A/N – Hi everyone – thank you so much for the super encouraging reviews. I appreciate your thoughts as I'm playing with these characters! Just to set up this chapter; it is a series of vignettes from their first year in the office. Given that according to the headstone, Mary died in Sept 2005 and according to the episode "The Job" Frank was offered the PC job the next month this chapter takes place in the year 2006.

January

"Please tell me there aren't any more of these." Frank came to a halt in front of Abbey's desk after another man in a slick suit exited the Commissioner's office.

She smiled sympathetically. "Sorry, Sir. One more at 1400 this afternoon."

He sighed dejectedly reaching out for the tan folder she indicated.

He flipped it open, immediately looking back up, "Is this some kind of joke?"

She looked back, confused, "No sir…"

"Garrett Moore?" He read allowed from the summary page.

"Um, yes Sir?" She nodded, confirming it against her agenda.

His face crinkled and he gave a slight shake of disbelief, "Is this the same Garrett Moore I'm thinking of?"

She blinked, "Well, um, I don't know, Sir." She peered into the open folder still in Frank's hands, "His resume is in the front flap."

"Oh I know it…" He muttered, giving the resume a cursory glance. "Moore's been a pain in the department's ass since I was in the detective squad."

He flipped the folder closed and looked up at her, "Plus he was working for the mayor's opponent up until November. Said some pretty rough things about the administration, including this department."

He shook his head in confusion, "Do you know how he even ended up on the list?" He looked back at the closed folder, "Someone leveraging something?"

Abbey shook her head slowly, "No, Sir…he called my line, directly, 30 minutes after the post was vacated."

Frank blinked, pursed his lips together and glanced back down at the folder.

"Okay…" He muttered, lost in contemplation.

Eventually, he looked back up, "Forget it." He glanced over Baker's uncharacteristically cluttered desk, "How are you doing?"

She took a deep breath and looked around the piles before smiling back at him. "I'm getting there."

He nodded and gestured to the other desks in the office lobby, "They working out alright?"

She nodded, "Yes, I still need to hire Murphy's replacement but Guertin and Greenberg seem to be more than okay with most of the changes."

"Good. Good." He nodded slowly.

Before she had the opportunity to ask him about the security detail the elevator dinged and Linda Reagan came around the corner.

"You ready and waiting for me, Frank?"

A flash of dread crossed Frank's face before he turned a smile in the direction of his daughter-in-law, "Hey there." He stepped forward to drop a small kiss on her cheek.

Linda smiled back at him, "You ready for this?"

"You know, I really appreciate it but I don't know if this is really the best time." He glanced at his watch and back to Baker, "When is that thing?"

Baker tilted her head catching the knowing look on Linda's face.

"Sir, you have nothing until the last DCPI interview at 1400." She replied innocently.

Frank's eyes narrowed, "Well there's still all this transitional material to sort through…"

Abbey looked down at her agenda and shook her head, "Well sir, it's been two months, we've taken care of most of the top priority stuff. I mean, there are absolutely still items to be attended to…"

Frank turned, "See? Sorry dear, going to have to take a rain check."

"…But they are things we've put off for good reasons." Abbey continued.

Frank turned back around, shoulders tense and eyes piercing.

Emboldened by Linda's laughter Abbey smiled sweetly, "Is there something I've left off the agenda, sir?"

Linda stepped forward with a wide smile, "My sister has a friend who is a tailor; we're going to get Frank set up with some suits appropriate for the New York City Police Commissioner."

Abbey's eyebrows arched, "Really….?"

Frank deflated, "I have suits." He gestured to himself and the brown slacks and tweed jacket he was currently wearing, "This is unnecessary."

"You have suits that might be appropriate for a grandfather taking his grandkids to Sunday mass." Linda grinned, "But look at how nice Detective Baker dresses; don't you think you should have something nicer than a 20 year old blazer from your detective days when you're standing next to her?" Linda yanked playfully on his sleeve.

He pouted and glanced back at Baker, "I miss my dress blues."

"Sorry sir." Abbey grinned, "Just for special occasions now."

