In the morning, Hannah made them breakfast, like nothing had ever happened. Like she hadn't been crushed and like he hadn't said he loved her.

It amused him.

Her ability to shake everything off as if it wasn't a big deal made him smile. If he didn't know her any better, he would think she didn't care at all.

But he knew she did. She looked over at him as she poured him another glass of orange juice and he knew she cared.

That and the fact that she was wearing only his shirt at the moment, her hair in a messy braid, falling into her eyes. It was so big that it showed the scar on her shoulder completely, though she didn't seem to care.

He'd put his jeans back on when he'd gotten out of bed. He considered bringing some clothes up to her place for occasions like this… No… He wasn't sure how she would react to him moving a few things in.

"So," he said, swallowing a bite of French toast, "What are you doing today if you're not going to work?"

She shrugged, setting her orange juice down. "Not sure yet… I've been thinking that maybe I should go home for a little bit…"

Mike set down his fork, worried. Did she want to go home because she was still upset and needed more time away from him?

She looked up and saw the concerned look in his eyes.

"Just to visit," she said, disclaiming any other reason, "I haven't been home since Christmas and I already have the time off now…"

He nodded, relieved, taking another bite. "Makes sense."

She smiled. "I've been traveling so much in the last week… all the way out to Montana and then right back… why not go home for a little while?"

Mike smirked and met her eyes. "How long?"

She shrugged again, chewing. "A few days, maybe. There's not much to do there anyways."

He thought, drinking his orange juice. He wanted to meet her family. To see her where she was the most comfortable. He'd like that… But she would probably say no… She wouldn't want him to be that close, especially not now at least.

And how would he even ask? No… it wasn't the right time to meet her family… he wouldn't ask…

Hannah could see him thinking as he'd grown quiet.

"What's wrong?" she asked, hoping he wouldn't insist that it wasn't safe for her to travel.

He shrugged, smiling. "I'd like to meet your family one day."

She smiled at the thought, surprising him. "That'd be okay, I guess… too bad you work so much."

"Yeah…" he said, thinking, "It'd be good to get away for a while though… I need… to distance myself again… like I'd planned to before my dad…"

Mike looked down, reminded that he had been getting out of all of it… and then Lily Gray killed his dad… The guilt still ate at him.

Hannah could see the change ripple through him. She sighed. She knew he was serious about getting out, about being done…

Knowing he would say no and say that he had to work, she asked anyways, just to show him her support. "Would you want to come with me?"

He looked up, trying to control his grin. "You'd want me to?"

She shrugged, trying not to make it a big deal. "I mean, if you wanted to, but I know you have a lot going on and all… Joe Carroll being alive…"

She'd seen the news broadcast earlier and expected Mike to jump up and rush out the door. He hadn't.

Mike shrugged. "Ryan can deal with all that… I can't let Joe Carroll ruin my life, too… I need distance from it."

Hannah swallowed a gulp of orange juice. "So are you coming with me or not?"

Mike smirked, trying to hide his happiness. "If you'd like me to…"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes or no?"

He smiled. "Yes, I'd like to."

He expected her to panic, to get defensive about the idea of bringing him to her dad and brother.

Instead, she took his plate, rinsed it off, and said "Okay then" with a big smile.

"I'll find a flight for us for later today or tomorrow morning," she said, throwing back the last of her orange juice, casual as if she was reminding herself she needed to buy milk.

Mike grinned. If this was three days ago, she would've told him "Hell no," if this was even last night, she would have said "I don't think it's a good idea." Even though he knew he had a lot of making up to her to do, she was letting him come with her. She was giving him that chance.

She laughed. She could tell this was important to him. She was still a little upset with him… but she wasn't going to show it. She was going to be as cool and calm about it as possible, not show that anything was wrong.

"I'll call my dad but I'm sure he won't mind," Hannah said, picking up her phone from where it lay on the counter. In fact, she knew he wouldn't mind. She knew he'd be thrilled and she was prepared to roll her eyes about it.

"Hey there, kiddo!" Dave answered.

"Hey old man," Hannah replied, already smiling, "What are you doing for the next three days?"

Dave scoffed. "Who, this old fart? Eh just moseying around. Adam brought over some old Chevy he's been working on so I guess I'll help him with that."

"Hmm…" Hannah mused, smiling, "Care if I come for a few days?"

"Care?" Dave bellowed, "Baby girl, you know I'll take you any time I can get you! When will you be here?"

She smiled and Mike loved how much she loved her dad. "Sometime today or tomorrow morning. I need to check flights."

"Well, I'll be damned," Dave beamed, "I'll get out all the finest China and call the queen!"

