"It's gotta be Vincenzo."

Abbey could hear the voices coming from the kitchen as she approached.

"I don't know. He rubs some people the wrong way."

She drew up short. That was Chief of Detectives Brissett; Abbey would not have expected him to join in gossip.

"Not like Reagan does. Frank is so goody-two shoes, makes regular guys nervous."

She recognized Deputy Chief McNally.

"What? You're crazy. Reagan is the definition of a cop's cop." Brissett defended, "If you're nervous around him it's just because you've got something to hide."

McNally guffawed, "Not me, man. I'm just saying that Vincenzo is a regular guy, a street guy, you know?"

Against her better judgment Abbey loitered in the hall just around the corner from the door. She heard the refrigerator door slam shut.

"Look, I don't know how long you've known him, but Frank Reagan ain't some polly-anna desk jockey." A chair scraped against the tile as Brissett kept talking, "My old partner, Dorsey? He used to work the same precinct when Reagan first came on the job. He had some stories about what that group would get into. Trust me, Frank's a regular guy with plenty of street in him."

"Yeah, what was that? 30 years ago?" A microwave beeped, "He's been a white shirt for over a decade now." Plastic wrap was crinkled and the trash can banged.

"So has Vincenzo."

"I don't know…" McNally sighed and a chair moved, "I mean did you hear about the dressing down Reagan gave his own son last year after the Bennett case went south?"

"Yeah? So? Sounds fair. Smart even. He isn't about to be a hook for anyone, not even Joe." Brissett was talking around food in his mouth.

"Yeah, but yelling at him isn't going to make everyone suddenly forget they're related." A pause and the sound of scrapping utensils, "I'm just saying if a guy goes that hard after his own kid, how much luck does a regular guy have? V would never ream out family just because of appearances. It's called loyalty."

"I dunno." McNally was quiet for a beat and Abbey could picture his characteristic squint, "Sounds like integrity to me. And considering what Connors is putting this department through…"

Footsteps came from the opposite side of the hall and Abbey shuffled to make sure she was concealed around the corner.

"What about what Connors has done?" Deputy Chief Campanella's voice entered the conversation.

"Nothing new, just that Bobby here seems to think that in light of Connors being crooked that the next commissioner should be Mr. Moral High Ground." McNally explained as the fridge door opened again.

"Reagan?" Campanella clarified, the fridge banging shut.

McNally laughed, "Exactly! Who else?"

Campanella sighed loudly, "Well, I think Bobby may have a point." A chair moved, "Frank is a good cop. Had great instincts as a detective, never met anyone with a better memory for people and details. And it can't be denied he plays it fair, I don't know anyone without an axe to grind who has a legitimate beef." A bag of chips was opened and Campanella continued around eating the snacks, "Plus he's been one of the most productive Department Chief's since I've been paying attention to these things. And Brissett here is right, given what we're going through with Connors it's not a bad idea to put a real cop with some old school, traditional values in a very public place…But…" He took a long drink from something, "I don't for a minute buy the alter boy act."

Abbey could hear both Brissett and McNally shuffle.

McNally spoke first, quietly, "You got dirt?"

"Nah, not really," Campanella laughed, "Not anything more than what every other decent cop has done back when he was in the bag. But what I'm talking about is the cookie he hired last year as his office assistant."

Abbey resisted the urge to groan in annoyance even as Brissett let out a low, "Ohhh yeah."

"Seriously, of anyone he could have hired he digs up the blond, blue eyed ice queen with mile long legs? You'll never be able to convince me it's because of her typing skills."

Abbey rolled her eyes and clamped her mouth shut, feeling a heated blush rise up the back of her neck.

"Ha! Point taken. Maybe the man isn't so squeaky clean." McNally laughed.

"Yeah, he's a red blooded cop just like any of us." A chair squeaked and she could picture Campanella leaning back with that smarmy grin on his face.

"He's just smarter about it. That's also not a bad thing to have in that office." Brissett observed.

"Yeah, until enough time has passed since Mary and he starts getting lonely and actually makes some moves on that pretty little thing." Campanella snickered, "Bastard is so rich with Irish Luck that he could probably get somewhere too!"

Abbey was so consumed with anger she could hear the blood pumping in her ears; which was the excuse she gave herself for not hearing the familiar heavy footsteps come up behind her.