He huffed and turned back to Linda, "Are you sure you want to do this today? Where are your boys?"

Linda forced a small smile, "I'm giving Danny some time alone with them. They need memories of just the three of them."

Frank tilted his head to try and meet Linda's eyes, "And you need memories with the two of you. Have you talked to Pop yet? You know we'll take the boys any time you need before Tuesday."

Linda nodded, "I know. We know. I just…" She swallowed, "You know how fast they change at this age, Sean is going to be talking up a storm and Jack will have started school by the time Danny gets back. I don't want to deny him even one evening with them."

"I understand." Frank nodded, putting a warm palm on her shoulder "But still, you let us know, right?"

She nodded, "Thank you."

"So can I get out of this?" Frank grinned hopefully.

"Ha. Not on your life." Linda grabbed his elbow and steered him toward the elevator, glancing back at Baker, "He'll be back in an hour."

March

"One of these days you're going to have to accept that I'm on your side now, Frank." Garrett whined following Frank out of the elevator.

Frank was already three paces ahead of him, "I don't see myself having to do anything, Garrett."

Abbey looked up and did a double take as he walked past, a muttered, "Morning, Baker." Tossed her way.

She scooped up the schedule and followed him into the office, "Morning Sir, the new suits came in?"

He spun around and paused. Caught off guard, his features noticeably softened from the defensive stance he held a second ago. "Uh, yeah. What do you think? Linda pressured me into the vest."

Abbey smiled and nodded her approval, "It's very nice sir."

He glanced at her, "I thought it might be too much."

"Three piece suits make a strong statement, Frank." Garrett interjected.

Frank glared at him until Abbey pulled his attention back, "It's a very flattering look Sir."

He glanced back down at himself, "Hrmph."

She offered a closed mouth grin even as Moore tried to make amused eye contact with her.

She ignored the DCPI and picked up the Commissioner's jacket from the chair, "You have ComStat at 11 and the Chief of D's wants to talk to you about the Battery Park case when you have a chance."

Frank nodded, accepting the folder from her hands, "Alright, I'll give him 10 right before ComStat. For now get me the DC of Brooklyn North on the phone and give me 15 minutes."

"Yes, sir." She nodded and stepped out the door.

A moment later Garrett exited the office in a huff. He glanced back at the closed doors and stepped up to Baker's desk.

"I don't know how you do it." He grimaced.

She shrugged but didn't look up as she hung up the phone and moved a stack from her inbox.

"You've been working for him how long now? 18 months?"

"About that." She muttered.

Garrett sighed, tapping his leather notebook on the edge of her desk.

"So…"

Abbey didn't look up but her full attention was prepared for whatever he was about to say next.

"Why'd you want to get off the detective beat?"

She refrained the impulse to snort, choosing to keep her head down, reading through the brief in front of her, "Just one of those things."

Through her peripheral vision she watched him fidget with his portfolio. She put down her pen with a sigh and looked up at him expectantly.

He smiled awkwardly.

She narrowed her eyes, "What can I do for you, Deputy Commissioner?"

Garrett sighed, rolling his eyes, "I'm just trying to be friendly."

Abbey lifted an eyebrow in disbelief.

Garrett glanced at the closed door, "I'm working overtime to try and show Frank that I'm not the reporter who used to hassle him for a scoops." He grimaced, "I'm here for the same reason all the rest of you are here but I can't do the job he hired me to do if he keeps freezing me out."

Abbey tilted her head and tapped her pen.

He mirrored her head tilt and smiled knowingly, "You can play up this whole ice queen thing if you want but everyone knows that no one gets on his good side without first being on yours."

She froze, eyes narrowing.

Garrett shook his head, "I only meant that in the most respectful way." He sighed, tapping his fingers on the edge of her desk, "I've been butting heads with Frank Reagan long enough to know that it's going to long road to get him to really trust me." He sighed, "I'm willing to put in the time, I think it's worth it, but I also think it will be a lot less miserable if you and I could be allies."

She stared back at him unblinking.

