CONGRATULATIONS: Guest! You win! (sorry, I'm a Bobby/Darcy fan, not a Bobby/Tara fan, like most of you)
D was cleaning up the breakfast dishes, thinking about how his children have grown up. He smiled when he remembered when they would run around the house, playing whatever game their minds made up. Now, they're grown and out of the house. He missed them more than he let on. While he was reminiscing, his phone rang. He quickly glanced at it, then answered.
"What's up?"
He listened to the caller, then walked outside where Donna was enjoying one of the last warm summery Saturdays before fall. Once he hung up, he said to Donna, "I'll be back in a bit."
"Mhm," she replied, used to these Saturday trips. When you're married to an FBI agent, you never count that your husband will be home on Saturdays. Even Sundays, for that matter.
?-?
D arrived at the park, and quickly found who he was looking for. He walked up and sat down on the bench.
"Hey, What's up?"
Jack looked at him. "Too much." He replied, then turned back to watch the girl and her dog, who were now playing a game of hide and seek.
"You said you needed to talk?"
Jack nodded. "I don't know where to start."
"Maybe you could start from the beginning." D encouraged.
Jack smiled. "And where is that?" he again turned and looked at D.
"I don't know, where is that?"
Jack shook his head and looked at the pavement. "I don't know. 20 years ago, maybe. Maybe it's 10 years ago, or a month ago. I don't know. Maybe all of it."
D waited for Jack to say what was on his mind.
"I just can't seem to get anything right. First, I was too late, then I am too early. Then the timing is off, then my best friend just disappears." He rattled on.
Knowing what he was talking about, D encouraged, "Solve the problems you know how to. The rest will follow. Why don't you ask Tara to help you find Bobby. Sue will come with time."
"I don't have time. Our job doesn't let us. Something could happen in the blink of an eye." He turned away.
"And what got you thinking that? You were just fine, doing the same job for 20 odd years. What got you thinking about the dangerous ramifications now?" D chuckled.
Jack didn't answer, but the both of them knew. It was Sue. D continued. "What will be will be. You can't go around and change your life because of one person. And that one person will notice, and go back into her shell, and not come out because she thinks she is obstructing you in some way. Don't change because you want to prevent something. That can happen at any time, no matter if it is in an office, or outside. Believe me, we've seen some crazy things over the years. People think they are safe, when in reality, they are not. You could get shot in the line of duty and live, but then get killed by a car on the sidewalk a week later. You can't block that. That's God's plan, not yours."
Jack sat there, soaking in what he was saying. Talking with D always helped. He was the father figure for the whole team, and the whole team took advantage of that, some more than others.
"Let everything happen as it should. Don't force something that shouldn't, especially matters of the heart. Those should never be forced. You'll know when it's time to move forward."
"I know, everyone tells me that." Jack mumbled.
"Listen to them. They are wise." D smiled.
"I guess. Thanks D." he smiled at his friend.
"Hey, I'm always there for you."
Jack nodded and got up. "I have a phone call to Tara to make."
D smiled. "Good idea."
?-?
Early the next morning, Bobby got up and called a cab. Soon after that, they were on their way to the destination.
Of course, they hit traffic. Bobby was antsy, but they made it there just in time. He paid the driver and got out. He walked to the front entrance, and stood there. "Why am I so nervous?" He already knew the answer before he even thought the question.
In mere seconds, a woman came outside. At first, she was startled that he was standing there. Then she smiled. "Bobby,"
Bobby smiled back, grateful that she was receptive to his unannounced visit. "Ms. D'Angelo."