She scoffed, grinning and rolling her eyes. "And Mike's coming, too… that okay?"

Mike held his breath, waiting. Dave didn't know Mike was listening… what if he was leery? What if he wasn't enthused?

"Well, hells bells!" Dave said incredulously, "Isn't it my lucky day? Of course, bring him! The more the merrier!"

Hannah laughed and Mike smiled. "I'll see you soon, then, okay?"

"Alright, chickadee, see ya when I see ya," Dave chimed, hanging up.

Mike was still smiling when Hannah set her phone down. She smiled at his reaction. "Excited?"

He nodded, eyes glimmering. He wished his dad was still around to have that same reaction about meeting Hannah one day… but he wouldn't… He tried to push the thought from his head.

"I'll look up flights," she said, checking the time on the stove clock, "You might want to go pack something. And bring some jeans you can get dirty."

Mike grinned, standing up from his normal spot at her breakfast bar.

"Well, you know," he said coming around the counter to her, eyes glinting, hands sliding under the shirt, "I'll be needing my shirt back for that…"

She cocked her head, smiling. "This shirt?"

He nodded, eyes dark. "Yes… this shirt…"

Hannah shrugged, smirking. "Well, by all means then…"

He grinned devilishly and slipped it over her head and back onto his own. It was still warm from her body heat. He leaned down and kissed her.

"I'll see you in a little bit then," he said, smiling, "You know it'd be easier if I had clothes here…"

She scoffed. "Nice try, but no. Go get packed."

Mike grinned, swatting at her playfully. "Yes, ma'am!"

She found a red eye flight that left at one in the morning and Mike hadn't objected to it. The next flight leaving would be three in the afternoon the next day, which was too long for her to wait for. Hannah preferred to fly in late and wake up and have the whole day in Missouri.

She was almost giddy about going home.

Mike smiled. He was used to flying with the FBI or driving long hours to get anywhere they wouldn't send him to. He was excited about finally going somewhere he wouldn't be expected to look at bodies, arrest people, or nearly be killed himself.

He tried to put on his "I'm scared of meeting her dad" face as they walked through the airport and to baggage claim. He was more excited than anything. He wanted to meet Dave, to see where Hannah grew up, to find out more about her life and what had made her the way she was.

She stood so independent and strong, but he wanted to see the family that made her that way… to see how she acted with her dad… to see the way she smiled around him.

Hannah was a little nervous grabbing her bag off the conveyor belt. She loved coming home, but she'd never brought anyone back with her before. She wasn't surprised that her dad was elated about it, being that he'd talked to Mike before… but she was a little leery of what Adam would say. She knew he'd give her hell for it.

"So… anything I should be aware of? Things not to say?" Mike asked jokingly, grabbing his bag.

She shook her head. "Not really… My dad's a really easy guy to get along with."

Mike smiled. He was meeting Hannah's dad.

She checked her phone. No missed calls and their plane had landed thirty minutes late. Dave would be waiting on them.

"C'mon, let's move over towards pick up…" she said, looking towards the exit.

Mike followed her, independent and self-directed. It made him smile.

Hannah ran into Dave first.

"Hey there, kid!" he grinned, hugging her, "You're late."

She scoffed. "I called but you didn't answer."

"Yeah, left the damned phone at the house," he said, shrugging, turning to Mike, "Mike, hi!"

"Sir," Mike said with a smile, shaking his hand. He gave a good handshake and smiled politely.

Dave smiled. "Dave, please. The only people who call me Sir are the ones asking me if I want my eggs scrambled or over easy."

Mike laughed. Dave smiled and took his keys out of his coat pocket.

"Alright, we all set? Need to get anything else?" Dave asked Hannah, glancing at their bags.

"Nope, got everything," she said, "We packed light."

Dave grinned proudly. "Atta girl. Alright, well come on then!"

Hannah rolled her eyes, her dad was always over enthused and giddy.

Mike liked it, it was refreshing.

He followed them out to an old Jeep that barely looked like it could keep its wheels on.

"Geez, dad, when are you going to get rid of this old thing?" Hannah scolded jokingly, setting her bag in the back.

Dave scoffed. "This girl is older than you are! Have some respect! Mike, you tell her!"

Hannah shot Mike a look and he grinned. Dave winked at her as he got into the front seat.

Mike let Hannah ride shotgun, content to sit in the back and listen.

They pulled out of the airport and onto the main road, headed to a place with less streetlights.

"So Mike," Dave called, "What kind of work do you do?"

Hannah raised her eyebrows. This should go over real well…. Her dad would freak out if he knew half the danger Mike was in in a daily basis.

