"Will that be all?" Abbey began shuffling the files back together.

The Commissioner raised his eyebrows, "Are we in a rush Baker?"

She froze, "No sir, sorry sir, not at all."

"Relax," He smiled gently removing his glasses and sticking them in his vest pocket, "I'm looking to get out of here soon too."

She gave a conciliatory smile and relaxed her shoulders, "Brian and I are taking his nephew to the tree lighting at Rockefeller tonight." She explained. "I said I'd try to meet them at the train."

Frank smiled broadly, "We're taking Nicky and the boys tonight too. Use your courtesy card and come join us up front; I put in a call to the fellas at the 17th."

Abbey raised an eyebrow, "A personal favor? That's rare."

He shrugged, "So is me voluntarily attending one of these midtown tourist events..." He looked up with a grin "But all bets are off when it comes to the grandkids."

She smiled in return, "Of course." She shuffled the folders in her arms, "I'll just go wrap this up."

Frank nodded, "Good. Thanks."

She exited the office, closing the door behind her but she startled when she looked up to see Joe Reagan standing at her desk.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." She moved to open the door again but Joe waived a hand, stalling her.

Her brow furrowed but she removed her hand from the door.

He didn't say anything else and she kept her eyes on him as she walked around and placed the files on the desk.

His hair was uncombed, his bangs flopping over his forehead and he had several days worth of uneven stubble on his strong jaw which was clenched and devoid of his usual smile. His eyes roamed, not focusing on any single point and he fidgeted; his stance shifting and his fingers playing with a small, shiny blue lapel pin of some kind.

"Detective?" She frowned.

A flicker of a smile appeared on his face, disappearing just as fast, "Can you do me a favor?" His words were hushed, and he glanced at the closed doors to the Commissioner's office.

She took a deep breath, "You know that it depends on what the favor is."

"Can you..." He swallowed, "Well, first, don't tell the PC that I'm asking this..."

She crossed her arms, waiting.

He sighed, "I just need to know..." He glanced around and leaned in close, "Has the FBI met with the Commissioner at all recently?"

Abbey's eyes got wide and she too glanced back and forth to ensure their words would not be overheard, "Joe! What's going on?"

He held up a placating hand, "Look, I promise I'm not in trouble. I'm just..." He sighed, centering himself, "It's something I need to know."

"Joe..." Abbey shook her head, glancing at the closed doors of the Commissioner's office, "First of all, you know something like that isn't something I could tell you. Secondly, if I could, you would have to be a lot more specific as it isn't exactly uncommon for the Commissioner to meet with people across all the different law enforcement agencies."

Joe seemed to deflate, pursing his lips and looking down.

Abbey continued, "Finally, why aren't you asking him yourself?"

He sighed, looking around, "It's really not that big of a deal, I just..." He ran a hand through his hair, "I just didn't want to make waves." He shrugged, "I just figured that asking you could be quick and easy but bringing it up to him would turn it in to a big deal when it's really not." He forced a smile on his face, "It's really not."

She glanced down at the agenda book on her desk. She bit her lip and looked back up at Joe, "Alright." She sighed, "Let me put it this way, I'm not privy to every meeting the Commissioner has but he usually gets pretty cranky after dealing with the feds and he hasn't been cranky since before Thanksgiving."

Joe frowned.

"And that was likely just because of the parade," Abbey explained, "Every national agency is involved with terrorist targets like the parade. So unless you're asking about a clandestine meeting about giant balloons..." She trailed off, watching him carefully.

Joe nodded stiffly, "Okay."

"You sure?" Abbey tilted her head, trying to make eye contact.

Joe lifted his head, a lighter smile in place, "Yeah. Of course. Thanks."

"Okay..." She cautiously let him off the hook. "Anything else I can do for you?"

He began to shake his head but then stopped, looking as if he had just had a realization, "When did you join the department?"

Her eyebrows rose, caught off guard by the question, "I graduated the academy June of 2000."

He nodded slowly, "And you were Manhattan South?"

"For patrol." She elaborated, "I moved to Brooklyn North when I made Detective the end of 2003."

"Really..." Joe regarded her thoughtfully.

"Yes, really." She confirmed, "Why?"

He was quiet for a moment, hands still fidgeting with whatever he had in his hand. "You ever hear of the Blue Templar?" He asked with a casual tilt of his head.

Abbey nodded, "Yes..."