He sighed, "Look, I get it, you two have some kind of history, and I would never push your loyalty. Just…" He bit his lip and rocked his head side to side, "There's a reason I wanted this job, and it's not for the sterling hours and paycheck. It's because I've known Frank Reagan for as long as I have and this was my first opportunity to work with him and not against him." He sighed and his shoulders dropped, "I just want the opportunity to prove myself; to both of you."

Abbey pursed her lips and regarded him carefully. She breathed out slowly. "You can buy me lunch today. 12:15 to 13:00."

The DCPI's face broke into a grin, "Perfect."

May

"Hey, it's Detective Abbey!" Abbey glanced up at the familiar voice.

"Detective Reagan." She greeted Joe with a friendly smile, which grew wider when she realized he had his niece Nicky in one hand and was pushing a double stroller carrying Jack and Sean with the other.

"Hi you guys!"

Sean was fast asleep but Jack held up a plastic dinosaur and grinned proudly as Nicky leaned quietly against her Uncle's side.

"My old man has you working on the weekend?" Joe smirked.

"Actually," She shook her head, "I came in on my own time expecting some peace and quiet to get some things done."

Joe's grinned widened, "Ahhh, and just your luck, the boss showed up and rained on your parade."

Abbey shrugged, "What are you going to do?"

Joe's eyes narrowed, "Or maybe you figured tomorrow's the first Mother's Day since Mom passed and Dad was likely to come in looking to drown himself in work…?"

She looked away, "I will neither confirm nor deny that accusation."

"Well, I'll say it again Baker, glad you're on our side." Joe smiled warmly.

Abbey said nothing, keeping her eyes on the paper in front of her.

"Come on in to the office with me; seeing Pop's smile at these rugrats will brighten anyone's day."

She grinned at Joe's invitation but before she had the chance to move from behind the desk, the office door opened.

"Grampa!" Jack shouted, flinging his dinosaur.

"I thought I heard some familiar voices!" Frank stepped out of his office, beaming at his grandchildren.

Nicky ran up to him and he squeezed her tight as she wrapped her arms as best she could around him.

"How's my girl?" He rubbed her back.

"Great!" Nicky grinned, "Mom says I can sleep over with you and Pops tonight!"

"She did?!" Frank grinned back, "And what about you buckaroos?"

He stepped over and picked a squirming Jack out of the stroller. "Momma and 'Nty Erin are doing Mommies vaytaytion." He informed his grandfather solemnly.

"Is that so?" Frank grinned.

Abbey blinked rapidly, Joe was right, the joy evident in Frank's greeting outshone the dour mood that had permeated the office for the better part of the last 2 weeks.

Joe grinned at her, "Life was already tough being a middle child, but since the grandkids showed up I'm nothing but chopped liver."

Frank rolled his eyes, "Shouldn't you be at work or something?" He waived dismissively as he took the stroller from his son, peering into the back seat.

"Tour starts at 1600." Joe made a show of checking his watch, "Which means that I am officially clocking out of munchkin duty."

"How long has the baby been asleep?"

Joe shrugged, "Just since we hit the elevator. He's been bouncing around like crazy all afternoon. Hardly slept for his nap."

"I don't need a nap anymore Grampa!" Jack announced.

"No?" Frank turned his attention to the boy in his arms, "I do!"

"Well, I sometimes nap." Jack amended immediately.

"Alright…" Frank smiled warmly, "Everyone say good bye and thank you to Uncle Joe and then we'll take a ride in the fun car back to Grampa's house."

Nicky turned and hugged her Uncle who hugged her back before pinching his nephew's cheek. "You both be good for your Grampa, okay?" He tossed a jaunty salute and wink to Baker, "Until next time Detective."

"Detective." She returned the smile.

She turned her attention back to the Commissioner who was bent over the stroller and poking at his youngest grandson.

"Sir?"

Her boss looked up, an absolutely besotted look on his face. She couldn't help but grin.

"Do you want me to have them pull the car around?"

He glanced back to his office and then to his grand daughter standing patiently by the stroller.

He nodded, "Might as well; It looks like my work day has come to an end." He situated Jack back into the front seat of the stroller.

She smiled as she dialed his driver, "Of course sir."

He paused, "Thank you, Baker."