"Eavesdropping Baker?" He was kind enough to whisper.

Her eyes went wide and she quickly stepped away from the corner, lightly pulling on his jacket sleeve so he would follow her.

His amused smile faltered and his eyes flicked back in the direction of the doorway.

"What?" He asked, concern crossing his face, once they were a decent distance from the break room.

She stopped and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry, that was…" She looked up at him and then away, "That was humiliating."

His brow crinkled, "What was being said…or the fact that I caught you?"

She looked to her feet, "Both."

He crossed his arms, looked up and down the hall and then back to her, "You don't strike me as an evesdropper, Baker."

She looked back up at him, eyes wide an earnest, "I'm not, really I'm not. I promise I've never…"

He held up a hand cutting her off, "I know. I trust you. I'm saying that if you were listening in there must have been something being said that was worth hearing."

She sighed and tried to think back as to exactly what it was that made her stop and listen.

He was watching her intently and she tried to remain steady under his inquisitive gaze.

"They were talking about…" She shook her head, brushing it off, "Really, I'm sorry, it won't happen again. Just never mind."

He lifted a single brow and looked back down the hall. He pursed his lips and looked back at Baker.

"Don't go anywhere." He ordered, then stuck his hands in his pockets and casually walked back down the hall, turning past where she had concealed herself and strode right into the break room.

Abbey focused on breathing steady and just over a minute later he reappeared, a water bottle in one hand.

He returned to where Abbey had remained waiting.

He grimaced, "So that was McNally, Brissett and Campanella. I am willing to bet I could guess what they were discussing."

Abbey felt the blush returning to her neck, "Really sir, nothing."

Frank's eyes narrowed, "Did Deputy Campanella suggest something inappropriate? That maybe made you uncomfortable?"

She released her breath and she knew confirmation had to be written all over her face.

She squared her shoulders, "Sir, I'm sorry. Those kinds of comments usually don't bother me."

"But they did today." He intoned gravely.

She swallowed, remembering the rush of anger she had felt, "Usually…" She began slowly, mind whirring with the safest way to articulate it, "Comments about me are just that." She looked back at him intently, "Usually, they don't slander someone else."

Frank looked down, "Ah. I see." He released a long breath through his nose before looking back up, locking eyes with her, "You know there's no truth to whatever they were implying; subtly or otherwise."

She nodded, "Of course, Sir. I know that."

He gave a satisfied nod, "Okay, well, then, don't be bothered by it on my account."

She sighed.

"Sir, if I may," She waited until he looked straight at her, "You may avoid it if you'd like but everyone knows you are under consideration for the commissioner job. You can't be having trouble, real or otherwise following you around."

He took a deep breath, eyes drifting back down the hall. "Let's take a walk."

She blinked, "Sir?"

"Come on." He gestured toward the stairs, "Let's get out of this building."

"Umm…Okay…" She followed his lead and soon found herself sitting on a bench in James Madison Plaza, the street vendor coffee in her hand matching the one in the Chief's.

He settled himself next to her leaning back and relaxing against the bench. Despite the unseasonably pleasant weather she found herself unable to equally relax. Still, she waited; knowing he would soon fill the silence.

"Sometimes," He began, "It's hard to make decisions in that building. You forget about the world out here." He gestured around the small park filled with municipal employees on meal and smoke breaks.

He didn't look directly at her, just kept looking ahead, his inscrutable gaze made even more so by his sunglasses.

"I want to thank you for what you've done this past year. Especially this summer…" He paused, swallowed and rolled his lips, "Well you and I both know there were days when you were the one really running the department."

He took a steadying breath, "And this past month, with all the extra crap that's rolled down hill…"

He turned to look at her, "I really could not have gotten through this year without you."

She swallowed, trying to maintain her professional visage, "I'm just thankful for the opportunity to contribute, sir."

A small smile flashed across his face and but disappeared just as quickly.

"You do Abigail. You absolutely do."

She froze at the sound of her first name, trying to recall if he had used it at all in the previous year and coming up empty.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I'm the same way you know." He glanced at her, "Just hoping to contribute. Be a part of something that can make an actual tangible difference in people's lives. For this city."

He looked away again. "I considered retirement last month."