"You have?" His eyes lit up and he stepped closer.

"Yeah." She smiled, "But not at the precinct; I heard about them here."

Joe's face fell, "Here?" He repeated lowly.

"Yeah..." Abbey nodded again, "Your father did a review of them and a few other groups. It wrapped up back in..." She squinted a moment, "January or February of last year." She looked at him, confused, "Why?"

Joe lips were pursed tightly. "He reviewed the Blue Templar almost 2 years ago?" He spelled out slowly.

Abbey nodded, "Yes."

"And what did he find?" Joe tilted his head casually but Abbey could see the tension in his shoulders as every muscle was taught.

She shook her head, "Nothing really."

Joes face fell.

She leaned in, "What's this about? From what I heard it seems like it's just a bunch of guys who like to get drunk and cut loose a little."

Joe swallowed, nodding slowly. "Yeah, okay...you're right, it's nothing." But even as he spoke he glanced to the Commissioner's closed door. When he looked back at Abbey his shoulders stooped and his eyes sad, as if his world was shattered.

She reached out a hand to rest on his clenched forearm, "Joe, I can tell it's not nothing."

He looked back at her silently and she sighed, "Look, why don't you talk to your brother about this?"

"My brother?" He repeated.

She nodded, "Yeah, didn't Danny used to be involved with the Blue Templar?"

He closed his eyes for a long moment. "I didn't know that..." He muttered quietly when he looked back at her.

She tried to smile comfortingly, "Well maybe he has some of the information you're looking for?"

Joe swallowed, looking down, "Yeah..."

She frowned and furrowed her brow but her words were interrupted by the door to the Commissioner's office opening.

Joe immediately stepped back from her. It took a moment for the Commissioner to even notice him as he was shrugging into his overcoat.

"Alright, Baker, let's call it for the night..." He looked up, "Joesph!" He stopped in his tracks, smiling, "I didn't know you were coming. Are you riding over with me?"

Joe shook his head, "Umm no..." He shifted his feet, eyes not meeting his father's.

Frank's eyes narrowed and the smile faded from his face, "Son? What's up?"

Joe shook his head, pulling up a smile, "Nothing, really."

"We can head in and talk." Frank indicated his closed office, "Catch up with everyone when we're done?"

"No, really Dad, it's nothing." He held up a hand, "Just thinking about Christmas presents, but I forgot you had the thing tonight." He smiled stiffly. "We can talk later. It's not worth you being late."

Frank pierced Joe with a long contemplative look. Finally he gave a short nod, "Okay. Can I convince you to come with?"

Joe shook his head, "I've got a thing." He gestured over his shoulder, "Maybe I'll catch up later."

"More OT for the squad?" Frank asked, eyes darkening.

Joe shook his head, "Nah. Just a thing with Sonny and some of the guys."

"Okay..." Frank pursed his lips pensively, "I'll walk you out?"

Joe nodded tossing a wave to Abbey as he turned away, "Thanks Detective."

The Commissioner paused for a moment and then also glanced at Abbey, "Alright, we're out. See you out there?"

Abbey smiled, "Maybe sir, we'll see what the crowd is like when we get there."

"Alright." He grinned, "Good luck!"

"Well we planned this poorly..." Brian lamented to Abbey as they surveyed the crowd spilling out of Rockefeller Plaza.

"Uncle Brian?" 4 year old Jason tugged on his uncle's jacket, "Are we going to be able to see the tree?"

Brian grimaced, "Yeah, Buddy. We're going to figure it out."

Abbey released a heavy sigh and she glanced around the crowd. They had been foolish thinking they could get here this late and have a decent view.

"Okay." She murmured, reaching for her wallet and scanning for anyone in uniform. She glanced to Brian, "Follow me."

They moved down 49th coming up to a young PO from the 17th. She flashed her Office of the Commissioner courtesy card, "Hi, we're supposed to meet the Commissioner around here, can you help?"

The officer's eyes went wide looking at the card and nodded respectfully, "Yes Ma'am, go in that door right down there."

"Thank you." She smiled her appreciation and headed to the door he indicated.

Brian grabbed her hand, "Um, what exactly are we doing?"

She smiled sweetly back, "The Commissioner is bringing his grandchildren down and apparently has a good space with a view of the tree."

Brian swallowed, "I don't know about this."

