Thank you so much for the kind reviews! I really wasn't sure about this story at first… it's sooo good to see you like it. thanks

"So how was it, Harvard, uh?" Renzulli shot his ex-rookie a smirk. "How was your date? You'll see her again?"
Jamie shook his head, but the smile was already there. "I hope so."
"Good. Hey, that's really good." The sergeant truly seemed to be pleased by the development."I almost feared you never got over… well, you know."
Jamie looked down. "Yes, I know." A thought struck him. Sydney had come back from London, but he wasn't sure where she was living now – and maybe she didn't want him to know. It could have been her.
" And after that, I mean…" Renzulli struggled for words, "I just want to say… the thing with that… that Samuels girl…" he pointed in Jamie's direction, "you could have lost your badge there, too, Reagan. You and women means trouble… at least for the first year. And I can tell you, it's not worth it. Crazy people aren't worth throwing your entire career away. You know what I mean?"
Samuels, of course. Melissa Samuels. That had been her name. Jamie frowned. "What do you mean about Ms. Samuels?"
"Oh, it's Ms. Samuels now?" The sergeant laughed. "Ms. Samuels. Oh, young hearts. I just hope you care more for your girl now. Whoa, look at that." He turned to the right. "I think we should ask that boy why he's wearing an oversized duffle coat in summer. And what he's carrying in that bottle." He parked and left the car before Jamie could ask more. For his girl now? What was he talking about? And again, why did he get to Melissa Samuels?

He remembered his nightmare, and suddenly the end of it became clear again: He had been at his sister's apartment, with Nicky crying on the sofa and two people fighting in the kitchen. But it wasn't John and Erin who were yelling at each other – as Jamie approached the kitchen he realized that it was him and Maura. He saw himself shouting at the young woman, hitting her, smashing a plate onto her head. Maura fell down, her lips moving but unable to speak. Her eyes were the only thing left alive, wide and beautiful and filled with pain. A single tear seemed to beg him for forgiveness, and then her eyes broke.
As they shut, Jamie's eyes opened wide.

From her hiding place at the corner of the street she watched Jamie getting pale. For a moment the police officer disappeared and left the cute little boy inside to take over. Though there was nothing she loved more than this boy, she knew it was dangerous for him to be that…vulnerable. People were bad. They hurt you as soon as they got the chance to do so. She couldn't have her Jamie hurt. Taking a deep breath, she started walking towards the man who held her heart.

They cuffed the guy without really a problem – he was seventeen and drunk enough to actually having forgotten his own name. Renzulli did his best not to laugh at the youngster's behavior but failed miserably – till he noticed Jamie's silence.
"Hey, Harvard, are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, sure. I'm… yeah." Jamie bit his lips. The memory still sat heavy on him and made him shiver despite the sunny day.
"No you're not." Renzulli pushed the drunk onto a park bench and focused on the younger man. "I thought we agreed that you wouldn't lie to me anymore." He watched Jamie closely while casually hustling down the teenager. "You're not into a private investigation again, are you?"
Jamie couldn't help but smile. "No, I'm not."
"Thank God for that" Renzulli sighed. "So what's wrong with you?"
Jamie looked at their prisoner, but it was obvious he wouldn't run away from them. He was snoring. "You really think we need to bring him to the station? Maybe we should just call his parents." "What, and leave that coat on without looking? What… did you learn nothing from me? Nothing?" The sergeant's voice got desperate. "Harvard, what-" He then stopped midsentence. "You're not trying to distract me, are you?" Another close look at Jamie, and then he nodded admiringly. "Okay. Okay, Harvard, you don't wanna tell me, it's fine. At least you seem to think before you act now." He yanked up the drunk. "Let's go."

Jamie bit his lips. He didn't want to give it too much attention, but… that caller was haunting him. That nightmare was haunting him. And what Renzulli had said about "his girl now" was haunting him as well. He hadn't allowed himself to think about it right after the first date, but now that Renzulli had mentioned it he couldn't shake the thought – Maura Baker, his girlfriend. He liked being with her, more even than he had anticipated. Maybe… maybe it would work. He wanted it to work.

"It's just…" He shook his head. Renzulli pushed the drunk into the car, leant against it and waited patiently.
Jamie nodded. "It's stupid, I mean, really stupid."
Renzulli snorted. "Since when does that stop you?" Then he got earnest again. "You're a good guy, Jamie. Really. And if that girl's only half as clever as her big sister she'll notice it. I know you're unsure after all your broken relationships, but…"
"That's it, serge" Jamie interrupted, "what do you mean, relationships? I haven't been dating anyone since Sydney left me, where you get the plural from? And what is it about Melissa Samuels?"

He had mentioned her name. Melissa stopped dead, only five steps away, and felt her heart beating sunlight through her body. Her headache was killing her and almost brought her down to her knees, but her soul was soaring high. He had said her name – so sweet a sound! She never had loved her name till he had tasted it. By speaking out her name Jamie had claimed her, and she had waited for him. Now her time had come. Melissa took another step forward. Flashes of pain shot through her forehead, it was hard to stay focused. But she didn't need to see it, actually. She only needed to hear it – needed to hear how Jamie was finally ready for her, for accepting the love she was giving to him, for being there for her and protect her. Finally he was ready to stand by her. She had longed for these words for more than a year, had followed him everywhere since that day he had driven her brother out. He had set her free, and now he was free, too.
Melissa closed her eyes and waited.