Mike sat up, leaning towards the front seats so he could look at Dave while he talked to him, clearing his throat.

"I'm in the FBI, sir," Mike said, trying to sound unofficial and casual about it. Anytime he said it though, he could hear his official tone.

"What'd I say about the sir thing?" Dave scolded, "And you don't say? What kind of things do you do for them, son?"

Mike thought quickly. He'd assumed that just saying "FBI" would be explanation enough.

Hannah's eyes connected with his quickly. She knew that he knew better than to mention Joe Carroll or Lily Gray. Or even Ryan.

"Uh, mostly investigative work on current cases," Mike said, offering a better, but still honest answer.

Hannah glanced back at him, grateful and impressed with some quick thinking. Mike nodded accordingly.

"Hmm," Dave mused, "Are you out in the field much or mostly at a cubicle?"

Mike chuckled. "I'm out in the field a little more than I'd like to be."

Hannah hoped her dad wouldn't ask about that.

"What do you think of it? You like it, though?" Dave asked, turning down a gravel road.

Mike shrugged. "I do… I've had a lot on my plate recently though… I'm looking forward to it slowing down."

Dave nodded, remembering that he'd lost his dad recently, too. "I hear that… well… good thing you came up here… this is a good place to get away from it all for a while."

Mike could see that they were pulling up to a big farmhouse, only one lone light pole outside it. The front porch light was on, waiting for them. There was a barn and fences around the house.

They parked and Mike felt Hannah relaxed, feeling the comfort of home.

"Shit, well I bet you kids are tired," Dave said as they grabbed their bags out of the old Jeep.

Hannah nodded. "I know I am… but Mike doesn't sleep much."

He shot her a look and she blushed. He didn't want her dad to think she knew that much about his sleeping habits.

Dave looked at Mike. "Aw hell, me neither. I'm a down at dusk, up with the sun kind of man. Unless I'm thinking and then there's no getting to sleep for me!"

Mike smiled. Crisis averted.

Hannah followed Dave up the front porch steps, creaking in only the way that good steps do.

Dave flipped on the inside light and Mike smelled the smell of being home. The kind that immerses all your senses and makes you aware of exactly where you are. The kind that good memories were made of.

"Alright well I'm gonna close up the barn and lock up for the night. See ya in the morning, kiddo," Dave said to Hannah, "You know where everything is."

She smiled, setting her bag down to hug him. "I'd hope I do. I only lived here my entire life."

Dave smiled, head over her shoulder. "Yeah well you're away so much that maybe you forget."

Hannah smiled. "Love you, dad."

Dave grinned, hands on her shoulders, stepping back. "Love you, too, sweetpea."

He turned to Mike. "Alright there son, see ya in the morning!"

Mike smiled. "Thank you for letting me come."

Dave chuckled. "Glad to have you."

Mike grinned. He could see where Hannah got her welcoming nature from.

Dave turned and headed towards the back of the house, screen door slamming on the spring.

"C'mon," Hannah said, grabbing her bag, "Bedtime."

She headed up the stairs, easily, knowing each step by heart. Mike looked at the picture frames that lined the wall on the way up. So many pictures of Hannah as a kid and he guessed Adam. He saw younger pictures of Dave and a woman that looked a lot like Hannah. Pictures of the four of them at the lake and dressed up for Halloween.

"So, this is my house," Hannah said, feeling a little silly, "This is the upstairs bathroom… Dad's room is here… this is Adam's old room… and here…."

She kicked open an already ajar door at the end of the hall.

"Is my old room."

She tossed her bag on the floor by the bed and turned to look at him while he took it all in.

Her room looked like it hadn't been touched since she was 18. A modest bed, dresser covered in bracelets and necklaces. The pictures were taped to the mirror and awards and medals hung on the wall. He noticed some for track and lacrosse.

He smirked. He wondered what her life was like at 18, from a small town… about to go to college…

"You alright there?" she asked, noticing him thinking.

He grinned. "Yeah… just cool to see where you grew up."

Hannah shrugged. "It's really not much."

Mike smiled. "Once my brothers and I all moved out of the house, my parents downgraded and got a smaller place. It's nice to still have the place you grew up in."

She could tell he was thinking about his dad, too… about the house they'd lived in before… Memories with his dad.

"Just wait until dad gives you the tour tomorrow… we still have the height marks inside the pantry door," Hannah bragged sarcastically, smiling at him.

Mike smiled. She didn't seem to fit the room anymore. She'd outgrown it. But he could see where part of her still belonged there. Still felt at home in her quiet oasis. He wondered how many nights she locked herself away there so she could be alone.

