AN: The S7 premiere was amazing. I love how Danny & Frank got to stand up in different ways. It's given me a lot of inspiration. At one point in the future, a chapter will tie into that episode. This story has given me a wonderful sense of escapism during my mother's health issues, and even my own. Three days ago, I was bitten by what had to be either a spider or a fire-ant, & the itching, burning, & swelling from it led me to the hospital yesterday. I was diagnosed w/ cellulitis, an infection just under the skin. They gave me a shot w/ 3 medicines in it (an antibiotic, a steroid, & lidocaine to stop the pain brought on by the itching), & they also prescribed me some pills.

The notes of a Yiruma song floated around the room. However, they didn't come from a stereo or computer, but instead from a flame-haired twenty-five-year-old as her hands danced over the keys. Holly was relaxed as she lost herself in the music, and in the new memories she'd recently made. She and Jamie were dating now, but they were trying to keep things discreet. This meant they often went to smaller locations, like McDonald's or a movie theater. These places made it easy for them to be quiet, holding hands and sharing funny secrets. And of course, she was pleased to learn that being a sweet talker equaled being a sweet kisser, as well. She blushed, briefly closing her eyes in reverie at the image. If their families knew anything, they were kind enough to let the pair maintain the illusion. Holly wondered if their relationship should go public on Christmas, giving an extra present to everyone. As that notion drifted across her thoughts, the tune she'd been playing changed to the carol "Silver Bells".

Softly, she sang, "It's Christmastime in the city. Ring-a-ling. Hear them ring. Soon, it will be Christmas day."

"It's coming early for you!"

She looked over her shoulder, smiling and locking eyes with her friend, Michael Hayden. He was a basketball coach for boys in third through fifth grade, and he'd been a firm supporter of her theater program for years.

As she waved off his little quip, another voice made its opinion known: "Yeah, Hol. Hasn't there been a new gift in your life recently?"

Cassie Willis didn't need to put the emphasis on that word, for Holly to understand the meaning behind its use. Everyone had noticed the new perkiness in her attitude, and most had correctly pinned the cause as her, having a new man. She understood speculation, but she wasn't ready to discuss something she, herself, was still not quite used to.

Sighing, she asked, "Don't you guys have better things to do, than gossip about my love life?"

"So, there is a love. I knew it!"

This was followed by a giggle, which Holly answered with a throwing of cashews from a small nearby bowl. Then, she heard the group's other director, Tucker Hale, call her name. When he walked in, he was carrying a vase of orchids.

He said, "This thing weighs more than my nephew."

Cassie chimed in with, "Still got nothing to say, girl?"

This earned her a sideways glare, and a light shove in her side.

"What", she asked as Tucker put the vase on top of the piano, "My sister-in-law and her two cousins are florists. They taught me all about the language of flowers."

"That's a real thing?"

"Yes, it's a real thing. Like...look here."

Cassie began pointing to each orchid in the bouquet.

She said, "The pink ones represent grace, while the purple ones are for respect and admiration."

"And what about the red ones?"

Tucker said, "Well, I'm no expert, honey, like she is. But even I know that red flowers of any kind...mean passion."

"Isn't that for courage and strength, too? That's what I heard."

"River in Egypt, Hol", said Cassie, "There are a dozen orchids in this vase, and half of them are red", and she went into a sing-song voice, "This guy's got it bad for you."

Holly was giggling, shaking her head as her friend skipped off. She tried to ignore their teasing. Still, she couldn't help how her gaze kept drifting to the flowers. It was Jamie's slightly-secretive way of saying how he felt about her. He respected and admired her, and he thought she was graceful. Thinking about all those red ones, her cheeks quickly rivaled their petals. She reached out, lightly touching one of them. The corners of her mouth twitched up, and she let go a sigh. She turned around, though, when she heard Michael's soft chuckle.

"What?"

"Nothing", he replied, before walking away.

Then, behind her, she heard somebody whistling "It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood". There was only one person in her life who did that.

She briefly closed her eyes, smiling as she said, "Hello, Danny."

