*based off the episode Spring Awakening from season 15*

“Some day off”, you mumbled to yourself as you stood in line at the grocery. You still had to go to the post office, pick up Nick’s suits at the cleaners and grab prescriptions at the pharmacy. Finally you got checked out and was able to load the groceries you SUV when the phone rang. The number wasn’t one you recognized. You almost sent it to voicemail but answered, “Hello?” 

“Y/N. It’s me. It’s Nick.” Hearing from your husband made your day better.

 “Hey babe. I’m so hap-”, but you were cut off. 

“I really need you. I was arrested”, Nick spoke quickly. 

“You what? Why? I mean, where..”, you couldn’t form a sentence. “It’s a long story. I’m at the 11th precinct. Just get here as soon as you can”, Nick explained, ‘I’m sorry and I love you.” 

“Oh Nick I love you too.” The line went dead. Apparently his call time was up.

Your mind was racing. You googled the address for the precinct and tore out of the parking lot. Already 1pm. No way you’d be able to get the kids at this point. You called Nick’s mom to pick the kids up. With that detail off your mind you wondered why Nick was arrested. The last couple of weeks had been rough. A recent case had Nick on edge. His anger worsened. He was already protective but he had gone into overdrive. “What in the world was he doing all the way across town? And why the hell was he arrested?”, you said out loud to yourself.

Finding a free parking space was a challenge but you finally managed. Grabbing your purse, you rushed up the steps of the precinct. It was a med house. A uniformed officer approached you. “Can I help you, Ma’am?” 

“Yes, I, uh, I’m looking for my husband, Nick. Nick Amaro”, you swallowed hard. 

“Oh Detective Amaro?” You nodded, tears stinging your eyes. “Mrs. Amaro, I’m Officer Conley. Have a seat. I’ll be back”, he gave you a small smile. You wrapped your arms around yourself, suddenly feeling so very cold. Taking a deep breath, you tried to gather your self before seeing Nick. 

The officer came back and lead you down a long hallway. He opened the door and you saw Nick, handcuffed. He looked up, your hand went to your mouth. His face had dried blood and the knuckles on his right hand were busted and bloody. “Jesus, Nick.” You rushed to him and went to grab his hands.

 “No touching the suspect”, another officer said. You jumped and jerked your hands back.

 “Give ‘em a break, rookie. He’s one of us”, Officer Conley said. He uncuffed Nick’s hands and motioned for the rookie to follow him out.. He reached for you. Gently taking his hands in yours, as not to hurt him further, the once threatening tears spilled down your cheeks. 

“Nick. What the hell happened?”, you whispered. 

He hung his head. When he looked back up, he too had tears in his eyes. He ran his fingers over your knuckles, bringing one hand up to kiss it. He took a shaky breath, “I beat the crap out of Simon Wilkes. I found him taking pictures at a playground. I lost it.”

 You knitted your brow, “Simon Wilkes? The guy that was just acquitted?” 

He nodded his head, “I’m sorry.” 

“Nick”, your voice barely a whisper, “my God. What are they charging you with? What do I do? What do I tell the kids, your Mom…?” 

“I don’t know. I’ll be arraigned tomorrow. The union will get me a lawyer. We won’t know what bail is until tomorrow. Let my mom know.”

 Your head bobbed. “Hey. It’s going to be ok.” He stood and gathered you in his arms, “Mi amor. Shhh..We’ll get through this”, he kissed your hair. 

“Detective Amaro, times up”, the rookie said.

 Nick took your face in hands, “Look at me. I love you. Give the kids hugs for me.” 

He wiped the tears from your cheeks with his thumbs and kissed your lips softly. “I love you, Nick.” 

Back in your vehicle, you broke down. This was NOT happening. How would you explain this to his mom? What were you going to tell the kids? Where would you get the money for bail? Your mind was still spinning when you pulled up outside your house. You let out a long breath, checking yourself in the mirror. Your eyes were a little red and glassy. Walking in, the kids met you at the door, Nick’s mom followed them out. “Hey kiddos!”, you gave them a hug . Looking over their heads, your mother in law saw your face and her brow furrowed. You kissed their heads, then released them. “Hey guys go play in your rooms,okay? I need to talk to your abuela.” 

“Do I need to sit down for this conversation? Is Nick ok?, Cesaria’s voice full of concern.

 “He’s not hurt, well not really”, you centered yourself and continued, “he was arrested for assault. It was a suspect from a recent case.” 

“Oh rubia, oh my.”, she said,  grabbing your hands and squeezing.

 “He’s in jail, being arraigned tomorrow, bail will be set then, union is getting him a lawyer”, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

 “Listen. Nick will get through this, he’s strong. WE will get through this.” All you could do was nod.

The next morning you and Cesaria sat in front as they led him in. He gave you and his mom a small smile. The defense was hard on Nick. In the end, bond was set. Nick’s lawyer instructed you to get the money down to the precinct ASAP. “We don’t have that kind of money”, you said in a panic. There was no way you could get that money. You already had a second mortgage on the house. Nick hugged his mom and kissed you before he was taken out. 

At home that evening, Owen, 10,  was the first to ask “when’s dad coming home? Is he going to be gone like when I was really little?” 

“Um. I’m not sure buddy.” you told him. 

Nora, 4, was pushing her food around on her plate. “I miss Daddy”, her little lip pouting. 

You looked up at Cesaria. “Hey. How about we all go for ice cream?”, she said.

 “Great idea. Go get your shoes on.” The doorbell rang and you got up to answer. “John. What are you doing here?”

 “Mind if I come in?” You opened the door wider and he came in. You motioned for him to take a seat. “I heard about Nick’s arraignment. I’m putting up his bail”, he stated. 

“John. That is so kind, but we can’t ask that of you. It would take forever for us to pay you ba-” John held his hand up. 

“Y/N, it’s what I want to do. Nick needs his family and you need him.” He rose to leave. 

“Thank you, John. You’ll never know how much we appreciate you doing this”, you gave him a hug, catching him off guard. 

The next morning you waited while they worked on Nick’s release papers. John had been there very early to post Nick’s bail. The moment you saw him walking out, you ran to his arms.

 “Mi amor”, he said breathless. He picked you up, burying his face in your neck, “you feel so good.” He released you. “Had a visitor this morning. Munch. He posted my bail.” 

“Yeah, I know. He stopped by yesterday evening.” 

“Y/N, I-I’m so… I’m going to figure this out.” 

“Shhh.. let’s not talk about that right now. Lets’ just got home and enjoy each other.”