He looked to her bookshelf, also curious what lined the shelves like the ones at her apartment. Of course, classics, no doubt from a high school English class. A few sci-fi novels, no doubt from a phase, he guessed her freshman year of high school. There were a few knick knacks, clay glazed bowls, no doubt made in an elementary school art class. There were some beads, probably from broken bracelets she couldn't bear to part with.

He noticed next to the clay bowl, a piece of fabric. A patch? He was close enough to reach out and touch it… He picked it up.

It was thicker than most fabrics… Not canvas… tougher… Not as thick as Kevlar….

"It's the seatbelt…" she said, watching him.

His eyes looked over it. This was what had caused her scars… and had saved her life…

"When my dad went to scrap the car, I asked him to cut off part of the seatbelt. He got the gearshift for Adam. I don't know if he kept it," she explained, taking it from him and putting it back on her shelf.

He wondered why she left that at home… and didn't take it with her… maybe she was ready to leave that part of her life behind her when she moved…

She glanced at her watch. "It's 3am… You're probably not tired, but I am…"

He smirked. He wasn't that tired at all, but he knew she was. She'd started drifting off on the flight there.

"Yeah," he said, understanding her need for sleep, "Where are am I staying?"

She looked at him confused. "You're staying here."

Mike frowned. Although he liked sleeping with her, this wasn't her apartment… this was her dad's house… Surely there were certain rules about that…

"Wouldn't your dad prefer if I stayed in your brother's room or something?" he asked, trying to be respectful.

Hannah put her hands on her hips, smirking. "Really? Mike, I haven't lived at home for almost ten years… It's not a big deal. My dad isn't going to chase you off with a pitchfork or anything."

He shrugged. "Still…. I want to be respectful. Him knowing you're an adult and that we're together is different when we're under his roof."

She cocked her head. Mr. Boyscout.

"If that's what you want," she said, not sure why he was thinking this much into it.

He nodded. "You know that I love to sleep with you… but I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with your dad and I want to do this right."

She chuckled. "I suppose… well, Adam's room is across the hall."

Mike turned, taking his bag with him. He meant it when he said he wanted to do this right. He'd messed up already… he was going to be as careful as he could be with her and especially her family.

Adam's room wasn't as stuck in a time warp as Hannah's. Adam still had baseball trophies and old hats on the dresser. It looked a little more lived in than Hannah's old room and Mike realized that he had never asked Hannah where Adam lived. Perhaps Adam lived closer than Hannah and got to visit more, spending more time in his old room.

Mike glanced for the gearshift Hannah said Adam had and he didn't see it out anywhere. He wondered if it was stashed far back in the closet or if Adam had thrown it out years ago.

"If you need anything or get cold in the middle of the night," Hannah offered with a wink, "You know where to find me."

Mike smiled, leaning and kissing her. "Thanks… and thank you for letting me come with you."

She smiled, hands on his chest. "Don't mention it."

He kissed her again. "I love you."

Hannah laughed, pushing him away. "See you in the morning."

He smiled, watching her close the door behind her. He was happy to be there… Life with Hannah was having more depth to it, more sides he hadn't seen before.

Across the hall, when she got into bed, she was asleep before her head hit the pillow. So many times she'd come home from practice and fallen asleep that way. Times barely staying awake to drive home, out too late with Adam and Jason.

Mike laid down, surprised that even with the light off, the room was still bright. Without streetlights, the moon was brighter. He'd never been many places that the sky was that dark and the moon was that bright. He'd always been within 200 feet from a street light.

He smiled. He wondered what it was like growing up there. He wondered if her dad would show him albums of baby pictures, Hannah as a kid with a melted popsicle in her hand. He wondered if Hannah would show him all the places she used to go when she was a teenager. Maybe the place where the accident happened…

He closed his eyes. He'd find out tomorrow.

So after careful consideration and your input, I've decided to take this in its own direction. I plan to follow the main events/ideas from the show (Joe Carroll coming back/anything MAJOR happening) but I do agree that waiting and recapping each episode as we go along will just go too slow and not allow certain events that you'd like to see (such as Mike meeting Hannah's dad and family).

I try not to include notes like this much. I know each of you have your own kind of relationship with this story and I want it to be about the story rather than me :) I try not to get involved in your zone when you read.

A reviewer did ask some information about me and I suppose I can indulge. They wanted to know my age, grade if I was in school or my career, and my favorite episode of the show.

I'm 24. I teach 1st grade. And EVERY episode is my favorite! There is no way that I can pick out my absolute favorite!