She looked over her shoulder, their eyes meeting as a smile slowly bloomed across his own face. She asked him what he was doing there.

"Just 'hello'? What kinda greeting is that? Get over here."

He was laughing as she stood up, and he embraced her in a warm bear hug.

"Havin' a good day, doll?"

"Yeah. I had to deal with a couple annoying gnats, but I'm okay."

"I heard that", Cassie yelled from a spot across the room.

When Danny looked at her, she smiled and put up a fist in a gesture of respect. He did the same, his own smile growing.

He then asked jokingly, "Those aren't for me, are they?"

Her blood briefly ran cold, when he gestured at the piano.

Thinking quickly, Holly told him, "A friend sent me them."

"Nice friends."

She didn't know the reason for the wink he then gave her, but it still made her smile.

"So, what are you doing here?"

He told her, "I was in the area. Just thought I'd take you to lunch."

"Translation: my partner is occupied elsewhere, and I'm bored as hell."

"Just get your coat, a'right?"

"Touchy-touchy."

The two chose one of Danny's favorite restaurants, a burger place in Coney Island. As they ate, she noticed that the space under his eyes seemed a bit darker than normal, and she asked if he was okay.

He replied, "Yeah. I'm good. Why?"

"It's just...your eyes..."

"What about 'em?"

"You look like you have't slept right in a week."

He sighed, fidgeting in his seat. She really was too perceptive sometimes.

"Don't do this again", and she reached across the table, placing her hand on his right forearm before finishing, "Talk to me."

He watched her pull away, a mix of determination and concern on her face. He knew there was no getting out of this.

Finally, he told her, "It's the Wilder case."

"The serial killer with the man-crush on you?"

"He didn't have a man-crush. He had no feelings, period."

"You sure about that", and she took a bite of a French-Fry, before continuing, "I know he kidnapped Nikki, and one can't get much colder than that. But why did he do it? What was his true motive?"

"You sound like a reporter."

"Well, maybe, there's just as much psychology in journalism, as there is in theater. As creepy as it is, Danny, try for a second to imagine the world through his eyes. In all his years of committing one travesty after another, he never had a true challenge. He never found someone he considered his equal...until you."

Thank goodness, that he didnt just get up out of his seat and leave, or give her a serious chewing-out. She knew he was imagining it, though, judging by the new heaviness in his breathing. She was grateful, that he was being open-minded enough to keep his legendary temper in-check and listen.

Holly went on to say, "You were the Batman to his Joker. Think of it like...like when a stray cat leaves a dead mouse on the doorstep of a human it likes."

He made a grunting sound that she couldn't interpret, before taking out his phone and checking through whatever text messages were there.

She giggled and said, "Sometimes, I wonder if you have ADHD."

"Linda says the same thing. So did my mom."

"How come you never got tested?"

"Don't know", he replied, "Guess it wasn't that big of a deal back then."

"Mm. But anyway, all that Wilder business is over with. He's dead. And all the horrors he committed, both literal and figurative", and she gestured at Danny's head on that word, "-should die with him."

"It's not that simple, doll."

"Nothing ever is. But you can't let him win, Danny. You've got so much more support around you than he ever did."

The corners of his mouth twitched.

He said, "I know that. I do. Now", and he stood up, before continuing, "-I gotta get you back to work, so I can do the same."

Returning to the theater seemed to take longer than leaving it. Holly knew her friend was tense, because of the insight she'd given into his longtime cat-and-mouse game with Thomas Wilder. She hoped he wasn't angry with her over it. Apparently, Danny didn't like the new awkwardness, either.

When they stopped at a red light, he asked, "So, what's the story with you and the kid?"

She choked on the water she'd been drinking.

"S-Sorry. What?"

"Come on. You know what I'm talkin' about."

"Are you seriously that nosey? Not everything is a case to solve, detective."

A chuckle was followed by, "Well-played, but flowers like that don't come cheap."

"And you think your brother's the only guy in New York, who can afford them? Really?"

