive Dean. I can understand the whole grief thing." Travis told her " You moved the wedding again?"
"Yeah first it was because I didn't want to get married when everyone was so sad and now it's because yesterday made me realize I just want to be married to Luke. I don't care when." Vic replied "You know she's sleeping and I have a massive hangover from Ben's celebration of life thingy at Joe's so I'm going to go sleep while I can since I did what Ripley wanted."

"So you two agreed? You'll take her " Dean asked Ripley as they got out of the truck.
"Well we'll probably need to discuss more but she seemed pretty content." Ripley replied.
"Well I think you'd be great parents. So I'll call the lawyer. Update my will " Dean agreed as they walked into the beanery.
"You want lunch or did Vic go to your place?" Dean asked Ripley as he pulled out a bottle for Pru and a container of leftovers from the previous nights dinner.
"I was hoping she'd go to our place but with the hangover I don't think she left the station." Ripley answered" Thankfully I didn't drink quite as much as she did."
Dean nodded and took the bottle from the microwave" I'll go grab her so you can at least eat together."
He walked towards the lounge where he found her past out on the couch.
"Hughes "he greeted" We're back "
"Hmm " Vic groaned opening her eyes and turning over " Crap I didn't go to the deli. "
"Ripley already figured that out. Where's Pru?" Dean asked " I have a bottle for her and I'd like to see my child before I get called away again."
"Yeah she was in here with me. "Vic replied tiredly as she looked around the room.
"You lost my child ?" Dean scolded her " I knew I shouldn't have left her with you "
Vic grabbed a pillow off the couch and threw it at him. "You left her with me because I'm good at babysitting. Besides it's not like she can just walk off"
"She crawls Hughes. She crawls everywhere. What if she's off somewhere licking someone's boot?"Dean argued panicked.
"Why would she be licking someone's boot?" Vic asked getting up and looking for Pru.
"She's a baby. Babies lick things." Dean explained" Come on help me look for her. Make sure she didn't fall down the stairs or something."
Vic nodded and followed Dean watching as he checked everywhere including the washer. He even called her name out expecting an answer.
She followed him reluctantly into the locker room as he checked closets and behind objects.
Vic rounded the corner to check for Pru who wasn't there.
"Pru ?" Dean asked pushing past her and opening the washing machine.
"Dean why would she be in there ?" Vic asked rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"She's a baby." Dean answered shutting the door and checking the dryer.
"Dean babies don't hide in washing machines. They hide in closets and things " Vic sighed texting Luke to let him know she'd be a minute.
"So why are we always helping people's kids when they get stuck in washing machines Hughes ?" Dean asked as he checked a laundry basket.
"Because they're kids. Not babies. She can't open the door to the washer." Vic reasoned.
"If it was already open she wouldn't have to. " Dean argued as he checked out in the hall.
"I'm pretty sure it wasn't." Vic guessed as Dean checked a cabinet.
" Pretty sure isn't the same as knowing." Dean objected opening the door to a supply closet.
"Lose something Miller ?" Sullivan asked stepping into the hall.
"You haven't seen my baby have you sir ?" Dean asked Sullivan shutting the closet door.
"Yeah." Sullivan answered " She's in the conference room upstairs "
Dean stared up the stairs feeling worried. "How'd she get up there ?" He asked.
"Thanks captain" Vic whispered.
Vic followed Dean as he walked up the steps and stopped to look in the conference room.
"What what is it ? Is she hurt ?" Vic asked with worry coming over and standing next to Dean.
"I see you had that talk " Dean whispered quietly.
"Oh hey. She was crying. So I took her up here. It was quiet." Travis looked up at them.
Dean nodded and came over and gently lifted Pru into his arms.
"Yeah I had that talk." Vic replied to Dean as she watched him feed Pru her bottle.
" Sorry I said I shouldn't have left her with you." Dean apologized to Vic " And you and Ripley can take her. You know when I die"
"So I see Ripley did some talking too today." Vic smiled looking down at Pru " She's pretty perfect isn't she?"
Dean nodded " She is."