He turned his attention to his grandchildren, "Alright, who wants ride in Grandpa's police car?"

August

"I will NOT accept these amateur mistakes! People's lives count on us to do our jobs correctly and if I can't trust you on the little things than how am I supposed to trust you to be prepared when the big stuff comes down the road?!"

Rarely did the Commissioner yell loud enough to be heard through the supposedly sound proof doors of his office but this was the third time this week that Abbey found herself at her desk, flinching as he reamed someone out.

"Greenberg," She caught the attention of one of the office assistants, "I'll be at the DCPI's office if he's looking for me."

The young man glanced at the closed office door and nodded wearily.

She quickly took the small flight of stairs and stopped at the first office on the corner, "Deputy Commissioner?"

Garrett looked up, surprised, "Detective Baker. What can I do for you?"

She glanced up and down the hall before taking a step into the office, closing the door behind her.

"Baker…" Garrett squinted and tilted his head. "What's going on?"

Abbey shifted, grasping at her fingers, "Do you know something?"

Garrett grinned, "I know many things…"

She rolled her eyes, "I mean, is there something coming up? A big sting or maybe a credible threat? Something above my calendar?"

Garrett shook his head, "Baker, nothing is above your calendar…" He stood up, "I'll ask again; What's going on?"

Abbey sighed, "I don't know." She grabbed the back of his visitor chair, "There's something eating at him." She glanced at Garrett's wall calendar, "I mean, I've been anticipating that he might be sleepless and maybe irritable as we get close to the anniversary of his wife's passing, but…"

She clenched her teeth, "It's more like he's worried about something. Something more than usual."

Garrett was still for a moment, thinking, before he nodded slowly. "You work a lot of late days."

Abbey tilted her head, "What's that have to do with…"

"I mean…" Garrett interrupted, "That you probably don't spend much time watching the 6pm news."

"I stay apprised of the news." Abbey defended.

"You know about New York news," Garrett pointed out, "But are you up to date with what's going on overseas?"

Abbey took in a quick breath and looked down.

Garrett grimaced, "The past several weeks there's been a big push to bring US troops into Baghdad to try and stabilize the city. It's been pretty violent. Danny's unit is one of the ones moved in."

Abbey sighed, taking a long blink before nodding slowly.

Garrett stuck his hands in his pockets, "Did you notice he start to get testy sometime in July?"

Abbey just nodded.

Garrett sighed, "Yeah. It's probably just worry for Danny. Nothing we can do about it but stay good at our jobs and send some prayers."

Abbey sighed, "I should have known."

"No you shouldn't." Garrett comforted, "You have everything else of his on your plate." He paused, "But if it's any comfort I consider it part of my job to quietly keep tabs on the well being of the Reagan clan, particularly the children. If anything comes up just know you can ask me."

Abbey looked up sharply, eyes scanning Garrett's face.

He looked back with impassive earnestness.

She sighed, "Breakfast sandwich on english muffin, bacon and eggs over easy."

Garrett looked at her blankly.

"If you really want to connect with him, to get close, start over food." She explained, "It allows for distraction. He rarely eats a full breakfast before he gets to the office. If you happen to have a couple of breakfast sandwiches..." She offered him a tight smile, "It would be a good first step."

"Over easy?" Garrett confirmed with a slow head nod, not breaking eye contact.

"Don't forget the bacon." She smiled back as she opened the door and stepped out into the hall.

November

"I can't read this." Frank grumbled squinting at his phone.

"Then get glasses." Garrett shot back, rolling his eyes at Abbey who bit back a smile.

Frank grimaced, "I don't need glasses. What I need is for you to tell me why the hell you're sending me notes on my phone?"

"It's called SMS Text Messaging." Garrett explained, "Short Message Service."

Frank glared at him impatiently.

"Say, you're in a meeting with the mayor and I'm here and something bad happened, you're not going to answer your phone but I can send you a short note saying 'Call Back ASAP' and you can look at it briefly and know something is going on."

"Wouldn't that be rude?" Frank countered.

Garrett glanced to Abbey for support but she schooled her features to remain impassive.

