"You guys finish your homework first, then come down." Linda sent the kids up to do homework mainly so she could talk to her husband.
"What's for dessert, babe?" Danny followed her into the kitchen.
"You know what I noticed about you tonight?"
"That I look, um, incredibly handsome?" He smiled, hoping he could steer the conversation in the direction he had planned.
"You change the subject every time I bring up Raymundo Salazar."
"Who?"
"Very funny. You can joke all you want, but no one has ever testified against him. And if they try, he has them killed before they get a chance." She started drying a glass.
"Honey, you gotta stop believing everything you read in the newspapers, okay?"
"And he's on the FBI's Most Wanted list."
"And guess who's on my most wanted list right now?"
Linda threw the dish towel at him.
"What?" Danny chuckled, smiling widely.
"Forget it, you can't be serious." She somewhat mumbled.
"Look, all right, I'm sorry, okay? I just don't want you to worry about me. I got enough people worried about me already... I'm testifying against him. I watched this guy kill an innocent kid in cold blood. I'm gonna testify."
"You know, this is not some corner drug dealer we're talking about."
"Since we're on the subject, you know if we grab him up, I'm gonna have to send you and the boys over to Dad's for a couple days, just for safety."
"Are you serious?" Linda wasn't sure if her voice sounded annoyed, although she was.
"What do you want me to do? It's a precaution."
"When?"
"Tomorrow, so you should probably start packing tonight."
"I don't like this." The blonde shook her head.
"I don't like it either."
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
"Just think of it as like a nice mid-week vacation for you and the boys, okay? You'll have fun."
"Okay."
"All right."
"I'm gonna have a blast." She said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood.
"Mm-hm."
"What am I gonna do with you?"
"I can think of a lot of things you can do with me right now..." Danny smirked, as Linda rolled her eyes. He kissed her lips quickly, then pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry. It's gonna be all right."
"Just so long as we're together again at the end of the day."
"Define together."
"Danny Reagan!" Linda pulled away, "here I am, nearly worried sick, and all you can do is make sex jokes?!"
"You're really worried," he looked at his wife, seeing the fear and tears in her eyes.
"Of course I'm worried!... you get a rip, you get sent to the 5-4, an upgrade, promotion. Nobody knows why. You're a major case detective, and everyone you've ever collared has sworn revenge. Nobody's ever succeeded, but this guy has an actual plan. He wasn't just blowing steam..." Linda wrapped her arms around herself, pushing the tearful lump down her throat, "nineteen years of knowing each other, fourteen married. I wanna have a golden anniversary, Danny... I'm not ready to be a widow."
Danny walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "I'm not going anywhere, I swear. I'm staying right here."
Linda let her tears fall, clinging to her husband. They stood together for a long time, Danny giving Linda little kisses on her forehead, hair, and cheeks. The blonde sniffed once her tears subsided, "so... how long do you think it'll take the boys to do homework?"
He looked at her, a bit confused. "Why? Are you timing dessert or something?"
"I just... I need a little more..." she moved her hands between them, motioning to both of them. "Contact than just a- a hug."
Danny nodded, "so now you want it?"
"Just a quickie... please?"
"Wh-"
"Mom!" Sean called, coming down the stairs, "can you help me with science please?"
Linda sighed, "of course. Set it up, and I'll be there."
He nodded and walked into the dinning area.
"Rain check?"
"Most definitely." He kissed her, a little too passionately, leaving her hungry. Lightly slapping her butt, he said, "go help the munchkin."
"Meanie," Linda said, smiling. "Okay, Sean, what're we studying?" She walked to the table.
"General science."
Danny smiled, and walked to the living room, switching on the tv. Every thing was going to be okay- Linda and the boys would be safe at Frank's- or so he thought. He was not prepared for what he was going to here in twelve or so hours.
