Everyone Needs A Hero

Part 13- Had I Known How To Save A Life

Author's note

I chose to include the a/n in the beginning this time around so that I could effectively put out a trigger warning for this chapter. It deals with some pretty sensitive topics and I completely understand if the topics discussed are too much. Just feel free to skip past this chapter if you need to. ! Trigger warning, mentions self harm and broaches the topic of suicide and depression. ! - George O'Malley's Girl

"Scout come here !"July called as he took a sip of his coffee.

There was a jangle of tags that emerged from the bedroom as Scout bounded in. His tail wagging exuberantly just to hear July's voice. Scout bounded up to where his owner stood and nudged his nose on July's leg.

"Hey buddy " July greeted gently stroking the soft spot behind Scout's ears, his favorite spot. "Oh man you don't know how bad I need your joy today"

Scout's ears perked up and he cocked his head to the right. Almost like he perfectly understood the significance of that day for his friend.

"How about I make you a nice sirloin when my shift is over ?"July told Scout as he continued to stroke him gently "Just me and you like it's always been, right ?"

Scout of course didn't answer, he instead plopped down at his owners feet ready for the routine that came next.

"Alright then boy " July smiled "Sit, stay and be good. And let's not have anymore accidents in the house. "

July reached down to pet Scout once more before he left. Once Scout seemed happy enough to be left alone, July grabbed his things and locked the door to the apartment.

That morning was different than most. Most mornings as he left for work he'd say hello to any of his neighbors that happened to be out, sometimes if time would allow for it he would stop and chat for a moment before going on his way. He'd smile and wave at the children and pet the dogs his elderly neighbors in 24 A kept.

Most mornings he was friendly but today he kept his head down, walking the hall without so much as a nod to his neighbors. It was probably the quickest he had ever gotten from the door to his apartment to his bike. He was grateful because he'd do anything to avoid pleasantries on this day.

Everything he did that morning had been done on auto pilot. Before he knew it, he was stepping inside the doors of the station. The ride had barely been noticeable. So unnoticeable he wouldn't have known if he had hit a pedestrian or animal.

Now as he stood in the lobby of the station, he took a minute and reminded himself he would need to package today away and leave it at the door. The people he would encounter on the job today depended on him to be at the top of his game.

"Kingham "Andy greeted stepping into the hallway "Come here for a minute. "

July sighed. Here it came, every year on this day he'd get called in, the captains were different but the talk was always the same.

"Yeah Captain" July asked as he leaned against the wall. He felt that if he sat he wouldn't be able to get up again.

"It's been a long time I know but if you want to take the day off " Andy began gently. She was trying to be sympathetic, she knew what he was going through. Or at least that's what she would try to say.

"Respectfully Captain but this is the only day I request to work. It's the only day I don't want to have off, I need to work. I promise I'm at the top of my game, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." July cut in harshly. He wasn't trying to be harsh but it always came out that way. This day always seemed to bring out the worst in him.