Epilogue

Three months later the station had a picnic/softball game at a nearby park. The weather actually cooperated by rewarding them with perfect California weather. Not too hot; there was even a slight breeze. Lucy smiled as she sat at a picnic table watching the game. She'd played in the first game and now was enjoying lemonade and a burger watching her friends and colleagues. Perfect Saturday.

John Nolan was up to bat trying to decipher Sgt. Grey's pitching. On Grey's team were Tim playing right field and Jackson playing third. The fact that the two were on the same team had surprised Lucy. It had also given her a sense of peace that maybe just maybe the fragile truce between them the last few months would hold.

Since the shooting in the alley Tim and Jackson hadn't exactly been best friends Lucy thought as she cheered John's line drive. Still they hadn't avoided each other and hadn't gotten into any arguments. All of which Lucy considered a win. They say time heals Lucy wasn't sure it would in this situation. Still she was hopeful that maybe at some point a genuine friendship would form between her two friends.

An hour and a half later the game ended. Grey's team winning by a score of eight to five. Jackson's t-shirt and shorts were covered in dirt and grass stains. Most of the rest of the team didn't look much better. All however were smiling even the losing team was grinning. With how tense their job was Lucy was grateful for a day like today. A day where they could leave the job behind for a little while and enjoy good food, good company and play baseball. People split up to get drinks and food. Lucy caught part of a conversation between Tim and Jackson as they passed by.

"Thought that Talia was going to tackle you to get onto that base."Tim said with a chuckle.

"I did too. She scared me a bit."Jackson responded with a grin. "But I held my ground."

"Yes, you did. Took guts."Tim commented.

"Think those two are headed toward peace and friendship?"John asked coming to stand at Lucy's left.

"I hope so."Lucy replied as she swiped a potato chip from John's plate. "They're at least talking to each other."

"I think they're slowly mending fences."John commented as he took a bite of pasta salad.

The rest of the day passed by far too quickly. As they were packing things up Tim approached. He took the plastic storage bin Lucy was carrying.

"I've got this. Make a last check see if we got everything, boot."Tim stated as he loaded the bin into a black SUV.

Lucy smiled and turned to survey the picnic area. She picked up a wayward ketchup bottle but otherwise didn't see anything. Lucy heard footsteps behind her and saw Tim come to a stop next to her. He was as messy as Jackson had been grass stained, sand, dirt from head to toe. But she hadn't seen him this relaxed in several weeks. It was nice to see.

"What are you grinning at?"Tim asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just trying to figure out what color your shirt originally was."Lucy replied.

"Cute, boot."Tim said as they started walking back to the cars. "Maybe you're a little too clean."

"Hey, I played hard too."Lucy protested.

"If you say so."Tim said as he grabbed the ketchup bottle and aimed.

"You wouldn't dare."Lucy commented as she started to run towards the car she'd carpooled in.

Tim squeezed the bottle but the spray of ketchup missed and Lucy laughed. She reached the passenger side door and quickly got in. As the car pulled away Lucy reflected that it had been a really good day. One that had been badly needed and would be a treasured memory in the years to come.

end