Okay, so we got some back story! Vanessa is still attached to Connor but she's in love with her fiance and her newborn daughter. I think we've all had an experience like this sometime in our lives, haven't we? Well I have at least. This chapter will focus on Vanessa's work and a new case she must take on. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Two

It had been a week since the incident at the bar and a few days since I had returned to work. My fellow coworkers were all pleased to see that I had returned, each having their own line of questioning about my experience in motherhood so far, or advice for living with a newborn. I enjoyed all the advice I received, noting many helpful insights to dealing with feeding issues or behaviour problems. Recently, of course, Dawson and I haven't been sleeping because we are constantly kept awake by Sadie crying. You know, the usual new parent struggles.

The bags under my eyes are starting to get noticeable too.

"Detective Cummins! My office, now!" I heard my captain shriek. He didn't sound too pleased, but then again, he never does. I sighed heavily as I mentally prepared myself for whatever lecture I was about to receive, for whatever it was I did wrong already. I turned hard on my heels, interrupting the nice conversation I was in with a fellow coworker, and took quick steps to his office. His door and walls were curtained shut, usually only if there was a serious conversation to be had, and he was sitting calmly at his desk when I walked in. He rested his head on his laced fingers and watched me enter, standing tall in front of his desk.

"Sir?" I straightened my back as I addressed him, nervousness obvious in my voice. My fingers fiddled at my sides which was a habit I picked up from the precinct as we had to find something to do with our hands while we stood in formations. Plus I was nervous, so that didn't help. It felt like an eternity until the Captain spoke, but not before sighing heavily.

"Listen Cummins, I have some news for you."

Oh great, I got told on for something. I'm fired. I knew it, I'm-

"You have to transfer back to Detroit to help on a case." He ordered, unmoving.

My heart stopped so fast in my chest I thought I had died. A very cold shock ran from the tip of my head to the bottom of my feet. I honestly couldn't believe what I had just heard, but I know my captain, and he never beats around the bush about anything, so I knew he was burdened with this news for quite awhile and didn't want to drag it out longer than necessary.

"What? No-no Captain, I won't do it."

"You don't have a choice, Cummins. They need you."

I almost wanted to stomp my foot in defiance. Hot tears threatened to spill as I tried with all my might to keep myself composed. I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had to go back? To Detroit? See him again?

I couldn't do it. I had to get out of this somehow.

"Why do they need me?" I whined, "they have detectives over there!"

"They need someone certified in child relations, Cummins! They don't have any detectives with your clearances!" He shouted, banging his fist on the table. I jumped at the sudden noise, glancing down at my feet. I hated disobeying Captain Williams, especially because of everything he's done for me, but this was just too much. He knew about Connor, and he knew the only reason I moved to this town and transferred to this precinct was because of him. Then again, I knew he wouldn't do this to me-it was a power beyond his control and I was acting like a child about this.

"I know what happened with you and that android, Cummins, and you know I don't want to do this to you, especially because of that and because I'm going to lose my best detective for god knows how long, but consider this me calling out that IOU that you still owe me." Williams replied sheepishly, trying to lighten the situation. I was still visually upset but I managed to keep the tears back.

"What is the case, Captain?"

"There's been a kidnapping. The victim is a seven year old girl named Ashley. She was last seen a few days ago at her mother's residence, however she was abducted from the front yard in plain sight of her. They don't have any leads, and they also don't have any detectives over there that are qualified to work with child services, and that's why you have to go over there. I know it's a hike, but they offered to pay for your lodging for the duration of the case, with gas reimbursement as well. I did the best I could to make this as comfortable of a trip for you as possible, Cummins. You know as well as I do the emotional toll this case will take on you, but I had no choice in the decision either." he tried to explain to me, but I could tell his patience was fading. He was doing his best and I wasn't having it. I felt ashamed of my childish behaviour. This was a professional case, with a child's life on the line, and I was treating it as everyone kicking me as if I were a sick puppy.

Who knows, maybe I won't even see Connor. It's been several years after all, he may have went deviant after the revolution and moved on with his life. I certainly won't have to work with him even if he's still there, which is probably the best luck I could ask for.

As I tried to reason with myself, I never realized Williams was still waiting for my response. He cleared his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts. I stood up straighter and held my hands together in front of my stomach.

"Sorry sir. It's just hard for me to realize that I'll have to go back there again and relive all those emotions I felt all those years ago. It's not that I don't want to help them over there, I obviously do want to make sure that the little girl is found safe and returned to her family, but I'm just worried about seeing Connor again. I know it's stupid but that's all it is sir, seeing him again." I trailed off, unable to stop myself from getting worked up. He eyed me and sighed again, resting his head in his hands again.

"I get it, detective. I do. But I'm cashing in your IOU from your pregnancy, remember? You have to do this for me, for Detroit, and for that child and her family. I did my damnest to ensure you have the most comfortable trip as possible, so will you please just do it? I'll tell you what, if Connor becomes too much of an issue, you tell me and I will contact their police captain. How's that?"

I scoffed and smiled softly. The captain was a good guy, deep down you knew he was trying his best to help you out. He could have easily fired you when he found out about your pregnancy with Dawson, but he didn't, so you owed him this much. Finally, you came to your senses.

"Alright Captain, I'll do it." I sighed. I wasn't happy with the decision I had to make, but at the same time, it's not like I really had a choice either. I swallowed my anguish and accepted his thanks, before quickly leaving his office and making a b-line straight for the women's restroom. My hands began to shake uncontrollably as I absorbed the very idea of what was soon to come. I gripped the porcelain-tiled sink and stared at my reflection. At least I looked how I felt; my eyes were puffy and my face was pale. I couldn't cry here.

In an attempt to calm myself down, I locked myself in a stall and pulled out my phone to call Dawson and tell him the news.

He didn't really take it that well either.

He practically screamed into the receiver his distain for the idea of me leaving home for such a long and unknown period of time and, not to mention, returning to the very town I had ran away from all those years ago. He was nervous for me, but I tried to rationalize my thoughts and explain to him that it was for the good of the precinct and to reunite that young girl with her family. Of course, I wasn't too happy about seeing Connor again, but I did have many friends in Detroit still who would always help me out, should I need it. Hank Anderson was a very close friend of mine. He helped me through my first couple months at the precinct, and even knew about Connor and I developing a romantic relationship, but he kept it under wraps for us. He also knows about the aftermath of it all; not to mention how upset I was the last couple months at the precinct while I searched for a way out. It was a very tough time for him too, being friends with both parties made it difficult to side with either one, which made it even harder on me, because Connor was his partner.

Maybe Hank is still there, I could use a drinking buddy for a while.

Dawson finally had calmed down and reluctantly understood my orders, offering to help me pack when I returned home that evening, already deciding to make dinner himself to lighten my load. When I got off the phone with him, I sighed heavily and stood up straight.

I can't keep moping around like this. I have to deal with this. It will be okay.

I took several deep breaths.

It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.