Abbey's eyebrows rose and her heart quickened.

"I'm not maxed out yet but I have a decent enough pension that I could disappear to Montauk and go fishing every day for the rest of my life." He smirked, "There are days, especially recently, when that seems like the smart way to go…"

He sighed.

"But of course, as always, my wife knew me better than I know myself and there was something she thought I should do."

He looked to his hands clasped in front of him and fiddled with his wedding ring.

The silence dragged on until Abbey could not resist, "Sir?"

He took a deep breath, "It won't be announced until 4pm but the grand jury in the commissioner's case has voted to indict. An arrest warrant will be issued and he'll either turn himself in or be picked up by tomorrow morning in time for arraignment court."

Abbey couldn't keep her jaw from falling open. Suspicion and innuendo was one thing, but for the Commissioner to actually be arrested was shocking.

"Needless to say," Frank continued, "The Mayor was done waiting for a resignation and fired Connors a couple of hours ago."

Abbey felt her spine straighten and a smile begin to tug at her mouth, "And now he wants you."

It wasn't a question; she was as sure of it as she'd ever been sure of anything and she couldn't help the kernel of pride she felt for the man in front of her.

For his part, Frank did not appear over joyed. He shrugged one shoulder, "Like I've mentioned, we've discussed it in passing throughout this whole mess." He looked to Abbey, "But yes, he made the offer official just after he canned Connors."

He winced, "He wants to be able to announce it to the media at the same time as the indictment and the firing are made public so there's no time or reason to write a story about a headless department"

Abbey didn't bother containing her smile, "That's great. Congratulations sir."

He snorted and leaned back against the bench again, "I haven't accepted it yet."

Her face fell and she glanced at her watch. "Sir, it's 2pm."

He nodded, unperturbed, "So I have 2 hours."

"Sir…" She leaned forward, "What…"

He shrugged, "I have my reservations. It's not like Chief of Department. This is a much more visible position. The commissioner is practically a politician, pressure comes from many more directions. Plus, it's a civilian appointment; I'd have to technically resign from the department."

She nodded slowly, understanding. The job was not just making speeches and having everyone jump to attention at your mere presence; the responsibility and blame for nearly every NYPD decision rested in that office. And to couple that burden with giving up the identity of being an actual member of the NYPD, she could appreciate his distaste.

"Sir," She started, glancing at the ring on his right hand, "I suspect that the NYPD is like the Marines."

He looked at her, eyebrow raising over his sunglasses, silently waiting for her analogy.

"Well," She continued, "Once a Marine, always a Marine, right? I don't think it would be possible for you to ever stop being an NYPD Cop."

A slow, warm smile lifted the corner of his mouth and he looked away, again speaking to the horizon, "Funny, that's what Pops said."

Abbey grinned in pleasant surprise. "And he should know, right?"

Frank nodded, "Yeah. He also knows the precipitous downside."

"But he still thinks you should do it?" She asked.

Frank shrugged, "He's under the impression that I can learn from his mistakes."

He grimaced and Abbey could practically see his eyes roll behind his shades.

"Just another thing to look forward to, daily career advice over breakfast." He grumbled.

Abbey smiled, "Could be a nice resource that no one else has had."

"Mhrm." He refused to straight out agree.

"What about the boys?" Abbey asked, "Have you had a chance to talk to Danny and Joe?"

Frank nodded, "Joe's fine. I was in his shoes once, having your old man as Commissioner isn't too much different than Chief of Department; they're both the biggest hook that you can't claim and the internal scrutiny is basically the same. I think Joe gets that."

Abbey nodded, "And Danny?"

"Danny…" The Chief released another long breath, but this time it stuttered, "Danny's unit is being deployed again. His company is slated for a 12 month tour starting early next year. He's staying home with Linda and Jack for the meantime and who knows what he'll do when he comes home."

Abbey took in a sharp breath. She knew the Chief worried every day when Danny was deployed earlier in the year, it hardly seemed fair for him to have to go through it again so soon. She stayed silent.

He rolled and reset his shoulders, "And as I mentioned, Mary was very clear on what she thought I should do if it ever came to this."

He looked away.

"So, you're going to do it then?" Abbey pressed.

Frank took off his sunglasses and wiped the bridge of his nose with the same hand, sighing.