She smiled, "Oh relax. We aren't just showing up, he invited. I just wanted to leave it as a last resort in case it was awkward, but I think that we're not left with many more options." She indicated Jason's hopeful, wide eyes.

Brian glanced at his nephew before nodding, "Okay..." and they entered the side door of Rockefeller Center.

An officer stopped them, "Hi," She greeted, again reaching for her card but the officer spoke before she had the chance.

"You're Detective Baker." He smiled.

She froze, looking up.

"From the Commissioner's squad?" The officer clarified.

She nodded slowly, "Yes..."

"I'm sorry," He smiled reaching out offering a hand shake, "Mike Kenney. You were with the Commissioner at the Union meeting last month."

She shook his hand, "Yes, I was. Pleasure to meet you, officer."

He grinned, "The Commissioner is right out that way." He gestured back to the front entrance of the building, "Enjoy your night."

"Thank you, you too." She nodded, flashing a cocky smile to Brian.

"Uncle Brian?" Jason looked up, "Is Abbey famous?"

Brian winked at Abbey, "She sure is, bud."

Abbey rolled her eyes but knew her cheeks were blushing as they walked out the door and back into the evening.

Whatever retort she had paused on her lips as she took in the scene.

They had exited only feet behind the massive 70 foot tree. Lights and holiday decorations were all around them. The stage was to their right with newscasters, Rockettes and some pop star she knew she should recognize was singing Feliz Navidad.

Thousands of people spread out from three sides around the buildings and ice skating rink but at the front of the crowd on the left was the majority of the Reagan family; Danny, Linda and the boys, Erin and Nicky, Jamie and of course the Commissioner.

All eight wore similar grins, watching the festivities.

She grabbed Brian's hand.

"Baker!" Frank noticed first and waved them over. "Glad you made it over."

She shrugged, "Thanks for the invitation. Getting here at 6:30 turned out to be a bad plan."

Erin laughed, "Oh yeah, we made that mistake before."

"This is MUCH better." Nicky nodded, grabbing the Commissioner's hand, "Thank you Grampa."

He grinned back at her, "Anything for you, kiddo."

He looked back up offering his free hand to Brian, "Good to see you again Brian." He looked down, "And who is this?"

Jason leaned against his uncle's legs but waved, "Jason."

"Well hello Jason," Frank smiled softly, "Are you excited to watch them light the tree?"

Jason nodded eagerly, "It's really big!"

Frank laughed, "Yes it is."

Abbey smiled, "Really, thank you sir."

"Nah." He shrugged off her thanks, "Got to have a little fun sometimes, right?"

"Is that an order?" She smiled, the energy of the place emboldening her.

He returned the smile, "It absolutely is."

By the time the Rockettes were wrapping up their routine Abbey was sipping hot cocoa with Erin and Linda grinning at the children and men.

Although an entertaining show, the long wait pushed the patience of the children and now Jason sat on Brian's shoulders, Jack on Danny's and Sean on Jamie's. Claiming that 12 was too old for shoulder rides (and backed by her mother), Nicky had eventually compromised and gleefully climbed up for a piggy back ride from her grandfather where she remained contentedly snuggled..

"I'm just saying," Linda grinned, dropping a spot of Irish whiskey into each of the hot chocolates, "I'm all for woman's lib, but I am not going to complain if the men want to carry the kids all night." She gestured to her sons, "Those little guys are getting to be not so little any more."

"I know it." Erin nodded, looking over. "I hope Dad knows he doesn't need to hold her all night; it'll kill his back."

"He loves it." Linda grinned.

Abbey nodded in agreement, "He's made it very clear on more than one occasion; 'anything for the grandkids.'"

Erin rolled her eyes but smiled fondly, "I know."

"Where is the rest of the clan?" Abbey asked, not wanting to specifically point out the absence of Nicky's father.

"Ah, let me see," Linda counted out loud, "Pops' hip was acting up with the cold so he stayed home. Jamie's girlfriend, Sidney is with him. She still needs to pass the bar so she's taking advantage of a quiet house to study. Joe...Did Frank say Joe was supposed to be coming?"

She looked to Erin who nodded, "Yeah, maybe. He's been putting in a ton of time both on and off duty since he joined Warrants." She sighed, "And of course Jack is stuck on a case...again..." She muttered in to her cocoa.

Linda smiled sadly and ran a supportive hand up and down Erin's arm. "Come on, Let's go share these with the guys."

