I DON'T OWN THESE CHARACTERS! *though I wish I did*

Maria sat still as a nurse examined her.

"Where did he hit you?" Nurse Bell questioned.

Maria knew she had to ask it, but she wished she could just go home and sleep. She caught herself when she thought "home" she thought of her room at Danny's.

"He hit my face three times." Maria started. "My chest twice, it feels like I have a broken rib. He alsothrew me on the bed and I hit my head on the bedpost."

"What happened to your wrist." Nurse Bell inquired jotting a few notes down.

"I was handcuffed to the bed." Maria answered.

Nurse Bell looked on with pity and concern. She knew she had been held hostage, but as she explained how she got her injuries, Nurse Bell's heart ached.

"Do you feel nauseous at all?" Nurse Bell .

"A little bit." Maria answered.

"Well, the doctor will be in shortly." Nurse Bell said.

Maria nodded. She hated the looks of pity, they had no idea what she had been through. She sat numbly. Did she regret pulling the trigger? Did she regret killing her first love? She felt a tug at her hurt. She had to remember that he wasn't the guy she fell in love. He hadn't been that guy since before they graduated high school.

Danny waited in the waiting room. Maria had been taken back an hour ago and he hadn't heard anything yet. He didn't like being away from her. He had just gotten her back and now she was in hospital room. Soon a nurse came out and walked over to him.

"Are you Detective Reagan?" She questioned.

"Yes I am." Danny answered.

"Miss Baez asked if you would come back." The nurse explained

"Okay" Danny agreed.

The nurse led him back to a room. Maria lay on the bed. Her wrist was wrapped in gauze.

"What did they say?" Danny inquired once the nurse left.

"Concussion and two broken ribs." Maria replied, "but they say I can go back home. Would you be willing to give me a ride?"

"You aren't going back to your apartment." Danny objected.

"Danny, I'm fine, it's just a concussion and broken ribs." Maria protested.

"I think it would be better for Sean if you came back for a few days." Danny explained. "He was really shaken up about it. I think he wants to be able to see you."

"Oh," Maria hadn't expected Danny to ask her to come back to his house.

"And I don't think you should be alone." Danny added.

Maria's eyes filled with tears.

"Thanks." She said trying not to cry. She was dreading going back to her apartment. He had been there. He had trashed it. He had written on the walls in blood.

"How did Sofia take the news about Angelo?" Maria questioned remembering her old friend.

Danny looked at his hands.

"Angleo got to Sofia before we did." Danny said. He didn't know Maria would respond to this news.

"That's whose blood it was." Maria muttered.

"What?" Danny questioned confused.

"Yesterday, he came back with blood on his hands and his clothes." Maria explained. "I wondered what happened." Maria's eyes glazed over. Danny knew she was thinking about everything that had happened. Maria barely noticed the brace on Danny's hand.

"Let's get you home." Danny stated while gathering up her things.

"I have to go back to the station and give my statement." Maria protested.

"I talked to Sarge and he's fine with you coming in tomorrow and giving it then." Danny responded.

"Okay" Maria nodded.

Danny reached for the white dress and was about to hand it back to Maria.

"I'm NOT wearing that again!" Maria cried.

Danny was surprised by her sudden outburst, but he surprised himself for being so thoughtless to think she would want it again.

"I'll go grab your bag in the car." Danny stated.

Maria nodded crossing her arms. Not in anger but almost as she was protecting herself from some unseen force.

Danny walked to the bed and took her hand.

"You are safe." He assured. "He's gone." His voice was so kind.

Maria felt her lips start to tremble.

"I just don't know if I did the right thing." She worried.

"No, don't do that to yourself." Danny ordered squeezing her hand lightly.

Kate drove Danny and Maria to Danny's house. Danny still couldn't drive because of his hand. Danny sat next to Maria in the back. His large hand held her small hand close. They stayed quiet as they drove back to the house.

Danny didn't want to say anything that might distress her. Maria was so tired, confused, and emotional that she didn't want to talk.

They pulled into the driveway. Sean and Jack were waiting on the porch. As soon as Maria was out of the car Sean had his arms around her embracing her tightly. Maria returned his embrace. She didn't mind the pain he was causing, because of her broken ribs. She savoured holding him close, it seemed to make things really.

"I was so worried." Sean whispered into her shoulder.

"I'm here." Maria assured. She felt something in her heart; a new strength. She didn't want to be strong, but Sean needed her to be strong. She placed a soft kiss on his check.

When they separated they saw tears in each others eyes.

"I need to take a shower." Maria declared, as they walked up the stairs. Maria's arm around Sean. Danny watched Sean reunite with Maria. If he had to bring another woman to be a mother for Sean it would be Maria. He froze wondering where that thought hadcome from, but he saw that Maria had a new spark in her eye.

Danny started to walk up the stairs when Kate's voice stopped him.

"Why didn't you tell me you are dating her?" She questioned.

"I'm not." Danny answered quickly .

"Danny don't lie to me. If you don't want Sarge knowing I can keep a secret but you should have told me." Kate explained.

"I'm not dating Maria." Danny shot back.

"Really?" Kate scoffed. "She lives with you Danny, Sean treats her like she's his mother, and you went into that house with no back up besides me, just to go after her."

"We aren't dating." Danny persisted.

Kate studied him. At first she thought he was concerned what their boss would say about partners dating. That's why he had lied.

"You really aren't dating her?" Kate questioned.

Danny shook his head.

"I'm sorry Danny I shouldn't have said anything." Kate apologized.

"Don't be." Danny protested. "I would have thought the same if I was in your shoes." Danny added.

Kate thought about that and agreed.

"Maria came to stay with me a couple days ago when we figured out that Angelo might be going after her. She has also been helping Sean with school for a few weeks. He really appreciates her." Danny explained.

"Do you think she's going to be okay?" Kate asked.

Danny shrugged. "Only time will tell."

I'm back from vacation!

I hope you guys liked that chapter. I don't really know how much I will be updating for a little while.

Love you guys

Eliza