Thunder shook the firehouse. Most of its occupants slept soundly, except for one. He sat in front of the fireplace, thinking. His foot tapped against the floor anxiously as many thoughts flooded his mind.

Why didn't you grab her?

You could have saved her life.

You're a failure.

He shut his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered with a sob. He buried his face into his hands. "I'm so sorry..."

The floorboard creaked behind him. "Chase?" a small voice said. "Chase, what's wrong?"

He wiped his eyes and looked back at his wife. Clearing his throat, he said "N-nothing, Skye. Please, go back to bed."

Ignoring his plea, she walked into the living room and leaned into him on the loveseat. She drew her arm across his chest, rubbing her hand up and down as she breathed a heavy sigh. With her head against his shoulder, she could feel him trembling slightly. His heartbeat was erratic. "It wasn't your fault," she whispered. "It isn't anyone's fault."

"Tell that to Diane," he whispered. His cheek rested on her hair. It smelled sweet, like peaches. He took a shaky breath and sighed as tears left his eyes. He looked in every direction before squeezing his eyes shut, hugging Skye tightly, yet gently. "She was within my reach. If I had just-"

Skye pulled back, placed her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look into her eyes. "There was nothing you could do. It was out of your control."

He shook his head. "But-"

"No, Chase. Get it out of your head." She moved her hands down to his. "It's been a year, Chase. There's nothing you can do now to change anything." She sighed, looking down at her stomach. "I know it's hard to move on," she whispered.

Chase moved his hand, gently rubbing her stomach. "Skye, I-"

"Chase, don't," Skye snapped. "That wasn't your fault either." She cried, trying to push a fading memory out of her head.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd," the Doctor said as gently as possible. He removed his glasses, rubbing his temple. "I'm afraid you've had a miscarriage."

He pulled her close, hugging her tightly. "You would have been an amazing mother," he whispered.

She sobbed. "You would have been a great father," she whispered back.

They stayed like this all night long as the storm continued. The fire died out and Skye shivered. Chase, out of pure instinct, held her tighter as they spooned on the couch.

By morning, Chase had remembered what Marshall had told him, about Rocky. Over an early breakfast, he expressed his concerns with Skye, who calmly listened. She smiled, knowing that her husband was a compassionate man. Sure, he may have been a cop, but deep down, he was sweet.

Her miscarriage had brought darkness to the firehouse. Chase's accident brought even more depression. But, she noted the slight sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of the child. How he sounded like a genuine father.

"Okay," she said. "I want to meet him."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, you've convinced me. He sounds like he's had a tough time." She took his hand into hers. "Maybe we can change that."

~~~

FLASHBACK

As the belt snapped against his back, Rocky cried out in pain and fear. He hated when his mother and father drank. They always came home angry and, for no reason at all, took it out on him. "Mom! Dad! Please-"

"Shut up!" his mother said. "You are a worthless..."

*THWACK*

"...irresponsible..." his father continued.

*THWACK*

"...little-"

*THWACK*

"-brat!"

On the final syllable, Rocky passed out, relieved from the pain and fear that had overtaken his young mind and body. He didn't understand why they acted the way they did. He begged them not to, when they were sober. They always said the same thing.

"I promise."

They had broken that promise more than once. The next morning was always spent the same way: consoling Rocky, apologizing to him, showering him with gifts. It left the poor boy confused. If they love me, why do they hurt me so much?

~~~

The next morning Rocky went to school. His body covered with the same jacket he'd worn all year, despite the warming climate.

He hasn't finished one of his projects for health class, but he didn't care. He stared straight ahead, dreading the hour the bell would ring.

"So," Susie continued. "A social media campaign was launched to help victims of abuse." Rocky blinked, suddenly eager to listen. "If you see someone with a black dot on their palm, call the police. This little signal means they are a victim. It's their only voice, especially since they may be too scared to admit it." The class applauded as she walked back to her seat.

"Excellent research," the teacher said. "Tomorrow we will hear from Rocky. I hope you're ready."

I'm really not, he thought. The bell rang and his heart sunk. It was time to return home. Placing his things in his bag, he eyed his pen nervously. Would people really help me? I've got nothing to lose. He quickly drew a dot on both his palms and left the classroom.

As he stopped by his locker, he heard a few whispers around him and grew worried. Quickly, he got what he needed and walked as quickly as possible down the hall. "Rocky?" He stopped in his tracks as the principal called out his name. "I need to speak with you."

Nervously, Rocky turned. "B-but sir, my parents-"

"They can wait. Come along." Hesitantly, Rocky followed the taller adult into his office. Rocky sat in a chair and the principal at his desk. "Let me see your hands, Rocky."

