We roll onto the scene and see multiple police cars around a gas station. I put the car in park as the captain walked over to me and Ziah.

“Lt. Mala.”

I glanced around looking to see if I saw Marcus. “Don't worry. Marcus is fine and so are your kids.”

I let out the breath I have been holding and relax a bit. “Okay, then why was I requested here?”

“Not you.” Captain Rodgers turned to Joziah. “Lt. Chelf. The armed robber asked for you. He has shot a young man, nothing serious but a flesh wound. He will be fine.”

“Who is it?”

“He said his name is Jordan. We did not want him to do something he regrets. When he asked for you we decided to give you a call.”

I notice Joziah stiffen. “Let me talk to him.” he walks forward and I grab his hand.

“Hey, who is Jordan?” I asked as he turned to me.

“Someone I know.”

“I'm coming with you, I got your back,” I said firmly. He begins to argue but I cut him off again. "Partners?"

He smiles a bit, "Partners."

He nodded and I dropped his hand and followed.

We walk slowly into the gas station. I see a man standing in the back pointing his gun at us. I stop and allow Ziah to move forward without making the guy feel threatened.

“Jordan, it's Joziah. Remember me brother?” Brother?

“Chelf? I saw them, I heard them. They were all around us. I heard them and I had to help.” Jordan said, lowering his gun.

“Jordan, we are safe. But I need you to hand me the gun.” He steps closer and is standing in front of him.

“Chelf. They were here. All of them. Our brothers. Then I heard a loud noise and then they were dead. All dead. I need to kill them before they kill me!” Jordan is frantic. He was sweating and his eyes held a stare that was disturbing. He is walking frantically back and forth waving the gun in the air. I hear soft whispering coming from him. He glances back out the window and shivers.

“They are here. We need to kill them all!” he says as he raises the gun again. His gaze meets mine and then the barrel of the gun is facing me. I hold my hands up showing I mean no harm.

“Jordan, he is not one of them. He is with me.” Joziah steps in front of me.

“You are protecting them? How could you betray your own brothers!” Jordan spat.

“Jo, I'm not. Please, calm down. You know me better than anyone.''

I notice Joziah's voice start to break a bit, so I step forward, placing a hand on Josiah's back, letting him know I'm behind him. I place my hand on my gun.

“Ziah, I have a clear view. What do I need to do?” I whisper to him.

“No, just trust me. Okay? No force. He is having a flashback,” he looks over his shoulder. I nodded to him. For some reason… I feel protective? I know he is my partner but…

“Jordan, we did all we could. We made it home. Look around. I'm here. I am alive.” Joziah patted his chest to show he is solid. Jordan gives him a weak look and rubs his eyes.

“I don't want to be here.”

“I know. But you have to be a strong brother.” He held his hand out in hopes Jordan would hand him the gun. Jordan looks at his hands and holds the gun out.

Ziah slowly takes the gun away and holds it back to me. I grab it, check if there are any bullets then disassemble it. “Jo, where's Mary?”

“She left me when I came back. I lost everything. She took the kids to her moms. I haven't seen them in years.” Jordan starts crying and Chelf reaches for him. Joziah wraps him into a tight hug then quickly grabs him by the wrist and places them behind his back.

“Jordan, I have to do this to keep you safe. See him over there?” he pointed to me. “That's my partner, I have to keep not only you and myself safe, but I have to keep him safe too. And the others outside.”

"I'm sorry." He whispers to me.

"It's okay man. Just take it easy."

He gives me a weak smile, "Take care of him for me."

I nod, "Always."

Jordan nods as cuffs are clipped to him and they make their way past me. I follow and watch as he is put in another patrol car.

“Srg. He suffers from PTSD. I think something may have triggered him. We were together overseas. I am not making an excuse but I would suggest getting him help.” Joziah said as he watched the patrol cars' tail lights disappear.

“I will look into it.” Srg. says as he pats him on his shoulder.

“Joziah?” I asked.

He turns to me and smiles. “Time to head to the office, then head to the grocery store for tomorrow. So glad we are off.”

He walks off and gets into the car. I sighed and followed his lead. Once in the car he was quiet, looking out the window lost in thought.

For some reason, I want to see him smile. When he smiles, it makes me happy. I recall many times when he is on the phone with Bridgette. When he is sad he does the same thing. Look out the window into the nothingness. I glanced around the streets and smiled. I pulled into a gas station and ran inside. I grabbed his favorite candy, chips, water, and a coffee. I pay the fee and walk back out the car. I opened the door and dumped the contents into his lap, then handed him his coffee as well. He gave me a weak smile as he took a sip. He looked at me in surprise.

“You know what kind of coffee I like?”

“Babe, this thing between us has been going on for a bit now. I pick up on things. Like how you like candy and Chips when you are sad. I noticed after our diner trip when Bridgette called you and y'all argued. We stopped at a store, grabbed a bunch of candy, then you scarfed them down.” I chuckled as I reached for my water. “Besides. Everyone needs junk food every now and then.” I smiled as I took a swig of my drink

“Thanks, Zai. This means a lot.” He said as he opened his candy.

“No problem."

He pulls out his phone and dials a number. Bridgette probably. He frowns and hangs up then tries again. "Damn it Bridg. I need to talk to you." I hear his voice shaking.

"You ok?"

"Yep."

"She's not answering?"

"Nope."

"Is there anything you want to talk about? Or I can help with?" I ask as we pull out of the gas station. He sighs.

"Jordan was a brother from the Military. I haven't spoken to him in a few years because I feel as if he blames me for a bunch of shit. But I will be ok."

"Well, I'm here. If you want to talk about it," I grab his hand and give it a squeeze.

He smiles and grips my hand tighter, "I know. I just don't want to burden you with my issues when you have some of your own."

I snorted, “First off, yes I have issues but that doesn't make them more or less important than yours. Second, I will be here like you have been for me. And lastly, I'm supposed to be the gloomy one.”

He chuckles. "Okay."

I give his hand one last squeeze then place it back on the steering wheel.