She prayed her question was enough to put doubt in his mind, throwing him off the proverbial scent. Inside, though, she knew he wasn't stupid. She only hope that he and the rest of the family, as much as she cared about them, would continue to keep enough distance to let this relationship grow in a more relaxed way. She was happy with Jamie, but she wasn't ready to say those three little words yet. As she got out of the car, she wanted to leave things on a more upbeat note.

"Hey, Danny..."

His eyes flicked up from his phone and met hers.

Gesturing at him, all Holly could come up with was, "Get some sleep okay?"

"I'll do my best."

She worried about her surrogate brother over the next couple of days. They exchanged a few text messages, but these were short and sent several hours apart. She thought about going another route for answers, but his father, sister, and wife were all too occupied. Jamie was probably worried enough about him already, and she didn't want to make it worse. She managed to put those thoughts out of her mind, as she did a little grocery shopping. The music on the loudspeaker did a lot to keep her in a good mood. She was so focused on taking a cereal box from the shelf, that she didn't notice another cart moving in the opposite direction.

"Damn it! I am s-so totally sorry. I didn't mean-"

A giggle was followed by, "Relax. It's no biggie."

It was at that moment their eyes met, and a sense of familiarity washed over Holly. Her face scrunched up in slight confusion.

"I feel like I know you from somewhere."

The woman smiled and replied, "Probably from Jamie. I'm his partner, Eddie Jenko."

She didn't know what to say, but the look on her face was pleasant as they shook hands. She knew there wasn't anything romantic between them, since the "moment" Jamie had described once was long since over. Now, it was more of a relationship like Holly's with Danny. So, why did she still feel that tiny flicker of jealousy? The vibes she was getting told her Eddie was a very spunky, warm-hearted person. Definitely not a threat in any sense of the word. Perhaps, the negative emotion would fade, once they got to know each other better.

"So", she asked as they walked, "How's my report card?"

For her part, Eddie liked Holly's sense of humor. She clearly had a way of instantly putting someone at-ease, which was a great asset to have when dating a cop. And she was certainly pretty, like a real-life version of Ariel. When this was mentioned, they laughed at the irony. It was the red-head's actual middle name.

She told her, "Jamie keeps a picture of you in his wallet. I think it was taken a few months ago, back in the summer."

"You've seen this?"

"Oh, yeah. But he doesn't know. He keeps trying to hide it."

This sweet bit of information put warmth in Holly's heart, a warmth that spread around the rest of her body. He wanted to show her off, yet he still respected her wish for discretion. She wondered if he knew she did the same for him. She wasn't sure how long this flying-under-the-radar would last, though, if he kept sending her big gifts like that bouquet. She knew that, since that picture was taken in the summer, it was likely from their combined family lunch at Spark's Steakhouse. Great. Instead of looking glamorous, she was wearing an outfit that made her appear about Nikki's age. She would've laughed about it, if the circumstances were different. Clearing her throat, she decided to shift the conversation to something more basic and light.

She was beaten to the punch, however, when Eddie asked, "Which cereal did you pick?"

Holly gestured into her cart and replied, "Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Why?"

"Oh my gosh", and she picked up a specific box from her own cart, before saying, "That's my favorite one."

"Mine, too."

They exchanged a high-five. Apparently, food was more than just a way into any man's heart. If the Reagans proved anything, food was also the glue that brought them together, helping them come down from the dark highs a rough day might carry them to. This also seemed to also apply to the people in their inner circles. Holly was intrigued by the fact that she and Eddie were bonding over cereal. As for the man, whose life they shared, she was excited to see what new ways she'd bond with him and his family in the future. Everything was moving foward just fine.

AN: Readers, have any of you been through a phase in a romantic relationship, like the one Holly's in with Jamie? You're comfortable and extremely happy, but you're not quite ready to say, "I'm in love." What ideas do you have for me for future chapters? They don't have to be happy events, since we all know this show doesn't stay sunshine-and-giggles for long. Let me know in the reviews box or private messages, okay? Thanks.