Everyone Needs A Hero

Part 12 - When The Smoke Clears

"I wish I didn't have to leave you so early "Vic sighed turning to face Luke who was pulling into the parking lot." Hey is everything ok?"
It seemed like a dark cloud had dropped over him between the station and the traffic light. 5 blocks for her to notice that something was clearly wrong. He didn't answer which only seemed to make her more worried.

"It's just work stuff you know "Luke answered as he pulled into a parking space unlike normally when he usually dropped her off and went to his office.

"Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting in an hour ?"Vic questioned as she undid her seatbelt and adjusted the collar of her uniform.

"Stopping here first. "Luke replied" There's a few things you need to know " He didn't say anything else. He adjusted his tie and opened the door.

Vic sighed as she got out as well. She felt a wave of uneasiness wash over her and Luke's behavior put her on edge. Like there was something he wasn't letting her in on. She knew that would happen with him being the chief but she at least thought he'd inform her if it affected her or anyone else at 19.

"You coming?" He asked turning back to face her. He had made it halfway across the parking lot before realizing she wasn't there with him.

She nodded and approached him slowly. He reached out and grabbed her hand as they walked and even though she wanted to she didn't pull away. Feeling like maybe the gesture was for his comfort and not hers.

He eventually broke away when they got inside. He kissed her cheek gently and stepped into Andy's office. He hadn't said a word between the car and the doors. She was worried.

"Hey Sullivan wants us in the beanery. Some sort of briefing "Dean greeted steeping into the lobby from the barn.

Vic nodded glancing at the door to Andy's office with a heavy heart. She had never seen Luke like this. It wasn't just that morning either. He had been acting different since he came home.

"You alright?" Dean asked as he watched her stare at the door. She seemed to be unable to move or speak.

"I'm worried about Luke. "She admitted quietly.

"Okay." Dean replied in a somewhat questioning manner "What kind of worried? Worried like he might die ? Worried like your marriage is falling apart?"

"I don't know "Vic answered quietly taking a few steps forward to where Dean stood " He just seems upset about something."
"Well now that I think about it I don't think anyone's ever asked him how he's dealing with the whole Warren thing ?" Dean suggested "I wouldn't worry too much. "
"Yeah maybe "Vic said halfhearted. She still felt like something was wrong. She didn't say anything else and just followed Dean into the beanery. She took a seat and tried to smile so that she wouldn't have to talk about it and actually acknowledge her fears.

"Hey what's going on ?" Jack asked sitting down next to her.

Vic just shrugged. She knew about as much as they did.

"Apparently we're having some sort of meeting "Maya answered " Sullivan pulled us all in here. Other than that it's all up to speculation. We " She gestured to the group "Think we might have done something wrong and we're about to get our asses handed to us."

"God I haven't even had my coffee yet and I've already managed to piss Herrera off "Jack sighed" if I'd known I was going to get yelled at before shift started I would have made coffee at home "

Maya nodded and slid over her cup "I can't drink it. I'm too worried that we're about to get fired or transferred out "

"Whatever it is "Vic announced to the group "It's not just Andy who's mad. Luke said he had some things he needed to discuss with all of us. "