"Do we have to?" Erin joked.

Abbey grinned and followed them back closer to where the men and kids were watching the show.

"Where'd you go?" Brian question when she reappeared at his side.

She said nothing, just handed him her mug.

"Thanks." He smiled, taking a gulp and then coughing and blinking when he realized there was more than hot chocolate in it.

Danny released a bark of laughter, "Can't handle it tax-man?"

Frank joined in with some of his own laughter, "Baker, you need to warn someone when giving them Reagan Cocoa." He took a sip of his own and blinked rapidly, "Especially when Linda prepares them." He shot a look to his daughter-in-law.

Linda just shrugged innocently, "I figured if we finished the bottle it's one last thing to carry."

"That's my wife." Danny grinned.

"Sorry, Babe." Abbey grinned at Brian.

He rolled his eyes, "I guess I just expected a family of cops to play it clean."

"Ha! If you think that you should check out our Thanksgiving football game!" A familiar voice came from the side.

"UNCLE JOE!" Screamed Jack right in Danny's ear.

"COLE JOE!" Sean followed suit making Jamie also wince.

"Hey guys." He tussled each of their heads and tossed a wink to Nicky before noticing Abbey and Brian.

"Detective Abbey." He greeted, "Long time no see."

"Likewise, Detective." She smiled in return, noting the contrast from the stressed figure he had been at her desk only a few hours ago.

"Hey Dad." He gave a tight smile, and short eye contact which did not go unnoticed by Abbey but appeared to be dismissed by the Commissioner.

"Glad you made it, Son." Frank greeted with a smile.

Joe nodded, "Me too."

"Here." Jamie handed him his cocoa and everyone grinned as he took a sip and spluttered the heavily spiked drink.

"Yep, Christmas time with the Reagans..." he muttered.

Frank knocked him with his elbow and they shared a grin.

Abbey leaned against Brian and the group settled into a contented lull watching the dancers and listening to the music.

"Grampa?" Next to her, Nicky shifted in her Grandfather's arms, leaning forward over his shoulder. "Can I say something?"

"Of course you can, Sweety."

"You seem happy." She observed solemnly.

Abbey glanced over in time to see Frank's face scrunch in confusion, "Of course I'm happy."

Nicky sighed, "Yeah, but you aren't always. Just lately."

Her voice was wistful and he tilted his head back to try and see her more fully. "Nicky, sweetheart, what are you getting at?"

"Do you not miss Grandma anymore?"

Abbey blinked at the young girl's bluntness. She felt uncomfortable but couldn't resist watching out of the corner of her eye as Frank sighed deeply, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Honey, I miss your Grandmother every day." He replied slowly.

"So how can you be happy?" She pushed him.

"Nicky," His mouth flattened as he thought for a beat before began explaining slowly, "Part of life is accepting the bad things and moving on with them. Of course I miss your grandmother, I always will. But I needed to learn to hold that alongside other feelings. I like to think she would want to see me happy."

Nicky pursed her lips tightly, squinting in memory, "She said she liked your smile."

Frank froze for a second and looked down. He swallowed and gave a small nod, "Yes...well..." He cleared his throat, "You know what I like?"

"What?"

"What your Grandmother and I made together." He looked down the line of his family, "I was sad, for a long time. But when we are all together, this family reminds me of everything to be grateful for and happy about." He sighed, "Nothing makes me happier than seeing all my kids and their kids together."

He smiled softly, "You know, I see her in everyone of you."

He shifted Nicky's weight, "Your Mom looks just like Grandma did at her age."

"Really?" Nicky asked, joyed.

"Yep." Frank nodded. "And your Uncle Danny has her ears, Jamie has her smile, Joe has her eyes. Both Jack and Sean have her curls."

"What about me, Grampa?" Nicky pressed.

He reached up a hand to where hers were holding on to his shoulders, "You...You my dearest, have her hands. These beautiful long piano fingers."

She smiled and held up a hand, inspecting it for herself.

He leaned back smiling at Nicky, "So, yes, I'm happy, it's hard not to be when surrounded by all of you. Make sense?"

"Yes." Nicky nodded into his scarf.

"Never forget I love ya." Frank gave her a wink.

Moments later, when the countdown for the lighting began and all eyes looked to the tree, flush with holiday awe, Frank Reagan stood a step back from the others, watching his family with equal wonder and joy.