Rocky's eyes widened. "Principal Ryder, it's not what you think-"

The principal took Rocky's hand and looked at the palm. He sighed and looked Rocky in the eyes. "I want to help you, Rocky, but you're going to have to tell me the truth." He walked around and knelt so that they were at eye level. "Who's hurting you?" he whispered. "Is it your mom? Your dad?"

Rocky's throat swelled as he choked back his tears. "Both," he croaked. He looked down at his hands, now balled into fists. The principal stood up, walked over to his desk and picked up the phone.

"Nurse, I need you to check on a student in my office." He nodded a few times. "Thank you."

A knock on the door made Rocky jump with fear. The door burst open. His parents stood there, staring at him with fury. "Why is my son in here?" his dad said.

The principal ignored his question. Pressing the speaker button, he said "Security, report to my office immediately. Suspected child abuse."

Rocky's mother looked down at her son, who had since gotten up from the chair and backed into a corner. "You little brat! When I get my hands on you-"

"That won't be happening, ma'am," the principal said. He stood between Rocky and the infuriated parents. He could smell the alcohol the second they walked in. "Rocky's staying here."

"Give me my son!" the dad yelled. He lunged for Rocky, who ducked out of the way, crawling under the desk. The principal blocked the father, pushing him back into his wife. With little resistance, he was able to push him out of the office, locking the door behind them. They pounded on the door, screaming and cursing at him.

Ignoring them, he walked around his desk, meeting the fearful boy underneath. "It's okay," he whispered, taking him into his arms, he covered his ears, turning away from the door so he couldn't hear the awful slurs. "You're going to be alright."

Outside the door the yelling of Rocky's parents stopped as a new voice began. "Back away from the door," yelled the Security Officer. "I'm Officer Shepherd and you two are under arrest."

"You're a security guard!" Rocky's father yelled. "What are you going to do, put me in time out?"

With that Chase stepped forward and pulled out his handcuffs. "We can do this nice or you can get hurt," Officer Shepherd said. "But both of you are going to jail. Now drop to your knees and lock your fingers on top of your head." Rocky's mom did as the officer ordered, but Rocky's dad stepped forward, trying to grab the officer.

Officer Shepherd side stepped his lunge grabbing his arm as it went by and slamming him to the ground. "I warned you," Officer Shepherd said. "I will not put up with anymore struggle or lip out of you, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

Rocky's father obviously outmatched only nodded. Rocky's mother began to cry as the realization of what had just happened struck her.

The two adults were lead from the office and placed in an awaiting patrol car. Officer Shepherd turned to walk back in the school. "Nothing I hate more than a useless life form willing to take out their anger on a child," he muttered.

As he walked back into the office, he saw that the school nurse had removed Rocky's jacket and shirt to reveal numerous scratches and bruises. Officer Shepherd turned away for a moment as he wiped a tear from his eye.

Officer Shepherd walked over and knelt in front of Rocky. "I'm am so sorry that you have been through this," he said. "My name is Chase. Your principal and I promise you this will never happen again. You're safe." Rocky looked at the officer in front of him. Chase could sense the fear in the young boy. "I know you will have trouble trusting us," said Chase. "But I promise you. I'm always watching and your principal there, he has a heart for kids like you more than you can know."

"T-thanks," said Rocky looking down at his feet. It suddenly dawned on Rocky that with his parents gone, he had no one left in the world and nowhere to live. "S-so w-what happens to me now?" squeaked Rocky through his growing tears.

"Now we have a caseworker come and meet with you," said Chase "Then they will find a nice, safe place for you to stay. I have to get back to work, but your principal will be here with you."

With that Chase walked out of the office. Tears filled his eyes as he walked back to the office. He knew in his heart that Rocky would most likely become lost in the system. He had seen it so many times before.