He sighed, "Less rude than taking a phone call."

Frank rolled his eyes just as the phone beeped again.

"What?!" He glared at Garrett who held up his hands innocently.

"Hey, I just sent you the one to show you how it works." He smirked, "Must be from someone else."

Frank shook his head, "Who else would possibly use something so dumb?"

"Gee no, don't worry about it, no offense taken." Garrett smirked. "You going to check it?"

"No." Frank replied curtly, "It would be rude to be sitting here talking to you and but to give my attention to my phone. What else do you have."

"Well, you're going to love this." Garrett held up a box, "Blackberry."

Frank leaned back in his chair, sighing.

"Hey," Garrett interjected, "This isn't on me. You were in the meeting when the department decided it was worth the cost for top brass to have access to their inboxes at all times."

Frank sighed, "Give me the thing."

Garrett handed the gadget over, "It's not quite set up yet, Baker that's why you're here, we need all the access codes for the Commissioner's online accounts."

She nodded, keeping her eyes on the Commissioner as he fiddled with the device.

"This is ridiculous!" He griped, holding it up, "How is anyone with normal sized hands supposed to use this thing? And how do I just dial a number? It's a phone isn't it? Shouldn't making a call on a phone be painfully obvious and not just painful?"

"Wow." Garrett grinned, "Someone put on his old man pants today."

Frank glared at him for a beat before turning his attention back to the device. "Okay, look, I get the benefits to having the internet in my pocket; I'm just saying it would be helpful if it were a little bigger so I could read the damn thing."

Abbey grinned, "I'll go get the access codes."

She left the office to the sound of Garrett again suggesting an optometrist.

She went to her filing cabinet, and opened the bottom drawer to flick through for the computer resource file.

"My old man available?"

Abbey nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected voice.

She straightened and turned around to see Danny Reagan, apparently fresh off the plane. He was still in a pair of utility pants and tan boots with a khaki fleece zipped up to his gaunt face.

"Detective…" She stared, he was smiling warmly but his eyes were dark and haunted.

She swallowed, "Welcome home."

He nodded once, "Thanks."

"Did he know you were coming?" Abbey's mind flicked back, trying to recall if she missed anything where the Commissioner had asked her to clear his schedule.

Danny shrugged, "I wasn't supposed to be in until Dec 1 but my CO pulled some strings so I could make it home for Thanksgiving." He scratched the side of his head, "I just landed at JFK. Linda doesn't know either, I just…wanted to talk to Dad first… so don't mention it if you speak to anyone?"

"Of course not." Abbey grinned, "They will be very grateful to have you at dinner tomorrow."

"Yeah. I bet..." Danny sighed, his eyes unfocused for a beat. He blinked back into focus and breathed, "Anyway…"

"Right!" Abbey nodded happily.

"I don't want to interrupt if it's important." Danny shuffled, "I sent him a text message when I was downstairs but I don't know if his phone even gets those…"

Abbey bit back a laugh, "Actually that's perfect. Deputy Commissioner Moore is in there trying to get him to use a Blackberry. I was just about to bring this in to him, but I'm sure he'd prefer if you brought it in."

Danny smirked, "A blackberry, huh? That outta go over well." He accepted the sheet of paper from her. "Thanks."

As the door opened she heard Garrett say "Do you know what a luddite is?" before the door shut.

Abbey sat down at her desk, releasing a slow breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She looked down and realized her hands were shaking. She blinked the tears back, surreptitiously wiping them away when the door opened again and Garrett exited.

The DCPI too had tears on his cheeks. He swallowed and handed her the access code document and the new blackberry.

"We won't be getting around to this today." He smiled gently.

Abbey accepted, grateful for Garrett's open emotion as her tears continued even as she smiled, "Of course not."

He glanced back at the closed door, "I think they're going to be in there for a while."

Abbey nodded, "You're the only meeting he had scheduled the rest of the day."

"So how about we clock out the boss early for the holiday?"

She clicked open the task manager file and moved everything off the afternoon.

Garrett nodded in approval.

"Happy Thanksgiving Garrett."

"Happy Thanksgiving Abbey."