"I can't help the feeling that I'm going to hate it." He gave an amused half smile, "That there plenty of qualified guys happy to move up to the top rung and who are bureaucrats at heart."

Abbey tightened her mouth, "Sorry sir, and not to slant any of the guys, but how many people who would want the job would you honestly trust to do the job?"

"Phew…" He breathed out, "That's a harsh one, Baker."

She tilted her head and tried to think of a softer articulation, "I'm sorry sir, but you're right, I know there are plenty of guys who would want to be in the top office but I just don't believe that anyone who wants that job, knowing the stress that comes with it, is doing it for the right reasons. The person who takes that job needs to do it because…" She paused, smirking as the words came to her, "Because he wants to contribute. Because he loves this department and is willing to bear the burden of the office in order to make a real, tangible difference for the department and everyone in this city."

Frank leaned back, eyes steadily regarding her. A beat later he slowly shook his head, "Using my own words against me…" he muttered more to himself than to her.

She shrugged and smiled.

He slowly nodded, "Okay. I have a few things I need to get straight with the mayor but before I even have that discussion there is one thing I need to make sure of."

She tilted her head, waiting.

"Baker…" He smirked, "You were hired as the Senior Admin Assistant to the Chief of Department. Not as assistant to Frank Reagan."

She felt a pit begin to grow in her stomach, "You have every right to stay doing the job you've been doing very well for 15 months now. I can already tell you that Andrew will be remaining at his desk; if I go to the 14th floor, he will not be coming."

Abbey nodded slowly.

"However, due to the nature of Commissioner Connor's departure there will be a cleaning house of most of his administrative staff, and that includes McMullen."

Abbeys eyes grew as she pictured Detective McMullen, the sullen looking man who could always been found at Connors' side, a stack of folders in hand.

Reagan continued, "His job is not incredibly different than what you're doing now; keeper of the schedule, gate keeper, all around right-hand man…" Frank explained, eyeing Abbey carefully, "But, as there is more burden on the Commissioner's office, there is more burden on everyone in it, including the admin."

He paused, giving her space to object.

She remained silent.

"The Commissioner's office has a team of 3 administrative assistants, in addition to his own work, the person in McMullen's position is responsible for managing them as well as the Commissioner's security detail…" He rolled his eyes and held up a hand, "Which, don't even get me started on that nonsense."

She smiled.

He huffed, again turning serious, "Baker, like the commissioner is a more visible position than the Chief of Department so too the Commissioner's senior assistant more visible than the CoD's senior assistant. You'd be with me at most public events and likely end up in the paper, even if it's just in the background of a few pictures."

She creased her brow.

"My point is," He sighed, "Being on top puts a target on your back and conversations like whatever you overheard today won't go away. In fact, if you come with me, and I give you a promotion, which I will do, insinuations will likely increase in frequency. At least for a while."

She nodded slowly.

"I don't ever want to put you in a position you don't want to be in." He looked at her, eyes serious.

"I appreciate that."

He took a deep breath and sat back, hands planted on his thighs, "That being said, I also have very little confidence in my ability to survive this without you. So, what do you say, willing to brave the 14th floor with me?"

She blinked and resisted the urge to give him an immediate yes. He was right, the position would be more than what she was currently doing, something which she felt she had only just started to get a handle on. And his other point about the rumors was valid as well; again, not for her sake but she didn't want to be the cause of any smear to his reputation.

She bit her lip, thinking and glanced at him. He was watching her with a look she had not seen before; if she didn't know better she'd say it was trepidation.

She tilted her head, "Who would you hire if I said no?"

"I wouldn't hire anyone." His response was swift.

She furrowed her brow, "Sir?"

He shrugged, "I wouldn't take the job."

She blinked. Then blinked again. He appeared dead serious. "Sir!"

"What?" He held up his hands, "I don't care the guilt trip the mayor or my father or my old partners lay on me; I am not walking into that shark tank without someone I can trust implicitly. I am perfectly happy in the role I have now. It won't be any loss to the department if I don't step up."

"Yes, it would be." She responded automatically and emphatically, "You're the best one for the job."

His eyes warmed, even has his mouth remained unsmiling, "Well then, partner, what do you say?"

She shook her head, smiling, "I've got your back sir. Now, please, go call the mayor."