"I hope you're life turns out okay," Chase said as he sat down at his desk. "Yeah, another report to write." He shook his head. "Man, I miss the streets sometimes."

~~~

Once Chase returned home, he recounted to Marshall the day's events. "Is it that one kid from the orphanage? The one with the gray hair?" Chase nodded as he drank his beer. "Principal Ryder was telling me about him the other day."

Chase gulped, swallowing his beverage. "What did he say?"

"He had always suspected his parents were abusive. But the kid wouldn't budge."

"Turns out is was true." Chase had since finished his beer. He threw it across the room, watching it shatter and fall to the ground. Marshall gulped, knowing how tough it must have been on him. "This whole 'school officer' thing... It's too much stress."

Marshall scoffed. "Too much stress? This coming from the guy who stopped armed robbers, saved hostages. Heck, you rushed into fires! Against my warning, too," he added with a smirk.

"I'm getting old, man!" Chase yelled. "Too old for this crap. Lowlife, good for nothing parents."

Marshall knew it was a touchy subject. "Skye left you some dinner in the oven. She's sorry she had to run out."

"Like you said," Chase said as he got up. "Duty calls." He smiled, as did Marshall. Marshall couldn't help but think of that poor orphaned boy. After what Chase told him, he didn't find it fair, fair for anyone, to have to deal with that.

"Chase..." Marshall called out. "Have you and Skye... well..."

"Well what?" Chase said. He placed the leftovers in the microwave and folded his arms, turning to his best friend. "What is it?"

"Have you and Skye considered adopting?" Marshall spat out. Chase stared at him before looking away, obviously depressed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"No, no. It's fine." He sighed. "We haven't. But..." He smiled. "It would be nice to have a little rugrat running around." Marshall smiled sympathetically. Chase frowned. "I know where you're going with this."

"Come on, Chase. Think about it. He needs someone in his life to show him that people aren't all that bad. Besides, it's obvious you care about him."

"I care about every kid in that school. It's my job."

"But the way you talked about him, you haven't talked about any kid like that, except-"

"Don't say her name," Chase growled. Tears came to his eyes as a memory flooded his mind.

"Diane!" Chase yelled. He stood at the edge, reaching out for a student. "Please, listen to me. You don't have to do this!"

"I'm not going back. No one cares about me!"

"I do, Diane. Why else would I be here with you?" She looked at him. He pleaded with her, using his eyes. She hesitantly raised a hand towards him when a sudden gust of wind pushed her, making her lose her balance. "No!" He tried to grab her as she fell, but it was too late. The crowd screamed as she landed on the ground with a thud. He shut his eyes.

"Th-that was different," Chase said, wiping his tears.

"Rocky's practically in the same situation," Marshall said. "But you could save him."

Chase huffed, then sighed. "I hate it when you're convincing." Marshall chuckled. "But I still have to talk it over with Skye."

"I understand." The microwave dinged. "Just, watch out for him, alright?" Chase nodded and Marshall left him alone for the rest of the night.

END FLASHBACK

~~~

Chase and Skye were waiting in the lobby of the orphanage. Chase bounced his leg anxiously. "Remember," he told her. "He's still traumatized about yesterday. He'll be nervous. He won't trust us at first."

"Chase," she said. "What if he doesn't like me?"

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "He'll love you."

"Mr. & Mrs. Shepherd?" a voice called out. "I'm Rocky's caseworker, Mrs. Wright. It's nice to finally meet you, Officer."

"Please, just call me Chase. How is he?"

"He won't talk to anyone about anything. He keeps to himself. The other children claimed to have heard him crying overnight. But, the one thing he asked for was Officer Shepherd."

"Really?" Chase was confused. Had he connected with him that well?

"Yes. Any officer that tried to get some sort of statement, he would ask for you. I think he admires you. I can only imagine his excitement when he finds out why you're here." She smiled. "Right this way."

As they walked down the hall, Skye's grip on Chase's arm became tighter and tighter. "Relax," he told her.

"I just can't get through my head that someone would treat their child that way." She began sobbing.

"Could you give us a minute?" Chase asked.

Mrs. Wright nodded. "It'll be the first door on your left. I'm going to check on him." She continued on down the hall.

Skye looked into Chase's eyes. "He is going to love you, I just know it," he told her. "Forget about what he went through, okay? He just needs a friend for now."

She nodded. "O-okay." Wiping her tears, she nodded again with a heavy sigh. "Okay, I'm ready."

With that, they followed Mrs. Wright's directions. Chase approached the door, knocking a few times. "Hey kid, you decent?" Skye smirked as he continued. "I've got a pretty lady here with me."

"Chase!" Skye smacked him and pushed the door open. Sitting on the bed, Rocky hid most of his body under the covers. Mrs. Wright pat his head and told him it'd be alright. She got up and left the room.

"Officer Shepherd?" Rocky said. "Wh-why are you here?"

"Well, I heard you wanted talk to me. I hope it's alright that I brought my wife, Skye. She's really nice and she wanted to meet you."

"Hi sweetie," Skye waved, holding back tears. He looked so fragile as he lay in bed.

"Hi," Rocky said. He let the covers fall, revealing his bright white tank top. Slowly, he began to relax and even gave a half-hearted smile.

"So," Chase said. He pulled up a chair so he was level with the boy. "You wanted to talk?" He smiled. "Let's talk."